On a Living Spree
Think back to a time when you achieved something you once thought was impossible. Maybe it was speaking in front of a large audience, running a marathon, or landing a big promotion at work. Chances are, the journey to that achievement wasn't a smooth or easy one. It likely involved plenty of discomfort, uncertainty, and moments of self-doubt.
But here's the thing: growth and comfort rarely coexist. In order to achieve our biggest goals and dreams, we must be willing to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the discomfort that comes with trying new things, taking risks, and facing our fears.
When was the last time you had fun at work? I mean, really had fun – the kind of joyful, carefree, lose-track-of-time fun that we associate with childhood? If you're like most adults, it's probably been a while.
Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that work and play are mutually exclusive. That fun is a frivolous distraction from the serious business of getting things done. But what if I told you that incorporating more play into your workday could actually make you more productive, creative, and resilient?
Studies have shown that play is essential for our cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. When we engage in activities that are intrinsically enjoyable and challenge us to think in new ways, we stimulate our brains, reduce stress, and boost our problem-solving abilities. We also forge stronger connections with those around us, as laughter and shared experiences break down barriers and foster a sense of belonging.
Invest in Your Employees Dreams, Watch Your Business Grow.
We created this book to provide tools for everyone from small business owners to CEO’s of global brands to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to be their best selves, both personally and professionally – which directly impacts the bottom line.
In our research for the book Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experiences and Die With No Regrets, we asked 20,000 people about the most valuable things in their lives. The majority of participants cited their dreams, goals and experiences as the most important. This illustrates the deep-rooted human desire for purpose and fulfillment, which can often be found in the pursuit of our dreams. On the flip side, the study also revealed that the number one regret people have at the end of their lives is not following their dreams. This highlights the importance of dream pursuit for well-being and overall life satisfaction.
In the context of the workplace, supporting your employees' dreams can have a profound impact. It can drive engagement, productivity, and loyalty, while also enhancing the organization's reputation and its ability to attract top talent. Helping employees follow their dreams is not just a feel-good initiative, but a strategic imperative for any organization that wants to thrive in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world of remote work, AI, and a multi-generational workforce.
By recognizing the importance of dreams, providing the resources and support employees need to pursue them, and creating a culture that celebrates progress and achievement, leaders can unlock the full potential of their people and their organizations.
Have you ever watched a stone being thrown into a still pond? The impact creates ripples that spread out in every direction, each one creating its own mini-wave that influences the water around it. In many ways, the pursuit of our dreams works the same way.
When we take steps towards our goals and aspirations, we set off a chain reaction of positive impact that extends far beyond ourselves. We inspire others to chase their own dreams, we create opportunities for collaboration and connection, and we contribute to a culture of growth and possibility.
Burnout has become an all-too-familiar buzzword in today's workplace. With over half of employees reporting that they've experienced symptoms of burnout, it's clear that this is not just an individual problem, but an organizational one. And while there's no simple solution, there is one often-overlooked antidote: fostering meaningful connections among team members.
Think about a time when you felt truly burned out at work. Chances are, you also felt isolated, unsupported, and disconnected from your colleagues. Now, think about a time when you felt energized and engaged. I bet you can recall a strong sense of camaraderie, collaboration, and shared purpose with your team.
The truth is, we're wired for connection. When we feel a sense of belonging and support at work, we're more resilient in the face of challenges. We're more likely to take risks, speak up with new ideas, and go the extra mile for our colleagues. On the flip side, when we feel lonely and disconnected, our performance and well-being suffer.
So, how can leaders foster more meaningful connections in the workplace? Start by creating opportunities for your team members to get to know each other beyond their job titles. Encourage sharing of personal stories, hobbies, and goals. Implement team-building activities that focus on vulnerability and trust, like "Share Your Defining Moment" or "Gratitude Circles." And don't underestimate the power of simply leading with empathy and compassion, especially during times of stress or uncertainty.
By prioritizing connection, you're not just combating burnout – you're unlocking the full potential of your team. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they bring their best ideas and their most authentic selves to the table. And that's the foundation of a truly thriving organization.
To celebrate the launch of our audiobook!
Here's the link: https://a.co/d/1M1QuMC
Invest in Your Employees Dreams, Watch Your Business Grow.
We created this book to provide tools for everyone from small business owners to CEO’s of global brands to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to be their best selves, both personally and professionally – which directly impacts the bottom line.
When you were a kid, you needed permission for everything. Permission from your parents to watch TV, permission from the teacher to go to the bathroom. Raise your hand, get in line, wait your turn. Obviously, that goes away as you get older… but maybe not entirely.
Because many adults act like they’re still waiting for permission to do what they actually want, especially when what they want isn’t so easy to reach. They tell themselves they can’t, for all kinds of reasons. It’s not the right time, they’re not ready, they’re not good enough, it’s a silly idea, it’s not prudent. No one else around them is doing that kind of thing. It would be selfish or reckless or arrogant to try.
How would you feel if we said right now that you have permission?
Here it is, in black and white: your permission slip. You have permission to take an acting class, go to Bangkok, paint a mountain landscape, learn to make Ethiopian food. To ask for a promotion. To try something new. To change. Even to fail.
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https://www.speakinc.com/speakers/Bridget-Hilton/
Time is truly our most valuable natural resource… but we don’t treat it that way. In fact, people tend to be pretty oblivious about where their time goes and why. That’s how they end up “busy” from dawn to dusk and yet somehow not doing anything they actually want to do. When we (mistakenly) act as if there will always be more time, we never get around to achieving our dreams and goals.
“Time” is a paradox. Something that parents of young children say all the time is that “the years are short, but the days are long.” And that’s how life actually is.
This was all possible because I had allowed my dreams to evolve and grow over time.
Like mine, your vision is not set in stone. It will change as you get older, discover new things, and meet new people—and that’s okay. You may find that after years or even decades pursuing the same thing, you’ve gotten everything out of it that you can, or it turned out to be different from what you expected, or it just doesn’t excite you the way it once did.
Stay attuned to those feelings. As risky as it may feel to change course, the greater risk is staying in a career, business, or relationship even when it no longer feels right. Sadly, people do this all the time. They get trapped by golden handcuffs, trading years of misery for shiny benefits they may or may not live to enjoy. Or they look back at all the time and effort they’ve invested in their path and can’t bear to see it go to “waste.” Or they feel overwhelmed by the challenge of starting something new.
Ever find yourself questioning the true essence of wealth? It's a sentiment many of us share. In a world that often equates prosperity with the thickness of our wallets, let's take a moment to ponder a simple yet profound truth: wealth isn't just about money; it's about the richness of our experiences.
In today’s episode of the Win Monday podcast, we are delighted to introduce two extraordinary individuals, Bridget Hilton and Joe Huff, authors of the book Experiential Billionaire. They have lived a life filled with diverse and adventurous experiences, from training as samurais to dancing with the northern lights, and even standing face-to-face with hungry lions on safari. Today, we delve into their journeys and the lessons they've learned along the way.
In our conversation, Bridget and Joe share their journeys of self-discovery, the importance of experiences over material wealth, and their shift in perspective on life after facing personal challenges. They also provide practical advice on how to start living a life focused on experiences, emphasizing the importance of taking small steps toward achieving one's dreams and goals. They conclude by encouraging listeners to become experiential billionaires by embracing a life filled with meaningful experiences.
When’s the last time you did something just for the sheer fun of it?
I’m not talking about big vacations or meticulously planned outings. I mean those little, impromptu acts of joy. Like diving into a pile of leaves, fully knowing you’ll have to rake them up again. Or maybe having a random dance-off in your living room, or deciding to cook a fancy dinner on a Tuesday night, just for kicks.
Or maybe it is it is about those bigger dreams – like finally taking that trip you’ve always talked about, riding in a hot air balloon, or learning to snowboard, regardless of your age.
These moments, big or small, are what make life vibrant. They remind us that joy isn’t just in grand gestures or milestones. Often, it’s the spontaneous, simple things that leave a lasting impression.
So that’s what we’re talking about today.
Bridget Hilton, author of Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experiences and Die With No Regrets, says the brain’s amygdala is largely responsible for the adult urge to opt out of new activities. “The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and can trigger a fear response when faced with uncertainty, making individuals hesitant to step out of their comfort zones,” she says. “When you’re in fight-or-flight mode, everything you do or don’t do teaches the brain something about the perceived threat. When you avoid or flee the situation, your brain experiences a wave of relief. The amygdala learns that avoiding that situation is how you stay safe from that threat.”
Because neural pathways become more established with age, many of us find it increasingly difficult to branch out and try new things as adults. “Children are generally more open to exploration due to their natural curiosity and the brain’s heightened plasticity,” Hilton says. While everyone is different in terms of when and why anxiety arises at the prospect of new experiences, adolescence typically introduces fears of failure and social rejection, while adulthood exacerbates pressures to conform to social norms while established routines and habits are continuously reinforced.
Bridget and Joe surveyed over 20,000 people from all walks of life and the result is eye opening. People’s regrets are very similar no matter their age and income status and in our conversation, we talk about why people often put things that matter in the fictional world of ‘someday.’ But more importantly, we talk about the exercises described in their book that can help you have that sense of urgency to start doing the things you love.
If you have a bucket list that you’ve stowed away in that fictional world of ‘someday’ because you think you don’t have the time or resources to do them or they’re simply too big to make them happen, this episode is for you. Our conversation will walk you through the actions you can take to start building a life rich in experiences with no regrets.
As my mentor (and epic human) Josh Linkner says - there's a word in sanskrit, Muditā, that means "Delighting in other people’s success, good fortune, and well-being.” I've met so many speakers through I11 that I take so much joy in seeing their personal and career growth and learn so much from.