Self-Sabotage Part 2

Walk Through Open Doors with James Henson

#Fitness #James Scott Henson

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

3 years ago 9:16

M4A•एपिसोड होम

We are continuing our series on self-sabotage by looking at three common behaviors that hinder us: perfectionism, procrastination, and self-medication. We also talk about things you can do to break the cycle of these behaviors if you recognize them in your own life.

_______________________

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75 एपिसोडस

Self-Sabotage Part 2

Walk Through Open Doors with James Henson

published 3 years ago

साझा करें

M4A•एपिसोड होम

_______________________

75 एपिसोडस

#Fitness #James Scott Henson

सभी एपिसोड

1
Focus or Fail 18:36

26 days ago18:36

18:36

The Superpower of Focus in a Distracted World In this episode, James explores the power of focus in a world designed to pull your attention in a thousand different directions. From the moment we wake up, we’re bombarded with distractions—social media, news, entertainment, and even seemingly productive activities that masquerade as progress. James shares personal insights on how he once mistook motion for progress and how learning to focus transformed his life and business. He breaks down the hidden dangers of “positive distractions,” like consuming endless information or engaging in low-impact tasks, and explains why focus is a superpower that can set you apart in a world of constant distraction. James also introduces a practical tool—the time audit —to help listeners track where their time is truly going and make adjustments that align with their real goals. Key Topics & Takeaways: The Overload of Modern Distractions The sheer amount of information we take in daily is staggering and often unintentional. Positive distractions like news and social media feel productive but can be just as harmful as obvious time-wasters. The Illusion of Progress vs. True Progress Motion isn’t the same as progress—just because you're busy doesn’t mean you're moving toward your goals. James shares how he used to work incredibly hard but wasn’t gaining traction because he lacked focus. The Hidden Cost of Digital Dopamine Hits How video games, social media, and other instant-reward activities create a false sense of accomplishment. The difference between engaging in hobbies intentionally vs. letting them consume time that should be spent elsewhere. What You Focus on Grows The more attention you give to something, the larger it becomes in your life—whether it’s a business, a skill, or even personal problems. Redirecting focus from internal struggles to meaningful action can be a powerful shift. The Power of a Time Audit Tracking your time reveals where distractions creep in and helps you reallocate time toward what truly matters. Learning to say no to the wrong things is as important as saying yes to the right things. Practical Exercises & Tips: Conduct a 3-Day Time Audit: Track your time from morning to night for three days. Identify activities that don’t align with your goals. Reallocate Your Time Intentionally: Treat time like money—once you know where it's going, shift it toward things that move you forward. Assess Your Focus: Ask yourself: What am I spending the most time thinking about? Is it helping me grow, or is it keeping me stuck? Next Episode Teaser: The next few episodes will focus on goal setting , goal killers , and time management —all essential tools for aligning focus with meaningful progress. James will break down why most people don’t have real goals—just vague hopes—and how to create actionable goals that actually lead somewhere. — Want to take this deeper? 📩 Sign up for James’ free newsletter for more insights on focus, goal-setting, and personal growth. 💬 Interested in working with James? Book a free 15-minute discovery call to see if coaching is a good fit.…

1
Friendly Curiosity: The Power of Not Knowing 18:43

9 weeks ago18:43

18:43

This episode examines how what we think we “know” can create more problems than genuine ignorance. James illustrates this with common examples—such as getting frustrated at red lights or in grocery lines—where routine conveniences become annoyances once we take them for granted. He also looks at how political and personal relationships suffer when we assume we already understand someone’s motives. To address these challenges, James discusses the practice of “friendly curiosity.” Drawing on mindfulness principles, he suggests viewing situations and people with less judgment and more openness—akin to seeing them for the first time. This approach can help us avoid negative narratives and cultivate a richer appreciation of everyday life. Key Topics & Takeaways · The Downside of Knowing o Assumptions about people, situations, and routines can limit perspective and lead to unnecessary frustration. o Familiarity often causes us to take conveniences for granted, making them seem mundane or irritating. · Examples of Misguided Assumptions o Everyday frustrations like red lights or grocery lines often stem from forgetting their purpose or benefits. o Political and personal conflicts escalate when we assume negative motives about others without understanding their perspective. · Mind Reading in Relationships o Assigning negative motives to loved ones can create harmful narratives and strain relationships. o Misinterpretations often arise from incomplete information or personal stress. · Friendly Curiosity as a Solution o A mindfulness practice, combined with curiosity, helps challenge assumptions and expand understanding. o Observing situations without judgment can transform how we see people and events in everyday life. · Practical Steps for Change o Meditation helps identify and detach from automatic thoughts and emotions. o Reframing situations, such as imagining seeing them for the first time, can encourage a more open mindset. · Impact on Relationships and Life o Applying curiosity to interactions fosters better communication and understanding. o Letting go of rigid beliefs can create space for personal growth and improved relationships. Practical Exercises & Tips · Curiosity Check-Ins o When in traffic or waiting in line, consider reframing the experience. Ask yourself how the situation might appear if you didn’t view it as frustrating. · Mindful Moments o Take 5–10 minutes each day to sit quietly and observe your thoughts. Notice how they come and go without attaching judgment to them. · Alien Perspective o Imagine you’re seeing everyday tasks and objects for the first time, with no prior knowledge or context. Reflect on how they might appear from this fresh perspective. Next Episode Teaser James will explore the topic of focus —especially crucial in a world constantly demanding our attention. Learn how to navigate distractions and stay aligned with your bigger goals. How to Stay Connected Subscribe to the Podcast : Never miss an episode—follow on your favorite podcast platform. YouTube : Catch video versions or highlights if you prefer a visual format. Join the Newsletter : Get regular updates, bonus tips, and the chance to engage directly with James. Instagram…

1
Gratitude and Grit 23:36

14 weeks ago23:36

23:36

This episode of Walk Through Open Doors with James Henson focuses on the idea of honest gratitude: understanding that life can definitely suck sometimes, but that there is always more good than bad in the balance. Here are the key takeaways: · Gratitude shifts our focus away from negativity and victimhood, allowing opportunities to become clearer. · Honest gratitude acknowledges both the good and the bad. · There are 4 things we can always be grateful for: o There is something instead of nothing. o This something is stable. o We have a consciousness to experience this something. o We can choose our relationship to this consciousness. · We all have a natural negativity bias we must be aware of and account for. · Gratitude builds resilience. · Gratitude counters cynicism and fragility. · There are simple ways to foster gratitude. · Gratitude doesn’t erase difficulties. · Choosing gratitude aligns us with reality because more things go right than go wrong. · Gratitude creates a positive feedback loop.…

1
Messy, Entitled, and Stupid: Learning About Ownership the Hard Way 27:53

16 weeks ago27:53

27:53

Summary In this episode of Walk Through Open Doors, we talk about the transformative power of ownership in our lives with an emphasis on the importance of taking responsibility for our choices and actions, and how this mindset can lead to radical change. I spent a lot of my life living without any sense of ownership or accountability, so I am able to talk about all of this from the inside. I learned about the importance of taking ownership the hard way, and I’m here to help you avoid that. I created a bonus post for this episode called 5 Ways to Start Taking Ownership Today. You can find it here. Key Takeaways · Taking ownership is everything for personal growth. · Something can be your responsibility without being your fault. · You cannot seize opportunities without ownership. · Real compassion requires confrontation and should not enable a lack of accountability. · Ownership is so empowering it can end up feeling addictive. · Recognizing your role in every situation is essential. · Whether intentional or the result of misplaced compassion, cultural narratives often disempower us.…

1
The Power of Pragmatism 20:20

21 weeks ago20:20

20:20

In this episode of Walk Through Open Doors, James Henson discusses the significance of recognizing and assessing opportunities in life. He emphasizes the importance of pragmatism as a mindset for making effective decisions and avoiding the pitfalls of unrealistic expectations. James continues to talk about the five criteria for evaluating opportunities, focusing on the need for immediate, affordable, exciting, aligned, and sustainable options. He also highlights the balance between pragmatism and emotional decision-making, encouraging listeners to seek feedback and remain grounded in their values. The episode concludes with a preview of the next topic: ownership. Takeaways · Recognizing opportunities can transform your life. · Pragmatism is about facing reality. · The word 'should' can hinder decision-making. · Compromising values for quick gains is unwise. · Emotional states can cloud judgment in decision-making. · Balance pragmatism with emotional intelligence.…

1
Introducing the Walk Through Open Doors podcast 20:22

27 weeks ago20:22

20:22

In this episode, James introduces the concept of 'Walk Through Open Doors' and explains how it has transformed his life. He shares his background as a social worker, therapist, and now a coach, and describes how a media company helped him define his unique approach and how he recognized the importance of recognizing opportunities in every situation. He emphasizes the need to overcome limiting beliefs and take small steps towards growth and improvement. James outlines the criteria for an open door and previews the upcoming episodes that will explore each criterion in depth. Takeaways • Recognizing opportunities in every situation is crucial for personal growth and improvement. • Overcoming limiting beliefs and taking small steps can lead to significant positive changes. • An open door must meet the criteria of being immediate, affordable, aligned, exciting, and sustainable. • Opportunities are all around us, and it's important to assess and pursue the ones that are right for us. • The Walk Through Open Doors podcast will provide practical examples and stories to help listeners recognize and seize opportunities in their own lives.…

1
Goodbye Simple Ways: Catching Up, Looking Forward 19:00

36 weeks ago19:00

19:00

It's been a minute. After a year and a half I wanted to tell you where I've been and talk about where I'm going. There were some difficult times, but I'm excited about what's coming. Thanks for listening.

1
How to Stop Being the Main Character 13:18

2 years ago13:18

13:18

Okay, time to wrap up the series on being the main character by talking about three ways we can chip away at the idea of our own importance: 1. Learn to meditate 2. Invest in other people 3. Understand that you will die I know that a lot of this might seem disempowering or morbid, but there is freedom in recognizing that nothing revolves around you. I promise.…

1
Realistic Gratitude 7:38

2 years ago7:38

7:38

This is an audio version of an old video that I created specifically for an issue of my newsletter . It’s about 4 things we can always be grateful for: 1) There is something instead of nothing. 2) This something is stable. 3) We have a consciousness with which to experience this stable something. 4) We have a say in how this consciousness relates to the stable something. I was sick when I recorded it, please excuse the difficulty breathing you hear from time to time.…

1
The Problems with Being the Main Character 16:03

2 years ago16:03

16:03

If we pay attention, we can see that life is constantly giving us feedback about our behavior. We cannot hear this feedback if we are too busy being the main character, and this will bring us constant trouble.

1
Are You the Main Character? 12:26

3 years ago12:26

12:26

Simple ways to tell if you are the main character. Quick spoiler: you're not.

1
Confessions of a Recovering Main Character 14:10

3 years ago14:10

14:10

I used to think I was the main character. Now I know I’m not. There’s freedom in ordinariness.

1
Have a Morning Routine 9:29

3 years ago9:29

9:29

Having a morning routine is one of the simplest ways we can improve our lives. I really found that how I start the morning is how my day goes. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I’m doing a class called Surviving Social Media for ClassRT on Tuesday, June 28th at 7pm CST. You can check it out here. _______________________ This episode is meant to be supplemented with the Simple Ways to Have a Good Life newsletter. It goes out every Tuesday morning and is full of things intended to help you live your best life, all for free. Sign up here , unsubscribe without any hassle. I don’t share names or email addresses with anyone.…

1
What are YOU working on, James? 11:33

3 years ago11:33

11:33

People ask me often enough what kinds of things I'm working on personally and what kinds of things I struggle with that I figured I'd just do an episode about it. The first two things I'm working on were pretty easy for me to identify: I'm always working on being more gentle and on being more social. I'm not really good at either of these things, but I know they are good for me so I'm doing my best. I think we all have things we need to be working on. It's scary to me that there's this narrative in the world that you are fine the way you are. I get it, a lot of the things we need to work on are not necessarily our fault. The things I like least about myself make a lot of sense when you look at my life, but that doesn't mean that I'm OK with them and that doesn't mean that I don’t have to sort them out. A lot of the things that happen to you are probably not your fault, but what you do with them is your responsibility. It's not compassionate to tell somebody that behaviors and choices that are bringing them harm or are harming other people are OK. It’s not everyone else’s responsibility to get on board with your bullshit behavior. So, in that spirit, this is a podcast talking about me and my bullshit behavior.…

1
Turn Off the News 13:09

3 years ago13:09