Start with Small Steps

181 - Get out of the Rut of Overthinking In this episode, we explore the topic of overthinking and how it can negatively impact us. We discuss the book 'Overthinking' by Daniel Michaels, where the author suggests that overthinking is a safety mechanism that helps us make decisions. However, it can often lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.  Overthinking can have both mental and physical effects. It can cause us to perceive patterns that do not exist, leading to insomnia and undue stress. This can escalate to the point where we jump to conclusions that may not be true, such as thinking that people dislike us or are against us.  I share strategies to break out of this cycle of overthinking, such as identifying and aligning with our values, journaling to get ideas out of our heads, and taking action. Finding hobbies or activities is important to help shift our focus away from stress. We also highlight some cognitive distortions associated with overthinking. Lastly, we emphasize that gratitude can help combat overthinking by fostering a positive outlook. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51098481 https://startwithsmallsteps.com/181-get-out-of-the-rut-of-overthinking/ Jill’s Links https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.youtube.com/@startwithstartwithsmallstepscast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

180 - Great Opportunity in the Cave of Fear We wrap up our conversation on Joe Polish's book “What’s in It for Them? Nine Networking Principles to Get What You Want by Helping Others Get What They Want.” and highlight the fact that many jobs, especially in retail, require such an ability. Even if your current job isn't your dream job, getting it right is necessary for growth and finding your ideal role. I stress the importance of bravery in dealing with difficult people and situations. Joseph Campbell talked about our fortune being inside 'the cave of fear,’ a metaphor for challenging situations or difficult people. It is easy to work with nice individuals, but when you can resolve an issue for someone who is challenging, it makes you stand out.  I also emphasize the significance of understanding people's preferences, likes, and dislikes. Treating others as they would like to be treated can build stronger, more effective relationships. Be memorable in a positive way. Being memorable doesn't necessarily mean being flashy or showy; it could be about your unique experiences, skills, or problem-solving ability. Meet in person wherever possible and treat every conversation as important. https://geniusnetwork.com https://startwithsmallsteps.com/180-great-opportunity-in-the-cave-of-fear/ Jill’s Links https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.youtube.com/@startwithstartwithsmallstepscast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

179 - Be Creative to Make A Connection In this podcast episode, we discuss how to improve the lives of others by exploring Joe Polish's book, "What's in it for them? Nine networking principles to get what you want by helping others get what they want." I highlight the importance of investing time, attention, money, effort, and energy to foster connections and relationships. It's crucial to adapt our approach to each individual, understanding their unique contexts and needs. Additionally, I emphasize the value of creativity in building relationships and share personal anecdotes to illustrate how "thinking outside the box" can help establish a connection. He stresses the significance of being reliable, the person others can rely on, metaphorically speaking. This means being available and responsive, whether it's dealing with support tickets, emails, or direct conversations. We need to be patient, even with those we don't necessarily like or relate to, and work towards understanding their needs. He also cautions against getting lost in other people's problems, overcommitting, or becoming susceptible to energy vampires. It's vital to maintain balance and protect oneself while being helpful and supportive. I explore the importance of being practical in problem-solving. It's not enough to listen and empathize; we must offer solutions that meet the actual needs of the people we're dealing with. This requires understanding their problems, asking the right questions, and genuinely listening to their responses. Offering solutions should go beyond the standard "guidebook" responses and involve genuinely thoughtful, personalized, and feasible solutions. Find someone they're somewhat distant with and attempt to bridge that gap. By understanding what makes that person tick, they can start to appreciate them more and figure out how to be of genuine help. Take small steps towards making people feel appreciated, even those who might seem a bit unlovable. https://geniusnetwork.com https://startwithsmallsteps.com/179-be-creative-to-make-a-connection/ Jill’s Links https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.youtube.com/@startwithstartwithsmallstepscast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

178 - Feel Their Pain And Connect In this podcast episode, I talk about the book What's in It for Them?: 9 Genius Networking Principles to Get What You Want by Helping Others Get What They Want By Joe Polish. We explore the importance of understanding people's unique circumstances, which the author calls "atmospheric conditions." As a "pain detective", he says we have to investigate what's genuinely causing people to suffer in their job or daily life. This helps provide better support and build stronger connections with them. By reducing their suffering, we can make their lives better and form collaborative relationships.Authenticity is key in all our interactions. People can detect inauthenticity quickly. That's why we should always strive to be genuinely interested in solving people's problems. It's not about using skills to gain something in return. It's about building trust, rapport, and comfort with others.Atmospheric conditions refer to understanding the conditions of someone's life to understand better why they behave the way they do. If someone's going through a tough time at home, it will affect their performance at work. Understanding this can help someone react more appropriately and empathetically towards them, providing better support.In all our relationships, communication is key. We can choose to communicate and resolve issues, connect and form a bond, or avoid the situation altogether. That's why it's crucial to notice if people are leaning in or pulling back, connecting or disconnecting. Ultimately, understanding people better can help us build stronger, more authentic connections. https://geniusnetwork.com https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3854 Jill’s Links https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.youtube.com/@startwithstartwithsmallstepscast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

177 - Making Weight Loss and Health Easier In this episode, we’re going to explore the concept of weight loss as described in Driving. Rangan Chatterjee’s book, “Feel Great, Lose Weight.” Driving. Chatterjee’s book focuses on maintaining a healthier lifestyle by improving our habits and emotional responses and by choosing quality food options. One important aspect we discussed is the need to shift away from processed foods and towards single-ingredient options. And let’s not forget the importance of home cooking!We also talked about the significance of fiber in our diet and how it helps us feel full, reducing overeating. Mindful eating was another key concept we discussed, and I suggested drinking a glass of water before meals to help us feel fuller and reduce our portions.He talks about time-restricted eating. It means limiting the hours during which we eat. This is a response to the modern availability of food at all hours, which is not how our bodies historically functioned. Sleep is also a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and we discussed how it affects our eating habits and the role of caffeine in disturbing our sleep patterns.When it comes to exercise, He suggests seeing it as a way to feel more alive and energized rather than just a way to burn calories. We talked about how moderate exercise, like weightlifting, can help build muscle, which in turn burns more calories. And let’s not forget about fun and non-strenuous forms of exercise, like dancing, playing with pets, or simply being more active in daily life.Finally, we talked about the importance of having a positive self-image and a healthy relationship with food. We shouldn’t use food to solve emotional problems or as a comfort mechanism. Instead, we should find other ways to deal with stress and emotions, such as connecting with people, joining clubs, or doing volunteer work. He concluded with a suggestion to eat until we are 80% full, as our bodies often register fullness only after we have overeaten. https://drchatterjee.com/feel-great-lose-weight/ https://startwithsmallsteps.com/177-making-weight-loss-and-health-easier/ Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

176 - Simplify Against the Blissy FoodIn this episode, we will explore the weight loss concept, as described in Dr. Rangan Chatterjee's book, "Feel Great, Lose Weight." According to Dr. Chatterjee, losing weight can be challenging not because of personal fault, but due to our environment. Our world is filled with calorie-rich foods and sedentary work, making battling societal norms and pressures tough. Dr. Chatterjee further emphasizes that everyone is unique, which makes the weight loss process even more complicated. What works for one person may not work for another due to differences in body types, lifestyles, and metabolisms. Hence, finding a weight loss routine that suits our needs and circumstances is crucial.  He suggests that the goal should not be about conforming to societal standards of beauty, but rather feeling the best we can for ourselves. The book explores the idea of a ‘weight point,' which suggests that our brains have a set point for our body weight. This means that our bodies maintain this set point, no matter how much we diet or exercise. Understanding and adjusting this weight point could be the key to sustainable weight loss. He talks about food that hits our dopamine system which makes it hard to ignore even if we are full. The body, out of ancient systems, craves for us to eat certain things. If we fight against that urge and return our food to one simple food, our dopamine will reset back to normal, and we will lose some of the urge to overeat. We will hear our hunger/full signals again. https://drchatterjee.com/feel-great-lose-weight/ https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3845 Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

175 - Igniting Change in Your Life I delve into the concept of achieving our goals and creating our best life, drawing inspiration from the book "A Whole New You, Six Steps to Ignite Change for Your Best Life" by Bret Blumenthal. I discuss the importance of creating a mission statement, to guide our life's goals. These mission statements can be about work, health, or other aspects of life and should reflect the qualities and characteristics we want to live by and the legacy we want to leave in the world. I then discuss the concept of a vision statement, a visual representation of our goals, like a vision board. The next step in the process is to identify what we want to achieve and map the gap between where we are and where we want to be. This involves assessing our emotional and physical state and imagining what our ideal self would look like and feel like and how it would impact those around us and our activities. Having a flexible mindset during this stage is essential, as it allows us to adapt and find ways to make our goals happen. We should focus on our strengths and accomplishments and bury our past failures, only taking away the lessons we learned from them. Throughout this process, it's important to visualize our goals and recognize that we are the ones in control of our lives. We should create a vision statement or vision board representing our end goal, which could be something as simple as a collage of pictures from the internet. Sharing our goals with others can also be beneficial as they can provide support and encouragement. It's also crucial to break down our goals into small, achievable tasks and to set specific start dates for each task. This way, we can keep track of our progress and stay accountable. Finally, it's crucial to acknowledge and reward ourselves when we progress towards our goals and to hold ourselves accountable. Accountability can be built through various means, such as having a workout partner, hiring a life coach, or even using a habit tracker like Streaks. Understanding how accountability works best for us can greatly increase our chances of achieving our goals. The challenge for you, the listener, is to come up with one small goal, write out a mission statement for it, and create a vision board or vision statement. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3839 https://www.brettblumenthalstudio.com/brett-blumenthal-books-and-publications Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

174 - Small Steps to Big Changes I’m diving deep into the topic of personal transformation with Brett Blumenthal’s book, A Whole New You: Six Steps to Ignite Change for Your Best Life. We’ll be discussing how incremental changes can lead to significant reinvention and how to recognize when change is needed, whether due to dissatisfaction or a natural transition in life. One of the key takeaways from Blumenthal’s book is the importance of understanding what motivates us. By drilling down with the questions we can uncover the root issue that needs addressing. It’s also essential to distinguish between physical and emotional signs of needed change and to determine whether these issues are situational or ongoing. I find Blumenthal’s emphasis on data to identify change patterns is particularly helpful. By tracking our progress, we can see how far we’ve come and what areas we still need to work on.In the process of self-discovery, it’s crucial to recognize our strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Identifying what we love to do can drive positive change, while understanding our failures can help us learn and grow. Blumenthal emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and letting go of past failures, a point that deeply resonates with all of us. She also advises examining past experiences, like family dynamics or traumatic events, which might contribute to current struggles. Remember, the journey to a brand new you begin with small steps and small changes. So, let’s take those steps together and see where they lead us. https://www.brettblumenthalstudio.com/brett-blumenthal-books-and-publications Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

173 - Night of the Comet Reflections Today, I'll discuss the 80s apocalypse movie "Night of the Comet." In this movie, we follow two sisters, Regina and Samantha, who survive an event that turns most of the population into zombie-like creatures. We'll explore the important apocalypse themes that this movie raises, such as trust, the importance of loved ones, and the need to establish a plan for rebuilding society. I'll be highlighting several lessons that we can learn from it. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of questioning information and not blindly trusting what others say even when they promise the North Pole (Christmas movie?). People in the movie were misled about the safety of the comet, leading to disastrous consequences. Secondly, the bond between the two sisters emphasizes the importance of finding and supporting loved ones during challenging times through sarcasm and shopping. Thirdly, the movie encourages the search for other survivors, as it brings together individuals who can provide support and companionship, mainly if they are cute boys. We'll also discuss the need for defenses and strategies to protect oneself in a post-apocalyptic world, as seen in the 80s. "Night of the Comet" is a cult classic combining horror, comedy, and 80s nostalgia. I invite you to ponder what rules and principles you would establish if you were to rebuild society after an apocalypse. Even at the end of the world, girls just want to have fuuuuun. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087799/ Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

172 - Beyond What You Can Prove on 34th Street In this episode of our podcast, I talk about a movie that always reminds me of the magic of Christmas - "Miracle on 34th Street." The movie tells the story of Macy's store hiring a new Santa Claus, who is a kind and genuine person resembling Santa. As we follow the plot, we see how belief, mistrust, and the power of helping others during the Christmas season shape the story. One of the central characters in the movie is Susan Walker, a young girl who initially doesn't believe in Santa Claus due to her practical-minded mother's influence. But as the movie progresses, Susan's faith in Santa Claus is restored as she witnesses acts of kindness and experiences the magic of Christmas. As the story unfolds, we also see a subplot involving a lawyer, Mr. Galley, who defends Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) in court, risking his own reputation and job. The court case becomes a turning point in the movie, as the post office delivers numerous letters addressed to Santa Claus to the courthouse, validating Kris Kringle's existence. The judge dismissed the case, and Kris Kringle was set free. The movie concludes with a heartwarming scene where Susan's wish for a house is fulfilled, symbolizing the power of belief and the magic of Christmas. Watching this movie always leaves me feeling inspired and hopeful, reminding me of the importance of kindness, compassion, and the power of believing in something greater than what meets the eye. As we approach the holiday season, I encourage all of you to embrace the spirit of Christmas, show kindness to those around you, and have hope for a better tomorrow. Merry Christmas, everyone! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3820 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_34th_Street Jill’s Links https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com