thrivology

Why Thankful?

November 25, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

In the States, this Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. What’s the point, right? Let’s just jump on into Christmas season! The stores are already bustling and everything seems to be bursting with green and red.

I have nothing against Christmas. But I do think there is an important pause, a moment. A time to be thankful. Not to just say a quick word of thanks, then dive into a gut-busting meal. But to be thankful.

To practice gratitude.

Why?

Because our brain’s default is on scarcity, not abundance — what we DON’T have, not what we HAVE. Where we AREN’T, not where we ARE.

It’s a matter of mindshift. A choice to shift to abundance, gratitude, and thankfulness. Not just allowing our default setting to take over, looking at the scarcity and the lack. At what scares us.

In this week’s Thriveology Podcast, I discuss “Why Thankful?” Why should we even make the shift?

I wish you a very thoughtful, thankful day filled with gratitude, wherever you are!

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Having Tough Conversations

October 28, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Tough conversations are, well, tough. You know, those conversations you know you need to have… but avoid having them. Maybe you aren’t comfortable with the topic. Or maybe it feels risky to have that conversation.

Here is the problem: when we avoid tough conversations, we also avoid real engagement. And we miss the opportunity for deeper connection, more intimacy… and importantly, the opportunity for resolution!

My guest on this episode of the Thriveology Podcast is a returning guest. Always about “keeping it real,” David Wood returns to discuss how to have those tough conversations. David says he is an evangelist for tough conversations, trying to spread the word on how important those convos are!

But more than that, David wants to share a process of how to have those tough conversations on difficult issues. In his 4 step process (plus 1 “pre”-step), David reveals a method of how to have the conversations you’ve been ducking and avoiding. You just have to follow the steps (and he has a special tool available to help you with it).

Stop avoiding the tough conversations. Learn how to have them. Learn to resolve the underlying issues. And watch your life expand.

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Generating Happiness

October 21, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Have you been to the Self-Help area of a bookstore lately? We are awash with books on happiness. There are lots of articles on happiness. And lots of trainings and courses on happiness. Heck, I have even addressed it many times before.

So, why aren’t we happy? Why haven’t we made a shift, as a culture, to higher levels of happiness?

Many times, people keep looking “out there” for what will finally make them happy. Something needs to “happen” to make them “happy.”

Maybe… just maybe… we are looking in the wrong place. In the wrong direction. We are looking “out there,” when the potential has been “in here” the whole time.

She calls herself “the Happiness Generator” and in this episode, Amy Huentelman discusses how you can generate happiness… from the inside! By getting out of your head and into your deeper self. Your True Self.

And not by waiting for something to shift “out there,” but how to make the shift “from within.”

If you want some help in making that shift, and in learning how to generate happiness, listen in to this episode.

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The Power of a Challenge

October 7, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Are you up for a challenge?

In the last episode of my podcast, I discussed how to hold on when life is tough. That’s when life is challenging you.

But what about when life isn’t so challenging… where life is copacetic? Just cruising.

It’s my observation that we work hard to keep life flat. We work hard to keep things smooth. Cold out? Turn on the heater. Hot out? Turn on the A/C. Keep things even… even-keeled. Flat.

We spend LOTS of energy to save the energy of dealing witb challenges, big or small.

But does that help (or harm) us? Does it keep us safe or make us fragile?

What if taking on small challenges actually gets us better prepared for bigger challenges? What if making choices to expand into life helps us deal with life encroaching upon us?

One of my “things” is to find little challenges for myself… new things to try, new activities to do, new tastes or sounds to take in, and new ways to try life.

How about you? What challenges are you taking on right now?

Listen to this episode of the Thriveology Podcast to discover the power of a challenge.

RELATED RESOURCES
Learning and Life
Ways to Expand
Growth Mindset
Lessons in Jiu Jitsu
Book: Thrive Principles

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Holding On (When Life Gets You Down)

September 30, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Life is tough.

Not always. But along the way. And even after you get past one struggle, that doesn’t mean there isn’t another one up ahead. That’s just the nature of life.

It doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong or that the world, God, or the Universe is out to teach you a lesson. It’s just the nature of life.

You may notice 2 crowds. First is the “Grind Culture” that just says to suck it up, keep on grinding, and MAKE it work. They have a point that you have to get through some tough times. But sometimes, it is wise to step back and ask if the fight is worth it.

Then there is the “Sign Culture.” That group tells you that any struggle is an indication you are on the wrong path, that something is wrong with you, and that life “should” be easy… if you are doing it right. They have a point that sometimes, a struggle is pointing to you moving the wrong way… swimming upstream. But the fact is, life means struggles… at times.

So what do you do to hold up when life gets you down?

We discuss it… and 5 things to do… on this episode of the Thriveology Podcast. Listen below.

RELATED RESOURCES
Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
Dealing with Emotional Pain
Facing Fears
Accepting What Is
Book: Thrive Principles – 15 Strategies for Building YOUR Thriving Life

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Even MORE Lessons From Jiu Jitsu

June 17, 2019 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

I’ve rolled and been rolled, tapped and been tapped. My journey into jiu jitsu continues!

Since my last post on lessons I have learned in jiu jitsu (LIFE lessons — not just jiu jitsu moves and techniques), I’ve continued on my journey. The first time I posted, I was just a few months into my study. When I completed my Combatives belt (a Gracie standard), I added a second post.

This past month, I hit another achievement, having been awarded my Blue belt. So, it is time for a bit more reflection and thought.

After 16 months of fairly intense study, I realize that the deeper I dig, the more there is to learn. Kind of like life. Something seems so simple… until you start in. Then, things become far more complex.

Mastery is the point when the complex becomes simple again. And I am far from that.

Join me as I explore 5 more lessons I’ve learned (and relearned) from my time studying jiu jitsu.

RELATED RESOURCES
Lessons Learned From Jiu Jitsu
More Lessons Learned from Jiu Jitsu
Growth Mindset
Gracie University
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Louisville (come join us!)

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