Just Get Started

This One Mic Session is a Reboot of an idea I tried 2 years ago...but just like life, sometimes excuses clutter your vision and momentum to accomplish things. So, it's back to stay! The Dozen Months of Discovery.Part of the premise of the Just Get Started Podcast is to get out of your comfort zone and try to accomplish things far greater than you ever imagined. Whether it is changing your eating habits, a better fitness routine, starting a business, etc. At the micro level, everything you do has to be “started” at some point but are we truly pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones as much as possible and learning new skills or knowledge that can become valuable. Or, maybe it doesn’t become something valuable but you can say you tried it because it was interesting at the time. That’s okay, too.That, my friends, is the whole premise of the Dozen Months of Discovery.12 months to have 12 new adventures. This could be anything from committing to a workout plan one month to learning how to play the piano another, learning a language, or detoxing from Social Media. Whatever it is you have to invest time into it and you have to practice but more than that is your mindset and focus on accomplishing the challenge must be present everyday. We (and I certainly mean me) say over and over “I wish I could do….” Or “I wish I tried….”. As the old saying goes, “You can wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which gets filled up first”. Stop wishing. Why not go out and do it? I know your answer. I don’t have time. It may actually take less than you think. Malcolm Gladwell famously wrote that you need about 10,000 hours to master a skill. But I’m not asking you to master a skill, I’m asking you to try and learn a new skill and become good at it. So, how long would that take?Well, someone already did that research for me and his name is Josh Kaufman. Now, Josh did a phenomenal Ted talk about this topic and, in short, concluded that to learn and be good at a new skill it would take about 20 hours. I highly recommend you watch the entire Ted Talk here – How to Learn Anything in 20 Hours - as it provides a lot more context.Also, Podcast Guest (Episode 76) Scott Young and his book "Ultralearning" is a fantastic guidebook of some useful techniques and stories to speed up your learning and actually make it sticky.So, the question I posed to myself a little while back and will pose to you right now is…How far did you advance yourself this past year? How much more could you have done that would have led to increased skill development, more fulfillment or joy in your life, new doors being open…all of it….How far did you push that needle? Get out of your comfort zone and try to make the next year your best year even. You certainly won’t get there by doing the same thing you are doing now. You must broaden your horizons and I think this is one way to do it.So here’s the challenge.Pick 12 new skills/challenges/topics you think would be cool or interesting or maybe something you always wanted to learn. If you can’t think of that many then ask your friends and family or post online and ask your larger community to throw out ideas.Next, write them down and share with the world those 12 you are going to learn.Finally, each month you need to pick a goal that will be the accomplishment you are trying to achieve by the end of that month. If you don’t pick a goal you can’t conclude if you truly learned anything. Don’t make it too easy but push yourself.Now, start with the first one on the first day of the next month and do it. Learn by taking classes locally, watching videos online, syncing up with a friend skilled in that craft, whatever. Invest around 20 hours that month and see what you can accomplish. I’m starting this endeavor on January 1st, 2020. My first monthly challenge is to not launch one social media app (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter) for the entire month. I'll document each journey prior to starting and the week after I finish each month. Some other ideas I have are Stretching for 1-hour each day for a month and learning a new language over the course of a month. The list is still getting worked out and look forward to any suggestions!If you are down to join, let me know and we can hold each other accountable. If not, we'll catch you for the next one and I'd love to hear what you are trying to do to challenge yourself and push beyond your comfort zone.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 74 is a special one because it's really at the intersection of what this podcast is truly about. People going outside of their comfort zone and doing things that matter to them and make them fulfilled as well as doing good in this world and trying to make an impact in a positive way. I had the chance to speak with two of the founding members of H.O.P.E (Housing Options for People with Exceptionalities), Dotty Foley and Orah Raia, and learn about their story and the "Why" behind this great mission.Contact H.O.P.E:Co-Founders: Diane WinansDotty FoleyGinny DropkinOrah RaiaEmail: hopenc18@gmail.comWebsite (launching soon): Hopenorthcarolina.orgH.O.P.E Informationhttps://brianondrako.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HOPE-One-page-fact-Sheet.pdfhttps://brianondrako.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HOPE-brochure-4.pdfAdditional resource for Parents with Exceptional children:Website: ECAC: https://www.ecac-parentcenter.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecacparentcenter/The Vision:HOPE’s vision is to create an inclusive, mixed income community where all individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, can live meaningful and purposeful lives. The vision for this community was born from the belief that where we live matters, that all people should have the choice to live in a community of their choosing, with access to affordable housing.The Solution:HOPE’s mission, interest and commitment is to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by addressing the urgent and unmet need for affordable, accessible housing.Creating an inclusive, supportive housing solution for individuals with disabilities must begin at the local level and requires creative strategies that combine public and private financing.HOPE will achieve its mission by intentionally engaging neighbors of all abilities, ages, and incomes to create a supportive community. We are bringing together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, advocates and partners to adapt an innovative, award-winning housing model that's already being successfully employed in supportive housing developments around the country with different vulnerable populations.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 73 features Eric Fulmer, VP of Operations & Strategic Growth at Capture Integration. We talk a lot about visual content, digital photography, and digital asset workflow especially around the large brands in the world and how they manage the large lift that is managing all of that content. Eric has a really cool story and excited for everyone to listen to his journey and some of the lessons he's learned along the way.Find Eric Online:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fulmeric/Capture Integration Website: https://captureintegration.com/ShotFlow: https://shotflow.com/About Eric:Eric has been a pioneer in digital photography and digital asset workflow since the early 1990s when he joined Fuji’s fledgling Digital Imaging Division. At Fuji, he worked with major corporations and cultural institutions including The Smithsonian Institution and The Metropolitan Museum of Art as they adopted digital creative workflows. Later, Eric worked with leading photography studios at both Leaf and Phase One, pioneers in high resolution digital capture systems and image processing workflows. He then piloted DAM integrations at major government institutions including the US Air Force, Navy Visual News Service and Defense Intelligence Agency. Most recently, he played multiple roles in a startup SaaS platform vendor providing end-to-end creative production solutions for the world’s largest fashion and retail brands.Eric has six children ranging in age from adults to toddler twins, which keep him and his wife of 27 years very busy! They also recently moved to a small "farmette" and now have a gaggle of ducks to care for. He is a voracious reader, social media addict, and political junkie during his rare moments of spare time.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 72 features Marshall Mosher, the Founder and CEO of Vestigo, Vestigo builds performance enhancing experiences that train your team to embrace innovation and navigate change through a mindset of courage.Some topics include:College life & CavingMeeting his Co-FounderComing up with the idea for VestigoPivot from B2C to B2BAdvice for Corporate cultureCreating Impactful ExperiencesGravity Jet-suitsFind Marshall Online:Vestigo Website: https://vestigo.co"Inside the Adventure" Podcast https://vestigo.co/podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshall-mosherTwitter: https://twitter.com/marshallmosherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallmosherAbout Marshall:Often, it's not our goals that foster success; it's the ability to conquer our innate fear of failure. As a passion-driven, people-focused ENFP, I use my optimistic outlook and love for new challenges to empower others to "do what they can't" and discover that "impossible" is simply relative to the mindset you choose to live by.I strive to help people expand that mindset through creating accessible opportunities to embrace new experiences and conquer one's fear of failure. As a professional action sports enthusiast in whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, snowboarding, scuba diving, and aviation, I use my passion for the outdoors and the world around us to help others discover their potential, challenge their perceived limits, and adopt an empowering lifestyle of focus and fulfillment.I truly believe in the potential of Responsible Risk-Taking as a catalyst for innovation and seek to scale this mindset through the world's most innovative companies, empowering their team culture through recurring dynamic shared experiences, designed and implemented via Vestigo. ........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 71 features Rick Smith, Founder and CEO of Axon (Formerly TASER). Rick talks about his journey of how he came upon the Taser device and grew this business through many twists and turns as well as his mission to make the bullet obsolete with his new book, "The End of Killing".Some topics we cover:Impact his father had on his journey to entrepreneurship Being fascinated with roboticsImpact tragedy had on his lifeStarting a company in his early 20’sHiring and brining in the right peopleThe company almost closingPerformance-based PayWriting a bookFind Rick Online:Website: https://www.axonrick.com/Axon Website: https://www.axon.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/axonrick/Twitter: https://twitter.com/axonrickHis new book, "The End of Killing": https://www.amazon.com/End-Killing-Technologies-Humanitys-Problem/dp/1989025536About Rick:A pioneer of technology with the vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick founded the original company, TASER International, in 1993. As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick pushed the company beyond weapons technology and towards a broader purpose of matching technology to public safety needs in order to make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader in conducted energy weapon, body-worn cameras and software. In April 2017, TASER International officially changed its name to Axon Enterprise to better represent the entire network of devices, people and applications. Today, more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies in more than 100 countries are a part of the Axon network.Rick graduated from Harvard with a B.S. in Neuroscience (Cum Laude) and later earned a Master in International Finance from the University of Leuven in Belgium and an MBA from the University of Chicago.Rick’s mission to obsolete the bullet has been chronicled in The New Yorker as well as Forbes and GQ. Rick’s 2018 op-ed on suggesting a grand challenge to help reduce gun violence in schools was published by CNBC. That same year, Rick was named one of Arizona’s Most Admired Leaders by Phoenix Business Journal and Axon was named one of 2018’s Most Admired Companies by Arizona Business Magazine. Rick rocked the tech industry when he announced a first-of-its-kind employee compensation plan allowing employees to align their pay directly with value creation for shareholders. The eXponential Stock Performance Plan earned media coverage in Bloomberg, GeekWire, World at Work and more.Rick is a frequent guest on CNBC’s Mad Money and has also appeared on CBS’ This Morning, The Street and more.“Many people concerned about gun violence want to alter laws. Rick Smith is focusing on a tech solution.” – Geekwire“Can the Manufacturer of Tasers Provide the Answer to Police Abuse?” – The New Yorker“Billion-dollar award made CEO uneasy. Now he’s fixing it.” – Bloomberg“Rick Smith is known as the ‘Steve Jobs of policing technology’ — and this book reflects his well-deserved reputation. Rick envisions a world free of gun violence. This is a must-read for those who share his bold vision to enhance safety in our communities!” – Kathleen O’Toole, Former Police Chief......For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this One Mic session, I discuss a topic that has been fascinating to me recently around acquiring knowledge and using it to improve yourself daily. A short episode but hopefully a lot of good nuggets for everyone.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 70 is here and features Best-Selling Author, Blogger, and Founder, Nir Eyal. Nir shares stories about his journey into entrepreneurship, how he got into writing, as well as, we talk about his new book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Some topics we cover:Wanting to be a fighter pilotBeing obese as a kidBeing in an improve comedy groupWorking in the Consulting businessStarting a Solar businessGoing to Stanford Business SchoolAuthoring BooksIntimacyAnd much more…Find Nir Online:Website: https://www.nirandfar.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/Nir's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Nir-Eyal/e/B00HJ8021IAbout Nir:Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The M.I.T. Technology Review dubbed Nir, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.”Nir founded two tech companies since 2003 and has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, Nir’s writing has been featured in The Harvard Business Review, TechCrunch, and Psychology Today.Nir is also an active investor in habit-forming technologies. Some of his past investments include Eventbrite (NYSE:EB), Refresh.io (acquired by LinkedIn), Worklife (acquired by Cisco), Product Hunt, Marco Polo, Presence Learning, 7 Cups, Pana, Kahoot!, Byte Foods, FocusMate, and Anchor.fm (acquired by Spotify).Nir attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 69 features the Founder of hillenBRAND Media, Molly Dare Hillenbrand. Had a wonderful discussion with this "late bloomer" entrepreneur who shares the ups and downs of her journey and how she has been able to grow her brand and the brand of others.Some topics we discuss are:Being a "late bloomer" to entrepreneurshipStudying Psychology in CollegeWorking on Wall StreetHandling DivorceOpening her Children’s StoreBeing vulnerable onlineStarting hillenBRAND MediaBeing a participant on Social Movement TV docuseries (launches Summer of 2020 on Amazon Prime/iTunes)Find Molly Online:Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollydare/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillenBRANDmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillenBRANDmedia/Social Movement TV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialmovementtv/Social Movement TV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialmovementtv/About Molly: Molly is known for her fun and outgoing presence on camera as well as being a PR powerhouse! Founder of hillenBRAND Media, she focuses on PR for brands and businesses all over the world.  Molly hails from Princeton, New Jersey and has called both New York City and Chicago home before moving to South Florida in 2016. She started her professional career at Goldman Sachs in NYC, moved on to the PR world in the music industry and after her two beautiful children were born she opened two successful luxury children’s clothing stores in NJ and Chicago. Her greatest love is her two children and she is a passionate philanthropist spending many years fundraising for Operation Smile and on numerous committees for local charities.Molly is a staple in the south Florida social scene while dividing her time between South Florida and Chicago for her role as TV Host for both Eye on South Florida and Eye On Chicago. - always on the hunt to bring you the best of the best in up and coming brands, businesses and people.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 68 features Business & Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Author Farnoosh Brock. Farnoosh shares her journey of moving to the United States, working up the corporate ladder, and venturing out on her own to start her Business & Leadership coaching business.Some Topics we cover:Being born and raised in IranSelf-DisciplineResigning from her Corporate jobOvercoming early failureHaving a support systemStarting Prolific LivingFollowing the energyBeing an AuthorFind Farnoosh Online:Website: https://www.farnooshbrock.comBusiness Website: https://www.prolificliving.com/Her Books: https://www.amazon.com/Farnoosh-Brock/e/B005BCHBTALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbahram/About Farnoosh:Farnoosh Brock went from electrical engineer and rising leader at a Fortune 100 to a business coach, speaker, and consultant. She has helped many entrepreneurs and businesses to use her mindset and framework of genuine serving to build deep trust, create meaningful relationships and scalable profits. In addition to her latest book, The Serving Mindset: Stop Selling and Grow Your Business, she is the creator of Crack the Code to Get Promoted, a leadership and career advancement course for corporate professionals as well as the author of three health books and a wellness program.........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Podcast I visited onsite with two of the Co-Founders of Trophy Brewing Company. Woody Lockwood and Chris Powers, along with their CBO (Chief Brewing Officer) Les Stewart, where we talk all things breweries and business. Was a pleasure to get to sit down with them and find out about their journey to becoming one of the best breweries in the Triangle of North Carolina!Find Trophy Brewing Co. Online:Website: https://www.trophybrewing.comTrophy Brewing & Pizza:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophybrewing/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrophyBrewingTwitter: https://twitter.com/TrophybrewingTrophy Brewing & TaproomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophymaywood/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trophymaywood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrophymaywoodTrophy Tap & TableInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophytapandtable/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trophytapandtable/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrophyTapTableState of BeerWebsite: https://www.stateof.beer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofbeernc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stateofbeernc........For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://www.brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://www.brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.