Start with Small Steps

92 - Identify Your Work Style In this episode, I dive into the topic of work styles and how they impact relationships in the workplace. The “book People Styles at Work and Beyond" by Robert Bolton and Dorothy Grover Bolton categorizes work styles into four quadrants: analytical, driver, amiable, and expressive. It was so interesting to learn about each style and its characteristics. Understanding different work styles can be a game-changer when it comes to working effectively with others. I challenge you to identify your work style and think about the pros and cons that come with it. Let's work together to create a more harmonious and productive workplace! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3225 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

91 - Thrive in the Seasons of Life Today, I talk about how life is like the changing of the seasons. Just like the weather, life is full of ups and downs, and we need to learn how to adapt to each season. I want to encourage you to embrace the lessons and opportunities of each season, whether it’s a time for learning, growth, reaping benefits, or reflection. It’s important to plan appropriately for each season and figure out what the next season might be. Remember, every season has a purpose, and we should always be learning and sharing our experiences with others. So, let’s take a moment to appreciate the season we’re in and prepare for what’s to come. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3213 https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/the-four-seasons-of-life/ https://www.developgoodhabits.com/seasons-life/ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/10-reasons-to-embrace-the-season-of-life-you-re-in.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn!_Turn!_Turn!\ Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com              

  90 - Maximize Your Choices and Be Satisfied I discuss the concept of maximizers and satisficers, people who seek the best of everything versus those who are content with good enough. Dr. Barry Schwartz's book, The Paradox of Choice, explores this topic and finds that maximizers tend to be less happy and more anxious than satisficers. I share my own experiences and offer advice for both types of decision-makers. I also note that being a maximizer or satisficer can vary based on the situation and that learning to choose in a world full of unHave you ever heard of the concept of maximizers and satisficers? It's a fascinating topic that I've been exploring lately. Whether you're a maximizer or a satisficer can vary based on the situation. Sometimes it's important to go all out and seek the absolute best option, while other times it's better to just be content with what's good enough. But let's face it, making decisions in a world full of unlimited possibilities can be overwhelming. That's why I suggest finding a balance between the two and making decisions based on what is most important at the moment. Ultimately, I suggest finding a balance between the two and making decisions based on what is most important at the moment. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3208 https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210329-do-maximisers-or-satisficers-make-better-decisions https://medium.com/growth-habits-lab/how-to-make-better-decisions-are-you-a-satisficer-or-a-maximizer-5c789693b941 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201506/satisficing-vs-maximizing https://freakonomics.com/podcast/are-you-a-maximizer-or-a-satisficer-nsq-ep-14/ https://gretchenrubin.com/2006/06/are_you_a_satis/ Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

89 - Ben Franklin and His Life Improvement Plan I recently came across Benjamin Franklin’s Book of Virtues and was intrigued by the system he developed to become a better person. He identified 13 virtues, one for each week, and worked on improving himself in each area. These virtues include things like temperance, order, and sincerity. The most amazing part about this system is that it’s not just about reflecting on these virtues, but actually taking action to improve ourselves. Franklin found that even attempting to attain these virtues made him a happier person. I think this system could be adapted to any personal virtues we want to work on and help us become better versions of ourselves.  https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3199 https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/01/health/13-virtues-wisdom-project/index.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OegmiOQNxVo Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

88 - Be Happy Alone or In a Community In this episode, I explore some fascinating cultural concepts related to happiness. We’ll dive into the benefits of walking alone, taking time to relax without feeling the pressure to accomplish anything, and finding comfort in simply being lost in thought. But we won’t stop there! We’ll also discuss how building strong relationships with others can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, as well as the importance of forgiveness and cooperative work. And with the pandemic still affecting our ability to connect with others, I’ll challenge you to think of ways to regain that sense of community. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s explore this together. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3191 https://www.afar.com/magazine/unlocking-croatias-secret-to-slow-living https://feeds.croatia.hr/en/fjaka-easy-to-catch-hard-to-explain https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mamihlapinatapai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-Dn9rZ5XM https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/588651/happiness–found-in-translation-by-tim-lomas-phd-illustrated-by-annika-huett/9780525538080 https://hifisamurai.github.io/lexicography/ Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

87 - Changes That Save Relationships I talk about the book called People Can’t Drive You Crazy if You Don’t Give Them the Keys by Mike Bechtle. It is eye-opening and helpful when it comes to managing emotions and responding to relationships in a healthier way. The author emphasizes the importance of building trust, kindness, and integrity while also choosing the right battles. I’ve learned to value tiny steps and live in the present, which has helped me avoid dwelling on past hurts. By becoming masters of our emotions and thinking, we can improve our relationships and live happier lives. http://www.mikebechtle.com/people-cant-drive-you-crazy-if-you-dont-give-them-the-keys/ https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3182  Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

 86 - Take the Key from Drama I discuss the book People Can’t Drive You Crazy if You Don’t Give Them the Keys by Mike Bechtle. It helps people deal with drama in life in a more positive way. One of the things I’ve learned is to first ask myself if there’s anything I can do to change the situation or my attitude towards it. If not, I may have to limit my exposure to drama, but I don’t want to give up on relationships too easily. Instead, I try to be a positive influence in their lives and avoid expecting others to change. Communication and understanding are key, and I’ve learned to avoid gossiping about others. At the end of the day, I can only control myself and my own choices, and that’s what really matters. http://www.mikebechtle.com/people-cant-drive-you-crazy-if-you-dont-give-them-the-keys/ https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3179  Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

85 - Coco and Miguel Shows Us How to Forgive Have you seen the movie “Coco”? It’s an incredible story about family, sacrifice, and forgiveness. The main character is a boy named Miguel who loves music, but unfortunately, his family has banned it. One day, he finds himself in the land of the dead and learns all about his family’s past and the importance of forgiveness. It really inspired me to think about the power of forgiveness in my own life. I encourage you to try rewriting someone’s story to gain a deeper understanding of them and to practice forgiveness. Let’s spread love and compassion! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3173 Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

84 - Find your Fun Magnets Have you ever felt like you’re not having enough fun in your life? The book called “The Power of Fun” by Catherine Price tries to help. She suggests using the acronym SPARK to identify and pursue true fun: make space, pursue passions, attract fun, rebel, and keep at it. I’ve been analyzing my past experiences and breaking them down into “fun magnets,” and it’s been so helpful in designing my life to have more true fun. I’ve been identifying activities, people, and settings that create high-energy, enjoyable experiences that reduce stress and promote a sense of release. It’s been amazing to be open to new experiences and push myself outside of my comfort zone to find new sources of fun. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3140 http://catherineprice.com/ https://vimeo.com/610867602 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1xSvt6zWY Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

83 - Are You Having Fun? I review the book called "Are You Having Fun?" by Catherine Price. It opened my eyes to the importance of true fun and how we can identify and prioritize activities that bring us joy. Price talks about how distractions like technology can have a negative impact on our ability to have fun and encourages us to create space in our schedules for it. She breaks down true fun into three elements: playfulness, connection with others, and flow. It's important to identify our "fun magnets" - the things that bring us true joy - and prioritize those activities. Price also warns against mistaking novelty or rewards for true fun and emphasizes the importance of play in our lives. Overall, this book gives a new perspective on how I approach fun and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add more joy to their lives! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3136 http://catherineprice.com/ https://vimeo.com/610867602 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1xSvt6zWY Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps Twitter startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com