Lean InWith Casey Grey
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Trying... What a useless word.
I admit, I'm guilty of using this word. I'm trying to remove this from my vocabulary... Wait... I WILL remove this from my vocabulary. I don't see any use for it. I'm either going to do the task I have set out to do or I'm not. I'm committed or I'm not. I'm strong enough or I'm not. There's no in between. Do it or don't do it. If I think back to when I use this word, it's either when I don't really want to do something or I'm not confident I'm able to do it. In either case, it's usually just a mind shift that's required or a commitment. Let's work together to remove this word-that-shall-not-be-said from our lives. Let's replace it with something that empowers us! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
I'm baffled when people tell me they CAN'T do something.
I can't lose weight. I can't quit my job. I can't start a business. I can't go on vacation. I can't quit smoking. I can't quit eating meat. I can't buy a new car. I can’t control my kid. I can't. I can't. I can't. The truth is that people do these things every single day. People who say they can't are CHOOSING not to do these things. They are choosing to prioritize something else. Which is totally fine if that's what they want to do! Just stop saying that you can't, because you can. Our brain is a powerful tool that, if used properly, can propel us. If used improperly, it will keep us stuck. The thing about our brain is that it does not want to be wrong. If you tell it you can't do something, it will say, "you're right! Let me tell you all the reasons you can't do that." BUT… The same thing is true when you say, "I can and I will." Your brain will say, "Alright! Let's figure out how to do this!" Just like going to the gym you need to exercise the brain. You need to train it. You need to start with the 5 pound dumbbells and work yourself up to the 100 pound dumbbells. Increase that weight every day. Remove CAN'T from your vocabulary and watch the magic that happens in your life. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
One of the things I enjoy doing with my son is watching animated movies. It's the little kid in me I guess. What I love most about these animated movies is the message in them. Every once in a while there's a really good one that truly stands out.
The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) is one that stood out! There are so many amazing messages throughout the movie and it was truly captivating. The one that stood out for me was, "Growing up is not the problem. Forgetting is." It's a reminder to focus on what is most important. To focus on the people whose lives I can have a positive impact on as opposed to the number of followers I have on instagram. To have fun, be a kid, smile, laugh and cry. To be present with the person in front of me. To write and talk about what inspires me. To approach everyday with a sense of excitement, curiosity and willingness to serve. And a willingness to have fun. Remember what it was like to be a kid. Remember how magical the world was. Remember how big the world was. Remember how easy it was to have fun. Remember the power of the imagination. Remember that you’re never too old to be a kid. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
Have you ever seen a dog owner greet their dog after a day away (or even just a couple hours away)? Perhaps you are this person. The excitement and love that comes from both sides of the interaction is contagious. There's no way to watch this event without smiling.
This can be similar for parents and their kids (or at least younger kids). I’ve been a part of both of these interactions. Coming home to my dog after a long day or work or picking up my son from school. It’s a fun experience. This had me thinking... When I see my wife after a day of work, I don't exude the same excitement as when I see my son or when I used to see my dog. Why? I love her just as much as my son, if not more. I definitely love her more than I loved my dog. Why do I hold back this excitement? What am I afraid of? When I see my team members at work, I hold back as well. Why not show them I'm happy to see them and proud to have them on the team? I don't need to hug and kiss them like I do with my son or wrestle them like I did with my dog but I can show excitement. What if I greeted everybody with the same excitement I have when greeting my dog or child? How would that improve my relationships? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
There is a big difference between marketing and branding. Marketing is a strategy whereas branding is a symbol of who you are as a company or a person.
Marketing can be implemented over night whereas a brand could take years to establish. Marketing is the short game whereas brand is the long game. Both are important. But don’t get them confused. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
I've made a point to add fun into my life over the past years and really stepped it up in 2018 with the purchase of a 1977 VW Camper Van and Skydiving.
In 2019 I've added skiing with the family and gymnastics to the mix of regular things. In 2020 I’m owning the podcast and Youtube world and embodying it to the fullest. The thing I've realized about fun is that it has nothing to do with the thing you are doing. It is all about the attitude you bring to that thing you are doing. As I like to tell my teams, "Not all situations are fun but fun can be brought into all situations.” Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
Have you ever learned from somebody who you thought you were suppose to teach?
As parents, society talks about how we are supposed to protect and teach our children. To make sure we raise the next generation "right". Give them the opportunities that we did not have. Put them in better schools, sports and other extracurricular activities. Be the best! You want to win but don't worry if you lose because you still get a medal. Alright that last comment may be for another episode... What if we forgot about all this? What if, instead, we tried to learn from our children instead of feeling like we need to teach them everything? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
I’ve spent the majority of my life thinking about the future. As an entrepreneur, I think this is a natural tendency.
How do I achieve my next goal? What do I need to do? Who do I need to know? Where do I need to be? And so forth… For the most part, I believe this is a strength. Visionaries need this and the world needs visionaries. With that in mind though, I believe there is tremendous power, if not more power, in being present. How would your life change if you lived every day knowing that you would look back on these days as the Good Old Days? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
Do you remember the excitement you would feel as a kid when you were anticipating something fun? Do you remember having to wait for just one more sleep?
Now, as an adult, it’s sad to say but I rarely lose sleep because of excitement. It’s usually because of anxiety, worry or stress. But what if we trained the mind to think like a kid again? What if we reconnected with that childlike imagination when anything was possible? When a fat man in a red suit could slide down a chimney and leave you exactly what you wanted under a tree covered in decorations? What would that do for you life? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players.
Trees that grow in protected conditions will not grow strong roots. A tree that stands out in the open, exposed to all the elements will grow to be stronger than a tree in the middle of a forest.
The tree adapts to its environment from a young age and take the time to grow accordingly. A tree in the middle of a forest may grow upwards quickly but will fail to grow strong roots. It will compete with the other trees to grow tall and get the rays from the sun. It’s constantly competing and trying to outreach the neighbouring trees. Yes, it’s protected from the storms and will likely stand tall but only as long as the surrounding trees are also standing tall. You get to choose... Do you want to stand in the middle of the forest and compete to be the tallest or do you want to stand out in the middle of a field and grow to be stronger than every other tree in that forest? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher or any other of your favourite podcast players. |
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