1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:02,000 Good morning. 2 01:00:03,958 --> 01:00:06,041 And welcome to morning cereal 3 01:00:12,041 --> 01:00:12,916 All right, good morning 4 01:00:12,916 --> 01:00:14,291 and welcome to Tuesday. 5 01:00:15,000 --> 01:00:17,583 Well, today is May 20th and it's brimming 6 01:00:17,583 --> 01:00:19,458 with quirky celebrations, right? 7 01:00:19,458 --> 01:00:21,375 It's National Quiche Lorraine Day. 8 01:00:21,625 --> 01:00:23,875 Now, my wife would enjoy a savory slice 9 01:00:24,083 --> 01:00:25,500 of this French delight. 10 01:00:26,000 --> 01:00:26,916 Although I'm good 11 01:00:26,916 --> 01:00:28,041 with just scrambled eggs, 12 01:00:28,041 --> 01:00:29,333 but make sure they're scrambled well. 13 01:00:30,083 --> 01:00:32,625 And for the ambitious among us, 14 01:00:32,666 --> 01:00:34,833 it's national, be a millionaire day. 15 01:00:35,375 --> 01:00:36,583 And I've not seen any 16 01:00:36,583 --> 01:00:38,291 instructions on how to do this, 17 01:00:38,416 --> 01:00:39,458 so I'm just gonna have to 18 01:00:39,458 --> 01:00:40,500 get back to you on that one. 19 01:00:41,083 --> 01:00:43,500 But maybe an easier box to check today 20 01:00:43,625 --> 01:00:45,916 is it's National Pick A Strawberry Day. 21 01:00:46,208 --> 01:00:47,125 So get out there, dig 22 01:00:47,125 --> 01:00:48,000 in the dirt a little bit 23 01:00:48,000 --> 01:00:49,125 and enjoy the season. 24 01:00:49,958 --> 01:00:51,000 Well, let's kick off the 25 01:00:51,000 --> 01:00:52,083 day with some inspiration 26 01:00:52,333 --> 01:00:54,958 from the icon Cher, who said, 27 01:00:55,375 --> 01:00:56,625 "I've always taken 28 01:00:56,625 --> 01:00:58,166 risks and never worried 29 01:00:58,166 --> 01:00:59,958 what the world might really think of me." 30 01:01:00,166 --> 01:01:00,541 End quote. 31 01:01:01,083 --> 01:01:02,708 And this is a great reminder from Cher 32 01:01:02,708 --> 01:01:04,208 that playing it safe rarely 33 01:01:04,208 --> 01:01:06,041 leads to standout moments, 34 01:01:06,625 --> 01:01:08,083 but measured boldness 35 01:01:08,083 --> 01:01:09,750 usually has its own rewards. 36 01:01:10,875 --> 01:01:12,166 All right, well, today's 37 01:01:12,166 --> 01:01:13,333 news facts and birthdays 38 01:01:13,333 --> 01:01:14,833 are for May 20th. 39 01:01:14,833 --> 01:01:16,375 We're gonna start back in 1873, 40 01:01:16,375 --> 01:01:17,291 and that's when everybody's 41 01:01:17,291 --> 01:01:18,916 favorite old pair of blue jeans, 42 01:01:19,583 --> 01:01:20,791 they were patented by 43 01:01:20,791 --> 01:01:22,583 Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. 44 01:01:23,541 --> 01:01:24,208 Then we're gonna jump 45 01:01:24,208 --> 01:01:25,833 up to 1932 on this date 46 01:01:25,833 --> 01:01:28,166 when Amelia Earhart, she departed 47 01:01:28,166 --> 01:01:29,250 Newfoundland, Canada 48 01:01:29,750 --> 01:01:31,583 on her solo flight across the Atlantic, 49 01:01:31,916 --> 01:01:33,083 and she became the first 50 01:01:33,083 --> 01:01:34,333 woman to achieve this feat. 51 01:01:35,166 --> 01:01:36,625 Then up to 1983, 52 01:01:36,875 --> 01:01:38,666 that's when the police song, 53 01:01:39,083 --> 01:01:40,000 "Every Breath You Take," 54 01:01:40,541 --> 01:01:41,833 it was released on this date. 55 01:01:42,500 --> 01:01:43,458 Now, I wonder how long 56 01:01:43,458 --> 01:01:44,708 until that song shows up 57 01:01:44,708 --> 01:01:46,083 as a number one hit down 58 01:01:46,083 --> 01:01:47,083 here in our music section. 59 01:01:48,041 --> 01:01:50,666 Well, lastly, on 2006 on this date, 60 01:01:51,041 --> 01:01:53,083 the Three Gorges Dam, the 61 01:01:53,083 --> 01:01:54,833 world's largest power station 62 01:01:54,833 --> 01:01:56,750 by installed capacity was 63 01:01:56,750 --> 01:01:59,000 officially opened in China. 64 01:01:59,458 --> 01:02:00,083 If you're not aware of 65 01:02:00,083 --> 01:02:01,375 this thing, Google it. 66 01:02:01,375 --> 01:02:02,500 It's crazy big. 67 01:02:03,416 --> 01:02:04,333 All right, well, here 68 01:02:04,333 --> 01:02:05,500 are the top news stories 69 01:02:05,583 --> 01:02:06,916 making headlines today 70 01:02:06,916 --> 01:02:08,375 as of this recording. 71 01:02:09,125 --> 01:02:09,750 First, The Wall 72 01:02:09,750 --> 01:02:10,791 Street Journal is reporting 73 01:02:10,791 --> 01:02:12,458 that the US Treasury yields, 74 01:02:12,708 --> 01:02:15,166 they surged amid economic uncertainty. 75 01:02:15,875 --> 01:02:17,458 Now, the yield on the US 76 01:02:17,458 --> 01:02:19,083 Treasury bond briefly surpassed 77 01:02:19,291 --> 01:02:21,083 5% early trading this morning, 78 01:02:21,500 --> 01:02:23,625 which is reflecting investor concerns 79 01:02:23,791 --> 01:02:25,625 over economic uncertainty 80 01:02:25,625 --> 01:02:27,541 and the recent credit rating 81 01:02:27,541 --> 01:02:29,083 downgrades that I talked about yesterday. 82 01:02:29,708 --> 01:02:31,791 Now, this marks the highest level 83 01:02:31,958 --> 01:02:34,416 since the 2008 financial crisis. 84 01:02:34,416 --> 01:02:35,375 You guys remember that right? 85 01:02:36,083 --> 01:02:37,250 Indicating potential 86 01:02:37,250 --> 01:02:39,083 challenges for long-term 87 01:02:39,208 --> 01:02:40,291 borrowing costs. 88 01:02:40,958 --> 01:02:42,750 All right, secondly here, JPMorgan Chase, 89 01:02:43,041 --> 01:02:43,666 they're looking at 90 01:02:43,666 --> 01:02:45,416 potentially making a leadership change 91 01:02:45,416 --> 01:02:46,750 at their CEO position. 92 01:02:47,541 --> 01:02:49,291 At their annual investor day, 93 01:02:49,291 --> 01:02:50,625 top executives showcase 94 01:02:50,625 --> 01:02:51,833 their kind of credentials 95 01:02:52,083 --> 01:02:53,708 as potential successors 96 01:02:53,708 --> 01:02:55,500 to the CEO Jamie Dimon, 97 01:02:56,000 --> 01:02:57,625 who announced plans to 98 01:02:57,625 --> 01:02:59,166 step down within five years. 99 01:02:59,625 --> 01:03:00,916 Now, the succession planning 100 01:03:00,916 --> 01:03:02,583 has garnered significant attention, 101 01:03:02,750 --> 01:03:03,875 given Jamie Dimon's 102 01:03:03,875 --> 01:03:05,916 influence over politics 103 01:03:05,916 --> 01:03:06,833 and the economics, 104 01:03:07,083 --> 01:03:08,000 he's had a lot of 105 01:03:08,000 --> 01:03:09,166 influence over his tenure. 106 01:03:09,625 --> 01:03:10,416 And the bank's grown 107 01:03:10,416 --> 01:03:12,000 substantially under his leadership. 108 01:03:12,583 --> 01:03:14,375 And lastly, our president is out there 109 01:03:14,416 --> 01:03:15,625 engaging in diplomacy talks 110 01:03:15,625 --> 01:03:17,291 to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 111 01:03:17,833 --> 01:03:18,416 Well, apparently 112 01:03:18,416 --> 01:03:19,500 there's been some phone calls 113 01:03:19,500 --> 01:03:20,833 that are having with all the presidents 114 01:03:21,083 --> 01:03:23,291 and quite a few European leaders as well 115 01:03:23,750 --> 01:03:25,791 in an effort to negotiate an end 116 01:03:25,791 --> 01:03:27,916 to this ongoing war in Ukraine. 117 01:03:28,541 --> 01:03:29,541 Now, the discussions are following 118 01:03:29,708 --> 01:03:31,125 recent prisoner exchange agreements 119 01:03:31,291 --> 01:03:32,416 between Russia and Ukraine, 120 01:03:32,916 --> 01:03:34,291 though a comprehensive ceasefire 121 01:03:34,458 --> 01:03:36,000 still was remaining elusive. 122 01:03:36,916 --> 01:03:38,208 Well, happy birthday to you. 123 01:03:38,208 --> 01:03:39,333 Today is your birthday. 124 01:03:39,541 --> 01:03:41,500 You share a birthday with Busta Bus. 125 01:03:41,958 --> 01:03:42,875 He's one of the fastest 126 01:03:42,875 --> 01:03:43,958 rappers that I know of. 127 01:03:44,333 --> 01:03:45,708 Busta Rhymes, he's 52. 128 01:03:46,458 --> 01:03:48,291 And three-time NASCAR Cup Series 129 01:03:48,291 --> 01:03:49,500 champion, Tony Stewart, 130 01:03:49,500 --> 01:03:50,583 he's 53 today. 131 01:03:51,208 --> 01:03:53,041 Then actor recognized for his roles 132 01:03:53,041 --> 01:03:54,500 in "Justified" and "Deadwood." 133 01:03:55,208 --> 01:03:57,291 Timothy Oliphant, he's 56 today. 134 01:03:57,875 --> 01:03:58,833 And lastly, Grammy 135 01:03:58,833 --> 01:04:00,458 Award-winning singer and actress 136 01:04:00,583 --> 01:04:02,125 known for her distinctive voice 137 01:04:02,125 --> 01:04:03,250 and her enduring 138 01:04:03,250 --> 01:04:05,583 presence in pop culture, Cher, 139 01:04:05,833 --> 01:04:07,208 she turned 78 today. 140 01:04:07,958 --> 01:04:08,833 Well, the number one 141 01:04:08,833 --> 01:04:11,041 song on this date in 1986 142 01:04:11,458 --> 01:04:13,541 was "The Greatest Love of 143 01:04:13,541 --> 01:04:14,958 All" by Whitney Houston. 144 01:04:15,666 --> 01:04:17,583 Now, this song was originally recorded 145 01:04:17,833 --> 01:04:19,833 by George Benson in 1977, 146 01:04:20,583 --> 01:04:22,333 but it was reimagined by Whitney Houston 147 01:04:22,333 --> 01:04:23,458 for her debut album. 148 01:04:24,250 --> 01:04:25,500 And despite initial 149 01:04:25,500 --> 01:04:26,791 resistance from her label, 150 01:04:27,125 --> 01:04:28,958 the track was released as a single 151 01:04:29,208 --> 01:04:31,458 and it became her third number one hit 152 01:04:31,708 --> 01:04:33,083 from her debut album, 153 01:04:33,083 --> 01:04:34,833 with the other two number one hits being 154 01:04:35,083 --> 01:04:36,000 "Saving All My Love For 155 01:04:36,000 --> 01:04:37,666 You" and "How Will I Know?" 156 01:04:38,333 --> 01:04:39,583 I love these songs. 157 01:04:39,583 --> 01:04:40,500 They take me right 158 01:04:40,500 --> 01:04:42,083 back to those magical 80s. 159 01:04:42,916 --> 01:04:44,041 Well, let's jump right 160 01:04:44,041 --> 01:04:45,666 into our magical final segment 161 01:04:45,666 --> 01:04:47,166 for today, the book 162 01:04:47,166 --> 01:04:48,833 review of Stephen R. Covey's 163 01:04:48,833 --> 01:04:49,666 "The Seven Habits of 164 01:04:49,666 --> 01:04:50,875 Highly Effective People." 165 01:04:51,333 --> 01:04:52,166 And today we're gonna 166 01:04:52,166 --> 01:04:53,583 be wrapping up habit one, 167 01:04:53,916 --> 01:04:55,000 "Be Proactive." 168 01:04:55,291 --> 01:04:55,875 And we're gonna take a 169 01:04:55,875 --> 01:04:57,208 deep look at the sub-chapter, 170 01:04:57,458 --> 01:05:00,083 the proactivity, the 30-day test. 171 01:05:00,833 --> 01:05:02,541 Now, Covey doesn't just 172 01:05:02,541 --> 01:05:04,458 encourage readers to be proactive. 173 01:05:05,000 --> 01:05:06,458 He dares us to prove it. 174 01:05:06,958 --> 01:05:08,416 The 30-day test is a challenge. 175 01:05:08,708 --> 01:05:11,583 For the next month, make and keep small, 176 01:05:11,583 --> 01:05:13,833 but meaningful promises, not 177 01:05:13,833 --> 01:05:16,000 flashy goals or grand gestures, 178 01:05:16,083 --> 01:05:18,416 just quiet, consistent action, 179 01:05:18,416 --> 01:05:20,125 rooted in personal accountability. 180 01:05:21,041 --> 01:05:22,875 Covey writes, quote, "Start keeping 181 01:05:22,875 --> 01:05:23,916 promises to yourself 182 01:05:23,916 --> 01:05:25,791 and others, little promises, 183 01:05:26,041 --> 01:05:28,041 but promises you can make with integrity 184 01:05:28,041 --> 01:05:29,583 and keep," end quote. 185 01:05:30,125 --> 01:05:31,083 So why does this matter? 186 01:05:31,625 --> 01:05:33,166 Because according to Covey, 187 01:05:33,166 --> 01:05:35,083 keeping promises, even tiny ones, 188 01:05:35,083 --> 01:05:37,291 is how we build personal integrity, 189 01:05:37,958 --> 01:05:39,250 which is the foundation 190 01:05:39,250 --> 01:05:40,791 of long-term effectiveness. 191 01:05:41,458 --> 01:05:43,041 When we break our promises, 192 01:05:43,041 --> 01:05:45,750 we erode our internal trust of ourselves. 193 01:05:46,250 --> 01:05:47,750 But when we honor them, 194 01:05:47,750 --> 01:05:49,125 especially when no one's watching, 195 01:05:49,625 --> 01:05:50,916 we create a real 196 01:05:50,916 --> 01:05:52,500 self-confidence within us. 197 01:05:52,916 --> 01:05:55,291 He ties this to his earlier concept 198 01:05:55,541 --> 01:05:56,625 of the circle of influence. 199 01:05:56,916 --> 01:05:57,291 Remember that? 200 01:05:57,666 --> 01:05:59,500 If you focus your energy on 201 01:05:59,500 --> 01:06:01,166 things you can control, right? 202 01:06:01,166 --> 01:06:01,875 Your words, your 203 01:06:01,875 --> 01:06:02,791 actions, your commitments, 204 01:06:03,625 --> 01:06:05,416 that circle expands. 205 01:06:05,916 --> 01:06:07,166 But if you waste your energy 206 01:06:07,166 --> 01:06:09,458 on things outside of your control, right? 207 01:06:09,458 --> 01:06:10,291 Remember, blame, 208 01:06:10,625 --> 01:06:12,208 resentment, external validation, 209 01:06:12,833 --> 01:06:14,583 your influence then shrinks. 210 01:06:15,416 --> 01:06:18,166 So the 30-day test helps 211 01:06:18,166 --> 01:06:19,916 us retrain our attention 212 01:06:20,041 --> 01:06:22,000 toward inward accountability 213 01:06:22,000 --> 01:06:23,916 rather than outward excuses. 214 01:06:25,208 --> 01:06:26,500 Covey also offers 215 01:06:26,500 --> 01:06:28,000 practical examples here. 216 01:06:28,708 --> 01:06:30,375 If you want to strengthen a relationship, 217 01:06:30,833 --> 01:06:33,000 he suggests writing a note of 218 01:06:33,000 --> 01:06:34,666 appreciation once a week. 219 01:06:35,416 --> 01:06:36,333 If you want to improve 220 01:06:36,333 --> 01:06:37,458 your physical health, 221 01:06:37,833 --> 01:06:38,916 commit to exercising 222 01:06:38,916 --> 01:06:41,166 for just 15 minutes a day. 223 01:06:41,791 --> 01:06:43,916 These are small wins, but 224 01:06:43,916 --> 01:06:45,500 when you stack them up daily, 225 01:06:45,791 --> 01:06:47,208 they become character. 226 01:06:48,208 --> 01:06:49,333 He writes, quote, "Don't 227 01:06:49,333 --> 01:06:50,625 make these promises lightly. 228 01:06:51,208 --> 01:06:52,583 Make them with clear understanding 229 01:06:52,750 --> 01:06:53,541 that you're building 230 01:06:53,541 --> 01:06:54,750 strength of character, 231 01:06:55,333 --> 01:06:57,041 a muscle commitment," end quote. 232 01:06:58,083 --> 01:07:00,416 Now, that metaphor is spot on. 233 01:07:00,916 --> 01:07:02,875 Proactivity is a muscle, 234 01:07:03,375 --> 01:07:05,208 and this test is your 235 01:07:05,208 --> 01:07:07,166 personal gym, if you will. 236 01:07:07,916 --> 01:07:09,083 All right, here's the takeaway. 237 01:07:09,875 --> 01:07:12,208 The 30-day test isn't about perfection. 238 01:07:12,625 --> 01:07:13,833 It's about consistency. 239 01:07:14,583 --> 01:07:16,500 Start small, follow through, 240 01:07:17,041 --> 01:07:18,041 and notice how your 241 01:07:18,041 --> 01:07:20,083 self-trust begins to grow. 242 01:07:20,583 --> 01:07:21,125 Because if you can 243 01:07:21,125 --> 01:07:22,541 trust yourself to show up, 244 01:07:22,625 --> 01:07:23,250 no matter what, 245 01:07:23,708 --> 01:07:25,125 you're already on the path 246 01:07:25,500 --> 01:07:26,833 to lasting change. 247 01:07:27,250 --> 01:07:28,458 And with that, we 248 01:07:28,458 --> 01:07:30,541 officially close Habit One. 249 01:07:30,833 --> 01:07:31,583 Great job, everyone. 250 01:07:32,250 --> 01:07:34,083 All right, well, tomorrow we 251 01:07:34,083 --> 01:07:35,833 open the door to Habit Two. 252 01:07:36,458 --> 01:07:38,458 Begin with the end in mind. 253 01:07:39,666 --> 01:07:41,291 Okay, well, that wraps up 254 01:07:41,291 --> 01:07:42,833 today's edition of Morning Serial. 255 01:07:43,666 --> 01:07:45,041 Embrace the spirit of 256 01:07:45,041 --> 01:07:46,875 National Be A Millionaire Day 257 01:07:47,041 --> 01:07:48,583 by, I don't know, investing 258 01:07:48,583 --> 01:07:50,583 in yourself and your goals. 259 01:07:51,416 --> 01:07:53,000 Remember, greatness often starts 260 01:07:53,000 --> 01:07:55,125 with a single proactive step. 261 01:07:55,708 --> 01:07:56,958 Hey, thanks for joining us today. 262 01:07:56,958 --> 01:07:57,916 Come back tomorrow as we 263 01:07:57,916 --> 01:07:58,916 start Kovey's Second Habit, 264 01:07:59,500 --> 01:08:01,458 and have a fantastic day. 265 01:08:03,500 --> 01:08:05,250 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 266 01:08:05,250 --> 01:08:05,875 the Morning Serial 267 01:08:05,875 --> 01:08:07,500 podcast on the One Life 268 01:08:07,666 --> 01:08:08,500 Live It channel. 269 01:08:09,041 --> 01:08:10,958 You can find more episodes and videos by 270 01:08:10,958 --> 01:08:12,625 visiting our YouTube channel and the 271 01:08:12,625 --> 01:08:14,250 website at seaningless 272 01:08:14,583 --> 01:08:16,750 and at seaningless.com, where you can 273 01:08:16,750 --> 01:08:18,083 also follow our other 274 01:08:18,083 --> 01:08:19,625 podcast, the Mr. and Mrs. 275 01:08:19,625 --> 01:08:20,791 Inglis podcast and the 276 01:08:20,791 --> 01:08:21,791 Life Happens podcast. 277 01:08:22,625 --> 01:08:24,291 In these other podcasts, we'll dive 278 01:08:24,291 --> 01:08:25,666 deeper into everyday issues, 279 01:08:25,958 --> 01:08:26,708 self-improvement and 280 01:08:26,708 --> 01:08:29,208 well-being, business and finance, and we 281 01:08:29,208 --> 01:08:30,458 welcome special guests too. 282 01:08:30,958 --> 01:08:31,708 So join us. 283 01:08:31,708 --> 01:08:33,041 It'll be a good time, I promise. 284 01:08:33,750 --> 01:08:34,625 Thanks again for listening. 285 01:08:34,833 --> 01:08:36,375 Have a fantastic day and 286 01:08:36,375 --> 01:08:37,000 we'll see you tomorrow.