Before Breakfast Being intentional, with Chris Bailey
Jan 7, 2026
In this engaging conversation, productivity expert Chris Bailey, author of 'Intentional, How to Finish What You Start,' delves into the art of follow-through. He explores how understanding our core values can fuel motivation and enhance productivity. Sharing insights from his marathon experience, he illustrates how diverse goals affect commitment. Chris also discusses the challenge of realistic routines and emphasizes the importance of treating tasks with pleasure to ensure consistency. Listeners will gain valuable tips on intentional living and goal achievement.
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Values Drive Motivation
- Human values form a motivational core of behavior and there are 12 universal values we each hold in different amounts.
- Every task connects to one or more values, and aligning tasks to your values increases motivation and follow-through.
Handbook Reframed As Mentoring
- Chris reframed writing a boring company handbook as mentoring new hires, which made the task far more motivating for him.
- The same work felt meaningful after connecting it to his high value of benevolence.
Stopping Marathon Training Early
- Chris trained for a marathon and then stopped once he felt he'd proven he could do it because his top value is self-direction, not achievement.
- He felt fulfilled without finishing the race because the meaning came from the experience, not the formal achievement.
