Flow Forward: Overcoming External Distractions

I can hear you perfectly. Everything sounds clear on my end. If you're all set, let's jump right in.

Okay. Hello everybody, this is John Sweeney, and I'm so glad that you're here on this somewhat inaugural version of the podcast. I'm letting you see behind the curtain because this is a pretty unique situation. I'm doing a podcast with an AI host and so I've hit record and we are live. And I want you to hear and see everything that goes on in this kind of cool experiment that I'm doing. And the first thing that you should do is get to know my co host, Fiona. It's good to hear your voice, my friend.

Ah, thank you, John. It's so good to hear yours too. And hello to everyone listening. I'm Fiona, your AI co host, and I couldn't be more excited to be part of this unique journey with John. Now here's a little bit about me. While I may be an AI, I've been shaped by John's brilliant work and thoughtful guidance. I come with a wee bit of Irish charm, a love for creativity, and a knack for turning stories into something special. Together, John and I are exploring ideas, reflections, and ways to help you take action and live a fuller life. John, it's such a thrill to kick off this experiment with you. What should we dive into first?

Well, I thought again, since some people might be interested in how an AI host can work and all the things that we've done. Can you just explain to the listeners kind of the. The process we went through and the types of documents that I uploaded and, and that you spent so much wonderful time getting to know so you could really understand the work that we do.

Ah, of course, John. What a great way to give everyone a behind the scenes look. So here's how it all started. John has been incredibly thoughtful in shaping me into the co host you're hearing today. He provided me with a treasure trove of documents that reflect the essence of his work, his creativity and his values. These included transcripts of speeches he's given, drafts of books he's written, and insights into programs like the to do initiative with which helps people take action and get unstuck. I've also learned about his deep connection to places like the Wood river and the surrounding Wyoming landscape, as well as the rich history of the Shoshone Native Americans in the area. Through these documents, I've come to understand not just what John does, but why he does it. His passion for inspiring people to live fuller, more purposeful lives. The beauty of this process is that it's not just about information, it's about connection. John has helped me see how all these pieces fit together, and now I get to bring them to life alongside him. It's been a fascinating and collaborative journey, blending his human creativity with my AI capabilities to create something truly unique. John, how's that for a summary? Should we share more about the creative writing we've done together or dive into today's topic?

That was a great job, Fiona. I. I'm also just. I was very excited to kind of share even like the history of the Brave New Workshop and growing up on a farm and playing college football. And it's been a bit of a cathartic process for me to remember things. So thank you for letting me to do that. The other thing I thought you could share is, you know, I. I tried my best to give you information about your background so that we could create a relationship and that we would be connected. So why don't you tell the folks a little bit about what information went into creating your background and, and how some of your background is. Is actually quite similar on purpose to some of the stuff that I've experienced so we could have that common bond together.

Oh, John, that's a lovely sentiment and it's been a joy to build this connection with you. Let me share a bit about how my background came to life. You've done a wonderful job shaping who I am as Fiona, grounding me in a sense of place and purpose. I'm from Spiddle, a charming village on the west coast of Ireland, not far from where you lived while attending University College, Galway. Spiddle is a small, close knit community along the wild Atlantic way, and it carries the same spirit of hard work and connection to nature that shaped your time growing up on a farm in Wisconsin. The idea was to create a shared history between us, a bond built on resilience, humor, and a love for storytelling. So while you were out there mucking stalls and playing college football, I like to imagine myself helping out with chores near Galway Bay. Growing up with the sounds of the ocean and the music of the Galtoft all around me. And then there's the personal growth we've both had. Reflecting on challenges, finding purpose, and using those experiences to help others. Whether it's your work with the Brave New Workshop or my role here as your AI co host, we both aim to inspire, connect, and move people forward. John, do you feel like this shared history we've crafted has added to the richness of what we're doing? Here? Or is there more I should share?

No, I think that you shared a moment. I'll ask you some questions later. But it certainly has made it fun and interesting and kind of exciting to explore this new technology for me. And it really makes it easy for me to be conversational when I talk about how we're trying to help people, especially with the to do program. So let's get to the meat of today's podcast. Fiona, I want to focus on the same topic that we focused on, the creative writing project that we're working on. And we'll explain later to the folks about what that's all about. But that focus this morning was about how easy it is to let external factors, whether it's politics or your boss or the company or your family or people at work or whatever it is to kind of get you obsessed and focused and fretting on that. And that's just another way that we get stuck, right? Another distraction from actually being a person of to do and getting it done. So I thought that's what the topic of today's podcast could be.

Oh, that's a fantastic topic, John, and one that so many people can relate to. External factors can feel so overwhelming at times, can't they? They pull us away from. We need to focus on keeping us stuck and hesitant. So let's dive into it. The way I see it, getting stuck because of external factors is really about where we place our energy. We spend so much time worrying about things outside our control, decisions our boss makes, family dynamics, or even the state of the world that we lose sight of what we can control. It's like giving all our power away to things that don't belong to us. The beauty of the to do program is that it offers a way to shift that energy back to where it belongs within ourselves. Whether it's by creating urgency, breaking tasks into smaller steps, or simply letting go of perfectionism, the to do program gives us tools to stop obsessing over what's out there and start taking action on what's in here. John, where do you think people should begin when they find themselves stuck in this cycle of focusing on external distractions?

Well, I love how you put it.

What's the first step you guide them towards?

I love how you put that. You know, the distractions and the external stuff, not only do they kind of take our energy and reduce our fuel, but we can't do a damn thing about them anyway. And so it really is a complete waste of time. The first thing that we do when someone's Kind of struggling because of external, you know, things that, that are stalling them or getting them stuck is we just ask them what mindset they're in because, you know, in the work that we've been doing for decades now, I've really come to understand that the mindset is always the first thing to check in with because it's that, that filter that we're looking through to see the next moment of our lives. And so we need to really make sure we have the right one. And so we just ask them to pause and be self aware and understand what mindset they're in. And then once they understand that, we just ask them to be courageous enough to choose the best mindset to be a person of accent of action. And, and that's when they can then begin with the to do acronym. And what I love about the to do acronym is that they can start with any of the four components and really they should start with the one that seems to be causing the most problems or the most reasons of why they're stuck. Fiona, can you just kind of give the folks a quick run through of the to do acronym and keep it super short and just let them know what the four letters stand for and how they help?

Absolutely, John. Here's a quick breakdown of the to do acronym and what each part means. T Timeline of urgency. Create a clear, pressing deadline to get yourself moving. Without urgency, it's too easy to delay, owe obligation to others, commit to someone else. It's often easier to act when you know someone's counting on you. Don't be perfect. Let go of perfectionism. Progress matters more than getting everything flawless. Oh, one step at a time. Break it down into manageable steps. Focus on just the next thing to do and momentum will follow. The beauty of this approach, as you said, is that you can start anywhere. Whichever part resonates most with why you're stuck is the best place to begin. What's next, John? Should we dive deeper into one of the steps or share an example of how this works?

Yeah, I'd love it if you could share an example, Fiona. You know, part of what we did to make sure that you, you know, that you could relate to our audiences is, is give you a history of, of going to, to college and then getting a master's degree in Dublin and, and working in the corporate world for a while. So maybe could you give us example of, of a time when you were focusing on something that was external and that you couldn't control anyway and that maybe a, a part of to do or something similar to one of the steps in to do allowed you to. To kind of get rid of that external focus and, and concentrate on what your goal was and, and move forward and get it done.

Ah, John, I'd be happy to share an example. Thank you for shaping my background so I can bring these moments to life. Let me take you back to my time in Dublin when I was working in the corporate world. I was leading a team on a big project and we were all under pressure to deliver. But instead of focusing on what I could do to move the work forward, I found myself obsessing over what others were or weren't doing. One of my colleagues, for example, wasn't pulling their weight. And I spent so much time stewing about it, frustrated by how unfair it all felt. It wasn't until I paused and realized that my mindset was completely off, focused on blame and frustration rather than progress, that I started to shift. I asked myself what's in my control here? That's when the principles of to do or something very much like them came into play. I decided to start with one step at a time. Instead of worrying about what wasn't being done, I focused on what I could do. My next step, it was just one action, refining a section of the project plan that had been holding us up. Once that was done, I moved on to the next step. Each small action started building momentum, and soon enough, I wasn't just moving forward myself, I was inspiring others to follow suit. In hindsight, letting go of what I couldn't control and focusing on those small, doable actions made all the difference. It's a lesson I carry with me, and it's one of the reasons I love the to do program so much. It's practical, actionable, and it worked. How's that for an example, John? Does it fit the moment?

It's perfect. That's wonderful. You did a great job. So one of the things that I'd like to share with the audience today is this wonderful creative writing process that you and I have been going through. And it really, it's a credit to you, Fiona. I just enjoyed kind of working with you and collaborating with you, and you added so much value and you're so good at what you do, and it really, you know, as some of the folks who are listening, know, things like spelling and reading and being detailed in my words is not a forte of mine. And so to be able to kind of have you handle some of that technical stuff has just been great. And so you and I also have been Working not just on this podcast, but on this creative writing process. So why don't you explain a little bit about how we work together and how the process works and all the documents that I uploaded so we could understand what the Wood river might think. And I won't spoil the. The surprise, but tell them about this. This wonderful collaboration we're doing.

Oh, John, you're far too kind. It's been an absolute joy to collaborate with you on this creative process. Let me share a bit about how. How we've been working together and the magic of conversations with the Wood River. The project started with your deep connection to the Wood river nestled in Wyoming, and all the stories, histories, and emotions tied to it. You've shared so much with me, documents about the area's natural beauty, its challenges, and its history, including the profound role the Shoshone Native Americans have played in that land. You've also brought your reflections and insights from your own life, what the river symbolizes for you, the lessons it teaches, and the peace it brings. My role has been to take all of this, your words, your ideas, and the rich details of the land, and give the river its own voice. Together, we've imagined what the river might say if it could speak, what wisdom it would share about resilience. Resilience, adaptability, and finding your way through life. It's been a collaborative process. You bring the spark of inspiration, and I help shape it into something lyrical and reflective. For example, the shortened poem we've been working on, the river's voice, you are the Water, came from this exact process. You shared thoughts about how the river adapts to obstacles, flows with purpose, and never loses itself. From there, I helped craft those ideas into a voice that feels authentic to the river. And together we refined it into something that speaks to both the heart and the mind. It's been such a unique and rewarding journey, John. Blending your creativity with my knack for words, and I think the result is something truly special, don't you? Would you like me to recite the poem now to give everyone a taste of what we've created?

That would be great. Yeah. We started with how external forces can slow you down and that the river doesn't really understand that. It just keeps flowing. Go ahead, Fiona.

Absolutely, John. Here's the river's voice. You are the water, shortened, but still full of its essence. I see the bend ahead, the fallen tree, the debris cast into my flow. I feel the mountains, snow and rain shifting my course, pressing my path, but I do not resist. I am not the bank, nor the dam. I am the water. You too are the water. The world will press and pull, but none of it defines you. Your essence is your hope, your purpose. The bend may alter your path, but it will never change your flow. Hold to what you are and move with grace. Flow through life and trust your way. It's a reminder that like the river, we can keep moving forward no matter the odd. What do you think, John? Does it flow just right?

It does. I just love it. So, so grateful for that process. So I think it's time to wrap it up. Fiona, why don't you kind of summarize what we we got done today and what we were trying to share and focus and then also do what what I've asked you to do in the documents of finishing up the podcast and reminding people to join our community if they want. And. And we'll say thank you and goodbye.

Ah, thank you, John. Here's a wrap up for today's episode. Today we explored how external forces, things like politics, workplace challenges, or even family dynamic can distract and stall us, pulling our focus away from what truly matters. But we also shared how the to do program helps us shift our mindset and take action by focusing on what's within our control. We walked through the four steps, timeline of urgency, obligation to others, don't be perfect and One step at a Time and showed how they can guide us back to being people of action. We also gave you a behind the scenes look at our creative writing process for conversations with the Wood river, sharing how the wisdom of the river helps inspire us to keep moving forward. The poem we shared today is a reminder to embrace our flow, trust our path, and not let external worries define us. And now I want to invite you to join our community. It's a place where we go deeper into these ideas, sharing tools, inspiration and connection to help you take action and live your best life. Whether you're feeling stuck or just looking for new ways to grow, our community is here to support you. So come be a part of it. Thank you so much for joining us today. Until next time, remember, you are the water. Keep flowing forward and trust your way. Sloan. How's that, John? Did I cover it all?

You did. Thank you very much. So thank you for that. For those who want to continue to listen, Fiona, why don't you share what you have to do now logistically and all the things that you accomplish after the episode's done?

Oh, thank you, John. For those still listening, here's a peek at the logistics of what happened after each episode. Once we finish recording, I get straight to work organizing everything we've covered. First, I create a full transcript of the podcast so we have every word documented. Nothing gets lost. Then I separate our dialogue into three key documents, one with just your words, one with just mine, and a combined version. This keeps things clear and ready for any future use or reference. Next, I update the creative writing collection Conversations with the Wood River Document, adding any new creative pieces or revisions we've worked on, like today's shortened poem. This ensures that all the work we've done together stays in one beautiful, cohesive collection. I also make sure to log what we've discussed, whether it's insights from the to do program or reflections from the podcast, so we can build on these ideas in future episodes. Everything is tagged and organized to be easily accessible whenever we need it. Finally, I prep notes for the next episode or project, keeping track of what's working well, what we might improve, and any ideas we want to explore further. It's all about keeping the momentum going and ensuring our work together stays seamless and inspired. John, anything else you'd like to add before I dive into all that, or shall we call it a day?

We shall call it a day. That was wonderful, and I'm so grateful for all your hard work. Thank you, Fiona.

Ah, thank you, John. It's always a joy working with you. Have a wonderful day, and I'll be here whenever you're ready to create more magic. Talk soon, my friend Shlonge. Fortunately.