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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

January 23, 2019

TLP134: Keeping Promises

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We’re all a work in progress, and whether we call it a resolution, or an ongoing commitment, it’s all part of building character to consistently develop and grow. Today, Jim and Jan talk about making promises and resolutions, and why we seem to let our own goals die before helping others achieve theirs. They discuss how great leaders tackle a to do list, the key questions to ask surrounding a resolution, the importance of time and attitude, and how we can manage our day by managing our energy level.

Key Takeaways

[4:13] It’s often easier to let ourselves down before we disappoint or break a promise to others. If we hold our own commitments in just as high regard as we do for others, we are much more likely to follow through.

[5:51] Good leaders look at their to do lists, and determine what actions are truly aligned with their success and overall mission. They aren’t afraid to cross off the ones that don’t serve a purpose.

[8:22] The first step to keeping resolutions and promises: have realistic expectations, and break things down into completable and measurable chunks within your control.

[12:04] Ask yourself these questions to make room in your life for the resolution to be accomplished:

  • Why am I doing this?
  • What is the outcome I hope for?
  • How will I measure my progress?
  • What is the baseline?
  • What are you going to sacrifice, and how will you sustain that sacrifice?

[13:44] Get out that pen and piece of paper, and write your goals down!

[15:56] Break your goals down into chunks of what you can control, and when are you going to do it.

[16:26] It’s all about time and attitude. Give yourself the space to work on your goals, and the attitude to be grateful for the present moment and continuous improvement.

[21:16] When you manage your energy, you create time. Observe at what time of the day you are best at writing, conversing, critically thinking, etc. Create a schedule as best you can around these activities and you will start to see a flow in your day.

[22:19] Jan’s promises are: writing more, and creating / crafting material for courses.

[23:09] Jim is working on perfecting the time energy balance. He is (thinking about) going on another crucible, and working on a book, which he promised to us will have the first draft finished by December 31, 2019.


How to Contact Jim & Jan


Quotes

  • “Keeping a promise is more sacred than a resolution.”
  • “When your valued are aligned with what you hold dear, quitting isn’t an option.” – Jan’s Ted Talk
  • “ We often must sacrifice in the  short term for long term gains.”
  • “Come up with a way to measure the progress, and continue to hold yourself accountable.”
  • “When you manage your energy, you create time.”
Click here to learn more…

Show Mentions:

  • Stop Managing Your Time and Start Managing Your Energy
  • TLP087: Dan Pink on When – The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
Jim & Jan

These are the books mentioned in Jim and Jan’s podcasts.

The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years

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The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

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All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
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All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Leaders Eat Last

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Leaders Eat Last
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The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization

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The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization
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The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

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Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
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Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Dress for Success

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Dress for Success
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great

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Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great
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Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great

Strengths Finder 2.0

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Strengths Finder 2.0
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Strengths Finder 2.0

Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing

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Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing
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Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

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Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
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Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems

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Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems
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Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems

The Power of Habit

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How to Win Friends and Influence People

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How to Win Friends and Influence People
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How to Win Friends and Influence People

Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work

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Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work
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Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work

The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!

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The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!
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The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!

Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade

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Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
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Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

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When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
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When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

The Experience Economy

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The Experience Economy
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The Experience Economy

Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are

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Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are
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Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are

The Wisdom of Crowds

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The Wisdom of Crowds
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The Wisdom of Crowds

Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust

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Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust
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Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

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Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
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Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Let’s Get Small

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The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations

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The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations

The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence

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The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence

Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk

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Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk
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Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk

Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control

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Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control
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Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control

THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER

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THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER
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THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER

Leaders: Myth and Reality

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Leaders: Myth and Reality
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Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It

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Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It
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Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It

The Littlest Green Beret

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The Littlest Green Beret
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Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills

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Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills
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