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077: Temperament - What It Is & Why It Matters Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Through learning to control your temperament, it is very achievable and possible to better regulate your attitude, internal dialogue, and outlook.

Temperament, psychologically speaking, is the facet of personality involved with emotional dispositions and responses and their velocity and intensity; the term frequently is used to describe the consistently prevailing mood pattern of an individual.

Temperament is a uniquely composed combination of all the individual differences in our emotional, responsiveness, and self-regulation processes.

Psychologists categorize temperament into four different types: sanguine (optimistic, active, and social), choleric (short-tempered, irritable), melancholic (analytical, wise and quiet), and phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful).

This understanding of temperament is very compatible with other ideas we’ve discussed on this podcast: Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, Five Forms of Power, Introverts & Extraverts, and BEYOND!

When asking ourselves “how can I control my temperament?”, understanding your natural disposition is crucial.

Quote: Temperament is the thermometer of character. - Balzac

Controlling YOUR temperament and training yourself to regulate your emotional responses will help you to avoid negative situations, assuring you won’t be the one to initiate and/or engage in scenarios that bring us down and cause pain to ourselves and others.

Five SIMPLE yet EFFECTIVE Approaches to Managing YOUR Temperament:

Be Observant, Become Aware
Take Responsibility + Seize Ownership
Leverage Humor: Laugh it OFF
CHILL OUT! Take a TIMEOUT.
Drop the Emotional Baggage . . .

“When circumstances demand that we do something that is not natural to our temperament or talents, we must sometimes intentionally choose by discipline what we inherently lack by nature.” – Jamie Arpin-Ricci

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076: The Great Debate of Free-Will & Determinism Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

Are we fundamentally FREE to forge our own path, or is our JOURNEY predetermined, fated to unfold in an already scripted series of events?

Free will is simply defined as the power to select or decide amongst an array of options or potential actions. The concept of free will provides us humans with a purpose, accountability, and personal agency.

Individuals who believe in FREE WILL are more likely to have a positive outlook on life, be more productive and achieve more, academically speaking. Individuals who hold the belief, with conviction, that they can act at their own liberty to freely pursue their ambitions, are more motivated to accomplish and improve their situation.

On the other hand, casting doubt on FREE WILL, adopting a deterministic view, is basically the exact opposite ideology. Determinism encourages our most impulsive instincts; it weakens our desire to achieve. If we believe we have no self-control, we succumb to internal urges.

If we’re not actually in control of our destiny, and our behavior for example, our moral liberty disappears. Shortcomings are not your responsibility, external factors are to blame: your DNA, God, other people, etc. Once they have occurred, are very difficult or impossible to change, as if created by software in a machine. In the context of one of my favorite movies, THE MATRIX, reality is either literally a software simulation, or that the universe is like a computer and natural law like software.

Quote: “Experts in ancient Greek culture say that people back then didn't see their thoughts as belonging to them. When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. Apollo was telling them to be brave. Athena was telling them to fall in love. Now people hear a commercial for sour cream potato chips and rush out to buy, but now they call this free will. At least the ancient Greeks were being honest.” - Charles Michael Palahniuk

Maybe FREE WILL is circumstantial?! Maybe we have FREE WILL in some aspects of life, and not others? We can choose Oreos over Chips Ahoy at the supermarket but have no control over whether we will be successful and happy in life?!

People are not moving in the direction of an inescapable destiny. On the other hand, philosophers argue that NO ONE has caused him or herself. No one can choose their DNA or the economic status you’re born into. Therefore, no one bears the ultimate responsibility for their actions . . . Is there a common ground that can combine the inspirational power of self-control in free will, and the empathetic understanding innate to determinism?!

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075: Seven Ways to Effectively Deal with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

Anxiety disorders can be attributed to a wide ranging, complex set of risk factors, including brain chemistry, genetics, environmental factors, personality, and life events. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.

Worrying, feelings of doubt and general fears are all normal aspects of life. It’s NATURAL to be anxious about an upcoming job interview, a first date, the birth of your first child, etc. To varying degrees, we all get anxious at times, but when your anxieties are so frequent and impactful that they affect your ability to operate and de-compress, you may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. GAD often co-occurs with major depression. What separates basic, everyday worry, fear and doubt from GAD is that the anxiety involved can be characterized as: Intrusive, Persistent, Disruptive and Excessive.

Quote: “Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.” – Paulo Coelho

An estimated 5.7% of U.S. adults experience generalized anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. Where the hell do we even begin to deal with this crisis?!? Today, we’re going to discuss SEVEN actionable, effective methods to deal with GAD.

#1 [Connect with Others] – Building a strong support system is CRUCIAL.

#2 [Learn Your Triggers] – Can you pinpoint which people, places and/or activities trigger your anxiety?!

#3 [Practice Acceptance] – A more internal, psychological method of managing your anxiety is to practice acceptance.

#4 [Keep a Positive Attitude] – Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. You can live a totally fulfilled, productive and excitement filled life with GAD.

#5 [Eat Well] – As we’ve discussed on The Motivation Movement PODCAST before, what foods we consume directly effects our physical and emotional health and well-being.

#6 [Use Aromatherapy] - Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being.

#7 [Connect with Nature] – FINALLY, the great olde outdoors is a GREAT way to cope with and manage your anxiety.

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https://mruddo.com | @mRuddo | #TheMotivationMovement

074: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

Are your ideas, emotions, experiences, senses, and desires things that happen in addition to all the physical processes in your brain, or are they themselves just a few of those physical processes?

What exactly is meant by the word "mind?" It's important to note that "mind" is not one and the same with the brain. Instead, in our description, the mind comprises of mental states such as beliefs, feelings, attitudes, and images. The brain is the vessel, the tool, that allows us to experience these mental states.

Have you heard of placebo effect? The placebo effect is well-defined as an occurrence in which an individual or group of people experience a benefit after the administration of an inactive "look-alike" substance or treatment. This substance, or placebo, has no known medical effect. Sometimes the placebo is in the form of a pill (sugar pill), but it can also be an injection (saline solution).

Why do people experience actual transformations because of bogus treatments? The expectations of the patient can play a substantial role in the placebo effect. The more a person expects the treatment to be successful, the more likely they are to exhibit a placebo reaction. This concept is a perfect introduction to the Mind-Body Connection we’re going to examine today!

Quote: Happier thoughts lead to essentially a happier biochemistry. A happier, healthier body. Negative thoughts and stress have been shown to seriously degrade the body and the functioning of the brain, because it's our thoughts and emotions that are continuously reassembling, reorganizing, re-creating our body.

Because emotions reveal themselves in the body as physical sensations, it follows that physical sensations can produce subsequent emotions. Your brain generates substances that can enhance your health. These substances include endorphins, which are natural painkillers, and gamma globulin, which strengthens your immunity. Studies show that what substances your brain creates depends in part on your ideas, emotions, and anticipations.

If you physically feel like shit but are optimistic about recovery and keep a generally positive outlook, your brain is more likely to product chemicals that will enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. On the flip side, fostering negatives emotions can restrict your brain from producing those same chemicals necessary to a speedy, full recovery. Obviously, some illnesses are FAR beyond our control, but nonetheless, your state of mind can be leveraged as a resource to improve your condition.

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https://mruddo.com | @mRuddo | #TheMotivationMovement

073: Zen Principles To Live By Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

Have y’all ever heard of ZEN?! Have you ever had a ZEN moment, that unexplainable feeling of interconnectedness and innate understanding?! What exactly is ZEN, though?!

The essence of Zen is endeavoring to comprehend the meaning of life clearly, without being deceived by logical thought or language. Zen often seems contradictory - it requires an extreme self-discipline which, when practiced correctly, results in total naturalness and supreme freedom.

One can achieve enlightenment, a state of mind where you reach synchronization of body and mind by way of “Zen Meditation”, a way of self-realization and awareness practiced by experiencing living in the moment, here and now.

Quote: “The idea of Zen is to catch life as it flows. There is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about Zen. I raise my hand ; I take a book from the other side of the desk ; I hear the boys playing ball outside my window; I see the clouds blown away beyond the neighbouring wood: — in all these I am practising Zen, I am living Zen. No wordy discussions is necessary, nor any explanation. I do not know why — and there is no need of explaining, but when the sun rises the whole world dances with joy and everybody’s heart is filled with bliss. If Zen is at all conceivable, it must be taken hold of here.” – D.T. Suzuki

FINDING HAPPINESS FROM WITHIN is a foundational element of ZEN. Knowledge of self, who you are, what you desire in life (and WHY), is critically important towards living a fulfilled life. Meditation is a ZEN master’s best friend, their most important tool in the shed. Through learning to become an observer of your own mind, controller of your internal dialogue, you’re able to discover who you truly are.

Compassion, benevolence, and empathy are frequently considered pillars of ZEN PHILOSOPHY. Compassion is an internal and external process, helping you to better understand yourself and connect with those around us.

As observed with ZEN monks, it’s essential to DEVELOP RITUALS. Whether it’s meditating, eating, exercising, or reading; developing a ritual around a task or practice designates a certain level of important. If it’s important enough to have a RITUAL formed around it, it’s clear that the duty deserves your complete and total ATTENTION and energy.

Thinking about what is essential in life, and therefore LIVING SIMPLY, are predominant themes in ZEN philosophy, as well. Again, material items truly serve no purpose to an enlightened individual.

https://www.headspace.com/mruddo

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https://mruddo.com | @mRuddo | #TheMotivationMovement

072: Advice I'd Give MY 18 Year Old Self Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

How would I describe my 18-year-old self?! SAVAGE. Confused. Opportunistic. Ambitious. Outspoken. Arrogant. Motivated. Daring. I had a solid number of positive characteristics, but an equally as important number of character flaws. I never had clearly defined plans or goals growing up, all I knew is that I wanted to have as many unique experiences as possible, and to make a difference in the world.

Today, I’m going to discuss a couple of pieces of actionable advice, gems of knowledge, that I would share with my sometimes hard-headed 18-year-old self, with hopes that my words wouldn’t fall on deaf ears.

Quote: The advice I would give to my younger self is very, very simple: Stop burning the candle at both ends and renew your estranged relationship with sleep. You will be more productive, more effective, more creative, and more likely to enjoy your life. - Arianna Huffington

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. Looking back, it’s so easy to connect the dots between experiences, I’m able to understand how each decision I made progressed to the next phase, the next chapter. I’d tell 18 year old mRuddo that you can plan ahead, and you should, but the best laid plans of MICE and MEN often go astray . . . in plain English, shit doesn’t always pan out the way you envisioned. That’s the hard thing about hard things. However hard you thought it was going to be, it’s going to be harder. However long you thought the journey would be, it’s going to be longer.

Embrace the curveballs, don’t resist them. It could be the universe giving you a sign, opportunity does knock sometimes. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Live life with open arms, plan for your plans to be fucked up, you’re on the right track, even if it doesn’t seem like it.

Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Don’t drink so much alcohol. Don’t stay up so late. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t disrespect your parents. Don’t waste your time. Don’t be a shithead. Don’t make assumptions. Don’t believe everything you read. Don’t get involved in drama.

Be more grateful. Be inquisitive. Spend more time with your family. Take care of your mental health. Meditate. Eat healthy. Take more pictures. Journal about your day. Find a mentor, sooner. Read more often. Chase what you don’t know. Be interesting. Be kind. Discover yourself.

https://mruddo.com

071: Being Patient in an Impatient World Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

The word patience is derived from the Latin word pati which means to suffer, to endure, to bear. Patience is a difficult, painful, STRUGGLE for many people. It’s not always easy to endure long waiting periods, delays, and simple frustrations without becoming disturbed or anxious. Having patience requires self-regulating your feelings and reactions when confronted with adversity or complex situations.

Patience isn’t a one size fits all virtue. Personally, I find myself having more patience with more significant, complex challenges, whereas I at times get easily frustrated while waiting at a red light for too long or if my computer won’t load fast enough. I find myself having more patience for strangers, maybe out of empathy or not understanding what they’re going through, than I do with my own family members sometimes. For others, the exact opposite is true. Whatever scenario, or whoever, is most conducive to your lack of patience, the source of this emotion is the fact there is a perceived waiting time between you and something you desire or NEED.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and patience is no different. Thanks to technology, we live in a world of instant gratification. We can practically consume, acquire, and experience ANYTHING we want, whenever we want. BUT . . . this doesn’t mean that patience isn’t necessary anymore. We’re almost accustomed to being impatient now, which isn’t setting up anyone for success and happiness in life. Everyone can work to generate MORE patience. Developing patience is like developing any other skill, it can be learned!

Quote: “Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is "timing". It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” ― Fulton J. Sheen

Patience is power. I love it. Training yourself to have a neutral reaction when faced with any challenge, rather than resisting, is essential. Accept the given situation for what it is. Trusting that whatever you are longing for may not be immediately available, but in time, will be, is paramount.

What's the purpose of nurturing patience in yourself? HAPPINESS, AKA, less stress, less wasted time, better relationships, more success.When you practice patience you don't get as angry, stressed or overwhelmed. You are more in control of your reactions and feelings, and in a better position to deal with tricky circumstances.When you're patient, you take the time to evaluate the situation, see the big picture, and weigh the pros and cons. You become, by default, more understanding and empathic with others. Patience is an invaluable character trait to develop. Some mistake patience, like kindness, for weakness, however it is an active, resolute and essential form of self-discipline.

https://mruddo.com

070: The 4 Ps of Marketing: Product, Price, Promotion and Place Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Marketing is defined as, “the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.” The traditional marketing mix is the combination of the four controllable variables – PRODUCT, PRICE, PROMOTION and PLACE. Essentially, putting the right product in the right place, at the right price, at the right time. Sounds easy enough, right?

Months, sometimes years’ worth of research are invested into developing the right marketing mix. If just ONE of the four variables is even slightly off the mark, a promising, innovative, revolutionary product or service can totally flop. Having the proper marketing mix is crucial in understanding and developing a product or service offering and/or launch plan.

The 4 P’s concept was created by Edmund Jerome McCarthy, a Notre Dame marketing professor, in his 1960 book, “Basic Marketing: A Managerial Approach.” McCarthy’s innovative, at the time, approach to marketing focused on problem solving the challenges that marketers most often face.

Rather than simply defining marketing, McCarthy sought to revolutionize marketing by leveraging relevant knowledge from sociology, philosophy, and psychology. Discovering WHY customers purchased a product, understanding the psycho-analytics behind a purchase, ultimately analyzing consumer behavior.

Quote: “Many companies have forgotten they sell to actual people. Humans care about the entire experience, not just the marketing or sales or service. To really win in the modern age, you must solve for humans.” — Dharmesh Shah

Remember that the 4 Ps of MARKETING is a dynamic concept that requires constant monitoring. It’s important to be aware of trends and innovations in your industry to ensure your MARKETING MIX is relevant. Depending on these changes in your market, one P within the MARKETING MIX may require more or less focus and/or dedicated resources. This framework is valuable to any individual or organization that’s considering releasing a new product, starting a new business, expanding into new territories and beyond.

https://mruddo.com

069: Conducting a Personal SWOT Analysis Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

Don’t underestimate the power of the SWOT Analysis, it does a damn good job of examining internal and external factors contributing to or preventing your growth, in a personal and/or professional context. What makes this exercise particularly powerful, is that, with a reasonable amount of genuine effort, it can assist you in unlocking your potential, by identifying opportunities you may have been missing in your life. Also, by understanding your shortcomings, you can be more aware of, manage and ultimately eliminate threats that risk halting your progress.

Through conducting a personal SWOT analysis, you’ll be able to distinguish yourself from the majority. Doubling down on your strengths, skills, and talents, will allow you to focus your time, energy, and effort. This is just another tool in your personal development toolbox partner!

Don’t be afraid to word vomit and really divulge all of the information you can, you may be surprised about how you can turn a weakness into an opportunity, or a threat into a strength.

Quote: Because it encourages self-improvement, using a personal S.W.O.T. analysis to evaluate yourself and your competition will keep you at your best. Use the exercise to sharpen your strengths, improve your weaknesses, identify opportunities for development and neutralize or overcome your threats.

– Lisa Quast

A quick Google search will yield you a TON of SWOT Analysis templates online. Find one that makes that most sense to you and be prepared to dedicate time and effort to this exercise.

Once your SWOT Analysis is complete, the fun begins. It’s CRUCIAL to follow through on the insights this exercise should have provided you, if you don’t, well, you just wasted a bunch of your time for no reason. Matching strengths to opportunities are a great starting point, to see where you can immediately be more proactive. In tandem, you can match your weaknesses to your threats and better understand which risk factors you should be more aware and cognizant of.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT is not easy, it can be a process that seems insurmountable at times. It’s easy to plateau when challenging yourself to become better. Next time you feel stuck, and don’t know which way to turn, in any endeavor, a personal SWOT analysis could prove to be very helpful. By identifying new opportunities, you may be inspired to make a breakthrough and achieve success, however you define success. For me, personally, a personal SWOT analysis helped me focus my efforts, prioritize my responsibilities, and better prepare myself to deal with unforeseen circumstances.

https://mruddo.com

068: How to Strengthen YOUR Critical Thinking Skills! Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

The Foundation for Critical Thinking defines CRITICAL THINKING as the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

Sounds complex, but simply put, critical thinking is about meticulously processing information. Maybe you recall Critical Thinking as a Philosophy course in High School or College . . .

Critical thinking skills are applicable to a wide range of problems, topics, theories, and questions. Developing a proficiency in this area of philosophy can prove to be helpful in many situations. Strong critical thinkers try their best to refrain from bias, avoid judging based on preconceived notions, suppressing prejudices and self -correcting for them. Critical thinking requires an immense amount of discipline. Above all, and more generally speaking, it requires one to have an open mind.

Quote: Critical thinking is not something you do once with an issue and then drop it. It requires that we update our knowledge as new information comes in. Time spent evaluating claims is not just time well spent. It should be considered part of an implicit bargain we've all made.

- Daniel Levitin

It can be a laborious process, but that’s the point. In a business setting, critical thinking can be used in all phases of strategic planning: when identifying market opportunities and trends, conducting a competitive analysis, performing a SWOT analysis and feedback management. Critical thinking is a 360-degree, full circle audit, so it also involves examining the outcomes, the product of decisions made, and then executing change where feasible.

Evaluating informational critically can make you a bit of a cynic. You’ll be able to see right through the bullsh*t ads for the next revolutionary iPhone release, miracle diet pill and/or get rich quick from home scheme. The public doesn’t think critically, and corporations, government and influential individuals take advantage of that; they rely on us being easily manipulated. Critical thinking is a skill that will set you apart from the majority, be a UNICORN!

So, how the hell do we even begin to think critically?! To begin, when approaching a situation, it’s important to understand the basics. What do you already know? How do you know that? What hypothesis are you trying to prove or disprove? Where are the gaps in your information and understanding?

The value of gaining perspective and understanding different viewpoints can be impactful on their own, but when you have confidence in your convictions, courage and faith in our decision making, we become UNSTOPPABLE! 😊

https://mruddo.com

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