Whatever Works Podcast

Default to Openness

In both your personal and professional lives, a default to openness can improve your communications dramatically. Most people default to a superficial communication style and only share what’s truly on their minds with one or two close friends or colleagues. Flipping this philosophy means choosing transparency by default and trusting and sharing with others unless they demonstrate that they are not to be trusted.

When Triggered, Pause

If you ever find yourself struggling to regulate your emotions, simply take a break. It’s a small reminder that can help a lot. Sometimes conversations touch on sensitive topics, leading one or more participants to become emotionally triggered. It can be helpful to take a pause and allow that person’s nervous system an opportunity to calm down and reorganize.

Post Mortem After Arguments

Disagreements are a part of life. It’s how we handle them that matters—a “post mortem” after an argument can be incredibly beneficial. All you have to do is independently evaluate what you, personally, could have done differently. After an argument, there is a natural tendency to forget about it and try to go back to normal. If this is done too quickly—without taking the time to learn and grow—the same issues may resurface at a later time. Instead, take a post mortem.

Make the Most of Therapy

Therapy is precious, so do everything you can to protect that time. Treat it like you would an important job interview, work appointment, or personal holiday.You’re in therapy for a reason. Time spent in sessions is special and important for your process. You’re investing a lot of money, time, and emotional energy in therapy, so why not make the most of it?

Pause and Ask Why

Sometimes taking a breath before launching into your next problem is the best way to come up with a solution. You have to reconnect with the reasons why you are doing what you’re doing–I call this “pausing and asking why.”

Getting Things Done

How has your New Year begun? Are you getting everything done that you need to in order to set yourself up for success this year? There’s a way to be productive and still stress-free, says David Allen, called the Getting Things Done (GTD) method.

Active Listening

“Active listening” is probably the concept that, of all these tools, most of you may be familiar with, or have heard of in passing. But it isn't just for children, therapy, or school. It can be used at work, within relationships, and in almost every conversation you're part of. Listening with full intent instead of waiting to speak is a practice that all people should take more care to employ.

Mind Mapping

Something on your mind lately? Let's talk about how Mind Mapping can help you organize tasks large and small. Our minds are always buzzing with ideas, concepts, and potential solutions to problems. Sometimes, though, we have so much happening in our heads that we cannot find or make sense of these thoughts when we need them. You can clarify your thoughts and break large goals into workable pieces by pouring ideas into a mind map.

Meditation

I believe that Meditation is one of the pillars for life, and it's simpler to put into practice than you might think. These days, meditation is gaining mainstream popularity, from dozens of meditation apps to the Netflix show Headspace, as well as through tens of thousands of academic papers on meditation. Meditation can reduce stress, provide health benefits, and help you be more aware and in control.Just focus on paying attention to what is happening right now.

Gratitude

We all need to take a step back sometimes and cultivate an appreciation for the things we have. It’s a practice called gratitude, and it can completely change the way you see your life. Recognizing and acknowledging people, events, and material things for which you’re grateful can alleviate feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety and bring positive feelings into your life. Most of us have a negativity bias, and gratitude is effective in alleviating that. What are you grateful for today?