1 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:01,041 (upbeat music) 2 01:00:01,375 --> 01:00:02,166 Good morning. 3 01:00:04,041 --> 01:00:06,208 And welcome to Morning Cereal. 4 01:00:11,833 --> 01:00:14,208 Okay, good morning and welcome to Friday. 5 01:00:14,500 --> 01:00:15,791 You made it to the end of the week 6 01:00:15,791 --> 01:00:17,500 and just in time for two 7 01:00:17,500 --> 01:00:20,000 fantastic national days. 8 01:00:20,000 --> 01:00:20,791 Are you dying to know? 9 01:00:21,166 --> 01:00:21,916 Well, me too. 10 01:00:22,166 --> 01:00:22,791 Well, let's find out. 11 01:00:23,083 --> 01:00:24,791 They're dying to know day 12 01:00:24,791 --> 01:00:26,666 and happiness happens day. 13 01:00:26,958 --> 01:00:28,458 One's about life's big questions, 14 01:00:28,625 --> 01:00:29,166 the other's about 15 01:00:29,166 --> 01:00:30,541 those tiny moments of joy 16 01:00:30,541 --> 01:00:31,791 that sneak up on us. 17 01:00:32,125 --> 01:00:33,583 Kinda like finding that extra 18 01:00:33,583 --> 01:00:35,166 fry at the bottom of the bag 19 01:00:35,250 --> 01:00:36,875 or the extra pickle on 20 01:00:36,875 --> 01:00:37,666 your chicken sandwich. 21 01:00:37,958 --> 01:00:38,875 You know what I'm talking about? 22 01:00:38,875 --> 01:00:39,458 If you know, you know. 23 01:00:39,958 --> 01:00:40,791 All right, well, I 24 01:00:40,791 --> 01:00:42,333 bet you're dying to know 25 01:00:42,416 --> 01:00:44,125 who today's quote is from 26 01:00:44,541 --> 01:00:46,500 and how it's related to this episode. 27 01:00:46,791 --> 01:00:48,000 Well, I'm gonna tell you right now. 28 01:00:48,291 --> 01:00:50,791 Today's quote is from James Hetfield. 29 01:00:51,083 --> 01:00:51,833 That's the front man 30 01:00:51,833 --> 01:00:53,416 of Metallica who said, 31 01:00:54,333 --> 01:00:56,000 never forget where you came from. 32 01:00:56,458 --> 01:00:58,458 It's a simple reminder that our roots, 33 01:00:58,500 --> 01:00:59,916 although they can be messy, 34 01:00:59,916 --> 01:01:01,458 maybe they were magical for you or 35 01:01:01,458 --> 01:01:03,000 somewhere in between. 36 01:01:03,500 --> 01:01:05,666 Those experiences, they shape who we are. 37 01:01:06,041 --> 01:01:07,291 So give yourself credit, 38 01:01:07,291 --> 01:01:09,416 not just for how far you come, 39 01:01:09,916 --> 01:01:11,833 but for what you've come from. 40 01:01:12,500 --> 01:01:13,750 All right, well, today's 41 01:01:13,750 --> 01:01:14,958 news, facts and birthdays 42 01:01:15,125 --> 01:01:16,958 are for August 8th and 43 01:01:16,958 --> 01:01:18,458 we're gonna start back in 1974. 44 01:01:19,041 --> 01:01:21,541 That's when US President Richard Nixon, 45 01:01:21,791 --> 01:01:22,875 he announced that he would 46 01:01:22,875 --> 01:01:25,666 resign at 12 p.m. the next day. 47 01:01:26,416 --> 01:01:28,750 Then moving up to 1988, the Chicago Cubs, 48 01:01:29,166 --> 01:01:30,666 they hosted the first night 49 01:01:30,666 --> 01:01:32,666 game ever at Wrigley Field, 50 01:01:33,125 --> 01:01:35,041 ending a 74 year 51 01:01:35,041 --> 01:01:38,000 tradition of daytime only games. 52 01:01:38,458 --> 01:01:39,541 Well, that game 53 01:01:39,541 --> 01:01:41,625 unfortunately was rained out, 54 01:01:41,625 --> 01:01:43,375 but hey, it was the thought that counts. 55 01:01:44,166 --> 01:01:46,708 And then finally in 1992 on 56 01:01:46,708 --> 01:01:47,875 this day, you might remember, 57 01:01:47,875 --> 01:01:48,833 that's when singer and 58 01:01:48,833 --> 01:01:50,041 guitarist James Hetfield, 59 01:01:50,041 --> 01:01:51,833 our quote giver, he suffered 60 01:01:51,833 --> 01:01:53,541 second and third degree burns 61 01:01:53,791 --> 01:01:56,750 during a pyrotechnic explosion on stage 62 01:01:56,750 --> 01:01:57,625 at Olympic Stadium 63 01:01:57,625 --> 01:01:59,500 during a Metallica concert. 64 01:02:00,333 --> 01:02:01,000 Well, let's move on 65 01:02:01,000 --> 01:02:02,000 to some happier times. 66 01:02:02,458 --> 01:02:03,250 Happy birthday, if 67 01:02:03,250 --> 01:02:04,333 today is your birthday, 68 01:02:04,333 --> 01:02:05,291 you share a birthday 69 01:02:05,291 --> 01:02:06,791 with singer and songwriter, 70 01:02:06,875 --> 01:02:09,500 Shawn Mendes, he turns 27 today. 71 01:02:10,375 --> 01:02:11,416 Swiss tennis legend, 72 01:02:11,416 --> 01:02:13,833 Roger Federer, he's only 44. 73 01:02:14,708 --> 01:02:18,458 And JC Chazez of NSYNC, he's 49 today. 74 01:02:19,041 --> 01:02:20,333 And finally, Oscar 75 01:02:20,333 --> 01:02:22,208 winning actor, Dustin Hoffman, 76 01:02:22,791 --> 01:02:24,083 he turns 88 today. 77 01:02:24,750 --> 01:02:25,916 Well, the number one song 78 01:02:25,916 --> 01:02:28,000 on this date back in 1978, 79 01:02:28,291 --> 01:02:29,791 we're going way back, was 80 01:02:29,791 --> 01:02:31,750 "Grease" by Frankie Valli. 81 01:02:32,291 --> 01:02:33,708 Now I know you remember this, 82 01:02:33,708 --> 01:02:34,625 and it probably makes you 83 01:02:34,625 --> 01:02:36,041 happy just to think about it, 84 01:02:36,041 --> 01:02:37,000 but with a little help 85 01:02:37,000 --> 01:02:38,250 from Barry Gibb songwriting 86 01:02:38,500 --> 01:02:40,125 and John Travolta's 87 01:02:40,125 --> 01:02:41,500 and Olivia Newton-John's, 88 01:02:41,500 --> 01:02:42,041 while they're hip 89 01:02:42,041 --> 01:02:43,250 shaking and they're dancing 90 01:02:43,250 --> 01:02:44,000 and they're singing, 91 01:02:44,500 --> 01:02:45,583 while the title track 92 01:02:45,583 --> 01:02:46,583 of the movie "Grease", 93 01:02:46,583 --> 01:02:49,083 it topped the charts across the globe. 94 01:02:49,708 --> 01:02:52,000 Man, this soundtrack takes me back, 95 01:02:52,083 --> 01:02:53,791 some great songs on this soundtrack. 96 01:02:54,291 --> 01:02:55,791 Now I know I've said it before, 97 01:02:55,791 --> 01:02:57,000 but I still kind of wish 98 01:02:57,125 --> 01:02:58,791 Sandy would have stayed good, Sandy. 99 01:02:59,291 --> 01:03:00,583 Oh well, life goes on. 100 01:03:01,291 --> 01:03:02,750 "Grease" may be the word, 101 01:03:02,750 --> 01:03:04,791 but Stephen R. Covey is the author. 102 01:03:05,166 --> 01:03:06,250 We are still in habit 103 01:03:06,250 --> 01:03:07,458 four of the seven habits 104 01:03:07,458 --> 01:03:08,625 of highly effective people. 105 01:03:09,208 --> 01:03:11,750 And today's focus is on win-win 106 01:03:11,750 --> 01:03:13,166 performance agreements. 107 01:03:13,625 --> 01:03:16,208 So Covey stresses that creating a culture 108 01:03:16,208 --> 01:03:18,666 of shared success means being intentional 109 01:03:18,833 --> 01:03:19,875 about expectations and 110 01:03:19,875 --> 01:03:20,958 responsibilities, right? 111 01:03:21,416 --> 01:03:22,375 That's where win-win 112 01:03:22,375 --> 01:03:24,000 performance agreements come in. 113 01:03:24,416 --> 01:03:25,666 They're not contracts in 114 01:03:25,666 --> 01:03:26,916 the legal sense, right? 115 01:03:26,916 --> 01:03:28,916 But mutual understandings 116 01:03:28,916 --> 01:03:30,291 built on trust, clarity, 117 01:03:30,500 --> 01:03:31,375 and self-management, 118 01:03:31,375 --> 01:03:31,875 some of those things 119 01:03:31,875 --> 01:03:32,833 we've been talking about. 120 01:03:33,375 --> 01:03:35,125 So again, Covey is talking 121 01:03:35,125 --> 01:03:36,500 about how these agreements, 122 01:03:36,500 --> 01:03:37,375 they include those 123 01:03:37,375 --> 01:03:38,708 five critical elements, 124 01:03:39,166 --> 01:03:40,375 desired results, what do 125 01:03:40,375 --> 01:03:41,125 you want to accomplish, 126 01:03:41,375 --> 01:03:42,166 guidelines, what are the 127 01:03:42,166 --> 01:03:43,458 boundaries and rules, resources, 128 01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:44,833 what support is 129 01:03:44,833 --> 01:03:46,125 available, accountability, 130 01:03:46,708 --> 01:03:47,875 how will we measure 131 01:03:47,875 --> 01:03:49,000 success and consequences, 132 01:03:49,375 --> 01:03:50,958 what happens based on the results. 133 01:03:51,500 --> 01:03:52,500 And Covey notes, quote, 134 01:03:52,750 --> 01:03:53,791 these agreements shift 135 01:03:53,791 --> 01:03:55,500 the paradigm of control. 136 01:03:56,000 --> 01:03:57,416 The focus is on results, 137 01:03:57,416 --> 01:03:58,875 not methods, end quote. 138 01:03:59,416 --> 01:04:01,291 Now that means you're not micromanaging 139 01:04:01,291 --> 01:04:02,416 how someone else gets there. 140 01:04:02,416 --> 01:04:03,083 You're agreeing on 141 01:04:03,083 --> 01:04:04,333 what success looks like 142 01:04:04,666 --> 01:04:06,958 and trusting them to find the best path. 143 01:04:07,500 --> 01:04:08,750 Now, one of Covey's 144 01:04:08,750 --> 01:04:10,500 examples includes a manager 145 01:04:10,625 --> 01:04:11,791 working with an employee 146 01:04:11,791 --> 01:04:13,583 to outline expectations 147 01:04:13,875 --> 01:04:15,375 and leave space for 148 01:04:15,375 --> 01:04:16,666 creativity within there. 149 01:04:17,083 --> 01:04:18,625 Now, the magic of this approach, 150 01:04:19,083 --> 01:04:20,791 it invites ownership, right? 151 01:04:20,791 --> 01:04:21,500 We keep saying that. 152 01:04:21,750 --> 01:04:23,458 People take more pride in their work 153 01:04:23,875 --> 01:04:25,958 when they have had a say in the process. 154 01:04:26,583 --> 01:04:28,041 Now, Covey continues, quote, 155 01:04:28,416 --> 01:04:29,916 when people participate in the 156 01:04:29,916 --> 01:04:31,166 development of agreements, 157 01:04:31,583 --> 01:04:33,625 they feel a greater sense of commitment 158 01:04:33,916 --> 01:04:35,375 and responsibility, end quote. 159 01:04:36,041 --> 01:04:37,625 So think about your own life, right? 160 01:04:37,875 --> 01:04:38,458 Whether it's 161 01:04:38,458 --> 01:04:40,041 collaborating with a teammate 162 01:04:40,041 --> 01:04:41,583 or your co-parenting, 163 01:04:41,583 --> 01:04:44,250 or even planning a vacation with friends, 164 01:04:44,916 --> 01:04:46,875 clarity and a shared understanding, 165 01:04:47,250 --> 01:04:48,458 being part of it, 166 01:04:48,458 --> 01:04:49,625 it makes everything a 167 01:04:49,625 --> 01:04:50,500 little bit smoother. 168 01:04:51,250 --> 01:04:52,666 Okay, here's your takeaway. 169 01:04:53,250 --> 01:04:54,875 Don't assume people know what you want, 170 01:04:54,875 --> 01:04:56,416 even if you think it's obvious. 171 01:04:57,041 --> 01:04:58,125 A win-win performance 172 01:04:58,125 --> 01:04:59,666 agreement opens the door 173 01:04:59,666 --> 01:05:00,541 to transparency, 174 01:05:00,916 --> 01:05:02,500 trust and better outcomes 175 01:05:02,708 --> 01:05:03,708 for everybody involved. 176 01:05:04,416 --> 01:05:05,541 All right, well, that's 177 01:05:05,541 --> 01:05:06,625 a wrap on today's bowl 178 01:05:06,625 --> 01:05:07,916 of morning cereal, 179 01:05:07,916 --> 01:05:10,458 whether you're on a quest for deep truths 180 01:05:10,958 --> 01:05:12,750 or just trying to ignore the fact 181 01:05:12,750 --> 01:05:14,666 that this is the last weekend 182 01:05:14,833 --> 01:05:16,333 before summer break is over. 183 01:05:16,875 --> 01:05:18,791 Well, either way, I hope you find a 184 01:05:18,791 --> 01:05:19,708 little bit of happiness 185 01:05:19,708 --> 01:05:20,500 and a little bit of 186 01:05:20,500 --> 01:05:22,166 clarity on both those accounts. 187 01:05:22,583 --> 01:05:24,041 All right, well, enjoy your weekend. 188 01:05:24,500 --> 01:05:25,875 Thanks for hanging out with us today. 189 01:05:26,208 --> 01:05:26,958 Come back on Monday. 190 01:05:27,375 --> 01:05:29,958 And as always, have a fantastic day. 191 01:05:31,375 --> 01:05:32,875 Don't forget to follow and subscribe 192 01:05:32,875 --> 01:05:34,416 to the morning cereal podcast 193 01:05:34,416 --> 01:05:36,375 on the One Life Live It channel. 194 01:05:36,875 --> 01:05:38,583 You can find more episodes and videos 195 01:05:38,583 --> 01:05:40,041 by visiting our YouTube channel 196 01:05:40,250 --> 01:05:41,333 and the website at 197 01:05:41,333 --> 01:05:44,041 seaningless and at seaningless.com, 198 01:05:44,333 --> 01:05:45,000 where you can also 199 01:05:45,000 --> 01:05:46,375 follow our other podcast, 200 01:05:46,708 --> 01:05:47,958 the Mr. And Mrs. English podcast 201 01:05:48,500 --> 01:05:49,666 and the Life Happens podcast. 202 01:05:50,458 --> 01:05:52,625 And these other podcasts will dive deeper 203 01:05:52,625 --> 01:05:54,458 into everyday issues, self-improvement 204 01:05:54,458 --> 01:05:56,166 and well-being, business and finance. 205 01:05:56,750 --> 01:05:58,375 And we welcome special guests too. 206 01:05:58,875 --> 01:05:59,583 So join us. 207 01:05:59,583 --> 01:06:00,958 It'll be a good time, I promise. 208 01:06:01,625 --> 01:06:02,708 Thanks again for listening. 209 01:06:02,708 --> 01:06:03,833 Have a fantastic day. 210 01:06:04,208 --> 01:06:04,791 And we'll see you tomorrow.