Goal Tending

In this episode, Will Bland and Michael Miller discuss the

Key Points

* The journey of personal growth often begins with adversity.

* Community support plays a crucial role in overcoming challenges.

* Mental health awareness is essential for personal development.

* Creating something beautiful from pain can inspire others.

* Peer support is a powerful tool for healing and growth.

* Family dynamics significantly influence personal development.

* Leadership can emerge from personal struggles and experiences.

* It's important to recognize and address roadblocks in helping others.

* Nonprofits can bridge gaps in access to mental health services.

* The mission of Growing Bridges focuses on family-centered mentorship.

* Break Cycles. Teach Disciples.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Michael Miller's Early Life and Challenges

10:04 The Role of Community and Personal Growth

18:22 The Birth of Growing Bridges

26:29 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com 

https://growingbridges.org/

2024 was filled with success and tons of learning opportunities. In this episode, Will shares some of his setbacks and what he learned from them to help you find takeaways from your journey. We also dive into celebrating personal development, and planning for future growth. Then we highlight some of our favorite clips from 2024 to give you some of the best tips and motivation going into the New Year. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Reviewing and refining requires a hard look in the mirror to build awareness

*Don’t make excuses

*If you fall short on a goal, identify if you still want that goal and if you do then adjust your plan as needed to get there

*Reflect on and celebrate your gains and accomplishments

*Ask yourself how you are developing your skills

*Find different ways to grow through certifications, traditional education, seminars, conferences, and from experience

*Appreciate what the year brought you and get ready for what is to come

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:53 Hard Look in the Mirror

03:20 Learning from Shortcomings

06:30 Celebrate Your Accomplishments

10:24 How do You Want to Grow

13:28 2024 Recap

32:13 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com

The fulfillment you find in life is directly impacted by the areas of your life you choose to cultivate.  In this episode podcast host and media production professional, Dave Carroll, joins the conversation to share his story of being cultivated by faith. We discuss mental health, entrepreneurship, and being backed by faith in this engaging discussion. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Don’t be afraid of putting things out in the universe and working to let them manifest

* Listen to the universe to find your calling

*Identify what you find fulfillment from in your life and find ways to do that more

*What is the next right step you can take?

*Find what makes sense for you when it comes to work and hobbies to feel fulfilled

*Are you willing to pay the cost for what you want?

*Manage your calendar well to prioritize the things that matter most to you in life

*Learn to say no to opportunities if they conflict with higher priorities

*Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, and ask to learn from experts in your field

*If you don’t know what your priorities are, you can’t prioritize well

*Keep your eyes on the lord to maintain the right priorities for you

*Use your lessons learned to help impact the lives of others

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:23 Where does your journey begin

10:08 Is this your calling?

18:32 Recognizing Panic Attacks

27:50 Strategies for prioritizing life

35:06 Lean into your faith

38:14 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com

https://www.instagram.com/cultivus.podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/CultivusPodcast

https://www.facebook.com/onestopmediaky/

With Thanksgiving just ending and the Holiday season in full swing, gratitude is much more prevalent in conversations. The problem is we often forget to continue having conversations and consistently practicing gratitude all year around. This episode dives into the importance of practicing gratitude and the many benefits that come along with it. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Exercise your gratitude muscle consistently

*Challenge your mind to find new things to be thankful for

*Practice gratitude as a habit regardless of how you feel

*Find a WHY among the many benefits of practicing gratitude consistently

*Mental health benefits include Improved mood, reduced stress and anxiety, and decreased risk of depression

*Emotional benefits include enhanced resilience, increased empathy, and stronger self-esteem

*Physical health benefits include better sleep, lower blood pressure, and improved immune function

*Social benefits include stronger relationships, greater connection, and enhanced workplace dynamics

*Cognitive Benefits include Increased focus and boosted creativity

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:12 Gratitude

05:42 Learning about Gratitude

08:53 Why Practice Gratitude

09:37 Mental Health Benefits

11:53 Emotional Benefits

14:01 Physical Health Benefits

16:02 Social Benefits

18:15 Cognitive Benefits

21:04 Closing

Links

What do you want to be remembered for? In this episode the table is turned and Brittney Bland joins the episode to interview Will about his background, goals, inspirations, and overcoming adversity. There are so many outstanding questions and takeaways, along with some vulnerable moments that inspire reflection and growth. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Look to serve something greater than yourself

*You should aim to have a coach at least by college to help with clarifying your goals, and encouraging growth through challenging questions and habit development

*Reflect on who has influenced you and how

*Find someone who you can be your true self around and that makes you want to be better

*It’ll be hard to receive the love you deserve until you are willing to open up and let your guard down

*Clear boundaries are crucial to healthy relationships

*Have friends that you can comfortably say no to

*Age and experience help develop intelligence in managing relationships

*Communication, Listening, and reliability/trust

*Quiet your mind and focus on listening to people instead of thinking about how you want to respond

*Nutrition and fueling performance is one of the most important parts of your fitness journey

*Set new challenges to keep you motivated toward fitness

*Medicine is necessary in some cases, but it isn’t always the answer

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:23 How Would You Introduce Yourself

04:28 What Led You Here

09:40 When to Get a Coach

12:16 3 Biggest Influences

18:31 Changing Views on Love and Family

23:14 Challenges in Relationships

27:39 3 Most Important Things in a Relationship

32:53 Turning Point in Fitness Journey

38:29 Changing Perspective on Mental Health

42:35 Remembered for One Thing

44:00 What Inspires You to Carry On

46:14 Thank You

47:58 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com

Book Recommendations

Anger: Wisom for Cooling the Flames by Thich Nhat Hanh

Were you ever asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In this episode we dive into finding/creating the path to where/who you want to be, and I share a story from my journey about that doubt created by outside influence. We also discuss creating value, and not allowing titles to define you. This is a must listen for helping find fulfillment in your journey. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Think about who you want to be and then take action and accept nothing less.

*Be prepared to overcome the doubt and adjust as needed

*Don’t allow other people’s negative opinions to hold you back from what is meant for you

*Your goals may not always look exactly like you imagined when you reach them, but appreciate them for what they become

*Find your own authentic voice

*You have to believe in you

*You don’t have to be just one thing

*You are more than a title

*Don’t allow other people to plant doubt in your mind

*Your path should look different

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:48 What do you want to be

08:50 Soldier Show

15:48 More than a title

18:15 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com

Are people or environment more important for growth? In this episode we explore that question with 19 year combat veteran, Army National Guard Infantryman, with 4 years of Resilience Training experience. Joey Levesque brings his unique perspective to the conversation to explore resilience, suicide prevention, and the importance of finding your WHY. This is an episode like no other, with profound insight from two adverse backgrounds, and multiple references to all-time greats and resilience experts. The challenge to you is to engage in the comments with your opinion of People or Environment, and why. Come join the conversation and let's grow. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*In certain situations, there is no time to “Hunt the Good stuff” or focus on your emotions

*Changing the way you word something can change the way people think about it

*Significant life event can sometimes help us get over a barrier in our mind, or open our mind to a different way of thinking

*People receive information differently, find different ways to communicate the same concepts to connect to more people

*Relate your authentic human experiences to broader concepts to find relation points and build connection to the content you are sharing

*Environment may have a bigger impact on growth, but it relies on the drive of the person

*You can let your environment change you, or change your environment

*Time and Pressure creates Diamonds, and significantly increase value

*Bravery requires vulnerability

*The responsibility of the sharer is who you’re sharing it with

*The difference between the poor man and the wealthy man is what they do in their off time

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:20 Perception of Resilience

06:00 Resilience in a Fast Paced Life

08:19 Your WHY

17:51 People or Environment?

30:15 The Coffee Bean

36:22 Post Traumatic Growth

44:33 Vulnerability in Resilience

54:02 What You Do in Your Off Time

57:16 Closing

Links and References

https://goalswithwill.com

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/people/martin-ep-seligman

Book Recommendations

Can’t Hurt Me- David Goggins

Never Finished- David Goggins

The Coffee Bean- Damon West

The Change Agent- Damon West

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success- Carol Dweck

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. To raise awareness, in this episode I share my story with suicide and the impact it has had on me. These types of conversations or crucial, because the vast majority of people have come in contact with suicide in one way or another. Please don’t hesitate to seek help is you are struggling. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for help

*Sometimes it feels like you have forever, but that’s not the case

*Don’t wait to reach out to people, or let them know how you feel

*There is no shame in seeking help

*It’s never a bad time to show love or reach out

*Have a “Battle Buddy”

*Lean on the people you know you can trust and that have your back

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:53 Background

04:00 Maybe I Should Reach Out

06:25 The Phone Call

08:22 Next Time Never Came

09:00 Show Love

10:15 Battle Buddy

11:39 Dedication

12:10 Have the Conversation

13:32 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com

https://988lifeline.org/get-help/

https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources/

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. To raise awareness this episode is focused on thinking skills you can practice and building awareness of the way you think in order to train your mind to think differently. It requires consistent practice, but if you can change your mind you can change the world around you. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Good thinking is essential for making better decisions, solving problems effectively, and leading a more fulfilling life

*You don’t control the events that happen in life or your feelings about them, but you do control your thoughts

*Think differently to feel differently

*Cognitive bias makes us hold onto info that supports what we believe and ignores info that doesn’t support it (even if its true)

*Is the way you think the best way to think?

*If it’s not 100% fact, it’s an assumption

*Questioning your thinking opens your mind to more possibilities

*Daily question: What did you receive from others, and what did you give to others?

*Shift and improve your mindset by seeking knowledge

*Have discussions to learn and grow from the experiences and backgrounds of others

*Asking people WHY challenges them to explore deeper why they think what they think

*Find your assumptions and challenge them regularly by seeking opposing view points

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:47 The Way We Think

04:30 Cognitive Bias

06:32 Questioning Assumptions

07:34 Reflective Thinking

10:45 Building Knowledge

13:12 Action Steps

16:25 Closing

Links

I recently volunteered at a Youth Summer Camp. I didn’t know what to expect or prepare for since I haven’t been to a camp since 6th grade, but it ended up being one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things I’ve done in a while. The variety of activities available created lasting memories and fun, but the lessons imparted on everyone in attendance was what truly stood out to me. I enjoyed the conversations so much that I decided to compile some of my favorite lessons from camp in this episode. Come join the conversation and let's grow. This episode is fueled by Prepping with Peppers. Don’t forget to grab the free 5 Step Process to Goal Tending download at https://goalswithwill.com

Key Points

*Things are constantly moving life, and require a certain level of balance

*When you leverage teammates to move up together it makes life a little easier

*Don’t forget to reach back to help others on your way up

*Notice the beauty and positive things around you on the hike of life

*When you find yourself being critical, try looking internally to ask what you can differently

*People respond differently to the same situations

*Learn to recognize fear and act anyway

*It’s harder to do things for yourself or others when you are trying to keep your head above water

*Enjoy the sunny seasons of life, and understand when you have down seasons that the good times will come again

*Build awareness around your mindset during the different seasons of life

*You can take camp with you anywhere, look for the enjoyment and lessons in everything you do

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Volunteering for Camp

03:55 Dangle Duo (Teamwork)

08:15 Hiking (Notice your surroundings)

11:10 Field Games (Look Internally)

17:00 Repel Tower (Facing Fear)

22:16 The Lake (Seasons and staying above water)

27:57 Closing

Links

https://goalswithwill.com