Start with Small Steps

163 -Embracing the Maker Mindset and Unleashing Your Creativity Today, we talk about the importance of embracing creativity and the mindset of being a maker. Anyone can be a creator, no matter what activity or project they choose. I'll be sharing some ideas from the book Every Tool's a Hammer. Life is What You Make It by Adam Savage and insights about the power of passion and obsession in driving...

162 - Mastering Communication in a Distracted World We'll dive into the topic of capturing and retaining attention in an increasingly distracted world. As a host, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to maintain focus in various situations. We will review some useful tips and strategies to help you improve your communication skills and hold your audience's attention. One of the key things to...

161 - Improve Problem-Solving Ideas We will discuss how to improve our problem-solving skills by generating more ideas. As we all know, a library is a great place to find inspiration and endless resources to help us generate ideas. From books to the internet, we can find a wealth of information to aid in our problem-solving endeavors. In this mini-series on problem-solving, we are focusing on how...

160 - Generating Fresh Ideas I talk about generating new and fresh ideas! This skill has the power to change the world and solve problems effectively, and I'm excited to share some insights and techniques that have helped me and can help you too. Let's start by acknowledging that generating ideas can be tough. I've struggled with it in the past, but I've also learned that it's a skill that can be...

159 - Essential Framing for Effective Problem-Solving I share with you some essential strategies to approach problem-solving effectively. It's all about shifting your perspective and embracing a curious mindset. By asking questions and challenging assumptions, you can cultivate curiosity and generate alternative solutions. Putting a question mark behind every statement can do wonders! Another esse...

158 - Finding Your Path Amidst Conflicting Advice I'm exploring the tricky topic of navigating contradictions in the world of self-help. We've all received conflicting advice from different self-help sources and it can be challenging to figure out what works best for us. But fear not, I'm here to offer some insight and guidance. First off, contradictory advice is often found in self-help resources...

I take a look at the best advice of last year. 106 – The Culture of Fortitude and the Self https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3322 107 - The 1-Page Marketing Strategy https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3328 108 – Lose a job? Don’t Panic  https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3334 110 - How Lawyers Think and Decide  https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3350 111 - Use the BICAT System to Think Better  ht...

156 - Finding Purpose Beyond the Material The thought-provoking book "Things that Matter" by Joshua Becker. In it, the author challenges us to rethink our relationship with material possessions and work and to find purpose in our lives beyond just chasing individual success. One of the author's key points is that owning less can actually lead to greater freedom and happiness. By focusing on owning...

155 - Pursue a More Purposeful Life I dive into a topic that I believe is essential to living a fulfilling and purposeful life. We all have goals and dreams, but it's easy to get sidetracked by the distractions that surround us every day. I share some insights from the book "Things That Matter" by Joshua Becker. The book is all about finding what truly matters in life and how to avoid the things t...

154 - Navigating Work in an AI World I discuss the impact of robots and AI on jobs. While some jobs may become automated, human skills, such as relating to others and problem-solving, will always be needed. Robots and AI can do certain jobs that humans may not want to do, such as dangerous or manual labor. The book Don't Worry About the Robots asks readers to embrace the changes brought about by a...

153 -Exploring Leadership Through Science Fiction I dive into the world of leadership through the lens of science fiction. In this episode, we explore the epic television show Battlestar Galactica and its portrayal of leadership during a time of crisis. With four distinct leaders, each with their own approach to leadership, it’s a fascinating exploration of the tensions that arise as they work tog...

152 - Challenges of Giving and Receiving Feedback In this episode, we’re going to delve deep into the world of feedback and explore why it can often be seen as a dirty word. For many people, the mere mention of feedback can bring up feelings of anxiety, dread, and even anger. But why is that? Why is it that something that is supposed to help us grow and improve can be so difficult to hear and give...

151 - Embracing a Little Discomfort Can Improve Your Health We explore how the little things we do every day can have a big impact on our health. Today, we're diving into the topic of convenience and how it can actually be hurting us. Have you ever noticed that the more convenient something is, the less healthy it tends to be? We're talking junk food, drive-thrus, and sedentary lifestyles. But wha...

150 - The Power of Inconvenience Today, we’re going to explore a fascinating idea - can inconvenience actually make our lives better? It might sound counterintuitive. We’re going to discuss how excellence often requires inconvenience, and why the opposite of inconvenience is innovation. But here’s the thing - we all have different needs and preferences, and that’s okay. And that’s why we’re going...

149 - Breaking Out of Our Comfort Zones We're going to shake things up a bit and explore the idea that inconvenience can actually be GOOD for us! That's right, you heard me correctly. We're going to dive into the ways in which our modern conveniences may actually be limiting our experiences and keeping us from connecting with others. "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter is about the ways in whic...

148 - Strategies for Taking Control of Procrastination Today, we’re diving into the world of overcoming procrastination and how you can take control of your life. We’ll be drawing insights from the book “The Art of Procrastination” by John Perry, which provides practical solutions for beating this common hurdle. I talk about strategies that can help you tackle procrastination head-on! One of the b...

147 - The Art of Overcoming Procrastination Today, I will talk about something that affects all of us at some point in our lives: procrastination. We all know the feeling of putting things off until the last minute, but what if I told you there’s a way to tackle this once and for all? First off, I want to recommend a book that has completely changed my perspective on the topic. It’s called “The Ar...

146 - Exploring Alternative Time Tracking Are you tired of the same old methods of time tracking and task management? In this episode, we dive into some creative ways to take control of your time and accomplish your goals. I share their personal experience with time blocking, a technique that involves scheduling larger blocks of time for specific tasks and activities. Not only does this method inc...

145 - Reset Your Life and Achieve Your Dreams Today, we're diving into "The Great Money Reset" by Jill Schlesinger. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to make their dreams a reality while still being financially responsible. Jill has a fantastic podcast where she gives financial advice and helps people plan for their retirement, and she brings that same expertise to this book. In "The Great...

144 - Ask For It Already! I’ll discuss the book Ask for It by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, which could change how you approach negotiations personally and professionally. “Ask For It” is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their negotiation skills and learn how to get what they want. The author provides practical tips on preparing for negotiations, such as knowing your worth and havin...

143 - Making Happy Memories I discuss the book The Art of Making Memories by Miek Wiking and share some of his insights with you. Firstly, it’s all about paying attention to your surroundings and using your senses. By doing so, you’ll be able to create more vivid and joyful memories that will stay with you for years to come.  But it’s not just about you - connecting with others is equally importan...

142 - Memories to Bring Us Happiness In this episode, I explore the fascinating relationship between memory and happiness. I look at the book by Miek Wiking. The Art of Making Memories and share insights from a book on the topic and studies conducted by the Happiness Research Institute. We learn about the power of curating happy memories and how it can improve our mood and overall well-being. I al...

141 - Identifying Root Problems in Life I delve into the crucial topic of identifying root causes when dealing with problems in our lives. I use relatable examples like weight loss and dating to highlight how we often treat symptoms instead of getting to the issue's core. I recommend handy tools like the fishbone diagram and the "five whys" to dig deep and uncover the real culprits behind our prob...

140 - Bring the Real You on Dates I talk about the book called The Selfish Romantic. It debunks the common myths around dating and relationships that we all fall for. Instead, the book emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and communicating your needs in a relationship. One of the most interesting ideas is about treating dating as an experiment. How exciting is that? You get to be cu...

139 - True Romance Meets Your Needs Are you tired of the same old dating advice that doesn't work? The Selfish Romantic debunks common myths about dating and relationships and encourages readers to be true to themselves, communicate honestly, and treat dating as an experiment. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to find "the one" - instead, actively participate in your love life and approach d...