

Tiny Leaps, Big Changes
Gregg Clunis
Tiny Leaps, Big Changes is a personal development podcast focused on exploring the day-to-day behaviors we all engage in that determine the results we gain in our lives. Hosted by Gregg Clunis, the show shares simple strategies you can implement into your life to start moving the needle towards your biggest goals.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 8, 2020 • 18min
558 - The Privilege of Personal Development
In this episode, we continue our discussion on Personal Development as a form of Privilege.
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Adams Thoughts
"Pursuing self-improvement is indeed a privilege, and it can easily become a selfish endeavor. But it doesn't have to end up this way. These practices are also tools to equip us for our collective struggle. To give us the awareness, the perspective, the time, the attention, the focus, and the mental energy to step up when the moment calls for it. To know we have the time and emotional capacity to drop everything to take care of a family member. To show up for a friend who's hurting. To knock on doors for a cause or candidate. To join and contribute to a mutual aid network. To protest, march, and stand in solidarity. To use that privilege for something other than our own pleasure or well-being".
In Episode 553 I Said
Personal development is a form of privilege. It's something that people who are doing okay are able to pursue while those who are struggling, and need it most, often can't.
In this episode
If you have privilege you should take advantage of it
It's not something to feel bad about
It doesn't have to be a bad thing
It's about recognizing that privilege
If you're in a position to pay off your student loans quickly because of where you started in life or the kind of job you had or because of the support you received earlier in your life...that is a good thing. But that doesn't make you better than someone who is stuck with their loans for the rest of their life.
Some realizations
You are in the position you are in in part because of the life you have lived
Struggling isn't always because of someones choices and success isn't always because of someones choices
Tiny privileges throughout your life lead to massive shifts in the direction of your life
Privilege isn't about receiving something, it's about never having to think about something
What to do
Privilege isn't a bad thing. Personal development isn't a bad thing. Use both to help others.
Don't burn the ladder when you get to the top, build an elevator instead.
If you ARE in a place of privilege, pursuing personal development, growth, and progress allows you to fully use that privilege to aid others.

Jul 7, 2020 • 13min
557 - How to Get Back on Track
In this episode, we look at how to get back on track when you've lost your habits or routines.
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Have your own question or want a shout out?
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Send a message with your question or comment
The Core Question
When you develop a habit or routine but eventually break it, how do you get it back?
Why this is a problem
Leads to frustration with yourself
Hard to find direction
Feeling overwhelmed
Confirms negative beliefs about self
Why its hard to get back
What you're talking about is an identity. Your way of being.
You were there, and you still identify that way, so it feels like you should be able to just pick back up
You don't necessarily identify the way you are now, even though it is your current reality
So you wake up every day feeling like you should be this person...even though you aren't
It's like if you grew up super super rich and then lost all your money. It still feels like you're rich. You still think like you're rich. You probably still act like you're rich. So the reality of where you are currently can't ever quit settle in.
How do we get back there
Remember that you didn't get there all at once. You grew into that person little by little over time. But yet you are trying to and expecting to get BACK there all at once. that expectation is still there because you still feel like that person. So you have to accept that you aren't that person anymore. You could be again, but as of this moment you are not that person. Accept that and treat it like a journey you are going on to get there from scratch
Stop focusing on getting back to where you were and start focusing on getting to somewhere better than here. A focus on getting back to is a focus on the end goal. A focus on improvement from where you are is a focus on progress with a splash of empathy
Make a list of everything you liked about yourself when you were that person.. Get clear on what exactly it is you are trying to become. It's hard to "get back to" something because you are thinking about it as a whole picture. Break that person down to the individual habits and routines that made them up...then focus on each piece individually. It won't be quick but you'll build back up to that person again.
Have your own question or want a shout out?
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Send a message with your question or comment

Jul 6, 2020 • 12min
556 - Do This When You Feel Upset or Anxious
In this episode, we look at the H.A.L.T framework.
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What is HALT?
HALT is a tool used in various mental health treatment programs including narcotics and addiction dependencies. It's an acronym that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Basically you can think of it like a checklist for checking in with yourself and identifying potential reasons for how you are feeling.
In general, checking in with yourself is a fantastic habit to build. HALT is just one framework to help you do so.
Why do people use HALT?
Let's think of a pretty common situation.
You've been busy all day and forgot to eat lunch. It's not 4 pm and you have just a few more items on your list of things to get done. Your friend messages you and you just feel annoyed at everything they're saying. Then you head into the store and someone cuts you off in line. You find yourself getting angrier than you normally would have.
This happens because we get hangry. It's something we all experience but we don't unfortunately do a good job recognizing the cause.
When something like this happens you can use the HALT framework to check in with yourself, recognize why you feel so upset, and calm yourself down until you can solve the problem (eat).
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Am I hungry?
when did I last eat?
was it healthy?
Do I need to eat now and what are my options.
Am I angry?
who can I call to talk about that with?
What can I do to take care of myself around this emotion?
Am I lonely?
Who can I reach out to?
where can I go to feel connected and not alone?
Am I tired?
Do I need to reset and rest?
Can I adjust my day to better care for my own needs?

Jul 3, 2020 • 16min
555 - What is Action Faking?
In this episode, we take a look at Action Faking.
Learn more about The Consistency Code: http://consistencycourse.com
What is Action Faking?
"Action-Faking: when you take solitary and/or uncommitted action that is NOT part of a bigger process
For the aspiring entrepreneur who wants to get rich, be his own boss, and blah blah blah, "action-faking" is ordering cards from Vistaprint." - MJ Demarco, Millionaire Fastlane
Action faking is all the stuff we do that makes us feel good about our progress without actually making any meaningful progress.
What does Action Faking Look Like?
Fitness
Getting a gym membership but not going to the gym
Buying exercise equipment but not using it
Reading articles on the best shoes for running or the best running form but not running
Nutrition
Planning your entire week of meals but not prepping them
Reading about the best diets
Getting a free nutrition consultation but not hiring the nutritionist
Finances
Setting up a savings account but not setting up automatic transfers
Reading books on how to save but not taking action
Mental Health
Learning about meditation but not meditating
Career
Creating your 5 year plan
Relationships
Swiping left and right on an app, going on dates, but never being willing to commit.
Why do we Action Fake?
It feels like progress
It doesn't require risk
It's a good starting point
How to stop Action Faking
Plan your first real action and schedule it
Utilize accountability to get started
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/whats-an-action-fake-action-faking.92039/

Jul 1, 2020 • 17min
554 - Mental Health Emergencies
In this episode, look at mental health emergencies.
Recognizing an Emergency:
Any time a person is an immediate danger to others or themselves, experts say.
Quote:
"In many ways, issues related to suicide are similar to having chest pain: This is an emergency, and it should be taken seriously," Borenstein says. In other words, if someone around you is threatening violence, call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency room yourself, he says.
Other situations that warrant quick care include people who show signs of psychosis that affect their functioning such as delusions, paranoia or fear, Borenstein says. People who are extremely agitated, wild, overly active and unable to calm down should also raise red flags – particularly if they don't respond to verbal interventions like saying, "Hey, can we sit down and talk?" Lieberman adds.
Sudden behavior changes should be taken seriously, too. "If something evolves rapidly, it's probably not psychiatric," Lieberman says. It's probably something really, really serious like poisoning, and they just need to be taken to the closest emergency room immediately." If you have a choice, head to an academic medical center, since clinicians there tend to be up-to-date on the most effective procedures and treatments, he says."
When to Ask For Help if its Not an Emergency:
Feeling sad, angry, or otherwise “not yourself.”
Abusing drugs, alcohol, food, or sex to cope.
You’ve lost someone or something important to you.
Something traumatic has happened.
You can’t do the things you like to do.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201303/5-signs-its-time-seek-therapy
https://www.mhanational.org/finding-help-when-get-it-and-where-go
https://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-hospitals/articles/2015/07/21/what-to-do-during-a-mental-health-crisis

Jun 29, 2020 • 17min
553 - The Problem With Personal Development
In this episode, we take an honest look at the personal development industry and some of it's biggest issues.

Jun 26, 2020 • 15min
552 - How to Combat Decision Fatigue
In this episode, we talk about decision fatigue.
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What is Decision Fatigue?
"As it turns out, your willpower is like a muscle. And similar to the muscles in your body, willpower can get fatigued when you use it over and over again. Every time you make a decision, it’s like doing another rep in the gym. And similar to how your muscles get tired at the end of a workout, the strength of your willpower fades as you make more decisions." - James Clear
Everyone has a reserve of mental energy, and each decision draws on it
The more decisions you make, the less mental energy you have
Two Ways to Avoid It:
Proactive: Optimizing your day to day routine to reduce unnecessary decisions (the president)
Choose your outfit the night before
Set out clothes for workouts
Meal prep
Reactive: Giving yourself space to reset and improve decision making (taking a break)
Do something fun
Take a break
Stop for the day
Key Takeaways:
1. Plan to make decisions early in the day
2. Make small decisions ( like what to wear) ahead of time
3. Avoid impulse decisions
Resources:
https://jamesclear.com/willpower-decision-fatigue
https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2019/05/13/how-to-identify-when-youre-experiencing-decision-fatigue/#1dfea0267fb4

Jun 25, 2020 • 14min
551 - How Habit Stacking Works
In this episode, we take a look at habit stacking and why it works.
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What is Habit Stacking?
"Also termed 'habit chaining', the process involves grouping together small activities into a routine which you link to a habit already set in your day. This makes the routine memorable and anchors your new habits to an existing trigger. Or in simpler terms: use the things you already remember to do to remind you to do something else, like reading one chapter of a book when you get into bed."
Why Does This Work?
Classical Conditioning
What is Classical Conditioning?
"Classical conditioning involves placing a neutral signal before a naturally occurring reflex. In Pavlov's classic experiment with dogs, the neutral signal was the sound of a tone and the naturally occurring reflex was salivating in response to food. By associating the neutral stimulus with the environmental stimulus (food), the sound of the tone alone could produce the salivation response."
The 5 Stages:
Acquisition
Extinction
Spontaneous Recovery
Key Takeaways:
Habit Stacking is the process of pairing a new habit with an existing one
This works because of classical conditioning which ties new behaviors to existing behaviors
When trying to build new habits you'll go through periods of acquisition, extinction, and spontaneous recovery
Resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-2794859
https://www.esquire.com/uk/life/fitness-wellbeing/a15489/habit-stacking-chaining/

Jun 22, 2020 • 14min
550 - How to Change Yourself
In this episode, we talk about how to change yourself.
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What is Reciprocal Determinism:
"According to psychologist Albert Bandura, reciprocal determinism is a model composed of three factors that influence behavior: the environment, the individual, and the behavior itself. According to this theory, an individual's behavior influences and is influenced by both the social world and personal characteristics."
Behavior
"behavior is controlled or determined by the individual, through cognitive processes, and by the environment, through external social stimulus events."
Environment
"the physical surroundings around the individual that contain potentially reinforcing stimuli, including people who are present (or absent). "
Individual
"all the characteristics that have been rewarded in the past. Personality and cognitive factors play an important part in how a person behaves, including all of the individual's expectations, beliefs, and unique personality characteristics."
Each of these factors over the course of your life have combined in unimaginable ways to create you. The combinations are endless and so you are unique.
How can we use this to change in the future?
Change behavior
Change environment
Change yourself
By changing one of these things you change the potential combinations going forward. By changing all of these things you completely shatter the path you were travelling.
Challenge:
Do something different today
Go somewhere new today
Respond to something differently today
Resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-reciprocal-determinism-2795907

Jun 19, 2020 • 24min
549 - How to Be Better By Mistake Pt 2. (feat Alina Tugend)
In this episode, I sit down with Alina Tugend to discuss her book Better By Mistake.
About the Guest:
Alina Tugend is a long-time journalist who has worked in Southern California, London, Washington DC, Rhode Island and New York. From 2005-2015 she wrote the award-winning biweekly Shortcuts column for The New York Times business section; Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Times, The Atlantic, O, the Oprah Magazine, Family Circle and Inc. Magazine. In 2011, Riverhead published Tugend’s first book, “Better by Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong.” She also contributed a chapter to the book “Mistakes I Made at Work: 25 Influential Women Reflect on What They Got Out of Getting it Wrong.”
Follow her on twitter at @atugend and see more of her work at www.alinatugend.com
Her Work:
On giving and receiving feedback
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/07/your-money/how-to-survive-performance-reviews.html
Why we remember negative events more than positive ones
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html
Why we don't all need to be so special
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/your-money/redefining-success-and-celebrating-the-unremarkable.html?_r=1


