Summary::

If you listened to the past episode, you know that I was in Thailand a couple weeks ago and went to visit Ma:D Club for Social Enterprise. At the culmination of my interview with them, she suggested I speak with a couple guys who have a social enterprise and are using the environment as their workspace. So I bought them in!

These brothers are doing something really cool for Thailand. They are created alternate packing solutions that are not only more environmentally friendly but also allow street vendors to create a better income for themselves and their families. 

“If any listener would like to start a social business, it would be good. Listen to the real problems of someone [you] would like to help and [you] can find the right solutions to help them.”

These guys speak Thai primarily, so I give them a lot of credit for sitting down to this interview without a prior outline. So join us on this glimpse of life and work in Thailand.

“Start with something little in your life; think about the others more. Do people around you have any problems that you can help? That is the start.”

Links + Items mentioned::

• TP Packaging Solutions Co.

Questions I ask::

• How do you get people to accept the new ideas you present to them?
• Are there challenges of working with the Low-Income Sector?
• How can we start businesses that have a social impact?

Takeaways from this episode::

• How to make sure your idea is not only profitable but also creating positive change on the environment.
• How to create a financially stable business model without using a lot of money.
• A view of life and work in Thailand

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Summary::

Have you ever felt completely torn when making a mega decision that could impact the path of your life right now?

I have many times and I bet you have too. It just so happens that this week I’m taking a huge financial risk to further my biz.

Today I’m discussing this topic and letting you in on how to deal with risk-taking, on this mini episode!

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Summary::

Before I went over to Thailand a couple of weeks ago, I had taken a day to search around if there were any social enterprises I’d like to visit while there. I happen to come across a place that is not only a social enterprise itself but is a co-work space in Bangkok for anyone wishing to start one (or in the middle of creating one).

I walked there the first day I got into the city (right before a torrential downpour flooded the street:) and asked if I could interview them. The project Coordinator quickly gave me a private room and sat down for a fun interview. We’re just two people across the world, meeting for the first time, both with a passion for social biz. Ma: D welcomes anyone who is interested or working in the topics of:  Education, corruption, poverty, public areas,  agriculture, Sustainable lifestyle, environment, Technology, Social Communication, Waste Management, disabilities, human right, disaster, etc.

“Our dream is that we have a space like Ma:D in each city [in Thailand], and people concerned about social issues can come and and network.”

Nar speaks Thai primarily, so I give her a lot of credit for sitting down to this interview without a prior outline. So join us on this glimpse of life and work in Thailand.

Links + Items mentioned::

• www.madeehub.com
• Facebook
• RelationFlip
• ChangeFusion

Questions I ask::

• What are some social projects that Ma:D is home to?
• What do you hope to see changed within Bangkok?
• How can we create a project for good that is also sustainable financially?

Takeaways from this episode::

• Ideas for collaborating if you work solo.
• How to make an impact socially.
• How little steps can create big change.
• A view at life and work in Thailand

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Summary::

“Every Morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams, or wake up and chase them.”

1. Prepare for success the night before 

Having a good morning routine can often mean spending a few minutes of your evening preparing for the day to come. Do the dishes, organize your desk, set the coffee maker to brew your morning coffee automatically and make sure to set an alarm (if you need one). And also set a bedtime! I believe the newest iPhone update also not only lets you set an alarm, but a go to bed alarm too!

2. Catch those Zzzzs

Another important factor that can set you up well for the following day is sleep. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night so that you are functional and ready to jump into a new day. More and more studies are coming out about the importance of sleep, so don’t slack here! If you are interested in this topic, Arianna Huffington speaks a lot about this and even has a book called the Sleep Revolution. Here is her TED talk.

3. Meditate 

Okay, I must admit, I’m not very good at following this one, BUT I’ve heard so many leaders discuss the benefits of it that I had to include meditation. Just 20 minutes of meditation in the morning can help clear the mind and allows you the time and space to figure out the best plan of attack for the day. It can also help you control your mind in times of high-stress when you feel like your mind is moving a mile a minute.

Meditation has a bad rap in some circles, but just because you don’t identify as a crunchy granola type of meditating hippie, doesn’t mean that millions of people (including many successful entrepreneurs and world leaders) are wrong. Meditation is a fantastic way of combatting decision fatigue, anxiety, and stress.

If you’re a Meditation beginner like me, I’ve found the Headspace app to be the only thing that keeps my interest. Simply Download the app and listen to a guided meditation for 10 minutes. I prefer to do it before bed or first thing in the morning. 

4. Eat Breakfast

We’ve all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it is. Whether you choose bulletproof coffee, a piece of fruit, toast and eggs, or a green smoothie, breakfast refuels your body after the night of sleeping (literally breaking the fast), and you will feel that burst of energy throughout the morning.

It’s important to note that pre-made breakfast foods are often high in sodium or sugars, cereals are one of the main culprits here, so make sure you’re limiting your consumption of foods of that nature and always check the nutritional information on the food you buy.

If you want to try something new, like incorporating a smoothie as your breakfast, I would recommend following SimpleGreenSmoothies on instagram. They often do month-long challenges were they provide a grocery list weekly and new recipe daily. 

5. Make an Achievable to-do list

The difference between a ‘To Do’ list and an achievable ‘To Do’ list, is the word achievable, which happens to be the most important part. If you write a list of all the things you have to do, you are setting yourself up for failure. Yes, you have to clean the living room and make an appointment for a checkup at the dentist, but does that need to be on your list of today?

An achievable ‘To Do’ list is a list of the top few things that you need to get done that day. You need to have triaged your full list of things to do and consolidated it down to the things that are most necessary for productivity and success.

I LOVE my new daily Planner from Ruff House Art. It’s simple, yet big enough to give me enough space, and I can check off the bubble next to everything I’ve done for extra gratification.

6. Exercise

Morning exercise is an effective and healthy way to wake up your body and mind. A little exercise will help you think clearly for the rest of the day and invigorate your sleepy body so it powers up and runs smoothly. MRI scans of the brain show that your mind is more active and productive after exercise. You will be able to focus better after a little light exercise, plus it’s good for your physical health too.

You don’t need to be running for an hour every morning, try doing between 7-25 minutes 6 days a week. For instance, you could walk for 10 minutes one day, and swim laps the next, do an at home circuit routine one morning and run stairs later in the week.

A bit of light exercise is not only good for your body, but you will feel a definite increase in your concentration and alertness levels on mornings when you wake up and get the blood flowing.

7. Pick 3 wins for the day

Speaking of success, while you’re waiting for the coffee to brew or your toast to brown, have a think about three things that you can and will achieve that day.

Did you do exercise that morning? Yes, well that’s win #1. Are you giving a presentation later? You’re going to nail it and that will be win #2. Ticking off all the items on your achievable to do list will be win #3.

It’s important to walk into your day knowing that you can make it a productive and positive day full of achievement and success, even if the feeling of that success is largely due to having completed small tasks. The difference that a mindset like this will have on your overall well-being and productivity is enormous.

The 5 Minute Journal has been talked about before on here, but I love it so much. It allows you to express gratitude, plan for wins, and pat yourself on the back at the end of the day. All in 5 Minutes. Grab it here!

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Summary::

For years, I listened to Podcasters talk about “coaches” they had for their business. It always confused me; I mean I’ve had my share of basketball coaches, pole vaulting coaches, volleyball coaches, but a life and business coach? Who are they and where do you even find one? 

And then earlier this year, as I started following more authors and podcasters on Facebook and learning more of the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, I realized being a coach is a whole new line of work that there is quite the demand for! So I had to bring on a coach and find out more!

“You can start changing your life by changing your story.” 

Ariel is based in Chicago and went from restaurant waitress with a dream to a coach with a global impact. 

“You don’t have to hit the rock bottom point in your life, I think you can decide to create change now wherever you’re at, and then accelerate forward “

So listen in as Ariel tells us how she helps create 5 and 6 figure months for herself and her clients!

“It was that exact same time that i had negative money in my bank account and I was like, “When are things gonna get better,” and I didn’t realize that it was up to me, THAT I COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.”

“I was trying to show up as much as possible, and give people as much value as possible. And I think that by doing that and by being your authentic self…the clients do flow and the people that are attracted to you and who resonate with your message flow pretty easily.”

Links + Items mentioned::

• www.arielfrey.com
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Book)
• Badass Bosslady Mastermind Facebook Group 
• Save the Children
• Heifer International
• Malala Fund

Questions I ask::

• Should everyone have a coach?
• Where do the majority of your sales come from?
• How can we create change in our lives?
• What is the biggest thing that holds people back from being successful?

Takeaways from this episode::

• How to create a tribe around you.
• What types of changes a new lifestyle can bring.
• How to step into our potential.
• How to continuously push the envelope and teach new things.

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Last week I was sitting in Rocket. Rocket is a trendy cafe in the middle of Bangkok, Thailand that I have a small obsession with. I’ve been thinking about the beautiful place for over a year and a half, and thus it was an easy decision to make it the first stop of my day when in Bangkok. 

Sitting at a table in the middle of the Nordic minimalist designed place, I found myself extremely content. Now, this is pretty rare for me. Not that I’m hard to please, but that I often am continuously looking to the next thing. What project can I do next? When will we summit this hike? What pastry will I eat today (often thought about before breakfast)?

Does this sound familiar? Do you find yourself always excited for the next personal milestone in your life, and eager to get through the lackluster moment of “now?” 

Well, I want to remind you to slow down your mind today.

Take a breath.

Actively appreciate everything that you have going for you in this moment and remind yourself of a few things you’ve already achieved today! Did you have a good breakfast? Maybe a coworker complimented you. Have you set a time to exercise later?

The other day I was asking my friend what she did that day and as she started telling me…and then went on and on, she stopped herself and literally said, “Wow, we’ve done a lot today!” I bet if you rattled off your day to me right now, it would be pretty impressive, too! 

We often mistakenly brush off the menial tasks of our days, forgetting that all of those little things are the building blocks for getting to bigger and better places, or developing your passions, or finding friendships. 

While I was sitting in Rocket, mind at ease, smiling to myself, I grabbed a napkin and wrote down a note to myself titled:

“Moments When I Couldn’t Be Happier.”

“Focus solely on the creation of projects for people. Smile knowing my work is needed and comes easily for me. I am not (distracted) weighed down by un-passionate work. I am fully engaged in the moment and perfection of today.

It was a note to remind myself that sometimes the simplest moments are the ones that can be the most profound. I had much more clarity in that moment than when I’m overwhelming my brain with books, blog posts, and everything else I can learn from. 

So no matter what you are doing right now, whether its work or play, boring or fun, enjoy THIS moment. Be easy on yourself. You’ll never get this moment back and it is your decision whether you make this a Happy Moment or not (and we all need more happy times!)

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Summary::

Often I find myself in new situations, talking to new people, and I can’t say it’s always been easy for me. Talking to new or unfamiliar people can often be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

“Every Stranger comes with an Opportunity…to learn something new or hear a story that you’ve never heard before.”

Today I’m discussing some tips on how to be confident when you find yourself in new situations with people. So let’s get started on some areas you can work on today.

• Put yourself on the same playing field

Do not go into a conversation thinking you are less valuable or knowledgeable than the next person. Maybe they have more experience in a particular subject you admire them in, but I’m willing to bet you have some talents they don’t possess. So don’t count yourself out before a convo is even struck up. Because who knows, they might be thinking the same way and be intimidated by you!

• Don’t be afraid to discuss a vulnerable subject. 

I once heard Tim Ferriss say that prior to his podcast interviews he helps the guest feel relaxed by telling a vulnerable story about himself. This not only lowers the intimidation factor, but also invited people to share stories about themselves that are deeper that what you may get otherwise. 

• Skip the small talk.

What’s the question you get asked most often? Probably “Where do you work?” Which is fine, but often if their line of work doesn’t benefit or interest you in some way, the conversation is already going downhill. Here in Jackson, it’s a bit more unique, because yes, you get the work question, but just as often you get asked about the latest adventure you’ve been on. And I’ve really come to appreciate that. So think about diving into people’s hobbies and interests before their workplace (unless the two coincide) and watch as they light up telling you stories.  

• Make an effort to find commonalities.

This is one of the main things I try to do, and it’s easier than you think. I posted a photo of Pad Thai on Instagram yesterday (because I’m obsessed) and an old roommate of mine commented that she wished we were closer now because she could eat it every day too. So, it can be silly or more serious, like an issue you agree on. And you never know what projects could be born out commonality!

• Be positive.

How awful is it to have a negative person jabbering in your ear? Seriously, can all the Debby Downers please step down from their pedestal?! As hard as I’ve tried to stick with positive people, there have been many times throughout my life where I’ve had to grin a bear a Negative Nancy. And you know it’s not fun and I know it’s not fun. So don’t be that person. It’s okay to have a serious heart to heart about an issue in your life, or talk about a problem you’re dealing with, but don’t overdo it or tell every stranger you see. People have enough setbacks in their own lives and a little positivity can go a long way for them (and yourself!).

• Give unique compliments.

The more compliments, the better! If it’s simple, totally fine, if it’s unique, even better! Someone recently gave me the compliment that she felt each podcast was getting better. I really enjoyed that because she could have simply told me she enjoyed them, but now I know she sees a visible difference, which is exactly what I’m working to achieve. So take people’s passions into account and try to compliment them where it means the most.

• Listen to hear, not to reply.

Listen, listen, listen! I’m sure you’ve heard this one a lot, but it’s important. I’ve learned this the most within my relationship during disagreements. Where I used to interupt to give my point, I know listen to the entire store (or at least try to) before adding my two cents. It’s not always easy, but the other person will feel more heard and appreciated if you stop trying to overtake their stories with your own.

• Don’t be manipulative.

We all know the people. The ones that want to chat when you can offer them something, but don’t give you the time of day if you see them elsewhere. It’s the worst feeling, so don’t be that person. Treat everyone the same. At the end of the day, maybe it’s that person you ignored that could have given you the job offer of a lifetime.

• Try to learn from every person you interact with.

Old, young, different….you can learn SO much by interacting with people you normally wouldn’t. So even if someone believes something way different than you, or you feel that you can hardly relate to them, at the end of the conversation give yourself a second to think about one thing you learned by talking with them. 

Every INTERACTION is an opportunity to learn. Only if we are interested in IMPROVING, rather than PROVING.

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Summary::

THIS. GIRL. You guys, I can’t even describe in words how amazing this chick is! If everyone had a friend like Dianna, who exudes positive energy and passion, we would all be better off. Today she joins me to talk about the program she has created in Thailand called Shear Love International. Shear Love International trains women from all walks of life. Whether coming from a background of poverty, abuse, exploitation, or trafficking, they believe all women deserve an education and an opportunity to thrive. 

“Everyone has something [to offer], they just need a willing heart to teach it.”

Shear Love International is designed to educate and empower women by providing an education in hair design. Dianna discusses how she goes about equipping women with vocational knowledge, financial training, and personal development to give them an opportunity to support their families in a dignified way. She speaks a lot of using our passions to create a better world, which I fully agree with.

“With all the passion behind me, I passionately invite anyone else who’s out there wanting to live their vision to just do it. Theres no one stopping you but yourself.”

Links + Items mentioned::

• www.shearloveinternational.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Questions I ask::

• How has travel molded you into making changes worldwide
• How can doing hair be a catalyst for real change?
• How are you able to get past cultural barriers?

Takeaways from this episode::

• How you can use ANY passion to make an impact
• Challenged of working and living abroad
• Inner Beauty vs. Outer Beauty

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Summary::

Just last week, I decided on a whim that I should fly across the world to visit an organization that I interviewed on the podcast. I was so blown away by what Dianna Bautista is doing over in Thailand that I knew I needed some first-hand experience. So in a few days, I plan to check it out!

Spontaneity can often yield some of the best results because it’s the beauty of the unexpected. I’m not sure if I have the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, or if it’s because I say yes to spontaneous adventures, but I’ve had my share of them.

For example, back in college, I lived in Newport Beach for a bit. One day I was grabbing a coffee at a local cafe and in line was chatting small talk to the person behind me. He asked me if I’d ever went rowing before, I said no, and an hour later I found myself in the bay on my own boat, learning how. I’ve never rowed since, but that experience is one I won’t forget. 

Another time in college, back in Cincinnati, I had a few friends who I had introduced to a professor to help them get into a wine tasting course. We were fashion students, so it was kind of an odd request, but I was trying to use college to my advantage haha! Anyways, a few months later, one of the girls came up to me and said she and the other two were planning a trip to India with the professor and suggested I come along. I laughed it off because the idea was so outlandish to me, but they insisted I come to a dinner to chat about it. A few months later, I found myself on a 2-week excursion around India seeing their fashion industry first hand. A crazy experience to say the least, and one I never expected, but one that was unforgettable. 

More recently, here in Jackson a couple of years ago, my roommate and I were grabbing dinner with our kickball teammates after a Friday night win, and halfway through my friend turns to me and informs me two of the guys are taking us climbing up Grand Teton the next day. Now, the Tetons are no joke, and I’m no climber. And visions of me crying as I summited Middle Teton the year before flashed in my head. I laughed it off, but was quickly persuaded that I couldn’t let this opportunity pass, and yes, the next day found myself camping halfway up the mountain, learning to rappel in the dark with a headlamp on. I wouldn’t exactly suggest this is the best way to go about climbing the Tetons, but I will say that summiting that mountain is one of my favorite feats in Jackson. 

What’s the last thing that you’ve spontaneously done? I’m willing to bet it was either life-changing, unforgettable, or both. Often, having a plan is great, but adding some spontaneity in the mix can often add a beautiful spice to your life. 

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” — Wilfred Peterson

Spontaneity isn’t normal. So don’t expect people to welcome or agree with your crazy idea. Actually, you should probably expect some backlash, if your plan is outlandish enough. But if you dig deep, you’ll probably find that your friends want to join you, or maybe, in reality, they’re too scared to and want to hold you back. This week, try to do something a little different.

This week, try to do something a little different and see how you feel afterward. For some people it could be signing up a new exercise class or going out to a really nice dinner, or for others like me, it could be flying to a foreign land. 

Sometimes not having a plan is the best plan. I hope this discussion made you think about how adding a bit of spontaneity in your life can often be just what you need.

“Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life is meant to be.” — Steve Pavlina

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