

Start with Small Steps
Jill from The Northwoods
This podcast is for real people who want to make changes but don’t know how to start. If you feel like positive change is overwhelming or elusive, or building the life you want seems far away, I will help you create easy and practical steps toward success. If you don’t have time to sift through thousands of hours of podcasts, hundreds of books or centuries of advice, let me do it for you!
I will help you start with small steps in categories like productivity, self-help, health, technology or best practices. Each episode of my podcast will be posted in a blog format on my webpage, so you’ll always have the resources and links.
I will help you start with small steps in categories like productivity, self-help, health, technology or best practices. Each episode of my podcast will be posted in a blog format on my webpage, so you’ll always have the resources and links.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 25, 2022 • 21min
111 - Use the BICAT System to Think Better
111 - Use the BICAT System to Think Better
Get ready to sharpen your decision-making skills with the book “How to Think Like a Lawyer and Why” by Kim Wehle! In this podcast, we break down the five-step framework for making good decisions and how it can be applied to everyday situations like buying a house or choosing a job. We’ll explore the importance of identifying biases and arguing against ourselves to avoid them. So grab a notebook, and let’s dive into the world of critical thinking!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54109216-how-to-think-like-a-lawyer
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3357
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Oct 18, 2022 • 19min
110 - How Lawyers Think and Decide
110 - How Lawyers Think and Decide
I delve into the world of legal analysis and decision-making by reviewing the book by Kim Wehle, “How to Think Like a Lawyer and Why” as we explore the nuanced and analytical approach lawyers take to problem-solving. Discover how you too can apply these methods to everyday dilemmas and make better decisions. In the second half of the episode, we’ll dive deeper into the framework of lawyer thinking and how it can help you develop creative solutions that work.
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/08/1085099905/law-professor-kim-wehles-latest-book-is-how-to-think-like-a-lawyer-and-why
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3350
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Oct 11, 2022 • 21min
109 - Serotonin, Cortisol, and Dopamine
109 - Serotonin, Cortisol, and Dopamine
We delve into the fascinating world of brain chemistry and hormones! Discover how the levels of serotonin, cortisol, and dopamine in our brains can have a huge impact on our mood, stress levels, and even our sleep and bone density. We’ll explore the addictive power of dopamine and how low serotonin levels can leave us feeling tired and unmotivated. Plus, I’ll share the secrets of how cortisol can regulate our stress and blood sugar levels, all while keeping our hormones in balance for optimal health. Don’t miss out on this valuable information - tune in now and empower yourself to take control of your health and well-being!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3339
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Oct 4, 2022 • 22min
108 – Lose a job? Don’t Panic!
108 – Lose a job? Don’t Panic!
Are you feeling down after losing your job? Don’t panic! In “Overcoming Redundancy” by Gordon Adams, you’ll find valuable advice on how to bounce back and take charge of your career. From networking to identifying your values and career anchors, this book offers a roadmap to success. But that’s not all! The author also suggests taking the opportunity to learn new skills and explore exciting new opportunities. So, dream big, prepare your elevator speech, and get ready to find a job that meets your needs and makes you happy and fulfilled!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3334
Overcoming Redundancy: 52 inspiring ideas to help you bounce ...Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › book › show › 45047460-...
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 27, 2022 • 27min
107 - The 1-Page Marketing Strategy
107 - The 1-Page Marketing Strategy
I review “The 1 Page Marketing Strategy” and I have to say, it’s a game-changer for small businesses. The author stresses the importance of identifying a specific target audience and crafting a clear message, which has already helped me focus my marketing efforts. Plus, the book offers practical advice on lead capture, nurturing, sales conversion, and customer experience - all crucial elements of a successful marketing plan. I also love the emphasis on content creation and becoming an expert in your niche, which has inspired me to step up my game. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, I highly recommend checking out this book!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3328
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 20, 2022 • 22min
106 – The Culture of Fortitude and the Self
106 – The Culture of Fortitude and the Self
In this episode, I dive deep into exploring the various cultural attitudes toward personal strength and fortitude. I chat about some cultural concepts such as sisu, fiero, angelic patience, novaturient, and more! I encourage you to tune in and think about which attitude resonates with you the most and how it can help you during tough times and in improving your life.
Links
https://proofed.com/writing-tips/15-useful-foreign-words-that-dont-exist-in-english/
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/20-foreign-words
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3322
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 13, 2022 • 22min
105 - Best Advice of the Last Year
105 - Best Advice of the Last Year
I’m excited to share with you the best advice from the past year of my podcast on our second anniversary! I’ve gathered all the top tips and insights that I know will help you in your personal and professional life. Let’s dive in!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3316
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com Don’ts
Don’t Be Buried by Time Management - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/98-create-new-standards-for-time-and-life/ and https://startwithsmallsteps.com/97-abandon-the-time-trap-by-focusing-on-your-purpose/ and https://startwithsmallsteps.com/96-our-damaging-concept-of-time/Never Lie to Yourself - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/95-ending-the-lies/Never Read Minds - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/93-make-everyone-happier-at-work/Don’t Assume You are Always Right - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/87-changes-that-save-relationships/Don’t Sweat the Wrong Stuff - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/87-changes-that-save-relationships/Act Now - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/81-go-go-now/Don’t Let Your Dopamine be Manipulated - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/80-dopamine-dizziness/Don’t Assume the Negative View is Wrong - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/76-be-negative-and-be-prepared/
Do’s
Is Stress Relief Making Things Worse - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/100-be-childlike-and-see-the-world-in-a-new-way/Discover Your Work Style - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/92-identify-your-work-style/Find Your Season of Life - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/91-thrive-in-the-seasons-of-life/Make a List of Habits to Improve - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/ben-franklins-life-improvement-plan/Find Your Fun Magnets - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/83-are-you-having-fun/Get Courage - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/82-gain-everyday-courage/Come Up with Health Snacks - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/78-take-five-and-a-health-snack/Be a Scientist in Your Own Life - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/74-be-a-scientist-of-your-own-life/Be Your Own Best Friend - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/70-say-yes-to-yourself/Turn Your Goals into an Epic Quest - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/64-geek-and-quest-your-goals/Get Cozy - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/64-geek-and-quest-your-goals/Generous Tit for Tat - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/59-can-nice-people-get-ahead/Find your Ikigai - https://startwithsmallsteps.com/57-pick-the-full-or-half-ikigai/Be Flexible and Look for Opportunities – In a time like this, the best thing we can do is stay loose and look for your chance to act. Even in a rough time, there are chances to get what you want.
Challenge
Think about if you could have an opportunity to knock on your door. What would that look like? What are you looking for that you can start watching out for and ponder? Start looking for those opportunities, and then be ready to jump. 5 4 3 2 1 GO!

Sep 9, 2022 • 18min
1 - Why Small Steps are Important - Reissue - The Queen inspired me
1 - Why Small Steps are Important
I was deeply moved by the Queen’s 2019 Christmas speech - it ignited a spark within me and set me on a path that I will be forever grateful for. Her calm demeanor, wise words, and infectious sense of humor left a lasting impression on me. That’s why I’ve decided to share this episode again, in honor of her memory.
As I listened to the speech, I was struck by the power of small steps and how they can lead to significant change. I learned that even when faced with obstacles and setbacks, it’s important to keep going and focus on rebuilding relationships and achieving our goals.
One particularly powerful idea was the concept of getting 1 percent better each day. It may seem like a small improvement, but over a year, it can lead to incredible results - thirty-seven times better, in fact!
The key is to break down our goals into tiny, manageable steps that we cannot fail. By creating a connected trigger, naming the tiny habit, and celebrating our successes, we can build momentum and achieve great things.
So, here’s my challenge to you: pick one thing that you can break into a small, tiny action that you know for sure you can do. Let’s take that first step towards lasting change together.
Links and Resources:
The Queen’s Speech on Small Steps to Change the Worldhttps://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a30260865/queen-elizabeth-christmas-message-transcript-2019/
James Clear on Being One Percent Betterhttps://jamesclear.com/marginal-gainshttps://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
BJ Fogg on Tiny Habitshttps://www.tinyhabits.com/300recipeshttps://www.tinyhabits.com/
Stephen Duneier on Small Decisionshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQMbvJNRpLE
Half Sized Me on Slowing Downhttps://www.halfsizeme.com/why-you-need-to-slow-down/
Business Insider on Saving $1 a Dayhttps://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-much-youd-have-if-you-saved-1-a-day-for-the-rest-of-your-life-2017-7
Links
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/why-small-steps/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 6, 2022 • 16min
104 - Get Good Info with CRAAP or TAARP
104 - Get Good Info with CRAAP or TAARP
I share with you a really helpful method for ensuring that the data you collect is trustworthy and reliable. It's called the TARP/CRAP method (I know, not the most glamorous name!), and it involves evaluating the timeliness, authority, accuracy, relevance, and purpose of the data. I've found it to be a super effective way to make sure that the information I'm working with is legit.
I talk to you about the importance of understanding your audience and the format of the data you're working with. And once you've got all that sorted out, you need to develop an action plan for how you're going to use the data. It's all about making sure that you're not just collecting data for data's sake, but that you're actually using it to make informed decisions and take action.
So, if you're ready to up your data game and start collecting and using information like a pro, then you won't want to miss this episode!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3311
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRAAP_test
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 30, 2022 • 18min
103 - How to Curate
103 - How to Curate
I talk about something that I'm really passionate about - curating data. It's something that's so important in today's world, where there's so much information available to us. But it's not just about collecting data - it's about doing it effectively, and making sure that the data we have is of high quality, comes from multiple sources, and is properly attributed.
I've been curating data for a while now, and I've developed my own process for doing it. It's something that I think everyone should consider, especially if you're someone who works with data on a regular basis. In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal process for curating information, and how you can make it your own.
But it's not just about my process - I also want to challenge you to think about your own data curation methods. Are you doing everything you can to make sure that the data you have is accurate and reliable? Are you using multiple sources to check your information, and are you properly attributing it?
These are all important questions to ask yourself, and I hope that this episode will inspire you to think more critically about your own data curation methods.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/103-how-to-curate/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com