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

We have more demands on our time now than we ever have. With all the noise, it can be difficult to figure out what to prioritize.Especially given that our mental, physical, and emotional resources are limited. We can't possibly do everything. In today's episode, we're talking about how to make that decision. I'll give you my take on what to prioritize when planning your time or your team's time. Links mentioned in this

Many of my clients want to work on how they use their time.Sometimes in their personal lives — spending more time with family, for example. Sometimes in their professional lives — using their work hours for what’s meaningful and important. or working on those meaningful, important things when they have the greatest energy to give. No matter what their time use goals, the theme is wanting to use their most precious resource well. In alignment with their values. Today kicks off a series of episodes

I recently had an experience that threw me. It was challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally. And for several weeks I didn’t feel like myself.But out of this came an opportunity I didn’t expect. I could see how I responded, what skills and techniques I used, and how I led myself through this experience differently than past challenges. It was imperfect. And messy. And I’m proud of myself for all of it. Hungry for more of the things we talk about on this podcast? Visit mimigordon.com to

I’m going to say it right off the bat: I don’t like the term impostor syndrome (or imposter if that’s your preference).It implies sickness, something for which we need treatment. And that it’s somehow something we “come down with.” Though I don’t love the term, it describes a very real experience of very many real human beings. 🙂 So today we’re going to break it down — what is it, why does it happen, and what can you do if you’re experiencing it? Thanks for listening. Hungry for more of the

Imagine you’re watching a play.And the theater has a spotlight operator — someone who directs a beam of focus on the appropriate dialogue or action at any given moment. This focus isn’t the only thing happening — other scenery, other characters — but it’s the most useful thing happening. The focus is on the thing that moves the story forward. Our brains have this spotlight ability — to focus on one thing amid myriad possibilities. And today on the podcast, we’re talking about how to use this

Let’s talk about science. The scientific mindset, specifically.Last week, I shared that there are two skills that help us build habits that look big and impressive from the outside, but feel easy and delightful from the inside — embracing small steps and adopting a scientific mindset. And today we’re talking all about the latter. So often, when we try new things or start new routines, it can feel like we’re going for success — let’s get this 100% right, right away. But looking at change as an

I have some insider info for you. A secret tip, if you will.People sometimes hear about some habit I have and comment that they think I have superhuman discipline. Or commitment. And I’m shocked because so much of my life is centered around having as much freedom and free time as possible. Today and next week on the podcast, I’m sharing the two skills that have allowed me to build habits that look super impressive from the outside but feel easy and delightful on the inside. Embracing (sometimes

You’ve got a plan for your week, balancing multiple high priorities. And then something goes sideways. Something specific — someone else doesn’t deliver in the way that you expected.In this scenario and other similar situations, many people do something that I almost always coach against — doing someone else’s job. This means jumping in to take on more work to compensate for someone else’s mistake, poor performance, lack of interest, etc. Today we’re talking about how to be aware of when you’re

Imagine that every situation you find yourself in, every circumstance in your life, is a song.What you think about yourself in relation to that circumstance or situation is the song's baseline . . . . . . the sometimes under-the-surface yet nonetheless powerful theme that shapes the entire song. Or in your case, how you experience the entire situation. Today on the podcast, I'm talking about this concept, which is the most powerful and important thing we work on in coaching I’ll give you tips on

Last week we talked about change resistance — how, in the effort to be efficient, the human brain manufactures thoughts that, if listened to, will keep us where we are.Today I want to share three more thoughts that come up more often — and very commonly — in women. They are different variations of the thought I shared last week: I can’t do it. It won't work. It's confusing. It's too hard. But they affect women disproportionately, and if left unchecked, can cause women to back away from meeting

Let’s talk about change, shall we? Specifically, changing our actions, habits, and behaviors in ways that make our lives better. When we try to change something about our lives, we often experience doubt, insecurity, or resistance. And while these things feel very true and worth listening to, they are actually a manifestation of the human brain’s natural desire for efficiency and keeping the status quo.In other words, our brains don’t want us to change. So today we’re talking about what to do in

How’s “Failure” as an episode title? Does it really make you want to listen? I thought so.Today we are indeed talking about failure. Specifically, how many of us encounter situations where our fear of failing threatens to prevent us from seizing opportunities or going after things we’d like. I’ll share a bit about where our fear of failure is born, and how it changes over time. And, we’ll break down what we’re actually afraid of, and learn a couple of helpful frameworks for overcoming the fear of

Today we’re talking about a standard I recommend to my clients: self-evaluation without self-judgment.Many of us are committed to learning, growth, and deeper self-understanding. Judgment moves us farther away from these things. Every single time. Setting this standard means — inside your own mind — redirecting self-judgment. Instead of judging, you’ll walk yourself through an evaluation process. Because, unlike judgment, evaluation drives momentum and major growth. And when you regularly redirect

I love a good story.Listening to one. Telling one. And it seems like an appropriate day for a story. About summer camp, inspiration, and professional trajectory. About gratitude, and the mysteries of human connection. Tune in, cozy up. Happy Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving. 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

Today on the podcast, I’m sharing one of my favorite, super-practical techniques for shaking your brain out of a spin.The human brain is an exceptional (if overexuberant) danger scanner. This means that it sometimes (or often) defaults to negative interpretations — of a colleague’s tone or facial expression, or an interaction with a stranger. This is especially true when the stakes feel high. (Most of us don’t anxiously replay conversations with our best friends. But almost everyone has replayed an

Today is the final episode in our short series about making job searches more delightful.And it’s about the final mindset shift that can aid your enjoyment of your job search: I hope they like me. This particular thought has deep socialization roots. Particularly for women, who — in dating and job searching and everywhere else — are taught that other people's opinions are more important than their own. Today we’re evening the scales. I’m sharing how to keep your brain focused on the truth: that

Episode three in a short series of episodes about making job searches more delightful.Today we’re talking about the second of three mindset gremlins that often come along with a job search: this is going to be a slog (or difficult/hard/annoying . . . fill in the blank with your brain’s favorite flavor). This thought has caused so much misery. 🤓😉And it’s caused so many highly qualified, ambitious people who actually love (yes, you heard that right) many aspects of looking for a job to THINK they

This week, we’re continuing a short series of episodes about making job searches more delightful.In this episode, we’re talking about the first of three mindset gremlins that often pop up when we begin to look for a job: thinking there’s nothing out there (that matches what you want). This little thought demon rears its head often, and when we let it run the show, it can cause us to feel defeated, and to stay in a situation we’re merely tolerating. Today I’m sharing a different perspective, that

On its face, a job search is just a project. Take action, take action, and eventually get a result.But a job search rarely feels like “just a project.” For many people, a search brings up all kinds of insecurity, dread, and discomfort. Over the next few episodes of Joyful Leader, I’ll be talking about the mindset shifts that can help take your job search from terrible to terrific . . . or at least tolerable. Whether you’re looking for a job now or know you will again at some point . . . this series