McKay’s topic this week centers on the concept of change and why it doesn’t always have to be something worthy of fear.  It’s all about taking advantage of the circumstances, no matter how poor.  Whether you're a Minnesotan ice fisherman floating away on a glacier or a sinking multibillion dollar corporation, the outcome of change relies solely on how you adapt to it– on how well you can innovate.  And that’s what today’s episode is all about: learning how to innovate.  McKay walks us all through various stories about companies and people who chose to innovate and some of those who unfortunately didn’t, whilst also providing clear steps on how you too can start turning change in your own lives into a force for good.  From aspirations and motivation to acceleration and scale, McKay seeks to help us master innovation techniques, whatever that means to you.  And it doesn’t necessarily need to entail large, ornate schemes.  As you’ll learn today, innovation can even be as simple as writing a name on a coffee cup.The Finer Details of This Episode: Minnesota’s ice fishermenTaking advantage of the circumstancesThe death of SearsFinding aspirations and motivationKennedy’s path to the MoonAccelerating through barriersThe Disney magicScaling innovationStarbucks’ first name initiativeBecoming a partner of choiceQuotes: “We have done what we thought was needed to prosper in life.  We’ve drilled our holes so to speak, prepared our lines, packed a lunch, done everything we need to do, and what happens?  The entire sheet of ice, the ground underneath us moves.”“Sears didn’t do these seemingly boring yet essential things to respond to the changing economy.  Instead they invested millions in ad campaigns such as “Welcome to the softer side of Sears.”  These millions could have been spent to change their store locations, warehouses, supply chain, and other operations.”“Innovation does so many things for your business and for you.  It brings in energy, vibrancy, and hope.  It challenges you and your team.  And that challenge is what helps you to grow.”“It’s intimidating, because you don’t understand the technology or market, or it looks and feels like work.  But innovation is where you find the joy and energy and focus that will fuel your business and life.”“What gets you motivated and excited?  You see, once you’ve answered those questions, then you can choose the one thing upon which to focus. Focus allows and forces you to think, get creative, and innovate.”“We may not have all the answers we need to move forward, but that uncertainty may hold us back.  So, as you begin your new innovation, learn all you can.  Be a curious student of everything in your business.  Learn, try, test and retest.”“The ground is likely to move underneath your feet.  So, get ready, look into the future and decide today how you need to bring a bit more innovation into your life and business.  To do so, get clear about what you aspire to do.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about taking the positive approach in life.  Have you ever known someone who just seems to have a critical nature?  What was it like to be around them?  It’s easy for you, and me, to get in the habit of being critical or negative, and soon we may not even be aware that we are that way.  At the end of the day, we can choose to take the positive approach with people and ourselves. And that’s just why our host finds this topic important to discuss today. As Norman Vincent Peale said: “A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions.” Weaving stories of positivity about greats like Henry Longfellow and Vincent Peale, McKay inspires the audience to not only believe in the positive approach, but also to adhere to it too.  Most importantly, he wants the audience to remember that negativity can be a force for good, but it can also be all-consuming. We don’t need to completely eradicate all negativity from our lives to become more optimistic individuals.  In fact, some of the most positive people have the darkest pasts.  So why not take the positive and growth oriented approach?  We have nothing to lose. The Finer Details of This Episode: Henry Longfellow’s positive determinationWhy negativity is contagious Firing neurons and their patternsThe returns of the positive approachWashing your metaphorical “dirty window”“Post It Note therapy”Quotes: “​​A negative view can rob you of some very important things.  The first thing you lose is yourself.  You see, you can’t take the negative approach and not lose a part of you in the process. Because your patterns of negative thinking soon turn from others to you.”“So when you have a thought, your brain searches for patterns to connect to, and if your established patterns are negative, you will think negative—even if it’s about yourself.”“A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions.”“Sure enough, the view from our window, our belief window, can get stained with our own negative view and this tends to stain what we see around us.”“And watch what will happen, yes, you will get better results with people, but you, your thought patterns, how you feel about yourself will improve.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Do you ever feel like life is unfair?  While it is true life has its disadvantages, there are also unfair advantages, if we can open our eyes to see them. That’s what McKay talks about on this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast.  Hurdles, roadblocks, and inequities are inevitable.  But if we look closely, we can see how those inequities can set us up to have an unfair advantage.  After all, disappointments are often blessings in disguise. We can find a real silver lining in and grow from loss and disappointment that sometimes comes our way.In this episode, McKay walks us through the steps necessary to start looking for the unfair advantage.  With lessons about pursuing the path presented and working smarter, McKay’s ultimate goal is to help listeners embrace the uncomfortable and reach their true potential.  So listen to this special episode and start seeking out the unfair advantage in your own life.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Why change isn’t always fairUsing inequity in our favorGrowing from lossPursuing the path presentedWorking smarterEmbracing the wildly uncomfortableQuotes: “Life forces another wing to be added.  We have to remodel a worn out room, change something about ourselves we don’t want to change, and much of what has to change or get remodeled in our life isn’t always fair.”“Tragedy, illness, and other inequitable things will come our way. In a small way, I can relate. I have lived my entire life with pain, primarily back pain, from an accident at the age of 15. But through the years that pain has kept me more humble, more prayerful, and hopeful. Yes, it would be easier without it, but I can’t imagine who I would be without it.”“But it’s a great lesson in life to see how things can and do lean in our favor.”“Now losses in life aren’t always compensated or unfairness always repaired. And all of us should be in the business of helping others like Jennie Taylor with the means to support her family. But I do believe that we grow and become who we are supposed to be through things that are unfair.”“When things work against us, it can empower us to learn how to not just work hard but work smart.”“As you have likely heard, success leaves clues. You can learn a lot, gain unfair advantages from watching and learning from what other people do.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay goes all in today as he gives inspiring advice and recalls powerful anecdotes about, well, going all in.  Whether we want to start hitting the gym more, spend more time with our family, start a business, or take that vacation we’ve always been talking about, making changes in our lives requires that we go all in.  Taking a page from Malcolm Gladwell’s book, McKay opens up this episode with a few brief notes on tipping points and, more importantly, how to create them in our own lives.  And according to McKay, it all starts with us.  Getting to know ourselves completely is the first step to going all in.  That’s why, on this very important episode, he discusses how to reckon with our blindspots, shadow selves, and aspirations.  McKay believes that when we shed light on our conscious and unconscious selves, we can truly begin to ally our dreams with actions.  This path is rarely straightforward though, and making that first step is, more often than not, the hardest part.  So if you’re interested in going all in like the cast of characters that McKay talks about today, tune into this episode to see how you too can align your aspirations with your actions.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Tipping pointsOur shadow selfHow blindspots drive usAligning our aspirations with our actionGetting to know your goalsThe fuzzy front endEducated guessesQuotes: “And there are dozens of other examples. Now, what about your business? Is the tipping point possible? And if so, how do you get your team all in? What about your life? How do you get to the point personally where you are all in?”“Now, when saying ‘shadow self’, you may think it is the dark side of our personality, and that wouldn't be accurate. It's better described as the blind spot of our psyche, meaning the things that make up our persona that we're not aware of or fully consider. Or in our conscious thought, our shadow selves might hold guilt, emotions, or thoughts that may be difficult to accept.”“I believe to be all in, to create the full momentum in our life, and arrive at the person we know we can be, we can come to understand our blind spots and begin to align our behavior accordingly.”“In short, shadow work is bringing those blind or disregarded parts of you to light through awareness, like opening your eyes, curiosity, and intention.”“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.”“The strength of the pack is the wolf. And the strength of the wolf is the pack. You see, both your actions and your aspirations, like the wolf and the pack, must be aligned. Actions grow aspiration and aspiration grows action.”“All in sometimes requires an educated guess, and pressing forward with that guess. And if you've decided to make a change, don't wait for perfect clarity.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In today’s episode, McKay talks about wrestling with weaknesses, how to overcome them, and why everyone is capable of doing so.  Opening up the podcast with two stories about wrestling, he talks about experiences fighting both literal and figurative bears.  And while most of us have yet to wrestle with a 400 lb grizzly, we do wrestle with daily struggles that make us feel like we’ve been punched in the gut.  That’s why McKay spends the majority of the episode talking about how to win that fight.From learning the price of happiness and working from the outside in to focusing on who you stand with and having a healthy body, our host highlights all the ways you can commit to overcoming that weakness, whether it be physical, spiritual, or psychological.  It all stems from a willingness to seek out answers to the problems we want to solve– a willingness to find victories even in moments of weakness, in fact, especially in weakness.  So join McKay on this episode as he meditates deeply on how to win that daily wrestle and take your life back.  The Finer Details of this Episode: Bear wrestlingWinning the wrestle with weaknessThe price of happinessWorking from outside in Who you stand withHaving a healthy bodySpiritual and psychological well beingPaying attention to the wrestleCommitting to overcoming weaknessQuotes: “We all have wrestles in our life - with people, purpose, and ourselves from time to time. In some of those cases, you may feel like you are wrestling with a 400 pound bear who's tossing you wherever he wants to toss you.”“The wrestle with life is hard, and it will sucker punch you in the gut. But it is beautiful and will give sunshine, rainbows, peace, and happiness, if you will pay the price for peace and happiness.”“You haven't been to the store, your kids are being annoying, you have 10 things to do, and no time to do it. This is the time when your weaknesses manifest the most.”“The cracked screen on our phone that remains unrepaired actually drains energy from us. So a clean and tidy environment does give us strength.”“How you stand with people is a critically important part of winning your wrestle.”“​​And I wonder if John Witherspoon's influence as the first president of Princeton University wasn't reaching down through the generations to inspire Reese to pursue her education. You see, who we stand with can and does make a difference in winning our wrestle in life.”“By paying attention to our wrestle and seeking answers, we open ourselves up to the solutions that may come into our lives.”“When anyone asks Jake about what it's like to lose his sight, he always answers that it wasn't what he lost that changed him; it's what he found.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/ 

Today on the podcast, McKay chats about making tough choices, the Endowment Effect, and why great risks can have great rewards.  Opening up the episode with a story about two men’s dangerous descent down the face of Peru’s Siula Grande, McKay details the hardest decision of one of their lives and what it’s like to work under pressure.  From picking flavors at the ice cream shop to a marriage proposal, choices follow us everywhere, even when we think we don’t have any.  Feeling helpless or trapped?  There is always a way out, but it isn’t always easy.  That’s why this episode is all about forgetting failure, forsaking the status quo, and paying attention to the mood.  The most important thing to remember, though, is that nothing changes unless you do.  Taking risks can be scary, but you also just might find that your best life may lie on the other side.  If McKay’s learned anything in his life, it’s that he’s never regretted making a bold choice, whether it went his way or not.  So take a note from the Christiansen book, and listen to what he has to say about decision making and why it’s okay to make the daring one.  The Finer Details of This Episode:Mount Huascaran and Yungay’s powerful earthquakeSimpson and Yates’ dangerous descentMaking tough choicesWhy life is your greatest instructorStatus Quo BiasFocusing on failureRisk and rewardsHow mood affects decision makingQuotes:“They enjoyed the thrill of their success only for a few minutes before the dread of the descent covered their thinking.  Why?  Because 80 percent of the deaths and accidents on climbs like this happen on the descent.”“If he cut the rope, he knew he would be sending his friend below him to a certain death.  But if he didn’t cut the rope he would fall along with Joe and likely die as well.  There was no good choice.  How do you choose?”“Some of us don’t like to make a choice, because the consequences are hard to live with, and impact us and others.”“We make bad judgments, lack experience, misread, misinterpret, and mistake the wrong thing for the right thing. And life is tough. Life teaches us there are consequences for bad choices. And, as a result, we may shy away from those choices.”“What is often true is: you can’t change the cards you are dealt with, but you can change how you play them.”“When faced with a choice that involves an element of risk, the vast majority of people will choose what they have: the status quo.”“I get feeling helpless or trapped.  I have felt this way before, but there is something liberating and energizing about choosing.”“And it may be time to make the bolder choice, to purposefully act against mood and the status quo in your life.  If you don’t feel like it, that very mood and feeling may be telling you to choose it anyway.  Your best life may be found on the other side of today’s difficult choice.”Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/ 

Each year, in early March, a little Alaskan town called Nome acts as the finish line for the world’s longest and most spectacular race—the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The race extends over 938 miles from Anchorage to Nome (more than the length of Texas), with the course record standing at seven days and fourteen hours, including two days of required rest for the dog teams. One of the most famous mushers (drivers) in the Iditarod’s history is Aliy Zirkle, who competed in twenty-one races but never won, despite coming close multiple times. Many people might see this as a failure or a disappointment, but Ali herself flipped the script and defined her own success, knowing that she was one of the most remarkable mushers in history and not buying into any negative narrative about her race record.Flipping the script is something we can all do, and on today’s episode, McKay discusses how to do it and reap the rewards. First up, he discusses negative thoughts and the huge drain they put on our time and energy. He suggests that these thoughts can be flipped by spending time each day writing a new script that fills your mind with positive thoughts to sustain you through the day. This is an important skill both for ourselves and those around us, and McKay uses the example of how parents may be scripting anxiety into their kids to illustrate the impact that flipping the script to something more positive can have on our loved ones. Another script-flipping skill McKay advocates is the ability to look into the future and see things as our future self would see them. He uses the example of singer Donnie Osmond, whose career was judged to be over many times but who kept reinventing himself, repeatedly flipping the script on his career to create new opportunities for success. McKay closes the episode by discussing how to know when it’s the right time to flip our script and why it’s worth the effort to get a fresh perspective on our goals.The Finer Details of This Episode:Alaska and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Aliy Zirkle and her quest to win the Iditarod Flipping the script and defining your own success Are we scripting anxiety into our kids? How Donnie Osmond flipped the script to let his talent shineQuotes:“The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is run early March of each year. And in that race, mushers and their dog teams travel from Anchorage in the south, across the state and up the coast to Nome in the north. In total, the race extends 938 miles. And that’s farther than the length of Texas.”“Would it be nice to win? Yes. But she doesn’t buy into the script that others have written that she is not a real success. She is, in fact, one of the most remarkable mushers in history. And the same goes for you and me. We, like Aliy, can flip the script on whatever we’re attempting in life.”“Flipping the script has more to do with filling your thoughts with your new script, which will put aside the negative thoughts we might typically have. And most experts in personal change will say that you need to write that script that will consume your thoughts each day, that the first fifteen to thirty minutes of each day is what will prime your thinking for the rest of the day. So I call this time each morning the Flip the Script Session.”“As a father, I used to replay the script in my mind of how hard it was to raise kids. But now, as a grandfather, I have flipped the script. I would pay ten times $300,000 to have the joy and opportunity to do it again. I wish I could flip the time and go back and rescript myself while I was raising kids and have the perspective I do now. I would be a much happier, patient, and better father.”“When you flip the script, the outcome may be the same, you might...

Sometimes, in life, we can forget who we are.  The way of the world, comparisons, circumstances can rob us of our view of our true value and potential.  Often, the world attempts to define who we are or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be. But when we remember who we are, we become empowered.  And the same goes for teams, organizations and families.On today’s episode, McKay dives into how we can remember who we are.  McKay opens with a moving story about Humboldt Canada and the tragic events of the Humboldt Bronco Hockey Team. He recounts the experience of Scott Thomas after losing his son, Evan, and what the city of Humboldt did to remember who they were as a city and who the players were as a team.  McKay reviews why it’s so important to remind yourself of who you are, where you’re going, and why.  Too often, failure and others’ opinions prevent us from embracing ourselves.  Take the MLB’s Nolan Ryan for example, who nearly let his hall-of-fame professional career slip away, purely because he lacked confidence.  McKay also goes on to tackle some techniques that can help you stay authentic, such as journaling, avoiding doubt and dabble, and ultimately feeding your faith.  As you will hear today, you’re the only person who knows you best, and it’s important to listen to that. The Finer Details of This Episode: The origins of GoFundMeThe Humboldt Bronco’s bus accident Staying true to your choicesNolan Ryan’s journey to the MLBReminding yourself where you want to goThe value of journaling Don’t doubt or dabbleFeeding your faithQuotes: “That day when Evan came home from school, he was crying and trying desperately to wipe the birthmark from his cheek. He tried and tried again to wash it away, but wasn't able to do so. And he wondered why God had given him this mark on his cheek.”“And everyone knew it meant that their son, if still at the scene, was gone.”“It was his birthmark, the mark on his cheek that his dad looked for when he came to recognize Evan.  It was his birthmark, the mark that he never wanted on his cheek that helped his dad recognize him when it was his dad's time to identify him.”“Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as valuable than you ever imagined. Sometimes the world attempts to define who we are, or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be.”“If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. Well, the players embrace the hard of it, and go on to find out who they really are.”“And one house after another had sticks set out hoping that those who had passed away would see that they are loved and that they remembered who they were. So put your sticks out so to speak and remind yourself frequently who you are. Next, write or talk to yourself.”“Likewise, it's easy for us to let the fungus of doubt or discouragement take over our livelihood. That's why we need an injection of faith every day: faith in ourselves, in our team, in the fact that there are good things– great things waiting for you in the future. So make it a point to feed your mind and soul with faith.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Do wishes come true?  In many ways our wishes dictate the direction we travel in life.  In this week’s episode, McKay discusses the principle that dreams we grant to others and seek for ourselves have the power to change lives.  It often takes a leader and first class noticer to make someone’s wish come true in the first place.  From Jason McElwain to Cary Elwes, McKay goes on to recount stories about wish makers, what they wish for, and how they turn wishes into reality.Above all else, McKay finds it important to note that we can realize our own wishes too, and that’s just what this episode is all about: making the right wishes and letting them serve as a guide. Among the stories he shares today is that of Shawn Bradley, NBA veteran and now quadriplegic, who, after getting hit by a car and losing movement in his body from the neck down, could’ve easily wished that everything was different or at least that he stayed in bed that fateful day.  Instead, he saw no value in wishing for a new life, and opted to become someone new; someone who embraces the circumstances he’s given. Be sure to listen in to today’s moving and inspirational episode to discover how you, too, can make others’ dreams come true, and lead life as you wish.    The Finer Details of This Episode: The Make-A-Wish FoundationJ Mac’s dream come trueMaking others’ dreams come trueCary Elwes’ casting in The Princess BrideLetting wishes be your guideShawn Bradley’s new purpose in lifeQuotes: “Wishes, the kind we grant for and give to others, and the kind we seek to be granted for ourselves, both have the power to change your life.”“And Jason had a wish. After becoming manager, Jason had a wish, and it was to sit on the sideline in a uniform as a real player for one game.”“At Boston, he ran a very impressive two hour and 57 minute marathon, proving to the world that he was indeed an elite athlete, and that wishes - the best wishes - do come true.”“It's one thing to use the word wish or to send someone a wish, but an entirely different thing to see a wish come about in someone's life by what you do. This takes a leader who is a first class noticer: someone who sees what other people are hoping for and then goes about helping to make that happen.”“Cary said from the first shot in which cantankerous Max appears poking his head through a wooden peep hole in the door, Billy Crystal began ad libbing for three days straight, 10 hours a day.  He improvised, never saying the same thing or the same line twice.”“Life tends to steer the same way. And if we wish we were more educated, the pull of such wishes tends to keep us interested in looking for a way to get that degree or become more educated.”“Shawn realizes that there's no value in wishing things were different, but there's tremendous value in wishing you can become something new.”Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

Have you ever thought about the person you will be in the future or what your future will look like? Your future is worth your attention.  Because the future you picture or imagine influences your actions today.In this week’s episode, McKay has an important question for you: What is your future worth? To help you envision your future self, he shares an incredibly touching story about a group of mountain climbers and the hard-learned lessons that turned their lives upside down. And we can all learn so much about climbs and attempts in life from their powerful story. As McKay says, it’s not about the climb, it’s about the climber. You are in the driver’s seat of your life, so take the wheel and change direction if you want to! For more insightful tips, join McKay here today as he illuminates the power of a perspective shift and the key principles for climbing your way to the top.The Finer Details of This Episode:The incredible story of mountain climbers Climbing back after you fallWorking hard today for a successful tomorrowPrinciples for achieving your future worthEnvisioning your future selfThe power of perspectiveQuotes:“In the end, Clinton is grateful for a few things - for the years he had with his wife, for his kids, and for the fact that a split second before the lightning struck, he had reclipped the belay device into an anchor in the rock and that belay kept the three climbers below him from falling off the mountain.”“I've come to learn this very important lesson about climbs and about attempts in life. It's not about the mountain. It's not about the lightning. It's not about the decisions or miscalculations or choices or circumstances. And it's not about who to blame. It's not, despite what Miley Cyrus thinks, about the climb. It is about the climber.”“Is the person you're hoping to become worth the effort you are making today?”“Here's the truth. The value of a future goal is the present change that it makes in you today.”“He said that when you live in poverty and squalor, you picture your future and put on that image. So you see yourself as the person you will become, not the person you are today, because the person you are today is too poor and too pitiful to identify with. It is the future that you become. It's imagining that future that is yet to come that gives you hope.”“The climb gives you perspective.”“My experience had been that when you move deliberately in the direction, you feel inspired to act. The confirmation of your decision will come, or you'll be inspired to know that you're on the wrong path. But sometimes you have to be on the path and walk forward a bit before you get that perspective and understanding.”“What's your future worth? It's worth the hard things you have to do today. It's worth the sacrifices you are making. It's worth the work to overcome your habits, and it's worth the climb.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

Too often in life, we get to thinking that we are less than capable of doing what we set out to do.  But the truth is:  we are better than we think. So, how do you find the best within you?   In this week’s episode, McKay shares some valuable tips for finding the best within you and discovering your own potential. He talks about the dangers of making excuses, why it’s important to take calculated risks in life, and how to rise to your true self. As he nicely puts it, you are way better than you think, even though you might not see it at the moment. However, you’re not alone in this; most people get so caught up in the chaos of everyday life that they miss the beauty of it all. That’s precisely why it is so important for you to tune in today, and learn how you, too, can turn things around and find the best within you.The Finer Details of This Episode:Enjoying the beauty of the moment Recognizing your own potentialDangers of making excusesTaking calculated risksFulfilling your dreamsRisk-taking for a better lifeBelieving in your true valueQuotes:“Because people are so busy and focused on their day, they miss the beauty and rarity of the moment.”“In life, there are so many things around us that are, in fact, better than we think. People are better than we think. Circumstances, our life, kids, job, our own potential, often are much better than we think. ”“You are better than you think.”“Over time, it becomes more of a habit to talk than to walk.”“Most of us have ideas or dreams of what we'd love to do. And we make an assessment and the impossibility of the thing takes over. And soon we place the idea on the shelf hoping that someday we can dust it off, open it up and dream a bit more.”“To find the best in us, we must risk a bit of ourselves - our pride, our time, our effort. It's the risk that teaches us to value the outcome.”“It's in the risk of it that we learn to bring out the best in us.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

You probably know one of the greatest Japanese proverbs of all time that teaches us about the power of resilience - ‘Fall down seven times, rise eight.’ In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the importance of dusting yourself off after a crisis and getting back up. He kicks off the episode by telling us a powerful story about Florence Rogers and how a seemingly normal day turned out to be an enormous test of her resilience. Just like Rocky Balboa, she decided to keep moving forward after life hit her hard. Next, McKay shares a few other compelling examples of keeping faith during a crisis and rising from the ashes every single time. There’s so much wisdom to unpack from this episode, as McKay shares the most effective tips for surviving tough times and picking yourself back up after you’re down. So if you want to build resilience and learn to endure life’s hardships, make sure you tune into this week’s episode to hear what McKay has to say.The Finer Details of This Episode:The power of rising againExample from the Book of IsaiahKeeping faith in hard timesHelpful tools for picking yourself back upDoing the next best thingChanging your mindsetAsking for helpQuotes:“When you're knocked down, you're left with two choices - stay there or get up. And people asked me, ‘How did you overcome the loss?’ My answer - I got up. No matter what life throws at you, you get up. Even if you need help, you get up.”“Even though it may seem like it's too hard to get up, try again, I promise you can. It is worth one more try.”“It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.”“Mistakes or a fall or a pause or a failing doesn't need to define you. You are able to mount up with wings of eagles and rise to the person you can and should become.”“There's great power in a new paradigm.”“I promise, the moment you reach out to the right person for help, you will begin to see a way out of your situation.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

Risk-taking is one of the most critical skills that every strong leader should have. It involves envisioning the future, enhancing your odds of success, and then translating your vision into reality. Risk-taking leaders are self-aware, nimble, and fearless. So, it’s no surprise that employees respond well to risk takers and perceive them as leaders worth following. Taking calculated risks will not only empower you as a leader, but it will also empower and inspire everyone around you.In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the most important skills that a risk-taking leader should have, and dives deep into the concept of leading by taking risks (that are worth taking). First, he tells us a story about Myles Frost and his journey to becoming a Tony Award winner. Thanks to his extraordinary talent, hard work, and some smart risk-taking, Myles showed us that life is inherently risky, but that very rarely does anything worthwhile happen without a gamble. Then, McKay walks us through some of the key traits of a risk-taking leader. According to him, if you want to lead as a risk taker, you need to learn to see the difference between foolish and sound risks. You need to know how to improve your odds of success and visit the future by examining the paths of others. Finally, you should have a clear vision and gain the capacity to translate that vision into reality. The Finer Details of This Episode:Learning from Myles Frost’s exampleRisks that are worth takingLeading by taking calculated risksThe difference between foolish and sound risk-takingImproving odds of successVisiting the future by examining your competitorsTranslating your vision into realityQuotes:“I think we all face risks now and then in our life. And sometimes those risks seem too impossible or too much to hope for or even seem like too much to think that we may actually have a chance to do something remarkable or good.”“That's how it is sometimes. The opportunities that come our way, and the direction we need to take our team or live from time to time is both a godsend and a gamble. But it is worth the risk. ”“You see, it's not the tendency of most leaders to risk because there's often too much to lose. But risk-taking builds credibility and makes you attractive as a leader.”“Almost everything worthwhile is a risk. ”“You can improve your odds as a leader and risk taker by getting smarter, using the best in the world to help you, having options, and putting your resources to work in the best way.”“Leadership is the ability to translate that vision into reality, to take what the road looks like in the future, and create a roadmap now for success.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

What’s the most important role in an organization? Despite what you may think, it’s not a CEO, CFO, or CMO. It’s actually CIO - Chief Inspiration Officer. A CIO has a job to inspire others and lead by example. So, how can you become your team’s CIO? You’re about to find out! In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the key characteristics that an inspiring leader must have: credibility and integrity. He dives deep into the power of inspiration - the driving force that moves a team forward and helps them achieve higher levels of performance. McKay starts the episode by telling us a story about a young group of Boy Scouts and their heroic deeds during a terrible train accident. From this inspirational example, we learn the basic principles of great leadership - leading by example. As a leader, you must show your team the way by practicing what you preach. In other words, walk the talk. Next, McKay goes on to share a few valuable lessons on becoming a Chief Inspiration Officer. He talks about building competence, confidence, and character, which are some of the key traits you should have as a CIO. Finally, McKay asks us to imagine ourselves as Chief Inspiration Officers of our homes, teams, or organizations. Whatever that’d be for you, open your eyes and seek to inspire.The Finer Details of This Episode:-          Eli Skrypczak and the Amtrack train accident-          Walking the talk and leading to inspire-          Discussing the most important role there is - CIO-          The importance of credibility for great leaders-          Leading by example-          The incredible power of inspirationQuotes:“Can you picture it?  A group of scouts putting into practice what they had learned, and caring for hundreds of injured passengers.”“That’s what happens with leaders: they inspire by who they are, the goals they keep, and the actions they take.  And when they do what they say they will do, when they do their duty, they inspire. Leadership IS what you inspire others to do.”“As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.’ This leads us to the first lesson of being a Chief Inspiration Officer, and this is very important… trusted leaders have credibility. ”“When we personally have gaps between our values and what we do, we experience dissonance or anxiety.  It robs us of our strength.  Likewise, when we don’t walk our talk, it robs us of our leadership influence. ”“Nothing is as powerful as you when you decide to be the Chief Inspiration Officer of your house or team or life.”“To be more inspiring, open your eyes to this fact:  the people on our team and in your family are not just people, they are gifts. It’s the leader’s job - your job - to nurture those gifts.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

A constructive leader is someone who builds others, not just themselves. It’s someone who creates ownership in a team to move the organization in the right direction. But a constructive leader is also a mother who lifts her child up, supports them in any way she can, and builds on their creativity. If you think about it, examples of great leaders are everywhere around us; we just need to know what to look for.In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the main principles of constructive leadership. He starts the episode by telling us an inspiring story about a young boy and his rise to fame. Thanks to the incredible support of his mother and his enormous talent for filmmaking, this boy grew up to become one of the most successful people in the industry, M. Night Shyamalan. The secret sauce to his success? Constructive parents. Then, McKay shares a few other success stories and phenomenal lessons on constructive leadership, from taking ownership like a goose in a flock to borrowing important dates like the Yankees. He ends the episode by reflecting on the most vital aspect of constructive leadership and that is your mindset to lead and construct.The Finer Details of This Episode:The success story of M. Night Shyamalan The importance of having supportive and constructive parents The most important principles of constructive leadership Three essential ingredients for building ownership on a team Borrowing important dates like the Yankees Building the mindset to lead and constructQuotes:“His mother’s influence was momentous in his life… The interesting thing is his mother was not a filmmaker. Far from it, and she did more than support, she helped magnify his passion and creativity.”“How do successes like this happen? How do you construct an M. Night Shyamalan who is bold enough to spend a year on a screenplay and bring the questions he had as a young Hindu boy in a Catholic grammar school about life and death to the screen in such unique and amazing ways? How does that happen? A mother, and father, who were constructive.”“There is power in being constructive. And…there are great results waiting for the leader who leads by being constructive.”“When you are constructive as a leader, you build something other than yourself.”“The constructive leader believes that to get the organization or family to where it needs to go, they must develop the people who make up that organization. They will work through others and focus on the building of others to reach their goals.”“Talk is cheap. Action makes all the difference. When you are trying as a parent to be constructive with your children, act as much as you can, not to do things for them, but to provide opportunities for them, to encourage them and to assist them in their self-leadership.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

We all have greatness within us. And we all navigate through life searching for it, trying to embrace our greatest strengths, and striving to become the best version of ourselves. But life is filled with irony, paradox, and dichotomy. And when we can embrace the dichotomy of greatness, that’s when we’ll be able to live our life to the fullest. The dichotomy of greatness is what leads us to greatness; we see it all around us – the most talented athletes, the world’s greatest leaders, and even in our closest friends. It shows us that we can’t be great until we accept that we’re also small. When we can step away from one side of life’s dichotomies and adopt a new view, only then can we find the secret to greatness.In this week’s episode, McKay dives deep into the dichotomy of greatness and how it can help us learn and grow. He shares some of the most inspiring stories of the world’s greatest people, from Muhammad Ali and Og Mandino to his courageous friend Jeff and his family members. He tells us about Ali’s rise to greatness and how he became a hero in the eyes of the public. Then, McKay shares his own personal experience with the dichotomy of greatness as well as a few other lessons to learn from life’s dichotomies. He finishes off the episode by explaining why taking the long view is the way to achieve hope and greatness in life.The Finer Details of This Episode:Muhammad Ali’s inspiring lessons on greatness The strange and beautiful dichotomy of life Learning and growing by embracing life’s dichotomies The Greatest Miracle in the World Taking the long viewQuotes:“Isn't that how life is? We travel a road in life only to learn the lesson that we should have learned all along. Life is filled with irony, paradox and dichotomy.”“I believe that God gives us these opposites, these dichotomies to help us learn and grow. It is in the contrast of things that we find the profound. It is the paradoxical that allow us to open our eyes to a new view. Without the opposite, the dichotomy, we couldn’t see in new ways who we are and what we can become.”“As the saying goes: if you are not willing to learn, no one can help you; if you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”“The truth is that we all have an invisible talisman. We can choose to embrace the greatness within us.”“To find greatness in the midst of dichotomy requires an unwavering patience that most people don’t or can’t sustain. Greatness requires the long view.”“Remember, greatness is waiting for you as you navigate the dichotomies of life. And if you will open your eyes to see things from both sides, lead with adaptability, learn all you can and to recognize you are the greatest, the greatest miracle in the world, just watch, you will find greatness in your life and the lives of those around you.”Links:McKay Christensen HomepageThe Greatest Miracle in the World by Og MandinoSuccess Through a Positive Mental Attitude by W. Clement Stone and Napoleon Hill

Today, McKay delves into the concept of becoming a person of grace and a leader who leads with grace. He shares an inspiring example of grace from the most recent Little League World Series playoffs. Like the little leaguers, when we extend grace to others, we become more inspiring. And that’s needed in our world today.While grace is incredibly motivational and encouraging, not many people actually engage in demonstrating or offering it, but we can all start.  McKay spends much of the episode characterizing someone leading with grace as someone who cares more about making things right than being right themselves, someone who is grateful, generous, and someone who is content to listen first before they speak.  Leading with grace isn’t always easy though.  It requires a certain discipline and willingness to sacrifice.  Nothing is more inspiring and motivating though than a graceful leader.  So encourage others with your grace, and soon you will see that you too can make a positive impact.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Great moments in Little League HistoryPresident Bush’s moment of graceMaking things right Gratitude and unassuming generosityBeing content to listenThe value of encouragementQuotes: “These two girls were playing pitch and catch as they linked generations of girls together who love the game of baseball.”“There, on that day at the regional finals, two 12-year-old boys, with the game on the line, put aside their own aspirations and demonstrated the type of grace and sportsmanship that is lacking in so many professional sports played by grown men today.”“Grace reminds us that leadership starts with the leader but it’s never about the leader.”“Grace is so easy to give and so powerful when it is received.  Hillary Clinton says the letter made her cry when she first read it and she cried again when she heard Bush had passed away years later.”“And it isn’t that people of grace give lots of money or even lots of time.  They simply give of themselves, of their own attention.”“There is something about people of grace that is content to wait for their time and let others have theirs.  There is a certain discipline to grace. We sacrifice, we temper the need to give to ourselves.”Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

On this week’s episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about perseverance, how to adapt and overcome mistakes/failure, and why you should start doing ordinary things with excellence.  He opens up the episode with brief remarks about Walmart and the company's evolution. In 2010, when Walmart slowly started to fall to a new competitor on the scene, Amazon, they shifted their online marketing strategies to catch up, and they did.  So in a world that’s constantly changing, McKay urges us to,  like Walmart, adapt and overcome.  It’s okay to take inspiration from others, but we must do what they do better to stand out.  Take Markelle Taylor for example.  After years in prison that felt like they would never end, Taylor joined his center’s local bible study and 1000 mile running club.  And with thousands of hours spent running and reading the Lord's word under his belt, his time for parole arrived.  And when it finally did, he competed in the Boston Marathon and got a job in his neighborhood.  Like the strenuous hours that Taylor put in, it often doesn’t take anything special to embark on a new journey.  All you have to do is continue to do the same things, but this time with diligence and excellence.  Reinvention can feel scary though, and that’s why McKay tries to constantly make the right decisions that support his future and goals.  So like him, spend some time soon thinking about your purpose and what changes you need to make in your life to take yourself to the next level.The Finer Details of This Episode: The story of WalmartTake actionAdapting and overcomingDo what others do but betterMarkelle Taylor  and the 1000 mile clubBecoming a first class noticerDoing things with excellenceBritish Petroleum’s fatal mistakeQuotes: “You see early on, Wal-Mart built new stores, not in large city markets, but rather in rural markets.  Because in rural markets, Sam was competing against mom-and-pop independent retailers who suffered from lack of volume or economies of scale.”“And for many of us, the type of reinvention and work required to shift midstream can seem overwhelming.”“The way things used to work aren’t working so well anymore.”“ But like Walmart, my experience is that you make the very best decision you can and move forward keeping your options open to modify and adapt.”“You and I, too, can do the same.  We can run, work, lead, serve like others but we can do it better. Don’t be afraid, like Markelle, to follow the advice of others to get you running.  Then once you’re running, run better.”“The pivot required in our life to face new circumstances often doesn’t involve doing new things.  It requires doing old things with excellence. “Now one of the most important lessons to take away from this podcast today, is the realization that what got you here may not get you to where you want to go.  Spend some time soon thinking about this principle and getting purposeful about what you are going to do to move you and your business and your team and your family to the next level.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Decision making remains a core life skill that benefits you and those who learn from you for years to come. In this week’s episode, McKay breaks down the importance of decision making and teaches listeners how to become better decision makers themselves.McKay begins by citing 9/11 as an incident that highlights the critical importance of decision making. He explains how rapid decisions had to be made on that day and how this impacted the USA. McKay also delves into the science behind decision making and explains how the 37% rule can help people make decisions. He advises listeners to ignore the rumors on social media and always research to make knowledgeable decisions. Finally, McKay explains the different biases that affect our decision making and how to counter them.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of 9/11: making difficult decisions The science of decision making What is the 37% rule? How does knowledge impact decision making? The dangers of social media based decision making What biases affect our decisions?Quotes:“Some of the hardest decisions are hard because we have imperfect information, and there's uncertainty and risk associated with making those decisions.”“Often, the impact of a decision lasts long after the decision is made.”“We've all fallen prey to analysis paralysis. And we've all likely lost out on something promising because it took too long for us to decide.”“There is a statistically proven answer as to how long or how many options you should consider before making this type of decision.”“Science tells us that people who have a broad knowledge in the subject area related to the decision have a higher likelihood of deciding better. So know your circumstances, and be knowledgeable about a lot of things having to do with the subject of your decision.”“Learn all you can know while you can. If you're in business, learn the science of it. Understand all you can about how to bring customers to your business and what type of person to team up with and how to help them move faster and more productively.”“Know your space. There are so many reliable books and people who can help you get educated.”“It is impossible to be both ignorant and a good decision maker.”“If you're unwilling to take time to read and search and think critically, you are left to make decisions based on poor data, particularly in today's day and age in which anyone can post anything online.”“Don't make permanent decisions out of temporary emotion.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

In this week's episode, McKay discusses the importance of building and investing in your brand. We all have a brand which we create and build daily, and today, McKay shares the secrets on how to create that brand, how to keep the brand alive, and how to fulfill the purpose of whatever brand we create.He begins looking at the importance of brand building by sharing a story of the Superbowl and why many brands advertise during the Superbowl. McKay goes on to explain how Amazon became the biggest brand and why branding is essential in our lives. He also discusses the steps of successful branding which include knowing what your audience values in you and then creating a brand promise. Above all, McKay explains that keeping and communicating your brand promise while being consistent are the key ingredients to building a successful brand.The Finer Details of This Episode:Why many brands spend a lot to advertise in the Superbowl How Amazon became the biggest brand in the world The history of branding The steps of brand building The story behind Cocomelon’s branding Creating a brand promise Keeping and communicating your brand promiseQuotes:“During the Superbowl, consumers watch on an average eighty-nine commercials for an average of forty-six and a half minutes.”“To say your brand is your name or the name of your product or company is accurate, but not complete. Over the years, marketers have worked to create a specific perception in customers' minds of the qualities and attributes associated with their brand. So, a brand is the way a product, company or individual is perceived by those who experience it or them.”“Your brand is the perception in other people's minds of the qualities and attributes associated with you, with your brand.”“We all have a brand. And each day we're building, shaping, and creating that brand.”“A brand is more than reputation. It represents a mark of trust and confidence in you. ”“We often fail in creating a brand because we don't adequately assess what people or consumers are looking for.”“If you know what your business partners, kids, customers, or friends really value in you or your product, you have a winning brand concept.”“When your customers have finished using your product or service, when team members reflect on your relationship with them, when your kids look back on their life with you, how do you want them to describe their experience?”“Strong brands deliver on their promise.”“Consistency pays.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

McKay kicks off today’s Open Your Eyes episode by sharing his wisdom about failures and flops, specifically how some of the world’s greatest success stories followed in the footsteps of rather embarrassing failures.  Take Dick Fosbury, Brian Epstein, or Tiger Woods for example.  Even J.K Rowling was a homeless, single mother by the time she began to write the world’s most beloved children series.  Suffering at the hands of an abuser and reckoning with her mother’s death, Rowling felt like the biggest failure she knew.  But she decided to work hard and make use of that wild imagination of hers to overcome and become the writer she knew she could be.  It took Rowling a little over three years to get her book published, but her fortitude and dedication paid off.  And it will for you too.  Making mistakes can often deter us from following our dreams, when instead, we should see these moments as opportunities to learn from.  After all, if you don’t try, you’ll never know.  So embrace the educational chance to learn from your flops.  McKay knows it’s not easy, but he also knows that our imaginations are far richer than one would think. So abandon the fear of flopping, jump right in, and use that imagination to see a path through.  The Finer Details of This Episode:The Fosbury FlopJ.K. Rowling embracing her dreamsLearning from mistakesLeaving your comfort zoneImagining new futuresQuotes: “While you and I may never jump over a 7-foot high jump bar or even try the high jump, we will all likely flop or at least benefit from someone else’s flop.”“I stopped pretending I was anything other than what I was. I determined more than I had ever determined to do what I was meant to do—to write. I finally knew inside I was a writer. I was alive, I had a beautiful daughter and a typewriter.”“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.  Failure gave me inner security and taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way.”“Don’t quit. Don’t let the flop of the moment keep you from stepping up and trying again.  Stand in your place, wherever you are, and know that you can and will rise.”“So, keep believing.  Your current flops can enable the highest jumps of all.  And the thing is, when we flop, we can see and relate to others in ways we didn’t know before.”“And the truth is that for all of us in life, things we used to do with ease get a little harder. Expectations we have aren’t always met like we wish they would.  Life will take from us things we used to take for granted, and getting old is not for sissies.”“When you’re in the middle of a flop, let your imagination come to your aid.  You can see a different future, a better reaction, how other people feel, and what you can do to be of help to others.”“Whatever flops may be present in your life today, use your imagination to see a way through them. And when others flop, tip your hat, learn from their experience and give all the grace you can.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today, McKay reflects on the curves we all experience in the road of life and discusses how we can not only cope but also thrive when life throws us a curve. He discusses how leaning into life can make all the difference.  He opens up today’s episode on an unexpected note, recounting the trials and tribulations of the world’s famous eating contest competitors.  And while McKay doesn’t expect you to become Nathan’s next hotdog eating champion, he does hope that you lean in and commit to whatever endeavors you decide to pursue in this life the way those champions do.  Give it your all - don’t just dip your toe in.  McKay goes on to urge the audience to inspire others to lean into their own lives and goals as well, especially when working in a team.  When all group members are leaning in with their own unique skill sets, the team is more likely to thrive. It’s important to remember that life will still throw you curveballs, and it can be easy just to give up.  But, just like in baseball, if you strike out, there will always be another chance to try again.  Take Clay Dyer, professional sport bass fisherman, for instance; born without an arm on his left side and half an arm on the opposite, he made it his goal to become a fisherman, despite the unlikelihood of him making it big.  But because he leaned in, he made it happen. Learn to lean into life and you can make great things happen as well.The Finer Details of This Episode: The grit in eating contestsCommitting The story of John HancockInspiring othersLeaning into the turn on a bikeCoping with curveballsClay DyerQuotes: “Now, it's not likely that you and I are going to become professional speed eaters, but you have to admire a few things about these people. They are seriously committed to what they do. They lean into it with all their appetites.”“Let's say you've decided to give an online business a try. When you only dip your toe in the water, when you only give it a balanced effort, when you never lean fully into it, you're not likely to do as well.”“When you lean into people, when you're inclined towards their potential, they often rise and they often improve, and I was reminded how much other people need us to lean into them and have faith in them.”“When you find something you love, lean in and recognize that, in the game of life, you will strike out a few times at the plate.”“When a batter goes to bat, he'll get a hit 30% of the time. Players that hit .300 get paid the most, and they feel great about their performance. And you know what? We ought to feel the same. You don't win every time, and life isn't fair.”“Whatever you lean into will make the difference. So as we end today, remember, like competitive eaters, it doesn't matter what you've chosen to do, or what you've decided to be remarkable at doing. Lean into it with all your heart, focus and effort.”“Lean in.  Give what you have. At least, you'll learn and grow, and, at most, you'll succeed beyond your expectations.”Links: Open Your Eyes With McKay Christiansen

In the episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay discusses a grip that often takes hold in our life and directs our actions.  This grip, which McKay describes at the jaws of life, often lurks just outside our view and, little by little, changes the way we think, act, and live. What are these jaws?  Habits.  These habits can change our view of reality and over time pull us in a direction we otherwise would not go.  McKay discusses how we can avoid the jaws of life and build productive habits that help us live a healthy life.This episode opens with a narration of the tragic death of young Lane Graves who lost his life to the jaws of an alligator. Like Lane, McKay says many of us are pulled in opposite directions by the jaws of life. The reason? Our habits. McKay explains the power of habits and what happens when you lose control to poor habits. He describes how the habit of complacency causes us to settle and highlights the need to avoid the habit of pulling others down. Mckay draws this important episode to a close by detailing how to form new habits through creating a keystone habit and changing the habit loops in which we often find ourselves. Listen in today and gain a better understanding of these jaws of life and how to direct your life in a positive fashion.The Finer Details of This Episode:The tragic death of Lane Graves How the jaws of life grip and affect us The power of habits What happens when your habits take control of your life? How to avoid complacency in life How habits are formed Overcoming your habits What is a keystone habit? The dangers of putting others downQuotes:“There are jaws in our life that hold our future and how we live in their grip. And like an alligator's forceful grip, these forces in our life can seize control, and pull us in one direction or another.”“Habits can grip your life and carry you in a positive or negative direction. And the difference between the positive and negative is how purposefully you approach life.”“The key question is, are you directing your life, or are your habits directing you?”“If there's a plague in our generation today, it is more ease, more time, more leisure, and more choices. And all of these things can be blessings, and curses, depending on how we use them. Use them wisely and you can craft a meaningful life, a life of purpose.  Use them unwisely and the opposite will happen.”“We are what we repeatedly do. Laziness or complacency then is not an act, but a habit.”“There's greater rest and peace in a life with purpose.”“When I have a purpose that consumes my thinking, I am much more apt to create habits to meet that purpose.”“Displacement involves taking a hostile emotion from one situation and transferring it to another.”“Starting small allows you to find success on your way to larger habit changes.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay  introduces the audience to the practice of showing up. He opens up the conversation by sharing the resilient story of Jane Marczewski, America’s Got Talent competitor, 2-time cancer survivor, and beautiful singer. Despite all of the unfair challenges that seemed to hold her back, namely a long battle with cancer and an unexpected divorce, Jane continued to show up each and every day. McKay believes that’s the secret to success: the more we show up for ourselves and others, the more we develop healthy habits and increase our chances of being in the right place at the right time.A simple act such as going to the gym to run every morning might not seem like a life changing pursuit, but the more you show up for yourself consistently, the more content and proud of yourself you will be. 80% of the battle is showing up after all. Waking up and driving to the gym before the sun rises is the hard part. McKay draws this episode to a close by recounting the trials and tribulations of Tony Romo’s quarterback career with the Dallas Cowboys. After graduating from a lackluster football program and not being selected during the draft, Tony Romo showed up day after day, determined to improve his game. As we, and the football community, know, he went on to do just that with immense success. And here’s the thing - you can too. By showing up for yourself and others, you will start to notice yourself thriving in all aspects of your life.The Finer Details of This Episode:Jane Marczewski's story of resiliency Showing up for yourself Showing up for loved ones Developing habits Tony Romo’s fortitudeQuotes:“Here she was, 30-years old, a two-time cancer survivor, divorced, trying to survive in the up and down life of writing music, trying to keep her faith despite life letting her down every time she seemed to rise.”“It’s important that everyone knows that I am so much more than the bad things that happen to me. You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”“Team members who show up for their team find their team often shows up for them.”“I have become a better person by trying to show up for other people. My disposition is different. I feel closer to people. I am more aware and self-aware in the process.”“Just showing up at the gym or on the running path may not sound like a big deal, but each time you show up, it’s a tiny victory.”“Being in the right place at the right time is a key to success. When you show up consistently, you create more chances that you’re in the right place when opportunities appear. Whether you keep looking for the right job or finding customers for your new business, showing up will drive you to find the opportunity you want.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

In this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about being a light not only in your own life, but in the lives of others as well. He opens up the episode with a story which exemplifies finding a light in someone else involving a midwife named Joanna and the message she received from her dead grandmother in a hospital room. McKay then goes on to alert us to the fact that we can all be lights, but it requires a special attention to positivity and the thoughts we allow ourselves to verbalize. As a PhD student, McKay studied the power of belief windows, and he found that those who had positive, optimistic mindsets were the ones that were first in accomplishing their personal goals - and that belief is infectious. Surrounding yourself with negative thoughts, speech, or people only serves to drag you down, and that’s why it becomes all the more important to regulate your time. Ensuring that you do at least one thing that you love per day is a surefire way to bring more contentment into your life and, by extension, the lives of those around you, too. McKay draws this episode to a close by talking about the importance of being a light for others. When you find and anchor yourself to a source of light, it becomes all the more clear who you are meant to be and how to help others find themselves as well.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of Joanna the midwife Light vs. darkness 2002 Singapore Airlines fatal takeoff Belief windows Why belief is infectious Disney’s acquisition of Pixar Verbalizing negativity Doing what you love Being a light for othersQuotes:“Her friends thought she was foolish to give away money to the homeless because they would often use it to buy alcohol. But grandma simply said that she did what God would want her to do.”“I've met people who are filled with light and I've met people who are not filled with light, and there is a distinct and discernible difference. And some of you may even be able to recall times in your life when you've been filled with more light than at other times.”“Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Light dispels darkness. And when light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart.”“Your belief window is how you choose to perceive the world around you. And we perceive the world through our beliefs like colored glasses that we wear without knowing it. We approach each day guided largely by these beliefs.”“A few pros are more powerful than even dozens of cons. That's what it means to be believing, to see the good in people, in things, in life, in yourself.”“What we talk about sets our intention. You know when we vocalize our loves, for whatever reason, they stay with us, and they stay with those around us.”“You and I can exert our influence for good in the lives of those around us. Our actions, words, thoughts and light can positively affect other people.”“We all need a little light from good people around us. And like Mary, with a fresh perspective, we can leave the dark behind in our life and become more light-filled, and no longer hide our light, but share it with others.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

This week, McKay talks about aspects of the culture effect, including creating culture, maintaining it, and how to rescue it. He opens up with a story detailing Tonga’s devastating volcanic eruption and how the Tongan culture, which values respect and open-mindedness, helped the people weather the storm. McKay notes that, when teams or families have a strong culture, they will thrive and prosper, but, on the other hand, when culture is weak, it can destroy your team and everything you’re working for. McKay also emphasizes that, as leaders, we have the opportunity to influence and shape the culture that drives us, and goes on to share that, to do so, we must learn to value feedback. So, make sure that you are slow to speak and quick to listen when it comes to creating a culture and values. Likewise, an influential leader will lead by example, sharing and modeling the values by which they hope their team will abide. McKay draws this episode to a close with one final piece of advice: be careful who you let join your team. All it takes is one person to totally alter your culture, so protect it and you will protect your team as well.The Finer Details of This Episode:Tonga’s devastating volcanic eruption The fall of IBM Defining culture Influencing culture The importance of feedback Sharing and modeling values Why mid level managers create cultureQuotes:"Tongans look out for each other and respect others. Many Tongans may avoid outward signs of wealth or affection. They dress in modest ways, and they're highly receptive to other people's opinion and behavior.”“Culture can guide a team, lead a company to thrive and prosper, or culture can, like toxic ash, choke a team and cause companies to fail, or fall.”“Most leaders don't understand culture and they don't know how to diagnose or influence it.”“Culture can help teams be more agile, loyal and effective… Culture can also be a significant liability when it's misaligned with your strategy or values. And it doesn't matter how dysfunctional your culture may be on your team today, you can improve it with a plan and intentional effort.”“So, like the researchers in Roseto, you may have to set up camp for a while on your team, maybe even in your family - watch, listen, and observe. See if you can uncover some of the cultural behaviors and assumptions that your team members have.”“You see, some leaders stopped showing up for the small things. And the result? Their people do the same. What you do duplicates, so if you want to change the culture on your team, model the behavior.”“Hire and recruit people who exemplify what culture you're trying to create. And over time, these managers will influence your entire team. So be very selective about the people you let influence your team.”“Listen, learn, and determine where your culture is today to define the mission and values that will underpin your future culture.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On today's episode, McKay explores the concept of happiness, including where to find it, and how to hold on to it. To intoduce this rather expansive topic, he opens up the show by reviewing Elizabeth Smart's story - her brutal experience getting kidnapped and raped, and her journey toward happiness. McKay says that, while it's true that happiness is partially dependent upon circumstance, we can also attribute a large portion of our happiness to dedication, the people who raised us, and those with whom we surround ourselves.He goes on to introduce more conditions for happiness, noting that, when we have admirable intentions and goals in our lives, for example, we find more daily satisfaction. Even the love we share and receive plays a large role in how content we are. McKay draws this highly positive podcast episode to a close by reminding the audience to find joy in the little things, and by offering this invaluable advice: “Stay poised in tough situations—good will prevail. Exercise. Serve. Have Faith. Be humble and watch…. You will be happy.”The Finer Details of This Episode:Elizabeth Smart’s journey Happiness dependent on circumstances Set happiness Taylor Swift’s NYU speech The value of intention Love and happiness Darren’s happy landing Focusing on the little thingsQuotes:"As the days passed, she started to realize that this may be her new way of life.”“He has taken 9 months of your life that you will never get back, but the best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy.”“Happiness is a choice.”“Married people report a slightly higher happiness level than single people. In research, 25 percent of married people and 21 percent of single people say they are very happy. In short, circumstances such as wealth or marital status only impact our happiness in small ways.”“We get more from our parents than eye color and facial features. We may get a large set of our happiness from them or from others. How we grew up or who we have interacted with throughout our life, does dictate our level of happiness.”“People with aspirations have higher energy levels, stronger immune systems, stronger mental health and feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem.”“I agree with the researchers. I believe happy people see the best, even in the toughest situations. They are empowered with poise and optimism.”“Remember, that only 10 percent of happiness depends on circumstances. Fifty percent is heritable. So be a person who sees, talks about and shares the good in life. You can pass on the habit of happiness to others and be a blessing to them.”“Focusing on the small things in life that bring you joy.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

This week, McKay talks about how to speak so people listen. He opens up the episode with the story of Ronald Reagan’s powerful speech to D-Day veterans at Pointe du Hoc.  Great speakers, McKay says, ask questions to connect with the audience and help them feel like the message is for them. To remember and map their speech, good speakers break their speech down into manageable chunks, each with important points to get across.  By using chunks, speakers can teach instead of memorizing their lines verbatim. Most importantly though, McKay holds that the key to speaking so that people listen is knowing your strengths and weaknesses.  Then, seek to magnify your strengths.  It’s your strengths that make your speaking memorable.He goes on to note that, when we try to mimic someone else’s style by playing to their strengths instead of our own, we come off as fake. That’s why McKay says it’s so important to share personal stories; the more an audience relates to you, the more they will listen to you. McKay also shares some speech 'don’ts' - such as using too many jokes to too much focus on the speaker. He draws this episode to a close by sending a heartfelt message to his friend Austin who has recently embarked on a public speaking journey of his own and encouraging all of us to learn a bit more how to speak so people listen.

What makes a speech remarkable and memorable? McKay answers this question in today’s episode as he brings to light examples of great speeches and teaches us how to improve our speaking skills. In order to connect with your audience, McKay explains that you have to focus on your audience, prime them to think in the same mindset, use stories to carry them along, and ask questions.The episode begins with the story of Abraham’s Lincoln speech, a short speech that inspired many and continues to do so to this day. McKay explains how Lincoln makes use of repetition and constraint in his speech and how he recognized his physical surroundings and atmosphere, giving more power to his speech. Mckay gives a step-by-step approach on how to become a better speaker by connecting more fully with your audience and making your speech less about you and more about your listener.The Finer Details of This Episode:Abraham Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg Using repetition and contrast in speeches How to become a better speaker You have to focus on your audience and connect with them The story behind “I Have A Dream” Starting your speech by priming the listeners The different examples of priming Priming with stories and jokes The power of asking your audience questionsQuotes:“Great orators, when giving a speech, seek a cadence, a feeling, by their use of words.”“Great speaking is a developed talent.”“Too often, we don't consider the place or the audience. And so many speakers come at it from their own point of view, or make it about themselves. And this gets in the way, it prevents the listeners from fully engaging.”“Pay attention to where you sit. Sit where you can easily make contact with the listeners. Eye contact makes all the difference. ”“In the beginning of a presentation, you need to prime the listeners a bit so that they can follow you more intently. Priming brings the listener’s mind into your mindset and gets everyone on the same track.”“Too often, I hear speakers tell personal stories, and they're focused on sharing the story like an overzealous friend who just returned from vacation and wants to show you their vacation pictures. And they share every single exhausting detail about themselves.”“Priming is a useful skill in all of your speaking. And when you learn to prime well, you can elevate your effectiveness.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On today’s episode, McKay talks about how to turn the skeptics and critics in your life to supporters and partners.  He shares several principles that can help bring skeptics to your way of thinking.  First, approach everything from their frame of reference. Often the smartest person in the room tends to be the quietest one, because they first seek to understand.  He goes on to talk about the importance of speaking with authenticity.   McKay shares the experience of Nelson Mandela who used the power of helping others feel validated to prevail in one of the most significant negotiations of all time.  McKay then talks of how parents and people can use trust to influence the skeptics and critics in their life. McKay then shares the tactics of Robert Cialdini to develop more influence with people in our life. These tactics include reciprocity, explaining why, contrasting, and social proof. So, put these skills to test when dealing with the skeptics or critics in your life.  They will help you win them over to your way of thinking.The Finer Details of This Episode: Shania Twain’s vocal cords infected by ticksTicks as a metaphor for skeptics The importance of listening Using trust to win over skepticsThe power of authenticityValuing others’ opinionsNelson Mandela’s quest for equality and freedomPracticing what you preachThe rule of reciprocityQuotes: “​​Turning skeptics into believers, and critics into partners can be done. And learning the skill to do that is not only useful in sales and business, but also with kids, spouses, and a host of other people in our life.”“When I'm talking to a skeptic, I don't always know how to bring them to my side, but after listening often, that way to bring them over is revealed to me. It's in listening that you gain your inspiration of how to persuade them.”“People who ask questions are often the smartest in the room, because they have the humility to ask about what they don't know.”“Next, winning the skeptics, critics, or other ticks to your side is a matter of trust. And trust is a function of two characteristics: character and competence. You may have someone with extreme character on your team, but if they're not competent, you don't trust them to do what needs to be done.”“So answer questions directly and genuinely. And remember, rapport is not enough to bring skeptics to your side.”“You see, Mandela understood that to get the people with the guns to give up the power, he had to convince them that they would be safe after doing so.”“​​When people know why you're building a business or your children understand why there is a rule, they're much more apt to comply.”“Remember, shut up and listen. Use questions to guide the direction of the discussion but make sure the skeptics and critics feel understood. Then talk to them in their language and from their point of view.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On today’s episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay talks about getting over obstacles or mistakes in your life.  More often than not, we find ourselves looking to the past and focusing on what we could have done differently or better.  McKay argues this is harmful behavior.  The only true way to overcome the past is to accept where you are, see your current circumstance as a blessing, and look towards the future. McKay illustrates the power of leaving the past behind in his story of a skydiver’s accident that rendered her less capable of walking.  He notes that Emma could go on to live her life with an immense sense of regret or she could forgive herself, acknowledge the past, and put her energy towards writing the rest of her story.  Where you put your focus in life is where you will go.  So if you’re constantly looking back, you will stay there, but if you look forward, you will move onward and upward.  It’s why McKay talks so much about the importance of healthy thought patterns.  He draws this episode to a close on an uplifting note:  when we look ahead and develop a positive mindset, we take control over our own destinies, so make peace with who you are and what you’ve done, and move on. The Finer Details of This Episode: The only way out is throughGetting over past mistakesNoel’s free falling accidentSkeleton sleddingLooking forward instead of backwardThe importance of healthy thought patternsHow Emily Blunt overcame her stutterQuotes: “Yes, she was falling. Yes, she was about to die, but she was so grateful for her life. It turned her panic to peace.”“She now views her body so much differently. It's no longer something that defines her image, but rather a tool for her to live and enjoy the world.”“You must learn to break with and from these thinking patterns, and close that chapter in your life.”“In sledding, and in life, where you look is where you'll go. You see, our lives are shaped by where we look. And if you're looking back, that's where your thought patterns go. And if you're looking forward that too is where your thoughts and your life will go.”“Aristotle famously said, ‘We are what we repeatedly do.’ Excellence then is not an act but a habit. I think the same is true of what we repeatedly think.”“So stand at the door of your mind, and only let in what is positive and helpful.”“Sometimes you have to follow a script.  You have to act a bit before the change you're trying to accomplish feels entirely natural to you.”“Close that chapter in your life, and come to know the rest of your story. If you've fallen, be grateful for what you've learned, accept where you are, and move forward.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On today’s episode, McKay talks to the audience about the importance of faith, and begins by introducing the story of Desmond Doss and his unwavering faith and peaceful determination at Hacksaw Ridge.  McKay frames faith as a commitment to a choice, and the more we act on that choice, the more we reinforce our faith - reminiscent of Isaac Newton’s laws of motion.  Moving forward and taking steps, no matter how small, keeps our momentum in the right direction.He next advises listeners to eliminate distractions since they only serve to slow us down and divert us from our faith and purpose. Fear can also skew faith; it can lead to feelings of helplessness and certainly loneliness, and that’s why McKay talks so much about action and moving forward.  He draws this episode to a close by urging everyone to feed their faith for at least 15 minutes everyday, noting that human potential is limitless, and to let that go to waste would be a shame. The Finer Details of This Episode:Desmond’s faith at Hacksaw RidgeCommitment to choicesThe importance of moving forwardScottie Scheffler’s Masters winEliminating distractions5 truths about fearsWhy human potential is limitlessFeeding your faithQuotes: “The more you act, the more faith you create. My faith is strong and grows when I am in an active state. When I am in a passive state, I lose my faith.”“In an active state, you learn, grow and feel like you are doing something within your control.”“Distraction is the great thief in life. It will divert your attention, capture your interest, and rarely return any value to your life. When you decide to do something remarkable in your life and place your faith in yourself and your decision, the first thing to do is to clear the path; remove any potential distractions.”“What we need to realize is that faith is a sales job.  Each day we are selling to ourselves the thing in which we are placing our faith.  That means the longer we go without acting on that thing, the less likely we are to act.”“Remember, action is the great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is the result of fear.  Any action is better than no action at all.  To prevent the law of diminishing intent, act now.”“Each day, set aside 15 minutes to feed your faith.  It’s a daily feeding time that will keep you focused and give you the wherewithal to keep your mind in the direction you should go.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

This week, McKay talks about miracles, opening up the episode with the story of pilot and pioneer, Amelia Earhart, and the unbelievable tale that is the rescue of McKenzie Morgan.  He argues that both stories are miracles in their own right, and these miracles can happen to us so long as we open our minds and hearts to them. McKay says it’s all about realizing  your worth.  Too many people believe themselves unworthy of serendipitous positivity when that couldn’t be further from the truth.  We all deserve miracles - sometimes we just need to open our eyes to them.McKay goes on to discuss the importance of self forgiveness and overcoming past mistakes.  It’s easy to feel that your past has seemingly predetermined your future.  If you open your eyes, however, you might find that miracles are all around us, especially in the people we meet everyday.  McKay draws this episode to a close by celebrating the life of Indy Ju who, before tragically passing away from leukemia at a young age, inspired millions to believe in miracles again. The Finer Details of This Episode: The story of Amelia EarhartMcKenzie Morgan’s rescueOpening our minds to miraclesBeing in the right place at the right timeThe importance of knowing your worthOvercoming past mistakesIndy Ju’s courageous battle with leukemia Quotes: “We must have been in the mountains that day for a reason.”“​​When you are looking for a miracle, maybe you are more open to the advice of others, maybe you take more chances, maybe your heart is inclined to have faith in someone or something.”“I believe that these small miracles happen in our lives all the time. Moments of clarity that we don’t always arrive at on our own. The point is, sometimes you need to be looking for a miracle.  Maybe take a chance or two.”“You deserve love, forgiveness, strength and happiness.  You may not feel like you deserve it, but you do.  You are of immense worth and here on this earth to find peace and rise from the ashes.”“The millions of people who were inspired by and connected to this little girl with down syndrome has been nothing short of miraculous.  Miraculous to those who needed to look beyond their own circumstances, to grandfathers who need redemption, to neighbors who need to care about each other, to people who lack faith who need to look.  Miracles happened because of Indy Lu, and miracles can happen because of you.”“This world is filled with so much good.  There is so much to be grateful for.  So, as we end today, remember McKenzie.  Be willing to be in the right place at the right time.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today on the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about creating lasting wealth, and opens up the episode with two stories about Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff - both of whom schemed investors out of billions of dollars.  He points out that, unlike Ponzi, Madoff, and their corrupt practices, in order to create genuine wealth, one has to define what wealth truly means.  The next step according to McKay to generate wealth is to save and invest, and goes on to urge the audience to diversify these investments in order to best mitigate risk.Last but not least, McKay argues that investors simply think differently, and if people want to be wealthy they should do so as well. Investors think like owners, whereas the ‘average Joe’ might be more likely to think that their income is sufficient enough to live on without investments.  This is why McKay believes so strongly in the power of financial education - after all, if we don’t take the time to learn the game, how are we ever supposed to play it?The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of Charles PonziDeciding what real wealth means to youThe importance of saving and investingDiversification and averagingHow to minimize taxes Why investors think differentlyQuotes: “When something is too good to be true, it most likely is.  I can’t tell you the number of times people have come to me telling me about the latest sure thing, and that sure thing doesn’t turn out.”“These schemes often promise high returns with little risk. Educated investors understand there is always risk.”“Riches are not an end in life, but an instrument in life.”“The goal of good investing is to get your money working for you. This seems obvious, but getting the right mindset about investing is really important.”“When you get educated, you’ll learn that the older you get and the closer you come to needing your money to live on, the more you need to reduce the chances of volatility.”“An investor thinks differently. They don’t think about how much they can earn as an employee, they think about how much they can earn as an owner.”“Determine what real wealth means to you.  Get your plan established.  Start investing today. Build a diversified portfolio, and average into the market. Take advantage of tax advantaged investments.  Get educated, and give 10% of what you earn.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

This week on Open Your Eyes, McKay talks about why it’s no fun being poor.  He opens up the episode by recounting the plot of the Oscar Award winning film, CODA, in which the protagonist's family rises above the poverty line and comes to live a much more fulfilled life as a result.  Next McKay talks about his friend’s work building wells in the Republic of Congo and educating the community about maintenance and education.  McKay remarks that this education and access gave Congan people the opportunity to rise above their water scarcity and focus on growing other areas of wealth. These two stories lead to McKay listing his three markers for wealth: a complete lack of debt, having savings to provide for an emergency, and having 10% of your wealth to give away.  He urges the audience to do so by cutting monthly spending in half, increasing monthly income, paying off your lowest debt balances, and eventually paying off your mortgage. A lack of debt fuels confidence and contentment in life, and  McKay concludes the episode by reminding us all that it isn’t fun to be poor, but it’s extremely fun being debt free. The Finer Details of This Episode:The synopsis of Apple’s CODABuilding wells in the Republic of Congo The three components of wealthThe importance of cutting monthly spendingIncreasing your  monthly incomePaying off debtHow a lack of debt fuels confidenceQuotes: “The truth is, it's no fun to be poor. And another truth is: no one has to be.”“Bringing people from poverty has as much to do with their learning and understanding as it does about them actually having materials for wealth.”“You're wealthy if you're completely debt free, you have adequate savings to provide for you and your family if you stopped working, and you're able to give away 10% of what you earn.”“Don’t buy it unless you can pay cash for it.”“By cutting monthly spending and adding monthly income, paying off the lowest debt balances first, and then applying that to your mortgage, you're soon out of debt. ““I've seen people with a lot of things who are emotionally and spiritually poor, because they believe what they have defines who they are.”“The peace and security of being out of debt is worth so much. As I mentioned, it teaches you to be content, to stop using debt to satisfy your wants; it sets the course for a life of frugality and humility.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today, McKay discusses how to change your money mindset. He opens up the podcast by discussing the tragic day when Sergeant Jay Rosenberry saw his children and friend flailing in a riptide.  While he successfully saved his children, his friend Mark didn’t make it. McKay likens this tragic unpreparedness for the riptide to the lack of understanding we have about our money habits, and he goes on to discuss how we can better improve our financial decisions.  First, McKay discusses the importance of developing small habits - by spending small amounts in the right places, one saves money to invest in the future.  Like McKay says, it’s all about the value of the opportunity cost.  His next tip pertains to procrastination - the longer a person waits to become financially literate, the more money they lose.  He relates this message to the current inflation in the U.S. and urges the audience to get out of debt now.  Afterall, now is the perfect time to start changing our money mindsets.  McKay brings this episode to an end by talking about the value of learning from past mistakes.  The Finer Details of this Episode:Sergeant Jay’s horrific moment saving his family from a riptideThe importance of smaller habitsThe value of opportunity costWhy there’s a cost to waitingGetting out of debtLearning from your past mistakesQuotes: “Mark J said, ‘My instinct was to go after the eight-year-old now that he was alone, because I knew he couldn't swim. As he stumbled back toward the ocean, he heard Christie's shrieking voice pleading, ‘Please save my boy’.”“This is very much like other things in life, we often get ourselves into trouble because we don't understand the circumstances around us.”“Small habits lead to big results.”“Investing money is often filled with mistakes. And sometimes we have to be hit upside the head, so to speak, to get the point.”“There's no value in looking back. Accepting responsibility for our decisions means learning from it, setting it aside, and moving on.”“So many people have tried to invest and learn lessons the hard way. I've spent money poorly and made bad choices–we all have. The question is, will we learn from our mistakes?”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today, McKay explored the sense of entitlement on the Open Your Eyes podcast.  He starts off by introducing various examples of moments when individuals were and weren’t entitled, beginning with the story of a man who was tired of waiting for his flight.  He then contrasts that example with George Washington and his heroism fighting against the British army.  McKay notes that, like George Washington, we are entitled to nothing in life.  If we start to adopt this mindset that nothing is guaranteed to us, we would be all the more happy. McKay goes on to recall a story about a man who can sleep when the wind blows - a tale of preparation and diligence teaching us that things won’t fall into line unless we do.  Similarly, he argues that adversity is important because it forces us to be resilient and to take responsibility for ourselves - when we teach our children that life owes us happiness and success, they’ll hardly be prepared to face real challenges. McKay also talks about his work at a nonprofit where he helps children get involved in science at a young age to stimulate this type of growth mindset.  He draws this episode to a close by detailing the journey of Elon Musk’s Tesla company and its humble beginnings demonstrating that success isn’t just entitled to us, it’s made.The Finer Details of This Episode: The difference between working hard and feeling you’re entitled to somethingWashington’s heroic efforts in the fight against the BritishWhy we are entitled to nothing in lifePreparation and the “I can sleep when the wind blows” parableThe importance of adversityWhy growth mindsets encourage confidence and persistence The journey of Elon Musk’s TeslaQuotes: “Things like the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution came about because of character, determination, hard work and even some chance. It was the individual choices and actions of the people at the time that gave birth to the country where some of us live. They were far from entitled.”“The truth is that no one owes you or me a living, and no one is going to hand you or me a great life.”“​​I believe he had the mindset to persevere especially when things got tough. He knew they were not entitled to freedom. They had to earn it.”“Here's the thing: I worry that my children and you and me tend to think that the freedoms we enjoy, to speak freely, to worship in the manner we choose, to have free and fair elections, and many other things, were somehow bestowed upon us because we are entitled.”“Sometimes we think we are entitled; entitled to freedom, entitled to a happy life, to a job, to benefits, and all of the other things that we enjoy. But the truth is, we are entitled to very little.”“We must remember to prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.”“Kids who develop this ability to struggle through answers have less anxiety and stress, increased attention capacity, fewer symptoms of attention deficit disorders, more confidence, ability to make independent decisions, improved physical and emotional health, and they perform and have a better attitude in school.”“Remember, we are not just entitled to freedom of any kind, whether it be political, financial or emotional - it must be earned.”“Now is the time to work so you can sleep when the wind blows, whatever winds may come.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today, McKay talks all about action on the podcast, starting off the episode by recounting Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition to Antarctica.  After two years of combatting ice, cold temperatures, and the ocean, Shackleton finally managed to save his team and bring them home.  McKay attributes his unlikely success to his willingness to move and set his plans into action, and points out that many of us overthink far too much and are paralyzed by our thoughts.  To overcome our overthinking, action is the best remedy - making moves, changing our thought processes, and cultivating what McKay calls our emotional homes are key to success.During the latter half of this episode, McKay introduces Larry Lemieux, an Olympic sailor who made the heroic decision to forfeit his pursuit of the gold medal to save his competitors drowning in the water.  It was his quick action skills that made this move possible - he didn’t overthink.  Likewise, McKay draws this episode to conclusion by detailing Sarah Lift’s decision to leave her abusive household at the age of 15.  He says that her fast acting, like that of Lemieux, changed her life and led her down a path to emotional freedom and financial success. Listen in today as McKay demonstrates that, truly, “there is power in moving and keeping your focus on the next necessary part of your life's journey.”The Finer Details of This Episode:Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 mission to Antarctica Why overthinking is a bad habit Why action assuages overthinkingThe importance of a healthy emotional homeLarry Lemieux’s heroic move at the OlympicsSara Lift’s decision to leave her abusive householdQuotes:“We let habitual thinking freeze us from time to time, and the way out of our situation, or to safety or success, just might be to move. Action is a powerful force, not only in our life, but in our minds.”“The problem with overthinking is it can become a habit, and soon we get hung up on relatively simple decisions.  We worry excessively, our mind tends to go into overdrive, and we even begin to think about our thinking.”“Overthinking can prevent us from taking action by keeping us trapped in circular thoughts.  When we overthink, we may be unable to separate facts and what we know for sure from the worries we keep telling ourselves.”“You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading your last one.”“Overthinking plagues many of us, and we can change the rumination going on in our life and our thinking by focusing on what's next.”“Stand guard at the door of your mind. Only build rooms for the people and technology that helps you direct your thinking.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On McKay’s 50th podcast episode, he talks about the importance of staying in your lane, and opens this week by introducing the story of Sarah Blakely, the creator of SPANX.  He talks about her unhappiness as a fax machine saleswoman and her perseverance in the industry.  Only after dedicating herself to her position did she serendipitously find success in the hosiery business.  McKay notes that, although dedicating yourself to your craft in the face of unhappiness is no easy feat, giving yourself fully or staying in your lane is the most surefire method to achieve success. He goes on to recall the story of Dirk Nowitzki, the starting center for the Dallas Mavericks.  McKay remembers the moment when Dirk turned down high offers at other teams and chose to stay with Dallas - a prime example of staying in your lane.  He didn’t forego his path for the sake of money, but stayed true to his goal.  McKay concludes this episode by reminding us all that there is huge value in being loyal to others, to your calling, to your values, and that you will find you can travel faster, make more progress and feel better about who you are when you stay in your lane with confidence.The Finer Details of This Episode: Sarah Blakely’s journey to create SPANXFinding serendipitous successThe importance of giving yourself fullyDirk Nowitzki’s loyalty to the Dallas MavericksWhy imitation never worksWhy one should avoid worrying about othersFocusing on yourself Quotes: “You see too often in life, we don't stay in our lane. We think things are better doing what someone else is doing or want to shift strategy, because things are temporarily hard or something else seems a little more inviting.”“You develop skills and meet people that can likely change the course of your life. And on it goes.”“Give your full commitment to your relationship even though things aren't perfect.”“There is depth in anything you give yourself to fully.”“Staying in your lane is more than being focused, committed, or loyal. It also means you give yourself to what you were called to do.”“Stick to your lane until the time is right to add a boat or camper, and until then, smile.”“Now I've known people who are very good at staying in their lane in life. They just have this way about them. They're not worried about other people. They're not obsessed with what other people do wrong. They're just confident and observant and patient and comfortable with who they are.”“Next time you're tempted to be nosy or out of your lane, or critical of someone else or wanting to direct their life, say to yourself, ‘I've resigned from that job.’”“Every second you spend driving someone else's car is not spent driving yours.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

McKay talks about the importance of goals in today’s episode, and he opens up the episode by recognizing the success of Mike Krzyzewski as Duke basketball head coach.  Only after seeing his book in an airport, did McKay read it and learn about having worthy goals.  He ties Coach K’s story into that of Chris Norton, a football player who suffered a paralyzing injury in a football game, highlighting his determination and how he defied all odds to walk again.  McKay finds it important to add that you are the only person who has control over your destiny, and at the end of the day, your goals and capacity for growth are up to you.  The next lesson he learned from Coach K was that losses can be wins, as seen in the example of Dave Ramsey, a failed real estate man turned publishing phenom and radio host.  McKay says that he would hardly have success in his career had he not failed miserably at first.  To make drastic changes in your life and succeed, he says that the big moments are far less important than the little ones in between, and that creating daily habits and small changes makes all the difference.  McKay also urges the audience to keep a positive mindset, pointing out that, when you worry about losing, you deem your goals unworthy of your commitment.  To close out the episode, McKay encourages listeners to let go of the past, because it only serves to drag you down.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Mike Krzyzewski and having worthy goalsChris Norton’s paralyzing injuryYou determine your futureLosses can be winsDave Ramsey Total Money MakeoverThe importance of changing your daily habitsPositive mindsets Why you need to let go of the pastQuotes: “I saw a book called Leading With The Heart by coach Kay, I bought it. And by the time I landed in Salt Lake City three hours later, I had devoured the book. And from it, I learned several principles that changed how I lead.”“He decided he was going to stand and walk again. Well, the first thing that happened was a few days later. He moved his left arm, and that tiny movement gave him hope. And with this little bit of encouragement, his dad said to Chris, ‘Chris, there's no challenge too big that you can’t conquer.’”“Perhaps you want to get that degree or get out of debt or whatever you're striving to do. Remember the only person who can tell you that you can't win is you, and you don't have to listen.”“I had two choices.  Was I going to spend the rest of my life feeling sorry for myself? Was I going to make a stand? And I know one thing, when they tell you, you have a 3% chance of moving anything below your neck again, forget the 97; focus on the three. Yes, my life changed forever, but through my experience, I realized–it was up to me, and I had the power to stand.”“A worthy goal does more than Inspire. It causes you to see yourself differently.”“It doesn't matter if you win every game, but play each game with all your heart. And most of all, remember, family is everything.”“Dave's loss in the game of real estate enabled his win in the game of publishing and helping others improve.”“To change your life, you must change your day.”“When I focus on what can go wrong. I changed my tactics. I lose my strength and it works differently on my psyche.”Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today’s episode finds McKay guiding the audience on a path to sustain one’s personal energy.  He opens the episode by discussing Bitcoin’s mining scarcity and how it negatively impacted the personal will power of those like James Halls, who misplaced his Bitcoin retrieve code worth millions of dollars.  This story prefaces his statement that personal energy drives will power and emotional sustenance.  McKay goes on to use the neutrino discovery and the radish v.s. cookie experiment to articulate how emotional energy continues or stops.  He urges us to subscribe to habits like clearing clutter, focusing on being the best version of ourselves, and engaging in healthy lifestyles to sustain high energy levels, while also warning us that when we chase status and titles, we lose our sense of place and purpose.  McKay goes on to state that a variety of healthy lifestyle practices in tandem with human connection are key to energetic sustenance.  As he brings this episode to a close, McKay tells the story of Paul McCartney and the woman who inspired the song ‘Eleanor Rigby’, concluding that some of the greatest sources of energy are found in the solace of a fellow human being.  The Finer Details of This Episode:James Halls’ storyPersonal energy drives will powerNeutrinos discoveryRadish vs cookie experimentEmotional energy sustenanceHow listening to stories boosts a broader vocabularyWhy cleaning the clutter is calmingTitles don’t fuel us in the long runBecome the best version of yourselfThe importance of healthy food and activitySpecific adaptations to imposed demandsPaul McCartney’s ‘Eleanor Rigby’ inspirationQuotes:“A study out of UC Berkeley concluded that listening to narrative stories, like the ones you find in this podcast, can stimulate multiple parts of your brain in healthy ways. And this stimulus reduces stress and anxiety.”“In May of 2020, researchers at York University showed that symptoms of Alzheimer's are halted by up to five years in people that fluently speak more than one language.”“Clutter represents unfinished business.”“Instead of just focusing on limiting sugars, carbs or inflammatory foods, be sure to increase the variety of nutrients in your diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, and lean protein.”“‘The benefits of having such a diverse gut microbiome from a rich variety of food are impressive.”“Workout variety is important for both your physical and mental health because it helps keep you from being bored with your existing routine. And research shows that adding variety to an exercise program helps us adhere to it better, because we enjoy our workouts more.”“Remember, improving your energy in life is done on purpose. Try a few new ways to bring energy to your life.”“Bring variety to your life, to your diet, and exercise. And remember, people may in fact, be the greatest source of energy in your life.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

In this week’s episode, McKay discusses the importance of an abundance mindset.  He opens the podcast by discussing Britney Bowe’s Olympic history and her decision to give up her spot in the 2022 Olympic trials to Erin Jackson.  This selfless act hardly granted Bowe a medal, but it led Jackson to win gold in the women’s 500 m speed skating event.  Christensen argues that this is a prime example of abundance thinking and grace.  Because humans tend to resent and envy the success of others, especially those in close proximity, Christensen urges the audience to replace envy and resentment with grace.  He then goes on to detail another Olympic tale between Mikaela Shiffrin and Sophia Goggia.  After Shiffrin practiced with Goggia’s skis and got her fastest time, Goggia gave Shiffrin her skis before an event in the hopes that she might be as successful in the competition as she was in practice.  The story exemplifies how abundance and grace can transform our attitudes and help others in a positive way.  In contrast, McKay then tells the audience about the tense relationship between Thomas Edison and his once student, Nikola Tesla. When Edison dismissed and admonished Tesla for one of his suggestions, Tesla quit and decided to patent his own ideas.  He eventually received the notoriety he deserved and was tasked with engineering Chicago’s famous World Fair instead of Thomas Edison.  McKay segues into the episode’s conclusion where he discusses the inherent value of personal worth and security that comes from an abundant mindset.  He closes out the podcast with a quick anecdote about Jesse Owens and Luz Long’s friendship that blossomed from the 1936 Olympic Games.  Long is rumored to have given Owens advice before his gold medal run, despite being Owens' opposition.  While Owens came out on top, the pair developed a lifelong friendship in the face of a disapproving Nazi Germany.  Long story short, McKay advises that if we truly believe that there is enough success and happiness to go round, prosperity will come.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of Britney Bowe giving up her spot so that Erin Jackson could win GoldThe importance of rejoicing in others’ victoriesWhat abundant thinking isWhy we resent others’ successMen envy occupational success; women envy physical attractivenessWhy we envy close friends moreHow to replace envy with graceSophia Goggia gifting Mikaela Shiffrin her skis for an eventEdison’s scarcity mentality and how he devalued Tesla’s ideasThe inherent value of personal worth and securityThe friendship between Jesse Owens and Luz LongQuotes: “Every day, in most things we do, we have a choice.  We can see things as scarce, like the chances to win a race at the Olympics and decide not to help or cheer others on, or we can see things as abundant—that there is more than enough for everyone.”“I believe one of the most powerful characteristics you can develop in life, one that will reward you for years to come, is to rejoice in the other person’s victory.”“It’s common that our reaction to other people’s success isn’t always positive.  We tend to draw comparisons between what we have and what we perceive others are having—our thoughts get distorted and what they have grows in our minds and what we have shrinks at the same time.”“In one survey, more than 74% of respondents reported experiencing major envy recently in their lives.  Surprisingly, researchers found that we most often envy others of our own gender.”“When you take envy out of your heart, it needs to be replaced with something, otherwise the void will be filled with envy again.  So what do you fill...

There are moments in our lives when feelings of doubt or fears of failure discourage us from following our dreams or striving toward goals.  In fact, many of the world’s greatest success stories failed countless times before finally achieving success and notoriety.  McKay Christensen opens today’s podcast with Garth Brooks’ origin story, so to speak.  He details the failure and discouragement that inevitably forced Brooks to abandon music in Nashville for the comforts of his home in Oklahoma. After returning to Stillwater, OK, however, he realized that he no longer belonged in the town he used to find solace in.  So, only after heading back to Nashville for the second time and enduring additional bouts of failure and rejection, did Garth finally find success.  In the wake of signing to Capitol Records, Garth Brooks became a household name and the top selling act of the past two decades.  McKay goes on to remind us that, like Brooks, there is a right time and place for each of us to find what we’re looking for so long as we don’t give up.  He says that people often quit too soon because of hurdles and daunting challenges.  Christensen urges us to stop asking God to remove obstacles and tests from our lives, because they serve to hone our skills and strengthen us in the end.  After all, success is a marathon, not a sprint.  He then goes on to talk about snowboarding Olympian, Lindsey Jacobellis, who, after doing a trick that cost her a gold medal in 2006, she had to endure over a decade of failure until she finally won Olympic gold in the 2022 winter games.  McKay says that things rarely go as planned.  He looks back at who he thought he would become at the age of 20 and finds that he’s far from where he expected himself to be; and he sees this as a good thing.  Life is full of uncertainties, and failure is a necessary component for success.  Without it, McKay says we lack the mental toughness and wisdom that inevitably propel us to reach our goals in the end.The Finer Details of this Episode: Garth Brooks’ bouts of failure and doubt before finally achieving music stardomPeople often give up before their inevitable breakthroughHow tests help us find positive outcomesPlaying the long game is important (like the stock market)Ingrid Olsen’s story of praying for God to stop the windWhy we shouldn’t pray for obstacles to ceaseThe beauty in life’s uncertaintyThomas Adams’ struggle to find a use for chicle Why failure is a learning experienceHow Lindsey Jacobellis won gold at 36 years of age in the 2022 Olympics after over a decade of failureQuotes: “One of the truths we all learn in life is that much of the good that comes our way comes our way in its own time.”“Never give up.  Keep trying.  There’s a reason you are where you are.”“If massive good didn’t come from grief and loss and even stupid mistakes, God wouldn’t allow grief and loss and stupid mistakes.”“Too often, we look so long and so longingly at the closed door that we don’t see the one that is opening.”“Because of the loss we’ve had or our mistakes, we feel unworthy to even think that the best is yet to come, and those limiting beliefs hold us back from what God has intended for us.  So let yourself believe that you are of immense worth, and your time will indeed arrive soon enough.”“When we’re under pressure, we never know what we really believe until our beliefs are tested.  We don’t know our capabilities until they are tested.  And perhaps in those tests, we are learning that we can do hard things.”  “So tests are good for us, because they...

We all have important races we are trying to finish in life. For some, that race may be to finish college, or get their business to the place they know it can be, or to raise honest and capable kids. For others, it might be to lose the weight, beat cancer, or survive and thrive after divorce. Whatever our race is, McKay reminds us all today that we are endowed with great talents, and that if we stay in the race, we can prevail and reach our full potential.He uses the story of Dale Earnhardt and the Daytona International Speedway as a metaphor to introduce today's topic, elaborating on some proven secrets of getting back and finishing the race in your life. These include unhooking the load that's holding you back, whether that's your past, criticism from other people, or longstanding habits. McKay also delves into the remarkable story of the never-giving-up American speed skater Dan Jansen who finished his race despite personal difficulties and years of failure by breaking a ten-year Olympic record. At the heart of McKay's message today is to not let life's inequities keep you out of the race, but to stay focused on your purpose and discover that you are actually meant to be driving in the greatest race of life – becoming who you are meant to be.The Finer Details of This Episode:Dale Earnhardt's experience on the Daytona International Speedway. Finishing your race despite adversity Proven secrets to getting back on the track and finishing the race A chemist, an electrician, and an IT guy get stranded after their car breaks down... The importance of rebooting in finishing your race Unhooking the boat of your past, your habits, or the criticism of other people Dan Jansen's race A lesson to not let life's inequities keep you out of the race—the story of Victoria Ruvolo Quotes"Few people understand the extreme danger of driving at such high speeds. And it takes courage - immense courage - to finish each race. But it was something that his Dad did 136 times in his career.""There is joy in trading paint in the bumps and bruises of the race. And it's there that you find out who you really are, you learn how to protect those in the race with you and secure the lead, and you live life more fully when you're in the race.""It is likely that we ordinary people are being asked to do extraordinary things and may even be racing right now without the right equipment or vision.""My dad took me aside and said, 'Son, if you ever want to win a NASCAR race, you'll have to unhook the boat you've been towing behind your car the last 10 races.'""Here he was in his fourth Olympics after enduring one disappointment after another and still dragging the weight of those falls.""As ridiculous as it may be to see a car in the Daytona 500 pulling a boat behind it, it is just as crazy that you and I still carry these mindsets of the past.""How do you win when you are in a tug of war with your doubts? Drop the rope.""As John C. Maxwell said, 'You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.'""One lesson I want my children and grandchildren to learn is that life is rarely, if ever, fair. The truth is that we must take control of our life now. There is usually no hero coming to save the day. Life is unfair. And usually, there is no referee to call out the fouls or offenses that come our way. I learned a long time ago that everything in life is not fun or interesting or easy."Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

There are times in our lives that call for reinvention. It doesn't have to be some dramatic thing, and it doesn't have to happen at any certain age -  it only matters what it is you are inspired to do as you chart your course for the next stage of your life. Today, McKay reminds us that we are, at our core, full of possibilities, and discusses the power of reinvention as well as the steps to take to reinvent yourself through inspiration and incubation.He begins with the story of Keira D’Amato and how she reinvented herself. He then talks about steps to reinventing yourself by identifying your problem, finding a solution, incubating and acting in the moment of inspiration. Listen in today to learn about acting in the moment of inspiration, running toward your reinvention, and watching your God-given talents shine and grow.The Finer Details of This Episode:How Keira D'Amato reinvented herself The great impacts of the printing press What is reinvention? Steps of invention Learn how to build your day How to reinvent your life The power of incubation Acting in the moment of inspirationQuotes:“It's like you open your eyes after a decade of living your life and keeping up with the busyness of things and look at who you are and wonder, ‘Is this who I am or even who I want to be?’ ”“When you reinvent yourself, the best is yet to come.”“What problem, large or small, needs to be fixed or addressed in your life right now?”“The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”“We all need a little reinvention now and then. And we all have something about us, about our brand, so to speak, that makes us attractive, but too often people run from reinvention.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Studies summarized in the book Beauty Pays indicate that attractive people earn more than people considered average-looking. In a large nationwide study, it was shown that beautiful people make 15% more than others in the exact same jobs. Given all of this, you may wonder if physical appearance is all there is to be attractive. The answer is a resounding 'No'. In today's episode, McKay brings together stories, studies, and real-life examples of what makes people attractive, opening your eyes to what truly makes you pleasant, and stressing why you need to know what draws you to people.To kick off, McKay tells the tale of the successful moon landing of the heaviest rocket ever built after numerous failures with previous rockets, explains how people are unaware of why they're attracted to something or someone, and lays out that factors such as early childhood experiences can subconsciously draw a person to what they're attracted to. McKay also explores one significant point—attractiveness has a broader definition beyond mere physical beauty and it has more to do with who you are than how you look. citing other such important aspects as positivity, empathy, and interest in other people. He warns against speaking ill of other people in their absence and highlights the fact that being a good listener is attractive. In essence, McKay's overall message here today is that when you are intentionally positive, practice genuine empathy, speak only good of people, know when to say nothing, and be a person who seeks to learn from other people, your God-given attractiveness will shine and grow – a valuable message for all to heed.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of the heaviest rocket landing on the moon The analogy of the rock found on the moon to today's topic—why you're attractive Why people are attracted to the things they're attracted to A study from the book Beauty Pays relating attractiveness to earning Attractiveness goes beyond mere physical beauty; it has more to do with who you are than how you look The significance of understanding why you are attractive How positive interaction creates more attraction and affinity Case studies of how childhood memories influence attractiveness Other reasons for attraction include similar attitudes, beliefs and values, demographic characteristics, and nonverbal behaviors The attractiveness of positivity, empathy, and being a listener Three things you must always ask yourself before you say anythingQuotes"Research shows that our attraction often stems from our patterns of experiences in life going back to early childhood.""Remember, attractiveness has a broader definition beyond mere physical beauty.""It's proven that attractiveness has more to do with who you are than how you look.""If you're in the people business and have regular interaction with the human side of work, whether it be with customers, vendors, or team members, it helps to have a good understanding of why you are attractive.""Seek to find common areas of interest or agreement. This makes you more attractive. And the more similar you are, the more attractive you will be. When you have a similar outlook and views, it fuels attraction.""Positivity heavily correlates to predicting a salesperson's success even if they lack the prerequisite selling aptitude.""If they're not there to hear what you say, don't say anything or say something positive.""When you're true to others, you have a light about you. When you enter into gossip or tearing down another person, you lose that light. You feel different as a result, and different means not good. And I learned that if you...

As we continue to navigate the road to success and happiness, it is important to remember that there are people around us who can help us along the way, and who we, in turn, can help as well. If we choose to follow the Proximity Principle, we will be able to find what we're looking for in life by getting close to those who know the way. In today’s episode, McKay explains the power of proximity and that if we follow the example of excellent and successful people, we too can get and keep our lives on course.Today, McKay explains the Proximity Principle, beginning with an example of how Blaine Gibson used the perspective of the people on the ground to help find pieces of the disappeared Flight 370, a Boeing 777. He also explains why it’s crucial to understand from the perspective of those who know things best and how success leaves clues. He highlights the importance of reading biographies of excellent people as you get in proximity with their life during that time, and demonstrates how proximity works in psychology, breaking addictions, and parenting. He then discusses how to take advantage of proximity power and use it for your good. Finally, McKay stresses the value of reading and how it will get you in proximity to a different view. In essence, if you want to impact something, get close to those who know, seek out the experts, and be proximate to them. Soon, you will think like they think and do more of what they do, and you’ll be able to do the same for others.The Finer Details of This Episode:Blaine Gibson’s pursuit of the lost Boeing 777, Flight 370, and the ‘Gibson Effect’ The value of proximity and understanding the issue from the perspective of those who know things best Getting in proximity with excellent people through reading their biographies How proximity drives the work of Alcoholics Anonymous Parallels between proximity effect and recording audio The use of the proximity principle in psychology Proximity in parenting and raising kids—McKay’s personal experience How to take advantage of proximity power and turn it to our good How reading equals proximity to the author McKay’s research study to determine what enabled people to change The Matthew Effect The fruits of being coachableQuotes:“There is power in getting on the ground level. Proximity is power. When we understand the issue from the perspective of those who know things best, when we model their way of doing things, we eliminate the mystery of how to succeed.”“Tony Robbins says, ‘Long ago, I realized that success leaves clues and that people who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results. I believed that if I precisely duplicated the actions of others, I could reproduce the same quality of results that they had.’ This is an extremely powerful principle.”“Reading biographies is different than other books. You get to see things from another’s point of view. And if you’re reading the right biography, you get close, proximate, and see things from the point of view of a person who has lived in excellent ways. You get to put their view on your window.”“When we come closer or proximate to people we admire or who have done what we are trying to do, several things happen to us: sometimes it feels like a reproach because we are humbled when we see how far we must progress. But most often, we feel inspired that we can do better, perhaps even that our time is forthcoming.”“Alcoholics Anonymous was not successful due to its training content or processes. These were only mild factors in the person’s ability to find lasting change. However, the chief reason the program worked was its ability to provide...

If there is anything that the past couple years have highlighted throughout the world, it is the critical role that connection – sincere human connection – plays in our lives. We are all so significantly impacted by these connections as they allow us to see the world in ways we may never see it otherwise. In today's episode, McKay explores the power of human connection, revealing its importance to both your health and your happiness.He starts off by discussing a research study that showed the relationship between high blood cholesterol and heart health. Mckay goes on to cite studies which demonstrated that when we feel connection in our life, we are healthier, others proving that loneliness increases the risk of death more than obesity and causes chronic health problems. He urges us to start connecting, shares practical tips for making connections, and mentions that a few high-quality friends are better than dozens of friends. Our host also delves into just how much motives matter, how we have to be sincere in making connections, and sums up by elaborating on the role of social connection in protecting against depression or symptoms of depression. In essence, what McKay proves beyond a shadow of a doubt here today is that strong relationships and positive connections are key factors to living a happier and healthier life.The Finer Details of This Episode:What studies show about the relationship between high blood cholesterol and heart health Kelly Harding's survey on the impact of hand holding and hugging The importance of social connection The effects of lack of connection, loneliness, and emotional isolation A study showing the relationship between dementia and social connection Findings from studies by Dr. Vivek Murthy, Dr. Julianne Holt Linstead, Dr. Jeffrey Hall, 3 Wishes program, and others about loneliness and connection. How to connect better The value of motives, sincerity, and purpose in connections The concept of writing in reverse The role of social connection in protecting us against depression or symptoms of depression.Quotes:"Author Kelly Harding says that a sense of connection impacts health in significant ways. She says, 'The sense of connection from touch is more than emotional. It's also physiological. Holding hands, for example, lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol.'""When we feel connection in our life, we're healthier. We can be the best version of ourselves. In your life and mine, connection matters.""In a meta-analysis that looked at the health of over 4 million people, obesity increased the risk of early death by 30%, but loneliness increased the risk by 50%.""The people who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80.""Positive connections with others is a powerful way to live a happier and healthier life.""When you interact with others, there is social contagion. That means if those you connect with are healthier, exercise and eat better, you're also more apt to exercise and eat better.""To open our eyes to bigger and better ways of living to improve our health and happiness, we need to become better at connecting - connecting with our community, with our team, our family, and ourselves.""There's a natural tendency to withdraw instead of approaching others when we're lonely. We're embarrassed by our loneliness, and that keeps us from connecting.""If you're currently building a business or leading a team or a family, or going about life and other important endeavors, put in the power of connecting to what you do. It will bring an element of richness and service and fulfillment and joy to your life and the lives of...