Habits 2 Goals: The Habit Factor® Podcast With Martin Grunburg | Goal Achievement, Productivity & Success Simplified

"If you're listening to this...I want you to try this for twenty-four hours. Think about every situation, and say to yourself, 'I am responsible.' If you don't do that you'll stagnate and never get ahead." ~Eric Berman A varied and enviable background, EB has been a bachelor on the hit reality show Millionaire Matchmaker. He's stood in the winner's circle multiple times at Del Mar as part of the winning horse's ownership group. He's part owner in multiple popular restaurants throughout San Diego, and perhaps best of all (at least according to MG), he is long-term business partners with the personal development legend Brian Tracy. EB begins the show sharing how some early career success with a Facebook-like company (collegeclub.com) in the '90s goes terribly sideways as it collides head first into the exploding dot-com disaster of the late '90s. As "guy #3" in the fast-growing company, he was close to all the action when his company failed to qualify for a bridge loan amid the market collapse; before long they

"True nobility isn’t about being better than someone else, it’s about being better than you used to be." Dr. Wayne Dyer Martin tackles this Mind Bullet Monday solo and labels it a bit of a hybrid episode since he bridges concepts and ideas from a couple prior episodes. This episode is on the heels of the synchronicity/serendipity episode where Martin and Henry compare theories on ways to create an increased frequency of such events in our lives.

 Martin then adds some of the late, great Dr. Wayne Dyer's thoughts via his bestseller, The Power of Intention. Specifically where Dyer reviews the importance of aligning with the "FACE" of the "Creative" source. In his book, Dr. Dyer spells out the "Seven Faces of Intention" Creativity, Kindness, Love, Beauty, Expansiveness, Abundance and Receptivity and how Dr. Dyer believed deeply that creating alignment / "matching up" with sources "Faces" of energy was essential. Martin then takes the entire process a step further, and perhaps makes it sound/concrete by recommen

"Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh Mindfulness matters. This is the age of distractions! "Smart" phones, social media, texting, etc., our attention span continue to shrink and yet the demand for our focus and attention (in order to achieve our goals and be more productive) has never been greater! In this fun episode Henry and MG discuss some of their favorite tips to become more present and mindful. MG starts though with the important idea that BOTH habit and mindfulness (by design) are intended to work together. The way to cultivate any mindless or subconscious behavior (habit) is often via repetition and practice so it becomes "automatic!" Think, "wax on" "wax off". They exchange thoughts on various breathing exercises and MG tells Henry his favorite tip might just be to "tune in" to his senses; smell, touch, sight, sound, etc. Henry mentions a neat visual, breathing exercise and his intention to be very present and aware with encounters with others. MG and Henry both di

It was really out of frustration... I needed some tools and I made it my mission to become the world's first values-based marketing agency!" ~Sarah Hardwick Sarah Hardwick understands the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and what it means to persevere, be resilient and succeed! A gifted and talented student from Durango High in Colorado (her father was a forest ranger in the area for 30 years!). Sarah attended University of Denver (scholarship) and decides on a marketing and business major instead of theater... "the more practical decision." Her senior year in college she visits sunny San Diego (Mission Beach) for spring break and is instantly intent on relocating as soon as she graduates. In this episode, Sarah provides keen insight into the incredible power of values and why they are so important, beyond just marketing! "When you start to act in ways that are not in alignment with your values, than it is really hard to be happy!" Sarah also touches on some incredibly difficult moments and what she consider

"Silence is the source of great strength." Talk, Talk, Talk. Speaking for the most part is easy. Particularly about things we are GOING to do. However, doing them and the work they entail is hard. Which do you choose? While today’s topic has been touched upon… from various angles in prior seasons: In Season I it was SILENCE and CONCENTRATION and how silence is the source of GREAT strength and wisdom! Then, in season II’s FAF, MG addresses the question, “Should we announce our goals?” Today’s episode though is really inspired by Ryan Holiday’s latest book, “Ego is the Enemy”. A fantastic book where he’s devotes an entire chapter entitled, Talk, Talk, Talk to this idea that so many of us succubm to the easy— the idle, valueless, chatter. How easy is it to post on twitter, “I’ve just signed up for my first marathon!” Versus, the challenge to actually sign-up and NOT post anything. Instead, to get busy training and save the big announcement for when the work is done and the goal is accomplished. There is power

"The universe conspires to help the peaceful soul." Synchronicity and serendipity are seemingly magical events that appear at the most opportune time to aid a person. In fact, the definition of serendipity is:  a "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". Synchronicity is a concept, first explained by analytical psychologist Carl Jung, which holds that certain events are "meaningful coincidences" if they occur with no causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related. MG and Henry tackle this super-fun topic and discuss what they believe may be the key elements that help to contribute to such fortunate happenstances in one’s life. Henry begins with the cornerstone, essential trait that enables these pleasant, magical surprises, optimism! Martin echoes Henry’s comments and suggest that the spark in many ways is knowing exactly what your intention is; that is what you want, what your target/goal is and where you want to go! The universe it seems can only offer up these “pleasant surprises” when you

“I think I can somehow pay for us to live in Greece for a year... that was kinda how it all started.” ~Adam Dailey Adam Dailey knows a thing or two about moving FAST. As a five-time All-American sprinter, Dailey ran for the University of Arkansas whose track teams racked up 9 NCAA titles while he was there A bit later in life, Adam and his wife (also a former track star) did what seemed incomprehensible, if not impossible, traveling around the world on a twelve month sabbatical, with their (at the time) four children! That journey is at the heart of this episode and interview and it's what inspired Adam to write his #1 Amazon bestseller, "How to Run Away From Home: And Take Your Family With You. Adam recounts much of his early struggles in an entrepreneurial venture that stemmed largely from some overly-aggressive growth goals and shares how he was able to overcome what amounted to, at one point, losing about a million dollars in just one month! Adam shares his best tips and insights about travel and warns th

"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life." ~Steve Jobs Martin and Henry attempt to tackle this MASSIVE MBM, "Mind Bullet Monday" topic— the unlikely value that is inherent in death.  While death is a tragic— the IDEA of death especially to the living ; ) provides immense value when it is used as a tool to inspire immediacy and action and add more life to the present! Martin says, "I had no idea we were going to go here but, Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford immediately comes to mind." "Consider" he says, how Jobs' acute awareness to his limited amount of time might've factored as a catalyst to Apple's growth in his final years." Martin even reads a few sentences from Jobs' Stanford 2005 commencement speech: "... It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dram

SUCCESS! Seems everyone wants it and today's question is (if there is one) what is the #1 trait that determines one's success. Both MG and Henry recognize this could easily result in multiple-days worth of discussions and certainly there are hundreds if not thousands of books written on the matter. Having said that, they both manage to narrow their answer down to a few, very select traits. The best part (as you know) is any of these traits is create-able via the magical force of HABIT! Tune in and then let MG and Henry know what YOU think the #1 trait is! Enjoy! Be sure to subscribe! Thank YOU for checking out this episode and we're always grateful when you SHARE our stuff w/ your friends and help us by writing a review ; ) Mentioned in this episode: GRIT! 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  ----------- More Resources (FREE! The Habit Factor's Tracking Template) The Habit Factor® (website: BLOG, tips, tools and other resources) The Habit Factor® Book (Amazon Kindle) The Pressure Paradox® Book (Amazon Kindle)

“I presented this idea to the executives at Capitol Records and they kinda just laughed me out of the building...” ~Evan Saxon After a funny and bizarre episode open... where Martin says, “I’m not even going to edit that!” the two settle in and get to the business at hand. Evan shares his bumpy early academic career bouncing between junior colleges and SDSU / Northridge Universities. Ultimately, Evan drops out, as he puts it, "the pursuit of a career got in the way of my pursuit of a degree."
 Consumed by his passion for music and the music industry, Evan got his lucky break starting out as an intern at IRS Records. Then he moved into the marketing division of Capitol Records where he was offered a paid position. "I loved it! I didn't care what time I had to get up or how late I had to work. I was having a great time!"

 Years later, a bit disillusioned by what he saw in multiple executive meetings — fighting the status quo “losing control vs. taking control” as Evan puts it, he realized it was time to move

"Anything other than a win/win is, ultimately, a lose/lose." ~Dr. Stephen Covey Quick question: Are you really a "big-pie" person or are you concerned that if someone takes a piece of the pie there won't be anything left for you? Which are you? BIG PIE or SMALL PIE? MG and HE get right to business and discuss this massive mental shift. Martin confesses that growing up with a very competitive mindset his early entrepreneurial struggles were exacerbated by thinking to win someone else had to lose. "One of the key lessons for me", Martin shares, "Is this idea of big pie vs small pie mentality and how there could, and should be multiple winners." The idea Covey shared changed how I negotiated and treated everyone; employees, vendors and customers etc. Henry comments that in the movie "Wall Street" Gecko's claim that "It's a zero-sum game: somebody wins, somebody loses." is just plan wrong! They talk about all the examples of businesses and owners who've given away ownership and stock within their companies to f

Rapport! The value of rapport is truly incalculable. Relationships (excuse the cliche) are everything! And, some people seem to have much more success establishing it than others.  Martin shares a story as he witnessed his mentor and business partner establish instant rapport with a new client prospect and then MG challenges Henry to offer up the goods because, like his partner, Henry is a master of this. Henry shares his best tips including the essence of rapport in many ways is to be MORE INTERESTED in others and put less effort and focus in yourself, trying to be interesting. Check it out and learn some other great tips on building rapport! Be sure to subscribe! Thank YOU for checking out this episode and we're always grateful when you SHARE our stuff w/ your friends and help us by writing a review ; ) Mentioned in this episode: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  ----------- More Resources (FREE! The Habit Factor's Tracking Template) The Habit Factor® (website: BLOG, tips, tools and other resources) The

“Lying in that hospital bed... I did a lot of soul searching...if I'm dying, am I the man I wanted to be?” ~John Lingham Few people truly represent the American dream like John Lingham: Paying his own way through college while working as a busboy, and then ultimately becoming the owner of not one, but two restaurants. Today John Lingham has approximately 100 employees and is recognized throughout his community for his charitable giving. The lessons John shares are many and the road hasn't been easy, but John continued to seek and learn, adapt and overcome, despite the many difficulties. John then takes us inside a recent health scare/medical emergency he experienced as a side effect of medication for a skin rash. The experience left him helpless, with a white blood cell count of zero. He would spend 10 days tied to an IV that was keeping him alive. While the experience nearly killed him, he also shares how it provided many amazing insights about himself and the life he wants to live going forward. MG and John

"If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster." ~Clint Eastwood Martin kicks off this episode with his GTR, (good things report) what he believes might just be a great trick to help him remember names. Henry's GTR is about his recent trip to the desert with the family to see the amazing desert bloom. The spring flowers are flourishing as a result of the recent and heavy rainfall in California. Jumping into today's topic; "Staying on your toes" they both share how easy it is to fall back into "comfort" and "security". To become complacent and then before one realizes it they are "playing" defense" and have fallen back into "protection mode" rather than pushing forward and continuing to learn and challenge themselves. It's easy to fall back on your heels, become tentative, hesitant and insecure. And, Henry and MG use the old sports analogy that is almost cliche these days. That of the football team with a big lead who will go into a "Prevent Defense". If you saw the most recent Superbowl many contend that is precis

"How can I be more proactive?" MG and HE tackle this powerful and common question from a number of vantage points, starting with the late, great Dr. Stephen Covey and his all-important "Effectiveness Quadrant". Martin shares that by drawing out this diagram yourself it can provide a very basic and visual framework for anyone to organize those things in their life that are IMPORTANT but NOT urgent. And, addressing those consistently is the KEY to effectiveness. The challenge for most of us is that we spend so much time in the "URGENT" and "IMPORTANT" quadrant, which is Quadrant #1. And ultimately, we begin to confuse "busyness" for effectiveness and then, unfortunately the really import work we need to be addressing is neglected. Henry uses the example of personal goals and how it is that we must be able to add a sense of urgency to those projects that are most important to us but lack a sense of urgency. Then both MG and HE get into various techniques, strategies and tools to use to help anyone be more proact

“It begins with making sure your audience knows WHY they should care in the first place.” ~Fia Fasbinder It appears as though Fia's entire career was leading her towards her current vocation, a professional speaking coach. After years in New York working as a trained actor she began working with the 52nd street playhouse which taught arts, dance and theater to inner-city youth in Harlem. Then, with her masters she began teaching at UCSD and was asked to help develop their public speaking curriculum. Today, Fia is a regular columnist for Inc. magazine online and she runs her company, The Moxie Institute which is a powerful resource for businesses and executives looking to become better speakers. In this episode Fia recounts her natural progression to her current career and covers all those natural challenges most speakers share, including how evolution has us wired to naturally fear public speaking. Then of course, Fia shares some great tips about how we can address and overcome those fears. Check out this fun

"Habit; A shackle for the free." ~Ambrose Bierce Martin shares how his latest experiment, abstaining from alcohol for just one month (unable to have a beer or two a night) then evolved into another behavior experiment, a modified low carb/diet. Both of these he explains were fairly painful yet, the fruits— the rewards of each have been fantastic! "It's kinda like the frogs that are boiled to death in the pot as they are slowly cooked. The temperature rises slowly, one degree at a time and they never notice or try to escape until it's too late. The frogs are just too comfortable until, of course, they are dead." "There are two great pains in life," Jim Rohn is famous for saying. "The pain of discipline or the pain of regret." "Discipline" he assures us "weighs ounces but regret weighs tons." The bad news is there is no escaping the pain. The good news is we have a choice. And, the best news is; you should know that there is tremendous FRUIT on the other side of that pain and challenge you put yourself under! I

Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What are the right goals for a person to set? The essence of great goal setting begins with "starting with your own house" There happen to be four essential quadrants that truly reflect and indicate whether your own well being is in order: Mind, Body, Spiritual and Social. In fact, MG recalls, this is precisely the way The Habit Factor® app has been setup with specific "habit” categories. Remember, “Health is the first wealth” as Ralph Waldo Emerson has famously said. Recalling the wellness / oneness circle: It's an important exercise to divide your well being into these 4 Quadrants and then identify which of them needs immediate attention. Set your goal there first. There's another fantastic byproduct of goal setting! "30% of the time you are going to set the wrong goal… and that is actually GOLD! Think about it; had you not set the goal, you wouldn’t have known it was the wrong one!" "You're wasting

“I can now generate heat and then move it throughout my body.” ~Reis Paluso Brian Tracy has famously said, "Comfort is the great enemy of success." So, the question is, "HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU?" Reis Paluso is an amazing young man. Martin knows this well as Reis was one of his first "campers" way, way back in 1994-5 at Kreative Kids Computer Camp (Poway/San Diego). Martin recounts Reis' amazing computer skills as a young lad and reflects on the joy and challenge of his first "real" entrepreneurial venture with his amazing partners (partners MG still has to this day). Reis shares in the Kreative Kids memory; learning HTML, multi-media skills (in the early days of the internet) and of course how he became a 46 wpm typist, at age 12! However, the MEAT of the this episode is all about Reis' and his recent voyage into the icy mountains of POLAND (bordering on Czech Republic). He ventured there in a quest to learn and experience the Wim Hof Method at an advanced level retreat. And, Reis confirms, this experience r

"We do not learn, and that what we call learning is only a process of recollection." ~Plato It seems we address certain types of learning differently than say preparing to perform. In other words, to prepare for a performance we will practice, practice, and practice some more. But, when it comes to learning something we expect to see or hear it once and completely know it and be able to recall it. Crazier still, we tend to think we're not too smart if we need to relearn the same lesson over and over again. MG and HE challenge this idea. MG recalls how some of the audio lessons on his playlist he’s heard "hundreds" of times! The EXACT SAME lesson. And, he says, here's the “crazy” thing— each time he seems to pickup and learn something new. Why is that? How can you or I hear the same message three times, for instance, and learn or pickup something different each time? They cover the various reasons behind this phenomena and then, ultimately, propose this is precisely what higher education is about— for instan