E17: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

E18: The Hacker Mindset: A 5-Step Methodology for Cracking the System and Achieving Your Dreams

3 Lessons 💡 1) Contrast Slackers and Hackers * People can be slackers in execution or strategy * Slacker in Execution * These are the types of people who are always dreaming of the things they could do -- always planning, but never doing * Slacker in Strategy * They put in all the effort but lack direction and so end up just going down the same path over and over again * Hackers * Identify what their goals are and optimize the fastest path to achieving them -- balance execution and strategy 2) Critical Hacker Characteristics * Curiosity, Constant Improvement, Courage, Determination, Realism and Efficiency * These CAN be learned, BUT require action to grow 3) Hacker Methodology Repeating Process * Objective → Reconnaissance → Analysis → Execute → Reassess * Clarify your objective at the beginning -- can be small to start * Reassess -- most important step * Always keep learning and repeat the process for best results ✅ Actionable Advice: 1) Reflect on the Hacker Characteristics: * What's one action I could take to increase any of these abilities in my life? 2) Think about a problem in your personal or professional life * Brainstorm 3 or 4 ways you might solve any problem 3) Reflect on what your most important employment objective is? * What's most important to my career? What can I compromise on? Helpful Links: * The Hacker Mindset (ThriftBooks [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-hacker-mindset-a-5-step-methodology-for-cracking-the-system-and-achieving-your-dreams_garrett-gee/40092283/?resultid=0ef0bd7d-78fb-4c09-8829-0b338c5fa0e1#edition=68868214&idiq=61006916] or BetterWorldBooks [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/the-hacker-mindset-a-5-step-methodology-for-cracking-the-system-and-achieving-your-dreams-9781637744864]; only new copies available at time of publishing) * Alex and Books Website [https://alexandbooks.com/start-here] * Highlights from "The Hacker Mindset" [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h8AH7Lg2AihiJ-UfuiBCMT45vyHsOOV9X7a1LDOiaKY/edit?usp=sharing] * Questions: Email bookswithgavin@gmail.com [bookswithgavin@gmail.com] Book Mentioned: "The Hacker Mindset: A 5-Step Methodology for Cracking the System and Achieving Your Dreams" by Garrett Gee

E17: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

3 Lessons 💡 1. Perfectionism Lie #1: Goal should be Bigger 1. Write down a number that is associated with your goal 2. Now that you have your number -- cut the goal in half or double the timeline 1. Not telling you to do less --> doing this will help you achieve more 2. Perfectionism Lie #2: You can do it all 1. Just say NO 2. This lesson relates to choosing what's NOT important to you -- this helps remove the sting of shame 1. Ex. Keeping up with TV shows, connecting on social media, lawncare 3. Don't Play Golf at Night --> Use Data 1. Data is a gift from yesterday that you receive today to make tomorrow better 2. If you don't look at data, it's very difficult to learn, adjust and improve on your progress ✅ Actionable Advice: 1. Write down 3 things you'll ignore to focus more on your goal 1. The things you choose don't need to be permanent, it can help you free up time 2. Pick 1 to 3 things to measure 1. Possibilities: Dates with Spouse, Hours Slept, Thank You Notes Sent, Phone Screen Time 3. Write down the name of 1 friend you'll tell about your goal 1. Friends often play a HUGE role in our success! Helpful Links: * Finish (ThriftBooks [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/finish-give-yourself-the-gift-of-done_jon-acuff/19246545/?resultid=81985077-44c1-417e-b8aa-fae8deecd1c7#edition=20973069&idiq=34012295] and BetterWorldBooks [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/finish-give-yourself-the-gift-of-done-9780525537311]) * Alex and Books Website [https://alexandbooks.com/start-here] * Exodus 90 Challenge [https://exodus90.com/how-it-works/] * Questions or comments? Contact bookswithgavin@gmail.com [bookswithgavin@gmail.com] Book Mentioned: "Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done" by Jon Acuff

E16: The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self

3 Lessons 💡 1. Solitude and Silence Benefits: 1. Ability to be alone may be just as important as strong relationships 1. 2 minutes of silence can significantly reduce heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate 2. Recommended Nature Dose: 20 minutes, 5 hours and 3 days 1. Having plants in your office can boost productivity by up to 15% time 2. Goal to enjoy: 1. 20 minutes in nature (three times per week) 2. Five hours in semi-wild environment each month 3. Three days per year in backcountry nature (off-the-grid) 3. Simple Strategy to Eat Less: 1. Eating an extra 100 calories per day or not burning 100 calories per day adds 10 pounds of body weight over 3 years 2. People at a healthy weight are more likely to deal with stress by walking versus eating 3. Track a few variables (examples below) to help change your behavior 1. How much and what they ate (weigh all your food); Typical daily routine; Sleep schedule; Stress and energy levels; Workouts or step count ✅ Actionable Advice: 1. Shh, Please Be Quiet! 1. Start a timer for five minutes in a quiet place (If needed, use ear plugs or headphones) 1. Close your eyes and sit quietly 2. Track One Health Marker: 1. Track one of the factors that impacts your health 1. How much and what they ate 2. Typical daily routine 3. Sleep schedule 4. Stress and energy levels 5. Workouts/Step count 3. Get Outside (ideally in nature): 1. Spend 20 minutes in nature three times this week 1. Bonus: Enjoy five hours in a semi-wild environment once this month! Helpful Links: * The Comfort Crisis (ThriftBooks [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-comfort-crisis-embrace-discomfort-to-reclaim-your-wild-happy-healthy-self_michael-easter/26850291/?resultid=6762dfc7-c99f-446b-ab8d-e8d56f4daa04#edition=53659075&idiq=44854980]or BetterWorldBooks [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/the-comfort-crisis-embrace-discomfort-to-reclaim-your-wild-happy-healthy-self-9780593138762]: Only new copies available at time of podcast publishing) * Study on obesity's Impact on Mortality [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195748] * 100 Additional Calories per day for three years --> 10 extra pounds [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60812-X/abstract] * Major Highlights from "The Comfort Crisis" [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WGGAtgGKmy_C_Zw_Lca-ncOEd3RC3SjSjmaN3J4BzF0/edit?usp=sharing] * Alex and Books Website [https://alexandbooks.com/start-here] Book Mentioned: "The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self" by Michael Easter

E15: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind what Makes people Take a Chance on You

3 Lessons 💡 1) Don't Shy from Objections * Put yourself in the shoes of a potential backer and anticipate three key objections to your idea. When pitching, don’t avoid those objections; lean into them. Avoidance only leads to more questions later, and the possibility that the backer tunes out the rest of your pitch. When Reid Hoffman was first pitching LinkedIn, the company didn’t have a dime of revenue. But instead of veering away from the revenue question, he hit it directly, showcasing ways the startup could make money down the line. Get ahead of these criticisms, and you’ll gain credibility for the stronger parts of your pitch 2) 4 C's of Your Support Team * Collaborator: Improve idea as well as presentation delivery * Coach: Help you understand if this is the right idea for you * Cheerleader: Help you feel confident before pitching the idea * Cheddar: Someone who will deliberately poke holes in your idea * Will likely be frustrating but generally will be helpful in long-run 3) Story of Us * Remember, decisions that affect your career often happen when you're not even in the room. That's why when we're when we pitch, we're not just looking for a backer, we're looking for an advocate - someone who can invest in our ideas with equal enthusiasm * Understand and communicate how your gaps and your backer’s strengths come together. Show them why you will succeed together * Share just enough to get the essence of your idea across, then open up the conversation. 3 Actions ✅ 1. Go Beyond Google 1. Ideas tend to stem from an earned secret - a hidden insight you learn through first-hand experience. Look for things that can't be found from behind a desk. As Brian Grazer told me “I want an idea that is based on a surprise insight. Not something I could find through a Google search." 2. Create Backable Team 1. Identify people who can serve as Collaborator, Coach, Cheerleader and Cheddar for you 1. People can serve multiple roles, but is helpful to have more than one person and clarify what role you're asking them to play for you 3. Rule of 21 1. Practice important presentations 21 times before giving it to your intended audience 1. After you practice, ask pointed questions to get better feedback and ask audience to explain idea in own words 2. Show your idea instead of simply describing it Helpful Links: * Backable (ThriftBooks [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/indispensable-the-prescription-for-a-fulfilling-pharmacy-career_alex-barker/28399562/?resultid=322b4b4c-0969-4c0c-ba08-e018cbf38357#edition=22345264&idiq=65051875]or BetterWorldBooks [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/backable-the-surprising-truth-behind-what-makes-people-take-a-chance-on-you-9780316494519]) * Summary Notes from Backable [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lMNnvmpYGHWaf3dFIgXyLhBcIhzVS6XZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116177818756550843274&rtpof=true&sd=true] * Alex and Books Website [https://alexandbooks.com/start-here] Book Mentioned: "Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind what Makes people Take a Chance on You" by Suneel Gupta

E14: Indispensable: The Prescription for a Fulfilling Pharmacy Career

3 Lessons 💡 1) Expectations vs. Agreements * Expectation: One person expects something to happen without communicating this * Agreement: Both parties agree to the same set of terms (examples below) * I agree to follow my interests * I agree that my work schedule does not bind all my time 2) If-Then Planning IF I run into X Problem…. THEN I will do Y * Ex. If I struggle with sleeping in (instead of working on taking action steps toward a future career) * THEN I will place my alarm 15 feet from my bed so I must get up 3) Keys for an Indispensable Career 1. Create relationships 2. Create value * Make someone smile, give sincere compliments or solve problems for others 3 Actions ✅ 1. Video Messages 1. Recommend sending a video thank you message to make someone’s day and deepen a personal connection with them 1. Your network relates to your net worth 2. This is an authentic way to connect with people in your life 🙂 2. Failure Reflection Questions 1. Four questions to reflect on to evaluate a past failure failures and create a new action plan with higher odds of success * What happened? * How did that make me feel? * What would you have done differently? * What will you do next time? 3. Identify an area of expertise 1. Find a valuable expert in the field and do the things they’re doing * Set goal; Identify a subject; Study; Apply; Teach; Lead Helpful Links: * Indispensable (ThriftBooks [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/indispensable-the-prescription-for-a-fulfilling-pharmacy-career_alex-barker/28399562/?resultid=322b4b4c-0969-4c0c-ba08-e018cbf38357#edition=22345264&idiq=65051875]or BetterWorldBooks [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/indispensable-the-prescription-for-a-fulfilling-pharmacy-career-9781733512527]) * "Indispensable" Note Highlights [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nDaTRPxFGYxZsgQPD2tFK0h0cJXqXyK2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116177818756550843274&rtpof=true&sd=true] * Alex and Books Website [https://alexandbooks.com/start-here] Book Mentioned: "Indispensable: The Prescription for a Fulfilling Pharmacy Career" by Alex Barker