Solitude, Monasteries, and Facing Inner Demons

In this episode of the Revenue Builders Podcast, our hosts John Kaplan and John McMahon welcome back J. Douglas Holladay, Founder & CEO at PathNorth, to discuss his book, 'Rethinking Success' focusing on the chapter on gratitude. Doug shares his insights on the profound impact of gratitude on personal and professional life. The conversation delves into the science behind gratitude, practical steps to incorporate it into daily routines, and its influence on emotional well-being. The episode also highlights personal anecdotes, the importance of naming and confronting one's inner demons, and how leaders can foster a positive work environment through appreciation. The discussion emphasizes that gratitude is a muscle that can be developed and a practice that transforms lives.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Connect with J. Douglas Holladay.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougholladay/

Explore Force Management’s Free SKO Planning Resources: https://hubs.li/Q03K94cs0

Read the Guide on Six Critical Priorities for Revenue Leadership in 2026: https://hubs.li/Q03JN74V0

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HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT

[00:03:30] Diving into 'Rethinking Success'
[00:03:53] The Power of Gratitude
[00:13:05] Practical Gratitude Practices
[00:25:55] Embracing Solitude and Reflection
[00:34:24] Facing Life's Challenges Head-On
[00:35:02] The Power of Naming Your Demons
[00:36:28] Owning and Sharing Your Story
[00:38:31] Teaching Bravery and Authenticity at Georgetown
[00:44:30] The Impact of Gratitude Letters
[00:53:40] The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
[01:04:13] Practicing Gratitude in Everyday Life

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

[00:04:42] “The more of an effort you make to feel gratitude one day, the more feeling will come to you spontaneously in the future.”
[00:07:47] “Gratitude is the one emotion that cannot share space with anything else in the brain at the same time.”
[00:09:33] “Nobody changes through an argument. It’s more how you penetrate the emotions.”
[00:10:48] “Trouble is the stuff of life. We’re always going to be navigating trouble, but gratitude is one of the tools to get in a good space.”
[00:39:40] “You can’t be a great leader if you haven’t understood and owned your story.”
[00:55:00] “For every negative interaction you have, it takes five positives to overcome it.”
[01:06:00] “Gratitude is a way of living that has a massive return, but it’s a practice, not an event or a feeling.”
[00:45:30] “To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s trying every day to make you something other than yourself is the bravest thing you can do.”

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