Life: The Ultimate Choose Your Own Adventure Game

In this week's show, Cliff and Daphne talk all about what it is like to live and work with a crazy roommate, which is actually the thoughts that arise in our heads. They discuss what happens when we 'get on the wrong train' of thought and how it can lead us away from where we really want to go. They discuss how we can work with thoughts and also, how to stay on the train of our choosing. Additionally, they discuss the many ways that we can live without being identified with our thoughts and live much more of our lives in the seat of awareness, which allows our lives to be full of much less suffering and a lot more joy. If you would like to know more about the work that Daphne does with leaders and supporting them in moving from being burned out to fired up in their work, join her newsletter at www.daphne-scott.com. You can drop her a line at daphne@daphne-scott.com too if you're interested in coaching and getting more support in your leadership and life. You can also work with Cliff and get access to his Free The Dream Course for free by emailing him at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com. Drop him a few lines to let him know what you're up to in your work and he will support you to get access to the transformational tools that you need.

In this thought-provoking episode, Cliff and Daphne dive into the often overlooked necessities in life: nature, art, and beauty. Drawing inspiration from a letter Daphne wrote to her nephew, they explore how these three elements have profoundly influenced their lives, even though they are rarely prioritized in our modern, success-driven culture. Key Highlights: -The Letter That Started It All: Daphne shares the story behind a letter she wrote for her nephew’s senior celebration, focusing on nature, art, and philosophy, and how they are essential in life. - The Power of -Nature: Inspired by a Bible verse (Matthew 6:28-33), the hosts reflect on how nature teaches us not to toil unnecessarily and to appreciate beauty in its simplicity. Art and Stendhal Syndrome: Daphne recounts moments of experiencing "Stendhal Syndrome," where exposure to great beauty in art and music led to overwhelming emotional responses. From the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the rock band Rush, art has left a lasting impact. - Art as a Reflection of Life: Alain de Botton's perspective on art as "propaganda for what really matters" is discussed. Daphne reflects on how art not only brings joy but also teaches us to navigate suffering. - Philosophy's Forgotten Role: The episode also touches on philosophy’s original purpose—how it was once about healing suffering, particularly through the teachings of Epicurus and other ancient schools of thought. Music's Emotional Power: The hosts share a special moment about the emotional depth music can bring, including Daphne’s love for Bach’s *Air on the G String* and its capacity to evoke profound emotions. Notable Quotes: - "Art can show us how to suffer more successfully and be just a bit less alone in the world." - Philosophy: Epicurus believed in 'stable pleasures'—focusing on the quality of enjoyment, not the quantity." With references to Bible passages, classical music, and philosophical wisdom, the episode encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty around them and reflect on how art and philosophy can help us manage life’s challenges. Whether you’re inspired by the natural world or touched by the emotional power of music, this episode invites you to slow down and consider what really matters. Be sure to tune in and discover why appreciating nature, art, and philosophy can make all the difference in how we live our lives. Want more support on your entrepreunerial journey and playing the games of life and work? Reach out to Cliff and Daphne. Join Cliff's podcast with his wife Stephanie at Building A Life and Business Together [https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/podcasts/building-a-life-and-business-together] And for more transformational ideas and writing from Daphne on the living a life and working, join her on Substack at DS Leadership Life on Substack [https://dsleadershiplife.substack.com/]

In this episode, Cliff and Daphne explore the concept of emotional contagion, emphasizing how we can unconsciously adopt the negative views and emotional struggles of those around us. Drawing on the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, they discuss the importance of emotional boundaries and how not to sabotage ourselves and also, how to suppor others, by avoiding absorbing the unproductive attitudes of others. This episode provided a deep dive into the intersection of emotional boundaries, ancient philosophy, and practical wisdom on how to remain emotionally balanced while offering support to others. Key Takeaways: Cliff and Daphne explain how emotional contagion happens; highlighting that when we immerse ourselves in the negative narratives of others, we can unintentionally adopt their emotional states, leading to self-sabotage. In a writing from Epictetus, they break down the parts of the writing as it pertains to negative emotions with others and how we actually can be a friend to people by not getting on the negative emotions bus with them. They also discuss the importance of differentiating between the misfortune itself and the response someone chooses to adopt. - Offering Support Without Being Pulled Down:  They emphasized that, while it’s essential to show kindness and offer an empathetic ear to those in distress, it's equally important not to get dragged down by their negativity. The message was clear: offering genuine support means maintaining a healthy detachment and employing true listening and curiosity with others when they are struggling all the while seeing them as fully empowered beings who can solve their own issues.  - The Victim, Villain, and Hero: A central theme of the episode was the ‘drama triangle’ – the roles of victim, villain, and hero. The hosts explained how, when someone presents their troubles, there is a temptation to ‘play the hero’ to ease not only the other person’s discomfort but also our own. They emphasized that jumping into this role often results in perpetuating a disempowering narrative. If you want a good laugh that represents the topic of how we see certain events in life, watch this link: The Shining as a RomCom [https://youtu.be/k6QgNuZcxTw?si=GTLvAQwQjp3-VbKv] The conversation then shifted to how we sabotage ourselves by over-identifying with others' struggles, thereby indulging in negative thinking. The hosts pointed out that we can better serve ourselves and others by remaining detached and refraining from indulging in melodramatic reactions. - Empowerment Through Detachment: A key takeaway from the episode was the idea that true kindness lies in believing others are capable of handling their own challenges. By maintaining a sense of detachment and not indulging in negative emotions, we empower others to find their own solutions. -Conclusion: The episode wrapped up with a reminder that emotional boundaries are crucial for both ourselves and those we care about. The hosts encouraged listeners to be mindful of how they engage with the troubles of others and to practice empathy without getting swept up in negativity. If you are a new business owner or a business owner who would like to get even more results, Cliff is available to support you. Email him at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com [cliff@cliffravenscraft.com] to get enrolled in his free business course and also to find out about his business mastermind group.  If you've struggled to find direction and keep feeling that you are getting pulled off course, Daphne has also has a great solution for you. You can gain access to her free Values and Purpose course where she walks you through a direct, simple and clear 4 step process to identify your values AND, write your own purpose statement. Email her at daphne@daphne-scott.com [daphne@daphne-scott.com] to get more information and to get enrolled. It is free and yet, absolutely invaluable.

Episode 31: Choosing Wisdom in Ten Steps  In this insightful episode, Cliff and Daphne delve into the concept of wisdom and how we can consciously choose wiser paths in life. They explore the challenges of making wise decisions, particularly when it feels easier to take the unwise route. With a blend of humor and empathy, the hosts share ten practical steps to cultivate wisdom in our daily lives. Key Topics: 1. Understanding Emotional Inheritance: The first step towards wisdom is recognizing how our past influences our present and future decisions. The hosts discuss the importance of confronting and accepting this "emotional inheritance." 2. Recognizing the Limits of Willpower: Wisdom involves acknowledging that our thoughts and minds are not always reliable. We can't simply will ourselves into wisdom; it requires deeper understanding. 3. Unmasking True Feelings: Often, we hide our true emotions and evade what is really happening within us. Cliff and Daphne talk about the importance of facing these feelings head-on. 4. Interpreting Intentions Accurately:  We often misinterpret others' words and actions, especially when we're tired, thirsty, or hungry. This step is about improving our interpretations to avoid unnecessary conflict. 5. Understanding Thoughts and Feelings: Differentiating between thoughts, feelings, and stories is crucial. The hosts explain how these elements work together to shape our reality. 6. Letting Go of Romantic Ideals:*The episode debunks the unrealistic ideals set by romanticism and encourages listeners to embrace "good enough" rather than striving for unattainable perfection. 7. Connecting Body and Mind: Wisdom is not just a mental process. The state of our body—whether we are well-rested, nourished, and comforted—greatly influences our mind and feelings. 8. Creating Space Before Reacting: This step emphasizes the power of pausing before reacting, allowing us to respond more patiently and wisely. 9. Holding Success and Failure Lightly: Circumstances change, and it's important to hold both victories and failures lightly, applying the same understanding to others. 10. Recognizing Fear's Influence: The final step is understanding that much of our worst behavior, and that of others, is driven by fear. Approaching these situations with calmness can lead to more constructive outcomes. Bonus Step: The Art of Letting Go: Wisdom often requires us to let go of control and expectations repeatedly, a theme that ties together all the steps. You can find out more about Cliff's Mastermind Group for entrepreuners at Next Level Mastermind [https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/next-level-mastermind].  Also, if you want more transformational thoughts and practices about managing our life in the face of work, join Daphne on Substack. Here is one of her most recents posts on overcoming the barriers to saying no [https://dsleadershiplife.substack.com/p/how-to-overcome-the-barriers-to-saying?r=4hvdz].

In this episode Cliff and Daphne dive deep into the world of decision-making. They explore the idea that every choice we make—big or small—shapes our lives in significant ways. They challenge the conventional wisdom around decisions, discussing the fears, influences, and the psychology that governs how we make choices. Firstly, they discuss the fear that most people have of making the wrong decision: How the fear of failure and loss of status influences our choices. They discuss the factors that influence and impact the results of our decisions as well, such as:  -The concept of Bounded Rationality: The concept that our decision-making is limited by the information we have, the time constraints we face, and our cognitive limitations. - Cultural and Societal Influences: The role of status and the avoidance of shame in shaping our decisions. - Practical Wisdom: How ancient and modern philosophies can guide us to make better decisions, emphasizing the balance between logic, evidence, and personal values. - Existential Responsibility: The idea that our decisions define who we are and the importance of taking responsibility for our choices. Key Takeaways to assist us in making decisions:  -Understand Your Values:Aligning decisions with personal values and goals is crucial to supporting our learning, our vision for the future and to support a fulfilling life. - Regular Reflection: Reflecting on past decisions helps us understand our true motivations and make better future choices. - Consider Risks and Outcomes: Practical wisdom involves assessing potential risks and preparing for different outcomes. - Embrace Responsibility: Accepting that every decision shapes our essence encourages mindful and deliberate choices. Responsability is simply our ability to respond to change and things that arise in the moment, without blame, judgement and criticsm of ourselves and as importantly, others. Quote of the Episode: “You make your best decision with the information you have available, the time you have available, and by understanding that we are going to have cognitive limits. Therefore, you really can’t ever get it ‘wrong.- Daphne Connect with Us: You can find Cliff at Cliff Ravenscraft [https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/]. And email him with the subject line 'Values" if you would like the free document he created based on the values exercise he talks about on the show.  You can find Daphne at Daphne Scott [https://www.daphne-scott.com/] and get her book, "Waking Up A Leader: The Five Relationships of Success". You can also subscribe to more of her writing on Substack at https://dsleadershiplife.substack.com/ [https://dsleadershiplife.substack.com/].  Continue to join us each week as we support you to choose your own adventure!