Redefine your Work & Develop New Beginnings

In this episode of the Work Positive Podcast, host Dr. Joey Fawcett engages with guest Brian Ridgeway, an author and expert in personal transformation, to discuss creating a positive work culture by embracing one's true self. Brian shares insights from his new book, Your New Beginning, which focuses on dissolving false identities and living authentically. He emphasizes the importance of presence and breathing techniques to center oneself and enhance work relationships. Ridgeway also introduces a reflective exercise for aligning personal values with professional behavior to foster a harmonious and productive work environment.

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of taking breaks not just from work, but also from the mental and emotional baggage one might carry into the workplace.
• The idea is to set aside stressors and distractions to focus on becoming one's best self.

"A work positive Nation what do you say we take a break from work today... and we just kind of set aside some of that stuff sort of Break Free from it."

• The quote suggests the necessity of mentally detaching from work-related stress to rejuvenate and refresh oneself.

• The podcast challenges the traditional separation of personal and professional life, promoting the idea of showing up as a whole person at work.
• It suggests that personal well-being directly impacts professional performance and vice versa.

"There are some people who still refer to your professional life and your personal life... I come to work as a whole person I am Joey right and so when I show up for work that's who I am."

• This quote underscores the inseparability of personal identity from professional roles, advocating for authenticity in the workplace.

• Breathing is introduced as a simple yet powerful tool to achieve presence and clarity, helping individuals center themselves and leave problems behind.
• The technique involves breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, smoothing out the inhale and exhale, and increasing breath capacity.

"I learned that to start with breathing in a certain way will bring anyone who does it directly to their Center totally present and the minute that happens that world of problems is left where it was where it originated in their imagination and you can be here fully present."

• The quote highlights the transformative power of mindful breathing in achieving mental clarity and presence.

"Breathing's first of all in through the nose and out through the mouth... smoothing out the inhale and the exhale to where the duration is just about the same in through the nose out through the mouth."

• This quote provides a step-by-step guide to the breathing technique, emphasizing its role in achieving a peaceful state akin to a resting baby.

• The podcast discusses the concept of reflecting one's inner state to attract or invite others to collaborate effectively.
• It suggests that personal alignment and presence naturally draw in like-minded individuals for collaboration.

"What if I consider rather than attracting good or bad or whatever what if I view it as I'm reflecting what's going on in me."

• This quote proposes a shift in perspective from actively attracting to reflecting one's inner state, which influences the surrounding environment and relationships.

• The conversation ties back to the overarching theme of personal well-being and authenticity as foundational to professional success and positive work culture.
• By integrating personal and professional lives and using techniques like mindful breathing, individuals can enhance their work experience and relationships.

• Breathing into presence is emphasized as the initial step towards being one's best and true self.
• Self-reflection is likened to looking in a mirror, with the expectation that one's actions and demeanor are mirrored back by others.
• The focus is on self-improvement and personal accountability rather than blaming others for shortcomings.

"To be my quote best self is to be my true self, so this breathing into presence for me is always step one."

• Breathing into presence is highlighted as a foundational practice for authenticity and self-improvement.

"When I look at what I want to see in the people reflecting me, I ask what do I want to see in the mirror."

• Self-reflection is crucial; it involves assessing what one wants to see in others and ensuring those qualities are present in oneself.

• The conversation shifts from traditional recruiting methods to attracting individuals who align with company culture.
• Emphasis is placed on mutual reflection and alignment with potential colleagues to foster a harmonious work environment.
• Jim Rohn's philosophy on being the average of the five people you spend the most time with is reiterated, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences.

"We're taking a step away from recruiting to attracting, but man, job one is to discover that the persons we want to work with we reflect each other."

• The focus is on attracting individuals who reflect the desired company culture and values, moving beyond mere recruitment.

"You're the average of the five persons with whom you spend the most time."

• This quote underscores the significance of surrounding oneself with individuals who positively influence one's personal and professional life.

• The Perfect Partner Process is introduced as a powerful tool for personal and professional relationships.
• The process involves writing down desired qualities in a work culture and reflecting on one's behavior to align with those qualities.
• It emphasizes clarity and self-awareness as pathways to achieving desired outcomes in relationships and work environments.

"I actually have a process that came through me several years ago that I call the perfect partner process."

• The Perfect Partner Process is presented as a transformative tool for enhancing relationships and personal growth.

"On the left you would write my perfect work culture experience includes blank and on the right side of the page at the very top you would write what this reflects in me and my behavior."

• The process involves detailing ideal work culture attributes and corresponding personal behaviors, promoting self-awareness and alignment.

• The process is likened to identifying core values and KPIs, with the left side representing values and the right side representing behaviors that support those values.
• Articulating core values and aligning behaviors with them is seen as a means to foster innovation and creativity within teams.
• The exercise is portrayed as a team-building activity that enhances collective growth and achievement.

"On that left side of the piece of paper, your core values, those are the things that you really really want to work out of and on that right side are the KPIs."

• Core values and KPIs are used as metaphors to describe the alignment of personal values with measurable actions and outcomes.

"When you do that as an activity, you created a team that is capable of innovation and creativity in ways that they've never had before."

• Aligning personal values with actions is presented as a strategy for fostering a dynamic and innovative team environment.

• The effectiveness of the Perfect Partner Process is illustrated through real-life examples, including professional and intimate relationships.
• Testimonials include business success and personal relationship transformations attributed to the process.
• The process is described as consistently effective, leading to positive changes and expectations of success.

"He messaged me about two weeks later, he said the relationship automatically transformed, and his profits at his company had doubled."

• A real-life example demonstrates the process's impact on both professional relationships and business success.

"A woman who was on the way out the door, the marriage was over... went through this process and within two days... everything she was writing down on the left... he came back to her saying he realized he wanted to do this and do that."

• An intimate relationship success story highlights the process's transformative power in personal relationships.

• The discussion emphasizes the significance of being present in both personal and professional lives.
• Presence is linked to self-awareness and overcoming past traumas that influence current behaviors.
• The concept of living unexamined lives is introduced, suggesting that many operate from past experiences without conscious awareness.

"It's just that most of us get out because the alarm clock went off too early and grouse our way into work... and we just fail to take the time and breathe, clarify our best selves, and then communicate that in ways to others that they can understand and respond to."

• This quote highlights the routine nature of daily life and the lack of self-reflection that prevents individuals from being their best selves.

"Am I present or am I not present? We all have the trauma... and they're running as scripts for the rest of our lives until they're examined or dissolved or both."

• The quote underscores the idea that past traumas continue to affect behavior unless consciously addressed, emphasizing the need for presence.

• The conversation explores common challenges in work culture, such as communication and team effectiveness.
• The solution to these challenges is rooted in the individual's ability to remain present and aware.

"The answer for me is literally to every challenge... comes back to me being present, and I know without question what to do from that place in every situation."

• This quote suggests that presence and self-awareness are key to overcoming workplace challenges and improving team dynamics.

• Brian Ridgeway shares his personal story of growing up in a traumatic environment and how it shaped his self-perception and life path.
• His experiences led him to self-help and personal growth, ultimately transforming his understanding of himself and his work.

"For 17 years I was basically taught stupid, ugly, worthless piece of... that was the mantra given to me."

• This quote illustrates the negative self-image instilled in Ridgeway during his formative years, which he had to overcome.

"I left home stupid, ugly, worthless piece of... I knew that's what I was, so guess what life I created."

• The quote reflects the impact of internalized negative beliefs on life choices and the path to self-discovery.

• Ridgeway recounts a near-death experience at age 16, which profoundly influenced his perspective on life and his work.
• This experience reinforced his innate ability to help others and informed his approach to personal development.

"I heard a horn behind me... next thing I knew I was dead."

• The quote describes the moment leading to Ridgeway's near-death experience, setting the stage for the transformative impact it had on him.

"During those next 30 minutes, I remembered everything... that so-called near-death experience really informed for me a lot of how I was doing what I was doing and why I was doing it."

• This quote emphasizes the clarity and insight gained from the near-death experience, shaping Ridgeway's life and work.

• The discussion transitions to Ridgeway's new book, which encapsulates his journey and insights into personal transformation.
• The book aims to inspire others to embrace new beginnings and personal growth.

"This book... I wrote my first book about eight years ago."

• The quote introduces Ridgeway's enthusiasm for his new book, which serves as a continuation of his mission to help others transform their lives.

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of shifting one's identity to uncover the true self.
• The process involves dissolving the identity that individuals have picked up throughout their lives and returning to their original light or essence.
• This transformation is about starting anew, not just with a changed identity, but as one's actual self.

"I am helping them get to their true self, their actual self, and start their new beginning as not just somebody new, not just changed, but as what they actually are."

• The quote highlights the core idea of moving beyond superficial changes to discover and live as one's true self.

• Many people operate based on "invisible scripts" instilled by others, especially from family or societal expectations.
• Recognizing and questioning these scripts can open new possibilities for personal growth and satisfaction.
• Redefining work involves seeing it as a creative process that aligns with one's true nature, rather than just a means to earn money.

"Most of us are running off what I call invisible scripts that other people have spoken into us."

• This quote underscores the concept of unrecognized influences shaping personal identity and behavior.

• The podcast challenges the conventional belief that earning money is an absolute necessity.
• Encourages listeners to question the origin of their beliefs and assumptions about money and work.

"Are you absolutely positive beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have to earn money?"

• This question prompts a reevaluation of deeply held beliefs about financial necessity and encourages thinking beyond traditional paradigms.

• A humorous yet insightful method for dealing with unwanted beliefs and scripts.
• Step one involves learning from everyone; step two is about discarding unhelpful beliefs, akin to flushing them away.

"The Dr. Joey two-step is Step one's grab the handle right because I can learn from everybody step two is flush and reflushing all that stuff that these people gave to us."

• This method provides a simple framework for letting go of negative or limiting beliefs.

• Work should be meaningful and satisfying, providing expression to one's best self.
• The discussion redefines work as more than just struggle and earning, emphasizing purpose and satisfaction.

"Work has meaning, purpose, satisfaction, and gives expression to the best of who we are."

• This quote encapsulates the redefined perspective on work, focusing on fulfillment and self-expression.

• Bringing attention to the present moment and practicing mindful breathing can lead to a sense of abundance.
• Recognizing the miracle of breath and its limitless nature can shift one's perspective on abundance in life and business.

"To bring your attention right to where you are and then to bring that awareness to breathe into your nose and notice the air."

• The quote highlights the practice of mindfulness and its potential to cultivate a sense of abundance and presence.

• Encouragement to share the insights from the podcast with others to promote positive work cultures.
• The podcast offers a free course to help transform work conversations and enhance workplace positivity.

"Please share this podcast with your friends who are HR and Small Business Leaders so they can do one thing today to create a positive work culture."

• This call to action reinforces the podcast's mission to spread positivity and improve work environments.