Rise Above Chaos

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/101

Episode Summary

In this episode, Erick unpacks the powerful role gratitude plays in helping us regain perspective, reduce emotional chaos, and improve the quality of our relationships.

Drawing from personal experience, neuroscience, psychology, and practical life application, Erick explains why gratitude is far more than positive thinking—it's a disciplined way of seeing. When life gets overwhelming, stressful, or emotionally exhausting, gratitude becomes a tool that helps recalibrate your mind, body, and perspective. Erick walks through three key reasons gratitude matters and how intentionally practicing it can literally change your brain, your emotional state, and your relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Gratitude rewires the brain and strengthens emotional resilience.
• Your brain naturally defaults toward negativity unless gratitude interrupts the pattern.
• Gratitude helps reduce stress hormones and regulate the nervous system.
• Perspective changes when you focus on what remains instead of only what is missing.
• Gratitude strengthens relationships and deepens human connection.
• What you consistently look for is what you will eventually find.
• Gratitude is not denial—it is disciplined perspective.

Three Reasons Gratitude Matters 1. Gratitude Rewires the Brain and Improves Mental Health

Gratitude literally changes how your brain processes experiences. When you intentionally focus on what is good, your brain strengthens pathways connected to optimism, emotional regulation, and resilience.

• Scientific Evidence:
• Gratitude activates regions of the brain associated with dopamine production, empathy, and emotional balance.
• Research shows gratitude practices can lower anxiety and depression while increasing resilience and optimism.
• Studies from Indiana University found lasting positive brain activity changes in people who practiced gratitude consistently.
• Practical Takeaway:

Gratitude doesn't deny hardship—it reminds you that hardship is not the whole story.

2. Gratitude Restores Perspective and Reduces Emotional Chaos

When life punches you in the gut, gratitude helps pull you out of emotional tunnel vision. Instead of only focusing on what is wrong, gratitude helps you recognize what is still working, who is still with you, and how far you've already come.

• Scientific Evidence:
• Gratitude practices reduce cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone.
• Gratitude activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping move the body out of fight-or-flight mode.
• Trauma studies show people with higher gratitude levels demonstrate better emotional recovery and resilience.
• Practical Takeaway:

Gratitude restores proportion during adversity. It helps you zoom out and regain perspective.

3. Gratitude Improves Relationships and Human Connection

Gratitude changes how we interact with others. People who feel appreciated trust more, collaborate better, forgive faster, and stay connected longer.

• Scientific Evidence:
• Studies show gratitude increases trust, emotional bonding, and team performance.
• Organizations with gratitude-centered cultures experience lower burnout and higher engagement.
• Relationship research shows gratitude is one of the strongest predictors of long-term relationship satisfaction.
• Practical Takeaway:

People rarely burn out solely from hard work—they burn out from feeling unseen, unappreciated, and disconnected.

Erick's Challenge for You

Think about an area of your life that feels stressful right now:

• a relationship
• work
• school
• family
• your own personal growth

Now ask yourself:

What are three things I appreciate about this situation or person?

When you intentionally shift your focus, you begin changing your emotional state, your perspective, and even your physiology.

Final Thought

Gratitude is not passive positivity. It is a disciplined way of seeing. Because what you consistently look for is often what you eventually find.

Action Item – Think about an area of your life your struggling with and think about three things you are grateful for with that area.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• ID a negative area of your life and focus on three positive things about it

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/100

Episode Summary

In this milestone Episode 100, Erick reflects on the Rise Above Chaos journey and the patterns he's observed after working with thousands of people across the country. This episode is both a mirror and a challenge. Erick shares eight key areas where people consistently get stuck—and candidly admits that he struggles with many of them himself. If you've ever felt like you start strong but lose momentum, this episode will help you identify what's holding you back and how to move forward with clarity and consistency.

Key Takeaways

• Most people jump into tactics before establishing strategy.
• Unspoken expectations are a major source of frustration in relationships.
• Ownership is the foundation of any meaningful change.
• Success is built on boring, repeatable habits—not quick wins.
• Believing in something bigger than yourself creates humility and purpose.
• You must stop beating yourself up to maintain forward momentum.
• Doing less—but better—is the key to real progress.
• Consistency is the ultimate separator between success and stagnation.

The 8 Barriers to Rising Above Chaos

1. Getting Tactical Too Early: Jumping into tasks without clarity on your why, vision, and goals leads to misalignment.
2. Failing to Manage Expectations: Unclear expectations damage relationships and create unnecessary friction.
3. Lack of Ownership: Growth begins when you take responsibility for your current situation.
4. Avoiding the Boring Work: Daily habits like reading, planning, and exercising are the real drivers of success.
5. No Higher Purpose: Belief in something bigger than yourself fosters humility and long-term commitment.
6. Beating Yourself Up: Perfectionism and guilt kill momentum—progress requires grace and resilience.
7. Doing Too Much: Overcommitment leads to overwhelm. Focus on fewer, higher-impact priorities.
8. Lack of Consistency: Starting strong is easy—finishing strong is rare. Consistency compounds results.

Why This Matters

The Rise Above Chaos system is simple—but not easy. These eight barriers are the most common reasons people stall out. Awareness is the first step. Once you identify where you're getting stuck, you can begin to correct course and build momentum again.

Practical Challenge

Ask yourself:

• Which of these 8 areas is holding me back right now?
• Where am I avoiding the work I know I need to do?
• What is ONE adjustment I can make today?

Then commit to one small, consistent action that moves you forward.

Final Thought

You don't need to be perfect—you need to be consistent. The journey to rise above chaos isn't about getting it right every time. It's about recognizing when you're off track and having the discipline to get back on.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Focus on one area you can change

Show notes: erickrheam.com/099

Episode Summary

In this episode, Erick breaks down one of the most practical systems he used to regain control of his life and productivity—time batching through the Pomodoro Technique. After hitting rock bottom, Erick realized that even with clear goals and vision, execution was the real challenge. This episode walks through how batching focused time blocks helped him eliminate distractions, increase productivity, and consistently move the needle toward his long-term vision. If you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or like your days are controlling you instead of the other way around, this episode provides a simple, actionable system to take back control.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity without execution leads to frustration—systems drive results.
• Time batching helps you focus on what matters most without overwhelm.
• The Pomodoro Technique creates urgency and structure through 25-minute focus blocks.
• Constraints actually improve productivity and focus.
• Tracking your time reveals your true priorities.
• Small, consistent focus sessions compound into major long-term results.

The Framework: Time Batching with Pomodoro

Erick uses a simple system:

• 25 minutes of focused work on a single task
• 5–10 minute break
• After 4 sessions, take a longer break

This approach trains your brain to focus, reduces distractions, and creates momentum throughout the day.

Why It Works

• It eliminates decision fatigue by giving structure to your day
• It trains your brain to sustain focus over time
• It creates a clear start and stop, making tasks feel more manageable
• It gamifies productivity by tracking progress and results
• It aligns daily execution with long-term vision

Practical Challenge

Start small:

• Do 1–2 Pomodoros per day (25-minute sessions)
• Focus on one high-leverage task (like prospecting, writing, or planning)
• Track your sessions and review where your time is going

Consistency matters more than volume. Even one focused hour per day can change everything.

Tools Mentioned

Focus Time App: https://focustimeapp.com Use any timer, but having a tracking system helps you measure progress and stay accountable.

Final Thought

Success doesn't come from doing more—it comes from focusing on the right things consistently. When you master your time in small, focused blocks, you begin to take control of your day—and ultimately, your life.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Execute a pomodoro time batch each day

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/098

Episode Summary

What does it really mean to "find your voice"? In this episode, Erick sits down with master voice coach, author, and musician Barbara McAfee to explore how we show up, communicate, and connect. This conversation goes beyond communication tactics—it dives into identity, self-expression, and the hidden power of how we sound. Barbara breaks down how your voice is not fixed, but a dynamic tool that can be developed, expanded, and aligned with your purpose. If you've ever felt like you're holding back or not being fully heard, this episode will challenge how you think about your voice—and what's possible when you unlock it.

Key Takeaways

• Your voice is not fixed. It can be developed and expanded over time.
• How you say something matters just as much as what you say.
• You have more vocal range and flexibility than you think.
• Limiting beliefs often restrict how you express yourself.
• Your voice reflects your identity and influences your impact.
• Expression is a skill that improves through intentional practice.

Practical Challenge

This week, pay attention to how you communicate:

• Notice your tone in different situations
• Experiment with how you say things—not just what you say
• Ask yourself: Am I choosing my voice, or defaulting to it?

About Barbara McAfee

Barbara is a master voice coach, author, keynote speaker, and singer/songwriter who merges lessons from 12 years in organization development with the transformative power of sound.

Her bestselling book, Full Voice, is based on her 25+ years as a voice coach, supporting people from many professions to find their voice, whatever that means to them.

Since 2013 she has been certifying other Full Voice coaches to carry the sacred work of "midwifing voices" into full expression. Her approach shifts the way people think about and use their voices forever.

Her TEDx talk on Full Voice has received over 100,000 views.

Barbara has produced eight CDs of mostly original music and is founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities.

She lives up the street from the wild and scenic St Croix River in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Connect with Barbara

Website: https://barbaramcafee.com TED Talk: Bringing Your Full Voice to Life Books: Full Voice | Vocal Intelligence

Final Thought

Your voice is more than a tool—it's a gateway to your identity, influence, and impact. When you learn to fully express it, you don't just communicate better—you show up differently.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Find your voice

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/097

Episode Overview

In this episode, Erick sits down with Cameron Allen, Founder & CEO of Neuro Progeny, to explore how your nervous system shapes the way you handle stress, pressure, and chaos. Cameron reframes anxiety and stress not as problems—but as adaptive responses—and explains how building nervous system capacity can unlock performance, resilience, and clarity.

About Our Guest

Cameron Allen is the founder of Neuro Progeny and Sensorium Neuro Wellness, where he develops capacity-based nervous system training using VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring. His work focuses on helping individuals expand their nervous system range so they can perform at a higher level under pressure.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why your nervous system has never made a mistake—only adaptations
• How to reframe anxiety, stress, and burnout as signals, not problems
• What 'capacity' means and why it's critical for performance
• The difference between traditional approaches and capacity-based training
• How HRV and biofeedback reveal what your body is actually doing
• Why some people thrive under pressure while others shut down
• Simple ways to expand your nervous system without technology
• How your state as a leader impacts everyone around you

Key Topics Discussed Reframing Stress

Understanding that stress responses are adaptive and not failures.

Nervous System Capacity

Why expanding your range—not eliminating stress—is the goal.

Performance Under Pressure

What separates high performers from those who shut down.

Tools & Technology

How VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring accelerate awareness and growth.

Practical Application

Daily habits and mindset shifts to improve nervous system flexibility.

Key Takeaways

Your ability to rise above chaos is directly tied to your nervous system capacity. The goal isn't to eliminate stress—it's to expand your ability to operate effectively within it.

Connect with Cameron Allen

1. Cameron on Instagram
2. Cameron on LinkedIn
3. Cameron on YouTube
4. Neuro Progeny
5. Get started with the program → use the discount code: PODATC

Reflection Question

Where is your nervous system limiting your performance—and what would it look like to expand your capacity?

Cameron Allen

Cameron Allen is the founder of Neuro Progeny and Sensorium Neuro Wellness, where he develops capacity-based nervous system training programs using VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring.

His work reframes nervous system states as adaptive capacities rather than deficits.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Be currious instead of judging

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/096

Episode Overview

One of the most powerful habits in the Rise Above Chaos system is surprisingly simple: write things down. In this episode, Erick explains how the act of physically writing your thoughts, goals, and vision can transform the way your brain processes ideas and recognizes opportunities.

Drawing from personal experience—including the moment he wrote down what a meaningful life looked like during a difficult season—Erick shares why putting pen to paper can shift your perspective, clarify your priorities, and activate momentum in your life.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why writing activates deeper cognitive processing in the brain
• How physically writing ideas strengthens neural pathways and memory
• Why writing down goals reduces mental clutter and increases focus
• The role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in recognizing opportunities
• Why ideas trapped in your head create stress and distraction
• How writing down your vision helps your brain detect opportunities around you
• Why Erick still relies on handwritten planning every day

Three Reasons Writing Things Down Changes Everything 1. Writing Activates Deeper Cognitive Processing

When you write something down, your brain engages multiple regions at once—including language, memory, and motor function. This multi‑sensory engagement strengthens neural pathways and helps ideas become more concrete and memorable.

2. Writing Clarifies Intent and Reduces Cognitive Load

The brain has limited working memory. When goals remain in your head, they compete with dozens of other thoughts. Writing them down removes them from that mental loop and allows your brain to focus on execution instead of storage.

3. Writing Programs Your Brain's Reticular Activating System (RAS)

The Reticular Activating System filters the millions of pieces of information your brain processes every second. When you write down a goal or vision, your brain tags it as important and begins scanning your environment for opportunities connected to that goal.

Key Takeaway

Writing things down works because it strengthens neural pathways, clears mental space, and programs your brain to recognize opportunities. Sometimes the first step toward clarity and momentum is simply picking up a pen and putting your thoughts on paper.

Reflection Question

What is one goal, vision, or idea that has been living in your head that you need to write down today?

Final Thought

The act of writing is more than organization—it's transformation. When you commit your thoughts to paper, you signal to your brain that this matters. And once that happens, everything begins to change.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Write down what a meaningful life looks like to you

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/095

Episode Overview

Life doesn't always unfold the way we plan—and sometimes it hits hard. In this solo episode, Erick shares from personal experience and unpacks five practical principles to help you respond when life punches you in the gut. Whether you're dealing with sudden bad news, a setback, a loss, or a season that feels unfair, this episode will help you move from shock to stability, from confusion to clarity, and from setback to forward motion.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why "gut-punch moments" can knock you off your routines—and how to regain your footing quickly
• The difference between reacting emotionally and responding intentionally
• How to focus on what you can control when everything feels uncertain
• Why isolation makes hard seasons harder—and how to invite the right support in
• How to turn pain into perspective without pretending it doesn't hurt
• A simple way to take the "next right step" when you don't know what to do next
• How to rebuild with stronger boundaries, clearer priorities, and a more resilient mindset

The Five Principles to Follow When Life Doesn't Go Your Way

Erick walks through five principles you can lean on when life takes an unexpected turn. These aren't clichés—they're stabilizing moves you can practice in real time.

1) Pause and Stabilize

Before you try to solve the entire situation, slow down long enough to regulate your body and emotions. Don't make permanent decisions in a moment of panic. Breathe, name what you're feeling, and give yourself permission to be human.

2) Return to Your Circle of Control

When life feels chaotic, your mind will race to the worst-case scenario. Erick encourages you to bring your focus back to what you can actually influence: your choices, your attitude, your schedule, and your next action. Ask: "What's the next controllable step?"

3) Tell the Truth and Get Support

Hard seasons aren't meant to be carried alone. The goal isn't to perform strength—it's to access strength. Choose a few trusted people, tell the truth about what's going on, and let community do what community is designed to do: help you carry the weight.

4) Extract the Lesson Without Rushing the Healing

There's a difference between meaning-making and minimizing. Erick shares how to look for what a season is teaching you—without forcing yourself to "move on" before you've processed what happened. The question becomes: "What do I want this to produce in me?"

5) Rebuild with Intention

Once the initial shock fades, the real work is rebuilding your life with better systems: clearer boundaries, stronger habits, healthier inputs, and priorities that reflect what matters most. You don't have to waste the pain—you can let it sharpen you.

Key Takeaways

When life punches you in the gut, the goal isn't to pretend you're fine—it's to respond with wisdom. If you stabilize first, focus on what you can control, invite support, learn at the right pace, and rebuild on purpose, you can move through a hard season without letting it define you.

Reflection Question

What is the "gut-punch" you're facing right now—and what is one next controllable step you can take in the next 24 hours?

Final Thought

You don't need a perfect plan to move forward. You need steadiness, support, and one intentional step at a time. Hard seasons can break you—or they can build you. The difference is how you respond.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• What can you control in the next 24 hours?

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/094

What if the most powerful podcast you ever create is the one you decide not to launch—until your business model is ready?

In this episode, Erick sits down with podcasting pioneer Cliff Ravenscraft (Podcast Answer Man / Mindset Answer Man) for a candid conversation about building a profitable, sustainable business—without burning out, blowing up your health, or betting your family's future on wishful thinking.

Cliff shares how a Lost fan theory launched his podcasting journey, what it took to walk away from the family insurance business, and why mindset, pricing, and business-model clarity are the real "first steps" for creators who want predictable income and impact.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How a Lost fan podcast (and a bandwidth crash) ignited Cliff's career in podcasting
• Why Cliff says: build the business before you build the podcast
• The mindset shift from employee thinking to entrepreneur thinking—and why beliefs drive outcomes
• What Cliff learned the hard way about relying on sponsors and unpredictable revenue streams
• How underpricing can quietly sabotage your credibility (and why higher rates often close faster)
• A practical filter for validating an offer: pains people know they have, are actively solving, and will pay to fix
• How Cliff recovered from "worst case scenario" stress—and the personal development work that changed everything
• What creators should do before launching: clarify the offer, prove demand, then press record
• Rapid-fire pop culture: Lost, Twilight, Star Trek vs. Star Wars, and what Cliff's watching now

Cliff Ravenscraft

Cliff Ravenscraft started podcasting as a hobby in 2005 and it changed his life forever.

In January 2008, he walked away from a lucrative career in his family's insurance agency, founded by his grandfather in 1937. Though he was next in line to take over the business, Cliff felt called into something deeper. What had begun as a two-year hobby had already grown into a body of work reaching hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

His first year as a self-employed business owner stretched him to the limit. He earned just $11,000 dollars, worked around the clock, and experienced a health scare that landed him in the hospital. That difficult season ignited a lifelong commitment to personal growth and to serving others at the highest level.

Over the following decade, Cliff built a thriving online business and became recognized as the world's leading authority on podcasting. Through his coaching, courses, live events, and workshops, Cliff has helped more than 40,000 people successfully launch a podcast and share their message with clarity and confidence.

His flagship program, Podcasting A to Z, became one of the most successful and respected training experiences in the industry. It set the standard for quality, depth, and hands-on guidance, and helped creators launch shows that reached millions of listeners around the world.

As Cliff's business grew, a deeper pattern emerged. More and more clients began asking questions that extended far beyond equipment, workflow, or launch strategy. They were seeking clarity. They wanted confidence. They needed a roadmap for building a business and a life that reflected who they had become. These conversations revealed a common struggle: many aspiring entrepreneurs assumed that launching a podcast was the natural first step to building a profitable business.

In reality, most had skipped the foundational work needed long before content creation.This realization led Cliff to develop his signature 11-Step Formula for Building an Online Business. His work expanded to help clients simplify their direction, establish the right foundations, and create sustainable offers and income streams that supported the future they wanted to build.

Podcast coaching and consulting remains a meaningful part of how Cliff helps people share their voice. His business strategy and mindset coaching work is how he helps them build a thriving business around their expertise.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. Start here (free training)

Action Step

• Explore a problem you want to solve

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/093

Grief is unavoidable—but it does not have to have the last word.

In this episode, Erick sits down with grief, trauma, and mental health coach Marcia Earhart, founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary.

Marcia shares her deeply personal story—including multiple significant losses—and the practical tools she uses to help people move from being "stuck" in grief to breathing, moving, and living again.

Together, they unpack what it means to give yourself permission to grieve, why "time heals all wounds" is a myth, how boundaries protect the grieving process, and what healthy support looks like for friends and family who want to help.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why permission to grieve is often the first breakthrough
• How to "schedule grieving" so emotions can be released without derailing daily life
• Simple practices that support healing: gratitude journaling, nature walks, and clean nutrition
• How internal vs. external grievers process loss differently—and how families can avoid fracturing
• Why the second year after a major loss is often the hardest, and how to prepare for "the firsts"
• What to say (and not say) to someone who is grieving—and why platitudes can be harmful
• How to set boundaries that protect your grief story, even with well-meaning people
• How grief can become a teacher that shapes purpose without defining your future

Marcia Earhart

Marcia Earhart is a certified life, trauma, grief, brain, and mental health coach, mediator, author, and HeartSync minister. Her guidance is both professional and personal.

Having navigated the deaths of two sons within the last eleven years—one tragically murdered—she stands as a testament to God's faithfulness in the deepest valleys of grief, and now leads others in healing.

Her powerful new book, "Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief," is a raw and vulnerable chronicle of devastating loss. More than a memoir, it is a lifeline, exploring the fragile threads of love and pain that hold us together and revealing the God-given hope that can rebuild a shattered life.

Marcia's mission extends beyond the page. As the co-founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she is boots-on-the-ground in the mental health crisis. She creates a safe, haven for the grieving to release their trauma and pain so they can Breathe again, Move again, and Live again. Her ministry reaches a diverse community across the United States and six other countries, standing as a powerful reminder that in deep sorrow, no one has to walk alone.

Marcia has been married to her best friend, Scott, for thirty-five years, and together they homeschooled and enjoyed raising their four boys and daughter. Marcia, Scott, and two of their adult children, who live nearby, love spending time together—whether it's making memories at the beach, traveling, playing games, having deep conversations, cooking, supporting their daughter's businesses, or supporting and listening to their son's music Rise Above Everything on Apple and Spotify.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. The Sterling Rose Sanctuary
7. Book: Gripping Grace and the Garden of Grief

Action Step

• Give Yourself Permission to Grieve

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/092

As the calendar turns toward a new year, many people hope things will change—yet find themselves repeating the same patterns.

In this solo episode, Erick challenges listeners to move beyond vague resolutions and instead approach 2026 with intentionality, clarity, and purpose.

This conversation centers on three critical considerations that can help you break negative cycles, live more fruitfully, and design a year that actually looks different—in a meaningful way.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why hoping for a better year isn't enough—and what intentional living really requires
• How unexamined patterns quietly repeat themselves year after year
• The importance of defining what you want 2026 to produce—not just what you want to avoid
• Why clarity always precedes change
• How to identify the distractions, habits, or commitments that are keeping you stuck
• What it means to break negative cycles instead of managing them
• How small, focused decisions compound into a dramatically different year

The Three Questions to Consider for 2026

In this episode, Erick walks through three foundational questions designed to help you step into 2026 with clarity and purpose. These questions are not about setting more goals—they're about creating alignment between your values, priorities, and daily decisions so the year produces lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

A different year does not happen by accident—it happens by design. When you slow down long enough to evaluate what truly matters, eliminate what no longer serves you, and commit to intentional action, you position yourself to experience growth instead of repetition. 2026 can be different—but only if you decide it will be.

Reflection Question

If nothing changes in your thinking, habits, or priorities, what will 2026 actually look like—and what needs to change now to ensure it becomes the year you're hoping for?

Final Thought

You don't need a perfect plan to move forward—but you do need clarity, courage, and consistency. Let this episode be the starting point for a year defined not by chaos, but by intention and purpose.

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

Action Step

• Make 2026 different