by Gene Crawford | Dec 16, 2024 | Podcast
Join us for an exhilarating conversation with Dan Jackson, fresh off his National Championship Grid win. We celebrate his team’s groundbreaking success as the first outside Florida to win since the league went national, reflecting on their five-year journey, the challenges they overcame, and the promising future of the sport of Grid. We also spotlight his remarkable comeback, insights from preseason camps, and the intense mental and physical demands of Grid and combat sports. Finally, we delve into CrossFit’s evolving landscape, athlete coaching dynamics, and the expanding culture of competitive fitness.
Dan Jackson – danejack61612
Head Coach – @atlantawild
Swim Coach – @kennesaw_masters_swim
Swim Coach – Direct Current Swimming
M. Ed. Coach Education and Athlete Development
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by Gene Crawford | Dec 9, 2024 | Podcast
Carl Smith and I discuss transitioning from a busy digital agency to a remote work setup brought lessons in autonomy, collaboration, and balance. In this episode, we share our journey of working with industry giants like Facebook and Epic Games, navigating the risks of overcommitting, and fostering diverse client relationships and creative spaces. We also explore personal growth through fear, martial arts, stoicism, and how practices like meditation, running, and community support shaped our leadership, especially during the pandemic. With stories of friendship, gratitude, and resilience, we reflect on the moments and mementos that symbolize growth and enduring connections.
https://bureauofdigital.com
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by Gene Crawford | Oct 7, 2024 | Podcast
Join us as we explore micromanagement in leadership, examining its causes, effects, and how to handle it. We question whether micromanaging stems from a need for control, sharing personal stories that show how anxiety over performance and pressure from higher management can contribute. We discuss its negative impact on creativity and respect, with examples from project management where excessive oversight hurt productivity. Through relatable scenarios like home remodeling,
we reflect on leadership, trust, and lessons from Jocko Willink’s Echelon Front, debating if trust must be earned from micromanaging leaders. We also consider the practicality of decentralized leadership and the responsibility to not enable micromanagement, challenging the idea of overcompensating for a controlling boss. The episode highlights the importance of communication, accountability, and trust, with personal stories emphasizing the benefits of autonomy and a trusting boss. We end with a humorous call for micromanagers to trust their teams—maybe even try a karate class to let go of control—and offer insights on improving leadership to create more respectful, effective work environments.
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by Gene Crawford | Apr 8, 2024 | Podcast
It’s time to dig into the ‘Flow State‘, that magical realm where passion and performance dance in perfect harmony. In this episode Greg and I talk through the art and science of optimal experience, where you can achieve peak performance not only in your professional life but also in your daily activities and hobbies.
Let’s break down the myth of multitasking and the paradox of self-awareness, shall we? It turns out, multitasking might not be the productivity hack we once thought it was. Instead, we learn that creating environments conducive to deep work is what leads to those breakthrough moments of innovation. We’ll look at how mindfulness and viewing failure as feedback can become gateways to achieving and sustaining flow. It’s all about the balance between skill and challenge, and how mindfulness practices can equip you to harness this powerful state of mind. Whether you’re crafting a masterpiece or crunching numbers, discovering how to cultivate conditions for flow can reshape the way you approach your passions and projects.
Here’s a sneak peek into some of the key moments from the episode:
- Exploring the Power of Flow State
- Characteristics of Flow State
- Finding and Sustaining Flow State
- Achieving Flow State in Work
- Achieving Flow State Through Mindfulness
Tune in, get inspired, and start your own journey to mastering flow state. Remember, focus on what matters, stay dedicated to your growth, and you’ll find yourself in the zone more often than not. Happy listening!
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by Gene Crawford | Jan 28, 2024 | Podcast
Have you ever caught yourself checking emails while on vacation, or find it difficult to truly unplug and enjoy downtime? You’re not alone. America’s hustle culture has us collectively wrapped around the notion that work should always come first, often at the expense of our health and well-being. In our latest episode, we peel back the layers of this phenomenon, revealing how our national reluctance to take time off not only underscores our values but also impacts our quality of life. Together, we question the undercurrent of fear that keeps us tethered to our desks and share personal tales that highlight the importance of setting boundaries for a healthier work-life integration.
The conversation deepens as we scrutinize the generational shift in work values, especially as it pertains to Gen Z’s approach to work and leisure. We challenge the negative stereotypes, celebrating instead their prioritization of time and mental health. But it’s not just about generations; it’s about a collective realization. This isn’t just an exploration; it’s a call to rediscover the joy in hobbies that don’t come with a price tag and the balance that leads to a more fulfilling existence.
We tackle the often-misunderstood concept of productivity, emphasizing that efficiency in work should serve to increase our leisure and not the other way around. We share uplifting anecdotes about individuals who’ve successfully crafted lives that prioritize passions and family over work without sacrificing professional success. Wrapping things up, we laugh over the irony of how setting firm boundaries can sometimes be the key to success, both personally and professionally. So, join us for an engaging discussion that’s all about redefining success, embracing rest, and the courage it takes to say “no” in a world that constantly demands “yes.
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