We’re talking to Rahaf Harfoush about how to identify the signs of burnout (because it can sneak up on you) and we dig into some powerful and unorthodox ways to beat it.  Rahaf is a Digital Anthropologist, Best Selling Author, and Executive Director of the Red Thread Institute for Digital Culture. Rahaf Harfoush 's latest book is called “Hustle and Float.” In it, she shows us that a lot of what we’ve been told about “work-life” balance is wrong… but more importantly… she shows us a better way to maximize our day… our creativity… and most importantly… our lives.  She came by this truth the hard way but getting blindsided by extreme burnout a few years ago. So we talk about how it almost killed her career and how she fought back and how she learned to “float” too. It’s a beautiful, raw, and powerful conversation with some great insights, good stories, and practical strategies you can start using today!     Listen To The Podcast:     Rahaf Harfoush RESOURCES: Book: Hustle & Float - reclaim your creativity and thrive in a world obsessed with work. Twitter: www.Twitter.com/rahafharfoush    Website: www.Rahafharfoush.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/foushy    MORE INFO ABOUT THE EPISODE:   Wow… I don’t know if there’s been a better time to talk about ways to avoid burnout.   Seriously… right now… as we’re getting bombarded with all sorts of headlines and updates on a global scale.  Many are working from home… for the first time. Because of all of this… some of those normal boundaries of a “normal” workday are out the window… and many are asked to do more with less.  So yes… the potential for burnout is a very real thing.  Maybe now more than ever. That’s why I wanted to bring on an expert… both because she’s studied the subject in depth… and because she’s lived through a brutal first-hand experience which almost ended a career she loved… and it felt like it stripped away the very thing she’d always felt called to do. As the Executive Director of the Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture, Rahaf Harfoush leads a team of researchers in exploring the implications of the world’s digital culture on our lives – from the way we date and parent, to the way we travel, work, and stay informed. She helps organizations like the Starwood Capital Group, Deutche Bank, Estée Lauder, L’Oreal, and ING Direct… to name a few.  And her writing has been featured in Wired, The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, and many more. Rahaf and her husband Jesse along with their puppy named Pixel live in France… but we got to meet for coffee in LA… when we were both there recently for speaking gigs.   I found her absolutely fascinating… and she’s a true DREAM THINK DOer. so I wanted to bring her on the show!  And since she’s all about helping us navigate the bombardment of information… AND avoid burnout in these wild times… I thought it was THE perfect time to have her on.   SHOW NOTES AND TIMES: 0:02 What to expect today! 1:35 Meet Rahaf 8:02 How Rahaf is passionate about the topic of burnout 12:07 How burnout affected Rahaf 16:45 How Rahaf overcame burn out 21:20 Tips for avoiding burnout 25:30 What does success look like to you? 27:20 Creating time to be still 32:04 You are more than what you do 36:18 How to connect with Rahaf 37:04 Wisdom of the week 38:20 Mitch's biggest takeaways   WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Let me know what stood out to you from this episode?  What’s something you’re going to try based on Rahaf’s story and strategies?  I’d love to hear from YOU! Leave a comment below and let’s keep this important conversation going.   Listen to Mitch Mattews Top Podcast here  

My guest is Dan Grec.  He’s a Yukon-based adventurer, snowboarder, and photographer.  A few years ago… Dan wanted a more vibrant life… so he quit his day job as an engineer and drove his 2 door Jeep Wrangler 40,000 miles through 16 countries starting in Alaska and ending up in Argentina. That expedition turned into two of the best years of his life. The journey itself… along with the colorful people he met along the way… permanently changed the way he looked at himself… AND the way he looked at life.  He didn’t realize it at the time but that adventure also changed his trajectory… and he’s continued to explore ever since. In fact, just last year he completed a 54,000 mile... 35 country circumnavigation of the African continent in his 4 doors… Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Most importantly, Dan’s found a sense of joy and happiness that he can maintain in the wildest and toughest circumstances and we’re going to talk about that too!     Listen To The Podcast:     Dan Grec RESOURCES:   BOOK: The Road Chose Me (Click here.) YOUTUBE: youtube.com/theroadchoseme INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/theroadchoseme   MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 1:20 Meet Dan 4:06 When Dan said he was going to drive from Alaska to Argentina 7:30 How Dan pays for his adventures 11:50 Dan’s time in Africa 16:44 How Dan is navigating COVID-19 18:37 Find a way to be happy 21:20 The best things you can do to prepare for adventure 24:44 Take the pressure off yourself 28:08 How to find what makes you happy 29:56 Wisdom of the week 31:05 Mitch’s biggest takeaways What stood out to you?  A story? His outlook on living a happy life?  His pragmatic approach to paying for his dream?  I’d love to hear from YOU! Leave a comment below and let me know!   Listen to Mitch Mattews Top Podcast here  

A “Deep Dive” going after WHY and HOW to dream (and pursue your goals) in tough times!  I hate to be “Captain Obvious” but it’s tough to think about our dreams and goals when we’re getting hit with words like “Pandemic” and “Quarantine” on a somewhat normal basis.  At the same time… it’s wildly important to continue to look forward, to believe in something bigger, and to continue to take small but significant steps forward on the things that are important to us.  Now… this isn’t some “rainbows, butterflies and little ponies” session on how to bury your head in the sand. Nope. In this episode, we dig into the psychology, the science and the specific strategies that will help you to look at this season in a way that will help you to keep your head, to stay safe AND to continue to march towards your dreams and goals!  I think you’re going to dig it. So let’s dive in.       Listen To The Podcast:   RESOURCES: Other DREAM THINK DO episodes on related topics: TIME MANAGEMENT: mitchmatthews.com/257 OVERCOMING WORRY: www.mitchmatthews.com/002  DREAMING WITH YOUR FAMILY: www.mitchmatthews.com/222 and www.mitchmatthews.com/086  FACEBOOK POST I Mention The Book of Life video on Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs.   EPISODE INFO:   QUESTION: Why is it harder to dream when things are tough?   ANSWER:  You’re not broken.  You’re normal. One reason it’s harder to think about our dreams and goals when things are feeling “uncertain” can be explained by a simple triangle divided into 5 parts.     You may have heard about it in a high school or college psychology class… but this triangle of brilliance has become better known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. There’s a fantastic video on this concept by the people over at “The Book of Life.”  The link is above. The quick history on the concept was that in 1943, a thirty-five year old Jewish psychologist… who was born in Russia... but was now living in the United States… was in the midst of an epic journey.  In short… he was searching for the meaning of life.   His name was Abraham Maslow. He had left the close-knit orthodox family of his childhood… and was now navigating life in the U.S.  He had a passion for figuring out how to live a purposeful life in modern-day America. It was something he wanted to understand… but it was also something he could see as a longing for many others too.   With the lense of psychology, he started to identify five different kinds of basic human needs.  Some were more linked to material… and others might be considered more spiritual.   As he dug through the research… as well as thought-through his own experiences… he started to uncover a sequence.  A ranking.   It’s almost like these different needs built on each other.   First… we start with what most would consider the “non-negotiables” and core basic needs.  These would be things like food... water… shelter... and rest.     Next we have what would be considered “safety needs.”  These are a sense of bodily security and protection from attack.    But then we enter into the areas that many would consider more spiritual and/or psychological needs.  So third… we’d have a sense of belonging and a sense of being loved.   Then forth… we move into what some refer to as the “Esteem Needs.”  These needs are met when we feel a level of accomplishment or even prestige.    But the fifth… and that’s the big enchilada… is what Maslow called: “self-actualization.”   This one is a bit more nebulous… and according to some… more elusive.     Because it involves what Maslow described as ‘living according to one’s full potential’ and ‘becoming who we really are.’   Whew… that’s some core Phycology 101 there in 3 minutes or less.   BUT I think it’s relevant when we’re thinking about dreaming BIG when things are potentially tough, scary and/or completely new.

This week we’re doing a deep dive into “The Art of Powerful Introductions.”  Seriously… you’ve worked hard at growing your network of awesome people… but one of the fastest ways to hurt that network is to violate trust and to T-up an unsolicited introduction.  It’s like we talk about in the episode, an unsolicited introduction is like giving someone a gift of a surprise puppy. LOL. That’s right… who doesn’t love a puppy? BUT… if you give it to someone who isn’t expecting it… a cute lil’ puppy can be a problem… right?  If we hand a busy person an unsolicited and/or poorly set up introduction… we can create problems and hurt our relationship with them. So in this episode, we talk through the 4 C’s of Permission-Based Introductions. These “C’s” will help you to set up introductions that lead to more success for everyone involved!  AND… they help to build trust and connection with your network too! So listen in to learn the 4 C’s and stop giving surprise puppies!!!     Listen To The Podcast:     RESOURCES: Check out Episode 255 - How to Meet 50 Interesting People in a Year!   All right. Dream Think Do-ers - this episode is a deep dive.  So we’re talking about the “4 C’s of Permission-Based Introductions.” The 4 C’s are:   CONSENT: Be a blessing, not a curse.  As for permission from BOTH parties before you make an introduction.  In other words… don’t give a “surprise puppy” as a gift!   COMPLIMENT: As you make the introduction (with permission) be sure to honor each person with a few heartfelt and authentic compliments that help to showcase the person’s talents.   CONTEXT: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS give some context to why you think the introduction is important and why you think the two people should meet.  Don’t make them guess. This helps to give them a starting place to work from and saves them time.   CUT THEM LOOSE: Free them of any expectations from you.  Let them know you’re rooting for them but you’re bowing out and you’re setting them free to do what they want with the connection!     QUOTE:  “When you surprise someone with an introduction,  it’s a little bit like giving a puppy as an unexpected gift!”   What do you think?   Do you agree or disagree?   What’s something you’re going to try/tweak based on this episode?   Leave a comment and let me know!   MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 3:12 Protecting your network 6:14 Why you don’t want to give a puppy 10:29 Busy people get stuff done 13:03 Be a blessing, not a curse 17:07 The power of honor 22:13 Cut them loose from expectation 25:49 One of Mitch’s most powerful connections   Listen to Mitch Matthews Top Podcast here

David C. Baker is an author, speaker, and advisor, working with independently-owned marketing firms around the world.  In fact… he’s worked with over 800 firms and has helped them with everything from positioning to lead generation... staffing to systems… and client acquisition as well as retention.  He’s been called the “Expert’s Expert” by the New York Times and he’s been featured in the WSJ, Fast Company, USA Today, and Forbes.  His newest book, “The Secret Tradecraft of $1M Advisors” is designed to be a handbook for the top 1% of consultants. We’re going to be talking with David about how to set yourself… and your expertise apart to make more impact, have more influence, and bring in more income!       Listen To The Podcast:   David C. Baker RESOURCES: David C. Baker Site: www.expertise.is David C. Baker on Twitter: twitter.com/davidcbaker   Before we get to the interview, I have to include a few other fascinating and intriguing elements of David’s history.   He was born in Michigan… but grew up with a tribe of Mayan Indians in a remote village in the highlands of Guatemala… and then came back to the United States when he was 18.   He’s a fan of fine woodworking.   He teaches racing to already expert motorcycle racers.   He flies 25 different types of airplanes and helicopters.    He loves photography.   He speaks 10 languages.   In short… my boy is wicked smart.   Most importantly… he lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his beautiful wife Julie and they have two grown sons who are married… and who have provided David and Julie with some beautiful grandbabies!   Now that we’ve gotten the important stuff covered… let’s get to this!     SHOW Minute-By-Minute:   0.02: What to expect today! 1:36 Meet David 5:47 What it was like growing up in Guatemala 6:07 The importance of global travel 10:36 The biggest pitfalls for those trying to stand out 13:00 Why David’s book forward is unique 17:31 How to identify your expertise 20:28 How to position yourself 23:54 Done is better than perfect 26:21 A deeper dive into positioning yourself 31:46 The questions to ask yourself as you productize your business 38:49 Wisdom of the week 42:37 Mitch’s biggest takeaways   Listen to Mitch Mattews Top Podcast here