Effective Challenge - The Podcast

In this week's episode of the Effective Challenge podcast, I delve into the topic of 360 Degree Appraisal, a powerful development tool that has become increasingly popular in the HR world. While the 360 is a valuable tool that can deliver significant benefits, it's important to be aware of certain key factors in order to get the most out of the appraisal exercise. Failure to do so can result in a misfire and lead to inaccurate or misleading results. If you're unfamiliar with 360 appraisals and want to learn more about how to interpret your results effectively, then this podcast is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how to unlock the full potential of 360 Degree Appraisal and use it to supercharge your personal and professional growth. If you have any thoughts, questions or suggestions you’d like to see covered in future episodes, please drop me a mail – damian@effectivechallenge.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/effective-challenge/message

In this week's episode, we delve back into the fascinating topic of managing our thoughts and emotions.   During a recent conversation, I encountered someone who was amused by their own anxiety over a situation that ultimately didn't come to fruition. It got me thinking about how our minds can sometimes lead us astray, conjuring up unnecessary worries and obstacles that hinder our growth and progress.   In this episode, we explore the root causes of these unhelpful patterns of thinking, and I share a practical approach for managing them. By categorising our negative thoughts, we can help unlock our true potential and achieve better results in all areas of our lives. So, join me as we explore how to interpret our inner dialogue and unleash more of our potential.   Thank you for listening to the Effective Challenge podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, we would greatly appreciate it if you could hit the subscribe button and share it with friends, colleagues or social media; it really makes a diff

Welcome to the latest episode of the Effective Challenge Podcast, where I delve into the popular topic of productivity. In this episode, I'll be sharing my experience with David Allen's deceptive, yet for many people, game-changing 2-minute rule, as outlined in his book, Getting Things Done. At first glance, this rule might seem overly simplistic, but I'll explain how it can have a profound impact on your ability to clear your mind, build momentum and tackle tasks with renewed focus and efficiency. If you're someone who's struggling to keep up with a never-ending range of 'stuff' to do or just looking to get more productive so you have more time for other activities, this episode is definitely for you. As always, I value your feedback and welcome any thoughts or questions you might have. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at damian@effectivechallenge.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/effective-challenge/message

ECP039 - Strategic Execution - the importance of patience Welcome to this week's episode, where we'll discuss the crucial role of patience in strategic execution. We all know how frustrating it can be when a well-crafted strategy fails to produce the desired results, and we're left wondering whether we should abandon it altogether. However, often, the key to success lies not in scrapping the strategy altogether but in exercising patience and adapting our approach based on the results we are seeing.   During this episode, we'll delve into the dictionary definition of patience and explore why it can be so challenging to practice it consistently. To illustrate this point, we'll draw on a powerful example from the world of women's professional cycling, where perseverance over many years has unlocked success for the sport.   Finally, I’ll outline a three-stage framework for thinking about executing strategies that can be applied at an individual, team, or organisational level. I’ll also in

Welcome to this week's episode, where we delve into the important topic of Personal Accountability. In a slight departure from our usual format, I share a poem that I read a long time ago and how it resonates with me to this day. The poem is called "The Man in the Mirror" by Dale Wimbrow.   Throughout the episode, we explore various themes, including the influence of other people, personal integrity, personal accountability, values, beliefs, and the pursuit of 'things' at the expense of our medium to long-term happiness. We also discuss the importance of defining your own version of success, as well as the potential pitfalls of relentlessly pursuing external success at all costs.   To illustrate this point, we use the example of Lance Armstrong and the impact that the pursuit of external success can have on both the individual and those around them.   So join us as we reflect on the importance of personal accountability and the role it plays in our lives. Whether you're looking to m

In this week's episode, we delve into an important but often overlooked aspect of productivity: the damaging effects of self-criticism. Throughout the episode, we explore the following topics: The origins of the pressure to be productive and how it has evolved over time, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The negative consequences of self-blame and destructive behaviors resulting from self-criticism. Strategies for interrupting negative self-talk, cultivating objectivity, and adjusting our language to avoid self-criticism. The importance of proactive self-care and considerations to keep in mind when prioritizing our well-being. The challenges of reconciling our expectations with the realities of productivity, and how to avoid the trap of perfectionism. By the end of this episode, listeners will have gained valuable insights into the importance of self-compassion in achieving productivity and personal fulfillment. If you have any observations, thoughts or questions please messag

In this week's episode, I delve into the important and unavoidable topic of "other people's opinions". I start by examining three general considerations associated with opinions and then move on to explore three positive characteristics, three potential downsides, and three ways to use the opinions you receive. Opinions are ubiquitous and shaped by our upbringing, life experiences, and environment. We tend to share them when prompted and sometimes even when we aren’t. While opinions can be valuable, they can also have a less helpful side. Therefore, it's crucial to have a personal approach to managing this potentially important or damaging input. If you're unsure how to make the most of different perspectives, handle bias, or learn to trust yourself when it comes to opinions, this episode is a must-listen. If you have any questions, thoughts or observations, please leave a message or drop me an email ⁠damian@effectivechallenge.com⁠ Please subscribe, share or review the podcast it really helps when you do.

In this week's episode, I discuss the topic of pursuing progression.  To do this, I talk about the importance of having real clarity on what you are pursuing and considering this from several perspectives. I then consider what it means to progress and provide three areas to consider, our behaviours, skills and knowledge. Please message me at damian@effectivechallenge.com with any thoughts, comments or questions you may have. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

ECP034 – Halting that negative imagination In this episode of the Effective Challenge Podcast, I’ll explore the power of imagination and its impact on our lives. Specifically, I’ll discuss the value of positive versus negative imagination and how each can affect our responses to the world around us. As human beings, we have the unique ability to imagine both positive and negative situations. While negative imagination can help us prepare for potential dangers and manage risks, it can also lead to anxiety, stress, and pessimism. Which, for many people, leads us to fall short of all that we could achieve. On the other hand, positive imagination can inspire hope, optimism, and creativity and even help us manifest our dreams and goals. In this episode, I’m responding to a question a llistener asked after hearing last week's episode – making difficult decisions. I’ll share some of my own experiences of a tendency to focus on risks at the expense of more positive thinking; I also discuss approaches I’ve been using

Every day we make decisions that have the potential to change the course of our lives. But we rarely stop and think about how to get better at making these decisions. This is a topic of interest based on the messages I received from episode 31  of the Effective Challenge podcast Valuing Decisions. And that's not surprising given the impact decisions have on our productivity, effectiveness and happiness. In this episode, I discuss ten questions to help improve the quality of your decision-making.  Will I regret not starting in 12 months? What is the risk of doing nothing? Will I regret this on my deathbed? How certain do I need to be? What would my Virtual Master mind group advise? What if I viewed this as an experiment? Does this energise or drain me? Will this make me proud? Is this the sort of person I want to be? What are my stop criteria? If you have any comments, observations or questions, please drop me a message : damian@effetivechallenge.com Please subscribe and share the p

ECP032 Anger is a volatile fuel In this episode, I explore an important subject of Emotional Intelligence. I look at the topic of anger following something I'd read from one of the Stoics. The podcast explores two questions: What might the issues be with operating from a place of anger? What are things we might be able to do to help manage and sometimes avoid anger altogether? Please contact me with any thoughts, comments or observations. damian@effectivechallenge.com or connect on LinkedIn, where I am most active. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

ECP 031 – Valuing Decisions In this episode, I look at the importance of values and having a bigger-picture framework to help make decisions. Given the high volume of decisions we make in any one day, having an approach to help us can lead to improved productivity and results. Which ultimately enhances our health and happiness.  The cast also gives an overview of the Stanford University Decision Quality framework. Stanford has been researching decisions since the 1960s and, as a result, has a substantial body of academic research that underpins its work. If you are someone who has never really thought about your values, then this free template could help you step back and consider which values are most important to you. If you have any thoughts, comments or observations, please drop me a mail at damian@effectivechallenge.comor follow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-piper/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

Welcome back. This is the first Effective Challenge Podcast since March 2020.   In this short episode, I talk about the reasons why there has been such a gap since episode 029. I also ask listeners to consider the impact of the stories they might be telling themselves and do they help or hinder. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

In this weeks episode, I give a reminder of the PRIME model which I've referenced on the podcast previously.  The PRIME model provides a basis to consider our personal foundations. These feel more important than ever given the challenges of the Coronavirus which is impacting the UK and beyond. I then go on to talk about an approach which can help you respond to situations when our plans change.  I use my own plan to ride the 2020 Tour of Flanders (Project Ronde) which understandably got cancelled as a basis to demonstrate the approach being used. These are unprecedented times. The importance of looking after ourselves has never been more important. If you feel someone you know might benefit from the content of this podcast please share it with them. I'd be really grateful. Please drop me a line to damian@effectivechallenge.com if you have any thoughts, questions or observations. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

ECP 028 How does your environment shape what you do? In this episode, I take a look at Rangan Chatterjee's interview with John McAvoy.  John's McAvoy transformed his life from convicted armed robber to elite Nike sponsored athlete.  I consider what lessons we can extract from his experiences. I personally took so much away from this interview. I've pulled out five areas to share: · When our environment is all-consuming it's hard to see let alone question anything different. · Different role models create a different impact. · There can be a real benefit in not having benchmarks. · Applying talents to different things can generate very different results. · Judge people cautiously I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback - damian@effectivechallenge.com Please share the podcast with friends, colleagues and family. I'd love to continue increasing its impact in 2020. Many thanks in advance. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

ECP 027 O to the Q - Promoted from Within In this episode, I respond to a question from a listener who has been promoted from within a team and is concerned about the impact this could have on her relationship with her colleagues. In addition, I respond to a question about last weeks episode relating to breathing to help become more present.  The Box Breathing technique is recommended as one of a number of different approaches to help generally calm unhelpful thinking down. Here's a link to a youTube video to help facilitate your own Box Breathing exploration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJJazKtH_9I&t=51s As always I'm interested in any thoughts or comments you may have about the episode, please drop me a line to damian@effectivechallenge.com If you know someone who you think could benefit from the podcast then please share it with them.  Many thanks in advance. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

In this episode, I discuss the habit we can get into where we construct a mental bridge between where we are today to a place in the future I call FUDLand.  FUDLand is a place of fear, uncertainty and doubt. There are some unhelpful consequences of this type of thinking. I also consider some alternative ideas about how you might shift your thinking to become more present. Please let me know your thoughts and feedback - damian@effectivechallenge.com Please share as I'd love to increase the reach of the podcast.  Who do you know who might benefit from this episode?   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

In this episode, I consider the impact the stories we tell ourselves can have on our actual behaviour.  Based on a real-life experience I witnessed in a coffee shop and the reaction someone had to spilling a cup of coffee. I pose the question to consider what stories you are telling yourself and if they are helping or hindering. Any comments or observations please drop me a line to damian@effectivechallenge.com I'm really keen to increase the impact of the Effective Challenge Podcast so I'd be really grateful if you could share or review it. Many thanks in advance.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

Questioning Quotes - in this episode, I discuss a William Shakespear quote "there is no go or bad, only our minds make it so". I consider what could have been behind the quote and how it might apply to our everyday lives. I also observe the connection with many of the things we talk about today in the context of mental health. I'd be really interested in hearing which quotes inspire you, particularly if they are from way back yet feel really relevant to life in 2020. Please drop me a line to damian@effectivechallenge.com I'd really like to increase the impact of the podcast in 2020.  Please share with someone you know who is looking to improve their performance and results. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message

ECP 023 Don't overlook the youth Something a bit different in this episode.  I have a special guest to talk with.  Amelie, my daughter. We discuss: Tech Cooking Techniques for learning The art of influence and persuasion As always the cast draws out some practical things we can do to work on our own performance. Amelie will definitely be back for future episodes. I'm keen to increase the impact of the Effective Challenge podcast so please share with at least one person who may find the content useful or could do with something a little lighter in their podcast feed.  Please share any comments and or observations with damian@effectivechallenge.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/effective-challenge/message