The Essential 11

Eliminating distractions is essential for achieving life goals as it allows us to maintain focus and clarity. Minimizing external interruptions and staying disciplined can help us channel our energy towards things that matter. This focused approach increases productivity and brings us closer to realizing our goals and aspirations. Dr. Andrew Shaw shares strategies for simplifying one's life through establishing intentional daily routines, practices like mindfulness and embracing discomfort, as well as approaches for organizational improvement including identifying root problems, open communication, and a culture of psychological safety. Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “I'm very conscientious of my time. That's a big thing for me.” – Dr. Andrew Shaw “I always like to learn new things. Just gain as much knowledge and wisdom as possible.” – Dr. Andrew Shaw “You've got to have an open-door policy. We've got to put ego aside and put results first." – Dr. Andrew Shaw Takeaways: Identify your core values and goals, then simplify your life and routines to focus only on what is essential to achieving them. Eliminate distractions. Practice mindfulness through daily habits like meditation, journal, being present during conversations, and focusing on physical sensations like breathing or foot strikes during exercise. Embrace uncomfortable emotions and experiences rather than avoiding them. Sit with discomfort to build resilience and progress in life. Conclusion: Understanding what truly matters and simplifying our lives accordingly allows us to focus on meaningful pursuits. Through mindfulness practices and embracing discomfort, we cultivate resilience and deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us. This journey of self-discovery and growth leads to a more authentic and fulfilling existence.

Defining problems is a valuable skill that can change how we face challenges. The need to peel back the layers is to find not just symptoms but the real problems and conflicting interests. When you're up against a tough problem, remember to stop, break it down, and clearly define it—it might be the key to finding innovative solutions and overcoming difficulties. Emily and Jason Morrow share their life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. A clear definition of problems is the compass that guides effective problem-solving journeys toward sustainable solutions. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "When I first started learning more about the holistic lifestyle, I felt judged in many ways. Some of it could have been self-imposed, but there were definitely times when I knew I was being judged." - Emily Morrow "You don't have to be perfect. That's one thing for sure. I'm the type of person that tends to be extreme. It's all or nothing for me." - Emily Morrow "I have mixed feelings about this, but ever since I was a little kid, my dad always instilled in me that I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up." - Jason Morrow Takeaways: Start making small changes to improve health habits, such as diet or lifestyle, instead of changing everything at once. Grow your curiosity and learn from experiences such as living in a different country or taking up new hobbies rather than feeling judged for not knowing everything. Build self-discipline by committing to regular creative projects and using deadlines to motivate yourself. Value family time and positive communication by sharing achievements rather than focusing on criticism in daily routines. Take risks by moving out of your comfort zone through adventures, changing careers, or learning about new subjects. Cultivate your unique voice and abilities by learning from what you enjoy instead of imitating others. Rely on a supportive partner and hold each other responsible during challenging times by sharing similar values. Conclusion: Old wisdom encourages us to look deeper and understand the real causes of our struggles. By spending time on focused learning, we discover our natural talents and interests, which gives us clear direction in life. Even when things are tough, curiosity leads to a satisfying life that aligns with our deepest interests and goals.

You might be on a journey marked by addiction and a childhood tainted by wasted opportunities, facing countless adversities. But no matter where you start, you can turn your life around. Shift your mindset, habits, and surroundings, and embark on a path of professional growth, overcoming struggles along the way. Rise above challenges and find success against all odds. In today’s episode, our guest is Jefferson Rogers, an entrepreneur and bestselling author. Join us as he shares his incredible personal story of overcoming addiction and negative influences in his youth to build a multi-million dollar business from the ground up. Tune in as men ask questions about life, personal growth, wealth, leadership, business, and more! Quotes: “Those experiences that you get in life are going to mold you. And they’re going to create an incredible life for you.” – Jefferson Rogers “You have more control over your life and opportunities than you think. You can create a life for yourself.” – Jefferson Rogers “You want to go out there and act. It’s okay to be a thinker, as long as you’re also going out, experiencing, and doing.” – Jefferson Rogers Takeaways: Personal growth and change happen gradually through small, consistent steps over time rather than overnight transformations. Building new habits and eliminating old ones requires dedication. Surrounding yourself with mentors, coaches, and positive influences who have achieved success is critical for accelerating personal and professional growth. Their examples aid you in avoiding the mistakes they make. Focus on the person you need to become to achieve your goals, rather than just setting them themselves. Conclusion: Beat substance abuse and negative influences by changing how you think, hanging out with good role models, and slowly making better habits every day. Be a good leader, have a clear goal, and work hard. Treat your company like a place that helps people grow, not just a job. Even if life gets tough, keep improving and take charge of your growth. That’s how you reach big dreams and make a real difference.

Having the right mindset is important for self-improvement. Setting clear goals helps guide your efforts, and having a mentor can provide valuable guidance and support. Strategies like staying positive, being persistent, and learning from challenges contribute to continuous self-improvement, helping you grow and achieve your objectives. Jason White shares his personal journey and lessons learned in overcoming obstacles from his past to find success through determination and resourcefulness in securing federal government contracts through his company. Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “Everybody has it, that good angel and that bad angel in their ear.” – Jason White I'm the adjustment king, so I will make the proper adjustments to keep going on the right path.” – Jason White “I just want to make sure that I submit at least 10 to 15 proposals every single month. If I do that, I can let the winning take care of itself." – Jason White Takeaways: Focus on the present moment and take consistent action towards your goals each day rather than worrying about an uncertain future. Reframe how you think about "goals" by associating them with ongoing targets rather than endpoints to achieve continuous growth and progress. Find mentors who you can serve through acts of kindness and build meaningful relationships that allow you to learn from their experiences. Overcome obstacles through perseverance, gratitude, and helping others who are worse off to maintain a growth mindset during challenges. Start small by being the best at your current situation and look for opportunities to learn and improve through consistent effort each day. Conclusion: With persistence and a positive mindset, overcoming past challenges and finding business opportunities becomes possible. Building relationships through service and maintaining gratitude in the face of difficulties contribute to ongoing personal growth and success.

Ever feel like your kids are missing something crucial for success? With standard schools not being able to equip children with the critical skills they need in real life, parents are responsible for guiding and teaching them the skills needed to handle various challenges as they live in the world. Parents, learn practical strategies to boost your child's emotional intelligence, whether at home or in school. And get them ready for their future. Inez Barberio is a speaker, entrepreneur, and mother of two wonderfully raised men. Her expertise revolves around emotional intelligence and mainly focuses on encouraging women and universities. In this episode, Inez shares her journey of developing emotional intelligence, overcoming childhood traumas, parenting teenagers, and more. Tune in as they chat about life, personal growth, and parenting! Quotes: “God gave me this ability, he gave me this opportunity. I need to go with it and not disappoint God and myself.” – Inez Barberio “I still continue to heal because obviously, it's not like, you learn something, and overnight, you're breathing. It's a constant journey because we're constantly getting challenged with different things.” – Inez Barberio “Any kid today that has those soft skill sets and is willing to put in the work, they're going to be successful, no doubt.” – Inez Barberio Takeaways: Emotional intelligence is an important life skill that helps with self-awareness, communication, and relationships. Teaching emotional intelligence skills to children from a young age sets them up for success. Consistency, calmness, empathy, and quality time are important when parenting teenagers and navigating their emotional development and changes. Finding common interests helps build stronger bonds. Traditional academic education alone does not fully prepare children for real life. Soft skills like networking, communication, and work ethic are also crucial for future success. Conclusion: Helping kids understand their feelings, talk openly, and connect with others is important to a successful life. Healing from tough times involves personal growth and talking to those you love. When dealing with teens, be steady, stay calm, show understanding, and spend quality time together—it goes a long way. Remember, school is more than books—it's about real-life skills such as talking, connecting, and working hard. Lastly, teach kids about emotions by doing, not just talking—it sticks better that way. Keep it simple, keep it real, and watch them thrive!

Being an athlete is not an easy task. It's not just about taking care of the physical aspect; it is also about mental toughness, discipline, maximizing abilities through hard work, and a commitment to lifelong learning. That is why we, athletes or not, need a mentor to guide us, open our minds, learn, and possibly become mentors to future generations. John Welbourn shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice with athletes. When individuals have shared experiences, they can relate to each other on a deeper level, knowing that they have gone through similar challenges, triumphs, or moments of growth. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "The machine stops only if you skip without an excuse. If you show up, I'll push you to greatness, drive you there, and keep it going. Get up, show up, and hang out for greatness." – John Welbourn "When you're deep, consider if that's the only solution. How lonely are those people, and what steps led them there unnoticed?" – John Welbourn "Often, we build momentum, but fear, excuses, and life's distractions intervene. The 800-pound gorilla is the fear of failure – what if I succeed or put in all this work without the desired outcome?" – John Welbourn Takeaways: Consistency and showing up are extremely important for achieving goals and success. Not having excuses and pushing through challenges is important. Maintaining technique and form is vital for long-term athletic performance and avoiding injury. Taking the time to learn skills properly pays off. Community, belonging, and mentorship can be hugely beneficial to well-being and motivation. Finding ways to be involved and help others can be rewarding. Taking care of physical and mental health through diet, exercise, sleep, and limiting stressors lays the foundation for performance and longevity. Having a strong work ethic and not being afraid to learn new skills can open up opportunities that might not otherwise be possible. Passing knowledge to the next generation and helping kids develop skills and confidence can have a big impact. Conclusion: Mentors are important in the careers of athletes. The idea of passing on knowledge to future generations of athletes fosters personal growth and improvements to seize opportunities and achieve long-term success. Being an athlete means maintaining unwavering consistency in training. When you are consistent and determined to reach your goal, you are on your way to being the best athlete you can be.

Have you ever been haunted by your past? Do you question who you used to be? Many of us go through this. But your past doesn't hold you back; it gives you strength to move forward. Don't erase your past, rewrite it. Take time to learn from valuable lessons, celebrate your progress, and create the person you want to be. You have the power to shape your own story. Darin Hazle shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. Everyone possesses the ability to craft their narrative. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "I quickly realized the importance of stimulation. Once I lost it, I understood how much I needed it. I believe all men desperately require stimulation because without it, we tend to seek it in inappropriate ways." – Darin Hazle "A big piece of advice I want to share with all you young men is: Don't shut doors that you don't even know can be opened by doing stupid stuff." – Darin Hazle "Dealing with adversity and struggling early in life has been a blessing. Now, I have a level head, a bigger purpose, and a clearer vision, making it easier to handle things." – Darin Hazle Takeaways: Take a moment to reflect on the stories you tell yourself about your past. Do these stories uplift and empower you, or do they hold you back? Challenge and reshape these narratives to focus on personal growth and resilience. Whether it's engaging in exercise, fostering positive interactions, or cultivating specific habits, these consistent actions can empower you to become the best version of yourself. There is power in connecting with peers who have shared similar experiences. Building relationships with others who understand your journey can provide valuable support, advice, and a sense of belonging within a community. Be mindful of the choices you make during your youth, because they can either open doors or close them for your future. Avoid engaging in behaviors that may limit your opportunities later in life. Be aware of the impact of downtime on your mental well-being. Schedule intentional and stimulating activities during your downtime to avoid falling into unproductive habits. Engage in self-reflection exercises to make peace with your past. Understand the valuable lessons learned and how they contribute to the person you are becoming. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, focus on the lessons they have taught you. Recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of the journey, and each one serves as a stepping stone toward your personal growth and resilience. Conclusion: In life, we have experiences that shape who we are and make us stronger. Our past doesn't define us, but it helps us shape the story we want to tell. By learning from our mistakes, creating positive habits, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people, we can grow and change. Let's remember this wisdom as we face the challenges of life, with the determination to become the best versions of ourselves.

In our fast-moving world, it's crucial to keep learning and changing how we see things. This means working hard to understand new ideas and adapt to the constantly changing environment. People who put in the effort to learn and adapt find it easier to keep up with the changes happening around them. Hard work becomes the key to getting smarter, making it possible to understand complicated things, grab opportunities, and stay ahead in a world that's always evolving. Jack Donovan shares his life's lessons, wisdom, and guidance with all those tuning in today. Remember, putting in effort to learn and staying open to new ideas isn't just about keeping up with the changes, it's key to becoming a better and smarter person! Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “In the world that we're in right now, everything moves fast. But to create something artistic takes a long time.” – Jack Donovan “If you haven't changed your mind about anything in any way, then you weren't thinking at all.” – Jack Donovan "It's hard because it's not sexy. It's not as sexy or exciting because people want to be angry." – Jack Donovan Takeaways: In a fast-paced world, art creation is a slow, intentional journey. Follow the creative rhythm, where greatness is achieved through patience. The beauty of thought lies in its evolution. A shifting perspective on things indicates an expansion of your knowledge. The path of resilience isn't always easy; it's hard work, without the allure of excitement. Conclusion: It's important to stay open-minded and ready to adapt in our fast-moving world. Learning new things and working hard go hand in hand, helping people not just keep up with all the quick changes but also grow a lot personally and intellectually.

As young adults, you might feel the fear of the unknown – the fear of not knowing what lies in your future. Most people plan to take college as a starting point to learn and pursue their careers afterward. In reality, college is not a surefire way to be successful in life. In order to figure out your desired path, one of the things you must do is gain various experiences in different fields to help discover your interests and skills rather than just focusing on academics. The world is wide; don’t be stuck on just one path. Mitchell Earl is the Co-Founder and COO of Praxis, an alternative education program focused on career development and mentorship for young adults. Tune in as Mitchell shares his advice for young adult men to find the career path they belong to and the must-do actions to bring that goal into reality. Listen now to know more! Quotes: “Thinking that college is the next step to a career prevents us from being creative.” – Mitchell Earl “If it's a core part of your identity, then don't worry about the opportunities you're going to lose. Instead, realize that there will probably be better quality opportunities that are more aligned with you if you are being in line with yourself or being aligned in how you create content.” – Mitchell Earl “Find somebody that's doing something that excites you, and find a way to be valuable to them.” – Mitchell Earl Takeaways: It's important to have a plan for your life and career, but it's totally fine if things change as you learn more about yourself and try new things. Don't feel stuck in just one way of doing things. Try out different things like internships, starting businesses, or volunteering to figure out what you like and what you're good at, not just through studying. Connect with people who are successful in what you're interested in by helping them out and providing value. This can help you build a strong professional network. Conclusion: In summary, it's okay if your plan switches– life is full of changes and surprises. Try different things like internships and volunteering to find what you like. Connect with successful people in what you're into by helping them out and showing them that you are valuable. Keep wanting to learn new stuff, not just get good grades. If college feels unsure, check out other ways like Praxis, where a mentor can guide and help you learn about life and career.

Self-love is the cornerstone of personal well-being, fostering resilience and inner strength. Taking pride in yourself is not an act of arrogance but a recognition of your worth and accomplishments. Embracing self-love allows you to navigate life with confidence and authenticity, unlocking the path to genuine happiness. Courtney Platt shares her life's lessons, wisdom, and guidance with all those tuning in today. Remember, self-care is not selfish; it's a necessary investment in your well-being that fuels your ability to give and thrive! Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “I really try to engage in a bit of self-love, like taking pride in my appearance, working out when I can, and appreciating who I am and where I came from as much as possible throughout the day.” – Courtney Platt “If I could go back, I would have digested it a bit more. I would have taken better care of myself.” – Courtney Platt "As parents, we have to really stick to what we feel is right." – Courtney Platt Takeaways: Embracing self-love is a daily practice, a commitment to appreciating the journey you've traveled. Hindsight often reveals the importance of self-care. Nurture yourself along the journey—mind, body, and spirit. Trust in your choices, nurture with love, and let the authentic bond you share with your children be the foundation of good parenting. Conclusion: Embracing the principles of self-care can help individuals cultivate resilience, authenticity, and a positive mindset that propels them towards their goals. In essence, self-love and pride pave the way for a more empowered and satisfying existence.