“Often we say to ourselves that we will ‘one day’ go away and think about where we’re going from a professional or personal point of view. But ‘one day’ tends not to actually happen.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss Grego’s personal quarterly offsite process and why it’s so effective. http://universalman.org/podcast/quarterly-personal-offsites REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:   Why quarterly personal checkpoints are highly valuable   What the optimal time is for a bit of time away   Some simple tools Grego uses for his offsites     Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 universalman.org/about 📘 facebook.com/TheUniversalMan 🧑‍💼 linkedin.com/company/universalman 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a  5-star rating on Apple Podcasts 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a 5-star rating on Spotify

“Often we say to ourselves that we will ‘one day’ go away and think about where we’re going from a professional or personal point of view. But ‘one day’ tends not to actually happen.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss Grego’s personal quarterly offsite process and why it’s so effective. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/quarterly-personal-offsites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/quarterly-personal-offsites</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li> Why quarterly personal checkpoints are highly valuable </li> <li> What the optimal time is for a bit of time away </li> <li> Some simple tools Grego uses for his offsites </li> </ul> Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> 📘 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> 🧑‍💼 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a> 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-universal-man/id1364755989?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts</a> 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2hwKE69xd50LT00PVO9vDR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-star rating on Spotify</a>

92. Quarterly personal offsites

“Might be five minutes, might be 10. But it needs to be regular and the amount of time suits you and your pace of life.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss the practice of reflection and deep thinking time. http://universalman.org/podcast/reflective-practice REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:   Finding your own method and setting your own rules for timeout   Grego and Pricey discuss their own processes and how they are different   The wellbeing benefits of reflective practice   Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 universalman.org/about 📘 facebook.com/TheUniversalMan 🧑‍💼 linkedin.com/company/universalman 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a  5-star rating on Apple Podcasts 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a 5-star rating on Spotify

“Might be five minutes, might be 10. But it needs to be regular and the amount of time suits you and your pace of life.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss the practice of reflection and deep thinking time. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/reflective-practice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/reflective-practice</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li> Finding your own method and setting your own rules for timeout </li> <li> Grego and Pricey discuss their own processes and how they are different </li> <li> The wellbeing benefits of reflective practice </li> </ul> Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> 📘 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> 🧑‍💼 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a> 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-universal-man/id1364755989?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts</a> 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2hwKE69xd50LT00PVO9vDR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-star rating on Spotify</a>

91. Reflective practice

“No mountain climber has ever got to a summit without failure.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss how taking little steps can result in achieving big goals.   http://universalman.org/podcast/climbing-lifes-mountains REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps    In this episode we talk about:    Taking one step at a time towards success   Dropping your ego and seeking help   Thinking practically instead of focusing on the end result     Stay legendary,  Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 universalman.org/about 📘 facebook.com/TheUniversalMan 🧑‍💼 linkedin.com/company/universalman 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a  5-star rating on Apple Podcasts 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a 5-star rating on Spotify

“No mountain climber has ever got to a summit without failure.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss how taking little steps can result in achieving big goals. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/climbing-lifes-mountains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/climbing-lifes-mountains</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about:  <ul> <li> Taking one step at a time towards success </li> <li> Dropping your ego and seeking help </li> <li> Thinking practically instead of focusing on the end result </li> </ul> Stay legendary,  Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> 📘 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> 🧑‍💼 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a> 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-universal-man/id1364755989?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts</a> 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2hwKE69xd50LT00PVO9vDR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-star rating on Spotify</a>

90. Climbing Life's Mountains

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss core values, why they’re important and how to go about determining core values in your own life. http://universalman.org/podcast/core-values-process   REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps   In this episode we talk about:    What core values are   Understanding the role that core values play in one's life   A simple process to determine your own core values     Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 universalman.org/about 📘 facebook.com/TheUniversalMan 🧑‍💼 linkedin.com/company/universalman 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a  5-star rating on Apple Podcasts 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a 5-star rating on Spotify

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss core values, why they’re important and how to go about determining core values in your own life. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/core-values-process" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/core-values-process</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about:  <ul> <li> What core values are </li> <li> Understanding the role that core values play in one's life </li> <li> A simple process to determine your own core values </li> </ul> Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man 🌏 <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> 📘 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> 🧑‍💼 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a> 🍏 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-universal-man/id1364755989?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts</a> 🎵 Give The Universal Man podcast a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2hwKE69xd50LT00PVO9vDR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-star rating on Spotify</a>

89. Core Values Process

“These mightn't necessarily be your really close mates. It's people who are just on the same kind of a journey that you think you are on.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, the guys do a quick round-up of what Universal Man means to them and what you should be looking for in a men’s group.   http://universalman.org/podcast/finding-a-mens-group REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps   Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

“These mightn't necessarily be your really close mates. It's people who are just on the same kind of a journey that you think you are on.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, the guys do a quick round-up of what Universal Man means to them and what you should be looking for in a men’s group. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/finding-a-mens-group" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/finding-a-mens-group</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a>   Connect with Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

88. How to find a men's group that is right for you

“The addicted person has to be ready and prepared, and they have to hit a point where there are ramifications to their future health and happiness because of their drug use.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego chats with Conrad Tracey, Founder and Head Coach of Addiction Coaching Australia &amp; New Zealand, on how to help yourself or others beat addiction and recover to lead a full life.  http://universalman.org/podcast/addiction-and-recovery REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:  How to help yourself, a colleague, a partner at home or a child beat addiction The biggest behavioural predictors of addiction in someone The myths around addiction and why they can be so damaging to recovery efforts What the first step is towards overcoming addiction How to offer someone support where they are resistant to change.  Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

“The addicted person has to be ready and prepared, and they have to hit a point where there are ramifications to their future health and happiness because of their drug use.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego chats with Conrad Tracey, Founder and Head Coach of Addiction Coaching Australia &amp; New Zealand, on how to help yourself or others beat addiction and recover to lead a full life. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/addiction-and-recovery" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://universalman.org/podcast/addiction-and-recovery</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li>How to help yourself, a colleague, a partner at home or a child beat addiction</li> <li>The biggest behavioural predictors of addiction in someone</li> <li>The myths around addiction and why they can be so damaging to recovery efforts</li> <li>What the first step is towards overcoming addiction</li> <li>How to offer someone support where they are resistant to change.</li> </ul> Connect with Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

87. Addiction and Recovery

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Justin McNamara and Damien Jones - to chat about the topic of being a father after separation or divorce.  http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-through-separation REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:  Why it’s important to keep the kids at the forefront of your thinking at all times What were the surprises in the process of the breakdown, both good and bad, and some new rituals and traditions that were established A long list of do’s and don’ts that our guests have gained through lived experience Actively seeking out support from friends and your network  Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Justin McNamara and Damien Jones - to chat about the topic of being a father after separation or divorce. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-through-separation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-through-separation</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li>Why it’s important to keep the kids at the forefront of your thinking at all times</li> <li>What were the surprises in the process of the breakdown, both good and bad, and some new rituals and traditions that were established</li> <li>A long list of do’s and don’ts that our guests have gained through lived experience</li> <li>Actively seeking out support from friends and your network</li> </ul> Connect with Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

86. Fathering through separation

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Craig Murphy and Brendan Hawes aka Hawesy - to explore the great adventure of raising boys to become men. http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-boys-to-men REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:  The importance of being involved in your son’s life and his activities, but not overstepping the mark Having realistic expectations around his development and not trying to impose yours on him Why boys are risk-takers up until their mid-20s and appreciating that they are developing the ability to control their emotions The importance of humour and why the dad joke is the best tool you can use!  Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Craig Murphy and Brendan Hawes aka Hawesy - to explore the great adventure of raising boys to become men. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/raising-boys-to-men" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-boys-to-men</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li>The importance of being involved in your son’s life and his activities, but not overstepping the mark</li> <li>Having realistic expectations around his development and not trying to impose yours on him</li> <li>Why boys are risk-takers up until their mid-20s and appreciating that they are developing the ability to control their emotions</li> <li>The importance of humour and why the dad joke is the best tool you can use!</li> </ul> Connect with Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

85. Fathering Boys to Men

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey cover the frameworks and mental models that they use to enable positive, quick and proactive decision-making that can reduce risk and friction in your life. http://universalman.org/podcast/decision-making REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:  What the elite chiefs and leaders have that enable them to make really good decisions with clarity and good judgement; Some examples of frameworks and models that exist all around us all day; How you can take existing frameworks and models and adapt them to your needs; Reverse-engineering the process and identifying gaps in your existing frameworks.  Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey cover the frameworks and mental models that they use to enable positive, quick and proactive decision-making that can reduce risk and friction in your life. <a href="http://universalman.org/podcast/decision-making" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://universalman.org/podcast/decision-making</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li>What the elite chiefs and leaders have that enable them to make really good decisions with clarity and good judgement;</li> <li>Some examples of frameworks and models that exist all around us all day;</li> <li>How you can take existing frameworks and models and adapt them to your needs;</li> <li>Reverse-engineering the process and identifying gaps in your existing frameworks.</li> </ul> Connect with Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

84. Decision-Making

“Any people you live with, partner and/or kids, are 80% more likely to be thriving if you like your job and you are thriving, and the opposite is true if you hate your job.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss what career excellence actually means and why it is different from what people usually equate with success.  universalman.org/career-excellence REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about:  What is career excellence exactly? What is mastery? Are the two linked? Reframing that feeling of imposter syndrome to propel your career trajectory and ensure you are a better partner and parent. Why building your network will allow you to achieve excellence. What to do when you hit a career crossroads.  Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

“Any people you live with, partner and/or kids, are 80% more likely to be thriving if you like your job and you are thriving, and the opposite is true if you hate your job.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss what career excellence actually means and why it is different from what people usually equate with success. <a href="https://www.universalman.org/podcast/83-career-excellence/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> universalman.org/career-excellence</a> REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/camps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/camps</a> In this episode we talk about: <ul> <li>What is career excellence exactly? What is mastery? Are the two linked?</li> <li>Reframing that feeling of imposter syndrome to propel your career trajectory and ensure you are a better partner and parent.</li> <li>Why building your network will allow you to achieve excellence.</li> <li>What to do when you hit a career crossroads.</li> </ul> Universal Man About: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">universalman.org/about</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalMan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheUniversalMan</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/universalman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/company/universalman</a>

83. Career Excellence

The U-Man Podcast is two Aussie blokes tackling some of the most common issues that men face everyday. Our pillars to becoming Universal Men - Know thyself, Grow Thyself and Brotherhood.

The Universal Man

This is an extra special podcast today in honour of one of our fallen brothers. Ben, father of two, loving husband and best mate to Jimmy tragically took his own life a year ago. It was completely out of the blue. This horrible tragedy inspired us to present a podcast on just how you have a deeper conversation with your mates. This is about those times when you just want to dig a little bit deeper, either for you or for them.

This is an extra special podcast today in honour of one of our fallen brothers. Ben, father of two, loving husband and best mate to Jimmy tragically took his own life a year ago. It was completely out of the blue. This horrible tragedy inspired us to present a podcast on just how you have a deeper conversation with your mates. This is about those times when you just want to dig a little bit deeper, either for you or for them.

40. How to Have a Deeper Conversation with a Mate

"I am not a self-made man. Every time I give a speech at a business conference, or speak to college students, or do a Reddit AMA, someone says it. 'Governor/Governator/Arnold/Arnie/Schwarzie/Schnitzel (depending on where I am), as a self-made man, what’s your blueprint for success?' They’re always shocked when I thank them for the compliment but say, “I am not a self-made man. I got a lot of help.” It is true that I grew up in Austria without plumbing. It is true that I moved to America alone with just a gym bag. And it is true that I worked as a bricklayer and invested in real estate to become a millionaire before I ever swung the sword in Conan the Barbarian.But it is not true that I am self-made. Like everyone, to get to where I am, I stood on the shoulders of giants. My life was built on a foundation of parents, coaches, and teachers; of kind souls who lent couches or gym back rooms where I could sleep; of mentors who shared wisdom and advice; of idols who motivated me from the pages of magazines (and, as my life grew, from personal interaction)." - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tools of Titans   WHAT IS A LIFE MENTOR?  A life mentor is often it is an older person and someone who's been there, done that. They've got the life experience, they've walked the journey and they've reflected on it. Generally you have a relationship with them already and there is already a genuine reciprocity and trust.  Even though there's normally a generational age gap, it doesn't matter, they really do enjoy spending time with you anyway. There isn't a dynamic of power there, it's not as if they've got all the wisdom, you go with like an empty cup and they're filling up your cup, it's got that genuine mentor reciprocal sharing of an energy, of a need.  This isn’t a mentoring program at work where someone sets up a professional mentor, we're talking about someone you've come across in your journey that you respect, find authentic and you believe in each other. Your mentor is comfortable in their own skin, they want the very best for you, they're not threatened by you in any way, they just want you to be happy and to succeed in your life.  See more at www.universalman.org

"I am not a self-made man. Every time I give a speech at a business conference, or speak to college students, or do a Reddit AMA, someone says it. 'Governor/Governator/Arnold/Arnie/Schwarzie/Schnitzel (depending on where I am), as a self-made man, what’s your blueprint for success?' They’re always shocked when I thank them for the compliment but say, “I am not a self-made man. I got a lot of help.” It is true that I grew up in Austria without plumbing. It is true that I moved to America alone with just a gym bag. And it is true that I worked as a bricklayer and invested in real estate to become a millionaire before I ever swung the sword in Conan the Barbarian.But it is not true that I am self-made. Like everyone, to get to where I am, I stood on the shoulders of giants. My life was built on a foundation of parents, coaches, and teachers; of kind souls who lent couches or gym back rooms where I could sleep; of mentors who shared wisdom and advice; of idols who motivated me from the pages of magazines (and, as my life grew, from personal interaction)." - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tools of Titans WHAT IS A LIFE MENTOR? A life mentor is often it is an older person and someone who's been there, done that. They've got the life experience, they've walked the journey and they've reflected on it. Generally you have a relationship with them already and there is already a genuine reciprocity and trust. Even though there's normally a generational age gap, it doesn't matter, they really do enjoy spending time with you anyway. There isn't a dynamic of power there, it's not as if they've got all the wisdom, you go with like an empty cup and they're filling up your cup, it's got that genuine mentor reciprocal sharing of an energy, of a need. This isn’t a mentoring program at work where someone sets up a professional mentor, we're talking about someone you've come across in your journey that you respect, find authentic and you believe in each other. Your mentor is comfortable in their own skin, they want the very best for you, they're not threatened by you in any way, they just want you to be happy and to succeed in your life. See more at <a href="http://www.universalman.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.universalman.org</a>

19. Life Mentor

“We are all meant to shine, as children do.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson     What do we mean by The Devil’s Apprentice?  Several times on Universal Man we have talked about the Wolf Pack - that group of men that we choose to associate with who lift us to our best selves. But life is never perfect nor is any group of mates. Often amongst our group of mates is that one guy who, for whatever reason, drags you down. They are the negative voice, the wet blanket, the one who for whatever reason always reaches for the lowest common denominator to bring everyone with them.  This is the Devil’s Apprentice and you might well go ‘way back’. They can be someone who has been a mate from your childhood or teenage days, but they have never grown up, they have never graduated into adulthood. Have you been in that scenario where over a couple of drinks on a Friday afternoon one of the group just lowers the standard through the crass joke, the bad timing, the inappropriate call and you shake your head? What were they thinking? You get the feeling they’re doing it on purpose to get a rise out of you or the group.  See more at www.universalman.org

“We are all meant to shine, as children do.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson    What do we mean by The Devil’s Apprentice? Several times on Universal Man we have talked about the Wolf Pack - that group of men that we choose to associate with who lift us to our best selves. But life is never perfect nor is any group of mates. Often amongst our group of mates is that one guy who, for whatever reason, drags you down. They are the negative voice, the wet blanket, the one who for whatever reason always reaches for the lowest common denominator to bring everyone with them. This is the Devil’s Apprentice and you might well go ‘way back’. They can be someone who has been a mate from your childhood or teenage days, but they have never grown up, they have never graduated into adulthood. Have you been in that scenario where over a couple of drinks on a Friday afternoon one of the group just lowers the standard through the crass joke, the bad timing, the inappropriate call and you shake your head? What were they thinking? You get the feeling they’re doing it on purpose to get a rise out of you or the group. See more at <a href="http://www.universalman.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.universalman.org</a>

21. Devils Apprentice

“Wanted, a man who is symmetrical, and not one-sided in his development, who has not sent all the energies of his being into one narrow specialty and allowed all the other branches of his life to wither and die.” Orison Swett Marden, Pushing to the front, 1911   In this episode we cover the importance of being 'Well-Rounded' In the speed of modern life things can get out of whack very quickly. We’ve all seen men that put all their faith in developing just one element of their life. They become gym junkies thinking that this will lead to their happiness, they hide away and meditate forever removing themselves from society and thinking that will be their saviour, they become mental giants, studying and learning and being the smartest person in the room or they become social animals always out and about.   This one-dimensional focus often leads to a hyper-competitiveness at being the best in those areas. But competing for what reason? To what end goal?   All of us has spent certain periods investing heavily in one element to the detriment of others. And that is OK. This is how we grow naturally but a well-rounded man does not let this prevail. He knows the true cost. Eventually the lack of balance makes us start to feel ‘empty’ like ‘something is missing’ and that things are out of balance. In these times we are often more ‘reactive’, short tempered, emotionally up and down like a yo-yo, and disconnected from those around us.   We’ve simply put all our eggs in one basket for too long.

“Wanted, a man who is symmetrical, and not one-sided in his development, who has not sent all the energies of his being into one narrow specialty and allowed all the other branches of his life to wither and die.” Orison Swett Marden, Pushing to the front, 1911   In this episode we cover the importance of being 'Well-Rounded' In the speed of modern life things can get out of whack very quickly. We’ve all seen men that put all their faith in developing just one element of their life. They become gym junkies thinking that this will lead to their happiness, they hide away and meditate forever removing themselves from society and thinking that will be their saviour, they become mental giants, studying and learning and being the smartest person in the room or they become social animals always out and about.   This one-dimensional focus often leads to a hyper-competitiveness at being the best in those areas. But competing for what reason? To what end goal?   All of us has spent certain periods investing heavily in one element to the detriment of others. And that is OK. This is how we grow naturally but a well-rounded man does not let this prevail. He knows the true cost. Eventually the lack of balance makes us start to feel ‘empty’ like ‘something is missing’ and that things are out of balance. In these times we are often more ‘reactive’, short tempered, emotionally up and down like a yo-yo, and disconnected from those around us.   We’ve simply put all our eggs in one basket for too long.

12. Well-Rounded

https://www.universalman.org/getting-and-staying-motivated/ This is about not just getting out of bed in the morning and having energy for life. This is about when you’ve got something important to be done. Staying motivated to get it done when it gets hard, when it gets frustrating, when there’s other things, competing priorities, when you just don’t have the energy to get up and do it or do it at any time and all of a sudden you can procrastinate for days and then those days turn into weeks and months and this thing, this task, this job, this thing you’re trying to nail, you’ve made no progress on and as a result it starts to eat away at you a bit. You know you should be doing this, you should be doing this, but something isn’t happening.

<a href="https://www.universalman.org/getting-and-staying-motivated/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/getting-and-staying-motivated/</a> This is about not just getting out of bed in the morning and having energy for life. This is about when you’ve got something important to be done. Staying motivated to get it done when it gets hard, when it gets frustrating, when there’s other things, competing priorities, when you just don’t have the energy to get up and do it or do it at any time and all of a sudden you can procrastinate for days and then those days turn into weeks and months and this thing, this task, this job, this thing you’re trying to nail, you’ve made no progress on and as a result it starts to eat away at you a bit. You know you should be doing this, you should be doing this, but something isn’t happening.

42. Getting and Staying Motivated

In all long-term relationships the challenge to keep the flame burning never ends.   Like most people you’ll have found that in the early stages of relationships life was bliss. You spent hours and hours together every week without distraction or hinderance. You may have also been a bit younger, in less demanding roles and had no children. Whatever, your situation, at some point life gets busier and the challenge of keeping the flame burning gets harder.   So, once the high of moments like your wedding or the birth of children is over, what is next? How do you keep that connection when you’re constantly on the move with incredible pressures at work.   Why does the flame flicker? The simplest way to think about this is from a pure fuel perspective. In the early stages of the relationship you likely had several dates per week, loads of great holidays and life was more simple. You had more time on your own with your mates and you could invest heavily in your career without worry about missing out on home.   Now a date night is a thing. You have to schedule it. You’ve got greater pressures at work to you more distracted at home and likely so does your partner. The fuel or investments in the bank account has dried up so the flame doesn’t burn so bright. See more on the website.

16. Marriage - Keeping The Flame Burning

“I believe the first test of a truly great man is in his humility.” John Ruskin WHAT IS HUMILITY? Our Universal Man core principle of ‘know thyself’ comes to the fore in Humility. When you are in touch with your truest self and ‘at peace’ with who you are you are freed from the ego battles that build within you. As this energy grows it naturally leads to a profound sense of purpose and service of humanity and the planet itself. You grow to truly become a ‘universal man’ who is not just well-rounded but but serves others above self and is accepting of the mantle of responsibility. Importantly, Humility does NOT mean that you do not seek to be aspirational. We are all called as Universal Men to be the ‘best me I can be.’ Humility is often used as the excuse to not have a go, take something on and stand up. That is not humility. 

“I believe the first test of a truly great man is in his humility.” John Ruskin WHAT IS HUMILITY? Our Universal Man core principle of ‘know thyself’ comes to the fore in Humility. When you are in touch with your truest self and ‘at peace’ with who you are you are freed from the ego battles that build within you. As this energy grows it naturally leads to a profound sense of purpose and service of humanity and the planet itself. You grow to truly become a ‘universal man’ who is not just well-rounded but but serves others above self and is accepting of the mantle of responsibility. Importantly, Humility does NOT mean that you do not seek to be aspirational. We are all called as Universal Men to be the ‘best me I can be.’ Humility is often used as the excuse to not have a go, take something on and stand up. That is not humility.

15. Humility

Full Show Notes Here: https://www.universalman.org/determining-your-core-values/  In this episode we cover determining your core values. What's deepest in you? What really is at your essence of who you are. It's the things in the world that for whatever reason, mean the most to you and who you are. Core values are like a personal compass point. You know, you're wandering through life and your values tell you if something is right or wrong. They tell you, you should go down this path, or not. They drive where you want to be. They drive your behaviour, they drive your reactions, and they drive your deepest desires of how you want to spend your life. And that's a real key there for understanding you and who you are, because everyone's values are different.

Full Show Notes Here: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/determining-your-core-values/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/determining-your-core-values/</a> In this episode we cover determining your core values. What's deepest in you? What really is at your essence of who you are. It's the things in the world that for whatever reason, mean the most to you and who you are. Core values are like a personal compass point. You know, you're wandering through life and your values tell you if something is right or wrong. They tell you, you should go down this path, or not. They drive where you want to be. They drive your behaviour, they drive your reactions, and they drive your deepest desires of how you want to spend your life. And that's a real key there for understanding you and who you are, because everyone's values are different.

43. Determining Your Core Values

https://www.universalman.org/living-on-the-edge/   At the start of the movie Dead Poet's Society Mr. Keating says, "Carpe Diem, lads. Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary." The scene is set in front of photos of men who died in the First World War, and he's saying to them, "Don't be boring. Don't just waste your life, make your life extraordinary. Live on the edge." But the truth is in life these days we get into the day-to-day grind of raising families or a busy job or something. One of the things that can creep in is this comfort zone, which acts like a bubble. It can be hard to break out of, because it's just so easy to stay just where you are and not really ever do something a little bit on the edge. What we mean by living on the edge though, is not necessarily doing something crazy or dangerous. What it really means is to do things that give you significant energy, that break you from the normal bubble and put you into a space that I just kicks you out of the comfort zone. And it's not all the time, but it's just things that put adrenaline back in the bloodstream.

<a href="https://www.universalman.org/living-on-the-edge/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/living-on-the-edge/</a> At the start of the movie Dead Poet's Society Mr. Keating says, "Carpe Diem, lads. Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary." The scene is set in front of photos of men who died in the First World War, and he's saying to them, "Don't be boring. Don't just waste your life, make your life extraordinary. Live on the edge." But the truth is in life these days we get into the day-to-day grind of raising families or a busy job or something. One of the things that can creep in is this comfort zone, which acts like a bubble. It can be hard to break out of, because it's just so easy to stay just where you are and not really ever do something a little bit on the edge. What we mean by living on the edge though, is not necessarily doing something crazy or dangerous. What it really means is to do things that give you significant energy, that break you from the normal bubble and put you into a space that I just kicks you out of the comfort zone. And it's not all the time, but it's just things that put adrenaline back in the bloodstream.

44. Living On The Edge

www.universalman.org for show notes and events.  Framing shapes the way we look at life's events both past and upcoming. It's our perspective on what it means for us and others and shapes so much of our experience in life. Most of the time we're not even aware that it's the labels that come with framing that limit us or give us freedom.

<a href="http://www.universalman.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.universalman.org</a> for show notes and events.  Framing shapes the way we look at life's events both past and upcoming. It's our perspective on what it means for us and others and shapes so much of our experience in life. Most of the time we're not even aware that it's the labels that come with framing that limit us or give us freedom.

41. Reframing Difficult Situations

One of our greatest challenges is finding opportunity in the current crisis.   We talk about:  Getting in the right mindset as the crisis lifts to find opportunity How to find the opportunities that best for you in your life right now Some ways to get and keep momentum Including bucket lists, short term and long term goals Leaning from Vicktor Frankl - Surivivor from Aushwitz and his book - Man's Search for Meaning   https://www.universalman.org/opportunity/

One of our greatest challenges is finding opportunity in the current crisis. We talk about: <ul> <li>Getting in the right mindset as the crisis lifts to find opportunity</li> <li>How to find the opportunities that best for you in your life right now</li> <li>Some ways to get and keep momentum</li> <li>Including bucket lists, short term and long term goals</li> <li>Leaning from Vicktor Frankl - Surivivor from Aushwitz and his book - Man's Search for Meaning</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.universalman.org/opportunity/?fbclid=IwAR0vA7dlArfT-80ZPgHkcg56D8Cu1LDLzPoCRCWJ8sVzgsC8c83xj3p9jPQ" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.universalman.org/opportunity/</a>

54. Opportunity

Legends, Our inner voices reflect our reality. In this ep Pricey and Grego talk about the power of our inner dialogue and some practical steps you can take to turn them around. 

Legends, Our inner voices reflect our reality. In this ep Pricey and Grego talk about the power of our inner dialogue and some practical steps you can take to turn them around.

52. The Power of Self Talk

G’day legends!  It appears that you can get just about anything now in a minute. You can get two minute noodles, 90 second rice, eight minute abs, 60 second outdoor cleaner.  It’s an on-demand lifestyle. So what is the 1440 prinicple?  The 1440 priniciple is a concept developed by Kevin Cruze (distinguished author and motivational speaker). 1440 is not’20 to three’ in the afternoon, it actually represents the number of minutes in a day.  Have you ever thought about how much you are able to cram into the days before you go on holidays or the day that you've got an urgent deadline and then all of a sudden you can just cram all this extra activity into the day?  The secret is that you're actually maximising the minutes in a day rather than procrastinating or being wasteful.  Brendan Hawes, our guest podcaster this week and CEO of Blue Star talks about how the secret to his day is “when I'm at my peak performance it is if I live and breathe the 1440. So what I try and do is break down my day into those minute segments.”

G’day legends!  It appears that you can get just about anything now in a minute. You can get two minute noodles, 90 second rice, eight minute abs, 60 second outdoor cleaner.  It’s an on-demand lifestyle. So what is the 1440 prinicple?  The 1440 priniciple is a concept developed by Kevin Cruze (distinguished author and motivational speaker). 1440 is not’20 to three’ in the afternoon, it actually represents the number of minutes in a day.  Have you ever thought about how much you are able to cram into the days before you go on holidays or the day that you've got an urgent deadline and then all of a sudden you can just cram all this extra activity into the day?  The secret is that you're actually maximising the minutes in a day rather than procrastinating or being wasteful.  Brendan Hawes, our guest podcaster this week and CEO of Blue Star talks about how the secret to his day is “when I'm at my peak performance it is if I live and breathe the 1440. So what I try and do is break down my day into those minute segments.”

51. The 1440 Principles

IN THIS EPISODE WE BUILD YOUR EXECUTIVE PLAN TO NAIL YOUR LIFE VISION. There is an old saying, “Vision without execution is just a dream”. We outline 5 big principles for Life Vision Execution.

IN THIS EPISODE WE BUILD YOUR EXECUTIVE PLAN TO NAIL YOUR LIFE VISION. There is an old saying, “Vision without execution is just a dream”. We outline 5 big principles for Life Vision Execution.

50. Executing Your Life Vision - Action Plan - Part 3

How to Build your Life Vision: Show Notes and Tips: https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-action-plan-part-1-life-scoreboard-2/ I have met a thousand men frustrated with their life. Stuck in their own harbour of safety. I've been there. Sometimes they are even working their tails off and still going nowhere. Sometimes they are dreaming and not taking action. But I've never met someone whose actions were aligned to a vision that was in harbour. No, they were always at sail towards their destination risking the open seas and reaping the rewards internally and externally for their effort. It all starts with Vision. 

How to Build your Life Vision: Show Notes and Tips: <a href="https://www.universalman.org/?p=2022" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-action-plan-part-1-life-scoreboard-2/</a> I have met a thousand men frustrated with their life. Stuck in their own harbour of safety. I've been there. Sometimes they are even working their tails off and still going nowhere. Sometimes they are dreaming and not taking action. But I've never met someone whose actions were aligned to a vision that was in harbour. No, they were always at sail towards their destination risking the open seas and reaping the rewards internally and externally for their effort. It all starts with Vision.

49. Building Your Life Vision - Action Plan - Part 2

WHAT IS A LIFE SCOREBOARD? The Life Scoreboard is a pictorial representation of how your performing in all the most important elements of your life. Things like your relationship with your partner and kids, wider family, best friends, career and legacy, finances, health, mastery, travel, spirit and dreams. It is an important step in working out your life vision. 

WHAT IS A LIFE SCOREBOARD? The Life Scoreboard is a pictorial representation of how your performing in all the most important elements of your life. Things like your relationship with your partner and kids, wider family, best friends, career and legacy, finances, health, mastery, travel, spirit and dreams. It is an important step in working out your life vision.

48. Create Your Life Scoreboard - Action Plan - Part 1

A short Merry Christmas from Grego and Pricey!

A short Merry Christmas from Grego and Pricey!

47. Merry Christmas

 https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-part-2-mental-game/ Master your Mental Game - part 2 of the UMAN Framework How often in life do you feel like you lack the confidence, or you lack the clarity, or you're overwhelmed, or … There's just something about, as life gets on and life gets busy, maybe you lose some of your natural confidence and your natural exuberance, and getting in the right head space is difficult, right? This is a huge, huge part of being successful or achieving your goals in life, so mental game is a really important component of that, and it helps us get on top of our Action Plan and helps us with our final pillar, too, which is Nailing It. But these four things, Uniqueness, Mental Game, Action Plan, and Nailing It, they're all integrated. You can see, if you were to think about it, how they all fit together.

<a href="https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-part-2-mental-game/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-part-2-mental-game/</a> Master your Mental Game - part 2 of the UMAN Framework How often in life do you feel like you lack the confidence, or you lack the clarity, or you're overwhelmed, or … There's just something about, as life gets on and life gets busy, maybe you lose some of your natural confidence and your natural exuberance, and getting in the right head space is difficult, right? This is a huge, huge part of being successful or achieving your goals in life, so mental game is a really important component of that, and it helps us get on top of our Action Plan and helps us with our final pillar, too, which is Nailing It. But these four things, Uniqueness, Mental Game, Action Plan, and Nailing It, they're all integrated. You can see, if you were to think about it, how they all fit together.

46. Mental Game

https://www.universalman.org/self-coaching-frees-the-spirit/ Self-Coaching Frees the Spirit August 15, 2019You need to do THIS on your own There are times in life when you shouldn’t and can’t go to some sort of a guru, counsellor, professional, and supervisor to help with a problem. Sometimes you have just got to trust your own wisdom, but to do it in a really deliberate way. So our topic is self-coaching. Well, self-coaching, to our way of thinking, frees the spirit. It is a process where instead of engaging somebody else or speaking to anybody in the world, you’ve got a problem that you want to solve on your own, and normally it’s for one of two reasons  It’s because for once you want to just do it on your own. You want to solve this problem without anyone else’s help, or The other reason is maybe the problem that you’ve got, you’re not ready to share. Maybe it’s financial, maybe it’s relational, maybe its health, maybe it’s a goal you’ve always wanted to achieve and maybe you just didn’t want anyone else to know about it right now. You’ve got to really trust the actual timing. There’s a time for everything, and there’re times you’re just not ready to share and you shouldn’t.  A Framework for Self Coaching The key here is thinking it through; a framework. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have decided to go and do something on your own, but you don’t have any way of knowing what to do. A self-coaching framework will help you put a process into your own self-development so you can do this on your own. This can be used for little challenges you probably got in your life at home, or with a friend, or with your boss, it could be a financial goal or some problem, getting yourself out of financial trouble or a health goal you’ve got, whatever it is you use a little framework to get you to the next level.

<a href="https://www.universalman.org/self-coaching-frees-the-spirit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.universalman.org/self-coaching-frees-the-spirit/</a> Self-Coaching Frees the Spirit August 15, 2019You need to do THIS on your own There are times in life when you shouldn’t and can’t go to some sort of a guru, counsellor, professional, and supervisor to help with a problem. Sometimes you have just got to trust your own wisdom, but to do it in a really deliberate way. So our topic is self-coaching. Well, self-coaching, to our way of thinking, frees the spirit. It is a process where instead of engaging somebody else or speaking to anybody in the world, you’ve got a problem that you want to solve on your own, and normally it’s for one of two reasons <ol> <li>It’s because for once you want to just do it on your own. You want to solve this problem without anyone else’s help, or</li> <li>The other reason is maybe the problem that you’ve got, you’re not ready to share. Maybe it’s financial, maybe it’s relational, maybe its health, maybe it’s a goal you’ve always wanted to achieve and maybe you just didn’t want anyone else to know about it right now. You’ve got to really trust the actual timing. There’s a time for everything, and there’re times you’re just not ready to share and you shouldn’t.</li> </ol> A Framework for Self Coaching The key here is thinking it through; a framework. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have decided to go and do something on your own, but you don’t have any way of knowing what to do. A self-coaching framework will help you put a process into your own self-development so you can do this on your own. This can be used for little challenges you probably got in your life at home, or with a friend, or with your boss, it could be a financial goal or some problem, getting yourself out of financial trouble or a health goal you’ve got, whatever it is you use a little framework to get you to the next level.

38. Self Coaching Frees the Spirit

 https://www.universalman.org/the-roles-that-define-you/A man's life is defined by all the different formal and informal roles that we take on every single day.  Husband, father, partner, work colleague, even a certain role you play with your mates. In the Renaissance Man context, they always spoke about the ability to be the right kind of Universal Man in all the different contexts or different teams or situations you're in. Regardless of those different roles that we're all called to play, there's a quality of the man that transfers across - that transcends. All these different types of roles - we shift from one role to the next as we go through life and as we do so we grow, we grow as our roles change. But, how do you get the right set of roles? Because in life, you want to identify the set of roles that best executes your life vision.  WHAT ROLES DO YOU PLAY?  So we want to focus on two questions. Are you in the right set of roles? And for ones you are in, are you doing them right?  Because if you're not, there's going to be, potentially, a lot of conflict, a lot of heartache, a lot of stress. But if you do them right, life can be pretty damn good.  It is so important to be clear about the roles you are playing. This level of awareness is vital because real damage is done when you are playing a role but are not aware that you are doing so.  So begin by naming all the roles you are playing. Stop and say, "Okay, the roles I'm performing, formally and in an informal way within my life, are; “I might be father. I'm friend. I'm an executive officer at work. I'm a football coach." Five, six or seven roles. Be clear what they are. This level of awareness is a great stepping point forward for growth. For each role that you are playing - and so many of us miss this opportunity - it is a great idea to name some of the aspects of the role.  KNOW THE PURPOSE AND QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE FOR EACH ROLE Write on a piece of paper, What's the purposeof the role? What are the key tasks and the qualityrequired of each task?   Let me tell you what we mean by that is. The quality of clarity around role is so important. Maybe your partner says to you, "Hey, Sunday afternoon can you look after the kids?" And you go "No problem." And then maybe you give your wife the afternoon off, or your partner the afternoon off. The kids, you, just hang around at home, put on a movie and watch a movie together.  And then you go and get McDonald's for dinner. She comes in at 7 o'clock and says "I can't believe you did that! Why didn't you take them to the park and make them run around and give them a good healthy vegetable dinner?"  You did the task, but not to the right level of quality. Right? So it's clear that there's a bit of a role conflict right there. So, understand the purpose, the task and the quality.  It is a powerful question to ask yourself, what does success look like in that particular role today?  How can I do it to the best of my ability?  If you just define that for each of the roles you're in, you’ll find you get a few little bonuses.  UNDERSTAND ALL THE ROLES IN A TEAM Imagine a football team, or a cricket team, going onto the field. Everyone's got a role. Now it's all good and well to know what your role is, but do you know what all the other roles are, and the game plan? Because sometimes you might know your role really well, but no one else knows theirs. Or no one knows really how it all fits together to make the game plan.  Again, it can be the way you run your home. It can be the way you run your team at work. It's really important to understand how everyone's role is important. That's a recognition of the importance of everyone's role, plus how your role fits into that.  When we're doing this really well, the role's supports each other, and you feel energy. So you catch up with a friend and you have an energy. From that catch up with the friend, you can go back home and do some other role, and you've got an energy there. Because you've done that particular role well, is an energy somewhere else. Exactly. I catch up with mates maybe we go for a beer after work one day, and it's really interesting when guys catch up, they just generally talk footy or sport or something, whatever their interest that is, they talk about it all the time. That's the role you play in that moment. Because it is maybe a bit of an escape for everybody to get away. Not talk work, or not talk about family, just be different. Then you go home, and you're wife goes "How was it?" "Oh, it was great, had a good beer." Then she goes "How's their family?" And you go "No idea."  NO ROLES ARE PERFECT One of the little dangers here is we can think that the role is a perfect thing. But we all know every role has it's good and it's bad. There are aspects of it you don't like, but it's still part of the role. I'd like to say every role has a 'suck' factor. There just is no role out there that is just perfect. I don't really love doing toilet training with my boys, I don't like doing the admin and financing of my work. There's just bits and pieces you don't love. Right? But that's just part of every role, so don't look for perfection.  KNOW THE POINTS OF TRANSITION I think the next important thing is know the points of transition.  This is where a lot of conflict and angst arises. Maybe you've been at work all day. You walk in the door and you've still got this potential mindset of maybe I'm very commercial, maybe operational project work, it's logical and linear and moving on, but then you're in the house and it's not all that. It's chaos. It's dinner time or bath time and you're like "Oh my gosh, this is just nuts" and no one listens to you, whereas at work everyone listens to you.  You haven't realised you've changed roles. There is a totally different power dynamic here. So you get upset because you've still got the suit on.  You've got to take that suit off. So know the points of transition, because that's where issues arise. I remember a little while ago, I was trying to put my sons to bed and they playing on the bed, jumping up and down and being crazy and throwing the teddy bears across the room. It was late and I was getting angry at them and saying "Get down to bed!" and "Go to sleep!", and they just weren't ready. Right?  But I realised I wasn't upset at them. I was upset because I wanted to play another role. I wanted to go back and do some work. I was thinking that if they don't go to bed soon, I'll run out of energy out there to do that job. It had nothing to do with them. I remember being at meetings all day and I had a tie on. And I'm walking into a pub to catch up with my mate. As I'm walking in, I take my tie off. It's a tiny little thing, but kinda me saying "I'm leaving that role, those meetings and work, I'm leaving that behind. I'm in a new role, and it's not a formal role, it's an informal role, of just being a mate. The process of changing your clothes is important. Change out of your power suit. Being around the house clothes, or if you're gonna go to the gym, put on proper gym clothes, or whatever it is. That also things like taking your technology. So your phone or your computer, go and put it in the office, plug it in, leave it in there, so you can come back and be present, because if it's in your hand, you'll keep checking it. So when you switch off your phone you're saying, 'I'm leaving that role'. I'm there just with my partner, with the person you're actually with. And then the next morning, when you get up, you maybe put on your jacket or your tie, or whatever, your shirt, just before you leave home, it's the final thing, it's game time, so you can go to work in full swing. Right? Make sure you know those transitions and how you're going to transition from one to the other. Know that there's always gonna be a bit mistake at a times. We don't all actually get it right, but just to be aware.  WHEN A ROLE ISN'T FOR YOU Some roles are not all, actually you. You can't feel a gut feeling, and know this is just not me.  Exactly, and we use the example of Mitchell Johnson, the Australian cricketer, who was a real wild child in many ways. For years they tried to make him a line or length bowler, and that was a square peg in a round hole. Wasn't it? Then all of sudden, the coach said, "No, no. You're the aggressor, what we need you to do is, essentially, to scare people. And he got more wickets in that last three years of his test career, then he did in probably the first ten.  Within all that, sometimes we're asked to play a role for very short time. And it really isn't what or who we want to be longer term. It can be fine for a period. Perhaps your partner's very, very sick and for a short period of time, you've gotta go into nurse, and you've gotta go and do care. It's not who you're gonna be longer term. The danger is sometimes you can go into a role which is not you and you can get yourself trapped there, and it just eats away and you get into a "victim" approach, and you're just not being you. In those moments when maybe something has occurred more from left field, and you're asked to do a certain role, you actually have to reset your expectations about your ability to do other roles. And if it's an energy thing, like perhaps your partner being sick, maybe you need to have some discussions with the other people who are involved and say, "Listen, right now I'm going to be a bit more emotional, a bit more sad or a bit more committed somewhere else". So reset that expectation so it doesn't hurt you so much. On other occasions you've just gotta exit stage left. You might be in a particular role. It worked for a period, and you just realise this is not going to work. This is not you. So instead or wearing yourself out for a long period of time, 'cause that's what a poorly fit role does, wears you out. If that's the case, look to redefine it. Take control of that, and redefine it, and if you can't, eventually you are going to have to exit. GET CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS AND THE NUMBER OF ROLES Two important principles for being a Universal Man is role clarity and the right number of roles. If you take on too many roles, and overall have too many tasks, you just get into overload, and you don't end up doing any of them well. You just get this poor performance in every single one of them and it's not good for anyone. Not good for the people you're associated with, or the team your involved with. You need to add the right set of roles, that support your achieving or executing your vision. When you let go of one of those roles, which is an extra burden, and it's not being a part of you, you will experience a lift in your own performance and flow. There are certain chapters in your life where there should be a set of roles. This might require some very tough decisions. Sometimes you get in a role that has an amazing title, don't make the title all about you. Make you, you. That's a really powerful thing. There's nothing worse than meeting someone who's a CEO, or the big head-honcho of something, and they're all about the title. Don't hold the title in too tight a way. You've got to be able to be a little bit flexible about it all. I always use the example of football. Everyone has a number on their back, in the game of footy, and you've got a role to play, based on the game plan. Right? But every now and then the opposition drops the ball. You've got to pick it up. The closest person must do the job. So sometimes at work, in particular, or at home where I suppose you've got set roles, sometimes things go wrong. Someone just needs to do a job, and don't just go "Well, that's not my job, because I'm this person." Do what the team, or scenario, needs to keep moving and get a result. Now I say it all the time, it frustrates me because someone says "That's not my job." One thing about being the Universal Man is that the actual universal man senses the role that's needed to be done here. Knows that they can perform within that role, it will enhance them, and not only are they a better person for it, but everyone around them is too. When you have the right set of roles, and they are good ones for you, that's when you really feel that zone and that spirit that you're on top of things, and in flow. And that's the feeling of knowing yourself, growing your own self and your brothers walk beside you. Stay legendary Pricey and Grego

<a href="https://www.universalman.org/?p=1980" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.universalman.org/the-roles-that-define-you/</a>A man's life is defined by all the different formal and informal roles that we take on every single day.  Husband, father, partner, work colleague, even a certain role you play with your mates. In the Renaissance Man context, they always spoke about the ability to be the right kind of Universal Man in all the different contexts or different teams or situations you're in. Regardless of those different roles that we're all called to play, there's a quality of the man that transfers across - that transcends. All these different types of roles - we shift from one role to the next as we go through life and as we do so we grow, we grow as our roles change. But, how do you get the right set of roles? Because in life, you want to identify the set of roles that best executes your life vision.  WHAT ROLES DO YOU PLAY?  So we want to focus on two questions. Are you in the right set of roles? And for ones you are in, are you doing them right?  Because if you're not, there's going to be, potentially, a lot of conflict, a lot of heartache, a lot of stress. But if you do them right, life can be pretty damn good.  It is so important to be clear about the roles you are playing. This level of awareness is vital because real damage is done when you are playing a role but are not aware that you are doing so.  So begin by naming all the roles you are playing. Stop and say, "Okay, the roles I'm performing, formally and in an informal way within my life, are; “I might be father. I'm friend. I'm an executive officer at work. I'm a football coach." Five, six or seven roles. Be clear what they are. This level of awareness is a great stepping point forward for growth. For each role that you are playing - and so many of us miss this opportunity - it is a great idea to name some of the aspects of the role.  KNOW THE PURPOSE AND QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE FOR EACH ROLE Write on a piece of paper, What's the purposeof the role? What are the key tasks and the qualityrequired of each task?   Let me tell you what we mean by that is. The quality of clarity around role is so important. Maybe your partner says to you, "Hey, Sunday afternoon can you look after the kids?" And you go "No problem." And then maybe you give your wife the afternoon off, or your partner the afternoon off. The kids, you, just hang around at home, put on a movie and watch a movie together.  And then you go and get McDonald's for dinner. She comes in at 7 o'clock and says "I can't believe you did that! Why didn't you take them to the park and make them run around and give them a good healthy vegetable dinner?"  You did the task, but not to the right level of quality. Right? So it's clear that there's a bit of a role conflict right there. So, understand the purpose, the task and the quality.  It is a powerful question to ask yourself, what does success look like in that particular role today?  How can I do it to the best of my ability?  If you just define that for each of the roles you're in, you’ll find you get a few little bonuses. UNDERSTAND ALL THE ROLES IN A TEAM Imagine a football team, or a cricket team, going onto the field. Everyone's got a role. Now it's all good and well to know what your role is, but do you know what all the other roles are, and the game plan? Because sometimes you might know your role really well, but no one else knows theirs. Or no one knows really how it all fits together to make the game plan.  Again, it can be the way you run your home. It can be the way you run your team at work. It's really important to understand how everyone's role is important. That's a recognition of the importance of everyone's role, plus how your role fits into that.  When we're doing this really well, the role's supports each other, and you feel energy. So you catch up with a friend and you have an energy. From that catch up with the friend, you can go back home and do some other role, and you've got an energy there. Because you've done that particular role well, is an energy somewhere else. Exactly. I catch up with mates maybe we go for a beer after work one day, and it's really interesting when guys catch up, they just generally talk footy or sport or something, whatever their interest that is, they talk about it all the time. That's the role you play in that moment. Because it is maybe a bit of an escape for everybody to get away. Not talk work, or not talk about family, just be different. Then you go home, and you're wife goes "How was it?" "Oh, it was great, had a good beer." Then she goes "How's their family?" And you go "No idea."  NO ROLES ARE PERFECT One of the little dangers here is we can think that the role is a perfect thing. But we all know every role has it's good and it's bad. There are aspects of it you don't like, but it's still part of the role. I'd like to say every role has a 'suck' factor. There just is no role out there that is just perfect. I don't really love doing toilet training with my boys, I don't like doing the admin and financing of my work. There's just bits and pieces you don't love. Right? But that's just part of every role, so don't look for perfection.  KNOW THE POINTS OF TRANSITION I think the next important thing is know the points of transition.  This is where a lot of conflict and angst arises. Maybe you've been at work all day. You walk in the door and you've still got this potential mindset of maybe I'm very commercial, maybe operational project work, it's logical and linear and moving on, but then you're in the house and it's not all that. It's chaos. It's dinner time or bath time and you're like "Oh my gosh, this is just nuts" and no one listens to you, whereas at work everyone listens to you.  You haven't realised you've changed roles. There is a totally different power dynamic here. So you get upset because you've still got the suit on.  You've got to take that suit off. So know the points of transition, because that's where issues arise. I remember a little while ago, I was trying to put my sons to bed and they playing on the bed, jumping up and down and being crazy and throwing the teddy bears across the room. It was late and I was getting angry at them and saying "Get down to bed!" and "Go to sleep!", and they just weren't ready. Right?  But I realised I wasn't upset at them. I was upset because I wanted to play another role. I wanted to go back and do some work. I was thinking that if they don't go to bed soon, I'll run out of energy out there to do that job. It had nothing to do with them. I remember being at meetings all day and I had a tie on. And I'm walking into a pub to catch up with my mate. As I'm walking in, I take my tie off. It's a tiny little thing, but kinda me saying "I'm leaving that role, those meetings and work, I'm leaving that behind. I'm in a new role, and it's not a formal role, it's an informal role, of just being a mate. The process of changing your clothes is important. Change out of your power suit. Being around the house clothes, or if you're gonna go to the gym, put on proper gym clothes, or whatever it is. That also things like taking your technology. So your phone or your computer, go and put it in the office, plug it in, leave it in there, so you can come back and be present, because if it's in your hand, you'll keep checking it. So when you switch off your phone you're saying, 'I'm leaving that role'. I'm there just with my partner, with the person you're actually with. And then the next morning, when you get up, you maybe put on your jacket or your tie, or whatever, your shirt, just before you leave home, it's the final thing, it's game time, so you can go to work in full swing. Right? Make sure you know those transitions and how you're going to transition from one to the other. Know that there's always gonna be a bit mistake at a times. We don't all actually get it right, but just to be aware.  WHEN A ROLE ISN'T FOR YOU Some roles are not all, actually you. You can't feel a gut feeling, and know this is just not me.  Exactly, and we use the example of Mitchell Johnson, the Australian cricketer, who was a real wild child in many ways. For years they tried to make him a line or length bowler, and that was a square peg in a round hole. Wasn't it? Then all of sudden, the coach said, "No, no. You're the aggressor, what we need you to do is, essentially, to scare people. And he got more wickets in that last three years of his test career, then he did in probably the first ten.  Within all that, sometimes we're asked to play a role for very short time. And it really isn't what or who we want to be longer term. It can be fine for a period. Perhaps your partner's very, very sick and for a short period of time, you've gotta go into nurse, and you've gotta go and do care. It's not who you're gonna be longer term. The danger is sometimes you can go into a role which is not you and you can get yourself trapped there, and it just eats away and you get into a "victim" approach, and you're just not being you. In those moments when maybe something has occurred more from left field, and you're asked to do a certain role, you actually have to reset your expectations about your ability to do other roles. And if it's an energy thing, like perhaps your partner being sick, maybe you need to have some discussions with the other people who are involved and say, "Listen, right now I'm going to be a bit more emotional, a bit more sad or a bit more committed somewhere else". So reset that expectation so it doesn't hurt you so much. On other occasions you've just gotta exit stage left. You might be in a particular role. It worked for a period, and you just realise this is not going to work. This is not you. So instead or wearing yourself out for a long period of time, 'cause that's what a poorly fit role does, wears you out. If that's the case, look to redefine it. Take control of that, and redefine it, and if you can't, eventually you are going to have to exit. GET CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS AND THE NUMBER OF ROLES Two important principles for being a Universal Man is role clarity and the right number of roles. If you take on too many roles, and overall have too many tasks, you just get into overload, and you don't end up doing any of them well. You just get this poor performance in every single one of them and it's not good for anyone. Not good for the people you're associated with, or the team your involved with. You need to add the right set of roles, that support your achieving or executing your vision. When you let go of one of those roles, which is an extra burden, and it's not being a part of you, you will experience a lift in your own performance and flow. There are certain chapters in your life where there should be a set of roles. This might require some very tough decisions. Sometimes you get in a role that has an amazing title, don't make the title all about you. Make you, you. That's a really powerful thing. There's nothing worse than meeting someone who's a CEO, or the big head-honcho of something, and they're all about the title. Don't hold the title in too tight a way. You've got to be able to be a little bit flexible about it all. I always use the example of football. Everyone has a number on their back, in the game of footy, and you've got a role to play, based on the game plan. Right? But every now and then the opposition drops the ball. You've got to pick it up. The closest person must do the job. So sometimes at work, in particular, or at home where I suppose you've got set roles, sometimes things go wrong. Someone just needs to do a job, and don't just go "Well, that's not my job, because I'm this person." Do what the team, or scenario, needs to keep moving and get a result. Now I say it all the time, it frustrates me because someone says "That's not my job." One thing about being the Universal Man is that the actual universal man senses the role that's needed to be done here. Knows that they can perform within that role, it will enhance them, and not only are they a better person for it, but everyone around them is too. When you have the right set of roles, and they are good ones for you, that's when you really feel that zone and that spirit that you're on top of things, and in flow. And that's the feeling of knowing yourself, growing your own self and your brothers walk beside you. Stay legendary Pricey and Grego

36. The Roles That Define You

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