by Gene Crawford | Apr 22, 2024 | Podcast
Transform your never-ending ‘to-do’ list into a view of readiness with Dr. Daria Long’s expert guidance, as we explore practical strategies for achieving a state of preparedness. From the ER to your personal chaos, Dr. Long translates her frontline experience into actionable advice for managing life’s daily demands with finesse. We tackle the pitfalls of the ‘crazy busy’ badge of honor, advocating for a ‘ready mode’ outlook that prioritizes triage of tasks and simplicity in everyday life. By sharing techniques to step out of the whirlwind in your mind, we help you reframe stress as a manageable facet of a well-organized life.
In our continuing journey of self-improvement, we scrutinize the mental frameworks that dictate our actions and the results we achieve. Using personal anecdotes from my time as a martial arts coach, we expose how mindset and beliefs craft our reality, emphasizing the power of visualizing success and the necessity of confronting confirmation bias. This episode is an invitation to audit your belief systems, to dare to challenge the status quo of your limitations, and to take command of your own narrative. Join us as we break down barriers and foster a mindset of empowerment and relentless pursuit of personal growth.
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by Gene Crawford | Feb 5, 2024 | Podcast
As the seasons of our careers change, so does our perspective on the work we do and the lives we lead. This heartfelt discussion with Greg Storey, a dear friend and former owner of Happy Cog, not only traces his professional voyage from bagging groceries in Alaska to the boutique agency world and through the corporate colossus of IBM Design, but it also unravels the beauty of midlife career introspection. Embracing change, Greg has moved from leading companies to imparting wisdom through coaching, a journey that mirrors my own pivot towards fitness and mental health coaching, where the reward lies in guiding others to their zenith.
Join us for a reflective and thought-provoking episode where we celebrate the rich tapestry of our past experiences, while keeping an eager eye on the horizon. We revel in discussions about the legends who’ve shaped our industry, touching on the privilege of choosing our own adventures and the vitality of continuous engagement with our creative endeavors.
This episode is also a candid exploration of the complexities of the workplace, from the integration of AI to the dynamics of leadership. We debate the current resistance to remote work models, advocate for leadership that empowers and supports, and tackle the tough emotional realities of decision-making, like firing employees. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting out, there’s wisdom here for anyone navigating the undulating paths of their professional landscape. Join us and take away invaluable insights that will enrich your approach to work and life.
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by Gene Crawford | Oct 26, 2023 | Blog
Developing perspective is a crucial skill that enhances empathy, communication, and understanding in various aspects of life. This simple practice can be incorporated into your routine to help you see situations from different viewpoints. In just 5-10 minutes, you can cultivate a more empathetic approach to interactions. Follow this step-by-step guide to start developing your perspective-taking abilities:
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Center Yourself
- Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be interrupted.
- Sit or stand in a relaxed posture.
- Take three deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
- Focus on the present moment, letting go of any distractions.
Step 2: Recall a Recent Situation
- Think of a recent situation where you attempted to understand another person’s perspective.
- It could be a work-related scenario, a conversation with a friend, or a family interaction.
Step 3: Describe the Situation (3 minutes)
- Using a pen and paper or a digital note-taking app, write a detailed description of the chosen situation.
- Use bullet points to outline the key events and interactions that occurred from beginning to end.
- Include relevant emotions, words exchanged, and any notable actions.
Step 4: View from Their Perspective (1 minute)
- Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the other person’s shoes.
- Consider how they might have experienced the situation. How would they feel? What thoughts might they have had?
- Imagine how they would describe the interaction from their point of view.
Step 5: Reflect on Your Insights (30 seconds)
- Open your eyes and take a moment to reflect on what you learned from the exercise.
- Consider what you did that helped you understand the other person’s perspective better.
- Acknowledge any new insights or realizations you gained during the exercise.
Step 6: Repeat and Expand (3 times a week)
- Throughout the week, repeat this exercise three times, choosing a different situation each time.
- Select scenarios that vary in nature and involve different people or contexts.
- With each practice, aim to refine your perspective-taking skills and deepen your understanding of others.
Benefits of Regular Practice:
- Enhanced empathy: By consistently putting yourself in others’ shoes, you’ll develop a more empathetic mindset.
- Improved communication: Understanding various viewpoints helps you communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
- Strengthened relationships: Developing perspective fosters deeper connections and minimizes conflicts.
- Better decision-making: Seeing situations from multiple angles enables you to make well-rounded decisions.
Incorporating this perspective-taking exercise into your routine can lead to profound personal growth and more harmonious relationships. Dedicate a few minutes to this practice, and you’ll find yourself becoming more attuned to the thoughts and feelings of those around you.
I originally found an approach this this via Coach Mark Divine’s Email Newsletter.
by Gene Crawford | Jun 4, 2023 | Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the controversial question posed by YouTuber and self-defense coach, Icy Mike: Listen in as we explore the idea of needing to work through lots of things in martial arts and how the culture of having to pay for levels or black belts can be seen as a form of ‘participation trophies’. We also discuss the concept of ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ and how this can be seen as a way of taking responsibility for students quitting due to unsafe gym environments.
We then venture into the realm of the the Dunning-Kruger effect in martial arts, including the peak of Mount Stupid and the valley of despair. Hear about my personal journey through this effect and its impact on my training. We touch on the importance of not overstepping as a student in martial arts classes, and the idea that pride can be bruised when someone tries to teach instead of learn. Finally, we talk about the importance of basics in martial arts training and explore different approaches to training for real problem-solving. This episode is packed with insights and reflections that will surely resonate with martial arts practitioners and enthusiasts alike.
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by Gene Crawford | May 21, 2023 | Podcast
In this solo episode, I share my experiences and lessons learned from over 20 years of running various businesses. I talk about the challenges I’ve faced, including a costly legal battle, which taught me the importance of paying attention to contracts and liability. I also discuss the essential qualities of a great leader, effective communication strategies, and the importance of taking time to detach and process decisions. I talk about importance of respect in building relationships and trust. Join me in this episode for valuable insights and inspiration to improve your leadership skills.
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