1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:04,125 Good morning and 2 01:00:04,125 --> 01:00:06,583 welcome to Morning Cereal. 3 01:00:08,833 --> 01:00:12,791 Okay, good morning 4 01:00:12,791 --> 01:00:13,916 and welcome to Thursday. 5 01:00:14,166 --> 01:00:15,375 We're doing it, we're getting there 6 01:00:15,375 --> 01:00:16,875 tomorrow's Friday, but 7 01:00:16,875 --> 01:00:18,208 let's get through this Thursday 8 01:00:18,208 --> 01:00:20,500 first and hopefully you're getting your 9 01:00:20,500 --> 01:00:21,708 morning going and I don't 10 01:00:21,708 --> 01:00:22,375 know, maybe you're having 11 01:00:22,375 --> 01:00:25,500 some coffee or some green tea and if it's 12 01:00:25,500 --> 01:00:26,458 green tea, maybe you 13 01:00:26,458 --> 01:00:27,375 should pair it with some 14 01:00:27,875 --> 01:00:29,458 green avocado toast maybe. 15 01:00:29,791 --> 01:00:30,666 I only say that because 16 01:00:30,666 --> 01:00:32,166 today is National Avocado Day. 17 01:00:32,541 --> 01:00:34,583 I've actually never had an avocado bread. 18 01:00:35,000 --> 01:00:35,625 I don't know, that was a 19 01:00:35,625 --> 01:00:36,958 craze over the last couple years. 20 01:00:36,958 --> 01:00:38,833 I still have never had it, but what I do 21 01:00:38,833 --> 01:00:39,958 have is some incredible 22 01:00:39,958 --> 01:00:41,750 homemade guacamole nearly 23 01:00:41,750 --> 01:00:43,166 every weekend and that is 24 01:00:43,166 --> 01:00:44,750 all that I highly suggested. 25 01:00:45,166 --> 01:00:46,791 I mean, the avocado has healthy fats, 26 01:00:46,791 --> 01:00:48,583 it's got vitamins, it's got antioxidants. 27 01:00:49,500 --> 01:00:50,416 All right, well, let's 28 01:00:50,416 --> 01:00:51,333 change the subject here. 29 01:00:51,666 --> 01:00:53,875 Here's a quote to further feed your body, 30 01:00:53,875 --> 01:00:55,666 your soul and your mind, right? 31 01:00:56,166 --> 01:00:59,375 Wesley Snipes, he said, "90% of what you 32 01:00:59,375 --> 01:01:00,250 are stressing over 33 01:01:00,250 --> 01:01:01,708 today won't even be relevant 34 01:01:01,916 --> 01:01:02,458 in a year. 35 01:01:03,166 --> 01:01:03,708 Breathe easy." 36 01:01:04,833 --> 01:01:07,583 Now, this is refreshing and it's a great 37 01:01:07,583 --> 01:01:08,708 reminder for us to keep 38 01:01:08,708 --> 01:01:09,583 things in perspective. 39 01:01:10,291 --> 01:01:12,041 So if that email from your boss is 40 01:01:12,041 --> 01:01:14,041 causing anxiety or whatever 41 01:01:14,041 --> 01:01:15,250 it is you're just stressing 42 01:01:15,250 --> 01:01:17,208 out about right now, Wesley Snipes would 43 01:01:17,208 --> 01:01:18,125 say, "Just take a deep 44 01:01:18,125 --> 01:01:19,791 breath and remember, it 45 01:01:19,791 --> 01:01:20,833 probably won't be on 46 01:01:20,833 --> 01:01:22,000 your mind next summer." 47 01:01:22,416 --> 01:01:23,000 Pretty true. 48 01:01:23,750 --> 01:01:25,250 All right, well, today's news, facts and 49 01:01:25,250 --> 01:01:27,291 birthdays are for July 31st. 50 01:01:27,291 --> 01:01:28,833 And we're going to start back in 1991. 51 01:01:29,458 --> 01:01:31,375 That's when the US and the USSR, they 52 01:01:31,375 --> 01:01:32,750 signed the Strategic Arms 53 01:01:32,750 --> 01:01:34,041 Reduction Treaty, start, 54 01:01:34,375 --> 01:01:34,625 right? 55 01:01:34,916 --> 01:01:36,041 At limited nuclear 56 01:01:36,041 --> 01:01:37,500 weapons for both nations. 57 01:01:37,833 --> 01:01:38,166 Good things. 58 01:01:38,916 --> 01:01:41,875 Then on this date in 1996, George R.R. 59 01:01:42,083 --> 01:01:43,000 Martin, he released the 60 01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:45,083 first book, A Game of Thrones. 61 01:01:45,500 --> 01:01:47,583 Now, this was the first book in his epic 62 01:01:47,583 --> 01:01:48,875 fantasy series that led 63 01:01:48,875 --> 01:01:50,458 to the Game of Thrones show 64 01:01:50,458 --> 01:01:51,000 on HBO. 65 01:01:51,750 --> 01:01:53,708 Now, I've read his whole series of books 66 01:01:53,708 --> 01:01:54,875 and if you like that 67 01:01:54,875 --> 01:01:56,166 show, you're going to love 68 01:01:56,166 --> 01:01:57,083 the books too. 69 01:01:57,083 --> 01:01:58,291 So dive into them if you can. 70 01:01:59,083 --> 01:02:00,416 Still waiting on his final book though. 71 01:02:00,833 --> 01:02:02,833 All right, well, happy birthday to you. 72 01:02:03,041 --> 01:02:04,083 Today is your birthday. 73 01:02:04,333 --> 01:02:06,041 You share a birthday with some 74 01:02:06,041 --> 01:02:07,458 interesting people today, right? 75 01:02:07,958 --> 01:02:08,791 Country singer Zach 76 01:02:08,791 --> 01:02:11,250 Brown, he's turning 47 today. 77 01:02:11,708 --> 01:02:13,416 Remember actor Dean Kane, one of the 78 01:02:13,416 --> 01:02:15,791 original superman, he's 59 today. 79 01:02:16,500 --> 01:02:18,500 Author and Harry Potter creator J.K. 80 01:02:18,833 --> 01:02:20,791 Rowling, she's turning 60 today. 81 01:02:21,250 --> 01:02:23,500 Musician and DJ Fatboy Slim, he's also 82 01:02:23,500 --> 01:02:24,500 celebrating his birthday. 83 01:02:24,833 --> 01:02:26,000 He's 62 today. 84 01:02:26,541 --> 01:02:28,625 And lastly, actor and martial artist 85 01:02:28,625 --> 01:02:31,125 Wesley Snipes, he's 63 today. 86 01:02:31,833 --> 01:02:33,500 Well, the number one song on this date 87 01:02:33,500 --> 01:02:36,000 back in 1999 was Genie 88 01:02:36,000 --> 01:02:37,208 in a Bottle by Christina 89 01:02:37,291 --> 01:02:38,166 Aguilera. 90 01:02:38,291 --> 01:02:40,333 Now, this song, which is regarded as one 91 01:02:40,333 --> 01:02:41,166 of Aguilera's 92 01:02:41,166 --> 01:02:43,041 signature songs, it topped the 93 01:02:43,041 --> 01:02:45,750 Billboard 100 for five consecutive weeks. 94 01:02:45,875 --> 01:02:47,125 And it was her debut 95 01:02:47,125 --> 01:02:49,416 hit at just the age of 18. 96 01:02:50,041 --> 01:02:51,625 Well, apparently the song faced some 97 01:02:51,625 --> 01:02:53,250 controversy back then due 98 01:02:53,250 --> 01:02:54,833 to its suggestive lyrics. 99 01:02:55,583 --> 01:02:57,041 However, Christina Aguilera, she 100 01:02:57,041 --> 01:02:59,041 clarified that the song was about 101 01:02:59,041 --> 01:03:00,250 self-respect and not 102 01:03:00,250 --> 01:03:02,541 giving it to temptation until respective. 103 01:03:02,958 --> 01:03:03,750 And she pretty much 104 01:03:03,750 --> 01:03:05,125 backed that up over her career. 105 01:03:05,583 --> 01:03:07,166 Well, let's move in to 106 01:03:07,166 --> 01:03:08,708 today's book segment. 107 01:03:08,708 --> 01:03:09,958 When we're working our way through 108 01:03:09,958 --> 01:03:11,125 Stephen R. Kobe's The Seven 109 01:03:11,125 --> 01:03:12,125 Habits of Highly Effective 110 01:03:12,333 --> 01:03:15,666 People, today we're still in Habit 4. 111 01:03:16,458 --> 01:03:17,916 And today we're diving into one of the 112 01:03:17,916 --> 01:03:19,250 boldest philosophies of 113 01:03:19,250 --> 01:03:20,750 Habit 4, which is win-win 114 01:03:20,750 --> 01:03:21,666 or no deal. 115 01:03:22,416 --> 01:03:24,666 And in this sub-chapter, Kobe lays out a 116 01:03:24,666 --> 01:03:25,500 principle that sounds 117 01:03:25,500 --> 01:03:27,833 simple, but it can radically change 118 01:03:27,916 --> 01:03:28,500 relationships. 119 01:03:29,083 --> 01:03:31,375 If both parties can't come away from a 120 01:03:31,375 --> 01:03:32,500 deal feeling good about 121 01:03:32,500 --> 01:03:33,916 it, then there's no deal. 122 01:03:34,458 --> 01:03:37,125 He writes, "If we can't find a solution 123 01:03:37,125 --> 01:03:38,250 that would benefit us 124 01:03:38,250 --> 01:03:40,708 both, we agree to disagree 125 01:03:40,791 --> 01:03:42,000 agreeably. 126 01:03:42,625 --> 01:03:42,958 No deal." 127 01:03:43,500 --> 01:03:43,833 End quote. 128 01:03:44,625 --> 01:03:46,916 Well, the concept of win-win or no deal 129 01:03:46,916 --> 01:03:48,541 is built on deep trust, 130 01:03:49,083 --> 01:03:50,125 maturity, and willingness 131 01:03:50,208 --> 01:03:52,708 to walk away from outcomes that don't 132 01:03:52,708 --> 01:03:55,833 honor both, that don't honor both sides. 133 01:03:56,333 --> 01:03:58,291 This isn't about being stubborn, okay? 134 01:03:58,291 --> 01:03:59,625 It's not about being difficult. 135 01:04:00,041 --> 01:04:01,875 It's about integrity and respect. 136 01:04:02,458 --> 01:04:05,000 So you don't force a compromise where 137 01:04:05,000 --> 01:04:05,958 someone else ends up 138 01:04:05,958 --> 01:04:06,625 feeling short-changed. 139 01:04:06,625 --> 01:04:09,958 Instead, you aim for mutual benefit, or 140 01:04:09,958 --> 01:04:11,458 you hold off until that's possible. 141 01:04:12,041 --> 01:04:14,625 So this mindset is especially important 142 01:04:14,625 --> 01:04:15,458 in long-term 143 01:04:15,458 --> 01:04:17,916 relationships, whether it's family, 144 01:04:18,291 --> 01:04:20,125 business, or even friendships, right? 145 01:04:20,416 --> 01:04:22,958 Because short-term gains that come at 146 01:04:22,958 --> 01:04:24,000 someone else's expense, 147 01:04:24,291 --> 01:04:25,625 they almost always lead us 148 01:04:25,625 --> 01:04:27,000 to resentment, right? 149 01:04:27,583 --> 01:04:30,166 Kobe reminds us that, quote, "No deal" 150 01:04:30,166 --> 01:04:31,291 basically means that if we 151 01:04:31,291 --> 01:04:32,458 can't find a solution that 152 01:04:32,500 --> 01:04:34,166 works for both of us, we 153 01:04:34,166 --> 01:04:36,625 agree to disagree agreeably. 154 01:04:37,125 --> 01:04:38,833 No expectations have been created, no 155 01:04:38,833 --> 01:04:41,125 performance contracts established. 156 01:04:41,750 --> 01:04:42,000 End quote. 157 01:04:43,125 --> 01:04:45,291 That's emotional freedom, right? 158 01:04:45,458 --> 01:04:48,166 It keeps relationships clean and open, 159 01:04:48,583 --> 01:04:50,791 not laced with pressure or manipulation. 160 01:04:51,416 --> 01:04:52,791 But Kobe doesn't shy away from the 161 01:04:52,791 --> 01:04:54,791 reality that no deal, that can be scary. 162 01:04:55,333 --> 01:04:57,958 It requires confidence, especially in 163 01:04:57,958 --> 01:05:00,375 high-stakes situations like negotiations 164 01:05:00,375 --> 01:05:01,916 or personal relationships 165 01:05:02,125 --> 01:05:04,666 where walking away feels like failure. 166 01:05:05,166 --> 01:05:07,625 Yet in truth, no deal can protect a 167 01:05:07,625 --> 01:05:09,166 relationship or future 168 01:05:09,166 --> 01:05:11,333 collaboration when the time or the 169 01:05:11,500 --> 01:05:13,500 terms are better aligned, right? 170 01:05:14,041 --> 01:05:16,208 Okay, the takeaway today is powerful. 171 01:05:16,833 --> 01:05:18,500 You don't have to make a deal just 172 01:05:18,500 --> 01:05:20,416 because one is on the table. 173 01:05:20,833 --> 01:05:23,333 If it doesn't feel right, if it's not a 174 01:05:23,333 --> 01:05:25,291 genuine win-win, you're 175 01:05:25,291 --> 01:05:27,083 allowed to say, "Not now." 176 01:05:27,333 --> 01:05:28,083 That's not quitting. 177 01:05:28,625 --> 01:05:31,416 That's strategic maturity, all right? 178 01:05:31,958 --> 01:05:33,916 Whether you're in a team meeting, you're 179 01:05:33,916 --> 01:05:35,041 planning a vacation with 180 01:05:35,041 --> 01:05:36,250 your spouse or negotiating 181 01:05:36,416 --> 01:05:37,166 bedtime with a 182 01:05:37,166 --> 01:05:38,375 toddler, good luck with that. 183 01:05:38,916 --> 01:05:41,666 Remember that win-win or no deal isn't 184 01:05:41,666 --> 01:05:43,000 about winning at all costs. 185 01:05:43,541 --> 01:05:46,083 It's about valuing the relationship just 186 01:05:46,083 --> 01:05:47,333 as much as the result. 187 01:05:48,250 --> 01:05:50,000 And well, that's a wrap for today's 188 01:05:50,000 --> 01:05:50,875 episode of Morning Serial. 189 01:05:51,458 --> 01:05:53,541 And I always like to remind us every now 190 01:05:53,541 --> 01:05:55,916 and again of what Dory says, right? 191 01:05:55,916 --> 01:05:57,875 She said, "Just keep swimming. 192 01:05:58,041 --> 01:05:59,166 Sometimes that's all we can do." 193 01:05:59,583 --> 01:06:00,416 Hey, thanks for 194 01:06:00,416 --> 01:06:01,333 starting your day with us. 195 01:06:01,500 --> 01:06:02,875 Come back tomorrow for more trivia, 196 01:06:02,875 --> 01:06:04,916 tunes, and tiny steps towards greatness. 197 01:06:05,333 --> 01:06:08,125 And as always, have a fantastic day. 198 01:06:09,791 --> 01:06:11,500 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 199 01:06:11,500 --> 01:06:12,125 the Morning Serial 200 01:06:12,125 --> 01:06:14,250 podcast on the One Life Live 201 01:06:14,250 --> 01:06:14,750 It channel. 202 01:06:15,291 --> 01:06:17,208 You can find more episodes and videos by 203 01:06:17,208 --> 01:06:18,875 visiting our YouTube channel and the 204 01:06:18,875 --> 01:06:20,500 website at seaningless 205 01:06:20,833 --> 01:06:23,041 and at seaningless.com, where you can 206 01:06:23,041 --> 01:06:24,333 also follow our other 207 01:06:24,333 --> 01:06:25,666 podcasts, the Mr. and Mrs. 208 01:06:26,000 --> 01:06:27,000 English podcast and 209 01:06:27,000 --> 01:06:27,875 the Life Happens podcast. 210 01:06:28,375 --> 01:06:30,541 And these other podcasts, we'll dive 211 01:06:30,541 --> 01:06:31,916 deeper into everyday issues, 212 01:06:32,208 --> 01:06:32,958 self-improvement and 213 01:06:33,208 --> 01:06:35,458 well-being, business and finance, and we 214 01:06:35,458 --> 01:06:36,708 welcome special guests too. 215 01:06:37,250 --> 01:06:38,000 So join us. 216 01:06:38,000 --> 01:06:39,250 It will be a good time, I promise. 217 01:06:40,000 --> 01:06:40,875 Thanks again for listening. 218 01:06:41,041 --> 01:06:42,166 Have a fantastic day, 219 01:06:42,458 --> 01:06:43,166 and we'll see you tomorrow.