172.Roundabout Perspective-Benefits and Mindsets

The brain is a complex organ composed of various regions, each contributing to cognitive functions and behaviors that influence a growth mindset. Understanding the impact of different parts of the brain on fostering a growth mindset provides insights into the adaptability and flexibility in relation to our intelligence and skills.

There has been much discussion and many books written about the right and left brain, especially regarding creativity as well as the different parts of the brain and neuroplasticity. Without getting into the weeds on too much technical information, I aim to uncover some principles of understanding about the way our brain works and its influence on a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset.

In a growth mindset, individuals embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and see failures as opportunities for growth. In a fixed mindset, individuals avoid challenges for fear of failure and perceive effort as fruitless. Understanding this contrast is crucial for fostering resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong pursuit of learning. We will start with neuroplasticity, move to prefrontal cortex and finally to the hippocampus. Full article here: https://GoalsforYourLife.com/growth-mindset/

Watch at: https://youtu.be/Y0Ps-Zp6xmg For weekly articles including free downloads & music: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter For more music: https://DJWorksMusic.com/

For more information about Deborah: https://DeborahJohnsonSpeaker.com  

0:01 - Introduction 1:36 - Neuroplasticity Growth Mindset Explained 6:36 - Prefrontal Cortex Influence on Growth Mindset 9:35 - How Hippocampus Affects Growth Mindset 11:54 - Practical Actions for Growth Mindset 13:51 - Wrapping Up Growth Mindset Insights 14:23 - Outro

How important do you feel conducting quarterly reviews and evaluations are for your personal and professional growth? For small businesses and entrepreneurs, the right type of evaluation with making revisions lays the foundation for future growth and success. It allows us to build on what is working and eliminate or revise what is not. 

Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/quarterly-reviews/

There was no major in entrepreneurism when I attended college and I didn’t fully realize that I was an entrepreneur until later in my career. I had thought of myself as an entertainer and educator. The process for quarterly reviews and evaluations started creeping in to my schedule as I started hiring part-time assistants and marketing my growing content. At this point in my life and career, those quarterly reviews are an essential part of my yearly schedule.

In the article that accompanies our podcast, we cover the benefits of quarterly reviews, goals and priorities, the quarterly review process, making adjustments and accountability. There is a free download to help you plan or review your unique system. Get our weekly articles & updates here FREE: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter/

There is a phrase I have often used when asked about my background which is, “When all is said and done, it’s all about baseball!” This happens to me when performing concerts, speaking or even engaging in a conversation. I have realized that with a husband that played pro-ball for the Indians organization, it doesn’t matter where the conversation goes. The moment I mention Greg’s background, the focus is immediately all about baseball! So I have accepted this fact and realize that life can be likened to the intricate game of baseball, with its ebbs and flows, victories, and defeats. Just as in baseball, we face numerous pitches – some fast and unexpected, others slow and anticipated. The choices we make are similar to swinging at a pitch. The bases in a baseball game represent the milestones and achievements that propel us forward on life's journey.

Just like a well-executed play, life demands teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. There’s so much to learn from baseball, as I have discovered through the years. Upon marrying Greg, I thought the game wasn’t too much more than nine innings that could last five or more hours! But I was wrong! The amount of strategy and consistent study for many players between and before every game surprised me. I will cover some interesting facts that I have learned about the player’s stance, the history of bats and the specifics of balls used in a game. Though there are more aspects to explore, we’ll focus on applying principles from those key elements. To wrap things up, we’ll share some interesting stories of fans catching balls. Full article here: https://GoalsforYourLife.com/all-about-baseball

For further exploration into the principles discussed, find full articles, sheet music, MP3 downloads, and additional podcasts by signing up to receive our weekly newsletter at: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter. Whether you're seeking to deepen your understanding of relationships, personal or professional growth, there's a wealth of resources waiting for you.

00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Life & Baseball Comparison

03:55 - Baseball Stance Techniques

06:57 - Choosing Baseball Bats

10:01 - Understanding Baseballs

13:32 - Catching a Baseball: Fun Stories

15:39 - Applying Baseball Principles

17:07 - Conclusion & Connecting with Deborah

Relating the body to embodied leadership makes sense coming from a former professional dancer. Rochelle Rice did just that in the area of jazz with 30+ years in the fitness industry. She really believes that all women deserve a movement program that works for her body and should not be shamed or blamed. Embodied leadership refers to the role of the body in effective leadership or how to stay effective in the middle of chaos.

Drawing on her background as a former professional jazz dancer, Rochelle Rice, with over 30 years in the fitness industry, connects the body to leadership. She passionately advocates for movement programs, both for the mind and body, tailored to every woman's uniqueness, rejecting any form of shame or blame. The concept of embodied leadership, as she explains, explores the vital role the body plays in effective leadership and maintaining effectiveness amid chaos.

Many individuals have diligently cultivated a robust skill set, particularly those at mid-career or the halftime of life. Acknowledging the invaluable foundation created by those skills and experiences is essential when navigating change and transition. This mindset doesn't suggest knowing everything or perfection; instead, it signifies possessing a reservoir of skills that facilitates intentional transitions and decisions. It provides the freedom to pause, take inventory, and chart a course that aligns with one’s vision for making a meaningful impact, rather than merely adhering to a predetermined career path. In this article we delve into three areas: listening to the body, becoming bilingual and making dreams come true. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/embodied-leadership

The phrase Forever Young embodies an aspirational desire to retain the vigor, vitality, and youthful spirit throughout life. While the sentiment behind this phrase may bring up memories of the Bob Dylan song, it resonates with the wish for sustained energy, health, and vitality. However, the literal interpretation of eternal youth is, unfortunately, not feasible. Aging is an inevitable natural process that brings about physiological changes in the body over time. I wrote the following thoughts in my book Women at Halftime: (https://amzn.to/3RL7KWz)

Are those deepening crow’s feet spreading? Are those actually permanent bags beneath our eyes? Several splashes of cold water cannot rinse away the creases around our moths that have deepened from smile lines to fissures. We lift sagging cheeks to produce a momentary youthful expression. But wasn’t it just yesterday that we were nominated for college homecoming queen?

Cells age, tissues change, and bodily functions gradually decline with advancing age. Thus, the notion of preserving physical youth indefinitely is not realistic and we are all on the same train eventually facing the same end here on earth. However, while immortality or stopping the aging process is scientifically unattainable, there are ways we can enhance our well-being and maintain a youthful disposition. Adopting healthy lifestyle practices, such as regular exercise, nutritious eating habits, stress management, and sufficient sleep, can contribute to overall vitality and longevity. These practices may not halt the aging process but can positively impact health, delay age-related issues, and improve the quality of life as we age. I will share a couple of my regular routines throughout this article. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/forever-young/

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Introduction

1:22 - Secrets to Staying Forever Young

7:48 - Benefits of Physical Activity

9:21 - Essentials of Healthy Nutrition

11:01 - Mindfulness for Stress Management

12:41 - Power of Continual Learning

13:02 - Pursuing New Hobbies

14:08 - Importance of Social Connections

15:58 - Applying Longevity Principles

16:50 - Access More Resources

17:15 - Hero Mountain Summit Course Overview

18:15 - Thank You for Joining Us

After almost 44 years of marriage, Greg and I have a few things to say about relationship love! Relationships are far from perfect and ours is definitely in that camp. However, we have learned and grown through the years and find ourselves appreciating each other more now than ever. These are five principles we apply regularly for our relationship that also apply to most every professional relationship:

RESPECT We started noticing couples that seem happy treat each other well and ones that are struggling disrespected each other. The tone of voice used in private and public situations is a decision that each one of us makes. It’s a It’s a decision to not degrade or downgrade the other person’s feelings or opinion.

LISTENING One of the best phrases we have learned is “What I hear you say is…” This opens the door of communication that lets the other person know they are being listened to and heard. The temptation is to ‘hurl’ comments back and forth that can be hurtful and cause your partner to shut down emotionally. We’ve all made that mistake!

TRUST Trust is critical for deep conversations to happen. Without it, resentment, bitterness and loss of respect is the result. Trust is crucial in the area of finances and is usually one of the largest areas of conflict in a relationship.

FORGIVENESS It’s easy to hold a grudge for a long period of time if there is no forgiveness in a relationship. The ability to laugh at ourselves as well as with each other is healthy. The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey has a good chapter on ‘Relationship Trust’ that is worth reading.

TIME (LOVE LANGUAGE) The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a classic book on communication and contains intrinsic truth and wisdom for communication styles. The five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, time and physical touch. We have taken the time to discover what is of value for each of us and this has deepened our appreciation and love for each other through the years. Many people’s definition of love hasn’t grown since the teen years and we are here to say it’s worth hanging on and growing together because when applying basic principles of respect, trust and forgiveness, it just gets better! Full article with song "What is Love" by Deborah Johnson here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/what-is-love

Some of you remember how the Sony Walkman made listening to recordings conveniently easy and is a good example of maximizing your potential. It was revolutionary to listen on a portable cassette player and the Walkman happened because Masaru Ibuka and Norio Ohga took the risk to revolutionize the way people listened to music. Sony was concerned about the marketability of a portable audio device as well as miniaturizing the necessary technology for high-quality sound. Would people be willing to pay for such a device? It’s a good thing they forged ahead as it revolutionized the way we were able to access media. Get full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/maximizing-your-potential

J.K. Rowling is another example of someone who faced significant challenges. Her inspiring story is another demonstration of maximizing your potential. As a single mother living on welfare, she never gave up on her dream of being a writer. She spent hours and hours working on her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in local cafes, pouring her imagination and creativity into the magical world she envisioned. Because she didn’t quit, even after a number of rejections, she ended up achieving tremendous success as a best-selling author as well as gained the freedom to support charitable causes.

Maximizing your potential largely relies on the actions you take that are aligned with your core beliefs and values. Those values, when fleshed out, lead to a strong purpose-driven life. (see Appendix in Stop Circling book: https://amzn.to/3NTdM6t) To develop that purpose in maximizing your potential, we cover five principles: belief in yourself, continuous learning, setting clear goals, developing resilience and adaptability and consistent habits and routines.  Listen to "The Hero Inside" song here: https://youtu.be/H49E-TjZBvk?si=HzKu2CkFz2k8l5ag

Navigating change from a military to civilian life is often challenging, and Joshua Porthouse's personal experience mirrors this sentiment. Joshua encountered unexpected difficulties along the way. One notable aspect was underestimating his own capabilities and the demanding nature of his transition, a miscalculation that persisted even before joining the Marines. Surprisingly, after multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Joshua still grappled with understanding the full extent of his own potential and resilience. This highlights the complex and evolving nature of the journey from military service to civilian life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and continuous adaptation.

Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/navigating-change

As individuals approach the midpoint of their careers or even later stages, a significant number of people encounter similar challenges to Porthouse’s experiences during his military-to-civilian transition. Many grapple with the tendency to underestimate their abilities and undervalue the wealth of experiences accumulated throughout their professional journeys. This struggle is not exclusive to those transitioning from military service but extends to anyone navigating mid-career changes or contemplating second and third acts in life.

For those with sons, daughters, spouses or colleagues in the military, witnessing the impending transitions these individuals will face adds another layer of complexity. The question arises: How can we effectively support them in this crucial phase of their lives? Whether it's re-entering civilian life or embarking on a new chapter, fostering a healthy mindset, reinforcing strong core values, and validating skills and experiences become pivotal elements in propelling individuals more efficiently toward a successful future. This emphasis on psychological well-being and acknowledging the worth of one's capabilities serves as a universal guide for navigating life's transitions, whether in the professional realm or during various stages of personal reinvention. This article explores cultivating a positive mindset, reinforcing core values, and acknowledging the significance of skills and experience with a brief application for each. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/navigating-change

To develop mental endurance takes a mindset of tenacity and perseverance. When listening to the book Endurance by Alfred Lansing, I found myself so enraptured in the story that I had to turn on the heater in my car as I was getting cold, as the book described the frigid temperatures the crew experienced as they worked their way through the ice and severe weather conditions of their journey. The expedition of the Endurance ship to Antarctica in 1915-1916 was led by the renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. The primary goal of this expedition was to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. However, the expedition faced unprecedented challenges when the ship became trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea in January 1915. Despite attempts to free the vessel, the ice eventually crushed the Endurance, leaving the crew stranded on the desolate ice floes.

The crew's remarkable story of survival and endurance became one of the most iconic tales of exploration. Shackleton's exceptional leadership and resilience were evident as he managed to keep the crew united and focused on survival throughout their harrowing ordeal. Despite the harsh conditions, the crew displayed unwavering determination, ingenuity, and teamwork. After months stranded on the ice, Shackleton led his men on a daring rescue mission, sailing in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island, where they had to exhibit extreme effort to merely survive. Throughout this amazing story of survival, we can draw five principles to develop endurance in our lives: resilience, teamwork, planning, mental toughness and innovation and be very thankful we don’t have to use these trying to survive in the Antarctica for close to two years! Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/mental-endurance

Financial planning for the New Year is top of mind for many. With the noticeable surge in the cost of daily essentials it is necessary to review spending habits and budgets and the start of a new year is a good opportunity to do so. Make sure you get the free downloads in the article How to Survive Inflationary Times. (link below)

Here are some principles to consider:

First: Determine your existing budget and ascertain the debt increment for each month. With this knowledge you can strategically curtail spending and reduce credit card debt, ultimately aligning spending with income.

Second: Identify and curtail legacy spending, particularly focusing on long-term subscriptions and insurances. This especially applies to business SAS subscriptions, which can easily pile up.

Third: Assess eating and drinking habits. Many are spending significantly on consumables like coffee and dining out. This not only impacts budgets but also health issues with obesity levels at an all-time high.

Fourth: Honest communication is important. Living accurately and making mindful spending decisions cannot be overstated. Financial trouble often arises from excessive spending on houses, cars, and dining out. Evaluate carefully the borrowing for assets that appreciate versus those that depreciate in value.

Fifth: For encouragement, disciplined spending over five years can significantly improve financial stability and lead to surplus income in the future. See article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/how-to-survive-inflation