Victor Jimenez

Grow a Business - Make an Impact - Build a Life

TFP-029-How Spending Time In Nature Can Make Us Happier and Healthier- Florence Williams

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Something as simple as a walk in the woods can help us live a better life

In this episode, I am talking with Journalist and prize-winning author Florence Williams about her latest book Nature Fix.  We discuss the current problems with our hyper-connected and indoor life and how getting outside can actually help make use happier, healthier and more creative.

Some of the points we talk about

  • What happens to our brain and body when we go outside
  • Programs that some countries are putting in place to get people in nature
  • Things that you can do
  • Getting outside under trees
  • Spending a few hours every week in nature
  • How longer bouts in nature can help

About the guest

Florence Williams is a journalist, bestselling author, podcaster and public speaker. She is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine and a freelance writer for the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The New York Review of Books, Slate, Mother Jones and numerous other publications. She is also the writer and host of the new Audible Original series, Breasts Unbound, as well as Outside Magazine’s Double-X Factor podcast. Her public speaking includes keynotes at Google, the Smithsonian, the Seattle Zoo, the Aspen Ideas Festival and many other corporate, academic and nonprofit venues.

Learn more about Florence and her work. http://www.florencewilliams.com/

TFP-028-Knowing Yourself- Dr Tasha Eurich

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How self-awareness can lead to a better business and a more fulfilling life

We all know, that to be a smart entrepreneur or leader of our community, we need strong self-awareness so that we can understand people and their motivations.  Yet often, we operate from the mistaken assumption that we understand our own motivations.

In this episode, my guest, organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich talks about how research shows that we are not as self-aware as we think we are. We also talk about how developing this skill can help us be more successful, build stronger relationships and can help us build better and more meaningful businesses and lives.

Some of the points we touch on

  • Defining Self-awareness
  • Why we often overestimate our awareness
  • Why journaling and introspection might not be helping
  • The seven pillars of insight
  • How to look at yourself from different points of view
  • and much more.

We also talked about a simple quiz that can help you understand your current state of self-awareness. Here is the link to the quiz. Insight quiz

About Insight

From Insight-Book.com

“Most people feel like they know themselves pretty well. But what if you could know yourself just a little bit better—and with this small improvement, get a big payoff…not just in your career, but in your life?

Research shows that self-awareness is the meta-skill of the 21st century—self-aware people are more successful, more confident, build better relationships, and are more respected and effective leaders. There’s just one problem: most people don’t see themselves quite as clearly as they could, and it’s rare to get candid, objective feedback from colleagues, employees, and even friends and family.

Fortunately, reveals organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, self-awareness is a surprisingly developable skill. Drawing on her research with thousands of people around the world, hundreds of scientific studies, and 15 years of working with Fortune 500 clients, Eurich helps audiences discover the surprising myths, unseen roadblocks, and scientifically supported path to self-awareness.”

Dr Tasha EurichAbout the guest:

Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author. She’s built a reputation as a fresh, modern voice in the leadership world by pairing her scientific grounding in human behavior with a pragmatic approach to business challenges. With a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University, Dr. Eurich has spent the last 15 years helping thousands of professionals—from Fortune 500 executives to early-stage entrepreneurs—improve their self-awareness and success.

As a writer, she’s contributed to The Guardian, TED.com, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and CNBC.com and her work has been featured in Business Insider, Fortune, Forbes, The New York Times, Fast Company, and New York Magazine, as well as several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Eurich’s first book, Bankable Leadership, debuted on the New York Times bestseller list in 2013, and has since become a popular resource for managers and executives who want to make their employees happy and produce bottom-line results for their business. Her second book, Insight, delves into the connection between our self-awareness – what she calls the meta-skill of the twenty-first century – and our performance and success, both in life and the workplace.

Dr. Eurich has been named one of Denver Business Journal‘s “40 Under 40,” a “Top 100 Thought Leader” by Trust Across America, and a “Leader to Watch” by the American Management Association alongside the likes of Patrick Lencioni, Ram Charan, and Chip Heath. Her 2014 TEDxMileHigh talk has been viewed more than one million times on YouTube.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cycling, historical biographies, and is an unapologetic theater nerd. She lives in her hometown of Denver, Colorado with her husband and their rambunctious dogs.

TFP-024-Compassion in Business- Monica Worline

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Compassion-One of Our Best Business Tools.

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution (likely earlier), societies have treated business and work as something separate from our humanity and our compassion.  We tend to think as if we can compartmentalize and keep various parts of our lives separate.  In practice, this is not the case at all. While many of us are good at masking personal suffering in the context of our work, it’s still there, behind the scenes. It makes us less productive, less creative and possibly keeping us from finding meaning in our work and lives.

In this important episode, I talk with one of the world’s top researchers on compassion in organizations and the workplace, Monica Worline Ph.D.

During the conversation, you will learn why it’s so important and how entrepreneurs and organizations can build a more meaningful business by creating a culture of compassion.

    • We discuss the four keys to awakening compassion in our work.
    • The role of recognizing suffering as one of the keys to being compassionate.
    • The role of leadership in creating a culture of recognizing suffering even in tiny businesses and startups.
  • Pitfalls and common mistakes that leaders make when trying to awaken compassion at work.

We talk about Monica Worline’s Ph.D. new book, co-authored with researcher Jane Dutton; Awakening Compassion At Work “The quiet power that elevates people and organizations”

About the book

Caring Is a Competitive AdvantageAwakening Compassion at Work

Suffering in the workplace can rob our colleagues and coworkers of humanity, dignity, and motivation and is an unrecognized and costly drain on organizational potential. Marshaling evidence from two decades of field research, scholars and consultants Monica Worline and Jane Dutton show that alleviating such suffering confers measurable competitive advantages in areas like innovation, collaboration, service quality, and talent attraction and retention. They outline four steps for meeting suffering with compassion and show how to build a capacity for compassion into the structures and practices of an organization—because ultimately, as they write, “Compassion is an irreplaceable dimension of excellence for any organization that wants to make the most of its human capabilities.”

Book link to Amazon: Awakening Compassion at Work

Links Mentioned on this episode:

awakeningcompassionatwork.com — book website; downloadable chapter; 100 Days of Awakening Compassion and more content coming soon
compassionlab.com — research site; downloadable papers for those who want to read the original research

About the Authors of Awakening Compassion at Work

The guest on this podcast

Monica Worline Ph.D.Monica C. Worline, Ph.D., is founder and CEO of EnlivenWork, an innovation organization that teaches businesses and others how to tap into courageous thinking, compassionate leadership, and the curiosity to bring their best work to life. She is a research scientist at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and Executive Director of CompassionLab, the world’s leading research collaboratory focused on compassion at work. Monica holds a lectureship at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and is affiliate faculty at the Center for Positive Organizations.

Jane E. Dutton, Ph.D., is the Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and Psychology at the Ross School of Business. She is a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations, and passionate about cultivating human flourishing at work. Her research focuses on compassion, job crafting, high-quality connections, and meaning making at work.  She has written over 100 articles and published 13 books (see http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/janedut/), including How to be a Positive Leader: Small Actions, Big Impact. She is a founding member of the Compassionlab—visit us and read more about our research at www.compassionlab.com.

Related posts:

Creating Meaning In your Business with Emily Esfahani Smith

Building Communities That Inspire Connection with Charles Vogel

People-Centered Workplace

Relationships at The Core of Your Business

TFP-015-Finding your Way with Purpose Mapping-Craig Filek

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Are you living your purpose through your business?

It sounds so cliche, (What is your purpose?) yet it is one of the most important things to think about in your business. If you On the right trail
can get crystal clear on your purpose then you have a much lower risk of getting burned out in your business and you will add much more value to your customers, employees and colleagues. In this episode , my guest is Craig Filek creator of a process called Purpose Mapping.  Both of us share our stories of how we built financially successful businesses that left us feeling less than fulfilled.

  • We talk about the question; How can we create something that feels authentic?
  • How we can use the top 5 regrets of the dying to help us. Link
  • We talk about my guiding principles and how I use them.
  • How to separate purpose and mission. 
  • We touch on creating a business as a flow state.

Books Mentioned in this episode

Good To Great – Jim Collins

Built To Last – Jim Collins

EMyth – Michael Gerber

craig-filek-creator-of-purpose-mappingCraig Filek, Creator of Purpose Mapping

Craig Filek knows success and significance are not the same things. After building a 7-figure business, he walked away from it all to focus on what matters most — raising his daughter and living his purpose. With over 20 years experience coaching and facilitating deep, transformative work, Craig developed Purpose Mapping® to bring his own life into alignment. Now, he guides High-Achieving Misfits to reclaim their authenticity and find true fulfillment by using their talents to full capacity in service to a larger mission.

Executives, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe seek Craig’s support when making life-changing decisions. If you’re ready to unlock your full potential without blowing up the success you’ve already created, request an invitation to speak with Craig.

TFP-013- The Neuroscience of Creativity- Dr. Andrew Newberg

What happens in your brain when you are creating?

In this fascinating episode, I am talking with Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg. We talk about his research field of Neurotheology and the connection between brain activity during creative states and religious or spiritual experiences.Creative Shadows

Have you ever wondered what happens in your brain during a creative process, meditation or even during a spiritual or religious practice? Turns out many of these experiences are closely related in terms of what is happening inside our brain.  Dr. Newberg talks about how they have used brain scan studies as well as looking into the subjective research into what people actually experience.

One of the most interesting areas we discuss in this episode is how words can actually change your brain and how you can use language in ways that create a deeper understanding and better relationships.

He touches on his research on the importance of communicating with our own personal values base actually creates a more meaningful connection.

Dr. Newberg talks about a simple values exercise that you can do to help you get clear on what your values actually are and how you can use them to help form better relationships.  We also talk about how values seem to change from materialistic oriented to more empathetic or outward oriented values when people practice compassionate communication skills.

One of the questions I am always exploring the how we connect in the online world and what that might mean to how humans communicate.  We talk about how some brief forms of virtual communication can actually be more effective than some types of in-person communications.

Listen to this fascinating episode and please share your comments and experiences.

 

Newberg-Photo-2011

Dr. Andrew Newberg

Dr. Andrew Newberg is the director of research at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine and a physician at Jefferson University Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and nuclear medicine.

Andrew has been asking questions about reality, truth, and God since he was very young, and he has long been fascinated by the human mind and its complex workings. While a medical student, he met Dr. Eugene d’Aquili, who was studying religious experiences. Combining their interests with Andrew’s background in neuroscience and brain imaging, they were able to break new theoretical and empirical ground on the relationship between the brain and religion.

Andrew’s research now largely focuses on how brain function is associated with various mental states—in particular, religious and mystical experiences. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, as well as surveys of people’s spiritual experiences and attitudes. He has also evaluated the relationship between religious or spiritual phenomena and health, and the effect of meditation on memory. He believes that it is important to keep science rigorous and words-can-change-your-brainreligion religious.

Andrew has also used neuroimaging research projects to study aging and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and
other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Learn more at his website http://www.andrewnewberg.com/

Learn about his recent book “How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain” as well as the book we mentioned
during the show “Words Can Change Your Brain” as well as other books, and current research projects

TFP-012- Putting Your Intuition To Work – Lynn Robinson

Do you use your intuition in your business?

As an entrepreneur, you are in a constant state of making decisions.  Which projects to pursue, which clients to work with and even Jellybeansif the business you are in is worthwhile. Sometimes data and advisors are helpful but often, even if data supports it we somehow know the right choice in our gut.

In this show, I talk with Author Lynn Robinson about using your intuition in your business. Listen to the story about how I went against all the data and advisors, trusting my instinct and purchased a business that turned into an amazing success.

  • Lynn explains the two main areas where this guide comes from.
  • How we can learn to listen to this “inner CEO”.
  • Cultivating ah-ha moments.
  • The role of mindfulness in developing this skill.
  • How fear can be a good guide.
  • How we can listen to our dreams to find answers.

Every entrepreneur needs to constantly hone this skill of intuition. Just like going to the gym to lift weights, learning to listen to your inner CEO takes time and effort. But the rewards can be amazing. Lynn shares a story of how she nearly won the lottery using her inner GPS.

Lynn RobinsonLynn Robinson, author, Put Your Intuition to Work.

She suggests that intuition is our “Inner GPS.” When we listen to it and act on its wisdom, it willPut Intuition to Work Book point us in the right direction — towards success! She knows how our intuition can get us what we want and take us where we want to go. Lynn has been sought out internationally for her intuitive advice and counsel. She’s a popular and widely recognized author and motivational speaker who works with businesses and individuals as a trusted intuitive advisor, offering valuable insights into goals, decisions, and strategies. Lynn has authored seven books on intuition, which have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She has a passion for teaching people how to access their intuition and develop it for practical use in everyday life. You can find out more at LynnRobinson.com.

TFP-011- Relationships at the Core of your Business? – Robert MacNaughton

How can we deepen the relationships we have in business and in our lives?

In this episode, we are talking about building meaningful relationships in eRelationshipsvery aspect of our lives.

My guest and I talk about building relational intelligence. Not just personal relationships with your family and friends but also within your business.

Somehow we have been taught that it’s ok to be more guarded in business relationships. Most of us have heard someone say “but this is business”, especially when it comes to sales. Typically this is the opposite of what it really takes to have a meaningful transaction that leaves both parties a feeling of fulfillment.

I share a story where I felt like I was only looking out for my agenda and not the customers that left both parties feeling like they got the bad end of the transaction.

We pay a relational game where Robert and I try and guess what the others emotions are during our conversation.

He did really well at picking up on my feelings at that particular moment but missed one key element. What’s interesting is what happened next when I told Robert that I was a bit nervous. It opened up a whole new depth of the conversation and how we were relating.

This is incredibly powerful personal development. I truly believe that we could solve most of the world problems if each of us takes down our guard and try to connect on a deeper level with each other.

Listen to this show and send in your comments.

We mentioned the Invisiblia podcast and a show they had about deepening relationships. It is a must listen. The episode is called The New Norm and there is a powerful story about oil rig workers.

R25b5ccae-4f1f-4afa-9b5f-b2b2904b0c80obert MacNaughton,

Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Integral Center in Boulder Colorado, has been facilitating experiential group education and been in the trenches of Integral community development for over a decade. Robert believes that before he can save the world, he should start by cleaning up his own room.  He organized the Integral Center with the vision of fostering more Integral consciousness through community practice and has trained thousands of people in relational and evolutionary leadership.

The Integral Center

TFP-010-Time Off Creates More Time

The importance of taking time off

In this show I talked about the problems within our culture of working harder and longer and how time off can really help with creativity and problem solving.

How working harder and longer doesn’t help us get more done and really can take away from our own happiness and fulfillment.

Our ability to focus on a task is extremely limited. What I mean is that sitting at your computer for 6 hours is not really effective. Some studies show that we only have the ability to focus for just a few minutes at a time.

Most of us are only about 25% effective at executing at task or job at work.

If we are so ineffective, why do we spend so much time at work?

One solution

Making space in our lives for clearing our minds. This can happen in many ways but most of us are notoriously bad at this exercise.

Its really a practice. Its similar to going to the gym and lifting weights. You will get better at taking time off if you practice.  Many creatives and entrepreneurs start of projects and a mind clearing exercise.

Try this simple exercise on some problem you are working on right now. It could be anything, what to write in a sales email, what to have for dinner, etc. Step outside for a few minutes and focus of something in nature. Possibly a plant or tree, or the way the sunlight reflects off the side of a building.  Just try and notice as many details about your focus item as possible. If you find yourself starting to think back to your problem, refocus.  Imagine you are a photographer looking for textures and details.

Once your done, go back to your problem of project and see if you feel a little more energized.

Here is a simple breakdown of what time off can look like.

  • Short Term- This may be taking a minute away from what you are doing.
  • Mid Term- This is usually a long daily break – in the show I talk about my long walks with my dog
  • Longer Term- These are weekly, monthly, quarterly, retreats where we take time completely away from our normal routine.

Listen in to this show on what you will actually do during this time off and how it can help you bring more of yourself to your business and life.

All of this is part of a bigger practice of mindfulness in business. Listen to this earlier episode about meditation and mindfulness. 

TFP-009 Mindful Communication in Business and Life – Dan Huston

What if we really pay attention and listen to our customers, employees and even ourselves? 

Today we are talking about bringing mindful communication and attention into business.Mindful Buddha

In this show I talk with Dan Huston. Dan is a professor and expert on communicating mindfully. We talk about what it means to communicate mindfully, and how you might think about incorporating this type of communication into your business.

Some of the areas relating to mindfulness that we talked about.

  • Victor shared a story that is unfortunately typical of how we often communicate.
  • What is mindfulness?
  • Where does it fit into business?
  • How does mindfulness give us context?
  • How can we communicate fully when we are not fully present, e.g., while texting, during video calls, etc. ?
  • Why positive thinking may be adding to your own stress.
  • How simple awareness can diffuse many feelings of stress.
  • How can mindfulness help us be more authentic?

I encourage you to think about incorporating mindfulness into your business. Whether you are a one person business or an operation with a larger team, it can help you, your customers, colleagues, and employees be happier people and will lead to a stronger bottom line.

Links mentioned in this show

Communicating Mindfully

Book 10% happier

App 10% Happier

Dan Huston - mindful communication expertDan Huston: As a Full Professor in the English Department at NHTI, Concord’s Community College, Dan teaches mindful communication and writing, and he serves as assistant to the department head. He has been incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and emotional intelligence into his communication curriculum for over fifteen years and was awarded NHTI’s 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Huston is the author of the textbook Communicating Mindfully: Mindfulness-Based Communication and Emotional Intelligence, as well as numerous other
publications on mindful communication.   His Communicating Mindfully course doubles as a form of professional development for faculty at his college and elsewhere. This training has inspired curriculum development to infuse mindfulness into a variety of courses ranging from literature to information technology.   He regularly presents at national and regional conferences, as well as at public and private institutions, and he provides business training in Communicating Mindfully. Huston has received training at the renowned Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn.