A Little Bit Easier

A Little Bit Easier

By Pamela Lund and Sarah LangEducationSelf-Improvement
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A Little Bit Easier episodes

  • Public Speaking Tips

    As a follow up to the last episode on Permission to Speak by Samara Bay, Pam and Sarah discuss tips for public speaking and using your voice effectively.

    They emphasize the importance of investigating your stories about speaking so you can change your personal narrative and suggest building confidence by focusing on past successes.

    Takeaways

    • Change the narrative around speaking and focus on past successes to build confidence.
    • Connect with the audience and speak with passion and emotion.
    • Modulate your pitch to add impact to your message.
    • Thoroughly prepare and practice to deliver a more impactful presentation.
    • Stay connected with the audience throughout the presentation.
      • 39 min
    • Book Club | Permission To Speak by Samara Bay

      In this episode, Pam and Sarah discuss the book 'Permission to Speak: How to Change What Power Sounds Like Starting With You' by Samara Bay.

      They explore topics such as developing confidence in speaking, expanding the definition of public speaking, the influence of pitch and voice perception, accepting and appreciating your voice, managing emotion while speaking, the power dynamics of speaking up, connecting with your audience and message, challenging traditional male standards, and reframing apologizing and offense.
      They also discuss the importance of authenticity, taking up space, and using your voice as a tool to have a greater impact. The conversation explores the importance of emotional connection and the need for leaders to develop emotional intelligence. It also delves into the perception of female leaders and the false ideal of a non-emotional, disconnected leader. The discussion highlights the idea that using your voice as a tool is not inauthentic, but rather a way to achieve your goals.
      The conversation concludes with a recommendation for the book and a preview of an upcoming episode on tips for speaking.
      Takeaways
      Developing confidence in speaking is valuable for anyone, not just those interested in public speaking.
      Authenticity and emotional connection are important in communication skills.
      Recording and listening to your voice can help you become more comfortable with it.
      Challenging traditional male standards and biases is necessary for personal growth and empowerment.
      Taking up space and using your voice as a tool can have a greater impact on your audience. Developing emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership.
      The perception of female leaders is often influenced by biases and stereotypes.
      Using your voice as a tool to achieve your goals is not inauthentic.
      Your voice is unique and can be celebrated while also evolving and growing.

      52 min
    • End of Year Musings and New Year Advice

      Links mentioned:

      NYT article about cost of subscriptions: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/opinion/subscriptions-netflix-apple-cost.html
      Box breathing demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7uQXDkxEtM
      In this episode rather than having one large topic to discuss, Pam and Sarah have a free flowing conversation about changes they're working on making in the new year and advice for listeners. Also, Sarah shows her coaching ability by skillfully calling out when Pam's need for control shows up repeatedly.
      They discuss various topics related to mindfulness, meditation, budgeting, starting new things, and practicing generosity. They share insights and personal experiences, debunk misconceptions, and provide practical advice. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being present and embracing imperfection. They encourage listeners to start taking action, whether it's through small moments of mindfulness, canceling unnecessary subscriptions, or practicing generosity and kindness in daily life.
      Finally, Pam and Sarah discuss the importance of compliments and vulnerability in building connections. They discuss how bizarre it is that it feels so vulnerable to give compliments or share heartfelt sentiment. The conversation highlights the power of accepting compliments gracefully and using them as an opportunity to connect with others. It also emphasizes the practice of giving without expecting anything in return.
      Takeaways
      Practice mindfulness and meditation to cultivate awareness and separate thoughts from oneself.
      Rather than trying to go on a restrictive budget in the new year, just start tracking your spending.
      Start doing the things you want to do without overthinking or seeking perfection.
      Practice generosity and kindness in daily life to bring joy and make a positive impact.
      Compliments can create strong connections between people when they are acknowledged and appreciated.
      Giving without expecting anything in return can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and connection.

      43 min
    • New Year Planning and Intention Setting

      Download the New Year Intention Setting Guide at https://www.sarahlang.ca/workbook

      Watch A Little Bit Easier Episode 10 Embracing, Encouraging, and Celebrating Change for the conversation about quitting things that we mention in this episode.
      In this conversation, Pam and Sarah discuss the process of reflecting on the past year and planning for the new year. They introduce a workbook that helps individuals set intentions and create a vision for the upcoming year. The workbook encourages reflection on monthly highlights and analysis of lessons learned. It also guides individuals in setting intentions for different areas of their lives, such as work, home, health, and personal growth. The importance of self-honoring boundaries and the power of intentions in daily life are emphasized. The conversation concludes with the reminder that intentions can be changed as needed. The conversation concludes with final thoughts and reflections on the workbook. The importance of revisiting and maintaining goals is discussed, along with various methods for doing so. The chapter ends with a reminder to take time for oneself and the significance of self-awareness in creating meaningful change.
      Takeaways
      Reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the new year can provide valuable insights and guide personal growth.
      Self-honoring boundaries are essential for maintaining focus and prioritizing what is important.
      Intentions serve as guiding principles and perspectives that shape actions and mindset.
      Intentions can be practiced daily and integrated into various aspects of life.
      Intentions can be reevaluated and changed as needed to align with personal growth and evolving priorities. Write down any intentions and connections that come to mind after completing the workbook.
      Revisit goals on a monthly or quarterly basis to stay accountable.
      Keep your intention handy and consider incorporating it into your calendar or vision board.
      Taking time for yourself and engaging in self-care is an act of self-love and sets the foundation for meaningful change.

      44 min
    • Book Club | Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (Part 2)

      In this episode, Sarah and Pam discuss Part 2 of Four Thousand Weeks Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.

      If you haven't read the book, we highly recommend it but you can listen before you read it.
      If you have read it, listen then leave us a comment about your big takeaways.
      Get a full transcript at easiershow.com

      44 min
    • Book Club | Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (Part 1)

      In this episode, Sarah and Pam discuss Part 1 of Four Thousand Weeks Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.

      If you haven't read the book, we highly recommend it but you can listen before you read it.
      If you have read it, listen then leave us a comment about your big takeaways.
      Get a full transcript at easiershow.com

      57 min
    • Why Asking for Help is So Hard and How to Get Better At It

      In this episode, Sarah and Pam discuss:


      Why asking for help is so important

      How developing the skill of asking for help makes life better and easier

      That asking for help is a leadership concept

      That asking for help is a core competency that we should all work on

      The myriad reasons asking for help is so hard

      How being a pleaser intersects with difficulty asking for help

      The irrational desire to "clean up" the problem before asking for help

      How perfectionism prevents people from getting help

      How socialization impacts our willingness to ask for help

      That just because help didn't work before that doesn't mean it won't in the future

      Staying committed to getting yourself the support you need


      Taking small bits of helpBeing active in receiving help

      Developing your communication skills

      Practicing asking for help

      Using tracking to see the impact of getting help

      Being open to help that looks different than you expected


      Visit easiershow.com for a full transcript.

      42 min
    • Processes, Habits, and Other Ways to Create Space

      In this episode, Sarah and Pam discuss:


      Using technology (or not) to make processes easier

      The benefits of processing mundane things

      Freeing up time for more meaningful activities

      How processes and habits anchor your day in healthy choices

      Pam's weird breakfast and Sarah's totally normal breakfast

      Meal planning recommendations

      Deciding what's realistic for you

      Reframing the thought that processes are boring

      How having kids affected Sarah's cooking routine

      Pam's journey from being a very messy person to being more organized

      The importance of decluttering as an ongoing effort

      Being intentional about what material things you bring into your house

      The difference between Pam's organizational strategies and Sarah's given their very different lives

      The freedom that comes from using a budget

      Being able to make work decisions that aren't just about money

      Small changes Pam made in managing her money that made a huge difference

      Recommendations for menu planning (Paprika app) and budgeting (YNAB app)

      Sarah's life changing spice drawer reorganization

      Pre-booking appointments to create structure for your schedule

      Why processes and systems have to be fun and easy

      Adapting and changing your processes to make them work for you at every stage of life


      Visit easiershow.com for a full transcript.

      51 min
    • Embracing, Encouraging, and Celebrating Change

      In this episode, Sarah and Pam discuss:

      The paradox of wanting change while wanting things to stay the same

      Why change is so hard

      How confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance prevent change

      How resistance to change is related to our inherent need for safety and security

      A powerful question to ask yourself if you're resisting change

      How being flexible and open to new information and ideas can make growth easier

      How reflecting on who you were 10 years ago can help you become the person you want to be next

      How societal and group pressures can hold you back from making changes and how they can help change stick

      Using reframing to think about change as a powerful positive

      Thinking about successful change as necessary evolution

      How making other people feel comfortable changing helps you feel confident about making changes

      How tracking the changes you've made reinforces your ability to make more changes

      Using your journal to see how much you've changed

      Seeking evidence that is contrary to your belief to create opportunities for growth

      Embracing that you could be wrong

      How holding opinions lightly can improve your communication and relationships


      Visit easiershow.com for a full transcript.

      42 min

    About A Little Bit Easier

    From the publisher's feed

    A Little Bit Easier is a video series by Sarah Lang and Pamela Lund. They met when Pam nearly had a work anxiety-driven breakdown and hired Sarah to coach her through it.