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 01:00:11,958 --> 01:00:13,250 Okay, good morning and 4 01:00:13,250 --> 01:00:14,416 welcome to Wednesday. 5 01:00:15,125 --> 01:00:16,083 Well, today has a 6 01:00:16,083 --> 01:00:17,750 nice mix of celebrations. 7 01:00:18,500 --> 01:00:20,708 It's National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, 8 01:00:20,708 --> 01:00:21,833 so consider starting your 9 01:00:21,833 --> 01:00:23,500 day with a warm flaky treat, 10 01:00:23,875 --> 01:00:25,083 or if you're feeling a bit 11 01:00:25,083 --> 01:00:26,750 more on the adventurous side, 12 01:00:27,250 --> 01:00:29,333 it's also dance like a chicken day. 13 01:00:29,333 --> 01:00:30,708 So it's a perfect excuse 14 01:00:30,708 --> 01:00:31,833 to shake your tail feathers 15 01:00:31,833 --> 01:00:33,375 and bring some joy to 16 01:00:33,375 --> 01:00:34,416 your midweek routine. 17 01:00:35,250 --> 01:00:37,583 Well, let's also bring some good vibes 18 01:00:37,583 --> 01:00:39,000 and some wisdom with today's quote. 19 01:00:39,416 --> 01:00:40,958 And it's from the Jedi 20 01:00:40,958 --> 01:00:43,375 Master himself, George Lucas. 21 01:00:43,958 --> 01:00:44,708 And he said, quote, 22 01:00:45,083 --> 01:00:47,000 "Dreams are extremely important. 23 01:00:47,458 --> 01:00:50,083 You can't do it unless you imagine it." 24 01:00:50,083 --> 01:00:50,458 End quote. 25 01:00:51,125 --> 01:00:51,583 And George is 26 01:00:51,583 --> 01:00:53,125 reminding us that imagination 27 01:00:53,458 --> 01:00:54,750 is the engine of progress. 28 01:00:55,250 --> 01:00:56,833 If you want to build something great, 29 01:00:56,833 --> 01:00:57,875 whether it's a film, a 30 01:00:57,875 --> 01:01:00,000 business, or just a better day, 31 01:01:00,375 --> 01:01:01,708 it all starts with a dream. 32 01:01:02,416 --> 01:01:03,958 Okay, well, today's 33 01:01:03,958 --> 01:01:05,250 news facts and birthdays 34 01:01:05,250 --> 01:01:07,125 are for May 14th. 35 01:01:07,333 --> 01:01:08,750 And we're gonna start back in 1948, 36 01:01:09,250 --> 01:01:10,750 and that's when on this day, 37 01:01:10,750 --> 01:01:12,250 Israel declared independence, 38 01:01:12,875 --> 01:01:13,416 marking the 39 01:01:13,416 --> 01:01:15,416 establishment of the state of Israel. 40 01:01:16,208 --> 01:01:18,291 Then on this day in 1973, 41 01:01:18,583 --> 01:01:20,291 the United States launched Skylab. 42 01:01:20,666 --> 01:01:22,083 It was the first space station 43 01:01:22,083 --> 01:01:23,791 for the United States into orbit. 44 01:01:24,666 --> 01:01:26,708 Then in 1998, and I'm 45 01:01:26,708 --> 01:01:28,083 guessing by how many people watched 46 01:01:28,250 --> 01:01:30,083 this, you were probably one of them. 47 01:01:30,500 --> 01:01:31,625 But on this day, 48 01:01:32,000 --> 01:01:33,916 Seinfeld's final two-part episode, 49 01:01:33,916 --> 01:01:35,458 the finale, it aired on 50 01:01:35,458 --> 01:01:38,916 NBC to 76.3 million viewers. 51 01:01:39,625 --> 01:01:40,458 With commercials 52 01:01:40,458 --> 01:01:41,708 priced like the Super Bowl 53 01:01:42,041 --> 01:01:44,916 at $2 million for every 30 seconds. 54 01:01:45,750 --> 01:01:47,291 And what's crazy is I love Seinfeld. 55 01:01:47,583 --> 01:01:48,958 I own the DVD collection. 56 01:01:49,291 --> 01:01:49,875 I know, I know. 57 01:01:50,208 --> 01:01:51,708 I still need to see the finale. 58 01:01:52,083 --> 01:01:54,166 I just need to put it on my to-do list. 59 01:01:54,916 --> 01:01:55,750 And then lastly, we're 60 01:01:55,750 --> 01:01:56,500 gonna go all the way back 61 01:01:56,500 --> 01:01:59,250 to last year, just last year in 2024. 62 01:01:59,875 --> 01:02:01,750 That's when Google unveiled their new 63 01:02:01,750 --> 01:02:03,083 generative AI feature 64 01:02:03,291 --> 01:02:04,625 at its annual conference. 65 01:02:05,083 --> 01:02:06,250 And it forces users 66 01:02:06,250 --> 01:02:07,916 to view the AI overview 67 01:02:08,250 --> 01:02:10,291 at the top of the Google search results. 68 01:02:10,291 --> 01:02:11,333 We've all seen this, right? 69 01:02:11,750 --> 01:02:13,333 But this is despite the 70 01:02:13,333 --> 01:02:14,833 fact that those search results 71 01:02:15,416 --> 01:02:16,541 are widely known to 72 01:02:16,541 --> 01:02:18,041 be factually incorrect 73 01:02:18,041 --> 01:02:19,833 up to 60% of the time. 74 01:02:20,375 --> 01:02:21,833 So just be careful when 75 01:02:21,833 --> 01:02:23,166 you're using those facts. 76 01:02:23,166 --> 01:02:24,875 Maybe do just a little bit more digging 77 01:02:25,083 --> 01:02:27,416 than just the Google used to require. 78 01:02:28,125 --> 01:02:28,833 All right, well, happy 79 01:02:28,833 --> 01:02:30,666 birthday if today is your birthday. 80 01:02:30,666 --> 01:02:33,583 You share a birthday with retired NFL-er 81 01:02:33,666 --> 01:02:34,791 and the world's biggest 82 01:02:34,791 --> 01:02:36,666 slash maybe the oldest frat boy, 83 01:02:37,250 --> 01:02:40,500 Rob Gronkowski, the Gronk, he's 36 today. 84 01:02:41,208 --> 01:02:42,250 Then Mark Zuckerberg, 85 01:02:42,750 --> 01:02:44,041 founder of Facebook, 86 01:02:44,583 --> 01:02:47,625 he's only turning 40 years old. 87 01:02:48,000 --> 01:02:49,708 I can only imagine what the last 20 years 88 01:02:49,708 --> 01:02:51,208 of his life have been like. 89 01:02:51,916 --> 01:02:53,416 And then Kate Blanchett, she's an 90 01:02:53,416 --> 01:02:54,583 Oscar-winning actress 91 01:02:54,583 --> 01:02:55,625 known for her roles in 92 01:02:55,625 --> 01:02:56,416 "The Lord of the Rings" 93 01:02:56,416 --> 01:02:57,250 and "Blue Jasmine." 94 01:02:57,708 --> 01:02:58,958 She's 56 today. 95 01:02:59,583 --> 01:03:00,416 And then George 96 01:03:00,416 --> 01:03:02,375 Lucas, the iconic filmmaker 97 01:03:02,666 --> 01:03:03,583 and the creator, as we 98 01:03:03,583 --> 01:03:04,583 all know, of "Star Wars." 99 01:03:04,916 --> 01:03:07,375 He turns 81 today, incredibly. 100 01:03:08,250 --> 01:03:09,833 Well, the number one song on 101 01:03:09,833 --> 01:03:12,250 this date back in 1985 was, 102 01:03:12,833 --> 01:03:13,500 "Don't You Forget 103 01:03:13,500 --> 01:03:15,541 About Me" by Simple Minds. 104 01:03:15,541 --> 01:03:16,583 This iconic track 105 01:03:16,583 --> 01:03:18,583 gained fame as the theme song 106 01:03:18,583 --> 01:03:19,875 for the film "The Breakfast Club," 107 01:03:20,375 --> 01:03:21,791 becoming an anthem for 108 01:03:21,791 --> 01:03:23,333 teenage angst and rebellion. 109 01:03:23,958 --> 01:03:25,541 Now it's got a catchy chorus 110 01:03:25,541 --> 01:03:27,458 and it's got a very memorable melody, 111 01:03:27,791 --> 01:03:28,416 which helped to get 112 01:03:28,416 --> 01:03:29,333 to the number one spot 113 01:03:29,333 --> 01:03:31,083 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, 114 01:03:31,500 --> 01:03:32,625 solidifying its place 115 01:03:32,625 --> 01:03:34,166 in pop culture history. 116 01:03:35,166 --> 01:03:36,291 Well, we are currently 117 01:03:36,291 --> 01:03:37,916 solidifying our understanding 118 01:03:38,250 --> 01:03:39,916 of Stephen R. Covey's classic, 119 01:03:40,250 --> 01:03:41,083 "The Seven Habits of 120 01:03:41,083 --> 01:03:42,125 Highly Effective People." 121 01:03:42,583 --> 01:03:43,500 And today we're diving 122 01:03:43,500 --> 01:03:45,208 into part two, chapter one, 123 01:03:45,208 --> 01:03:46,333 the subsection titled, 124 01:03:46,583 --> 01:03:49,166 "Direct, Indirect, and No Control." 125 01:03:49,833 --> 01:03:51,041 And this part of the book 126 01:03:51,041 --> 01:03:52,250 is all about understanding 127 01:03:52,250 --> 01:03:53,208 the different types of 128 01:03:53,208 --> 01:03:54,375 problems that we face 129 01:03:54,875 --> 01:03:56,333 and probably more importantly, 130 01:03:56,333 --> 01:03:58,083 how we respond to them effectively. 131 01:03:58,791 --> 01:04:00,000 Now we've mentioned some of these 132 01:04:00,125 --> 01:04:01,458 in yesterday's morning serial, 133 01:04:01,458 --> 01:04:02,208 but we're gonna dive a 134 01:04:02,208 --> 01:04:03,583 little bit deeper in them today. 135 01:04:04,291 --> 01:04:06,375 If you remember, Covey divides problems 136 01:04:06,541 --> 01:04:08,291 into three broad categories, 137 01:04:08,583 --> 01:04:10,083 direct control, indirect 138 01:04:10,083 --> 01:04:11,541 control, and no control. 139 01:04:12,125 --> 01:04:13,958 Each category represented a 140 01:04:13,958 --> 01:04:15,208 different level of influence 141 01:04:15,208 --> 01:04:17,000 that we have and each 142 01:04:17,000 --> 01:04:18,541 calls for a different strategy 143 01:04:18,541 --> 01:04:19,250 to deal with. 144 01:04:20,000 --> 01:04:20,958 Now, direct control 145 01:04:20,958 --> 01:04:22,291 problems are those related 146 01:04:22,291 --> 01:04:25,291 to our own behavior, how we act, speak, 147 01:04:25,666 --> 01:04:27,583 how we react or fail to act. 148 01:04:28,208 --> 01:04:28,875 These are the most 149 01:04:28,875 --> 01:04:30,625 straightforward to address, right? 150 01:04:30,875 --> 01:04:31,625 At least in theory, 151 01:04:32,000 --> 01:04:34,125 because they fall entirely within our 152 01:04:34,125 --> 01:04:35,833 circle of influence. 153 01:04:36,125 --> 01:04:37,208 As Covey puts it, quote, 154 01:04:37,875 --> 01:04:39,833 "Problems involving our own behavior 155 01:04:40,125 --> 01:04:42,416 are direct control problems. 156 01:04:42,750 --> 01:04:43,916 They are solved by working 157 01:04:43,916 --> 01:04:45,291 on our habits," end quote. 158 01:04:45,958 --> 01:04:47,916 And this is the core of habit number one, 159 01:04:47,916 --> 01:04:48,833 which is be proactive. 160 01:04:49,583 --> 01:04:50,583 If we want to grow, 161 01:04:50,833 --> 01:04:52,791 we must take ownership of our actions 162 01:04:52,791 --> 01:04:54,125 and commit to improving them. 163 01:04:54,875 --> 01:04:56,583 So indirect control problems 164 01:04:56,708 --> 01:04:57,625 involve the behavior 165 01:04:57,625 --> 01:04:59,625 of other people, okay? 166 01:04:59,708 --> 01:05:01,166 That's coworkers, our family 167 01:05:01,166 --> 01:05:02,583 members, bosses, neighbors. 168 01:05:03,500 --> 01:05:04,291 Maybe that's slow 169 01:05:04,291 --> 01:05:05,416 driver in the fast lane. 170 01:05:06,041 --> 01:05:07,000 Well, we can't 171 01:05:07,000 --> 01:05:09,000 directly change these people, 172 01:05:09,000 --> 01:05:10,333 but we can influence them. 173 01:05:10,958 --> 01:05:11,750 According to Covey, 174 01:05:11,750 --> 01:05:12,833 the solution here is 175 01:05:12,833 --> 01:05:14,458 changing our methods of influence. 176 01:05:15,000 --> 01:05:16,000 That means improving 177 01:05:16,000 --> 01:05:17,625 our interpersonal skills, 178 01:05:17,625 --> 01:05:18,791 which is what we're doing right now. 179 01:05:19,125 --> 01:05:20,833 It means developing empathy 180 01:05:20,833 --> 01:05:22,541 and modeling the behaviors 181 01:05:22,541 --> 01:05:24,000 we wish to see in others. 182 01:05:24,708 --> 01:05:26,750 Now this taps into habit number four, 183 01:05:26,750 --> 01:05:28,250 which is think win-win 184 01:05:28,250 --> 01:05:29,708 and habit number five, 185 01:05:29,708 --> 01:05:30,458 seek first to 186 01:05:30,458 --> 01:05:32,791 understand, then be understood. 187 01:05:33,500 --> 01:05:34,500 And we'll cover those as 188 01:05:34,500 --> 01:05:35,666 we get through the book, 189 01:05:35,666 --> 01:05:37,916 but influence is slow work, 190 01:05:38,375 --> 01:05:40,583 but it can be incredibly effective. 191 01:05:41,250 --> 01:05:42,125 Then there's the most 192 01:05:42,125 --> 01:05:43,333 frustrating category. 193 01:05:43,583 --> 01:05:45,416 Those are the no control problems. 194 01:05:45,916 --> 01:05:46,666 These are the things 195 01:05:46,666 --> 01:05:48,125 we simply can't change, 196 01:05:48,333 --> 01:05:49,541 like the weather, the 197 01:05:49,541 --> 01:05:52,083 economy, traffic, or the past. 198 01:05:52,625 --> 01:05:54,416 But Covey doesn't leave us helpless. 199 01:05:54,458 --> 01:05:55,125 He writes, quote, 200 01:05:55,500 --> 01:05:56,500 "We can't control 201 01:05:56,500 --> 01:05:58,166 everything that happens to us, 202 01:05:58,541 --> 01:05:59,708 "but we can control how 203 01:05:59,708 --> 01:06:01,166 we respond," end quote. 204 01:06:01,833 --> 01:06:03,125 And these are the moments 205 01:06:03,333 --> 01:06:04,166 where our attitude 206 01:06:04,166 --> 01:06:05,625 becomes our superpower. 207 01:06:06,083 --> 01:06:07,083 Rather than reacting 208 01:06:07,083 --> 01:06:08,916 with frustration or despair, 209 01:06:09,375 --> 01:06:10,125 we can choose 210 01:06:10,125 --> 01:06:12,583 acceptance, peace, and purpose. 211 01:06:13,375 --> 01:06:15,875 That's where habit one shows up again, 212 01:06:15,958 --> 01:06:17,083 reminding us that 213 01:06:17,083 --> 01:06:18,583 between stimulus, right, 214 01:06:18,583 --> 01:06:20,208 remember this, and response, 215 01:06:20,708 --> 01:06:22,458 we always have the power to choose. 216 01:06:23,291 --> 01:06:24,333 So Covey's framework 217 01:06:24,333 --> 01:06:26,541 helps us channel our energy 218 01:06:26,916 --> 01:06:27,583 more wisely. 219 01:06:27,916 --> 01:06:29,000 By recognizing which 220 01:06:29,000 --> 01:06:30,291 type of control we have 221 01:06:30,291 --> 01:06:31,208 over a problem, 222 01:06:31,791 --> 01:06:32,875 we avoid spinning our 223 01:06:32,875 --> 01:06:33,875 wheels in frustration 224 01:06:34,125 --> 01:06:35,541 or falling into victimhood. 225 01:06:36,041 --> 01:06:37,791 We take the wheel when we can, 226 01:06:37,791 --> 01:06:39,291 we influence when appropriate, 227 01:06:39,541 --> 01:06:41,625 and we let go when necessary. 228 01:06:42,291 --> 01:06:44,416 And that's not just good habit building, 229 01:06:44,416 --> 01:06:46,333 it's just good living, right? 230 01:06:46,958 --> 01:06:48,458 So that's gonna wrap up 231 01:06:48,458 --> 01:06:50,000 today's serving of morning cereal, 232 01:06:50,125 --> 01:06:51,250 but remember, you can 233 01:06:51,250 --> 01:06:52,916 directly control your ability 234 01:06:53,375 --> 01:06:54,583 to do the chicken dance today. 235 01:06:54,875 --> 01:06:55,958 But don't take it too far, 236 01:06:55,958 --> 01:06:57,625 dancing like a chicken can easily, 237 01:06:58,166 --> 01:06:59,250 easily get out of control. 238 01:06:59,875 --> 01:07:01,166 So dance cautiously. 239 01:07:02,000 --> 01:07:03,666 Well, thanks for tuning in today. 240 01:07:03,666 --> 01:07:04,250 We'll be back here 241 01:07:04,250 --> 01:07:05,375 tomorrow with more insights, 242 01:07:05,458 --> 01:07:06,208 history, and some fun. 243 01:07:06,666 --> 01:07:09,375 And until then, have a fantastic day. 244 01:07:11,541 --> 01:07:13,291 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 245 01:07:13,291 --> 01:07:13,916 the Morning Serial 246 01:07:13,916 --> 01:07:15,541 podcast on the One Life 247 01:07:15,708 --> 01:07:16,541 Live It channel. 248 01:07:17,083 --> 01:07:19,000 You can find more episodes and videos by 249 01:07:19,000 --> 01:07:20,666 visiting our YouTube channel and the 250 01:07:20,666 --> 01:07:22,291 website at Shawningless 251 01:07:22,625 --> 01:07:24,791 and at Shawningless.com, where you can 252 01:07:24,791 --> 01:07:26,125 also follow our other 253 01:07:26,125 --> 01:07:27,666 podcast, the Mr. and Mrs. 254 01:07:27,666 --> 01:07:28,833 Inglis podcast and the 255 01:07:28,833 --> 01:07:29,833 Life Happens podcast. 256 01:07:30,666 --> 01:07:32,333 In these other podcasts, we'll dive 257 01:07:32,333 --> 01:07:33,708 deeper into everyday issues, 258 01:07:34,000 --> 01:07:34,750 self-improvement and 259 01:07:34,750 --> 01:07:37,250 well-being, business and finance, and we 260 01:07:37,250 --> 01:07:38,500 welcome special guests too. 261 01:07:39,000 --> 01:07:39,750 So join us. 262 01:07:39,750 --> 01:07:41,083 It'll be a good time, I promise. 263 01:07:41,791 --> 01:07:42,666 Thanks again for listening. 264 01:07:42,875 --> 01:07:44,416 Have a fantastic day and 265 01:07:44,416 --> 01:07:45,041 we'll see you tomorrow.