Habits 2 Goals: The Habit Factor® Podcast With Martin Grunburg | Goal Achievement, Productivity & Success Simplified

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“A good teacher protects his students from his own influence.” ~ Bruce LeeThis profound quote from Bruce Lee touches on a critical point that many people overlook: the distinction between the lesson and the teacher. We often expect perfection from those who teach us, assuming that their wisdom and personal lives must be flawless. However, Lee’s insight suggests that a good teacher ensures that their students are not tainted by the teacher’s own mistakes and challenges. This idea is crucial as we navigate today’s complex landscape of “gurus” and their teachings.A few quick examples:Tony Robbins: Known for his powerful seminars and self-help books, Tony Robbins gives extensive advice on relationships. Yet, he has been through at least one divorce and likely a handful of breakups. Does this disqualify him from offering relationship advice? Arguably, his experiences may make him more qualified, as he has learned valuable lessons from his own relationship challenges.Sadhguru: A spiritual leader who speaks about he

“A good teacher protects his students from his own influence.” ~ Bruce LeeThis profound quote from Bruce Lee touches on a critical point that many people overlook: the distinction between the lesson and the teacher. We often expect perfection from those who teach us, assuming that their wisdom and personal lives must be flawless. However, Lee’s insight suggests that a good teacher ensures that their students are not tainted by the teacher’s own mistakes and challenges. This idea is crucial as we navigate today’s complex landscape of “gurus” and their teachings.A few quick examples:Tony Robbins: Known for his powerful seminars and self-help books, Tony Robbins gives extensive advice on relationships. Yet, he has been through at least one divorce and likely a handful of breakups. Does this disqualify him from offering relationship advice? Arguably, his experiences may make him more qualified, as he has learned valuable lessons from his own relationship challenges.Sadhguru: A spiritual leader who speaks about he

Emotions, Triggers & Stories“Your state is a state of mind. Change your state, and you can change your life.” ~ Tony Robbins“Your state of mind is often a default disposition. It’s a habit that can be modified with intention and practice.” ~ M. GrunburgEmotions: Beyond the Trigger Lies the StoryTony Robbins nails it when he speaks about how a red flashing light in your rearview mirror can instantly change your physiology - your physical state. But, there’s more to the story, so to speak.That jolt of emotion – fear – isn’t purely a reaction to the red light itself. The fear reaction is associated with a story about the red light. The red light triggers a stored story in our minds; either a direct or shared memory from past experiences about red flashing lights in rear-view mirrors. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

Practice. Practice. Practice.“The road to excellence lies in deliberate practice.” - Anders Ericsson “Excellence, then, is not a single act, but a habit.” ~AristotleIf “excellence” is a habit and the road to excellence is paved via deliberate or intentional practice, then both habit and skill development require PRACTICE.Ericsson, a renowned psychologist pioneered the term “deliberate practice” back in 1996.* (More on intentional vs deliberate practice below)The Spirit of AlohaWe all yearn for more aloha in our life; kindness, love, compassion and respect. Interestingly enough, these qualities, just like any virtue, do not arise from mere aspiration; rather each is developed through intentional practice.Personality traits, virtues, habits and skills are a result of practice. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

Practice. Practice. Practice.“The road to excellence lies in deliberate practice.” - Anders Ericsson “Excellence, then, is not a single act, but a habit.” ~AristotleIf “excellence” is a habit and the road to excellence is paved via deliberate or intentional practice, then both habit and skill development require PRACTICE.Ericsson, a renowned psychologist pioneered the term “deliberate practice” back in 1996.* (More on intentional vs deliberate practice below)The Spirit of AlohaWe all yearn for more aloha in our life; kindness, love, compassion and respect. Interestingly enough, these qualities, just like any virtue, do not arise from mere aspiration; rather each is developed through intentional practice.Personality traits, virtues, habits and skills are a result of practice. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Ralph Waldo EmersonNote: There are a few occasions where MG accidentally says determination instead of determinism.For eons, a philosophical debate has raged: Free will vs determinism.Where do you stand? Determinism says you have no free will, and that all actions and events are predetermined.However, free will says, you are fully accountable and responsible for your entire life.Once again, MG takes the middle path in this debate.“Life is much like any card or board game. You have rules (in life these are laws like gravity, etc. AND you have chance and randomness. You have the ability to move up and across the board and can influence your results, and your are subject to chaos and randomness.”One of the worst quotes, it may make some people feel better but it’s absent much critical thinking is: “Well, EVERYTHING happens for a reason.”Depending upon what happened, a tsunami in

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Ralph Waldo EmersonNote: There are a few occasions where MG accidentally says determination instead of determinism.For eons, a philosophical debate has raged: Free will vs determinism.Where do you stand? Determinism says you have no free will, and that all actions and events are predetermined.However, free will says, you are fully accountable and responsible for your entire life.Once again, MG takes the middle path in this debate.“Life is much like any card or board game. You have rules (in life these are laws like gravity, etc. AND you have chance and randomness. You have the ability to move up and across the board and can influence your results, and your are subject to chaos and randomness.”One of the worst quotes, it may make some people feel better but it’s absent much critical thinking is: “Well, EVERYTHING happens for a reason.”Depending upon what happened, a tsunami in

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Ralph Waldo EmersonNote: There are a few occasions where MG accidentally says determination instead of determinism.For eons, a philosophical debate has raged: Free will vs determinism.Where do you stand? Determinism says you have no free will, and that all actions and events are predetermined.However, free will says, you are fully accountable and responsible for your entire life.Once again, MG takes the middle path in this debate.“Life is much like any card or board game. You have rules (in life these are laws like gravity, etc. AND you have chance and randomness. You have the ability to move up and across the board and can influence your results, and your are subject to chaos and randomness.”One of the worst quotes, it may make some people feel better but it’s absent much critical thinking is: “Well, EVERYTHING happens for a reason.”Depending upon what happened, a tsunami in

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.CommitmentUntil one is committed, there is hesitancy,the chance to draw back.Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans.That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.~ Johan Wolfgang von Goethe “If you're looking for a guarantee, buy a toaster.” ~ Clint Eastwood Life is far less predictable than a kitchen appliance. It’s full of opportunities, each possessed of great promise. Yet, there is a catch, of course; each comes with risk. Opportunitie

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“Wisdom is equal parts experience and reflection.” ~ AristotleRuminationThe term 'rumination' is often associated with negative thinking patterns. For better or worse, psychology has perpetuated this idea.As you can see from the definition above, to ruminate is to simply consider or think deeply about something; as in philosophical ruminations.Have you ever encountered a new concept that left you confused?Perhaps worse, you thought you fully understood the idea and you didn’t.Encountering new ideas in a strange way is somewhat similar to meeting a large group of new people.Just as it takes time to distinguish faces and learn names, it takes time to really grasp new ideas.Imagine embarking on a week-long hike with a group of strangers. On day one, the faces blur together, and names are impossible to recall.By day four, after shared experiences and conversations, you not only know each of the individuals but their distinct personalities and backstories eme

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“Success is always a co-creative endeavor.”Who wants to be a “success”?The short answer is, “Only EVERYONE!”Yet, when someone attempts to define ‘success’ they tend to struggle.They say things like, “I just want to be happy or have a smile on my face.”It’s tough to hit a target you haven’t defined. Is your definition for success any better?MG and JG discuss a slightly amended definition for ‘success’.Largely due to the “Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System”. It’s the acknowledgement that ‘outside forces’ – acts of god, luck, good fortune, etc., play a role in one’s ‘success’.The truth is, we can only CO-CREATE our ideal future. We have a large role in our success and forces beyond our control contribute. Enjoy the show!~mgThe link to the tracking sheet is here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesAdditional:* Download the free habits-to-goals tracking template to cultivate the habits that support your goals here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templates.* B

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“Learning Zen is a phenomenon of gold and dung.Before you understand it, it’s like gold; after you understand it, it’s like dung.”Gold & DungIn this episode MG and JG discuss a perplexing and important Zen koanFor many, Zen appears to possess the “gold” – the promise of enlightenment – peace, and a deeper understanding of oneself.However, this koan teaches us that the value of such knowledge is in its application.It’s easy to drown in intellectual concepts. It’s even easier to get caught up in the constant consumption of knowledge.Here's the rub: intellectual understanding, however impressive, is ultimately DUNG – valuable as fertilizer.The essence of Zen (and most worthwhile concepts), lies within its PRACTICE.Embrace the transformation that comes from putting knowledge into action.PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.That's where the real gold truly lies.~mgThe link to the tracking sheet is here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesAdditional:* Download th

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”~Sun TzuThe EpiphanyWhere do opportunities come from?JG and MG discuss a prior Thursday Thread subject: Opportunities.Einstein famously said, “Nothing happens until something moves.”There is no telling the ripple effect a decision or action may have once it’s seized.Saying "yes" to a challenging project or adventure often leads to new projects and adventures. Attend an industry event and lo and behold, unexpected collaborations and opportunities present themselves.Stepping outside your comfort zone is about more than just success or failure. It's about setting in motion a ripple effect of experiences, learning, and growth.Opportunities rarely arrive with fanfare. They often whisper, disguised as invitations, or perhaps even as anxieties urging you to break free from self-imposed limits.Initiate, move, and observe.Enjoy the show!~mgThe link to the tracking sheet is here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesAddit

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“After our startup’s ‘failure’, with my tail between my legs, I took a trip to Puerto Escondido, Mexico to surf for nearly two weeks, reorient and clear my head. Out of that trip, I dove headfirst into personal development.”The EpiphanyOne day, in early 2003, while the iPod was in shuffle mode, it was riffling through various programs; Ed Foreman, Wayne Dyer, Stephen Covey and Anthony Robbins. Even though I’d probably heard these tracks hundreds of times, something clicked. I noticed that all of them had a common theme; they were saying nearly the same thing, just in very different ways. Robbins was talking about “conditioning” and Foreman was talking about daily habits for success, while Dr. Stephen Covey was talking about seven habits. I started talking to myself aloud, then began pacing in circles. “It’s not about morning habits or success habits or a list of habits. It’s far more basic! It’s about HABIT; the singular force of HABIT.”Enjoy the show!~

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“It can scarcely be denied that the supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience.” ~ Albert EinsteinSystemsI’ve come across a few authors, ”thought leaders,” who, in an attempt to describe a system, unfortunately, confuse their audience.Author #1: A system is “a series of habits.” Author #2: A system is something that “gives you the most options.” On top of these loose and inaccurate definitions, each author repeatedly states, “Systems are better than goals.”Oy veh!Let’s review an actual definition of a system.A system is a collection of interrelated components that function together to achieve a specific objective.“To achieve a specific objective.” Interesting.A “specific objective” is a goal. Hence, systems serve goals; they need each other, and they are not better than goals.Why the confusion?Well, it turns

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers."Opportunities multiply as they are seized." ~ Sun TzuLIMITEDAs we approach middle age, we realize that our time, opportunities, energy and certainly, our experiences become limited. While this may seem obvious, it can also provide a terrific wake-up call!How much longer are you going to put off that trip “of a lifetime”?How much longer are you going to put off that creative project?Let this episode remind you to seize the moment and realize that each new day is a gift to seize the opportunities that are vanishing before your eyes.NOW! Now is the time to make the most of your life. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” ~ Mark Twain.” Key ideas:* Whether financial or otherwise, recognize decisions as limited opportunities* Qualify opportunities that come your way

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.Joel Brown & Addicted2Success.com“I think success is seeing your potential play out and knowing that it matches alignment with what you value most and it resonates in reality.”~ Joel BrownThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.The JourneyJoel Brown founder of Addicted2Success.com as well as mindstrongacademy.com. He’s a master coach and host of the podcast sharing the same name, “Addicted2Success.”JB and MG discuss everything from Joel’s journey as a dropout in high school to creating the phenomenally successful website Addicted2Success, which boasts lifetime viewership upwards of 370 million people!The discussion covers a wide array of topics, from overcoming obstacles to defining discipline and success, as well as a handful of anecdotes that make Joel’s journey so special. They explore the importance of setting goals and the essence of building and aligning habits for those goals. Background and Intro:* Joel was born in Perth, Aust

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“Decisions are the hinges of destiny.” ~ Edwin Markham “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually afraid you will make one.” ~ Zig ZiglarBetter Decisions: The Art of ChoiceDecision-making - it's the bedrock of our lives, shaping every experience from the mundane to the monumental. Our approach to decision-making isn’t always thorough, and therein lies the potential for growth.1. The Comfort of Habitual Decisions:Often, we navigate routine decisions on autopilot. The familiar barber, the trusted mechanic, the well-worn route home - these choices, while not necessarily the ‘best,’ work. Each brings a sense of comfort and efficiency. While this serves us well for day-to-day tasks, it can also inhibit exploration. Stepping outside our comfort zones, trying a new restaurant, or exploring a different route might just unlock better results and experiences!2. Intuition vs. Expertise:For infrequent, high-consequence decisions, we might rely o