Today's Challenge

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Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is hypocrite, and we’re laying it to rest [squeaky casket slam]. Have you ever called someone a hypocrite? How did it go? I’m guessing not well, because as soon as someone smells the word hypocrite, steel-plated, self-protective walls go up. Further complicating the situation, is the fact that they can throw the word right back at you. We’re all hypocritical in some area of life. Rather than calling someone a hypocrite, let them lovingly know that you sense a mismatch between their words and their actions. I’m sure that there will still be some defensiveness, but I think you’ll ultimately get further in helping them change their behavior.

Today’s concrete challenge is to do some soul searching. Write down two areas or practices in your life where there’s a mismatch between what you say or how you present yourself and what you actually do.

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to get it done. I’ll keep the music playing while you do, and don’t miss the soundtrack at the end of this episode.

Before you go, repeat the following soundtrack, “I am the kind of person who acknowledges my own faults.”

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is pride. In his podcast, People I (Mostly) Admire, Steven Levitt says that he asked a group of strangers to tell their life story at a dinner party. That’s not too abnormal, right? The twist was that he asked them to leave out all modesty and self deprecation and share their biggest accomplishments. Levitt says that everyone ended up with tears as they listened to others’ deepest failures and greatest fears. Have you ever made space for others to tell you about their accomplishments, fears, and failures? It would require a psychologically safe atmosphere and a genuine interest.

Today’s concrete challenge is to share one accomplishment with someone you trust. Let them know why you are proud of your triumph. Ask them to tell you about something they take pride in, while leaving out any modesty or humility.

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to either message them now or set up a time to have this discussion. I’ll keep the music playing while you do, and don’t miss the soundtrack at the end of this episode.

Before you go, repeat the following soundtrack, “I am the kind of person who takes pride in myself and others.”

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is expectations. Do you make your expectations clear to the people around you? I’ve found that life runs much more smoothly when you’re transparent about what you expect will happen. In the last few months, we have created a chore chart that shows our kids exactly what they need to do each week. Some of the expectations are tied to rewards, some are tied to penalty avoidance, but the important thing is that they are spelled out and the same in everyone’s mind.

Today’s concrete challenge is to set up cleaning expectations in your household or workplace. Have a conversation to determine the important areas of cleaning to each person involved. At the same time, ask which tasks or physical areas people want to be responsible for. You’ll probably find that volunteering works much better than assigning with adults, but kids will, of course, need some guidance in setting up their chores. Clear expectations lead to better outcomes. You can .

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to either message them now or set up a time to have this discussion. Don't worry. I’ll keep the music playing for you.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is discontent. Have you ever had a moment where you realize that things need to change? In their insightful book, The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath describe Roy F. Baumeister’s phrase the crystallization of discontent. This occurs when we find the motivation to create major change for ourselves among minor areas of discontent. When your car breaks down for the 6th time, you might suddenly see the pattern of your low wage job, subpar housing, and constant stress and decide to apply for federal grants to begin night classes at the local college.

Today’s concrete challenge is to list your areas of discontent. Write down at least five areas of your life where you feel things are lacking. What’s the pattern that you find? Can you think of a life change that would address multiple areas of discontent? 

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to make your list. I’ll keep the music playing for you.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is fun. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you picture yourself having fun? For me, it’s outdoor games. How about something that’s extremely fun? My answer: snowboarding. I don’t believe that fun is the point of life, but it’s way more enjoyable with some fun now and then.

Today’s concrete challenge is to figure out one thing that’s truly fun and put it on your schedule. If it involves friends, go ahead and invite them so that it’s on their calendar, too. It may seem awkward to have to pencil in fun, but life’s responsibilities have a way of crowding out fun if you let them.

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to Pencil in the fun. I’ll keep the music playing while you do.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is delegate. I don’t know if you consider yourself a responsible person, but it’s possible to be too responsible. Many times one partner or group member will be in charge of the majority of duties. Are you engulfed by household responsibilities, work or school assignments? If you find that you are overwhelmed, it’s time to delegate. Who are some people around you that would be willing to share the load?

I think the best way to delegate is to show some vulnerability and humility. If you assign tasks from atop your high horse, you’ll probably find that your delegates don’t take full responsibility and often half-ass the task. Have a real conversation with the people that support you to figure out what they are willing to take on. You might be surprised at how willing people are to help you when you let them know that you can’t do it all.

Today’s concrete challenge is to delegate one of your responsibilities. Either message them now or set up a time to have this discussion. I’ll keep the music playing while you get it done.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is grease. No, I’m not talking about the color, the musical or the country. I’m talking about social lotion. When I taught 2nd grade, I noticed that the spots in the school day where interactions were most likely to break down were times of transition. Many teachers use songs or chants while students move from one activity or area to another, and these grease the tracks of the transition. What’s an area of your day that needs a little grease?

Lots of people benefit from audiobooks and podcasts on their commute or while exercising. You might also consider advance preparation, such as having coffee automatically brew before you wake up. There are myriad tiny ways that you can smooth the kinks in your day.

Today’s concrete challenge is to identify one transition time in your day that is often unpleasant and come up with some grease that you can generously apply to that situation. Be sure to write down your plan. 

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to find your grease. I’ll keep the music playing for you.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is bum, and it’s time to lay this word to rest. [funeral music] People who are homeless or look rough are not bums; they are people. I recently watched the film mid90s, and it had a short scene where the kids are talking to a homeless person. They treat him with dignity, and it’s a good reminder of the humanity in every person. They don’t seem to see him as a bum.

Today’s concrete challenge is to call a homeless shelter or organization that works with homeless people in your area and ask them what you can do to help. Some commonly needed items are warm socks and coats and toys for homeless children, but they can tell you specifically what people in your area need.

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to get it done. I’ll keep the music playing while you look up the number.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

References:

BAGPIPES AMAZING GRACE 1.aif

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is obstacle. Most of the time obstacles are a problem, right? Do you enjoy a traffic jam when you’re just trying to get across town? Probably not, but I want to show you a use for obstacles. If you want to get something done, place it squarely in your way. If you want to mail a package, put it in front of the door. That way, you can’t walk out the door without seeing or handling the package.

I have refinance paperwork that I’ve ever so carefully avoided by pushing it to the edge of my desk. I’m going to put it on top of my computer keyboard right now so that I’ll deal with it today.

Today’s concrete challenge is to look for that thing you’ve been putting off and place it squarely in your way.

I’ll keep the music playing while you get it done.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is gift. What are some of your favorite gifts that you’ve received? Do you remember some favorite gifts that you’ve given? One of my favorite gifts received was money donated to Operation Smile. My wife’s parents were kind enough to give on my behalf, because I had recently heard about the affordable, life changing work of that charity. I love this kind of gift because it makes you feel good, the giver feel good, and it benefits the donation recipient. Not many other activities spread so much good will in one shot.

Today’s concrete challenge is to give on someone’s behalf. Even if it’s $1, find a charity that you know your loved one will appreciate. You can choose whether or not to tell them, because sometimes a secret gift is good, too. Also consider asking someone to give to a charity when your friends and family are asking for gift ideas. I think you’ll be surprised at how memorable those gifts are when compared to other gifts of the past. 

Use the next few minutes of this podcast to find a charity. Givewell.org is a good place to look. I’ll keep the music playing while you search.

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.