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Leaders all want to achieve. But sometimes it feels like you’re your own worst enemy. Either you’re too perfectionistic, or too much of a people pleaser, or so much of a conflict avoider that you have trouble getting things done. It’s frustrating and discouraging to fall into the same old traps over and over.  There’s a better way. We’ve got expert advice on a proven, helpful system for understanding your unique stressors and motivations, and those of the people around you. When you understand yourself, you’ll finally start working with yourself instead of against yourself. You’ll escape that nagging regret of falling prey to your own foibles, and your productivity will skyrocket. In this double episode (listen to Part 2 here) we’re joined by Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Road Back to You and an expert on the Enneagram. Ian shares valuable insights on the essential characteristics of each type. He also shares how they influence productivity both positively and negatively. Best of all, we’ll hear important tips for maximizing productivity by majoring on the strengths of your type and minimizing the weaknesses.  When we’re done, you’ll have a basic idea of how to improve your productivity based on your unique personality!  Share with a Friend This episode is so valuable you won’t want to keep it to yourself! We’re certain your friends will love learning more about their personalities and how they affect productivity. Please drop a link to this episode in your favorite social channel and tag the universe! Remember the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode The Road Back to You by Ian Cron Ian Cron's website

You’re running on empty without much gas left in the tank. You can see your performance slipping and your creativity dwindling. But how can you take time off when there’s so much to do? Won’t you just regret it when you come back to hundreds of emails in your inbox? In this episode, Michael talks with his executive assistant, Jim, and the producer of Lead to Win, Nick, about the vital importance of unplugging. They discuss the most popular benefit at Michael Hyatt & Company—sabbaticals—and show you why they’re necessary and how to plan them so that you come back to work refreshed, energized, and ready to level up your game.  In this episode, you’ll discover— Why stress and tension are the enemies of performance What you can do now if you can’t take a sabbatical right away How to plan and prepare for being away from work Michael’s out-of-office template that sets you up for a stress-less return Resources: “How to Get Your Boss to Say 'Yes,' Part 1” “How to Get Your Boss to Say ‘Yes,’ Part 2” “How to Get Your Boss to Say ‘Yes,’ Part 3” The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss    

The horror stories of succession are many. Micro-management. Complete abandonment. Disorganized handoffs. Undermined authority. Even downright sabotage. It’s the stuff of nightmares—enough to fill anyone with dread. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The transition of leadership at Michael Hyatt and Company from Michael to Megan has been rich with lessons about successful succession. In this episode, Megan and Michael share their journey and unpack four non-negotiables for anyone looking to transition in a way that sets all parties up to thrive. In this episode, you’ll discover— The one area clarity is most important What makes check-in rhythms so important One way succession is a lot like parenting How to steer between abdication and micromanagement The question every successor is asking to themselves This episode is brought to you by the all-new No-Fail Meetings Course, where you'll discover how to turn meetings from a hated, necessary evil to enjoyable checkpoints on your way to your most ambitious milestones. Go to nofailmeetings.com to get the course at 20% off, plus get two free bonuses: Meeting Agenda Templates, and a digital version of the No-Fail Meetings book. Offer valid until May 26th, so go to nofailmeetings.com now to get your meetings on-track.

Feeling like a slave to your calendar is exhausting. Running from one activity to the next and working long hours is a recipe for burnout—which undermines your well-being and performance. To break the cycle, you must stop letting your calendar happen to you and start spending your time with intention. And we have a tool to help. In this episode, Megan and Michael walk you through how to leverage the tool “Spend Your Days On Paper” so you can budget your time just like you budget your money.  When you do, you’ll finally start spending your time where it’s most valuable, boosting your morale and results. In this episode, you’ll discover— The question to ask to decide how much time off you need How to determine the return on investment for your time The unexpected bonus for your business when you can step away The danger of trying to spend more time than you have Two strategies for translating this tool to your calendar Access the “Spend Your Days on Paper” tool at leadto.win/paper.

You have so many tasks on your list every day. You swing between saying yes to everything and getting overwhelmed and then saying no to everything and becoming legalistic. How do you determine what is essential for your optimal performance?  In this episode, Michael and Megan do a deep-dive into their personal nonnegotiables. They’ll show you how to set yourself up for your own Double Win by focusing on what’s most important to you in 3 key areas. You don’t have to have a lot of nonnegotiables, and they don’t have to be overly idealistic. Michael and Megan will show you how to be consistent and realistic, so you make progress every day toward the future you want. In this episode, you’ll discover— The importance of having nonnegotiables, but only a select few The power of the minimum effective dose How to focus less on what there is to do and more on the results What things don’t need to be on the nonnegotiable list Why incremental progress is the key to growth Resources:   Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt    

You’re building your business but feel lost in the thick of things. You know it’s valuable to pause and think big picture, but you’re not sure how or where to begin. You don’t want to waste time spinning your wheels. What are the most important areas to focus on? And what is proven to have lasting impact? In this episode, Michael and Megan reflect on the past 10 years and explore the top 6 lessons they have learned while building a thriving business. They show you how to cast a vision and allow space for it to grow and shift over time, and then how to set yourself up with transformational mindsets and tools that lead to long-term success. In this episode, you’ll discover— The importance of having no sacred cows How to free yourself up to make greater contributions Why your team—not your clients—are your greatest asset 2 key questions to ask that lead to business success Why it’s critical not to export ideas you haven’t first imported  Resources:   Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud   Belay Solutions   Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller BusinessAccelerator® Community - cash flow spreadsheet and tutorial    

You’re a high achiever who can’t seem to find enough hours in the day. You don’t want to sacrifice your personal life in the pursuit of career success, but you also don’t want to lay down your professional ambitions. Can you really have both at the same time? In this episode, Michael and Megan dig into one of their favorite takeaways from their new book: identifying nonnegotiables as you design your Double Win. They talk about what happens when you put hard edges on your workday and show you how to establish nonnegotiables for your current season, so that you can start seeing breakthrough results—personally and professionally. In this episode, you’ll discover— How constraints foster productivity, creativity, and freedom The key component in overcoming addiction to overwork The way nonnegotiables can change season to season Questions to ask yourself to identify your nonnegotiables Resources: Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller Lead to Win Episode 162: “Using the Double Win to Beat Back Work That’s Out of Control”

Work is out of control. You’re always busy and always on, even when you’re at home with your family. But it feels like something you can’t help. Or maybe even something you can’t let go of. What’s really going on? This week, Michael and Megan dig into the problem behind the problem and why so many of us buy into the Cult of Overwork. They’ll show you the detrimental effects of stress and working too many hours and help you find clarity about the under-the-surface reasons you might be overworking, so you can start walking instead toward the Double Win.  In this episode, you’ll discover— The false dichotomy of the Hustle Fallacy vs. the Ambition Brake 5 false beliefs that lead to the Cult of Overwork The harmful ways stress shows up in our bodies 7 reasons we tend to overwork Resources: Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller

Today's episode is an exclusive look at the first chapter of Megan and Michael's new book, Win at Work & Succeed at Life. It comes out on April 20, but you can preorder the book now at winandsucceedbook.com.  Also, we're very excited to share that Michael and Megan will also be holding an event called "Win at Work and Succeed at Life LIVE" on April 20th. To get admission to this online event, all you have to do is pre-order the book at winandsucceedbook.com.

You’ve heard over and over that the key to success is to work harder and longer than everyone else—but you do so at the expense of your health and your loved ones. Or, perhaps you’ve determined the cost isn’t worth it. So you seek out a better sense of well-being but pump the brakes on your ambition. Can you really only have either a thriving career or a healthy personal life? Is there a third option? In this episode, the crew at Focus on This talk with Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller about their new book, Win at Work and Succeed at Life. They walk you through the intentional strategy that improves results both at home and at work, so you can take back control of your life and find freedom and margin and more opportunities than you ever thought possible. In this episode, you’ll discover— 3 nonnegotiables to set as you design your Double Win Why the issue is not quantity of time but intentionality How to create breathing room when you’re in survival mode Strategies for proposing a Double Win experiment to a skeptical boss Resources: Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller  

Your company is producing strong results, but your team seems weary. The success of yesterday unintentionally gets lost in the grind of today. How do you rejuvenate your people to continue on and even reach for new goals? In this episode, Michael and Megan discuss the way a culture of celebration leads to confidence for your team and momentum that breeds success. They share their tips on approaching celebration both thoughtfully and practically and equip you with tools for making it a regular part of your routine, so you can create engagement, foster teamwork, and drive greater performance.  In this episode, you’ll discover— Why it’s vital to celebrate your team’s wins The value of public acknowledgment  3 ways to show your team you see and appreciate them Pro tips for investing in celebration, even if it doesn’t come naturally Resources: Lead to Win Episode 159: "3 Moves That Defied an Economic Downturn"

Sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against you. The unforeseen obstacles standing between you and your goal seem insurmountable. You don’t want to give up, but you don’t know how to move forward. Never has that felt truer for many than during the pandemic. Now, a year later, Megan and Michael reflect on the 2020 goal that led to astonishing results and unpack three key reasons for their success. When you leverage these strategies, you’ll stop being the victim of your circumstances and start building confidence that you can accomplish hard things—and see incredible success as you do.  In this episode, you’ll discover— The necessity of committing to goals you’re not sure you can accomplish Why it’s vital to choose to advance when others choose to retreat What makes courage an action, not a feeling Signs that your dream isn’t big enough The surprising gift that only comes after you accomplish hard things Resources:   Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt    

You’ve earned  the promotion and the respect of your peers. To the people around you, you’ve “made it.” But lately, you feel like you’re coasting, or maybe idling in place. And you have a nagging feeling that there must be something more out there.  In this episode, Michael and Megan answer a letter from long-time listener Caitlin who is in your shoes and not sure what to do next. They discuss different root issues that might be at play and show you how to create a vision for the entirety of your life—not just your career.  In this episode, you’ll discover— The value of non-achievement time How burnout can be a sign you need to focus on other life domains The benefits of learning something new and being a beginner again The power of positive uncertainty and being stretched 3 steps to breaking through when you feel complacent Resources: For All Mankind Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller Living Forward with by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy LifeScore Assessment

There’s an unhealthy attitude forming on your team. Requests are consistently met with grumbling—even an occasional outright, “That’s not my job.” Where is this attitude coming from? And how do you counter it before it derails your team’s growth and success? In this episode, Michael and Megan dive into the danger of entitlement. They’ll show you how it can creep into your organization and what you can do about it. By focusing on contribution, you can cultivate a team dedicated to helpfulness, excellence, and enthusiastic service. It all comes back to team culture, and that culture begins with you. In this episode, you’ll discover— The one trait that defines leadership Warning signs of entitlement Why true, healthy leaders can’t not contribute The three markers of enthusiastic contribution What makes a posture of gratitude so powerful

You started out the new year excited about your goals, but now you find yourself lagging. You’re tired and your motivation is waning. You’re starting to wonder, How do I keep going? The answer? Focus on your future self.  In this episode, Megan and Michael discuss the power of creating a compelling vision of who you want to become. They’ll help you create a vision script that sustains you for the long haul and show you how to accomplish that vision one choice at a time. In this episode, you’ll discover— Why the gap between where you are and where you want to be can be a powerful motivator How to start practicing being your future self as you make daily decisions The reason re-examining your identity will get you further, faster Why mental dissonance can be the unlikely key to achieving your goals Resources: Four Mindsets to Drive Your Success Living Forward by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt This episode is brought to you by the Lifescore Assessment, a free tool that gives you the clarity to set better goals and build toward the future you want. Download it for free at leadto.win/lifescore.

Leadership is an exercise in vulnerability. The idea that leaders enter every situation full of confidence and assurance isn’t just false. It’s harmful. In reality, every good leader has one non-negotiable trait: they have developed a capacity for discomfort. Shaped by many stories and examples, this episode highlights what makes discomfort so difficult and so essential. Megan and Michael will help you feel less alone, coach you to disengage your defensiveness, and challenge you to lean in when it matters most. In this episode, you’ll discover— What makes taking risks so difficult Three areas you must embrace discomfort to succeed Why being tempered by failure is a good thing The vital frame-shift you need to make in thinking about critical feedback That feeling confidence is not a prerequisite for accomplishment To learn more about how to make space in hard conversations, explore the Lead To Win episode “How to Diffuse Conflict Before it Begins.”

Dissent isn’t comfortable, no matter which end you’re on. But it’s essential. Companies that don’t welcome dissent are in danger of falling headlong into damaging situations that would have been avoidable —if only someone had mustered the courage to speak up. So what should you do? How should you respond in the face of dissent? And how can you practice dissent in a way that expresses respect and care? Michael and Megan delve into these questions and more in this candid conversation, providing a treasure trove of practical tips for leveraging dissent to help your company grow. In this episode, you’ll discover— Why responding to dissent by wielding the power of your position is a mistake What to do when you feel your physiological response to confrontation The reason leaders of the best teams should expect to experience dissent Why your level of relational capital should shape the method of your dissent The difference between agreement and alignment—and why it matters This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by the Task Delegator, a new tool to help you automate, delegate, and eliminate tasks so you can achieve the Double Win. Download it for free at leadto.win/delegator.

Sometimes, life happens. You step into a new role. You become the parent of a newborn. Your business is turned upside down by an unforeseen emergency. Before long, you look around to realize that you’re not living the Double Win. You’re tired and want to bounce back—but how? Michael and Megan dive into this question with some candid stories of their own. Then, they move from solidarity to problem-solving. With the help of their straightforward strategies, you can finally hit reset and prevent “busy” from becoming your new normal. In this episode, you’ll discover— Why scheduling time away can be essential for snapping back How to tell the difference between an unbalanced season and unbalanced life The importance of re-introducing rhythm to your days The incredible power of constraints One simple activity for eliminating stress every time

One of 2020’s greatest gifts was renewed attention to racial disparities. Whether 2020 was the first time you thought about racial injustice or a reminder of a reality you’re confronted by every day, the conversations about race can’t end in 2020. This episode welcomes speaker and community activist Pastor Chris Williamson to talk about how leaders can approach race in the workplace and beyond. He’ll unpack how leaders can shift their thinking and take practical steps toward creating more equitable, inclusive organizations. In this episode, you’ll discover— The difference between diversity, inclusion, and equity What makes representation so important Why you need to know your “why” behind diversity How to stay encouraged when you’re not seeing change The connection between your living room, dining room, and boardroom This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by the Succeed and Scale newsletter, a weekly newsletter for business owners that delivers quick tips and insights to help grow your business. Join for free at leadto.win/succeed.

Leaders love to see progress. But growth brings a whole new set of problems. You may find yourself stuck in reaction mode, feeling more like a fireman than a leader. Dealing with problems all day can drain your mental energy. After awhile, you may have no bandwidth left for vision and strategy.  After more than 40 years in business, we’ve learned how to lead a fast-growing business and maintain time for critical thinking. We call it staying mentally FFIT.  With this simple system, you’ll have greater mental clarity than ever before. You will stay out of reaction mode and keep your focus on innovation. Rather than feeling exhausted when you think about work, you’ll be energized by new possibilities. Try it, and get back in front of the change curve again!   Here’s a preview of this episode.  Why you must have a regular practice of intentional thought.  Why scheduled “think time” doesn’t always work.  Why your business demands a shift from doing to thinking.  One solid way to bake think time into your life.  How thought time gives your business an edge.  The kinds of questions you should be asking of yourself and business.  Why you need to be uninterrupted during your focused thought time.  Can focused thought be done with others, or only alone?  How outside input fuels your thought life.  The value of physical activity in activating your thought life.  Why serendipitous breakthroughs are not enough to fuel your business.  The simple practice that will help you think more intentionally.  Practical advice for people who have trouble writing down their thoughts.  The difference between reflective thinking and reactive thinking.  How the Hustle Fallacy inhibits your ability to think critically.  What critical thinking is and why it matters in your business.  The cause-and-effect chain from a leader’s thoughts to business results.  How asking different questions can transform your business results.  Once you’ve listened to this episode, here’s your next step. Ask yourself this simple question: What is my biggest obstacle to frequent, focused, intentional thinking, and what can I do about it?  You’ll be well on your way to solving that—and many other—problems.  We hope your 2021 is off to a great start! Lead to Win is on a short hiatus, so today, enjoy one of our most-listened to episodes. We’ll be back with all-new content soon. In the meantime, enjoy our new tool, The Ideal Work and Life Designer. Download it for free at michaelhyatt.com/designer