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 --> 01:00:12,458 Hey, good morning. 4 01:00:12,666 --> 01:00:14,250 It's Thursday everybody and we're 5 01:00:14,250 --> 01:00:15,250 cruising into the back 6 01:00:15,250 --> 01:00:17,125 half of this week with today's 7 01:00:17,125 --> 01:00:19,250 calendar being a perfect blend of sweet, 8 01:00:19,666 --> 01:00:20,625 salty and a little 9 01:00:20,625 --> 01:00:21,708 dash of reflection here. 10 01:00:21,916 --> 01:00:23,791 So first up, National 11 01:00:23,791 --> 01:00:25,291 Peanut Butter Cookie Day. 12 01:00:25,291 --> 01:00:27,541 It's a classic treat that's nostalgic and 13 01:00:27,541 --> 01:00:28,500 grandma would 14 01:00:28,500 --> 01:00:29,708 definitely approve of that one. 15 01:00:30,208 --> 01:00:32,500 Then there's National Jerky Day Today. 16 01:00:32,500 --> 01:00:34,125 That's a shout out to all the road trips 17 01:00:34,125 --> 01:00:35,541 and camping snacks that 18 01:00:35,541 --> 01:00:36,750 kept us going strong in 19 01:00:36,750 --> 01:00:38,166 the 80s and the 90s. 20 01:00:38,375 --> 01:00:39,833 And really today for that matter. 21 01:00:40,291 --> 01:00:42,125 But if you're feeling more civically 22 01:00:42,125 --> 01:00:43,750 minded today, it's also 23 01:00:43,750 --> 01:00:45,458 Democracy Day and Peace 24 01:00:45,458 --> 01:00:45,750 Day. 25 01:00:46,250 --> 01:00:48,291 So while you're munching on those cookies 26 01:00:48,291 --> 01:00:49,833 and the jerky, take a 27 01:00:49,833 --> 01:00:50,791 moment to appreciate 28 01:00:50,791 --> 01:00:52,500 the freedoms and the peace this country 29 01:00:52,500 --> 01:00:54,458 has worked so hard to possess. 30 01:00:55,416 --> 01:00:57,375 All right, well, our quote today is from 31 01:00:57,375 --> 01:00:58,541 someone who knows about 32 01:00:58,541 --> 01:01:00,291 fighting to overthrow the 33 01:01:00,333 --> 01:01:02,000 evil Galactic Empire, 34 01:01:02,541 --> 01:01:03,916 our very own Han Solo. 35 01:01:04,208 --> 01:01:06,750 Well, actually Harrison Ford, who said, 36 01:01:07,000 --> 01:01:07,958 quote, "You have to have 37 01:01:07,958 --> 01:01:09,500 the darkness for the dawn 38 01:01:09,500 --> 01:01:10,750 to come," end quote. 39 01:01:11,208 --> 01:01:13,041 And it's a great reminder that even the 40 01:01:13,041 --> 01:01:14,458 toughest times can lead 41 01:01:14,458 --> 01:01:15,375 to brighter beginnings. 42 01:01:16,166 --> 01:01:17,416 Well, today's news, facts and 43 01:01:17,416 --> 01:01:19,250 birthdays are for June 12th. 44 01:01:19,250 --> 01:01:20,750 We don't have to go that far back. 45 01:01:20,791 --> 01:01:24,250 We're only starting in 1981 when Raiders 46 01:01:24,250 --> 01:01:26,541 of the Lost Ark, that's the first Indiana 47 01:01:26,583 --> 01:01:28,375 Jones film, it was directed by a somewhat 48 01:01:28,375 --> 01:01:29,291 known Steven Spielberg 49 01:01:29,291 --> 01:01:30,458 at the time and starring 50 01:01:30,458 --> 01:01:32,666 Harrison Ford from Star Wars with the 51 01:01:32,666 --> 01:01:33,958 story by George Lucas. 52 01:01:33,958 --> 01:01:35,666 Well, it premiered on this date. 53 01:01:36,250 --> 01:01:38,916 Then in 1987 on this date, President 54 01:01:38,916 --> 01:01:40,291 Reagan, he famously told 55 01:01:40,291 --> 01:01:41,500 the Soviet leader Mikhail 56 01:01:41,500 --> 01:01:43,416 Gorbachev to, quote, "Tear 57 01:01:43,416 --> 01:01:45,375 down this wall" in Berlin. 58 01:01:46,250 --> 01:01:48,583 Then on this date in 1990, Mariah Carey 59 01:01:48,583 --> 01:01:51,500 released her debut album, Mariah Carey. 60 01:01:52,291 --> 01:01:54,708 Then moving up to 1994, this was the day 61 01:01:54,708 --> 01:01:55,833 that Nicole Brown 62 01:01:55,833 --> 01:01:57,708 Simpson and Ron Goldman were 63 01:01:57,708 --> 01:01:59,041 murdered in Los Angeles, 64 01:01:59,500 --> 01:02:01,458 sparking the O.J. Simpson trial. 65 01:02:02,583 --> 01:02:05,583 Then in 1997 on this date, Batman and 66 01:02:05,583 --> 01:02:07,208 Robin debuted because 67 01:02:07,208 --> 01:02:09,041 apparently neon bat nipples 68 01:02:09,291 --> 01:02:10,166 were the future. 69 01:02:11,166 --> 01:02:14,458 Then finally in 2010 on this date, the 70 01:02:14,458 --> 01:02:16,625 FIFA World Cup opened in South Africa. 71 01:02:17,000 --> 01:02:18,333 It was the first time the tournament was 72 01:02:18,333 --> 01:02:19,500 held on that continent. 73 01:02:20,541 --> 01:02:21,791 Well, happy birthday to you. 74 01:02:21,791 --> 01:02:22,666 Today is your birthday. 75 01:02:22,916 --> 01:02:24,750 You share a birthday with Dave Franco. 76 01:02:24,958 --> 01:02:26,166 He's an actor and he's the younger 77 01:02:26,166 --> 01:02:27,375 brother of James Franco. 78 01:02:27,583 --> 01:02:28,875 Well, he's 39 today. 79 01:02:29,500 --> 01:02:30,500 Ben, do you remember this name? 80 01:02:30,791 --> 01:02:31,416 Kendra Wilkinson? 81 01:02:31,958 --> 01:02:34,000 She's a personality, former Playboy model 82 01:02:34,000 --> 01:02:35,458 that was on TV all the time. 83 01:02:35,916 --> 01:02:37,541 Well, she's 39 today. 84 01:02:38,500 --> 01:02:40,625 Then the late George H.W. Bush, he was 85 01:02:40,625 --> 01:02:41,708 the 41st president of 86 01:02:41,708 --> 01:02:42,666 the United States and he 87 01:02:42,666 --> 01:02:44,000 served in World War II. 88 01:02:44,375 --> 01:02:46,625 Well, he was born on this date in 1924. 89 01:02:47,666 --> 01:02:49,416 Then the number one song on this date 90 01:02:49,416 --> 01:02:51,583 back in 2001 was "Lady 91 01:02:51,583 --> 01:02:52,833 Marmalade" by Christina 92 01:02:52,916 --> 01:02:55,083 Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Maya and Pink. 93 01:02:55,500 --> 01:02:56,333 You remember this 94 01:02:56,333 --> 01:02:57,541 powerhouse collaboration. 95 01:02:57,833 --> 01:02:59,458 They brought together four of the era's 96 01:02:59,458 --> 01:03:01,083 biggest voices for the 97 01:03:01,083 --> 01:03:02,166 Moulin Rouge soundtrack. 98 01:03:02,500 --> 01:03:04,291 Great little musical movie, by the way. 99 01:03:04,791 --> 01:03:07,375 Well, the unforgettable music video mixed 100 01:03:07,375 --> 01:03:10,166 burlesque glitz with that Y2K kind of pop 101 01:03:10,166 --> 01:03:13,125 swagger and the huge vocals made it a 102 01:03:13,125 --> 01:03:15,458 defining hit of the early 2000s. 103 01:03:15,875 --> 01:03:18,166 Well, in today's book review, we're going 104 01:03:18,166 --> 01:03:19,958 to hit part two of 105 01:03:19,958 --> 01:03:21,583 habit two, which by the 106 01:03:21,583 --> 01:03:22,666 way, we're almost done with. 107 01:03:22,666 --> 01:03:24,208 This is the last sub-chapter before we 108 01:03:24,208 --> 01:03:25,166 move on to habit three, 109 01:03:25,500 --> 01:03:26,791 but this sub-chapter is 110 01:03:27,000 --> 01:03:28,791 organizational mission statements. 111 01:03:29,291 --> 01:03:31,416 As you know, we're in Stephen R. Covey's 112 01:03:31,416 --> 01:03:32,500 "The Seven Habits of 113 01:03:32,500 --> 01:03:33,583 Highly Effective People." 114 01:03:34,458 --> 01:03:36,208 In this sub-chapter, Covey is extending 115 01:03:36,208 --> 01:03:37,416 his mission statement 116 01:03:37,416 --> 01:03:39,458 concept beyond the individual, 117 01:03:39,458 --> 01:03:41,500 which we've talked about, and beyond the 118 01:03:41,500 --> 01:03:42,291 family, which we talked 119 01:03:42,291 --> 01:03:43,750 about yesterday, showing 120 01:03:43,833 --> 01:03:46,458 how the mission statement concept can 121 01:03:46,458 --> 01:03:48,041 apply to organizations, 122 01:03:48,500 --> 01:03:49,791 whether that's a business, 123 01:03:49,791 --> 01:03:50,833 a nonprofit, or even 124 01:03:50,833 --> 01:03:51,791 a neighborhood group. 125 01:03:52,375 --> 01:03:54,750 Okay, Covey writes, "An organizational 126 01:03:54,750 --> 01:03:56,041 mission statement, one 127 01:03:56,041 --> 01:03:57,583 that truly reflects the deep 128 01:03:57,583 --> 01:03:59,916 shared visions and values of everyone 129 01:03:59,916 --> 01:04:01,375 within that organization. 130 01:04:01,875 --> 01:04:03,416 It creates a great unity 131 01:04:03,416 --> 01:04:05,125 and a tremendous commitment." 132 01:04:06,916 --> 01:04:09,000 In other words, a mission statement isn't 133 01:04:09,000 --> 01:04:10,083 just a plaque on the 134 01:04:10,083 --> 01:04:11,583 wall, it's the collective 135 01:04:11,625 --> 01:04:12,833 heartbeat of the group. 136 01:04:13,500 --> 01:04:15,416 Covey argues that these statements should 137 01:04:15,416 --> 01:04:17,625 be co-created, just like the family ones, 138 01:04:18,000 --> 01:04:19,875 by everyone involved, not 139 01:04:19,875 --> 01:04:21,166 handed down from the top. 140 01:04:21,708 --> 01:04:23,666 The process itself, just like with the 141 01:04:23,666 --> 01:04:25,041 family, can foster 142 01:04:25,041 --> 01:04:27,583 collaboration, trust, and get people 143 01:04:27,708 --> 01:04:30,250 to buy into it, which helps the teams 144 01:04:30,250 --> 01:04:31,833 move from fragmented 145 01:04:31,833 --> 01:04:34,333 efforts to a unified purpose. 146 01:04:35,125 --> 01:04:37,791 Covey says, "When people are involved in 147 01:04:37,791 --> 01:04:39,750 the process, they feel ownership. 148 01:04:40,166 --> 01:04:42,250 They become committed to the vision and 149 01:04:42,250 --> 01:04:44,291 the values they help to shape." 150 01:04:45,625 --> 01:04:47,375 So Covey also points out that an 151 01:04:47,375 --> 01:04:48,583 effective organizational 152 01:04:48,583 --> 01:04:50,500 mission statement is built 153 01:04:50,791 --> 01:04:52,000 on principles, right? 154 01:04:52,000 --> 01:04:54,875 Those timeless truths that endure through 155 01:04:54,875 --> 01:04:55,875 challenges and change. 156 01:04:56,500 --> 01:04:58,625 As Covey says, "Principles are deep, 157 01:04:58,833 --> 01:05:00,583 fundamental truths, classic truths, 158 01:05:01,333 --> 01:05:02,875 generic common denominators." 159 01:05:03,333 --> 01:05:04,500 We've talked a lot about them. 160 01:05:05,125 --> 01:05:07,458 But by grounding an organization in 161 01:05:07,458 --> 01:05:08,750 principles rather than in 162 01:05:08,750 --> 01:05:10,958 personalities or trends, it 163 01:05:10,958 --> 01:05:13,875 becomes more adaptable and resilient. 164 01:05:14,583 --> 01:05:16,958 So here, Covey warns that without a clear 165 01:05:16,958 --> 01:05:19,416 mission statement, organizations can lose 166 01:05:19,416 --> 01:05:22,041 focus and end up just being reactive, 167 01:05:22,541 --> 01:05:24,166 constantly putting out fires 168 01:05:24,166 --> 01:05:25,750 instead of building something 169 01:05:25,875 --> 01:05:26,750 that can endure. 170 01:05:27,458 --> 01:05:29,250 But with a shared vision, he says, 171 01:05:29,791 --> 01:05:30,833 "People can move together 172 01:05:30,833 --> 01:05:32,708 with a purpose and creativity, 173 01:05:33,375 --> 01:05:34,083 confident that they're 174 01:05:34,083 --> 01:05:35,166 heading in the right direction." 175 01:05:35,958 --> 01:05:37,458 Okay, here's your takeaway. 176 01:05:38,208 --> 01:05:40,875 In an age of constant change, an 177 01:05:40,875 --> 01:05:42,208 organizational mission 178 01:05:42,208 --> 01:05:44,291 statement provides a steady anchor. 179 01:05:44,750 --> 01:05:47,458 It reminds everyone why they're there and 180 01:05:47,458 --> 01:05:49,000 what they're working towards. 181 01:05:49,583 --> 01:05:51,333 So whether you're running a business or 182 01:05:51,333 --> 01:05:52,416 you're part of a team, 183 01:05:52,833 --> 01:05:54,375 take some time to revisit 184 01:05:54,625 --> 01:05:57,541 or create your shared mission statement. 185 01:05:57,791 --> 01:05:59,500 Because when everybody's pulling in the 186 01:05:59,500 --> 01:06:01,000 same direction, you don't 187 01:06:01,000 --> 01:06:02,666 just work better, you thrive. 188 01:06:03,541 --> 01:06:05,083 Okay, well, that's a wrap 189 01:06:05,083 --> 01:06:06,041 for today's Morning Serial. 190 01:06:06,416 --> 01:06:08,500 Now go out there, live your mission, 191 01:06:08,500 --> 01:06:09,416 whether it's fighting for 192 01:06:09,416 --> 01:06:10,750 our democracy and our peace, 193 01:06:11,041 --> 01:06:11,833 or if it's just 194 01:06:11,833 --> 01:06:13,291 devouring peanut butter cookies. 195 01:06:14,166 --> 01:06:15,250 Thanks for listening today. 196 01:06:15,250 --> 01:06:16,416 We'll see you back here tomorrow. 197 01:06:16,625 --> 01:06:19,166 And as always, have a fantastic day. 198 01:06:20,916 --> 01:06:22,541 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 199 01:06:22,541 --> 01:06:23,166 the Morning Serial 200 01:06:23,166 --> 01:06:25,291 podcast on the One Life Live 201 01:06:25,291 --> 01:06:25,791 It channel. 202 01:06:26,333 --> 01:06:28,250 You can find more episodes and videos by 203 01:06:28,250 --> 01:06:29,916 visiting our YouTube channel and the 204 01:06:29,916 --> 01:06:31,541 website at seaningless 205 01:06:31,916 --> 01:06:34,083 and at seaningless.com, where you can 206 01:06:34,083 --> 01:06:35,375 also follow our other 207 01:06:35,375 --> 01:06:36,750 podcasts, the Mr. and Mrs. 208 01:06:37,000 --> 01:06:38,000 English podcast and 209 01:06:38,000 --> 01:06:39,083 the Life Happens podcast. 210 01:06:39,916 --> 01:06:42,041 And these other podcasts will dive deeper 211 01:06:42,041 --> 01:06:42,958 into everyday issues, 212 01:06:43,250 --> 01:06:44,000 self-improvement and 213 01:06:44,041 --> 01:06:46,500 well-being, business and finance, and we 214 01:06:46,500 --> 01:06:47,750 welcome special guests too. 215 01:06:48,291 --> 01:06:49,000 So join us. 216 01:06:49,000 --> 01:06:50,333 It'll be a good time, I promise. 217 01:06:51,041 --> 01:06:51,875 Thanks again for listening. 218 01:06:52,125 --> 01:06:53,666 Have a fantastic day and 219 01:06:53,666 --> 01:06:54,208 we'll see you tomorrow.