The Life Tools Podcast

In this episode, I talk about why parents or not parents, we do NOT own children. I give you a very clear example of how rethinking this one thing automatically effects a drastic change in how we interact with them, and therefore the trajectory of their lives. Yes, we are THAT influential. May we all learn to use this influence well.

I got the idea to start this series on parenting about 2 months ago. I say "parenting" for simplicity, but it's actually about adult-child relationships in general. 

In this episode, I give you some background on my experience and why I'm even talking about this. Then we go into the why of learning principles instead of memorizing a textbook list of theories and methods. At the end, I read you the first principle as brilliantly expressed by Kahlil Gibran. Enjoy!

Link to poem: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/517914025867135483/

Some people, when confronted with a setback, make conclusions about themselves so that they never move forward. They see talent as black and white, either there or not there. They are also controlled by the image of themselves they wish to project to the world. Another camp of people use setbacks to learn how to move forward better. They think talent can be developed, and they care more about their own opinion of themselves than what other people think of them. In this episode, we talk about these two types of people and how to consciously choose which camp we want to be part of. 

When problems come (and they always come), we have two choices: let it take us down and make us bitter, or use it to make ourselves better and kinder, more open to joy and gratitude. Like taking hay and spinning it into gold. In this episode, I share how I use one question to put me in the direction of the latter. My hope is that it encourages you to ask the same question (or your version of it) to guide yourself towards the same path.

We all know a few types of people when it comes to getting things done: the people who need you to check on them, the ones whose word you can totally trust, and the few who are difficult because they seem to take pride in defying everyone. Well, Gretchen Rubin studied how humans meet expectations and developed the theory of The Four Tendencies. She turned it into a book and in it teaches us how to understand our own, as well as other people's personalities, so that we can all take the path of least resistance in accomplishing goals.

Ah, don't we all wish life could go a little more smoothly and a little more predictably. An unkind comment, someone being rude, a spat with someone we care about, these can all throw us off kilter if we're not careful. In this week's episode, I share a simple two-step process that filters out a ton of unnecessary stress. 

Our definition of intelligence plays a big role in how we see ourselves and other people. This week's episode is about a theory on intelligence that's long been in existence but little talked about (much less applied) in many parts of the world. Understanding this theory gave me a much more expansive perspective on myself, my capabilities, and those of others. 

Multiple Intelligences Chart:

Multiple-Intelligences-Iron-2019-08-09-14.08.59.jpg (1002×762) (thriveglobal.com)

This week I'm taking a pause to give myself some much-needed rest. So instead of sharing my content, I recommend other people's really great content. Go explore them; they really added to my life, and I hope they add to yours as well. 

Many people devote time and energy to taking care of themselves physically, but neglect to do the same for their emotional health. This week we talk about what I call jewels and stones, the things that add to our wellbeing, and those that take away from it. How do we become aware of them and what can we do to make sure we are caring for ourselves? I give you some examples and as always, an exercise at the end. 

They say "To change the world, begin with yourself". Well, it took me a veeeeery long time to get the truth of this statement. In this episode, I share how it happened for me, what I learned, and at the end there's a tool you can use for your own life. (So hopefully you don't suffer for as long as I did!)