149: Greatest hits from season three – 2020

What a year, what a season of greatest hits it’s been on the podcast! In the infamous words of Kamala Harris… “We did it. We did it, Joe!” Well, we certainly did… That’s another 47 interviews and 11 more bonus episodes for the books, helping people simplify their work, life and everything in between. Besides grappling with a pandemic, we’ve also simplified how to set healthy boundaries, boost your immune system, and bounce back stronger after a massive life change. (umm, hello COVID-19). And through this work, I’ve learned a few things about you…

You (once again) loved the episodes where I simplify these four cornerstone topics:

• Self-care and simplifying down to get back to thriving
• Gaining clarity by setting laser-focused goals
• Time management skills, doing less to accomplish more
• Sales mastery, deepening relationships with clients and vendor partners to create long-lasting collaborations

When we tackle these key areas, you tune in. These are the most downloaded shows, the ones where we drum up the most conversations amongst SUPER Insiders, and these are the ones you ask for, over and over and over again.

And especially in a year like 2020 where we all needed these foundational skills now more than ever. Juggling homeschooling and online events… finding space to have a quiet moment alone to reflect… getting back to center as you re-prioritize what projects and tasks are most important and when. The Universe shook our proverbial Etch-a-Sketch in a massive way and each of us are looking to make sense of it all. 

Thank you so much for all the private messages, emails, and feedback on how our podcast has helped you get back to thriving. Right around March, many of us changed our ‘2020 one word intention’ from something aspirational to something different. Something more like “stabilize.” I know I did. And that was a wise decision as we endured the challenges, pivoted quietly, and found ourselves still standing (and thriving) at the end of this year. 

One thing I learned is that “stabilizing” is just as noble as “growth” or “expansion.” Think about it this way… stabilizing is half the fun of surfing or stand-up paddle boarding. Without it, riding the waves is simply not possible. There is an ebb and flow to everything and it’s all about your choice of words to describe the moment you’re in now.

No more guilt or shame or perpetuating the myth of “not enoughness”… you are learning a better way to live and work like a true Simplifier.  

You are also learning how to laser-focus in on the higher yielding tasks, so you can delegate the rest. You now know how critically important it is to trust your Intuition and nourish yourself with good food, good sleep, and trusted friends. Mix this all together and you’re simplifying!! Atta girl, I’m super proud of you!

So, here are a few of the very best conversations from our top 5 episodes of season three. It’s like the Cliff’s Notes version of The Simplifiers Podcast, to remind you of how far we’ve come and what we’ve learned together. And if this is the first time you’re tuning in, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here and I can promise you more of this awesome goodness coming to you in the year ahead.

Enjoy and I look forward to helping you simplify in the new year and beyond.

And don’t forget to #Dothething!

Here are the greatest hits from season three in 2020.

110: How to structure your 5-hour workday – with Trevor Blake

This certainly falls under the time management umbrella and it will challenge your old belief on how you need to work more, more, more to achieve better results. Wrong, wrong, wrong. In fact, he predicts that if you do less, work five hours a day and stay super focused, you could actually accomplish more.

It’s time to ditch the “hustle & grind” mentality that’s being preached out there and try something new. Do less, accomplish more. And it’s possible, no matter what stage your career or business is in. Trevor breaks down his average work day and shows us how he does it. 

Remember, if you’re now cramming in homeschooling or other added responsibilities on your shoulders these days, you may only have 5 hours that you can devote to your work today. Guys, it’s no longer a pipe-dream for us to work less… it’s a necessity to keep sane. Here’s how.

Tune into the full episode

121: How to transform your life + start over again – with Alicia Haywood

I really loved sitting down and chatting with Alicia Haywood in episode 121, simplifying how to transform your life and start over again. I know many of our listeners are wedding planners around the world and in an instant, your entire industry disappeared this past spring when lockdowns were enforced. Devastating. But in that release, many of you were able to pivot into producing micro-weddings or utilizing your innate skills in project management within other industries. Like Alicia, it likely took a conscious moment to pause, reflect, and do what she calls “a life cleanse.” It’s all about being intentional in deciding where to jump to next, rather than getting swept up in the storm. It’s in this work, you will find clarity on what path is right for you in the new year ahead.

Intrigued? Listen on…

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124: How to strengthen your relationships through COVID-19 – with Dr. Gary Chapman

My next clip is from one of my favorite people on the planet… Dr. Gary Chapman, the author of the The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts. I caught up with him once again to talk about and simplify how to strengthen your personal relationships through a pandemic, episode 124. Truth be told, his advice also applies to professional relationships with your co-workers, your boss, your clients and vendors as well. It’s likely in this past year that you’ve spent more time with your loved ones… but Lord knows, it isn’t always quality time. Here’s a snippet where we talked about what to do when your partner (or you!) start to build emotional walls and isolate… how to begin to break them down and get back on a path of recovery.

The 5 Love Languages are:

• Words of affirmation
• Quality time
• Acts of Service
• Receiving Gifts
• Physical Touch

So ask yourself… what way does my spouse, my child, and even my colleague like to receive appreciation and love? And what about you? How do you like others to show their appreciation and love towards you? There’s so much to unpack here and I encourage you to go back and listen to this very popular conversation with Dr Gary Chapman.

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100: How to get sober + overcome addiction – with Laura McKowen

At the beginning of this year, we kicked off this season with a poignant conversation with writer Laura McKowen, as she shared her story of recovery from alcoholism. This is episode 100 and woof, it was a doozy. Her heartfelt book We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life was one of my favorite reads from 2020 and no matter what your “thing” might be (chocolate, overworking, fast food or even cocktails), I’m willing to bet there is something to be learned here by everyone. And while it may feel like it’s only YOU who’s struggling, the truth is you aren’t alone. And you can’t do it alone.

Here’s Laura…

Tune into the full episode

HONORABLE MENTION:

112: How to re-build community, despite social distancing – with Neil Greenwood

I know I said this one was all about our top 5 episodes, but actually I lied… It’s a top 6 recap! I just want to give a special mention to Neil Greenwood and our conversation in episode 112, simplifying how to re-build community, despite social distancing. His work through Morning Gloryville and now his new projects, Conscious Cupids (helping spectacular people bring love to life by finding lifelong partners and a community), plus Versicle (helping to raise the global standards for wellbeing through breathwork)… you can see the common thread here. It’s all about connection, love, and raising our vibration to shine bright and make a positive impact on the world.

There’s a beautiful visualization exercise at the beginning of our conversation that is about 10 minutes long. Have a listen, especially if you need to get realigned, re-focused, and re-centered in your workday. This simple breathwork will set you on a path towards clarity and help you transcend whatever blocks you’re faced with today. 

Tune into the full episode

BONUS 104: How to squash your limiting self-beliefs – with Mary Baird-Wilcock

As you know, our Tuesday episodes set the tone for the week ahead at The Simplifiers. So whatever topic we simplify in our interview episodes, we carry it through on our blog, in the SUPER Insiders online community, and in my Friday bonus episodes. These are my solo round, “super thought of the day” where I go deeper into the topic at hand. 

And our most popular bonus episode from season three is all about how to squash your limiting self-beliefs. You know, those anchors and stories that you tell yourself that hold you down and hold you back. It’s Bonus episode 104 and it was the first time as a podcaster that I lost my composure. Tears… Lots of them as I shared one of my limiting self-beliefs that I’ve been working on releasing for years now.

As you know, most bonus episodes that I record are little super pep talks for you, especially when you’re feeling down or frazzled or just need a bit of inspiration. However this one ended up also being a release for me, as I peel back the curtain and reveal a bit more about my personal life with you.

Make sure to go back into the vaults and scroll through the bonus episodes… there might be one that could really help you the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Pretend it’s just you and me, talking through it all, together like friends.

And I want you to know… this one is especially for you.

Tune into the full episode

It’s time to #DoTheThing!

<What’s catching my eye this week>

• Breonna Taylor: Who She Was, How She Died, Why Justice Is Overdue – The Daily Show
• Finish the year strong – here’s how – Thrive Global
• The people who actually had a pretty great year – The New York Times
• Mary is offering 50-minute 1-1 brainstorming sessions for those looking for ideas on how to pivot their businesses