First Things

I challenge you … “double dog dare you” as we say in the good old Southern USA … to take one day this week and make a break from your technology. Will you accept my challenge? We’re all addicted to tech. After long work days with eyes glued to glowing computer screens, dazed workers across […] The post #017 – My Challenge to You: Unplugging from Technology [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We normally look at life as a series of crises.  But to see your life as a journey could be a catalyst for breakthrough productivity.  Your NOW moment is the ARENA to know your potential and happiness. In all the roads of your life, in all the pathways you find yourself walking on … not […] The post #016 – Seeing Your Life as a Journey [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a person that there is someone who cares about them … that they aren’t alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. The 2013 study “The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles,” examined mentoring program relationships, experiences and benefits for […] The post #015 – Mentor Wanted: The Mentor I Never Had [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

The lost art of listening … some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. Recently, I was talking to someone who was not very present in the conversation. Even though she would nod and say “Yeah” the whole time we communicated, her follow-up comments would reveal she wasn’t […] The post #014 – The Lost Art of Listening [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Statistical studies have derailed more people’s productivity than anything else I know. I am a statistician. So, I say this statement very carefully.   How do we properly process statistical studies?  How can we ensure that we don’t make one of the biggest mistakes made with statistical studies … assuming that correlation proves causality? Click […] The post #013 – Ice Cream Causes Divorce: How Statistical Studies May Be Killing Your Productivity [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Perfectionism is a particular expression of the fear of failure.  By setting up unrealistic expectations, people can set themselves up for great stress in their lives. It isn’t necessarily bad  to have high standards. Having goals helps you achieve things in life. BUT when these goals are either unachievable or only achievable at great cost, […] The post #012 – Paralysis by Analysis: Perfectionism & Why Being SO Good Can Be SO Wrong [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In this episode, I want to thank all my listeners by covering some feedback I’ve gotten over the last few weeks. In particular, I want to cover some of the tools I use that help me, some things about corn (it will make more sense once you listen!), and my thoughts on ADHD. Click to […] The post #011 – Listener Feedback: Tools, Corn, and ADHD [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

What do the following people have in common?  Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, Napoleon Hill, Tony Robbins, and J.K. Rowling.  If you say, “famous people” … well, that is only partially right.  These are also people who have experienced some of the greatest failures in life. Do you struggle with the fear of failure? […] The post #010 – Overcoming Fear of Failure: Escaping the Performance Trap [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

No is a word we have dreaded since we were babies.  Two simple letters that have great power if used wisely.  So, why do so many of us have a hard time learning to say no? We are surrounded by a world that loves to criticize us, to manipulate us, to control us.  How can […] The post #009 – Just Say No: Freedom from Criticism, Manipulation, Conflict, and Guilt [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Ever feel stuck in life?  Perhaps you might feel that you have no traction in your life, that you are just spinning your wheels.  Or perhaps you see negative emotions which dominate your life, and quickly react to the smallest of incidents. In this episode of First Things, we dive into the issue of feeling […] The post #008 – Stuck: Emotional Health by Unthawing Frozen Emotions and Moving Forward with Traction [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Multitasking … this can be a very controversial topic to some.  There seems to be countless research debunking the practice.  Do a search on the myth of multitasking and you will see what I mean. But, there seems to be a big contradiction … because we can drive and listen to music at the same […] The post #007 – Multitasking: The Myth of Multitasking … Or Is It? [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Need a happiness project? Or a prescription for happiness? Looking to understand what happiness even means? Or more importantly how you can actualize a happiness project in your life? In this podcast, I speak on the topic of happiness.  A “happiness project” to give you ways to see your life differently.  Hopefully it will be […] The post #006 – A Happiness Project & Prescription: 10 Steps Toward Greater Joy and Passion [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In a recent blog post, I detailed some steps that people can take to take their learning and studying to the next level. It generated some interest, so I thought this would make for a good podcast as well. If you are attempting to learn something new, or have children in school, I believe the […] The post #005 – Unleashing the Lion in Your Brain: More Efficient Ways to Study and Learn [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In our pursuit of balancing the compass and the clock … the important vs the urgent … there is a need to understand how to process the urgent matters.  Urgent matters force themselves on us constantly. Urgent matters can so force themselves on us, that they can be a “tyrant” in our lives.  There is little […] The post #004 – Slaves to the Tyranny of the Urgent: The Constant Battle Between the Important and the Urgent appeared first on First Things.

There is a continual battle in our lives for time … between the best and the good … between the journey and the destination … between where you are heading and how fast you are going. In this episode of First Things I share on the battle between the Compass and the Clock. Click to […] The post #003 – The Battle Between the Compass and the Clock – Why Direction is More Important than Speed [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We all do it … everyday we have inner conversations with ourselves.  We are constantly thinking, and some of these thoughts may be thwart us, or stir us toward greater potential. By recognizing “stinkin’ thinkin” and applying some tools in this podcast, you can begin tackling this smelly issue of the mind. Click to Listen […] The post #002 – Stinkin’ Thinkin’ … How your thoughts affect your productivity more than you know. [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In this episode of First Things, I introduce the purpose and passion behind the Podcast. This episode is shorter than other Podcasts since just a general introduction.  But I do share some interesting perspectives on how seeing every person as your teacher provides a richer experience of life. Click to Listen Your Feedback If you […] The post #001 – Introduction to First Things [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.