No matter how close you live to big, green spaces, many of your struggles can be traced to how aligned you are with nature. Sparked by a conversation with his teenage daughter Martin and I delve review some clues that can very well make our life easier.

“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”

Anytime there is frustration and friction in your life it's important to check and compare how aligned your affairs and thoughts are with the natural world. In this episode, Martin shares some of his observations about nature and just how we might adapt them to our own situation. (12:00):

1. Patiences
2. Rhythm
3. Busy, Diligent
4. Economy & Efficiency
5. The cycle of life
6. Change & metamorphosis
7. Struggle creates strength
8. Nature is flexible, adapting, and resilient
9. Everything must flow
10. Unity
11. There are many things we cannot control
12. Balance

This week, we challenge you to take one of these observations and apply it to your life. Track it and see for yourself how effective you can be when you align yourself and your efforts with nature!

“Never does wisdom say one thing and nature another.”

For more on the link between productivity and nature, check out the episode on the Physics of Productivity at TheHabitFactor.com/013

“There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells us it is going to be a butterfly.” 

The word “philosophy” comes from Ancient Greek and means “love of wisdom”.

Unfortunately, the modern translation appears to have become slightly twisted to the point where the word might only connote some impractical college major.

Yet, philosophy ought to be embraced by all who seek to live in a more "favorable" world for it is our own mental constructs (our own philosophy) that dictates how we think, feel and act. So, philosophy isn't just about talking or even thinking, its true meaning lies in the execution of the ideas and ideals.

Today, Nick and I revisit the essence of philosophy and review some of the framework behind The Habit Factor franchise.

“All men’s natures are alike, it's their habits that carry them far apart.”

In this episode, Martin shares a handful of his favorite quotes and a few books that helped him to form a foundation for thought and action (a mixed philosophy that spans; Thoreau and Socrates to Kurt Vonnegut.

Enjoy!

“Good things happen when planned, bad things happen on their own.” ~Quality is Free Tweet This

The path to leading a more efficient life is simply to harness the power of positive habits and rituals.

Chances are very good you already have a set number of habits and rituals (particularly in the morning or evening). The question is, have they developed by choice or by chance? Are they by design or by default?

Intentionally establishing positive routines in the morning and evening will help you to feel refreshed, balanced, connected and even, as a bi-product far more productive.

In this episode, Martin and I review 6 reasons rituals are powerful and various tips for establishing them to help foster your efficiency and peace of mind. (7:10):

1. …rituals are more energy efficient
2. …they compound greatly w/out notice at first
3. …they work with natural rhythms
4. …help you to feel more connected
5. …bring you mindfulness and mindlessness
6. …they can be established consciously using the P.A.R.R. methodology

This week, Martin and I challenge you to create a ritual and to track your progress--that's it!

By tracking the ritual, you will reinforce its behavior and habit becomes the gateway  rituals to foster an environment where you can be your most productive and successful self.

“Goals are just dreams with deadlines.”

A man named C. Northcote Parkinson once claimed that work expands to fill the time for its completion. While its human nature to procrastinate, there aren't enough people using deadlines to their advantage. Join author Martin Grunburg on this episode of Habits to Goals as he shares his strategies for accelerating productivity with deadlines.

When you don't understand how deadlines can help you, sometimes they can hurt you. Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing and accept that there will be times that you will need an extension. Maintain perspective and persevere with accountability groups and realistic timelines to transform deadlines into a positive force to empower your life.

“There are no unreadable goals, just unreasonable deadlines.”

One of the great inspirations for Grunburg’s The Habit Factor is Dr. Stephen Covey’s classic, bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In this episode, Martin reviews some of the similarities and differences between the two works. (10:20).

If, by chance you haven't read Covey's masterpiece (do so!) and, in the meantime, here is a quick synopsis (12:45):

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think “Win-Win”
5. Seek First to Understand than to be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

Martin then explains one of the reason The Habit Factor "had" to be written and how The Habit Factor "bookends" and complements The Seven Habits 11:52.

Later we discuss how the first three habits focus on the "self" and the next three habits focus on fostering inter-dependence and teamwork. Finally, the seventh habit, "Sharpen the saw" is about renewal and allows for never ending growth and the ability to continually cycle and master each habit.

Now, it's your turn! Are you being proactive? Are you beginning with the end in mind? Are you following the seven habits? And, are you tracking the core habits that will help you to achieve your goals?

Consider getting these books, studying and understanding better how habit and the seven habits can help to improve your life!

Enjoy!

“Everyone wants to improve the world, very few are willing to improve themselves.” Tweet This

Many people write-off self-help thinking that positive thinking just sets you up for disappointment later.

Zig Ziglar once put it brilliantly, "positive thinking won't allow you do everything, it only allows you to do everything better." For instance, positive thinking may not help you to dunk a basketball. But, it will make your efforts much improved.

The beauty is self-help isn't just about "positive thinking". First and foremost, it's an acknowledgment that the person responsible for their growth and development is themselves.

SELF HELP (at the proverbial end of the day) has been described as the only real help there is.

Self-help is also about accepting one's self as they are and then acknowledging ways they might improve. The pursuit of self-help assures a certain amount of humility.

“True nobility isn't about being better than others, it's about being better than you were before.” ~Wayne Dyer Tweet This

So, really, the beginning of all self improvement is an acknowledgement that you can be better and a belief that it's possible.

In this episode, Martin and I review his personal journey of self improvement (6:00) and then he discusses at least seven reasons why self-help doesn't suck (11:10).

1. It's the only true help there is
2. It helps you assume responsibility for your life.
3. Promotes a respectful understanding of self and humility.
4. Demonstrates a DESIRE to be better.
5. The concept of true nobility
6. It's the only thing you can inspiring others

He then reviews some top-of-mind favorite self-help books and authors. (26:00).

“Let everyone sweep in the front of his own door and the world shall be clean.”  Tweet This

Who hasn't felt STUCK before?

The good news is, it's common and something everyone is likely to experience at some point. The bad news is, it's an uncomfortable awareness that you've lost momentum and enthusiasm is gone.

That no matter what you try to do, nothing seems to move you or your career forward? Hence, you are STUCK.

And, when you’re stuck, it's important to know that it's not just an emotional but also a physiological state. Sometimes it even makes us feel alone or isolated.

“Motion creates emotion.” ~Tony Robbins Tweet This

To help you form some habits that will ultimately propel you forward, Martin and I review these eight tips to become UNSTUCK (time):

1. More Accurate Thinking
2. Move!
3. Use and Create Regret
4. Avoid the Comparison Game
5. Read Autobiographies and other books- keep learning
   
6. Challenge Fear
7. Acknowledge and Accept the Situation
   
8. Track- Track - Track (Did we say Track!?)
   

By tracking even your smallest, recurring behaviors (habits) that move your toward your goal, you build immediate momentum! Reaffirming exactly why the Free Habit Building-Tracking template is so popular and why the app works so well for so many people ; ).

Finally, at the end of the episode, Martin extends a gift for anyone who may be feeling stuck. So, check out the show and share a review please. Thank you.

Enjoy!

“Every master was once a disaster.”  T. Harv Eker Tweet This

Life is similar to sports. What's interesting is sometimes we choose intentionally to PLAY and other times, without knowing, we've allowed ourselves to fall into the shadows and become a spectator.

While it's good to have periods of reflection and rest, too much inactivity or indifference impedes our growth, progress, happiness and success.

You know you're PLAYING to WIN when you have a goal defined — you can describe what the end-zone and even first downs look like.

“Good things happen when planned out. Bad things happen on their own.” Tweet This

To stay motivated and keep your head in the game, be sure to track and keep score! Just try to imagine any professional sport without a target and/or score.

Athletes know how they are doing because there is a score and it's tracked! Are you tracking?

This simple concept alone accounts for much of popularity of The Habit Factor® app (iOS) (Android) and  FREE tracking template (spreadsheet). Tracking creates momentum and provides invaluable feedback!

In order to meet the challenge of competition and play our best, Martin and I review the CRITICAL 3 P's. (17:22):

• Planning  - what is the end goal, ideal, objective?
  
• Preparing - what are the resources: people, tools, skills required?
  
• Practicing - Practice skills, refine and rehearse - simulate real "play"
  

Then, we challenge the listener to identify something they are working on and intentionally practice and track it this week.

Finally, we touch on the big trap that seems to hit so many people after a BIG win.

With a nice, satisfying win behind them, (just like some athletes) they lose focus and attention in the present. They become tentative and perhaps even unsure how or if they might repeat their prior success.

Forgetting of course that, “Greatness is a process.”  Tweet This

Are you tracking? Do you know what the short term first-downs are? What does the long-term end-zone looks like?

Let me know how you keep your head in the game?

Enjoy. Subscribe. Share. Thanks.

“Nobody is born with grit and no one is born with discipline.” Tweet This

Grit is one of the greatest predictors of success and one of the defining virtues of successful people… yet, what is grit exactly and how can you develop it?

According to Angela Lee Duckworth’s TED talk, grit is a combination of persistence and a willingness to change and adapt to improve. It is actively choosing to pursue a goal, refusing to quit and being willing to accept failures— understanding that "success" is a processs.

“People with a grit mindset are committed to outcomes and are willing to disregard facts if and when necessary.” Tweet This

By persisting and keeping your eye on the prize, you can develop habits to guide you in achieving your goals. This week, Martin offers a few thought and behavior habits to transform your mindset and get help you get “gritty” (13:10):

• Start with a vision
• Believe it's possible
• Be patient
• Work hard and have courage
• Reframe your mistakes into learning experiences
• Craft creative alternatives
• Persist
• Mental toughness
• Reflect and Repeat

The most important ingredient of this plan may be to continually repeat the process. Grit, in essence is the resolve to go through the process as many times as it takes to achieve your dreams.

In order to implement this strategy into your life, use this template, a worksheet, or the Habit Factor app and develop the determination required to accomplish your goals.

“It's important to regard failure as an event and not a person.” Tweet This

On your unique journey to a more balanced and successful life, failure is inevitable. One of the biggest obstacles to achieving your goals is separating your sense of self from any particular instance of failure (2:44). Rather than labeling yourself as a failure after a tough setback or challenge, shift your perspective and simply view the failure for what it was: an event.

“Failure is not the opposite of success; it's a prerequisite.” Tweet This

Research (or quickly Google ; ) the autobiography of any one of your favorite heroes and you will notice that each and every one has essentially failed their way toward success (5:02). Here are a few ways setbacks can be overcome more easily... (9:48):

1. Continuing to move forward assertively
2. Frequently attempting new and challenging things
3. Identify a "winning" model
4. Reverse engineering the desired outcome

While almost everyone tends to overestimate what they can accomplish in the short term, they grossly underestimate what they can achieve in the long-term. Of course "success" is the ultimate end-goal where patience becomes a critical ingredient and it's only via the power of habit that one can develop those essential mindsets required in order to spin failure to win!

“Genius is eternal patience” –Michelangelo Tweet This

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Resources

The Habit Factor app

The Habit Factor template

The Habit Factor book

Big Brothers Big Sisters

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By: Nick Polkawski “Discipline is doing what you ought to do, when you ought to do it, whether you feel like it or not.” Tweet This Just about everyone has heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals, the standard for goal setting that has been around since the ‘80s.  Which represent Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound [...]