We use so many tools throughout our lives and work — project management, life management, mind management. Tools, systems, frameworks, and rubrics are everywhere. These things are designed to help us, to make our lives easier and more efficient. But every tool can be turned into a weapon.

Today we’re talking about using your tools for you, instead of turning them into weapons against you. We’ll talk about what this means, how you know you might be doing it, and what to do instead.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

We’re talking about how to think about the process of change — which is essentially rewiring your brain. When we change anything, we switch from an existing brain habit to a new one.

Today we’re discussing how this process FEELS like it should just happen overnight, as soon as we become aware of us. That would be fantastic. But in reality, the process is like building muscle. Repetition is what creates tone and strength.

I share more about this in today’s episode and walk you through how we experience rewiring, phase by phase.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Every time we change anything in our lives — habit, relationship, attitude, anything — we are essentially rewiring the brain. We’re creating new patterns of thought, feeling, and action.

Many times, our existing patterns have been around for a very long time. Creating new ones doesn’t happen overnight.

Today and next week, I’m sharing how I help my clients avoid frustration along the way — by sharing the two ideas that make the process of rewiring your brain feel like progress and momentum.

Today, we’re focusing on the genius human brain. And why it develops habits in the first place.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Get ready to connect all the dots.

In the last several episodes, we’ve been talking about using time well, and today, we’re bringing all the concepts together in a step-by-step guide to planning your week.

This process gives you time for your highest priorities, clarity, allowance for emergencies, and a greater sense of calm about your week.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Today, we’re talking about the third phase of the accomplishment and time usage process: doing.

While doing the thing — task, project, conversation — might seem like the most straightforward part, you and I know that it’s sometimes the part that feels most fraught.

There are all kinds of external distractions and obstacles — the world doesn’t stop to honor our project priorities. But also, we experience internal obstacles.

And today, we’re talking about all of it. I’ll share how I recommend you approach follow-through, what might get in the way and what to do about it, and the crucial last step of the process.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Way back a few episodes ago, when we launched the series about using your time well, I mentioned the idea of deciding vs. intending.

It was sort of a gloss-over moment, but it’s a hugely important idea.

I’ve gotten so many questions about this difference.

Today, we’re looking at this concept, which is pivotal in understanding your time decisions (and many other things). It’s key to understanding why things that are important to you do or don’t happen.

In fact, understanding this difference — and what it looks like for YOU specifically — is essential to becoming a time master.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

I’ve thought it many times. And hear it often from clients.

An obstacle to planning our time is that we don't know how much time things take.

Surprising but true, this is the very definition of a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we believe it, that’s exactly what we experience.

Inspired by a recent client conversation, we're going inside the brain, looking step-by-step at how this plays out.

And then we’ll jump into the opposite thought process — that we decide how much time things take.

If there are things you feel like you can't estimate, or you frequently think you're bad at predicting how much time things will take, this episode is for you. And truly, it will benefit anyone who wants to know exactly how much time things do and should take up in their calendars.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Continuing in our series about using time in alignment with our values and priorities, today we're talking about design.

So many of us have experienced the feeling that time got away from us. Or the sense that our day got derailed. How we approach designing our time can make all the difference in minimizing or eliminating these experiences.

In today's episode, I share my top three time-design recommendations.

Thanks for listening.

Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to find articles, classes, and other resources. Or to schedule a free 60-minute consultation to talk about working with me as your coach. You can also find me on Instagram @mimigordoncoaching.

Help other people find exactly what they’re looking for — take two minutes to rate and review Joyful Leader. Give the podcast 5 stars and a one-sentence (or more) review. I appreciate you in advance. And so will the people who find the show. (Find the show in Apple Podcasts from your phone, and scroll to the rate/review section below the episodes.)

Original music by Amir Sberlo | Never Bored Photograph by Vivian Johnson Design by Deena Rutter This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm