Explore every episode of the podcast The Motivation Movement | Inspirational Quotes, Daily Advice, Lifestyle Design, Personal Development

In this episode, host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, explores how philosophy shaped some of the world’s most impactful business leaders. Join The Motivation Movement as Michael discusses the influence of philosophy on iconic leaders like Steve Jobs, Arianna Huffington, Howard Schultz, and Peter Thiel, highlighting how philosophical insights guided their careers and leadership styles. Episode Highlights: Peter Thiel & Unique Thinking: Inspired by Rene Girard’s “mimetic desire,” Thiel sought innovation over competition, focusing on creating new markets rather than following trends. Steve Jobs & Quality: Influenced by Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Jobs centered Apple’s brand on quality and user experience, embedding excellence in every product. Howard Schultz & Purpose: Guided by Heidegger’s ideas on meaning, Schultz built Starbucks around community and ethics, fostering purpose-driven leadership. Arianna Huffington & Authenticity: Influenced by Nietzsche, Huffington emphasizes resilience and authenticity, values that shaped her leadership at Thrive Global. Key Takeaways: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Philosophy enhances leaders’ ability to evaluate complex challenges and find innovative solutions. Ethical Decision-Making: Philosophical training encourages a focus on ethics and long-term impact, essential for today’s socially conscious business landscape. Purpose-Driven Work: Leaders like Schultz and Huffington show that aligning actions with values builds trust, loyalty, and a sustainable business culture. Call to Action: Reflect on a philosophical concept that resonates with you. Consider how critical thinking, ethics, and self-reflection can enrich your career and business decisions. Philosophy isn’t just a field of study—it’s a tool for leading with insight, integrity, and purpose. Embrace it to deepen your impact and create a meaningful legacy.

In this insightful episode, host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, unpacks the impact of stress on memory and practical ways to manage it. Join The Motivation Movement as Michael, husband, father, and Chief Growth Officer at Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co., shares personal stories and science-backed strategies for preserving memory and enhancing clarity in our busy lives. Episode Highlights: How Stress Impairs Memory: Stress hormones like cortisol interfere with focus and information recall, impacting both short-term and long-term memory. Memory and Decision-Making: Chronic stress clouds memory, leading to repeated mistakes or missed opportunities due to unclear recall. The Importance of Managing Stress: Michael explores why keeping stress in check is vital for clear thinking, sound decision-making, and achieving our goals. Key Strategies for Managing Stress and Boosting Memory: Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours to consolidate memories and reduce stress. Engage in Physical Activity: Regular exercise supports memory by increasing blood flow to the brain. Adopt a Brain-Healthy Diet: Foods like blueberries, salmon, and leafy greens help protect cognitive function. Practice Mindfulness: Daily mindfulness reduces stress and strengthens memory retention. Use Mnemonics: Techniques like acronyms and rhymes make recalling information easier. Call to Action: Choose one stress-management or memory-boosting technique this week. Observe how it affects your focus, memory clarity, and response to daily challenges. Mastering stress is key to preserving our memory, making better decisions, and leading a life filled with clarity and purpose.

In this episode, host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, delves into how humor can be a superpower in life and business. With personal stories and insights, Michael shows how a sense of humor isn’t just for laughs—it’s a transformative tool for building relationships, reducing stress, and boosting resilience. Join The Motivation Movement to explore why humor is a game-changer for success and well-being. Episode Highlights: Building Stronger Relationships: Humor breaks down walls and builds trust, creating deeper connections in both personal and professional relationships. Health Benefits of Laughter: Laughter releases endorphins, reduces stress, strengthens immunity, and even supports cardiovascular health. Resilience Through Humor: Using humor to reframe challenges brings perspective and creativity, making obstacles feel more manageable. Key Takeaways: Start with a Smile: Humor begins with a positive outlook, inviting lightness into everyday situations. Incorporate Playfulness: Add a bit of fun to daily interactions, whether through playful comments or shared funny moments. Laugh at Yourself: Self-deprecating humor shows humility and confidence, helping you stay grounded and relatable. Call to Action: Find three moments to add humor into your day, whether by sharing a funny story, laughing at a small mishap, or making lighthearted observations. Notice how humor impacts your mood and your connections with others. Embrace humor as a life skill that enhances happiness, resilience, and success—one laugh at a time!

In this episode, host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, unpacks the game-changing power of time management. With his own story of transformation, from feeling "too busy" for health to taking control of his schedule and shedding 35 pounds, Michael shares actionable strategies for maximizing every minute. Join The Motivation Movement and learn how managing time wisely can elevate your success, reduce stress, and make room for what matters most. Episode Highlights: The Importance of Time Management: Michael reveals how prioritizing time isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about aligning time with goals, reducing burnout, and living more fully. Time Management Techniques: The Pomodoro Technique: Break tasks into focused 25-minute intervals to boost concentration and prevent fatigue. The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, ensuring focus on goals that create long-term value. Tips for Staying on Track: From setting weekly goals to batching tasks and learning to say “no,” Michael shares practical ways to stay intentional with your time. Key Takeaways: Set Daily Goals and Time Blocks: Use a calendar to create dedicated work blocks, keeping interruptions at bay and staying focused on priorities. Eliminate Distractions: Identify and minimize common distractions to improve concentration. Practice Saying “No”: Free up time for meaningful pursuits by saying no to non-essential tasks. Call to Action: This week, try one of the time management techniques shared—whether it’s the Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix. Experiment to see how these approaches improve your focus and share your insights on social media with #TheMotivationMovement. Take control of your time and unlock a more purposeful, productive life!

In this powerful episode, host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, explores why integrity is essential for real success in life and business. Join The Motivation Movement as Michael, entrepreneur and Chief Growth Officer at Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co., shares personal stories and insights on why staying true to your values builds the foundation for trust, credibility, and fulfillment. Episode Highlights: The Role of Integrity in Building Trust: Integrity fosters loyalty in both business and personal relationships. Michael emphasizes that without trust, there’s no foundation for lasting connections. Reputation as Currency: Acting with integrity strengthens your reputation, which is invaluable in a competitive world. Learn how brands like Patagonia leverage integrity to inspire loyalty and raise the industry standard. Personal Fulfillment Through Integrity: By aligning actions with values, you find peace and confidence. Integrity isn’t about rewards; it’s about staying true to yourself. Key Takeaways: Set Clear Boundaries: Define your values to keep aligned with your principles. Pause Before Decisions: Take a moment to check if your actions match your beliefs. Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with people who respect your values and encourage honesty. Actionable Challenge: Identify one area of your life where you can bring more integrity—whether in a relationship, at work, or even a promise to yourself. Embrace integrity as the defining standard for lasting success. Integrity isn’t just a quality; it’s the cornerstone of who you are and the legacy you’ll leave. Let’s build a life and career that’s rooted in respect, trust, and authenticity!

Join host Michael Russo, AKA mRuddo, as he dives into a year-end reflection that transforms 2024's lessons into actionable goals for a stronger 2025. In this episode of The Motivation Movement, Michael, husband, father, entrepreneur, and Chief Growth Officer at Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co., unpacks the power of reflection for setting meaningful intentions. This is for anyone looking to close out the year with clarity, gratitude, and purpose. Episode Highlights: Reflecting on Wins and Losses: Learn why Michael values consistency in fitness and parenting victories, while also acknowledging missed opportunities at work and with loved ones. The Importance of Year-End Reflection: Discover how reflecting on successes and setbacks reveals personal growth, clarifies intentions, and builds gratitude. Practical Steps for Reflection: Review Highlights & Challenges: Embrace the wins and explore lessons from obstacles. List Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate daily efforts that lead to bigger victories. Set an Intention for 2025: Go beyond resolutions by setting a word or theme that centers your goals. Key Takeaways: Gain Perspective: See how looking back on 2024 can shape a more intentional 2025. Clarify Goals: Use this year’s lessons to streamline your focus. Build Consistency: Stick with your intentions by checking in monthly or quarterly. Call to Action: Set aside time this week to reflect. Follow Michael’s steps, set a 2025 intention, and share your goals on social media with #TheMotivationMovement to kickstart your year! Get ready to turn insights into action and make 2025 your most intentional year yet!

Today’s quote is attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle.  Quote: “First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end." – Aristotle Analysis: This quote by Aristotle is often interpreted as a call to action to set clear goals and objectives, and then to develop and use the necessary resources and skills to achieve those goals. The quote suggests that it is important to first have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, and then to gather the resources and knowledge you need to make it happen. Finally, the quote suggests that you should adjust and adapt your strategies and methods to ensure that they are aligned with your ultimate goal. In this way, the quote encourages us to be purposeful and deliberate in our actions, and to use our resources and abilities to achieve our goals. If you don't have the resources you need to reach your goals, it can be discouraging and challenging. However, it's important to remember that many people have overcome obstacles and lack of resources to achieve their goals. Here are a few things you can do if you don't have the resources you need to reach your goals: Identify alternative ways to achieve your goals. Is there another way you can reach your goal, even if you don't have all the resources you need? For example, if you want to go to college but can't afford it, there may be scholarship or financial aid options available. Look for opportunities to acquire the resources you need. Is there a way you can earn or acquire the resources you need to reach your goal? For example, if you need money to start a business, you could consider taking on a part-time job or starting a side hustle to save up the money you need. Seek out support and assistance from others. Sometimes, other people can provide the resources and support you need to achieve your goals. Talk to friends, family, or professionals who may be able to offer guidance, advice, or other forms of support. By being creative and resourceful, and by seeking out support and assistance from others, you can find ways to overcome the lack of resources and achieve your goals. Determination is the quality of being firmly resolved to do something, and it helps us to stay focused and committed to achieving our goals, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Perseverance, on the other hand, is the quality of continuing to do something despite difficulties or setbacks. It helps us to keep pushing forward, even when things are tough, and to never give up on our dreams. Together, determination and perseverance help us to stay focused and motivated on the path to achieving our goals. They give us the strength and resilience we need to overcome challenges and obstacles, and to keep moving forward, even when the road is difficult. By cultivating these qualities, we can develop the mental and emotional strength we need to achieve our goals and live a more fulfilling and successful life.

Today’s quote is attributed to Ben Okri, a Nigerian-British poet and novelist. Quote: “The fact of storytelling hints at a fundamental human unease, hints at human imperfection. Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.” – Ben Okri Overall, this quote suggests that storytelling is an essential part of the human experience, and is a way for us to explore and understand the imperfections and challenges of our lives. By telling stories, we can express our fears, doubts, and anxieties, and find meaning and purpose in the imperfections and difficulties that are inherent in being human.  Storytelling is an essential part of the human experience for a number of reasons. Some of the ways in which storytelling is important to the human experience include: Storytelling allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through storytelling, we can communicate our ideas, emotions, and experiences to others, and share them with the world. Storytelling helps us to make sense of the world around us. By listening to and telling stories, we can learn about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Storytelling allows us to connect with others. By sharing stories with each other, we can build connections and relationships with other people, and form a sense of community and belonging. Storytelling helps us to preserve our history and heritage. By telling stories, we can preserve the memories, experiences, and traditions of our ancestors, and pass them down to future generations. Overall, storytelling is an essential part of the human experience because it allows us to express ourselves, make sense of the world, connect with others, and preserve our history and heritage. By telling and listening to stories, we can learn about ourselves, our communities, and the world we live in. The concept of the human condition is an ancient one, and has been explored by philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers throughout history. The first written references to the human condition can be found in ancient texts, such as the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Tao Te Ching. These texts discuss the challenges and struggles that are inherent in being human, and explore the ways in which people can find meaning and purpose in their lives. Overall, the concept of the human condition has been explored by many different thinkers throughout history, and continues to be a topic of interest and debate among philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers today.

Quote: Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. – Andrew Carnegie Analysis: This quote by Andrew Carnegie is often interpreted as a celebration of the power of teamwork. Carnegie suggests that teamwork is a key factor in achieving success, because it allows people to work together towards a common goal. He also highlights the importance of aligning individual efforts with the goals of the organization, and suggests that teamwork can help people to achieve results that would not be possible alone. The quote suggests that teamwork is an essential quality for any group or organization that wants to achieve success. By working together, people can combine their talents, skills, and experiences to achieve results that are greater than the sum of their individual efforts. This is what Carnegie means when he says that teamwork is the "fuel" that allows common people to achieve uncommon results. In other words, by working together, people can achieve things that would be impossible for them to accomplish on their own. Fostering teamwork can be challenging for a number of reasons. Some of the challenges that organizations may face when trying to foster teamwork include: Lack of trust and communication: In some cases, team members may not trust each other, or may have difficulty communicating and collaborating with each other. This can make it difficult for the team to work together effectively. Different personalities and work styles: Teams are made up of individuals with different personalities, backgrounds, and work styles. This can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, which can make it difficult for the team to work together. Lack of shared goals and objectives: If team members don't have a clear understanding of the team's goals and objectives, they may not be motivated to work together towards a common goal. This can make it difficult for the team to achieve its objectives. Misalignment of individual and team goals: In some cases, team members may have different goals and priorities than the team as a whole. This can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, and can make it difficult for the team to work together effectively. Lack of support and resources: If team members don't have the support and resources they need to do their jobs effectively, it can be difficult for them to work together and achieve their goals. A team defines success in different ways, depending on the team's goals, objectives, and priorities. For some teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's ability to achieve specific goals or objectives, such as completing a project on time or within budget. For other teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's performance, such as the number of sales they make or the number of customer service issues they resolve. It's important to note that success is not always measured in terms of tangible results or outcomes. For some teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's ability to work together effectively, to foster collaboration and communication, or to create a positive team culture. In these cases, success may be more difficult to measure, but it is no less important for the team's overall success.

Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Analysis: It suggests that people are more likely to remember how they felt in a particular situation rather than the specific words or actions of someone. This is because emotions are often more powerful and long-lasting than other forms of information. In other words, the way someone makes another person feel can have a lasting impact on them, even if they forget the details of the situation. This highlights the importance of being aware of how our actions and words may affect others. Here are a SIX ways you can leave a great impression on people: Be punctual: Show up on time for meetings, appointments, and social events. Being punctual demonstrates respect for other people's time and shows that you are reliable and dependable. Be present and engaged: When you are with someone, give them your full attention. Avoid distractions like checking your phone or multitasking, and actively listen to what they have to say. Be kind and respectful: Treat others with compassion and respect, regardless of your differences. Being kind and respectful helps build trust and positive relationships. Be a good communicator: Clearly and effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas. Use active listening skills and ask questions to show that you are interested in the conversation. Be proactive and take initiative: Look for ways to contribute and be of service to others. Show that you are willing to take on new challenges and go above and beyond what is expected of you. Maintain a positive attitude: Stay positive and optimistic, even in the face of challenges. A positive attitude can be contagious and can help build positive relationships with others. It is important to be aware of how our actions and words may affect others because our behavior and communication can have a significant impact on the people around us. Our behavior and words can either positively or negatively affect the emotions, thoughts, and actions of those we interact with.  Being aware of this can help us to be more considerate and empathetic in our interactions with others, which can improve our relationships and create a more positive and harmonious environment. Additionally, understanding the potential impact of our actions and words can also help us to avoid causing harm or offense to others. To be more considerate and empathetic, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, try to put yourself in other people's shoes and see things from their perspective. This can help you to understand their emotions and needs better and respond in a more understanding and compassionate way. Secondly, try to be more attentive to the nonverbal cues of others, such as their body language and tone of voice. This can help you to pick up on their emotional state and respond accordingly. Thirdly, try to be more active in listening to others and truly hearing what they have to say, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. This can help to foster a sense of connection and understanding between you and the other person. Finally, try to be more mindful of your own actions and words and how they may affect others. This can help you to avoid causing harm or offense and to be more thoughtful in your interactions with others.

Quote: If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. –Vincent Van Gogh Analysis: This quote is often interpreted as a call to action to pursue your passions and interests, even if there is a voice inside you that tells you that you cannot do something. Van Gogh is saying that if you have a desire to paint, for example, you should not let that inner voice discourage you and instead should focus on your passion and give it your all. By doing this, the voice will eventually be silenced, and you will be able to create and achieve what you want. The quote suggests that we should not be held back by our doubts and fears, but instead should push ourselves to pursue our dreams and talents. Embracing your inner voice can be a powerful way to connect with your own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Here are a few ways you can do this: Take some time to be alone and quiet. This can be a great opportunity to tune out distractions and focus on your inner thoughts and feelings. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. This can help you tune in to your inner voice and listen to what it has to say. Consider journaling or keeping a diary. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a great way to process them and understand your inner voice better. Seek support and guidance from others. Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your inner voice and what it is telling you. They may be able to offer insights and support that can help you embrace your inner voice. Reflect on your values and beliefs. Spend some time thinking about what is important to you and what you believe in. This can help you understand your inner voice and what it is trying to tell you. Developing your core values is an important step in defining who you are and what you stand for. Here are a few steps you can take to develop your own core values: Take some time to reflect on your beliefs and experiences. Think about the things that are most important to you, and what you want to stand for in your life. Consider the people and experiences that have had the biggest impact on you. What values did they embody, and how have those values influenced you? Write down a list of potential core values. This could include words or phrases that describe the qualities and characteristics you want to embody. Reflect on your list and narrow it down to your top values. Consider which values are most important to you and align with your beliefs and experiences. Take action to live your values. Once you have identified your core values, it's important to make a conscious effort to live by them in your daily life. This can help you stay true to yourself and live a more fulfilling and authentic life. Core values are important because they serve as guiding principles for our lives. They help us make decisions, set goals, and determine what is most important to us. By having a clear set of values, we can make choices that are consistent with our beliefs and goals, and avoid actions that go against what we believe in. Core values also help us to be more authentic and genuine in our interactions with others, which can build stronger relationships and improve our overall well-being. In short, having strong, well-defined core values can help us live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Quote: "New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery." - Sarah Ban Breathnach Analysis: This quote says that New Year's Day represents a fresh start and a new opportunity to write the next chapter in your life. It is a time to ask new questions, embrace new experiences, and seek out answers that will help you grow and transform. The new year is a time of possibility and potential, and it is up to you to take advantage of it and make the most of it. The new year is an important time for many people because it represents a fresh start and a new opportunity to make positive changes in their lives. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the year ahead. Many people use the new year as a chance to make resolutions and commitments to improve themselves and their lives in some way. For some, this might mean losing weight, exercising more, or finding a new job. For others, it might mean working on personal relationships, learning a new skill, or traveling to a new place. Here are TEN simple questions you might consider asking yourself as you welcome in the new year: What am I most proud of from the past year? What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them? What are my values, and how did they guide my decisions in the past year? What are my top priorities for the new year, and how can I focus on achieving them? What new skills or knowledge do I want to gain in the new year? How can I prioritize self-care and well-being in the new year? How can I make a positive impact on others in the new year? What small steps can I take to make big progress on my goals? How can I be more present and mindful in my daily life? What can I let go of from the past year to make room for growth in the new year? Now, here’s the actionable advice to help think through these questions and strategize for a successful 2023. Set goals and make a plan. Identify areas of your life where you want to improve, and create specific and achievable goals for how you will do that. Then, make a plan for how you will work towards achieving those goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will give you a sense of direction and purpose. For example, instead of resolving to "lose weight," set a specific goal to "lose 10 pounds by March 1st by exercising 3 times a week and eating a balanced diet." This will make it easier to track your progress and stay motivated. Take care of yourself. Being a better version of yourself also means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and finding time to relax and de-stress. These things will help you feel more energized, focused, and resilient as you work towards your goals. Learn and grow. Being a better version of yourself means being open to learning and growing. Seek out new experiences, take on new challenges, and try new things. This will help you expand your horizons and learn more about yourself and the world around you. Be kind and compassionate. Being a better version of yourself means being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others. Treat yourself and others with respect, empathy, and understanding. This will help you build strong and meaningful relationships, and it will make you feel more connected and fulfilled. Stay positive and focused. The new year can be an exciting and challenging time, and it is important to stay positive and focused on your goals. Surround yourself with supportive people, and remind yourself of the reasons why you are working towards becoming a better version of yourself. This will help you stay motivated and on track, even when things get tough.

A widespread conundrum that can negatively impacts the self-esteem level of people of all shapes and sizes is taking SHIT too personally, wearing your heart on your sleeve.  Someone looks at you the wrong way. Someone had an attitude with you. Someone rudely bumped into you at the grocery store. Why the fuck is everyone out to get me this week?  When people disrespect you or treat you poorly, t’s easy to take their actions and/or words personally, especially when you’re already in a rut to begin with. The benefit of not taking shit so personally is that you remain in control of your emotions, reaction, and energy. The SHIT we’re talking about here is other people’s emotions, reactions, and energy! The SHIT you have absolutely no control over. Unconsciously, we usually automatically assume that what someone else says or does was targeted at us specifically. It’s not uncommon to take SHIT out of context here and there. Taking SHIT personally is emotionally draining, and needless, counter-productive, constant reassessment of your self-worth and confidence. There's a difference between being introspective and continually taking snubs personally, one is beneficial and lends itself to personal growth, the other is the opposite. Quote: “When someone is cruel, harsh, mean, to not take their words personally is one thing, but to hear the silent cry within those words is another. This sort of perspective can not only liberate us from crippling self-doubt in the face of criticism, it can also liberate us from automatically becoming blind participants in the interaction patterns that the cruel person has become accustomed to—a favour we do for the other person as much as for ourselves.” ― Vironika Tugaleva It’s probably time you realize that EVERYTHING isn’t about YOU. You are not the center of the universe, even if Mommy told you otherwise . . . It’s very easy to convince yourself that criticism you receive are receiving is a personal attack. But it may simply be that you were dealing with the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong place.  Here are a few ways to stop taking things personally! Don't Jump To Conclusions. Let Things Go. Stop Worrying So Much About What Other People Think of You. Recognize the “Spotlight Effect”. Stop Giving Your Power Away.  Learn to block out the bullshit and channel the good shit. Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep! https://mruddo.com IZmOjmVtFGYDeMVbGN4y

Social media is addictive. We’ve all read articles, studies and blog posts about the harmful effects of overindulging on social media.  Researchers and experts in the industry have compared mobile phones to gambling VIA slot machines. "It's a popular addiction right now, one of the still socially acceptable ones," says Laurie Gerber, an expert life coach of the Handel Group.  It can be fun but also maddening. It can make you feel less alone, but also trigger feelings of loneliness and incompetence. If you’re spending a lot of time on social media, it can be hard to imagine a daily routine without it.  Taking a break from social media is a fantastic way to reconnect with the people and activities that truly uplift and motivate you. Use the time you’d otherwise be wasting on social media to read, write, work-out, and spend time with loved ones. You’ll get more work done, faster.  Quote: “When it comes to social media, there are just times I turn off the world, you know. There are just sometimes you have to give yourself space to be quiet, which means you’ve got to set those phones down.” – Michelle Obama I can understand why it may sound daunting or even unnecessary to do a cleanse for those of us who spend a lot of time on these platforms. However, I strongly encourage you to give it a go. Here are SIX SIMPLE STEPS to a SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX. 1) TRACK YOUR HABITS: Try keeping a detailed record of your social media habits for one week, as is. Don’t do ANYTHING differently from what you’d typically do, to establish a baseline or control. Then, quit for one week and note how you feel while being detached from it.  2) Develop a schedule to cut back slowly but surely on your social media use. 3) Detox with a buddy: Having someone to hold you accountable can make all the difference. 4) Put a rubber band around your phone. Catherine Price, author of How to Break up With Your Phone and founder of Screen/Life Balance stated: “When you reach for your phone, there is now a physical obstacle that snaps you out of autopilot for a second and encourages you to reflect on what you’re doing.” 5) Make those around you aware of your SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX plans.  6) Redesign your lock screen. What for? Why now? What else? If you’ve gone through a social media cleanse and have experienced great benefits from it, please share your thoughts with me on social!  https://mruddo.com Visit TakeCareOf.com and Enter Code MRUDDO50 for 50% OFF!

Have you ever felt like the whole world was conspiring against you?! Your job sucks. Your bank account is dwindling. Your spilled coffee all over your favorite shirt. Your friends don’t invite you out anymore. You probably feel used, abused, rejected, and depressed. Maybe you even feel like you deserve to suffer. Peace, success, and happiness seem so, so, so FAR AWAY. To tie a bow on this trail of misery, you’re a perpetual victim. Victimhood is an inescapable reality for you. But what if you didn’t have to feel like this anymore? What if you could put an end to the suffering? Could you imagine how your connections, profession and wellbeing would FLOURISH?! Being victimized can come in all shapes and forms. You could have your trust betrayed by someone near and dear to you, you could be a victim of a horrible crime, you could be a victim of your own mindset.  We all have people like this in our lives, or maybe it’s you that operates under this pessimistic belief system; always bitching about how they were harmed by the system, or by someone else. As if they have NO WILL-POWER and others are rejecting them what they need, want, and deserve. Everyone is out to get them. They were fucked from the jump.  “To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness."— Eckhart Tolle There are PLENTY OF THINGS you can do when you choose to be a VICTOR, not a VICTIM. 1. Identify and Confront Limiting Beliefs: If our beliefs, our internal dialogue, are disenfranchising and mostly negative, it will NO DOUBT produce feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. You must first discover the source of your victimhood. 2. Practice Gratitude: There’s no time to be a victim when you’re busy practicing gratitude. The strongest willed people I know are the ones who are grateful for even the hard times, because they understand that through experience, they gain wisdom and perspective.  3. Shift YOUR Mentality from Victim to Survivor: Shitty things happen to the best of us. They say God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. Tough times make tough people. There’s a million fucking sayings, you get the point.  BEAUTIFUL FUCKING THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.  https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

Have you ever heard the origin story of the Nobel Peace Prize?! Alfred Nobel paradoxically was the visionary behind the Nobel Peace Prize, which has been awarded 962 times since 1901.  While Nobel’s award fund would ultimately become famous, there’s no refuting that he was an unlikely source for a peace prize. His family name was “associated not with the arts of peace but with the arts of war.”  What encouraged the “dynamite king” to donate his fortune to charity? Many believe it was inspired by a case of mistaken identity. In 1888, Nobel’s brother Ludvig had died in France from a heart attack. Credited to poor reporting, at least one French newspaper believed that it was Alfred who had perished, and it proceeded to write a blistering obituary that branded him a “merchant of death” who had grown rich by forming new ways to “mutilate and kill.”  The mistake was later remedied, but not before Alfred had the horrible experience of reading his own death notification. According to biographer Kenne Fant, Nobel “became so obsessed with his posthumous reputation that he rewrote his last will, bequeathing most of his fortune to a cause upon which no future obituary writer would be able to cast aspersions.” Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. – Shannon Alder  Nobel lives on through his legacy and receiving a shocking reminder of the inevitability of his death helped him to get there. His story also illustrates how avoiding a negative legacy can be more motivating than simply wanting to build a positive one. To create a powerful legacy with your life, you need to decide what contribution you want to make to the world. I suggest spending some time journaling and reflecting on the following questions: What does it mean to you to create your living legacy?  What contribution do you want to make to the world? If you knew with certainty that you only had ten more years to live, how would you spend those years, and why? What message do you want to send with your life to the world and to those who matter most to you? Imagine that you are attending your own funeral. What would you want your family and friends to say about you and how you lived your life? Knowing what’s important, what drives you, and how you want to be remembered creates tremendous clarity in how you should live your life— and how you’ll eventually impact others. https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

If you suddenly passed away today, would someone come looking for you?! Would anyone wonder where you disappeared to? Would your dog eat you? How long would it take for someone to come knocking down your door to find you? One can only hope it’s ASAP. It’s a strange thought, but one we’ve all confronted in the past in one form or another, usually at our lowest low point.  For one woman, this scary thought experiment was a grim, unfortunate reality. On January 25, 2006, members of a housing association in northern London were heading out to repossess an apartment that hadn’t paid it’s rent for a LONG TIME. They made their way into the living quarters and found a horrifying scene before them—a bunch of unopened Christmas presents on the floor, a stack of unopened mail by the door, a television set to the BBC network…and a skeleton lying on the couch. Quote: “The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald Could you imagine how Joyce Carol Vincent felt in her final moments?! Her world collapsing around her with no one and nowhere to seemingly turn to. Loneliness is a WIDESPREAD, global crisis. Sociologists have found that nearly 15% of Americans will die alone, and that figure will continue to increase over the coming years. In various surveys in both the United States and Europe, anywhere from 30% to 60% of the populace reports feeling lonely and/or says that they have little to NO meaningful in-person interactions.  Re-imagining and re-purposing YOUR spare time is ESSENTIAL. When we feel lonely, sometimes we just want to retreat into a corner and escape from the world. Choosing to stay in solitude night after night with our phones, watching TikTok dances, or playing 8-Ball Pool w/ Viktor from Bulgaria can really get us stuck in a dangerous pattern of loneliness.  -Join an Interest Based Local/Community Group/Club -Volunteer Remotely or in REAL LIFE -Nurture Existing Relationships -Engage in Positive Internal Dialogue Feeling lonely is temporary – it’s not a permanent state, unless you allow it to be. productive manner. Have you ever experienced loneliness? I would love to hear your tips for coping with loneliness that you found successful. https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

Whether you are the central decision maker at your business, the Head Nurse on the frontlines of the healthcare system, the team captain of your college basketball team, or the CARETAKER of your FAMILY unit . . . YOU NEED to stay healthy and functioning optimally 100%, 100% of the time. Your network, your universe, your PEOPLE, NEED you to be on top of your game, in tip top condition as it relates to your health, and more specifically, your immune system. The idea of enhancing your immunity is terribly exciting, but the capability to do so has proved mysterious for several reasons. There is still much that researchers don't know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response.  Researchers who are WAY SMARTER THAN ME are studying the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors on immune response.  Quote: Nature is a numbers game. We need all the support we can get as our immune systems and health are under assault from pollution, stress, contaminated food and age-related diseases as our lifespans increase. – Paul Stamets My first bit of advice is to ESCAPE, RELAX, DE-STRESS! Experiencing consistently high levels of stress, AKA chronic stress that’s frequent and long lasting, is detrimental to your overall health. The second gem I’d like to talk about is getting your groove on, AKA a bit of boom-boom or freaky time, whatever weird, awkward euphemism you’d like to use. The third dose of information I want to touch on is DIET. I encourage you to EAT THE RAINBOW, like my friend Xandra who’s a Fitness/Nutrition Guru always says!  NUMBER FOUR is to pare back on the booze, partner! Trust me, I love an OLDE FASHIONED, COLD IPA and/or Shot of Reposado w/ a Twist more than most, but alcohol isn’t doing your immune system ANY FAVORS.  Number FIVE is super important, and I don’t mean to sound like your Mom, but DRINK MORE WATER. A fluid in your circulatory system called lymph, which carries important infection-fighting immune cells around your body, is largely made up of water. Finally, NUMBER 6, last but not least, is engage in moderate exercise. You don’t have to become a body builder or Olympic athlete, 30 minutes per day should do the trick.  With the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than physical distancing, also known as social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.  https://mruddo.com For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code MRUDDO50.

You are YOUR own worst enemy. How many times have ya heard that one over the years?!? In the process of manifesting the life you truly desire; we very often can’t get out of our own way. Whether we want to find love, lose weight, or complete a creative project, we can very easily find ways to self-sabotage. Self-sabotage involves characteristics and/or emotions that keep you away from what you desire most in life. It’s that inner sentiment eating away at us, saying “you can’t do this.”  At some point, we all experience self-doubt, even successful business owners, professional athletes, uber famous celebrities, etc. A bit of self-doubt is not only expected, but also healthy. It’s a part of human nature. But highly successful people don't let self-doubt derail them from what they set out to accomplish.  You may be wondering, “What is the origin of such self-sabotaging behavior?!” “What the fuck is making me have all of these doubtful thoughts?!” It arises when your conscious and subconscious mind are stuck at a crossroads.  Quote: Addiction, self-sabotage, procrastination, laziness, rage, chronic fatigue, and depression are all ways that we withhold our full participation in the program of life we are offered. When the conscious mind cannot find a reason to say no, the unconscious says no in its own way. - Charles Eisenstein In this episode of The Motivation Movement, we'll unpack exactly why you might engage in self-sabotaging behavior and I'll offer you FOUR strategies to help you overcome this habit. By moving into a more consistently positive frame of mind, you can stop self-sabotage and begin to manifest the fulfilling life you desire and deserve.  #1) Connect w/ YOURSELF to Build Self-Awareness: Self-awareness is extremely powerful and will help you to develop a better understanding of what triggers your feelings of self-doubt and tendency to self-sabotage.  #2) Fake it Until You Make It: As impossible as it may seem on those days where you’re seemingly overcome with self-doubt and negative emotions, just give it a dam shot, TAKE ACTION.  #3) Stop Asking for Validation & Permission: Asking others for help is helpful, sometimes necessary, but don’t let the opinions of others slow you down, because opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one!  #4) Discover Your Strengths: You’re more likely to kick thoughts of self-doubt and self-sabotage if you’re in your comfort zone.  https://mruddo.com For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code MRUDDO50.

The idea of the four temperaments traces back to an Ancient Greek notion that there were four underlying, essential bodily humors (blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm) which could cause disease and infection if they were out of balance. The terms sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic were invented by the Greek physician Aelius Galenus to define the effect of these humors on human behavior. This idea is perhaps one of the oldest that concepts that begins to develop a medical theory on personality.  This theory is still popular today, widely used in the fields of management, psychology, and leadership. Being cognizant of these temperaments and understanding how they operate can assist with social interactions and communications. Analyzing these dynamics can help us become more self-aware and assess how teams function together, for example.  To determine which temperament type I leaned towards most, I took the OSSP Four Temperaments Scale TEST on OpenPsychometrics.org, which is a free and open-source measure designed to match the taker to one of the four temperaments.  After answering 24 question, you receive a “score” from 1-24 on each of the four temperament types. My score for Choleric was 6, Melancholic was 5, Sanguine was 19 and Phlegmatic was 12.  Quote: I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I have made the same mistake myself. We judge talent by people's ability to strike a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing. That's the only thing we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament, these are also talent. – Rahul Dravid As discussed in Episode #077 of The Motivation Movement, it’s no easy task to completely shift our temperament from negative to positive, but we can take action to make progress towards a more desired state of mind and life in general. When asking ourselves “how can I control my temperament?”, understanding your natural disposition is crucial. So, let’s dive into the FOUR different types of TEMPERAMENT . . . Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic! The SANGUINE personality type is described mainly as being highly talkative, enthusiastic, active, and social. Choleric individuals tend to be more extroverted. They are described as independent, decisive, goal-oriented, and ambitious.  Melancholic individuals tend to be analytical and detail-oriented, and they are deep thinkers and feelers. They are introverted and try to avoid being singled out in a crowd.  The Phlegmatic temperament is fundamentally relaxed and quiet, ranging from warmly attentive to lazily sluggish. Phlegmatic are referred to as “the watcher” — they are best in positions of unity and mediation, and solid in positions that desire steadiness.  https://mruddo.com

We’ve all been there at one time or another: stuck in limbo. The unknown is a frightening place to be, and can leave you feeling powerless, defeated, and helpless.  How do we develop the life skills to navigate through the unknown? How do we maintain control in a completely undefined environment? Do these unusual conditions which possibly lie ahead occupy your headspace often? Our brain has a negativity bias which is tricky to manage, coping with unanticipated events is difficult enough without our brain compounding and amplifying the worst possible imaginable scenario. The equivalent of Google searching what a pain in your left-hand pinky could mean and assuming you have a fatal, terminal disease based off a WebMD generalization.  Quote: “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” – Gilda Radner Delicious ambiguity . . . PERFECT! Life is about the journey, not the destination. You’ve heard it a million times. We struggle to understand WHY certain events take place in our live, till weeks, months or years later it all seems so clear.  Uncertainty is not “bad” in itself; it’s our tolerance of the unknown that defines our reaction and the ensuing impact on our life. The best way to deal with ambiguity is to build up your tolerance. Here are FOUR ways to accomplish this. 1. Change Your Expectation to PLANS! 2. Boost Your EMOTIONAL Intelligence 3. Become MORE Flexible and Adaptable 4. Preemptively Practice Meditation and Mindfulness Learning to live with uncertainty is one of the great challenges of life. By no means is this a simple challenge, but it’s essential to conquer in order to living a fulfilled, stress free life.  Welcome novelty and thrill which go hand and hand with uncertainty by asserting your belief to move through it with ease. The key takeaway is to reveal yourself to the unknown, the random uncertainty of life, by building up a tolerance to it.  Life is chock-full of uncertainty; we’ve just got to learn to live with it. Take advantage of the unknown. Plan for the unknown. Embrace the unknown. https://mruddo.com

Why does time feel like it moves so much faster as you age? Maybe, when you’re young, the novelty of everything you experience being so new and fresh is what grounds us to the present, the here and now. Every day is an adventure. Every day we learn something new. When you grow and turn into an old fart, everything seemingly becomes less exciting. Repetition sets in. Everyday feels the same. You went from life in the fast lane, high speeds, to slow and steady cruise control. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but the truth is, you’re living life on autopilot. Living life on autopilot becomes dangerous when we go with the motion too much, with no resistance at all. It’s almost as if we lose consciousness of our experience being so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One day you snap out of it and realize: “HOLY SHIT, time is moving really fast and I’ve been doing the same damn thing every fucking day for the past 8 months. I haven’t paid attention to my health, my spirit, my mind, my needs and my dream.”  We’ve been conditioned to think less and do more. Quote: Very often, human beings are living like on autopilot, reacting automatically with what happens. What interests me about the life of an explorer is you are in the unknown; you are out of your habits. – Bertrand Piccard When we live on autopilot, it feels like someone else is driving, not us.  Signs You’re Living Life on Autopilot: - Does every day seem like a blur to you?! - Are you always busy and on-the-go?! - Do you mindlessly scroll through social media? - Are you dreading the monotony of every day life?! How to STOP Living Life on Autopilot: - Slow the F*CK down, relax and reflect. - Bring meaning and intention to every day activities. - Get out of your comfort zone! - Challenge yourself, push it to the limit. https://mruddo.com

I’m a huge Tupac junkie. I own all six movies Pac starred in on DVD. If there was a Tupac lyric recital competition, I’d 1000% win. I’ve been listening to Tupac since I was a pre-teen for Pete’s Sake. Tupac was without a doubt the most polarizing figure in rap and hip-hop ever. Raised by a Black Panther, he had REVOLUTIONARY in his blood! Pac was an inspiration to many, and way ahead of his time. Quincy Jones said it best: “The tragedy of Tupac is that his untimely passing is representative of too many young black men in this country . . . If we had lost Oprah Winfrey at 25, we would have lost a relatively unknown, local market TV anchorwoman. If we had lost Malcolm X at 25, we would have lost a hustler named Detroit Red. And if I had left the world at 25, we would have lost a big-band trumpet player and aspiring composer--just a sliver of my eventual life potential.” I’m 26 years old now, and while I’m proud of everything I had accomplished by age 25, I’d probably just be remembered as the kid from Long Island who is always preaching motivational quotes and sells soda and sticky notes!  Quote: “Every time I speak I want the truth to come out. Every time I speak I want a shiver. I don’t want them to be like they know what I’m gonna say because it’s polite. I’m not saying I’m gonna rule the world or I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Tupac left behind a ton of wisdom for us to learn from in his entire body of work. It doesn’t matter if you’re an actress, writer, entrepreneur, musician, athlete or WHATEVER; living by a few of these life lessons can benefit ANYONE! Embrace Change: Change . . . SHIT, I GUESS Change is GOOD for ANY of US . . .  Promote Unity: “It’s time for us as a people to start making some chances, lets change the way we eat, lets change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other. You see the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to do what we gotta do, to survive.”  Smile Often: “Through all the rain and the pain, you gotta keep a sense of humor. You gotta be able to smile through all this bullshit.” Make a Difference: Be the change that you wish to see in the world. Speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.  THUG LIFE BABY! https://mruddo.com

According to Squidoo, brain hacking is "to perform some act that gains access to the fundamental mechanism behind your mind and other people's minds by here-to-fore unknown or apparently mystical means."  From a scientific viewpoint, a brain hack is a maneuver of the neuronal system to (temporarily) alter is functions like focus, awareness, memory, and perception.  They say we only access (on average) 10% of our brains . . . Imagine tapping into the other 90% of your brains seemingly unlimited potential?! It doesn’t require a PhD to understand how and leverage the way the brain functions.  Leading neuroscientists explain that mental hacks usually affect the brain through two overlapping but distinct mechanisms: the neurotransmitter and hormonal system. Imagine being able to achieve and maintain peak mental performance?! There are actionable tips and exercises you could put to work immediately to help you reach your desired mental state.  Quote: My brain power depends on my retained mastery of analyzing in detail what's happening in my world and in my mind and body. I must continue to practice to retain my constructive and analytic powers. The goal is to be a master of my environment. - Michael Merzenich How do we begin to hack, train, re-wire, challenge and develop your brain?! How do we configure out brain so that we feel happy, satisfied, fulfilled, healthy, strong and uninhibited more often?! Reducing the stress responses (flight-or-fight) and enhancing the reward systems in your brain is the goal.  The Memory Palace Technique Recalling Fond Memories of People & Places Circadian Clock Rhythm  Being MORE Social Playing Memory Games Using Pneumonic Devices Eating Healthy Foods Expanding YOUR Vocabulary Exercising Meditation Vitamins & Minerals Listening to Music Different people have different levers to pull and buttons to push. Experiment with all these strategies we’ve discussed today, find what works best for you, and put it into action. https://mruddo.com

For many, 2020 was riddled with misfortune, anxiety, pressure, work and information overload, erratic emotions, and sleepless nights. In the most recent episode of The Motivation Movement, we took time to discuss various methods of reflection, to help you better understand and learn from your 2020 experience, so 2021 can be filled with love, happiness, health, friendship, success, and good fortune. Personally, I asked myself many of the same questions that were posed in the last episode. What theme or name would I give to 2020? The FIRE Starter. A FUCKING flame was lit under my ass, BIG TIME. 2020 has literally felt like a giant preparation session for 2021 and beyond.  In 2020, I kept my commitments, worked according to my values, and prioritized my mental health. With every new year comes a clean slate — so what will you do with this fresh start? How do we keep the momentum FLOWING into 2021? Quote: We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives ... not looking for flaws but for potential. – Ellen Goodman Luckily, we spent the final few days of 2020 reflecting on the work to be done and cracks to be patched. We identified the flaws, now it’s time to unlock the potential. WHERE DO WE BEGIN?!? We begin by implementing ALL the actionable advice we’ve discussed over the past few months. To be successful in the NEW YEAR, we need to drive accountability, practicing gratitude, develop good habits, build our temperament, be patient and focus on ABUNDANCE. 2021 should be a culmination of all the lessons learned in 2020. Driving accountability is the best place to start, having already established goals (resolutions) for the NEW YEAR. It’s not easy to hold yourself accountable, but you’ll thank yourself by the end of 2021 for having been so organized and productive all year.  Practicing gratitude should be another pillar of success for 2021. We already made a list of ALL the people and items we were grateful in 2020, let’s keep it rolling.  Accountability and gratitude are ideas, practices, that can become habitual over time. Habits are created by starting with small adjustments, stacking SMALL WINS is essential.  Being patient and building a positive temperament go HAND and HAND with habit forming. Personal growth and development TAKE TIME. What's the purpose of nurturing patience in yourself?  The possibilities for the next 365 days are endless. A lot can change, and most importantly, you can change, FOR THE BETTER. If you’re here listening to this episode today, on January 1st, 2021, you’re in a good spot.  https://mruddo.com

2020 has been fucking crazy, there’s no other way to describe it. We experienced invasive murder hornets, destructive wildfires in Australia and all along the West Coast of the United States, Tiger King, civil unrest, and a very hectic, extremely divisive election. This year has been challenging to say the least.  It’s now more important than ever to practice gratitude in the wake of such troubling and unfortunate times. I implore you to not leave 2020 feeling entirely defeated and hopeless, as hard as it may seem. If we fail to find the good within the shit-storm that was 2020, we’re not trying hard enough, we’re just giving up. That’s unacceptable in my book.  If you learned a new skill, made a new friend, embarked on a new adventure, started a side hustle or began to practice meditation, you deserve to congratulate yourself on a small but meaningful WIN! 😊 We often talk about the importance of reflection; the final days of the year make for a perfect opportunity.  Quote: If you wrote a book for each day of the year that has past. And then reread it on New Year's Eve, what things would you change, what things would you cherish. Take the things that are cherished and vow to focus more on that in the coming New Year. – Theodore W. Higginsworth Analysis (Body): Some days I felt confident, others I felt depressed. Some days I felt unstoppable, some day I felt defeated. Some days I adventured. Some days I didn’t leave bed. What feelings and emotions have you experienced this year?  What did you LOVE? What would you leave out? What could you add or improve?!  Answering these questions helps you realize your accomplishments, lessons learned, knowledge and skills acquired, and mistakes and missteps you may have made.  Reflection gives us the opportunity to FOCUS, bringing clarity to the key takeaways from 2020.  I hope these ends of the year reflection ideas help you build and grow into your best self in 2021. I wish you nothing but health, happiness, and success as you venture off into the NEW YEAR!  Remember, reflection is important. By taking a step back and taking a moment to make sense of the past year, you remind yourself of your values, what’s important, what MATTERS.

The New Year is right around the corner. Do you have any resolutions in mind? Are you going to start exercising, eating healthy, become more organized, read more, etc.? If so, you’re going to need to learn how to develop these good habits, building them into your routine in a way that encourages long term sustainability. We all have ambitions to do and be better, we briefly become hyped up to crush our goals and then usually lose motivation and give up along the way. It’s REALLY easy to become irritated and discouraged. The question I want to explore with y’all today is: how do you develop good habits and make them stick? One of the biggest misconceptions about forming habits is that it only takes 21 days to fully develop. ACTUAL scientific research shows this wildly inaccurate belief simply isn’t true. Forming a habit is a dynamic situation dependent on the individual, the nature of the habit being formed, environmental factors, genetics, etc. We struggle to adopt new habits because we, (1) don’t understand how habits are structured, and (2) you’re attempting to accomplish too much too quickly!  Understanding how habits are formed is essential. In psychology, habit structure is broken down into three simple components: the cue or trigger, the action and the reward. The difficulty in forming new, positive habits like we mentioned earlier (exercising, eating healthy, etc.), is that the rewards are not instantly visible or tangible.  Quote: In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently. - Tony Robbins A recent study proved that it takes 66 days on average to form a new habit and that some people can take up to 250 days to form the same habit. What holds true across the board is that repetition and consistency are ESSENTIAL.  1) What signals can I incorporate into my environment to prompt me to act? 2) Which barriers that are preventing me from taking actions can be easily removed?! 3) How can I effectively self-incentivize and reward myself in a healthy and productive way, and be encouraged to keep progressing? Eliminating excessive OPTIONS is key to allowing yourself to form positive habits more easily. Why do you think Mark Zuckerberg always wears the same grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and black loafers?! Why does Steve Jobbs always rock the classic black turtleneck, blue jeans and dad sneakers IF-THEN PLANS are another component of forming habits, related to the idea of cues and triggers to encourage consistency. IF-THEN PLANS are best utilized when stacked on top of existing habits.  A good chunk of the habit-forming process is contingent on your mental conditioning. That’s why my last piece of advice is to start small. Start with a habit so easy that you CAN’T SAY NO!  https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

NATURE abhors a vacuum . . . This idiom is used to express the idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature and physics. Despite what you may believe, the physical, emotional, digital, and spiritual space we occupy has a significant impact on our lives.  When you create space in your schedule or unexpectedly discover yourself with unanticipated FREE time, what do you do? Do you instantly use it as an opportunity to run an errand or catch up on work? Do you do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING?! Do you try and squeeze in doing something you ENJOY?! Removing physical and mental CLUTTER allows what we REALLY need in life to enter our space. If there is something NEW you want to manifest into your life, it’s impossible to happen if your physical and mental storage banks are at capacity.  From our closets to our schedule, it’s EASY to drown yourself in clutter, it’s not easy to pull yourself out of the mess, let alone realize you’re in one to begin with. For all the Doers and HUSTLERs out there, it may seem counter-intuitive to work less and/or be less productive, but when we intentionally minimalize our lives, we gain SO MUCH MORE!  Agreeing to every request and demand for our attention without reflecting on if this is something we desire or need in life causes us to become consumed by unimportant, petty to-dos and tasks.  Quote: "Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something NEW to emerge." - Eckhart Tolle Analysis (Body):  Out with the old, in with the new. Change starts with creating a space for the change to occur. If you had one full uninterrupted hour per day that was guaranteed to be blocked off, what would you do with that time? Would you write a book? Have lunch with your Mom? Call a friend? Exercise? Cook a wholesome meal?  Creating space makes room for things, people, and opportunities to enter your life. Creating space is opening your time, energy, and physical space to allow more room to do what you love and love what you do. Being able to foster clarity allows you to focus on what’s important. https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

Have y’all ever been involved in a network marketing organization, AKA a direct selling company? Amway, Avon, Mary Kay, Herbalife, Tupperware, NuSkin and Primerica are a few of the more popular examples.  Network marketing is a business model that depends on person-to-person sales by independent representatives, often working from home. A network marketing business may require you to build a network of business partners or salespeople to assist with lead generation and closing sales.  There are many reputable network marketing operations, but some have been denounced as pyramid schemes. The latter may focus less on sales to consumers than on recruitment of salespeople who may be required to pay upfront for expensive starter kits. We all have that one friend or relative on Social Media who has offered to help you lose weight quickly, VIA a delicious, instant protein shake, or cure your ailments using a proprietary blend of essential oils. Maybe they tried to sell you all-natural skin care products or athleisure/fitness apparel. Furthermore, if you TRULY enjoy the product, you can earn money from the comfort of your home only working 5-10 hours per week by SELLING it. To the ambitious and optimistic potential entrepreneur, the idea is undeniably enticing. Sell a product you love and use every day to your family and friends, while recruiting other like-minded hustlers to help grow your business along the way! TRUST ME. I’ve been there. I was recruited at the age of 17 to Amway. I then moved onto another organization called VEMMA a few years later. Financially speaking, I didn’t make a killing, but I didn’t lose money, luckily, as so many often do. There were a few invaluable lessons learned along my journey as a young network marketer that I’d LOVE to share with you today! Quote: “Network marketing tends to develop the type of leader who influences others by being a great teacher, teaching others to fulfill their life’s dreams by teaching others to go for their dreams.” – Robert Kiyosaki, The Business of the 21st Century At the very least, being involved in a network marketing company provided me with the inspiration to go out and CHASE MY DREAMS. I truly don’t believe I’d have a podcast or be an entrepreneur if I had never engaged in network marketing. Education, personal development, financial literacy, networking, and community building are the central themes in my personal experience.  Network marketing basically helped develop and enhance ALL my soft skills: communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, positive attitude, patience and respect. I became a better entrepreneur and more importantly, a better person because of network marketing. Don’t let failure derail your ambitions, it’s a just a temporary detour. Get back on track and keep cruising in the direction of your dreams!  https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

Taking the first step towards conquering a goal, learning a new skill, or studying a foreign language is often the greatest challenge. We’re confronted with doubt, thoughts of giving up before you even start run wild. Everything you dream of achieving sometimes feels unreachable. Maybe it’s because you feel disadvantaged. Maybe it’s because the activity you’re pursuing has physical and/or financial risk involved. Maybe it’s simply the fear or the UNKNOWN. DO NOT LET self-doubt and anxiety stop you from TRYING!  Simply put, a learning curve is the rate of a person's progress in gaining experience or new skills. The length and shape of your learning curve plays a critical role in analyzing how fast you’ll be able to master a discipline or succeed in accomplishing a specific goal. Too often though, people expect INSTANT GRATIFICATION.  Quote: My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project, always amazes me. I have fun running all the Virgin businesses-so a setback is never a bad experience, just a learning curve. – Sir Richard Branson Skills don’t get mastered on the first shot. Skills are sharpened and perfected over time, after tackling obstacles and being faced with adversity. Failure speeds up the learning curve when you take the time to analyze and absorb information from your mistakes and the mistakes of others!  SIX Actionable Methods to Accelerate Progression through the LEARNING CURVE: Number ONE: Leverage Past Experiences and Best Practices. Number TWO: SMART Goals!  Number THREE: Simplify. CONSOLIDATE and Prioritize.  Number FOUR: You’re only competition is YOU.  Number FIVE: TAKE NOTES.  Number SIX: Teach YOUR Craft to Someone Else.  https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

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 https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

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?! https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo

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. https://www.headspace.com/mruddo https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://mruddo.com | @mRuddo | #TheMotivationMovement

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

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 https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://mruddo.com | @mRuddo | #TheMotivationMovement

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

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

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

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

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

The Ancient Greeks blessed us with several world-changing ideas, democracy, and philosophy, just to name a couple. Upon initial examination, ancient history may seem useless today, but if you dig deeper, there are tons of relevant lessons and theories that are worthy of a deeper analysis.  The Greeks were ahead of their time, particularly advanced in their revolutionary contributions to society; they revolutionized civilization, science, mathematics, politics, and the arts. Rather than viewing ancient philosophy as simply theoretical and ideological, we should appreciate the knowledge and wisdom that continues to be applicable centuries later.  Though philosophers like Plato, Socrates, Confucius, Aristotle, and Epictetus may have lived very different lives than us, thousands of years ago, we can leverage their insights to guide us when faced with challenges. Philosophy gives us perspective, even if it’s ancient. Ancient philosophy set out on a conquest to discover how we achieve inner peace and happiness. Understanding what is and isn’t within our control as human beings.  These philosophers encouraged introspective thinking, and contemplating the meaning of life, space and time, and other worldly concepts. Ancient philosophers, through posing complex, essential questions about life, were able to establish standards of reasoning and logic, explore the depths human mind, and debate morals and ethics. Ancient philosophy never forced us to believe a theory or persuaded us to accept an idea, it simply urged us to keep asking WHY!  Quote: The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life - knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to live. - Aristotle We can apply the lessons of Ancient Philosophy to become less anxious, more insightful, creative, and more appreciative. Most importantly, we’re inspired to think more deeply about our choices and how they affect our lives. How should a person live? What is the meaning of life? What actions produce the most happiness and satisfaction? How do we understand ourselves on a deeper level? What is right and wrong?  https://mruddo.com

Work-life balance is a popular term that was coined approx. 40 years ago! Work-life balance has been used in the context of needing more time to develop personally, outside of the workplace, be it through vacation or quality time with family. I, myself, have gravitated towards using the term work-life integration, instead of work-life balance.  In my experience, I’ve never sensed the opposition between work and life. I’ve been happiest and most productive when the two facets of my life are in harmony, synergistic. Most picture work-life balance as a literal scale, weighing your options, almost creating a sense of competition between the two activities. Integration is a different perspective, that tackles the problem with a unique approach.  In the modern age, especially in the COVID era, it’s no wonder why work-life integration has become so popular. How could you draw a line between work and life while you’re on a Zoom in your kitchen with your kid screaming their head off grabbing at your leg, or your dog jumping up on your lap to steal the spotlight. There’s no need to teeter on the edge of a sensible work-life balance; the LINE IS GONE, and the data shows it’s probably not coming back.  Quote: “IMAGINE LIFE AS A GAME IN WHICH YOU ARE JUGGLING SOME FIVE BALLS IN THE AIR. YOU NAME THEM – WORK, FAMILY, HEALTH, FRIENDS AND SPIRIT AND YOU’RE KEEPING ALL OF THESE IN THE AIR. YOU WILL SOON UNDERSTAND THAT WORK IS A RUBBER BALL. IF YOU DROP IT, IT WILL BOUNCE BACK. BUT THE OTHER FOUR BALLS ARE MADE OF GLASS. IF YOU DROP ONE OF THESE, THEY WILL BE IRREVOCABLY SCUFFED, MARKED, NICKED, DAMAGED, OR EVEN SHATTERED. THEY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT AND STRIVE FOR BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE.” – Brian Dyson Balance is still a necessary component of work-life integration. Work-life integration makes the steady balancing act possible. Balance is simply the equal distribution between the various supporting elements of life we’ve discussed so far in this episode: work, family, health, education, personal development, etc.  When all parts of your life are in harmony, and work towards a greater quality of life, there’s no difference between work-life balance and work-life integration. If you feel fulfilled in life, it’s likely that you’ve struck the ideal balance, or for my foodies out there, that you’ve crafted the perfect recipe with the best blend of ingredients for success and happiness. If we become so accustomed, almost programmed, to immediately respond to the URGENT, we’ll always be distracted and consumed with what seems to be a “pressing” work matter. Is it REALLY that pressing?!?  https://mruddo.com hb7ppgie

Thinking outside of the box is a time-tested phrase intended to spur creativity and disruption! It’s a method of tackling obstacles in an innovative fashion, diagnosing and analyzing problems with a unique approach.  Thinking outside of the box entails questioning assumptions, re-imagining the rules, working backwards, asking for advice, and genuinely feeling comfortable being UNCOMFORTABLE. This method of brainstorming encourages you to explore all the possibilities, no matter how random or unconventional the idea may seem.  Disruptive thinking of this sort emphasizes EVOLUTION, change, growth. The BOX in this content is the norm, and we want to burst through the edges of the box to remove all the self-imposed limits we place on our imagination. Original thought can only be produced with a blank slate, without boundaries.  Thinking out of the box requires you to suspend yourself from all preconceived notions about who, what, when, where, why, and how. An open and flexible mind also allows one to effortlessly adapt to unforeseen circumstances and/or respond to unexpected situations. You do not need to be a GENIUS to think outside of the box, by embracing little changes in your daily life, your problem solving, and analytical skills will naturally improve over time. Quote: "Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted." – George Kneller Rearranging what we know doesn’t necessarily mean reinventing the wheel, it can simply consist of connecting seemingly unconnected ideas to improve upon the current solution, method, or best practice. Thinking outside of the box is about not accepting failure on the first attempt; peeling back the many layers of the onion to exhaust all creative outlets before throwing in the towel.  Today, I’d like to share a short story with y’all that my Grandfather shared with ME many years ago. THE TWO PEBBLES! When “outside the box” thinking is successfully utilized, it has the capacity to produce brilliant and often game-changing results. Probably the most impactful effect of outside of the box thinking is that it will keep you on your toes, it allows you to be more flexible and adaptable.  Through training your mind to be open to the possibility or new ideas and/or solutions, you’ll be better able to handle the often crazy, complex rollercoaster ride that we call life. Don’t for a second doubt the interconnectedness of people, resources, and information. The inability to make connections and draw parallels is what creates the challenges and obstacles that call for out of the box thinking.  https://mruddo.com

We’re all on the hunt for the latest and greatest keys to successful leadership. One of the most inspirational doses of leadership knowledge was shared with me about two years by a friend; he gave me the book Extreme Ownership, how US Navy SEALs lead and win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.  This book details the SEAL leadership ideas critical to completing the most challenging missions in war and how to apply them to any business environment or organization. It offers the reader with Jocko and Leif’s recipe for success: the mentality and guiding tenets that empower SEAL combat units to accomplish exceptional outcomes. It shows how to apply these to industry and life to similarly reach victory. Quote: “A leader must be attentive to details, but not obsessed with them. They must be strong but have endurance. A leader must be humble, but not passive. They must be close to subordinates, but not too close. A leader must exercise ‘extreme ownership’ but employ ‘decentralized command’. They must have nothing to prove, but everything to prove.” – Jocko Willink EXTREME OWNERSHIP is the name of the game, and the name of the book today’s episode is analyzing. Extreme ownership is about taking complete responsibility for what is happening, what has happened, and what will happen. If a team member isn’t clear on the guidance, not sure of the mission, it’s the team leaders’ fault. It is the sole responsibility of a leader to make sure the team understands their instructions, 100%, no questions asked. Extreme OWNERSHIP drives accountability, it generates personal investment in a project or mission. Extreme OWNERSHIP forces you to take action and doesn’t afford you the opportunity to bask in your sorrows and COMPLAIN. Being a SEAL is synonymous with being a SOLID team player. There is NO such thing as a bad team, just bad leaders. Collaboration is HEAVILY favored compared to individual performance. It’s common sense, but a good leader can help a good team become great, a bad leader can lead a good team to failure.  CENTRALIZED planning, DECENTRALIZED command. Effective teams, utilizing the EXTREME OWNERSHIP methods, structure their organizations with a top-down and bottoms-up approach. https://mruddo.com

Driving accountability should not be thought of in the repressive, autocratic sense. Accountability is an EXTREMELY positive quality, that when fostered properly can be a powerful force that increases productivity and performance. People are motivated to take action for many different reasons, which we’ve discussed in previous episodes, but ordering tyrannical mandates is NOT ONE OF THEM!  It’s a LEADER’s job to clearly set expectations, to build a culture of accountability, and they layout a clear path to success while providing the right resources and support along the way. Communicating the IMPORTANCE of the mission is equally as important.  How succinct and concise the information a leader communicates is paramount in the fostering of accountability. When signaling mixed, confusing, and even conflicting messages, people become easily flustered and overwhelmed. It’s tough to hold people accountable when you’re throwing tons of unprioritized projects and tasks at them. Define which priorities are most important for you team to accomplish mission essential, don’t just give them a fully exhaustive to-do list. Accountability is the process of clearly assigning people to responsibilities w/ clearly defined outcomes. The act of being accountable isn’t just accepting blame, or admitting you made a mistake, that’s only half of the battle. Accountability is about acknowledging your shortcomings and then strategically and methodically following through! It’s not on any ONE member of the team to be accountable, it takes a VILLAGE!  You can shout, order, intimidate, threaten, question, beg and plead, piss and moan, all in the name of “holding people accountable.” Again, the truth is, NONE of that SH*T works. It’s violently counter-productive in terms of performance. Save the anger, let’s really learn the secrets of driving accountability today. Quote: "Accountability and self-responsibility are critical to our success in personal, professional and public life. However, we often look for those character traits in others, rather than inculcating them in ourselves." – Vishwas Chavan DON’T EXPECT ACCOUNTABILITY IF YOU AREN’T ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS, PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS. I don’t think people pay enough attention to accountability, maybe it’s because it doesn’t have the same swagger as buzzwords like disruption, innovation, growth hacking and artificial intelligence . . .  Leaders can’t FORCE people to take extreme ownership and be responsible. Give support. Provide freedom. Share information. Provide resources. BE CLEAR. Lead by example, MODEL DESIRED BEHAVIOR. https://mruddo.com

Central to being an entrepreneur is the responsibility of being a strategic decision-maker. The success of the operation depends on YOU. It’s NOT an easy lifestyle; staying accountable, efficient, organized, and energized is extremely challenging. Inspiration and information can’t develop inside an echo-chamber silo. If you’re not often exposed to NEW people w/ FRESH perspectives, it becomes difficult to GROW.  Nothing becomes easier by not having PEOPLE to communicate, strategize and brainstorm with on a regular basis. Whether it’s a personal mentor, sports team, local church, or community group, we can ALL benefit from having a “sounding board” of sorts, as a resource available to us on this journey we call LIFE. By leveraging the collective experience and intelligence of others, a MASTERMIND GROUP is designed to assist you tackle obstacles, primarily in an entrepreneurial capacity. Not to say that MASTERMIND GROUPS can’t provide value outside of a business scenario, there are a PLETHORA of social benefits relative to this concept as well. It’s best to build groups that include people with diverse backgrounds, expertise, skills, experiences, and interests. ONE core, universal standard within the group should be the genuine and mutual desire for each other to become better and smarter. The commitment to the group’s collective success is KEY.  Quote: “You need to associate with people that inspire you, people that challenge you to rise higher, people that make you better. Don’t waste your valuable time with people that are not adding to your growth. Your destiny is too important.” – Joel Osteen When surrounded by a group of hustlers, problem-solvers, builders, creators, tinkerers, developers and beyond, GENIUS is bound to strike, great things are destined to happen. Putting several, unique minds together to discuss complex issues often yields results and explanations that far exceed what any individual would have produced on their own. Whichever industry or goal the group is focused on, solution focused people make the best MASTERMIND participants, they provide the most value to the group, they help push the collective forward, in the right direction. MASTER MINDS provide enormous benefits to the people who are bold, curious, and ambitious enough to attend them. Through the power of networking, your group of trusted peers make it easier to hold yourself accountable and find motivation from their stories of success and failure.  https://mruddo.com

We all have an ego that’s made up of specific ideas about our true-self, personality, talents, and skills. Your ego, while an essential component of your identity, if LEFT UNCHECKED, can cause you to act immorally, unethically, and generally out of character. Ego is an aspirational process . . . we aim to achieve a particular image of ourselves that’s displayed to the world, and we succeed or fail. Depending on how EGO driven you are, anything less than perfection, any degree of shortcoming, can be absolutely CRUSHING on our morale and self-esteem.  Those who are motivated by EGO need instant gratification, positive outcomes, and certainty to determine their self-worth and happiness. Egotistical individuals develop their identity in comparison to others.  Quote: When any man is more stupidly vain and outrageously egotistic than his fellows, he will hide his hideousness in humanitarianism. – George Moore This naturally begs the question that we’re all too often afraid to investigate: Are your ambitions fueled by THE GOOD, or by YOUR EGO?! Be insanely critical of yourself when answering this question, be relentlessly honest with yourself here. MORE SPECIFICALLY: Are you trying to prove you’re better than someone else? Do you understand and recognize the motivation behind your actions? If someone were to achieve their goals, which were like yours, would you have feelings of resent and jealousy, or would you be happy for that person? Egocentric individuals react in line with the former.  Seeking approval over truthfully enjoying the journey is a tell-tale sign of being led by your ego. Take a moment to pause and self-reflect. Think about what you’re doing in life, and more importantly, why you’re doing it. If WHY you’re doing it is based on egocentric ideals, AKA status, social approval, money, etc., the truth is, it’s NEVER going to be enough. There’s no sense in seeking to crush and destroy your ego entirely, I’m not even sure that’s possible, just don’t let your ego become your central focus and source of inspiration. Compared to being ego driven, we will never come close to feeling as ALIVE as we do when driven by THE GOOD, by a HIGHER PURPOSE, by UPLIFTING THOSE IN NEED and NURTURING our TRUEST SELVES.  https://mruddo.com

Most of us go through some type of toxic relationship in our lives. Whether it’s a romantic relationship, a friendship or within a family dynamic. A toxic relationship is any relationship that makes you feel worthless or devalued. Toxic relationships can include dealing with a loved one who’s a complete narcissist, an alcoholic, a gambling addict or even a pathological liar. Essentially, toxic relationship behaviors are the result of an absence of empathy.  Toxic relationships are cyclical because the toxicity begins within you! The path to better relationships begins with you. How do you get out? How do you begin to heal? You will have to unlearn your old relationship standards and behaviors. You do not have to compromise your beliefs, values and moral ever again, just to have love in your life.  "Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?" – Mary Manin Morrissey  IT’S NOT EASY TO LET GO. Learning how to love yourself is crucial when leaving a toxic relationship. It’s a self-discovery process necessary for you to maintain sanity. It takes strength, confidence, and self-respect to change your situation. It’s never too late to make a change either.  People are married for 30-40 years with children and grandchildren, and finally decide to put their own happiness and mental health first. It’s absolute BULLSHIT to believe that you’re helpless, and that it’s simply too late, and you’re just going to ride out the struggle of unhappiness for the rest of your life.  There are probably hundreds of thousands of people who are stuck in toxic relationships, you’re NOT alone. If someone is behaving in a way that truly bothers you, SPEAK UP. You’re ALLOWED to set boundaries and have components of your relationship that are NON-NEGOTIABLE.  Leave the past in the past but learn from your mistakes by reflecting on past relationships. What attracted you to that person? What made you stay with that person? What were the positive aspects of the relationship? What were the negatives aspects of the relationship? Is there a pattern between the factors that draw you into these negative, toxic relationships? Your happiness is just as important as anyone else’s, that’s not being selfish either, that’s having self-respect. 

You may or may not have known this, but music isn’t just a means of entertaining ourselves. Music inspires creativity and productivity. Music has therapeutic effects on our brain and works to relieve feelings of stress to boost your ability to focus and concentrate on tasks. Listening to MUSIC influences the co-ordination of activity inside and across various sections of the brain. Studies analyzing patterns of electrical activity across the brain display that harmonization of brain signals is crucial for linking perceptual, cognitive, and motor processes.  For example, when you’re writing a paper for school or a memo to circulate around the office, songs with lyrics can be very counterproductive. Music w/ words launches your brain into multi-tasking mode, which basically replicates another person communicating with you while your writing, NOT HELPFUL . . . For writing and reading oriented tasks, instrumental music is best for optimal learning and efficiency! On the other hand, music w/ lyrics is beneficial for projects that are repetitive and mind-numbing, ascribing the lyrics to the workflow gets you “in the groove” for lack of a better term. In general, research has shown that music has positive effects on our brain, helping to repair it from mental fatigue caused by work, school, stress, and LIFE in general. How can music help battle fatigue and increase motivation? By listening to music, you bring something new and fresh, which helps your brain escape the routine and get a little bit distracted. In this case, distraction is good: it fuels your brain to continue working and improves your physical endurance. Quote: “Songs express who we are and how we feel, they bring us closer to others, they keep us company when we are alone. They articulate our beliefs and values, and they bear witness to our lives. Songs weave tales of our joys and sorrows, they reveal our innermost secrets, and they express our hopes and disappointments, our fears, and triumphs. They are our musical diaries, our life stories. They are the sounds of our personal development”. – Dr. Kenneth Bruscia Music is the sound of our personal development. Music means something entirely unique to every individual, but for myself, it’s always been a motivational tool. Music has provided me with the motivation necessary to study, work-out, create content and just CRUSH it in daily-life.  We all have certain songs that make up the playlist or soundtrack of our lives, but what if we could optimize the music listening experience to increase productivity, creativity, and our ability to focus?! Today, we’re going to discuss what type, tempo and tone of music to listen to in order to maximize your brain’s functionality and output. https://mruddo.com

Emails. Tweets. Texts. DMs. Slacks. Facebook Notifications. The constant flow of content being pumped into our brains is difficult to process, hence the term INFORMATION OVERLOAD. Even if it’s totally useless knowledge, it’s nearly impossible to ignore.  Humans are super-efficient at downloading information. We recognize images within fractions of a second, scan hundreds of words per minute, and very rapidly formulate opinions and thoughts on the information we download. However, as the volume of data we take in increases, our capability to digest it lessens.  To compound the issue, once we are distracted, our brains need an average of 25 minutes to refocus on your original task.  Workers and managers alike report significant increases in stress levels, poor health, strained personal and professional relationships and reduced job satisfaction because of information overload.   Quote: “We are bombarded on all sides by a vast number of messages we don’t want or need. More information is generated in a single day than we can absorb in a lifetime. To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind.” ― James E. Faust How do we find our own breathing space and peace of mind in a new world plagued by information overload?!? Give yourself the freedom and power to IGNORE information. Set boundaries with your response times to emails and texts for example.  To prepare for the somewhat unavoidable information overload that we all experience daily, it’s important to engage in lengthy streams of consciousness or brain dumps! Take the time to offload as much information as you can.  When the pressure from information overload is mounting, TAKE A BREAK.  When you control information, and do not allow information to control you, the opportunities are virtually ENDLESS. While most drown in the sea of never-ending data, you can be one of the few surfing the waves of information into the sunset. Filter the information. Prioritize the information. Categorize the information. Act on it or delete it. Be decisive and selective with the information that comes across your desk or feed.