Start with Small Steps

164 - Using the Tools of the Creative Today, we will explore the concept of creativity and how it applies to our everyday lives. I'll be sharing some insights from Adam Savage's book, "Every Tool is a Hammer", as well as my own experiences with podcasting and project management. First up, let's talk about the power of deadlines. As creators, we all have unique ways of expressing ourselves, but sometimes we need a little push to make decisions and move forward. That's where deadlines come in - they can help us prioritize and fine-tune what's truly important in our projects. I'll be sharing some tips on how to set effective deadlines and how they've helped me improve my own work. Next, we'll delve into the world of project management and diagramming. Even if you're not a natural artist, there are plenty of tools and apps available to help you create diagrams and visualize your work. I'll be sharing my own experience with using Visio to diagram a project plan at work, and how it helped us identify a crucial gap in our process. Then, we'll explore the concept of learning by iterations. It's all about understanding that the first few attempts at something may not be perfect, but each attempt gets us closer to perfection. Embrace the journey of creativity, even when it doesn't go as planned. Sometimes, the most joy comes from the unexpected turns in our creative journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98S4m-uZe9Y https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3759 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

163 -Embracing the Maker Mindset and Unleashing Your Creativity Today, we talk about the importance of embracing creativity and the mindset of being a maker. Anyone can be a creator, no matter what activity or project they choose. I'll be sharing some ideas from the book Every Tool's a Hammer. Life is What You Make It by Adam Savage and insights about the power of passion and obsession in driving creative pursuits. Additionally, I'll be highlighting the significance of creating detailed lists and organizing tasks to maintain focus and momentum. Are you familiar with the concept of "knolling"? I'll be discussing it and the importance of setting up a workspace or environment that is conducive to creativity and productivity. Collaboration is key, and I'll be stressing the value of seeking help when needed rather than trying to tackle everything independently. I know that challenges may arise during the creative process, but I want to encourage you to persevere and complete projects with attention to detail. In this episode, I want to remind you that everyone has the ability to be a maker in their own unique way. Whether it be through crafting physical objects or engaging in creative pursuits like public speaking or podcasting, there are endless possibilities. So, let's embrace our passions, follow our inspirations, and take small steps towards realizing our creative potential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98S4m-uZe9Y https://startwithsmallsteps.com/163-embracing-the-maker-mindset-and-unleashing-your-creativity/(opens in a new tab) Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

162 - Mastering Communication in a Distracted World We'll dive into the topic of capturing and retaining attention in an increasingly distracted world. As a host, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to maintain focus in various situations. We will review some useful tips and strategies to help you improve your communication skills and hold your audience's attention. One of the key things to keep in mind is that attention must be earned, not bought or stolen. That's why I highly recommend checking out "8 Seconds: Communication Secrets for a Distracted World" by Paul Hellman. This book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to gain people's attention and make a lasting impact through communication. One of my favorite techniques is using a clear structure in presentations that addresses the audience's questions: why they should listen, what the main topic is, and what action they should take after receiving the information. It's also important to use impactful words and avoid unnecessary details, as saying less can often lead to better understanding and retention of information. By implementing the strategies we've discussed today, you can make a big difference in how you capture and hold your audience's attention. So, take these tips and put them into practice in your own communication sessions. https://expresspotential.com/youve-got-8-seconds/ https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3749 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

161 - Improve Problem-Solving Ideas We will discuss how to improve our problem-solving skills by generating more ideas. As we all know, a library is a great place to find inspiration and endless resources to help us generate ideas. From books to the internet, we can find a wealth of information to aid in our problem-solving endeavors. In this mini-series on problem-solving, we are focusing on how to come up with new and innovative ideas to solve problems. The key is to generate a variety of ideas, which increases the likelihood of finding effective solutions. If you're struggling to come up with ideas, try doing something outside of your comfort zone, like traveling, to expose yourself to new perspectives and spark inspiration. Jack Foster, the author of "How to Get Ideas," emphasizes the value of generating as many ideas as possible and not dismissing any of them as bad. By being known as someone who generates many ideas, you become a valuable resource for others. To be a successful problem solver, it's important to think outside of the box and be the go-to person for innovative solutions. Foster also stresses the importance of collaboration in the problem-solving process. By working with others, you can generate even more ideas and find solutions that are more effective. In summary, generating a large number of ideas and not dismissing any of them as bad is key to finding effective solutions to problems. Being known as someone who generates many ideas makes you a valuable resource, and collaboration is key in generating more ideas and finding more effective solutions https://www.goodreads.com/ms/book/show/534758.How_to_Get_Ideas https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3746(opens in a new tab) Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

160 - Generating Fresh Ideas I talk about generating new and fresh ideas! This skill has the power to change the world and solve problems effectively, and I'm excited to share some insights and techniques that have helped me and can help you too. Let's start by acknowledging that generating ideas can be tough. I've struggled with it in the past, but I've also learned that it's a skill that can be mastered with preparation and practice. One book that I recommend is "How to Get Ideas" by Jack Foster, which provides great techniques for overcoming creative blocks and finding innovative solutions. So, how exactly do you generate ideas? Well, it all starts with preparation and gathering information. But it's also important to give ideas time to develop subconsciously. This is where incubation comes in – taking breaks from actively thinking about a problem and allowing the mind to make connections subconsciously. There are various approaches and techniques that can be used for generating ideas. One is questioning assumptions, another is combining old elements in new ways, and yet another is seeking inspiration. And let's not forget about the role of self-image and mindset in generating ideas. It's important to believe in your ability to come up with creative solutions. Visualization is another important aspect of generating ideas. Imagining the successful outcome of an idea can help bring it to life. And sometimes, breaking free from routine and seeking new experiences can also stimulate creativity. It's crucial to take action on those ideas and make them a reality. But it's also important to be realistic and avoid falling into the trap of utopian thinking. But by nurturing creativity and taking small steps, you can unlock your potential to generate innovative ideas and make a positive impact in your life and the world. https://www.goodreads.com/ms/book/show/534758.How_to_Get_Ideas https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3741 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

159 - Essential Framing for Effective Problem-Solving I share with you some essential strategies to approach problem-solving effectively. It's all about shifting your perspective and embracing a curious mindset. By asking questions and challenging assumptions, you can cultivate curiosity and generate alternative solutions. Putting a question mark behind every statement can do wonders! Another essential skill is tolerating ambiguity, which enables you to think outside the box and consider various perspectives. By taking a broader view and exploring different ways to solve a problem, you can come up with more innovative solutions. You need to embrace failures and take small, agile steps toward problem-solving. It's not just about motivation; it's about having grit and perseverance to overcome challenges. By adjusting your thoughts and considering various scenarios, you can gain new insights and find better solutions. Seeking input from others and tapping into collective intelligence can provide fresh perspectives and ideas. Sharing your progress with others can drive action and gather support. It's essential to showcase your progress to keep yourself motivated and inspire others. So, don't hesitate to share your journey! Reframing problems involves developing a curious mindset, tolerating ambiguity, taking small steps, adjusting your thoughts, seeking input from others, and sharing your progress. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/six-problem-solving-mindsets-for-very-uncertain-times# https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3738 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

158 - Finding Your Path Amidst Conflicting Advice I'm exploring the tricky topic of navigating contradictions in the world of self-help. We've all received conflicting advice from different self-help sources and it can be challenging to figure out what works best for us. But fear not, I'm here to offer some insight and guidance. First off, contradictory advice is often found in self-help resources. There are opposing viewpoints on topics such as positive thinking versus negative thinking, trying many things versus ruthless elimination, and time tracking versus flexibility. But here's the thing, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to personal growth and improvement. We need to find what works best for ourselves and that takes some experimentation. So, how do we navigate through the abundance of self-help advice? Personal development is not about completely changing ourselves but rather building on our strengths and addressing our weaknesses to make a positive impact on the world. We can find the right resources and create a smart plan for our personal development by using the right steps. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3735 Avery Article about Development Plans Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

I take a look at the best advice of last year. 106 – The Culture of Fortitude and the Self https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3322 107 - The 1-Page Marketing Strategy https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3328 108 – Lose a job? Don’t Panic https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3334 110 - How Lawyers Think and Decide https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3350 111 - Use the BICAT System to Think Better https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3357 116- Follow Your True North https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3394 117 - You Don’t Know the Future You https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3398 118 - Act for The Next Week You https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3402 119 - It is a Wonderful Life https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3406 121 - Make Habits Easy with Challenges https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3409 122 - The One Word is the One Thing  https://startwithsmallsteps.com/122-the-one-word-is-the-one-thing/   124 - Become The Person Who Loses Weight https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3431 133 - Steps to Be Funny https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3478 136 - Open the Door to Possibilities https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3491 137 - What If We Can’t Get to Maybe https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3497 169 - True Romance Meets Your Needs https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3613 143 - Making Happy Memories https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3651 144 - Ask for It Already! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3654 145 - Reset Your Life and Achieve Your Dreams https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3658 147 - The Art of Overcoming Procrastination startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3672 151 - Embracing a Little Discomfort Can Improve Your Health https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3687 155 - Pursue a More Purposeful Life https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3714 https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3725 Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

156 - Finding Purpose Beyond the Material The thought-provoking book "Things that Matter" by Joshua Becker. In it, the author challenges us to rethink our relationship with material possessions and work and to find purpose in our lives beyond just chasing individual success. One of the author's key points is that owning less can actually lead to greater freedom and happiness. By focusing on owning the right things that serve a purpose in our lives, rather than just accumulating stuff, we can find more fulfillment and joy. It's all about asking ourselves if each item we own promotes a purpose, rather than simply asking if it sparks joy. I explore the role of work in our lives. He argues that work should not be viewed as a necessary evil, but as a way to show love to others and contribute to society. By finding the intersection of our abilities, passions, and the needs of others, we can find true purpose in our work and make a positive impact on the world. I can definitely relate to these ideas. I've personally experienced the benefits of decluttering and finding purpose in my work, and I believe that helping others and being kind is more important than achieving individual success. That's why I'm so passionate about encouraging listeners like you to take small steps toward finding your purpose and using your gifts to make a positive impact on the world. So, what do you think? Do you agree with the author's ideas? Have you tried decluttering or finding purpose in your work? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so feel free to share them with me through email or Twitter. Let's rebel against societal norms prioritizing selfishness and materialism and take control of our time to create a better world together! https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3721 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TgZbvLvTJI Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

155 - Pursue a More Purposeful Life I dive into a topic that I believe is essential to living a fulfilling and purposeful life. We all have goals and dreams, but it's easy to get sidetracked by the distractions that surround us every day. I share some insights from the book "Things That Matter" by Joshua Becker. The book is all about finding what truly matters in life and how to avoid the things that hold us back. One of my favorite takeaways is the importance of committing to a daily mantra. It's a simple but powerful way to focus on what's important and stay motivated. Small steps will help us avoid distractions and get closer to our purpose. But it's not just about focusing on ourselves. We also need to find our greater purpose and how we can serve others. That's where the concept of "Ikigai" comes in. By finding the intersection of our skills, passions, and the needs of others, we can make a positive impact and find true fulfillment. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3714 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TgZbvLvTJI Jill’s Links https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps https://twitter.com/startwithsmallsteps Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com