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

"God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and coal into diamonds using TIME & PRESSURE. He's working on you too” ~Rick Warren [NOTE: Henry and I set out to complete 35 episodes for Season III and this is episode #41. If you've enjoyed the season as much as we did putting it together, PLEASE leave a review on iTunes ; ). Also, there are more shows coming! Be sure you are subscribed! Great news is on the way! Thank you!] **Technical audio note: Apologies, we had tech issues again on Henry's end and he was forced to use a different device. At times, connection picks up various background noises. Apologies and appreciate your understanding! ; )** Coming off the heels of the recent metamorphosis episode, MG shares what he considered might be his #1 tip/piece of advice as he responds to an email. The emailer is excited about The Habit Factor and asks MG, "Do you have any advice?" At first Martin isn't too happy about the question, given the amount of "tips" and information already published.

"Corey and I have two qualities that I think unite us. One, we are eternal optimists; we always believe our best day is coming. The other thing is that we have a high risk tolerance. We’ll keep rolling the dice. We like the idea of saying, ‘We’re going to bet on ourselves a little longer.'" ~Casey Wright Few entrepreneurs seize an opportunity as quickly and as creatively as Casey Wright. He and his brother Corey, guided by their parents, were encouraged to explore this "internet thing" in the early 2000s, and in particular, how email marketing might help their real estate firm. Their parents came to them and said they wanted to stop spending $100K on print marketing per year; the brothers thought email marketing might be the answer. To everyone's surprise, the strategy worked and Casey and his brother were off and running...sort of. "The first year was exciting, and then you have six years of things not going the way you wanted them to; I'm seeing my friends working half as hard and making twice as much money

"There is nothing in a catapiller that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." ~Buckminster Fuller [Note: *Apologies* The sound quality at times is compromised in this episode. Henry had to use his cell phone and there a a few moments (briefly) where  background noise interferes. Thanks for your patience and understanding.*] "Habit is a cobweb at first and a cable at last." ~Spanish Proverb Martin and Henry get after this one on the heels of a keynote presentation Martin recently did for IREM (institute for real estate management). He talks to Henry about how he inserted these same "two themes" at the front of the presentation because they applied so well to the REstart graduates who were being honored at the luncheon. MG then discusses this powerful idea of transformation (preferring the term, "Metamorphosis") and our individual capacity to turn virtually any weakness into a strength using the force of habit. Today it's popular in the personal development world to "ignore your weakness and just focus on you

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape one hundred days of sorrow.” ~Chinese Proverb Not to long ago we had an entire episode about enhancing mindfulness. Today's topic is very related and it has to do with some ideas, tips and best practices, even mindsets around how to best control one's temper. MG and Henry trade some tips and share some stories... Henry talks about his experience recently where he was so upset he had to go hit a punching bag (NOT people) for an extended period of time. "Try that for just one minute and you'll be winded and you'll also be addressing your 'fight or flight' natural response to anger and stress. It's a great way to address the pent up energy." Martin then reflects on the very powerful and insightful statement: "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." Viktor E. Frankl  Then, MG shares this gem from Thomas Jefferson, "When you are angry count to ten,

"If you're listening to this...I want you to try this for twenty-four hours. Think about every situation, and say to yourself, 'I am responsible.' If you don't do that you'll stagnate and never get ahead." ~Eric Berman A varied and enviable background, EB has been a bachelor on the hit reality show Millionaire Matchmaker. He's stood in the winner's circle multiple times at Del Mar as part of the winning horse's ownership group. He's part owner in multiple popular restaurants throughout San Diego, and perhaps best of all (at least according to MG), he is long-term business partners with the personal development legend Brian Tracy. EB begins the show sharing how some early career success with a Facebook-like company (collegeclub.com) in the '90s goes terribly sideways as it collides head first into the exploding dot-com disaster of the late '90s. As "guy #3" in the fast-growing company, he was close to all the action when his company failed to qualify for a bridge loan amid the market collapse; before long they

"True nobility isn’t about being better than someone else, it’s about being better than you used to be." Dr. Wayne Dyer Martin tackles this Mind Bullet Monday solo and labels it a bit of a hybrid episode since he bridges concepts and ideas from a couple prior episodes. This episode is on the heels of the synchronicity/serendipity episode where Martin and Henry compare theories on ways to create an increased frequency of such events in our lives.

 Martin then adds some of the late, great Dr. Wayne Dyer's thoughts via his bestseller, The Power of Intention. Specifically where Dyer reviews the importance of aligning with the "FACE" of the "Creative" source. In his book, Dr. Dyer spells out the "Seven Faces of Intention" Creativity, Kindness, Love, Beauty, Expansiveness, Abundance and Receptivity and how Dr. Dyer believed deeply that creating alignment / "matching up" with sources "Faces" of energy was essential. Martin then takes the entire process a step further, and perhaps makes it sound/concrete by recommen

"Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh Mindfulness matters. This is the age of distractions! "Smart" phones, social media, texting, etc., our attention span continue to shrink and yet the demand for our focus and attention (in order to achieve our goals and be more productive) has never been greater! In this fun episode Henry and MG discuss some of their favorite tips to become more present and mindful. MG starts though with the important idea that BOTH habit and mindfulness (by design) are intended to work together. The way to cultivate any mindless or subconscious behavior (habit) is often via repetition and practice so it becomes "automatic!" Think, "wax on" "wax off". They exchange thoughts on various breathing exercises and MG tells Henry his favorite tip might just be to "tune in" to his senses; smell, touch, sight, sound, etc. Henry mentions a neat visual, breathing exercise and his intention to be very present and aware with encounters with others. MG and Henry both di

It was really out of frustration... I needed some tools and I made it my mission to become the world's first values-based marketing agency!" ~Sarah Hardwick Sarah Hardwick understands the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and what it means to persevere, be resilient and succeed! A gifted and talented student from Durango High in Colorado (her father was a forest ranger in the area for 30 years!). Sarah attended University of Denver (scholarship) and decides on a marketing and business major instead of theater... "the more practical decision." Her senior year in college she visits sunny San Diego (Mission Beach) for spring break and is instantly intent on relocating as soon as she graduates. In this episode, Sarah provides keen insight into the incredible power of values and why they are so important, beyond just marketing! "When you start to act in ways that are not in alignment with your values, than it is really hard to be happy!" Sarah also touches on some incredibly difficult moments and what she consider

"Silence is the source of great strength." Talk, Talk, Talk. Speaking for the most part is easy. Particularly about things we are GOING to do. However, doing them and the work they entail is hard. Which do you choose? While today’s topic has been touched upon… from various angles in prior seasons: In Season I it was SILENCE and CONCENTRATION and how silence is the source of GREAT strength and wisdom! Then, in season II’s FAF, MG addresses the question, “Should we announce our goals?” Today’s episode though is really inspired by Ryan Holiday’s latest book, “Ego is the Enemy”. A fantastic book where he’s devotes an entire chapter entitled, Talk, Talk, Talk to this idea that so many of us succubm to the easy— the idle, valueless, chatter. How easy is it to post on twitter, “I’ve just signed up for my first marathon!” Versus, the challenge to actually sign-up and NOT post anything. Instead, to get busy training and save the big announcement for when the work is done and the goal is accomplished. There is power

"The universe conspires to help the peaceful soul." Synchronicity and serendipity are seemingly magical events that appear at the most opportune time to aid a person. In fact, the definition of serendipity is:  a "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". Synchronicity is a concept, first explained by analytical psychologist Carl Jung, which holds that certain events are "meaningful coincidences" if they occur with no causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related. MG and Henry tackle this super-fun topic and discuss what they believe may be the key elements that help to contribute to such fortunate happenstances in one’s life. Henry begins with the cornerstone, essential trait that enables these pleasant, magical surprises, optimism! Martin echoes Henry’s comments and suggest that the spark in many ways is knowing exactly what your intention is; that is what you want, what your target/goal is and where you want to go! The universe it seems can only offer up these “pleasant surprises” when you

“I think I can somehow pay for us to live in Greece for a year... that was kinda how it all started.” ~Adam Dailey Adam Dailey knows a thing or two about moving FAST. As a five-time All-American sprinter, Dailey ran for the University of Arkansas whose track teams racked up 9 NCAA titles while he was there A bit later in life, Adam and his wife (also a former track star) did what seemed incomprehensible, if not impossible, traveling around the world on a twelve month sabbatical, with their (at the time) four children! That journey is at the heart of this episode and interview and it's what inspired Adam to write his #1 Amazon bestseller, "How to Run Away From Home: And Take Your Family With You. Adam recounts much of his early struggles in an entrepreneurial venture that stemmed largely from some overly-aggressive growth goals and shares how he was able to overcome what amounted to, at one point, losing about a million dollars in just one month! Adam shares his best tips and insights about travel and warns th

"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life." ~Steve Jobs Martin and Henry attempt to tackle this MASSIVE MBM, "Mind Bullet Monday" topic— the unlikely value that is inherent in death.  While death is a tragic— the IDEA of death especially to the living ; ) provides immense value when it is used as a tool to inspire immediacy and action and add more life to the present! Martin says, "I had no idea we were going to go here but, Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford immediately comes to mind." "Consider" he says, how Jobs' acute awareness to his limited amount of time might've factored as a catalyst to Apple's growth in his final years." Martin even reads a few sentences from Jobs' Stanford 2005 commencement speech: "... It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dram

SUCCESS! Seems everyone wants it and today's question is (if there is one) what is the #1 trait that determines one's success. Both MG and Henry recognize this could easily result in multiple-days worth of discussions and certainly there are hundreds if not thousands of books written on the matter. Having said that, they both manage to narrow their answer down to a few, very select traits. The best part (as you know) is any of these traits is create-able via the magical force of HABIT! Tune in and then let MG and Henry know what YOU think the #1 trait is! Enjoy! Be sure to subscribe! Thank YOU for checking out this episode and we're always grateful when you SHARE our stuff w/ your friends and help us by writing a review ; ) Mentioned in this episode: GRIT! 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  ----------- More Resources (FREE! The Habit Factor's Tracking Template) The Habit Factor® (website: BLOG, tips, tools and other resources) The Habit Factor® Book (Amazon Kindle) The Pressure Paradox® Book (Amazon Kindle)

“I presented this idea to the executives at Capitol Records and they kinda just laughed me out of the building...” ~Evan Saxon After a funny and bizarre episode open... where Martin says, “I’m not even going to edit that!” the two settle in and get to the business at hand. Evan shares his bumpy early academic career bouncing between junior colleges and SDSU / Northridge Universities. Ultimately, Evan drops out, as he puts it, "the pursuit of a career got in the way of my pursuit of a degree."
 Consumed by his passion for music and the music industry, Evan got his lucky break starting out as an intern at IRS Records. Then he moved into the marketing division of Capitol Records where he was offered a paid position. "I loved it! I didn't care what time I had to get up or how late I had to work. I was having a great time!"

 Years later, a bit disillusioned by what he saw in multiple executive meetings — fighting the status quo “losing control vs. taking control” as Evan puts it, he realized it was time to move

"Anything other than a win/win is, ultimately, a lose/lose." ~Dr. Stephen Covey Quick question: Are you really a "big-pie" person or are you concerned that if someone takes a piece of the pie there won't be anything left for you? Which are you? BIG PIE or SMALL PIE? MG and HE get right to business and discuss this massive mental shift. Martin confesses that growing up with a very competitive mindset his early entrepreneurial struggles were exacerbated by thinking to win someone else had to lose. "One of the key lessons for me", Martin shares, "Is this idea of big pie vs small pie mentality and how there could, and should be multiple winners." The idea Covey shared changed how I negotiated and treated everyone; employees, vendors and customers etc. Henry comments that in the movie "Wall Street" Gecko's claim that "It's a zero-sum game: somebody wins, somebody loses." is just plan wrong! They talk about all the examples of businesses and owners who've given away ownership and stock within their companies to f

Rapport! The value of rapport is truly incalculable. Relationships (excuse the cliche) are everything! And, some people seem to have much more success establishing it than others.  Martin shares a story as he witnessed his mentor and business partner establish instant rapport with a new client prospect and then MG challenges Henry to offer up the goods because, like his partner, Henry is a master of this. Henry shares his best tips including the essence of rapport in many ways is to be MORE INTERESTED in others and put less effort and focus in yourself, trying to be interesting. Check it out and learn some other great tips on building rapport! Be sure to subscribe! Thank YOU for checking out this episode and we're always grateful when you SHARE our stuff w/ your friends and help us by writing a review ; ) Mentioned in this episode: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  ----------- More Resources (FREE! The Habit Factor's Tracking Template) The Habit Factor® (website: BLOG, tips, tools and other resources) The

“Lying in that hospital bed... I did a lot of soul searching...if I'm dying, am I the man I wanted to be?” ~John Lingham Few people truly represent the American dream like John Lingham: Paying his own way through college while working as a busboy, and then ultimately becoming the owner of not one, but two restaurants. Today John Lingham has approximately 100 employees and is recognized throughout his community for his charitable giving. The lessons John shares are many and the road hasn't been easy, but John continued to seek and learn, adapt and overcome, despite the many difficulties. John then takes us inside a recent health scare/medical emergency he experienced as a side effect of medication for a skin rash. The experience left him helpless, with a white blood cell count of zero. He would spend 10 days tied to an IV that was keeping him alive. While the experience nearly killed him, he also shares how it provided many amazing insights about himself and the life he wants to live going forward. MG and John

"If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster." ~Clint Eastwood Martin kicks off this episode with his GTR, (good things report) what he believes might just be a great trick to help him remember names. Henry's GTR is about his recent trip to the desert with the family to see the amazing desert bloom. The spring flowers are flourishing as a result of the recent and heavy rainfall in California. Jumping into today's topic; "Staying on your toes" they both share how easy it is to fall back into "comfort" and "security". To become complacent and then before one realizes it they are "playing" defense" and have fallen back into "protection mode" rather than pushing forward and continuing to learn and challenge themselves. It's easy to fall back on your heels, become tentative, hesitant and insecure. And, Henry and MG use the old sports analogy that is almost cliche these days. That of the football team with a big lead who will go into a "Prevent Defense". If you saw the most recent Superbowl many contend that is precis

"How can I be more proactive?" MG and HE tackle this powerful and common question from a number of vantage points, starting with the late, great Dr. Stephen Covey and his all-important "Effectiveness Quadrant". Martin shares that by drawing out this diagram yourself it can provide a very basic and visual framework for anyone to organize those things in their life that are IMPORTANT but NOT urgent. And, addressing those consistently is the KEY to effectiveness. The challenge for most of us is that we spend so much time in the "URGENT" and "IMPORTANT" quadrant, which is Quadrant #1. And ultimately, we begin to confuse "busyness" for effectiveness and then, unfortunately the really import work we need to be addressing is neglected. Henry uses the example of personal goals and how it is that we must be able to add a sense of urgency to those projects that are most important to us but lack a sense of urgency. Then both MG and HE get into various techniques, strategies and tools to use to help anyone be more proact

“It begins with making sure your audience knows WHY they should care in the first place.” ~Fia Fasbinder It appears as though Fia's entire career was leading her towards her current vocation, a professional speaking coach. After years in New York working as a trained actor she began working with the 52nd street playhouse which taught arts, dance and theater to inner-city youth in Harlem. Then, with her masters she began teaching at UCSD and was asked to help develop their public speaking curriculum. Today, Fia is a regular columnist for Inc. magazine online and she runs her company, The Moxie Institute which is a powerful resource for businesses and executives looking to become better speakers. In this episode Fia recounts her natural progression to her current career and covers all those natural challenges most speakers share, including how evolution has us wired to naturally fear public speaking. Then of course, Fia shares some great tips about how we can address and overcome those fears. Check out this fun