Bonni Stachowiak, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University and the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, shares insights on finding joy through intentional choices. She emphasizes prioritizing quality over quantity in relationships and the discomfort of saying no to societal pressures. Bonni discusses the benefits of intentional technology use, outsourcing tasks, and redefining traditions to enhance connections. Her approach encourages listeners to reflect on their true priorities for greater fulfillment in both personal and professional lives.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Intentional Choices
Create a list of things you don't do, both professionally and personally.
This creates space for joy and intentional activities.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritizing Family
Dave Stachowiak limits speaking engagements, prioritizing family time over career advancement.
He acknowledges the potential benefits but chooses presence over potential profits.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Flexible Mealtimes
Bonni Stachowiak minimizes guilt over not adhering to traditional family mealtimes.
She prioritizes quality time over rigid schedules, adapting to their family's needs.
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In this book, Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson provide an effective and compassionate approach to discipline, focusing on the link between a child’s neurological development and parental reactions to misbehavior. The authors offer strategies to connect with children, redirect emotions, and turn meltdowns into opportunities for growth. Key principles include the 'No-Drama Connection' cycle, which involves communicating comfort, validating feelings, and reflecting what the child has expressed. The book also emphasizes the importance of empathy, insight, and repair in the discipline process[1][3][4].
Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
Safi Bahcall
In 'Loonshots,' Safi Bahcall explores the concept of 'loonshots,' which are breakthrough ideas that are often initially dismissed but can lead to significant innovations. Bahcall uses historical examples and scientific analogies, particularly from the field of phase transitions, to explain how companies can structure themselves to encourage and support these innovative ideas. He argues that the key to fostering loonshots lies in the structure of the organization rather than its culture, emphasizing the need for separate teams of 'artists' and 'soldiers' and a dynamic equilibrium between them. The book provides practical lessons for creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries on how to cultivate and implement these radical ideas to drive innovation and change[1][3][5].
The Happiness Equation
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Morgadot
Getting Things Done
David Allen
Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen. The book provides a detailed methodology for managing tasks, projects, and information, emphasizing the importance of capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying their meaning, organizing them into actionable lists, reviewing the system regularly, and engaging in the tasks. The GTD method is designed to reduce stress and increase productivity by externalizing tasks and using a trusted system to manage them. The book is divided into three parts, covering the overview of the system, its implementation, and the deeper benefits of integrating GTD into one's work and life[2][3][5].
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.
The Checklist Manifesto
How To Get Things Right
Atul Gawande
In 'The Checklist Manifesto', Atul Gawande explores the power of checklists in overcoming the complexities of modern professional work. He argues that despite advanced training and technology, professionals often fail due to the sheer volume and complexity of knowledge. Gawande illustrates how checklists, first introduced by the U.S. Air Force, have been successfully adopted in various fields, including medicine, to reduce errors and improve outcomes. He provides compelling examples, such as the reduction of fatalities in surgical procedures and the elimination of hospital infections, to demonstrate the effectiveness of checklists. The book emphasizes the importance of balancing autonomy and control, empowering frontline workers, and continuously improving checklists based on feedback and experience[1][3][5].
Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed
Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She joins me monthly to respond to listener questions.
Key Points
Don’t spend time feeling guilty about things you have to cut.
Focus on quality over quantity.
Your priorities will change over time.
Sometimes even good things can crowd out what is really important.
Resources Mentioned
The Checklist Manifesto* by Atul Gawande
Getting Things Done* by David Allen
TripIt
PackPoint
Ending Human Trafficking podcast
Related Episodes
How Storytelling Helps You Lead, with Sandie Morgan (episode 51)
Getting Things Done, with David Allen (episode 184)
How to Reduce Drama With Kids, with Tina Payne Bryson (episode 310)
How to Be a Happier Person, with Neil Pasricha (episode 334)
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