Earned Effort

During this COVID-19 season, we have seen one of the most impactful times we will ever experience in life. We are used to being “busy” all the time, yet this has forced everyone to stay home and slow down. People have lost their jobs, and even worse, people have lost their lives or a loved one. Instead of rushing through the next thing on your to do list, sit down and appreciate the moments with your family and friends. When you are at work, fully be at work and be present. When you’re with your family, focus fully on your family. Our hope is that this time will allow people to slow down and realize the important things to life.

What you do today is who you’ll become tomorrow. Be intentional with everything that you do. When we are on our phones while we are trying to hang out with friends or family, we now have half-assed two things. Make sure that when you are doing something, your full focus is on that and only that. In order to get the best results, we need to do the right things, analyze them, and make changes weekly. 

Hosts: Ryan Gardner and Nik Hall

What were you like in the beginning of 2010 vs. 2020. The days, weeks, months, and years go by quick. Some of us probably remember 10 years ago like it was yesterday. Each and every day is important. Do not wish away the days - be intentional with everything. The results will come with intentionality and persistence. If you are wanting to do something, go all in and do everything possible to make it happen. This year you can either become closer or further from the person you want to be. Make the hard decisions.

Hosts: Ryan Gardner and Nik Hall

Resources:

-“Pursuit For Better” - Mat Fraser [video]

Work has gradually become a place where things are supposed to be crazy. The first question most people ask is, “Did you have a busy week?” Jason Fried does a great job explaining the importance of making sure things are not crazy at work. Working 8 hours a day is enough. Taking true vacations not fakecations. Cutting out the unnecessary meetings. Being 100% focused at work. Having true work life balance. If you are in business, especially a business leader, this is a must read and a must implement.

Change is apt to happen throughout your life. Although we are under the impression that change stops after college and getting married, instead the changes just become unplanned. Change is a constant part of life - in fact, the only constant part of life. 

Change can be good or bad. However, change is almost always stressful. The idea of not knowing what is going to happen causes stress and anxiety. Make sure you have constants in your life. Keep your relationships strong and your hobbies available during these times of stress.

As you go through your day, there will likely be good things that happen along with a couple of bad things. Focus on the good things that happen. When you bring to light the bad things, they get exaggerated and become bigger than they originally were. Remember: is this something that you can control? If you can control it, control it. If you can’t control it, control how you react to it. When something bad happens at work or home, take a break, take a breath, and take a walk to analyze how things can be different next time.

You can learn at least one thing from everyone you meet - whether it is the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a homeless man on the street. Remember, it’s important to learn practices you don’t want to adopt as well as practices you do. Being narrow minded is only going to set you back. Take the time to listen to others and truly understand their situation. Many successful board members explain that they are usually the last to talk and first to listen.

Taking walks has been something that Nik and Ryan have done since an early age. It allows you to clear your mind. When you get a number of tasks at work, a meeting stresses you out, or someone is irritating you - go outside, get some fresh air, and take a walk. Getting your blood flowing and being outside will make a dramatic impact. Make a point to go outside on a walk at least once per day for just five minutes. 

Hosts: Ryan Gardner and Nik Hall

Resources:

-Elevation Church - “I Know How This Story Ends” [sermon]

Connect & Subscribe:

Website: earnedeffort.comInstagram: instagram.com/earnedeffortFacebook: facebook.com/EarnedEffortTwitter: twitter.com/EarnedEffortEmail: [email protected]

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Take a break and breathe. Focusing on your breath allows your brain to receive more oxygen, slowing your heartbeat and enabling you to reset. Taking a reset multiple times per day helps you focus on the important things in life. Take a minute or two every couple hours to stop and focus on your breathing.

Decluttering your mind is an ongoing process that occurs every day. Get away from social media and start spending time with your thoughts. Go for walks and analyze how things are going in your life. While you can practice meditation and intentional breathing daily, it’s important to analyze how certain situations have affected you over the past month, quarter, or year. Every so often, reevaluate your life and where you are. Then take action accordingly.