The Dave Crenshaw Success Show

Sophie Thompson, co-founder of Virtual Speech, shares her inspiring journey of turning personal struggle into a global impact. After battling severe social anxiety, Sophie discovered a powerful way to push beyond her limits using virtual reality training. Since 2016, Virtual Speech has helped over 500,000 people in 130 countries tackle their own communication challenges. In this episode, Sophie opens up about how cognitive behavioral therapy and stepping outside her comfort zone led to profound personal growth. Hear how her unique blend of theology, international business, and a drive to connect with like-minded individuals fueled her mission. Then, choose which action will most likely help you reach your goal today.

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

1. Strengthen your skillset. With consistent practice, you can improve any skill. ACTION: Pick one skill you'd like to improve and take small, consistent steps toward getting better at it.

2. Surround yourself with the right people. The more time you spend around people with similar goals or high levels of success, the more you'll grow, too. ACTION: Find ways to spend more time with people who've achieved the result you aspire to reach.

3. Turn a weakness into a strength. Change your perspective on your weakness by finding a way to make it your strength. ACTION: Consider ways your weakness could be turned into a strength.

4. Step outside your comfort zone. Even the smallest change can open doors to new opportunities. ACTION: Choose one small action to do that it outside your comfort zone.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Sophie Thompson on LinkedIn or by visiting VirtualSpeech.com.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course

Turn Your Weaknesses into Strengths

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Sarah Hart Unger, a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, balances her medical career with a highly successful podcast and family life. She emphasizes the importance of aligning career and personal passions, as seen in her transition to podcasting and course creation. She advocates for effective time management, setting boundaries, and integrating personal interests into professional life. Sarah also highlights the mental health benefits of exercise, particularly running, which she finds crucial for her well-being.

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week.

1. Create custom systems. Understanding your personality and developing a system that works FOR you, not against you, leads to increased productivity. ACTION: Learn what works well for you and integrate it into your work system.
2. Process stress productively. When facing stressful periods or increased demands, allow yourself to adjust your schedule and get help, even temporarily. ACTION: Schedule buffer days and use available time off to handle a stressful situation in a healthy manner.
3. Implement an exercise routine. Consistent physical activity improves your physical and mental health. You'll be more productive and able to focus at work. ACTION: Schedule 30 minutes of physical activity each day into your calendar. 
4. Align your career with your passions. You will be motivated and more successful when you do what you love. ACTION: Choose a passion and find a way to incorporate that into your work life, even if it's using a portion of your paycheck to donate to a cause you support.

Guest Resources

You can learn more about Sarah Hart-Unger by visiting her website, TheShuBox.com, or listening to her podcasts, Best of Both Worlds and Best Laid Plans. 

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course

Finding Your Time Management Style

Free Time Management Course

Thanks to Dave Crenshaw's partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, you can get free access to his full course, Time Management Fundamentals, at DaveGift.com.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Jessica Chen, an Emmy-winning journalist, and CEO of Soulcast Media, shares her journey from intern to an award-winning reporter and successful entrepreneur, offering valuable lessons for listeners aiming to achieve their own success. She emphasizes the critical role of communication skills, especially in fast-paced environments, and how mastering proactive, concise messaging can lead to professional growth. Through her own experiences, including winning an Emmy for her wildfire coverage, Jessica underscores the value of teamwork and leveraging social media, like LinkedIn, to build connections. Listen to her story and choose which action will help you most today.

ACTION PRINCIPLES

Pick one thing to do this week:

1. Develop better communication skills. Speaking and writing well is essential in every career. ACTION: Choose a communication-related skill you want to improve upon and practice it weekly.
2. Consider the ROI of your time. There's only so much time available, so spend it wisely on activities that will help you reach your goals faster. ACTION: Determine your most valuable activities and allocate 80% of your day to them.
3. Be strategic with social media. Your message should be clear and consistent, and it should be shared on the platform that reaches your ideal target audience. ACTION: Evaluate which social media platform(s) your target audience uses most and create a consistent presence there. 
4. Celebrate your wins. Acknowledging your progress in a positive, fun way will boost your motivation to keep going. ACTION: When you have a "win" moment, call a friend to share the good news and celebrate with them.

GUEST RESOURCES

Learn more about Jessica Chen by following her on LinkedIn. You can also purchase her book, Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons. 

SUGGESTED LINKEDIN LEARNING COURSE:

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Katie Gillberg, founder and CEO of Hydrate IV Bar, shares a unique journey from her days as a Denver Broncos cheerleader to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the IV hydration industry. Drawing on the confidence, teamwork, and professionalism she honed on the sidelines, Katie turned her passion into a business. Starting out, she juggled self-funding her venture while working full-time in medical sales, a true testament to her determination. Listen today and choose which action from Katie's story will get you closer to your own success story.

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Take small risks. Build up your confidence by taking minor risks. ACTION: Pick one small risk and schedule time in your calendar to make it happen.
2. Elevate your circle. Surround yourself with people who are more intelligent and more successful than you.  ACTION: Reach out to someone you admire and ask if they’d be willing to connect and share some advice.
3. Focus forward. Avoid the “what if” traps of the past and push forward to the next step in your plan. ACTION: Ask yourself, “What’s next?” when you feel stuck in the past.
4. Spend time wisely. Be picky about how you spend your time. If it’s not a strong yes, then it’s a no. ACTION: Ask yourself, “Does this excite me or fit into my most valuable activities?” before committing to anything new. 

Guest Resources

Follow Hydrate IV bar on Instagram or learn more at HydrateIVbar.com.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Simeon Quarrie, CEO of Vivida and an award-winning international speaker, discusses his journey from starting a business at 16 to becoming a multimedia storyteller for major brands like Apple and Google. He emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with technology, delivering work to the highest standards, and listening to the right voices of support. Simeon's transition from wedding photography to corporate storytelling was facilitated by his ability to tell compelling stories and his dedication to excellence. He highlights the value of understanding one's strengths and leveraging them for future success.

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Blend passions. Stand out in the marketplace by uniquely combining your interests. ACTION: Explore ways to combine your passions or interests into a possible career strength.
2. Focus on quality. Deliver work to the best of your ability to open up future opportunities. ACTION: Pick one task you’re responsible for and look for ways to improve the quality of your work.
3. Listen to your most valuable voices. Surround yourself with the right voices of support, especially your most valuable customer. ACTION: Determine who those people are and listen to their recommendations for improvement.
4. Learn about yourself. Discover your strengths and leverage them for long-term success. ACTION: Schedule time to consider your strengths, write them down, and identify patterns.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Simeon Quarrie by following him on LinkedIn.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Discovering Your Strengths

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Ed Greenwood, the mastermind behind the iconic Forgotten Realms, shares his journey from childhood daydreams to becoming a Dungeons & Dragons legend. He reveals the magic formula: read everything, find your unique voice, and create like there's no tomorrow. Greenwood’s wisdom goes beyond writing; it’s about finding a career that lights you up, surrounding yourself with people who support your quirks, and aiming for a legacy that’s more about impact than income. Whether you're just starting out or switching gears, Greenwood’s story is a reminder to pursue your passions with relentless creativity and heart. Listen to his story and choose the action that resonates the most with you today!

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Learn from those you admire. Study their work to build a more profound basis for creativity. ACTION: Choose your favorite format and learn something new from someone you admire.
2. Be prolific. Creating a lot of content opens more doors. ACTION: Schedule regular time to create content without worrying about perfection.
3. Have a clear vision. Make that vision the result of engaging all five senses, not just sight. ACTION: Review your vision and ask yourself if you’re using all five senses to develop it more clearly.
4. Keep up the momentum. To keep the creative process rolling, start the next creative task immediately after completing the previous one. ACTION: Schedule a 5-minute block after all existing creative tasks dedicated to starting “the next one.”

Guest Resources

Follow Ed Greenwood on X, username @TheEdVerse, or on Discord by joining the server, Greenwood’s Grotto.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Thank you for supporting us through Season 3 of The Dave Crenshaw Success Show! We've had some very special guests share powerful action items to help you make their success story a part of your success story. My team and I are taking a planned Oasis from the podcast to retool and come back even better. We estimate this to be about a three-month break.

Now would be a great time for you to send us guest suggestions! Please send them to davecrenshaw.com/guest so we can review them.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course:

Time Management Fundamentals

Success Stories with Dave Crenshaw

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Discover the inspiring journey of Laura Roeder, who navigated the challenges of building and selling businesses, all while making time for family and adventure. Her determination, creativity, and ingenuity are key to her success as an entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll learn how she built businesses designed to grow without constant involvement from the founder, as well as finding what comes naturally and delegating tasks. Listen to her story and choose which action serves you best today.

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Network with purpose. Network successfully by building relationships with people you naturally connect with rather than forcing one. ACTION: Go to an upcoming networking event and find someone you genuinely connect with to grow a natural connection.
2. Identify your natural gifts. Figure out what comes naturally to you. You should highlight your strengths rather than dismissing them. ACTION: Take Discovering Your Strengths on LinkedIn Learning.
3. Focus on your MVAs. For optimal productivity, spend the majority of your working hours on your most valuable activities. ACTION: Reserve larger blocks of time in your calendar to focus on your MVAs.
4. Make work enjoyable. Look for small ways to make your work easier and more enjoyable. You’ll find yourself more focused and productive! ACTION: Think of something you can either delegate or change and ask to speak with your manager to discuss options.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Laura Roeder at LauraRoeder.com. You can sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on all her courses and events, or you can follow her on social media.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Discovering Your Strengths

Prioritizing Your Tasks

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Discover the motivational story of how Kara Goldin turned her concern about her family's health into a multi-million dollar beverage empire. Her story, which led to the creation of the number-one flavored water on the market, started in her kitchen. This episode will inspire you to take risks, live a healthier, more balanced life, and push through your self-doubt. After hearing Kara's story, you'll be encouraged to choose an action that inspires you today.

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Try something new. By exploring things outside of your comfort zone, you'll open doors to new opportunities. ACTION: Sign up for a class today to learn a new skill, whether in-person or online.
2. Create connections. Networking is a powerful way to build relationships.    ACTION: Reach out to someone you admire and start a conversation.
3. Be undaunted. Persistence in pursuing your goal is vital to your success. Don't give up easily! ACTION: If one method doesn't work, stop and ask yourself, "What's the next step to try?" and do it.
4. Be consistent. Taking continual steps towards your goal will result in success. ACTION: Determine the first step required to reach your goal and schedule it on your calendar.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Kira Golden by following her on LinkedIn and subscribing to her podcast, The Kara Goldin Show.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Time Management Fundamentals

Free Time Management Course

Thanks to Dave Crenshaw's partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, you can get free access to his full course, Time Management Fundamentals, at DaveGift.com.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

Discover the remarkable journey of John Strelecky, a bestselling author and speaker who dared to quit his job and embark on a global adventure. His story, which has touched the lives of millions, is a testament to the power of reassessing goals and the transformative potential of life-changing experiences. This episode will inspire you to value persistence, gratitude, and the pursuit of your passions. After hearing John’s story, you'll be encouraged to choose an action that resonates with you today.

Action Principles 

Pick one to do this week: 

1. Study business. Whether it’s through a degree or self-taught, business skills are invaluable to your success. ACTION: Take a business course on LinkedIn Learning.
2. Create your museum. An imaginary museum of your life is a great way to do a mental check on your life’s journey. ACTION: If your life were displayed in a museum, what is missing, and what can you do to fix it?
3. Delegate. By delegating tasks to others, you can spend more time on your most valuable activities. ACTION: Pick one lower-value task and delegate it by outsourcing or automating it.
4. Find your purpose. The secret to winning in life is spending more time doing what you love and fulfilling your purpose. ACTION: Read A Cafe at the Edge of the World and explore the question, “Why am I here?”

Guest Resources

Learn more about John Strelecky at JohnStrelecky.com. You can also follow him on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses

Discovering Your Strengths

Free Time Management Course

Thanks to Dave Crenshaw's partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, you can get free access to his full course, Time Management Fundamentals, at DaveGift.com.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com