Fewer Things Better

We'd love to hear from you! The magic you are seeking is in the work you are not doing. Distractions are easy to find and can be difficult to overcome. This episode explores actionable strategies to help find focus and recaps insights from previous episodes for those wanting to dig into more on overcoming the daily distractions. 

We'd love to hear from you! We may not always get what we want, but we won’t get what we don’t ask for.  Yes, asking can be awkward but that’s where science can be helpful. Questions trigger a mental reflex known as “instinctive elaboration.” When you ask a question, it activates the brain to gather intelligence and seek creative problem solving. A few minutes of courage in initiating the ask...

We'd love to hear from you! This episode goes back to Fewer Things Better with a replay of episode #6 on the topic of Engines & Anchors. Daily deposits are being made into your mind through words. And those words, either add or subtract from your self-confidence.  Pay attention to who has access to the microphone of your mind. The people you hear from the most are your bankers - they are e...

We'd love to hear from you! This episode is celebrating progress over perfection. It explores our conditioning of why we are challenged to accept good and burn harder to try to achieve great.  We can be so busy preparing, perfecting, and polishing that we miss the here-and-now. The messy parts of us are important parts of us. We’re not supposed to sand it all away. If we do, we miss the opport...

We'd love to hear from you! Some of us struggle with a scarcity mindset when it comes to money, time, or opportunity. In times of disruption, how do you do with the vulnerability of receiving care? Not caring about, or caring for, or caregiving, but actually being on the receiving end of care given.  If you do not pick a day to rest, your body will pick one for you. This episode explores the b...

We'd love to hear from you! During dark winter days, it's hard to find the energy or motivation to do much beyond the basics. Within the first 30 minutes of your day, get some sunlight (however you can), hydrate your brain, and move your body. These aren't just tips; they're simple yet powerful habits backed by science that can help recalibrate your biological and psychological...

We'd love to hear from you! Ever find yourself hovering between 'yes', 'no', and the super squishy 'maybe'? This episode looks at the emotional undercurrents and mental calculus that influence these seemingly simple decisions. Better understand the energy behind your answers and what your intuition is saying in those split-second pauses. 

We'd love to hear from you! Burnout is often a buzzword, but it is a very real issue that is comprised of three parts:  emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, and cognitive weariness. This episode looks at the subtle signs and the science behind the burn of busy.  It also offers three tactics to try when you find yourself low on energy. Show note: Ryan Holiday article, "This Is Your Remi...

We'd love to hear from you! What's the difference between a hobby, a passion, and your purpose? This episode dives into exploration of the concept of passion and how and how often it shows up in our daily work...and life. Passion is not simply a result of external factors or individual preference, there is also an interplay between the brain's reward system and our own individual exp...

We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever thought about how small gestures can have a profound impact on someone's life? What about in the sense of gift giving? You can give impactful and meaningful gifts without a hefty price tag. In this episode, we venture into the world of giving from your head and heart and not your wallet. From the gift of time to borrowing brain power, find ways yo...

We'd love to hear from you! Did you know that physical touch is as important to our survival as food and water? A simple hug could equate to a mental and physical boost, helping to reduce stress, lower heart rates, and even boost the immune system. This episode unwraps the mystery of touch, diving into the fascinating science behind it, and revealing why it's one of the best kept secrets...

We'd love to hear from you! During this season of giving, the gift of words can be one of the best things we offer (and receive). This episode encourages us to find a few moments to share a few words with a few people. It also shares insights from the book Die Empty   by Todd Henry and the TEDx talk " Eulogies for the Living " by Andrea Driessen.  

We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by the plethora of choices life presents? Or hitting the pause button on decisions, creating a pattern of avoidance that seems hard to escape? Indecision can be a formidable adversary, this is especially true when we allow procrastination or distractions to become a silent saboteur. This episode explores the costs of persistent...

We'd love to hear from you! Life and productivity, similar to seasons, unfolds in distinct phases-some filled with a vibrancy of Spring, or warmth of Summer, while others are more like the reflection of Autumn or stillness of Winter. Join in as we navigate the science behind productivity cycles and time management; sharing practical insights and strategies to harness the power of both peak per...

We'd love to hear from you! This episode explores the intricate web of overthinking and the mental and physical impact of spending tangible energy on what is not within our tangible control. We examine the different elements that can heighten or calm our minds and some strategies to free yourself from the overthinking and overdoing cycle. 

We'd love to hear from you! There is a saying that feedback is a gift. And while that may be true in some cases, this episode explores why not every gift needs to be accepted and how to gracefully receive or return what is being offered. Your brain plays a role in how to filter if the feedback is positive, negative, or neutral. A few framing techniques can help you be intentional when deciding...

We'd love to hear from you! In the field of productivity, there are many, many tools and techniques, but the most powerful element is efficiency.  This episode focuses on the few minutes we often do have to spare and how to make the most of them with a very specific and easy-to-try tool, plus a link below to my favorite productivity timer that often helps me get out of my own thinking and on t...

We'd love to hear from you! This episode focuses on the concept of active listening and gives examples of the communication practice called 'mirroring.' Learn four questions that can help conversations go deeper than the quick answers and a simple, but effective technique to prompt others to share beyond the basics. 

We'd love to hear from you! Our brain doesn’t always welcome comfort. After all, its job is to keep you safe.  But safe isn’t a long-term strategy and discomfort isn’t the same as danger. In fact, it’s often the price of admission for the path to progress. This episode looks at the psychology and physiology of change and a few tips to help you navigate the novelty of new. 

We'd love to hear from you! We all want to do more in our days, and we want what we do to be good (really good). This friction between productivity and the pursuit of perfection puts a mental toll on our already overloaded brains. This episode offers an excerpt from the previous episode #55 on the gift of good enough, and how giving it to yourself can help free up some of that cognitive clutte...

We'd love to hear from you! When we talk about money, our brain lights up.  Money means more than math when our sense of value is tied to the outcome. This episode offers two prompts to help assess how we invest our time and energy when it comes to financial elements. There are many situations where money won’t be in our control, but our value always should be. A little discomfort on your own...

We'd love to hear from you! Borrowing an example from aerospace, this episode looks at the distance between where we are and some place higher. The Karman Line is known as the 62 miles (100 kilometers) between Earth and the start of outer space. Even with the best team and plans, it requires many miles to get beyond what was once thought possible.  What are you willing to do 62 times in pursui...

We'd love to hear from you! This episode explores how being spontaneous can refresh our routines and inspire new ideas and insights. This conversation highlights the neuroscience behind the impulse to act or think without extensive planning, how it's different than procrastination, and some benefits to a little less planning. 

We'd love to hear from you! As a good person in the world, you do a lot for others. It’s part of who you are and part of how the world works. Reciprocity is one of the basic principles of social psychology. This episode explores the opportunities for us to redeem the "store credit" that might be tucked away or that we are hesitant to claim. Whether it's accepting a compliment, a...

We'd love to hear from you! The average adult spends around 16 to 18 hours awake each day. There are two important areas of your day that have the potential to boost both your energy and your focus. This episode explores the importance of the ‘brain bookends’ of your day: the first and last hour of when you’re awake. A few intentional efforts during each bookend can have direct, lasting impact...