

143: Thinking Annually
The hosts dive into personal transformations for the new year, balancing health management with effective online presence strategies. They reflect on career transitions and the emotional journey of leaving long-term jobs. The significance of setting annual themes and quarterly goals for personal growth is passionately discussed. They also explore the ritual of tea preparation, the art of coffee brewing, and the importance of adaptable planning amid life changes. This conversation is a blend of self-improvement, productivity tips, and thoughtful insights.
01:30:54
Ditch New Year's Resolutions
- Avoid traditional New Year's resolutions, as over 90% fail.
- Focus on deeper behavior change and creating healthy routines instead.
Resolutions vs. Vegas Weddings
- David Sparks compares New Year's resolutions to Las Vegas weddings, impulsive and lacking commitment.
- He emphasizes the need for thoughtful planning and investment for meaningful change.
Be Nice to Goals
- Don't over-plan with rigid, SMART goals that create a binary pass/fail system.
- Prioritize building healthy habits for consistent progress, not just achieving specific outcomes.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Navigating Career Transitions and Goal Setting
02:04 • 19min
Taking Control of Habits and Personal Change
21:07 • 2min
Annual Reflection and Goal Setting
23:26 • 22min
Strategic Goal Setting: Embracing Quarterly Planning
45:41 • 2min
Harnessing the Power of Quarterly Goals for Personal Growth
47:23 • 1min
Establishing Annual Themes for Growth
48:50 • 2min
Balancing Creation and Management
51:20 • 12min
Navigating Change: Fitness and Productivity
01:03:40 • 16min
Managing Health and Boosting Online Presence
01:19:21 • 2min
A Journey with Matcha
01:21:04 • 4min
Brewing Innovation and Life Planning
01:25:16 • 6min

#2
• Mentioned in 796 episodes
Atomic Habits


James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

#145
• Mentioned in 87 episodes
Tiny Habits
The Small Changes That Change Everything


BJ Fogg
In 'Tiny Habits,' Dr. BJ Fogg presents a breakthrough method for habit formation based on 20 years of research and his experience coaching thousands of people.
The book introduces the 'Behavior Design' approach, which emphasizes the importance of motivation, ability, and prompts in creating new habits.
Fogg's method, known as the ABC (Anchor, Behavior, Celebration) method, involves anchoring new habits to existing routines, performing the behavior, and celebrating each success to reinforce the habit.
The book provides step-by-step guides and practical techniques to make habit formation easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, helping readers to increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

#790
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The 12-week year

Tom Pile

Brian Moran


Michael Lennington
The 12 Week Year challenges the traditional annual goal-setting approach, which is often ineffective for many individuals and organizations.
The book introduces a 12-week execution cycle that captures the energy and urgency of year-end goals, avoiding the pitfalls of low productivity associated with annualized thinking.
It provides a step-by-step system to improve execution effectiveness, creating focus, clarity, and a sense of urgency to achieve more in a shorter period.

#7
• Mentioned in 342 episodes
The obstacle is the way


Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

#408
• Mentioned in 42 episodes
Four Thousand Weeks
Time Management for Mortals


Oliver Burkeman
In 'Four Thousand Weeks', Oliver Burkeman offers a contrarian approach to time management by focusing on the finite nature of human life.
Assuming an average lifespan of 80 years, the book calculates that we have approximately 4,000 weeks to live.
Burkeman argues against the modern fixation on productivity and efficiency, instead advocating for embracing the limits of time and prioritizing what truly matters.
The book draws on insights from ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers to help readers construct a more meaningful life by accepting and working within the constraints of time.
It addresses issues such as the efficiency trap, the pitfalls of convenience culture, and the importance of living in the present while acknowledging the unpredictability of the future.

#1619
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Personal Socrates

Marc Champagne

Baronfig

#422
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
The Power of Positive Thinking


Norman Vincent Peale
Published in 1952, 'The Power of Positive Thinking' is a classic self-help book that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset to overcome life's challenges.
Dr. Peale provides practical techniques such as affirmations, visualization, and faith to help readers build self-confidence, achieve their goals, and improve their personal and professional relationships.
The book is rooted in Christian ethos and uses biblical teachings to guide readers towards a more fulfilling and joyful life.

#657
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
The Great Mental Models, Volume 1
General Thinking Concepts


Shane Parrish
The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts is the first book in The Great Mental Models series.
It details nine fundamental thinking concepts that form the bedrock of clear reasoning and effective decision-making.
Drawing on examples from history, business, art, and science, this book teaches how to avoid blind spots, find non-obvious solutions, anticipate and achieve desired outcomes, and play to your strengths while avoiding your weaknesses.
The book covers mental models such as first principles thinking, Hanlon’s razor, inversion, and probabilistic thinking, among others, to help readers better understand the world, solve problems, and gain an advantage.
David and Mike share some thoughts about what they’re up to in the new year and the personal changes they’re making to their routines.
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