Habits 2 Goals: The Habit Factor® Podcast with Martin Grunburg

“Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, science!” ~Jesse PinkmanThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers!For our 25th anniversary, my wife and I visited Denmark, Sweden and Italy. One night, in Italy, our hotel’s satellite TV was down.Before heading to bed, she dialed up her Netflix account and soon enough, we found ourselves watching Breaking Bad; our third time through the series!Breaking Bad is ridiculously GOOD.What caught my attention in this particular episode (Season 1, Ep 7) is a fairly comical scene where Mr. White – a grossly overqualified high-school chemistry teacher – has to resort to a motivational/personal development cliché, with the hope of inspiring his would-be crystal meth-dealing partner.“JESSE, TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!” Walter White begins shaking Jesse by the shoulders.The irony of White’s aspirational statement against their criminal intent is clever.Mr. White challenges his former student, Jesse Pinkmen to “think bigger” and not “live a life of fear,” as he requests that he go on a shopping spree for several ingredients to make their largest batch of crystal methamphetamine ever.“Jesse, today is the FIRST DAY of the rest of your life!” Mr. White reiterates the message.This scene serves as an ironic/comical backdrop because it inspired this episode of Habits 2 Goals.We’ve covered this topic before, from a slightly different angle. Then, there was no Breaking Bad reference and we took a different tack. You can find that episode here, One Day!“Today is the first day of the rest of your life! But, what kind of life will it be, huh? Will it be a life of fear? Oh… no, no, no… I can’t do this… of never once believing in yourself? ~Walter WhiteIt’s fair to say we can all reflect upon Walter White’s questions.Will you live in fear today?Will today be the day you believe in yourself?Will today be a day you challenge yourself?Will today be the first day you begin to drink water with all your meals?Will today be the first day you try fasting?Will today be the first day you begin walking 3 miles… maybe jogging?Will today be the first day you begin to meditate?Will today be the first day you begin saving money?Is today day one? Or, is it just another day? While the messenger is just a fictional criminal. The message is pure GOLD.Will you challenge yourself TODAY?Can you make TODAY special? Will you start something TODAY that makes you proud?What new positive habit will you begin cultivating, TODAY?TODAY really is the first day of the rest of your life.Make it memorable.Enjoy the show!The next 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH! Learn more here —»: The 28-Day Breakthrough!*Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation”International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

Discover the benefits of habit tracking and its influence on intention. Learn about the minimum threshold for habit tracking and a 28-day breakthrough program. Explore the value of habit tracking for goal setting and discipline. Find out how desire plays a crucial role in developing habits and learn about the PAR method for cultivating habits.

“The difference between a good life and a bad life is how well you walk through fire.” ~ Carl JungThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers. The next 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH! program begins 10/3/23!Learn more here —» The 28-Day Breakthrough!What if a key difference between the successful person and the unsuccessful person was how well they navigate life’s difficulties?The fact is, nobody escapes life’s challenges.Yet, we all know people who seem to complicate matters when things get tough. They react rather than respond.What’s the difference?Animals, babies, and small children REACT.Humans have the capacity to RESPOND.By pausing, an emotionally mature adult can (more often than not), direct their response – tailor it – toward a desirable outcome.Meanwhile, reacting often compounds problems.Think of the people who seem to have drama follow them everywhere; work, home, events, relationships, etc.The collective drama isn’t a random coincidence. Rather, it’s the source of compounding troubles; and constant reactions.One poor reaction after another.Jack Canfield offered an important formula in his “Success Principles” book:E + R = OEvent + Response = OutcomeResponding is what emotionally mature adults do most of the time.As human BEINGS, we get to choose how we’d like to BE (act).You are the only creature in the world that can step outside of your “3 Circles of Behavior Echo-System,” assess and even design it.Consider that for a moment. No other creature can do this.Humans can ask: Is my environment conducive for my goals?Are my behaviors, habits and skills conducive for my goals?Is my thinking – the stories running through my head – conducive for my goals?That’s what the spotlight represents, your AWARENESS.To access it, PRESS PAUSE.Are you responding in a way that guides you through life’s challenges better — to help you toward your goals and ideals? Or, are you reacting?Maybe it’s time to press pause and begin responding more.Enjoy the show!The next 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH! program begins 10/3/23!Learn more here —» The 28-Day Breakthrough!*Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation”International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." ~Ralph Waldo EmersonThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.After hearing a Gooroo caution his students, “When it comes to relationships, you must be very careful; relationships are dynamic.”I thought to myself. “That is kind of “funny.” Last time I checked, LIFE IS DYNAMIC.Thus, what got us “here” might not necessarily get us “there.”Deepak Chopra put it like this“The world is not a static place. It is constantly changing and evolving. To live a fulfilling life, we must embrace this dynamism and be willing to adapt to change.”Such an observation underscores the importance of setting worthwhile goals and ideals; the type that helps us to transform.We covered this in a prior episode, “Two Types of Goals.”“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” ~Peter DruckerIt’s the dynamism of life that forces us to keep upgrading our skills and habits to evolve —to keep up with the pace of change.Even better, the pursuit of worthwhile goals and ideals allows us to direct change. (Peter’s point above.)It’s hardly just relationships that are dynamic. Thus, we should perpetually ask, “What new habits and skills should I be cultivating, now?” Some cynics may say. “My results are great — I’m good. I don’t need to change.”Maybe. It’s worth considering that today’s solution may not be a fit in the ever-changing jigsaw puzzle that is tomorrow.Enjoy the show!Our next 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH program begins… 10/3/23! More info here: The 28-Day Breakthrough! *Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesCue, Routine and Reward is for rodents—» Learn about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” ~Leo Tolstoy.” This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.What if patience was the key to mastering your universe?If courage is the mother of all virtues (according to Aristotle), arguably the father, along with prudence, could be patience.Let’s run through some of the advantages of developing the virtue of being patient.“Patience is the key to paradise.” ~ Persian Proverb* Patience helps you achieve your goals. * Patience helps you make better decisions. * Patience helps you to build stronger relationships. * Patience helps you manage stress better.* Patience helps you stay calm in difficult situations. * Patience helps you learn from your mistakes. * Patience can help you be more creative. * Patience can help you become more resilient. * Patience can help you be more compassionate. * Patience helps you to cultivate discipline. * Patience will enhance mindfulness.* Patience will help you control your emotions. * Patience will help you to be more tolerant of others. * Patience helps you be more grateful.* Patience can foster optimism. * Patience will enhance resilience.* Patience can save your life* Patience leads to prudence. * Patience will help you make a positive impact on the world. * Patience leads to tranquility and harmony.* Patience helps you see things for what they areIn Siddhartha, the fantastic novel by Hermann Hess, Siddhartha resorts to a mantra – a schema – that guides him through his challenge-filled journey.“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”Now, we migrate in a semi-parallel fashion from Siddhartha to Yoda, Master Jedi. It was Yoda who cautioned a young Luke Skywalker, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”Yoda could have easily offered: “Impatience is the path to the dark side.”Impatience leads to frustration. Frustration leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.Enjoy the show!You keep saying you’re stuck… that you just need a breakthrough? Well, here it is: JUST 12 SPOTS LEFT for the next, 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH! Program starts again… 10/3/23! Sign up today! —»: The 28-Day Breakthrough! *Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“What I didn’t realize is that everyone is a sailor. Everyone is sailing somewhere.” This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.Right now you are sailing somewhere. The question is, “Do you know where you are headed?”It’s important to recognize that if you’re not pursuing an ideal destination, chances are, you’ll end up somewhere else.Yogi Berra put it this way…“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”Seneca the great Stoic philosopher said, “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”No wind is favorable.No wind can help the sailor who doesn’t know where they are headed.If success is creating your ideal future then, it becomes one’s onus – their responsibility – to know where, ideally, they’d like to go.Do you know where that is?If not, that is priority #1. (See below info about The 28-Day Breakthrough!)Clarity – knowing your ideal destination – is essential for living a content and fulfilling life. Now, to be clear, just knowing your ideal destination isn’t enough to guarantee that you’ll arrive. However, not knowing certainly assures that you’ll never arrive.You are a creature — a CREATOR. These two words are inextricably linked. They offer you a way to think about your place in the universe and your relationship to the divine. You are sailing somewhere, right now. Do you like where you are headed?The beauty is that, just like any vessel, you can change course by identifying where you want to go and then grabbing the steering wheel.Enjoy the show!JUST 12 SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR NEXT 28-DAY BREAKTHROUGH! PROGRAM WHICH BEGINS 10/3/23! Get on the waitlist today!Check it out here: The 28-Day Breakthrough! *Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“The only way ‘it’ gets better for you is when you get better. Better isn’t something you wish for, it’s something you become.” ~ Jim RohnThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.Ironically, change is one of the great constants of life. Since the environment is constantly changing; relationships, careers, technology, etc., the same thought and behavior habits that once served us, may begin to make us feel stuck.Thus, one of the best ways to stay ahead of constant change is to set worthwhile personal goals. Peter Drucker put it this way, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”Translation: Pursue worthwhile goals and ideals!In this episode, we cover two types of goals. Long-term personal transformation goals – these are the type of goals that force you to develop new habits and skills. The other type of goal is relatively simple, an adventure/travel type of goal; say a trip to Paris. Each are often labeled “goals” and each are very different.For an adventure/travel goal, one only needs two resources: time and money. The probability of achieving that goal is likely upwards of 95%.There are also long-term, personal transformation goals. These are the type of goals that require you to develop new habits and skills.Long-term, personal transformation goals force one to metamorphose; to become something new and different by forming new habits (and skills).Thus, the Latin root of habit is "habitus," which means "condition and/or character."The habits one develops shapes their character. Who they become often has an effect on what they can achieve.Enjoy the show!Oops! Sounds like you missed it!?Don’t miss our next cohort starting 10/3/23! Check it out here: The 28-Day Breakthrough! *Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsIt’s time to make your goals “Automatic!”: https://automaticgoals.comFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“Critical thinking is the art of analyzing information to separate fact from opinion.” ~ Carl SaganThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.It’s no wonder people scoff at personal development.Often “GooRoos” will say ridiculous, silly, and dichotomous things like:“There are no good habits.”“Competition is stupid.”The following is a statement that inspired this episode. It’s kinda hard to read.It came in an email and it stopped me in my tracks."When I think of a truly successful person, I think of someone who can authentically say, ‘I cherished every moment of my existence.’”Once I read that, I knew I had to discuss critical thinking.Can you ‘authentically cherish’ the moment your child becomes ill or a loved one passes away?Can you authentically cherish the moment your home burns to the ground?Authentically CHERISH every moment? Come on.Oh, and if you don’t, I guess you’re not a success!?I queried my AI buddy “BARD” Google’s AI “experiment.” I figured I’d ask him/her/it, “Bard, can you see any issues with this statement?”Bard’s response was funny and a bit heavy-handed, ending with this:Finally, the statement is a bit of a cop-out. It implies that if we are not happy with our lives, it is our own fault because we are not cherishing every moment. This is not always the case. Sometimes, we face challenges that are beyond our control. We may lose loved ones, get sick, or experience financial hardship. These are not things that we can cherish, but they are still part of life.The best part is this analysis is that it led me down a road that covers some key aspects of my work.A definition of success, one that I pondered for years before publishing in pre-2010 was developed after much critical thinking.Success is creating your ideal future.Then, there is P.A.R.R.P.A.R.R. is a positive habit-building framework for humans. It helps them to create and align habits to their most important goals. While the world of behavioral science continues to promote Cue, Routine, and Reward as a framework for habit development, basic critical thinking had me wondering:Isn’t C.R.R. based on the study of rodents? Don’t humans possess the innate capacities of choice, intention, and reflection? Even today’s “gold-standard” behavior models CBT and TTM while helpful present challenges of their own when exposed to critical thinking.* Where is the bi-directionality?* Where is the environmental influence on our behaviors and feelings?* Don’t humans think predominately in terms of personal narratives/stories? * Where is that represented?* Can these models be simplified?* How is energy – the flow of energy – represented?* Does human behavior really operate like a business or flow diagram?* Doesn’t energy flow, relative to our behaviors reverberate/vibrate?* Aren’t emotions and feelings, over the long haul, less important to one’s goal pursuits or personal transformation? How is that represented?* Can emotions and feelings, in the moment, be more important and, over time, less important? What would that look like?Critical thinking begins with positing and arguing the opposite: Must one authentically cherish every moment of their life to be a success?Nonsense.Enjoy the show!Oops! Sounds like you missed it!?Don’t miss our next cohort starting 10/3/23! Check it out here: The 28-Day Breakthrough! *Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsIt’s time to make your goals “Automatic!”: https://automaticgoals.comFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“The philosopher’s product is his life.” ~NeitzcheThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.This episode is a follow-up to last week’s show MIRACLES!In response to a few comments, I do what I can to set the record straight: I was simply practicing what I was talking about. The understanding that the real miracle is to walk on Earth, not water.Hence, practicality lies in its practice!I was practicing what I was preaching and teaching.The real value of any philosophy lies in its practicality.Is there a way to reaffirm one’s practice?Yes. Track it!How should you track it? Follow the P.A.R.R. methodology.PLAN. ACT. RECORD. & REASSESS.Cue, routine, and reward as a habit development framework was developed based on the study of rodents. You are human.You can, and should, use your innate capacities of choice, intention, and reflection.“But”, you insist, “Tracking is difficult and you’ve tried it before and you end up skipping days and fall off track…” (more excuses)Do you want to practice or give up?Since life is a one-day-at-a-time phenomenon, the fact that you can track one day suggests you can track MOST days.Nobody creates their ideal future any faster than one day at a time.And, nobody is perfect.This is why P.A.R.R. was developed.It helps people stay on track particularly after they miss a day or a week or even a month!What is simple, is useful.What is useful is practical.Time to begin practicing P.A.R.R. By doing so, the ancillary benefit is you WILL develop discipline.How does that work?Nobody is born disciplined: Discipline is a habit. (Repeat).See the free habits-to-goals tracking sheet below to begin the process.Enjoy the show!Update:HERE WE GO!!! Check it out here: The 28-Day Breakthrough! Starts tomorrow 8/8/23! Final day to sign up - may be sold out.*Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsIt’s time to make your goals “Automatic!”: https://automaticgoals.comFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe

“"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." ~ SocratesThis Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.In less than a week this Maven cohort kicks off… The 28-Day Breakthrough!There are approximately 6 spots available.Be more productive than ever before in 28 days, or your money back! 110% money-back guarantee! No breakthrough – I pay you!*Visit: https://maven.com/thehabitfactor/the28daybreakthrough to learn more!Enjoy the show!Update:HERE WE GO!!! Whooohooo! Very excited about next week’s small-group coaching cohort (which is practically free!) A few spots are still available! The 28-Day Breakthrough! begins 8/8/23!*Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation” International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsIt’s time to make your goals “Automatic!”: https://automaticgoals.comFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe