Joy and success are exactly tied together."

- Kevin Surace

In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian welcomes Kevin Surace, a Silicon Valley innovator, entrepreneur, and futurist. Kevin delves into his intriguing concept of the "Joy Success Cycle." He challenges traditional views of success and demonstrates how moments of joy throughout the day can significantly enhance our success potential by maintaining an open and flexible mindset.

Ana and Kevin explore how the integration of joy into daily tasks not only prevents burnout but enhances productivity. Kevin shares illuminating insights from his forthcoming book, encouraging listeners to rethink their day-to-day approach by focusing on positivity and eliminating "joy killers."

Together, they also navigate the intersection of joy and Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting how technology can complement human potential rather than incite fear. Kevin provides a fresh perspective on how AI can increase productivity and grant us the luxury to engage more strategically with our work tasks and personal lives.

Whether you're grappling with the rapid changes introduced by AI or simply searching for a more joyful approach to daily tasks, this episode demonstrates how mindset shifts can create significant impact.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:00 Introduction to Joy and Success

00:53 Meet Kevin Surace: Innovator and Futurist

01:22 The Joy-Success Cycle Explained

02:21 Practical Applications of Joy in Daily Tasks

03:30 The Positive Quotient Concept

10:42 Mindfulness and Joy

14:36 Generative AI and Its Impact on Joy and Success

23:40 Exercises to Cultivate Joy

30:01 Conclusion and Resources

About The Guest

Kevin Surace is the father of the Virtual Assistant and a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, and futurist. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, featured for 5 years on TechTV’s Silicon Spin, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. He has 94 worldwide patents and led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone (AirCommunicator), the first human-like AI virtual assistant (Portico), soundproof drywall, high R-value windows, AI-driven building management, Generative AI for QA automation, supply-chain auctions, and the window/energy retrofits of the Empire State Building and NY Stock Exchange.

Connect with:

Linkedin.com/in/ksurace

KevinSurace.com

Resources on Mindfulness:

Building the Mindfulness Muscle: Stephen Schettini's Practical Approach

Be More Intentional With Your Attention

A Touch of Madness, AI, and Mindfulness with Larry Kasanoff

Decluttering Your Mind with Harriet Stein

Related Content:

Expand What’s Possible

What you do not wanna do is just copy and paste AI's outputs."

- Andy O'Bryan

In this episode, host Ana Melikian welcomes Andy O'Bryan, a pioneer in AI-enhanced copywriting, to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in the business world. Andy shares his initial apprehensions and eventual embrace of AI technologies like ChatGPT, offering listeners insights into leveraging these tools while maintaining authenticity and humanity in content creation.

Ana and Andy delve into the "humanizers movement," highlighting the importance of showcasing vulnerability and personal stories to stand out in a marketplace saturated with AI-generated content. They emphasize the need for balance, urging creators to avoid over-reliance on AI, thereby ensuring their unique creative voices remain vibrant and influential.

The discussion also covers how AI can serve as a powerful ally in brainstorming and enhancing productivity, providing a nuanced approach to incorporating AI into daily workflows. By engaging and iterating with AI, content creators can develop more resonant and meaningful messages.

Listen in to discover how you can ride the AI wave effectively, enrich your messaging, and use AI as a force for good in your business endeavors.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:00 Introduction: Navigating the AI Era

01:07 Meet Andy O'Brien: AI Copywriting Pioneer

01:54 Embracing AI: From Fear to Flourishing

03:39 The Humanizers Movement: A New Approach

04:56 Riding the AI Wave: Strategies for Success

06:47 The Power of Human Connection in AI

09:55 Creative Collaboration with AI

15:48 Avoiding AI Dependence: Staying Creative

24:03 The Humanizers Book: Breathing Life Into AI Content

27:23 Conclusion: Embrace and Humanize AI

About The Guest

Andy O’Bryan is a pioneer in the field of AI-enhanced copywriting and the driving force behind The Humanizers movement. With a writing career spanning over two decades, Andy has helped thousands of solopreneurs, coaches, and marketers transform their content through a unique approach that blends empathy, creativity, and cutting-edge AI tools.

As the author of the acclaimed, bestselling book The Humanizers and the co-founder of the AI Success Club, Andy empowers businesses to unlock AI’s potential while staying authentically human. Before diving into AI-driven content strategies, Andy built a thriving career in copywriting, specializing in making high-converting sales copy feel personal and relatable. He’s since evolved into an author and trainer, showcasing how humanization in marketing can not only increase conversions but also build deeper connections with audiences.

Passionate about creativity and personal development, Andy O’Bryan believes that AI, when used thoughtfully, can amplify human ingenuity rather than replace it. When he’s not crafting content or developing new frameworks, Andy enjoys inspiring others through his Substack newsletter, YouTube channel, and live workshops.

Connect with:

Linkedin.com/in/andyobryan

andyobryan.com

Resources:

Book: The Humanizers: Breathing Life Into AI-Generated Content by Andy O'Bryan

Substack: thehumanizers.substack.com

Related Content:

Expand What’s Possible

Clutter is Postponed Decisions®"

- Barbara Hamphill

In this episode of Mindset Zone, Ana Melikian dives into the art of organizing with two special guests, Barbara Hemphill and Andrea Anderson, from the Productive Environment Institute. Barbara, a pioneer in the organizing industry, shares insights from her extensive experience in helping individuals and businesses clear the clutter for over forty years. Together, they unravel the common misconceptions about getting organized and emphasize the importance of having a clear vision to drive productivity.

Ana and her guests discuss the intriguing philosophy that "clutter is postponed decisions®," unveiling how our physical, digital, and mental environments are interconnected. Barbara and Andrea introduce their SOAR methodology (Systemize, Organize by Action or Reference), a flexible system designed to meet people where they are in their journey toward a clutter-free life.

Explore the balance of structure and flexibility within the organizing process, and learn how transformative decluttering can be for personal development. The conversation highlights the role of decision making, emotional attachment to clutter, and how even mental clutter can hinder our progress.

Join Ana, Barbara, and Andrea as they share their wisdom on how to embrace an experimental mindset, clear the chaos, and create a productive environment that supports both work and life.

dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:00 Introduction: The Power of a Big Why

00:23 Meet the Hosts and Guests

01:26 Common Misconceptions About Organization

03:22 The Importance of Environment

04:38 Mental Clutter and Vision Clarity

09:08 Systemizing and Organizing Information

11:07 The SOAR Method Explained

13:48 Practical Applications and Client Stories

21:01 Comparing Organizational Systems

24:55 The Power of Community and Accountability

28:47 Conclusion and Resources

About The Guests

Barbara Hemphill is a pioneer in the organizing & productivity industry. She is passionate about helping leaders organize their time, space and information so they can accomplish their work, enjoy their life, and leave a legacy that matters. 

Barbara started her career in 1978 with a $7 ad in a New York City newspaper. Today, her expertise is delivered by a team of Certified Productive Environment Specialists™ around the world.She has authored multiple bestselling books including Taming the Paper Tiger, Less Clutter More Life, and Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever.

Andrea Anderson, CEO of Productive Environment Institute, began her career as an in-home family counselor. While counseling was fulfilling, Andrea noticed a recurring challenge: families (and colleagues!) struggled with managing their time, space, and information. This realization sparked her passion for creating organizational systems that simplify life and work.

In 2008, Andrea partnered with Barbara Hemphill to co-found Productive Environment Institute. Together, they train, certify, and mentor Productive Environment Specialists™ worldwide, equipping them to help clients organize their time, space, and information so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives.

Connect with:

Linkedin.com/in/barbarahemphill

Linkedin.com/in/andreaganderson/

Resources:

Youtube.com/@productiveenvironment

Productive Environment Institute WEBINAR

Get Your Productive Environment Score™ HERE

Related Content:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1ByD1Pdyuc

Expand What’s Possible

The function of mindfulness is to expose your own reactivity so that it's no longer unconscious so that you see it."

- Stephen Schettini

In this episode, Ana Melikian sits down with former Buddhist monk turned author, coach, and teacher, Stephen Schettini, to delve deep into the practice of mindfulness. Stephen, who spent eight years as a Buddhist monk, shares his journey and insights on how mindfulness is not about adopting Eastern traditions but recognizing it as a natural human function.

Ana and Stephen explore how cultivating a mindfulness practice can introduce critical pauses between stimulus and response, allowing us to choose more intentional responses. They discuss the idea that every small step and consistent practice contribute to a greater transformative experience, much like gradually heating water until it boils.

Stephen also talks about his approach to teaching mindfulness, emphasizing the need for regular practice and the invaluable micro moments of mindfulness in our daily lives.

Join Ana and Stephen as they unpack the many layers of mindfulness and its profound impact on self-awareness and personal growth.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness

00:31 Meet Our Host and Guest

01:49 The Concept of Wishful Thinking

03:00 Imagination and Ego

05:51 The Journey to Mindfulness

13:28 Hope and Expectations

17:30 The Practice of Mindfulness

23:59 Forgiveness and Persistence

28:38 Mindfulness Live Program

32:35 Conclusion and Resources

Guest

Stephen Schettini (pronounced skettini), known as “The Inner Monk,” is a former Buddhist monk and present-day mindfulness teacher. For Stephen, stress-reduction is just the beginning. His greater interest lies in the integration of traditional Buddhist insights with modern mindfulness practices. His goals are enhanced self-awareness, greater emotional intelligence and deep commitment to personal growth.

Stephen’s memoir is, "The Novice: How I Became a Buddhist Monk, Why I Quit and What I Learned," and his guide to mindful reflection is entitled “It Begins with Silence.”

Currently residing outside Montreal with his wife, step-daughter, and two cats, Stephen continues to share his expertise and his stories with anyone who is committed to exploring and enhancing their inner self and their place in the world.

Connect with Stephen Schettini:

Schettini.com

LInkedIn Profile

Resources:

Mindfulnesslive.ca

Finding Your Inner Monk | Stephen Schettini | TEDx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHh6BsBtVTQ

Related Content:

Decluttering Your Mind with Harriet Stein

Expand What’s Possible

No man ever steps in the same river twice for it's not the same river and it's not the same man."

- Heraclitus

In this episode, Ana Melikian takes us on a philosophical journey through the concept of change and how it shapes our mindsets and our world. Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the MINDSET ZONE, Ana delves into ancient Greek philosophy to explore varying perspectives on change.

Is change an illusion, as some philosophers argue, or is it a constant flow, as suggested by others? Ana introduces us to fascinating philosophical debates involving figures like Perimenides and Heraclitus—the former believing nothing truly changes and the latter asserting that everything is in constant flux.

However, Ana doesn't stop there. She highlights the intriguing middle ground proposed by philosopher Empedocles, who suggested that both perspectives are valid. Drawing from this idea, Ana inspires listeners to transcend seeming contradictions in their own lives. By creatively mixing our strengths and weaknesses like an artist blends colors, we can transform our mindsets and achieve our desired outcomes.

Gain fresh insights into the nature of change and discover practical ways to apply these age-old philosophies to your modern life. It's a thought-provoking episode that promises to expand what's possible for you.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction

01:15 The Philosophy of Change

02:32 Ancient Philosophers on Change

04:54 Heraclitus and the Concept of Constant Change

07:30 Empedocles' Third Option

09:49 Applying Philosophical Ideas to Personal Change

11:34 Conclusion and Resources

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Original show notes.

Related Episodes:

Why Change is So Hard: Practical Steps for Lasting Transformation

Embracing Relapse: Lessons on Change and Growth

Expand What’s Possible!

Knowing that relapse is common and even a part of the change process helps you move forward."

- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, delves into the complexities of learning and change, especially how we can learn from our mistakes and missteps. Ana highlights an error she made on the show regarding the stages of change as conceptualized by psychologists Prochaska, Norcross, and DiClemente, and uses it as a teaching moment to underline the importance of embracing imperfection.

Ana revisits the six stages of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and recycling (learning from relapse), clarifying the sixth stage. She emphasizes that relapse is a natural part of change and can be a powerful learning opportunity.

Through personal anecdotes and references to past episodes, Ana encourages listeners to build resilience to failure. She discusses the importance of seeing relapse as an inevitable part of the journey towards lasting change and urges everyone to keep pushing forward despite setbacks.

Ana concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect on how these concepts can be applied in their lives to foster personal growth and positive transformation.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Celebrating 10 Years of Mindset Zone

01:20 Learning from Mistakes

03:42 The Six Stages of Change

06:13 Lessons from Relapse

08:14 Building Failure Resilience

10:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively by James O. Prochaska, John Norcross, Carlo DiClemente

Original show notes.

Related Episodes:

Why Change is So Hard: Practical Steps for Lasting Transformation

Stop Changing – Start Shifting (with Whitney Hutten)

Getting a NO can be your best goal (with Andrea Waltz)

Courage To Be Imperfect

Expand What’s Possible!

Starting to understand why it's so difficult to change and maybe understanding how the change process works really can help you achieve your goals."

- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, Ana Melikian delves into the complexities of the change process and why achieving personal change can be so challenging. As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the MINDSET ZONE® podcast, Ana revisits an enlightening episode recorded in 2015 that remains as relevant as ever.

Ana discusses how the intricacies of change are often misunderstood, causing many to give up on their goals prematurely. She introduces a psychological model from the 1990s developed by Prochaska, Norcross, and DiClemente that outlines a process for successful change.

Highlighting that this process is far from linear, Ana underscores the importance of persistence and the inevitable setbacks that are part of the journey. She also emphasizes the value of a supportive community to make the change process smoother and even enjoyable.

Whether you're aiming to break a bad habit or adopt a new, healthier one, understanding this change model can provide the roadmap you need for sustainable success.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction and Motivation for Change

01:05 Celebrating 10 Years of Mindset Zone Podcast

01:46 Reflecting on New Year Resolutions

03:43 Understanding the Change Process

05:41 The Five Stages of Change

10:00 Applying the Change Model to Real Life

11:31 Maintaining New Habits

16:10 Changing Mindsets

18:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively by James O. Prochaska, John Norcross, Carlo DiClemente

Original show notes.

Related Episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!

When we are banging our head against the wall, one of the best strategies is just going for a walk."

- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, Andrea Anderson and Barbara Hemphill interview Ana Melikian about strategies for achieving lasting change. Drawing from her 10-year experience with the Mindset Zone podcast, Ana emphasizes that while mindset shifts are crucial, they are just one piece of the transformation puzzle.

To truly transform, Ana introduces a triangle framework that encompasses thoughts, feelings, and actions, all interlinked. She emphasizes self-awareness through exploration, encouraging simple practices like paying attention to one's breath.

Ana, with her background in psychology, shares her journey and unveils her PIE Method®, which involves creating intentional pauses to foster thoughtful responses over knee-jerk reactions.

Ana advocates for the power of pausing and categorizes this into macro, scheduled, and micro pauses, each serving a strategic purpose in fostering intentional and meaningful responses.

The episode concludes with a compelling discussion on embracing experimentation and celebrating small wins, emphasizing that failures are stepping stones to success.

Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation that promises to enhance your approach to personal growth and reduce burnout.

Let's dive in!

***This episode is rebroadcast here at the MINDSET ZONE® with consent from Andrea Anderson and Barbara Hemphill, the hosts of the PEP Talk! Productivity Environment Podcast.

The Power of Pause

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

09:49 The PIE Method: Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, Embrace Experimentation

14:11 Practical Applications and Examples

27:51 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Related episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!

Every day is a new restart, and that sleep before that can help us rest and reset and restore."

-Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, delves into the concept of restarting and the importance of embracing new beginnings. She discusses how each New Year represents a fresh start, but emphasizes that we shouldn't wait for calendar milestones to hit the restart button in our lives.

Ana touches on various cultural and personal markers of restarts, such as significant life events like moving to a new country or a major health diagnosis, and even daily routines. She highlights the importance of taking moments to pause, reflect, and reset often.

Ana encourages listeners to use these moments to clear clutter—both physical, mental, and digital—and to focus on what's truly important, including setting intentions and pursuing lifelong learning. She shares her personal examples and perspectives, aiming to inspire others to create their moments of pause and intentionally restart whenever necessary.

Ana advocates for daily resets and how essential rest is for personal and professional growth. The episode wraps up with an invitation to leverage these restarts to enrich our lives.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:43 The Concept of Restart

01:53 Collective and Personal Restarts

03:08 Macro Restarts in Life

03:56 Embracing Regular Restarts

05:12 Creating Moments to Pause and Reflect

06:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

07:30 Closing Remarks and Resources

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Connect with:

Ana on LinkedIn

Related episodes:

Expand What’s Possible

Technology is like the great disruptor or the great amplifier."

-Nick Potkalitsky

In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, is joined by Nick Potkalitsky to delve into the multifaceted world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. They discuss the current challenges students face with AI, often due to a lack of proper mental frameworks and critical evaluation skills.

Nick underscores the necessity for a shift in educational curricula to help students develop new mental frameworks to effectively work with AI. He discusses the works of experts like Ethan Mollik and how AI interaction requires an understanding of creative and conversational nuances.

The discussion highlights the significance of AI literacy and ethical considerations, exploring how human expertise remains essential even as AI plays a larger role in educational settings. They also mention practical tools like Khan Academy's Khanmigo, which offers personalized tutoring, potentially revolutionizing student learning experiences.

Ana and Nick dive deep into the concept of human-AI collaboration, emphasizing that high-quality AI-generated outputs require substantial human input. They discuss the importance of maintaining the relevance of traditional skills such as writing, and the challenges of integrating AI into educational systems without leading to burnout for educators.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE:

00:59 Guest Introduction: Nick Pokalitzky

01:58 Initial Reactions to ChatGPT in Education

04:17 Adapting Teaching Methods for AI

05:57 The Role of Writing in Learning

07:56 AI as an Augmentation Tool

09:59 Challenges and Opportunities with AI in Education

14:19 Future of AI in Education

19:03 Balancing Technology and Humanity

27:06 Environmental Impact of AI

28:17 Conclusion and Resources

Guest

Nick Potkalitsky, Ph.D., is the Founder and CEO of Pragmatic AI Solutions and author of AI in Education: A Roadmap for a Teacher-Led Transformation. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he is a scholar of media, communications, and rhetoric. He is author and editor of the Substack Educating AI and the LinkedIn newsletter Pragmatic AI Educator. An impactful keynote speaker and innovative instructional designer, Nick specializes in AI training for K–16 educators and is the creator of Pragmatic AI online courses. Reach out for a free consultation. Nick partners with school districts and companies to develop customized AI implementation strategies that align with their unique goals and needs.

Connect with Nick Potkalitsky:

Pragmatic AI Solutions: https://pragmaticaisolutions.com/

Pragmatic AI Online Courses: https://pragmaticaicommunity.sutra.co

Educating AI Substack: https://nickpotkalitsky.substack.com/

Pragmatic AI Educator Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7152688575652765697/

LInkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-potkalitsky-phd-0313ba126/

Other Resources Mentioned:

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick

Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing) by Salman Khan

Related Content:

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