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

"If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster." ~Clint Eastwood Humans love guarantees. Yet, when it comes to goal achievement, finding a guarantee is nearly impossible. Goal achievement is far less about guarantees and much more about probabilities. Nobody is guaranteed to achieve the life of their dreams. They are, however, FAR more likely to achieve such a life by aiming for clear goals and ideals. In a world short of guarantees, we enhance our odds of success by establishing a great plan (strategy); tracking core, essential behaviors aligned with our goals; and having a clear picture of the ideal outcome. Imagine being blindfolded and trying to throw a dart at a dartboard's bullseye. What's the probability of hitting the bullseye when you don't even know where the dartboard is? With no vision, and no target to aim for, the likelihood that you'll hit your target is close to zero. Now, take off the blindfold, aim at the bullseye, and practice each and every day. What's the likelihood you'll end up hitting the bul

Why do we construct so many obstacles in our lives? Have you constructed anything lately? Constructs are anything that you create—manufacture—within your life. The "interesting" thing is that even our thoughts are constructs; that is a very important awareness. Last week, we reviewed the concept that the best way for anyone to get out of a hole is to stop digging. The "digging" is our habitual behavior that put us in the "hole" (an undesirable position) in the first place. (Stop Digging!) In this episode, we acknowledge that many of the holes we may find ourselves in have been created by our own thinking. A key reason for constructing anything ought to be to facilitate our lives, not to make them more difficult. Yet, how often do we construct thoughts and stories that are self-defeating and do not serve our goals and ideals? Rather than constructing thoughts that are beneficial and supportive, we create barriers—obstacles—that make our goals and ideals even harder to achieve! So, how aware are you of the thou

"The first law of holes: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." Are you in a hole? A hole is simply a metaphor for a situation or circumstance you'd prefer not to be in. There is an old adage, sometimes referred to as the "first law of holes," which states: "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." Too much debt? Out of shape or overweight? Poor relationships? Drinking too much alcohol, etc.? Any of these situations could be considered "holes" in which you may find yourself standing. You probably get the picture—and that picture should be of you, standing at least waist deep, in a hole! Here are a few key questions:  Are you still shoveling? Why are you still shoveling? What is it going to take to stop the shoveling? Do you continue to spend on credit? Dig! Maybe you continue to eat unhealthy foods! Dig! Perhaps you continue to say the wrong things. Dig! Time to assess your results. Are you standing in any holes? Are there any situations you've created that you'd like to get out of? Ask yourself

"By immersing yourself into a new, different, and challenging environments, the last thing you'll be able to do is feel depressed or sorry for yourself." MG invites Jen back on to discuss this week's Mind-Bullet, "Immersion." By definition, to immerse yourself means to involve yourself deeply into a particular activity or interest. In a recent interview with a fitness expert who had suffered a lot of personal trauma in his youth, he mentioned how immersing himself into new activities, such as kitesurfing, helps him to avoid getting depressed or even making poor decisions and even creating bad habits. By changing his immediate environment and immersing himself into the unknown, he had no time to let his mind get away from him. By immersing himself in unfamiliar environments, all his senses are engaged, and his complete concentration and focus is required. Next time you feel depressed or off balance, consider how you might immerse yourself into a new, different, or unique environment, which is likely to consume

"Unhappiness is tied to a feeling of not being in control. By establishing small wins each day you not only feel happier, you move you closer to your goals!" MG invites Jen back on H2G to discuss this week's Mind-Bullet, "Small Wins", a different spin on the importance of self-efficacy, the ability to produce a desired result. Coming off last weeks episode, "Intentionality" we know humans are goal-achievement machines. Thus, they must be setting goals. The key to bridging the gap, going from point "A" to point "B" is to compile small wins as often as possible along the way. This is precisely why tracking habits that are aligned with your goals is so effective. Each time you tick-off a habit, you feel as though you've inched closer to your goal and you demonstrate self-efficacy—the ability to produce a desired result! Thus, pilling up small wins provides a sense of purpose as well as a feeling of control. Two important aspects that influence your ongoing effectiveness and overall happiness! Enjoy the show! How

"Intentionality is your superpower, and the best news is, you're already great at using it!" When was the last time you went shopping? When was the last time you got a haircut? When was the last time you ate some food? That fact is, you're already an incredible, purposeful, deliberate, goal-driven machine. You use your intentionality every day, all day long. Getting your hair cut wasn't an accident. You set up an appointment and then showed up. You didn't just arrive at a grocery store; you realized you needed food and made a plan to go shop. You didn't accidentally start reading a book; you intended to read the book, so you picked it up. Intentionality isn't just a superpower, though; it's your means to design the life you want, AND it's a demonstration of your intelligence in action! Being intentional—being purposeful, being goal-driven—equates to intelligence in action. Tony Robbins put it this way: "We all have goals; the problem is, most of us have really crappy goals, like, 'I just want to get through t

"Like painted kites, those days and nights they went flyin' by." ~Frank Sinatra (Summer Wind) Building off last week's episode, "Bridging the Gap," this week, we review a force that makes progress possible: TIME! Some view time like the flow of a river. Brian Tracy uses the analogy of a delivery truck backing up to deliver 24 fresh hours each new day. MG loves Sinatra's imagery of days "flyin' by like painted kites" from his hit song, "Summer Wind." Whichever imagery you choose, there's no mistaking just how quickly "The DAYS" go flyin' by. To illustrate, MG tries an experiment—an exercise—and asks the listeners to give it a try. This is an Arnold Schwarzenegger exercise called "The Vacuum," where you attempt to suck in your stomach and hold it in, as far as you can, for a minute or so. MG set the intention to do the "Vacuum" twice a day, a few minutes at a time, for seven days straight. The purpose is simply to illustrate just how quickly The DAYS go flyin' by. Whatever small behavior or exercise you may be

"When the student is ready, the lessons and teachers will appear." Approximately four years after presenting to IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management), James B., who witnessed The Habit Factor® presentation, finally decided to listen to the audio book.  FOUR. YEARS. LATER. Afterward, he was excited to put habit alignment and the free habits-to-goals tracking sheet to work. He shared this story with me via email. This week's episode is about "Bridging the Gap." Sometimes the steps we take are long and swift, and sometimes they are slow and small. To span the bridge, we must keep moving forward. If intelligence is goal-directed behavior, and we are "intelligent" beings, then we must set goals. We must have an ideal to strive for, but that doesn't mean we have to be unhappy about our present circumstances. We can do both: be grateful for our present and have a goal to strive for. At any given time, we could be at point "A" while we're attempting to arrive at point "B." The challenge for ALL of us, in theory,

"While every day can't be the best day ever, your best day is almost always right around the corner. Realizing it, though, depends upon how well you navigate your worst days." Gurus everywhere promote silly claims like, "HOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR BEST DAY EVER, EVERY DAY" Here's the bad news: You can't have your best day ever, every day. The good news: Your best day ever is almost always awaiting you! Realizing those "best days ever" depends greatly upon how well you navigate your sh*tty days. Too often, people find a way to make their bad days much worse due to emotional fragility—taking too many things personally. Unfortunately, there will be days when awful things will happen to us and/or our loved ones. When that happens, the environment is not conducive or supportive (for the time being) enough for us to pursue our goals and ideals. In times like these, rather than wasting energy fighting unfortunate circumstances or taking things personally, letting our emotions get out of control, it's best to simply "duck

"To break the inertia: S.T.A.R.T.! Simple Today Actions Repeated & Tracked" It's inevitable: We are ALL trending toward zero. Laziness. Stillness. Eventually, even nothingness. However, that's a consideration that doesn't have to be depressing or debilitating; rather, it can be useful. The great mathematician, physicist, and philosopher Blaise Pascal put it this way: "Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed." Next time you feel stuck, recognize the dynamic, universal forces at play, namely inertia and gravity for starters. The key to flipping the script is to get started! Just S.T.A.R.T.! Simple (small). Today. Actions, Repeated and Tracked! Once the inertia is broken, the task forward is much easier. Plato put it this way: "The beginning is the most important part of the work." Thus, whatever you may be attempting to do, whatever your goal may be, the real challenge is to GET STARTED. Nothing is done without a beginning. Once you'v

"The longest journey begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu The Ocho—Season 8—is here, and we follow up last week's episode, "Try Slow," with this week's offering, "The Incremental." This episode was inspired by an illustration MG saw on Facebook: A man, struggling, on his tippy-toes, arms outstretched, attempting to reach the first rung of a ladder—yet the very first step was too far away. It's tough to climb any ladder when the rungs are too far apart. It's equally tough to develop any habit and move toward any goal when the expectations, targets, and next steps are too far apart. The key to habit development and goal achievement is the incremental: Small steps that are attainable, reachable, and achievable. To put our expectations, targets, and goals too far out of reach would make them about as worthwhile as a ladder with steps that are too far apart. Recognizing the INCREMENTAL is critical. Whether it's for saving money, getting out of debt, writing a book, or running a marathon, respecting and mastering t

"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." The Ocho—Season 8—is here, and along with it, our first episode: Try Slow. A sign in MG's neighborhood cautions drivers to slow down. Yet the more he passes the sign, the more meaning the message has: "TRY SLOW." Try slow to be more efficient and effective. Try slow to be healthier. Try slow to concentrate and focus better. Try slow to remember things. Try slow to be a better friend by listening more. "Try slow" is a catchy motto and a welcome message in our fast-moving, modern life. Trying "slow" might not just save some kid from the dangers of speeding drivers. Trying "slow" is likely to make you a better human. Enjoy the episode! How much do you really know about habits and goals? Check out the Habits & Goals Mastery course, NOW ON-DEMAND! Visit: https://thehabitfactor.com/challenge **** Feedspot's "Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021" New listeners: By texting the word "HABITS" to the mobile phone number "33444" you will instantly receive your "hack"/hab

"If you cannot be happy unloading a dishwasher, you cannot be happy." Today's episode is all about real happiness. Happiness involves a couple major ingredients: choice and gratitude. Consider for moment all the incredible "things" that must take place for you to be unloading your dishwasher. You can begin with the obvious: Unloading a dishwasher likely means you have eyes, hands, fingers, and arms, and that you're standing (legs and feet), for starters. Then, consider the first-world commodities at your disposal: plumbing, electricity, not to mention a home and shelter. Finally, if you're unloading a dishwasher, it likely means that you had some food to eat! Of course, the very same awareness should be applied to various other "chores": Laundry, making your bed, mowing the lawn, washing your car, maybe even being stuck in traffic! Thus, unloading the dishwasher is a terrific litmus test of one's capacity for true happiness. So, if you cannot be happy unloading the dishwasher, chances are good, you cannot be

"The roots create the fruits; the fruits reveal the seeds." In today's episode, we invite Jen Grant back on the program to discuss our Mind-Bullet: The Fruit! What do ALL fruits have in common? Correct. Seeds! While we should probably be more focused on the process (our habits/the roots) that creates the fruits (money, car, big home, etc.), it turns out that focusing on the fruits reveals something extraordinarily important: seeds! Tony Robbins likes to say, "Success leaves clues!" MG seconds the observation and points out that fruit, by definition must contain seeds. Further, it's the seeds that offer the promise that, when planted and cared for within a conducive environment, they will produce rewards! Jen and MG further the analogy by referencing the resistance each seed experiences initially as it struggles to see the light of day. Similarly, its our efforts—building new habits—that experience extreme resistance as we put in the practice, work and discipline in order for the seeds to produce fruit. The gr

"Discipline is a habit: cultivate it." "No man is free who cannot command himself." Pythagoras If you are not in control of yourself (your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors), you will never know true freedom. In today's episode, MG shares how, for many years, he grappled with what appeared to be conflicting primary values: freedom and family. Upon further reflection, he made the realization that the banks of a river provide direction, power and strength. Similarly, a family also can provide the very same qualities: direction, power and strength. Thus, the values of family and freedom don't necessarily conflict; rather, family and freedom can be complementary values that guide our energy. A similar analogy can be made for tracking behaviors and habits while cultivating discipline. When we track our habits and behaviors, like the banks of a river, we add controls and constraints to our energy force, further guiding and directing our power. It turns out that we discover real freedom when we develop discipline in

"At birth, you have only instincts, no habits." How many beliefs are you born with? How many habits are you born with? In today's episode, MG revisits the concept of Tabula rasa—blank slate—to help us recognize and challenge any limiting beliefs and habits that may be keeping us stuck. It's important to know that we've acquired these limiting thought and behavior habits. They weren't ours since birth; they've been inscribed upon our character (Tabula rasa) as we've lived our lives, dealing with life's daily challenges and struggles. Knowing that we've picked up self-deprecating thoughts and habits along the way also means we know we can change them. With intention, reflection, and practice (PARR), we can inscribe new habits of thought and behavior to produce new, different, and better outcomes. Tabula rasa is a powerful awareness tool, helping us to understand that how we view ourselves and our limitations is just a story we've acquired via habit. Habits are strengthened by repetition, over time. However, unl

How often do you judge your own judgment? We often tell our kids, "Use good judgment!" Yet, when it comes to our own judgment, we tend to forget the advice. In this week's episode, MG invites Jen Grant to co-host as they explore the significance judgement plays in our life. When is judgment valuable? When is judgment harmful? If we ruminate in the negative feelings judgment may bring, it can be harmful. If judgment derails your progress and keeps you off track for too long, it's harmful. However, great value arises when judgment helps us to identify improvement and how we can move toward our goals and ideals more effectively and efficiently. Good judgment is what helps companies to improve their products and services, making them more successful. Be sure to assess the value of your judgments. Notice if your judgments are derailing you. Should that happen, do your best to pause, filter through the debris and find the value. Good judgment can help anyone to make better decisions, form new habits, and move towar

“Everything is hard before it is easy." ~Goethe Why do humans possess a subconscious mind? In season two, we covered the subconscious mind relative to the "Super-Conscious". In today's episode, we wonder why the subconscious mind exists. As science is about studying "things" that can be measured and observed, some scientists may even argue the subconscious mind or even the "mind" itself, does not exist. MG speculates otherwise and reiterates the important distinction between the mind and the brain, an idea covered in The Habit Factor® (book). Unlike animals born with "instincts", humans are endowed with the capacity to program their subconscious with new habits and skills. Not unlike a computer programmer, we can write a script (with  intention and practice) that automates a behavior or skill over time. The process to program the subconscious with a new habit or skill—is by following P.A.R.R. (Plan, Act, Record & Reassess). As humans develop new skills and habits the behaviors ascend through the various l

“It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." ~Confucius Some days are better than others. Sometimes you're on track and sometimes you are not. A way to ensure you keep moving forward, despite setbacks, is to begin tracking your habits.  By tracking your habits, you reinforce both your intention and commitment. So, when setbacks happen, you're able to get back on track more quickly. MG recounts a couple stories about getting thrown off track and how considering these days as "throw-away days" helps him to reset more quickly and keep moving forward. Further, he shares a story about a guy he recently coached to follow the tracking process and P.A.R.R. who experienced multiple setbacks, including; a colonoscopy, a tax deadline and a family member needing medical care, all of which derailed his progress. In short, he didn't experience a throw-away day, he experienced a throw-away week! The best part, he was already tracking his habits and knew to expect throw away days. Thus, the real key—the

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." ~Dalai Lama Kindness is a habit (and trait) that is learnable and strengthened with practice. In Season 5, episode 50 the "Kindness" topic was previously explored. In this episode, MG expounds on the subject, citing his experience tracking "TKT" ("The Kind Thing"), a habit he's had fun working on. MG gives credit for the idea to a fellow entrepreneur who decided to start tracking his "kindness" habit in a goals accountability group. Using The Habit Factor app, Martin code-named "The Kind Thing" as "TKT" and suggests that tracking acts of "kindness" is up there with the other "pro tips" like tracking at least one diet and one exercise habit, regardless of the overarching goal. You're encouraged to give "TKT" a try and add it to your habit tracking. Not only is "TKT" likely to make you feel better about yourself but it's likely to foster a habit which will serve you for a lifetime. Enjoy the episode! How much do you really know about habits and goals? Check ou