

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

Aug 30, 2022 • 29min
102 - Learn and Earn and Keep Going
102 - Learn and Earn and Keep Going
I’m excited to share with you some insights from the book Making of the Modern Elder by Chip Conley. The topic was all about the importance of constantly learning and evolving in the modern work world. He suggests that fostering collaboration and being open to new ideas is key, no matter how experienced you are. By embracing a beginner’s mindset and learning from others, we can become better mentors and interns. And ultimately, this can make our companies and ourselves more successful.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/3298-2/
https://chipconley.com
https://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_becoming_a_modern_elder
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 16, 2022 • 18min
101- Can Generations of Workers Get Along?
101- Can Generations of Workers Get Along?
Have you ever wondered how different generations can work together in a company? Well, I review the book called The Modern Elder by Chip Conley and he had some great insights on this topic. He talks about the importance of respecting each other’s strengths and weaknesses and learning from one another. I talk about how we can all contribute to a company, regardless of our age or experience. Conley suggests that being a modern elder means being both a mentor and an intern, and it’s up to us to figure out which stage we’re in and how we can bring our unique skills to the table. What stage are you in at your company, and what do you bring to the job?
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3291
https://chipconley.com
https://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_becoming_a_modern_elder
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 9, 2022 • 22min
100- Be Childlike and See the World in a New Way
100- Be Childlike and See the World in a New way
I share my thoughts on a book “Escape Adulthood” by Jason Kotecki. It really spoke to me about the importance of recapturing our childlike essence and finding joy in life, no matter our age.
One of the key takeaways I got from the book was the idea of breaking down our dreams into specific goals and steps. This really helps in making our aspirations more achievable. And, it’s important to not go at it alone - finding support from others is crucial to our success.
I also loved the emphasis on curiosity and playfulness. As we get older, we tend to lose that sense of wonder and excitement about the world around us. But, by embracing these qualities, we can discover new things and see the world through new eyes.
Throughout the episode, I share personal anecdotes and quotes from inspirational figures that really resonated with me. I hope you enjoy listening and are inspired to pursue your own aspirations with childlike curiosity and playfulness.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3286
https://escapeadulthood.com/blog/
https://shop.escapeadulthood.com/products/wonderhunt-book-pre-order?variant=42234540032160 – For the fundraiser book
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 2, 2022 • 21min
99 - The Unconscious Brain and Creativity
99 - The Unconscious Brain and Creativity
I review the book “Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide” by John Cleese, and I have to say, it really got me thinking about the role of the unconscious mind in creativity. Cleese makes a great point that creativity isn’t just limited to the arts, and that our unconscious mind can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and generating new ideas. I found his advice on giving our unconscious mind time to work and minimizing interruptions to be particularly helpful. And his suggestion of learning from others and making ideas our own really resonated with me. Overall, this book has inspired me to embrace my creativity and explore new ways of thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb5oIIPO62g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWEXQ9E4QiI
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jul 26, 2022 • 14min
98 - Create New Standards for Time and Life
In this episode, I dive into Oliver Burkeman's book "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" and explore some powerful ways to break free from productivity traps and focus on what truly matters. Burkeman has some great advice, like limiting task lists to just a few items, focusing on one thing at a time, and even embracing boring technology. But one of my favorite takeaways is the idea of deciding what to fail at. It may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes letting go of certain tasks or goals can actually free up more time and energy to pursue what's truly important.
So, I challenge you to take a page out of Burkeman's book and think about four things you can get rid of or plan to fail at. It might be tough at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. And don't forget to pay attention to the small things in life, research your relationships, practice generosity, and even take some time to do nothing. You'll be surprised at how much more fulfilling life can be when you focus on what truly matters.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3267
https://www.oliverburkeman.com/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jul 19, 2022 • 21min
97 – Abandon the Time Traps
97 – Abandon the Time Trap by focusing on your Purpose
I review Oliver Burkeman’s book “Four Thousand Weeks” and it completely changed my perspective on time and productivity. Rather than constantly trying to do more and falling into the “time trap,” Burkeman suggests focusing on our purpose and embracing radical incrementalism. This means breaking tasks down into smaller steps and prioritizing what truly matters. By doing so, we can gain control of our lives and work towards our ultimate purpose, finding true rest and fulfillment. Join me as I dive deeper into the concept of radical incrementalism and its potential to transform our lives.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3260
https://www.oliverburkeman.com/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jul 12, 2022 • 21min
96 - Our Damaging Concept of Time
96 - Our Damaging Concept of Time
I review book called "4,000 Weeks, Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman. It changed my perspective on time management and the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly be productive. Burkeman challenges the traditional concept of time management and argues that it's impossible to ever feel like we're doing enough. The problem lies in our attitude towards time, which sets up a game that can never be won.
After reading this book, I realized that it's important to focus on what's truly important and learn to say no to distractions. We also need to acknowledge that it's okay to have unpleasant moments and not everything needs to be perfect all the time. By doing so, we can reduce the stress and depression caused by time management and distractions.
I highly recommend checking out this book if you're feeling overwhelmed by the constant pressure to be productive. It's a game-changer!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3253
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/ruthlessly-eliminate-noise/
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3267
https://www.oliverburkeman.com/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jul 5, 2022 • 19min
95 - Ending the Lies
95 – 95 - Ending the Lies
In this episode, I dive deep into the different types of lies we often tell ourselves. From outright lies to white lies and lies of omission, I explore how these untruths can damage our credibility and hinder our progress toward our goals. But don’t worry, I also offer some valuable advice on how to stop lying to ourselves. By being honest with ourselves, taking small steps, and accepting feedback from others, we can break free from this destructive cycle and live our best lives.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3243
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jun 28, 2022 • 18min
94 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves
94 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves
In this episode, I delve into the topic of lying to oneself. I share my personal experiences with this damaging habit and offer insights into common lies that we tell ourselves, like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do it.” It’s essential to recognize and confront these lies if we want to achieve our goals and live fulfilling lives. Join me as I explore how we can break free from self-deception and move forward with confidence.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3237
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jun 21, 2022 • 23min
93 - Make Everyone Happier at Work
93 - Make Everyone Happier at WorkThe book "People Styles at Work and Beyond" and opened my eyes to the importance of understanding different personality types in the workplace. The book identifies four main types - analytical, driver, amiable, and expressive - each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I learned that by observing and practicing how to adapt to different styles, we can improve our teamwork and workplace relationships.
One key takeaway from the book is that we should focus on maximizing our strengths rather than trying to fix our weaknesses. It also emphasizes the importance of manners, respect, and communication in the workplace.
I really believe that by being more flexible and understanding of others' styles, we can create a more positive and productive work environment. So let's all take steps towards better teamwork together!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3231
https://hcleadershipessentials.com/blogs/leadership/the-people-styles-model-for-gaining-selfawareness-as-a-leader
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com