We’ve all been there. Unless you live under a rock, you’ve had to face disappointment in your life. I believe we face more disappointment overall, then we have success.

How do you deal with disappointment in a way that is constructive and that gives you feedback to keep improving? That’s the topic of today’s podcast

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Is feeling you’re getting better at something, not one of the best feelings in the world? Maybe it’s just me but I love when days, month and years of hard work finally start to click and you just feel a world of difference.

Sadly, I believe that many people, especially today’s young people are not experiencing that self-esteem building, pure joy feeling of getting better at something. And the reason they're not is that we are doing our best to remove one of the most important factors in self-improvement - the standard - which has had disastrous effects on our society.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Thankfully the concept of self-care is popular and at least widely accepted. Regrettably, the idea of selfishness still isn’t and in my book.

Selfishness means thinking about and putting yourself first, which is precisely what you do when you practice self-care. So,  why being selfish bad, and why should you care?

In this episode, I discuss self-care. What’s worked for me, what hasn’t and why I believe it’s crucial to begin to be ok with being selfish.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Ever get excited and motivated to create something in your life? Maybe you wanted to lose weight, get healthier, learn a new skill or upgrade your life in some. You start, but things fall apart rather quickly and you’re back to the beginning?

I know I’ve been there, especially with diet and exercise.

Actually, when I really think about it, I’ve repeated the cycle of, want to make a change, start doing something about it, things fall apart and I’m back to the beginning for many things and I still repeat for some newer things I’m trying.

On today’s episode, I will talk about the one idea, a strategy that’s made success much easier for me when trying to change/upgrade my life. Hope it helps.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Ever have those days when it seems like everything blows up and nothing goes your way?

Not sure about you, but it feels like I’ve had months and years of feeling like it hasn’t gone my way.

We’ve all been there, so have all of the people who we admire, want to be like, and achieve the same level of success they have.

Not sure if I know what they all do, but I know what’s worked for me and what hasn’t worked for me. That’s what this episode is all about.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Personal boundaries and self imposed rules that limit and create guidelines and methods that other people are allowed to interact and behave towards you.

I hope it’s obvious in the definition but, these are good things to have and, thankfully, they are much discussed in culture today.

I’m hoping to provide some value on this topic with discussions that boundaries, or lack there of, are symptom of a much bigger problem you are facing. At least that was my personal experience.

I’m hoping to help share part of my story and how solving (or at least improving) one major aspect of my life helped me create not only boundaries but other issues as well.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Well, it’s here… and I personally believe that the kids couldn’t be any happier. They need the routine, consistency, and, it won’t hurt them to learn a thing or two.

School and learning is awesome, but it’s still our (parents) responsibility to ensure that our children have everything the need in order to thrive and become the best possible people that they can.

On this week’s episode I will be sharing the things that we supplement with for our child.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Are you looking to improve your nutrition and lose some weight and get healthier?

I was reflecting this morning and the biggest changes I made to my nutrition had almost nothing to do with the food I was eating, It was through changing myself that I naturally started eating better, losing weight and becoming healthier.

I know many people struggle with their food but my intuition tells me that most the real culprit is the dialogue that we’ve created (the self talk) around the food that makes it the hardest on us.

I’m far from perfect and I still struggle, but I’m much better than I was. That’s what today’s episode is all about.

My son taught me something about fear…

This past Monday, Ari, my oldest son and I, went to Canada’s Wonderland to spend some time together and go on rides.

After going on the ‘cars’ about 4 times I told Ari we were going to go on a roller coaster. I specifically had two rides in mind, one beginner coaster and if he liked that one, another little bit larger one.

Even the mention of a roller coaster scared him and he began to verbalize his thoughts. It was interesting to hear all the thoughts and idea’s he had about what was going to happen to him when he went on the coaster. And it taught me something I believe is universal about fear.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 074 - What Made The Biggest Impact On My Happiness?

The biggest impact, in recent memory, on my happiness has been discovering and dropping my sense of entitlement.

If would you have asked me a few years ago I would have told you that I was grateful and didn’t feel entitled, but that wasn’t true.

When I used to think entitled, I would think of a spoiled child, from an extravagant family, not working at all and wanting everything handed to them. Looking back in retrospect, that’s exactly what I was doing, but the degree and the things I was expecting were not ‘Lambos’ and ‘vacations’ but other things and I was working - and hard what I thought - but not hard enough.

I’m hoping you find this conversation helpful…

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 073 - Try This If You Feel Life You’re Not Improving

Are you like me? Do you want to see results yesterday?

I’m not sure whether it’s the fact that I’m Eastern European, the fact that both my parents are impatient or that my personality leads me to take action quickly and without much thought, but I want it and I want it now.

Worse, in the past, and still now although less often, I can get discouraged, disheartened and feel like a failure if I’m not seeing progress.

Which is crazy since I know most progress happens under neath the surface where it’s unnoticeable (just watch a child learning how to swim) and yet sometimes I still can’t help it.

I have started doing something that I want to share with you this week that has really helped me love the process and celebrate the improvement - hope it’s helpful.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 072 - How To Win Every Argument On Facebook

Don’t have them.

I completely understand and can relate. I know what it feels like when someone posts something completely ridiculous, hateful, rude and just down right wrong.

I also know how satisfying it can feel to say what you’re really thinking, it’s a load lifted from your shoulders.

So why would I suggest not to have these arguments? For the very simple reason that every second you spend concerning, arguing, checking, and crafting your reply, you are moving away from things in your life that important. For every second arguing you are missing on time with your kids, time with your spouse, exercise, creative time, reflective time, anything that could be getting you closer to the things that are important in your life.

I’ve lost many friends throughout the years having social media battles, and I’ve wasted so much of my precious time that I could have used creating and building projects and ideas that would have made my life better and helped me achieve my goals and dreams even faster.

Do I still get angry at the stuff I read on social media - you bet, and a lot of the time. But I’ve learned that the price of satisfying that anger is not worth it.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 072 - How To Inspire Others

Are there people in your life that you wish would get their act together or at least try to get their act together? Me too.

And despite what I used to think there is absolutely no way to ‘get’ someone to do anything. There are no tricks, no secret formulas and no special incantations that can convince someone and change their their mind. In my experience the harder I push the more people push away.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t inspire someone to change, it doesn’t mean you can be motivating and it doesn’t mean you can’t be inspiring. In this episode I discuss things that I’ve found helpful in motivating/inspiring people which hopefully you can use and apply.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 071 - How To Be More Productive

I used to think productivity meant getting a lot of stuff done. In a way it does but if I can be so bold and insert another word in that definition;  productivity means getting a lot of important stuff done.

I’ve found that to do truly productive things there are some steps that have to happen before you to actually do the work - if I don’t do these steps I run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, or I just procrastinate and get nothing done.

Today’s episode is all about those steps and how they help you become more productive.

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 070 - Becoming A Better You

What do you want your future to look like? What values do you want to have? What are you trying to create? Do you spend anytime thinking about this?

I’m listening to Joe Dispenza’s new book, Becoming Super Human, and I like it.

It made me think and understand (maybe not fully, but at least a little better) the importance of making space in your mind for thinking. For thinking not only about what’s happening now, but for thinking about the life that you want to create and what it’s going to take to get you there.

 -Dr. K

Episode 069 - Protect Yourself From Shaming

If someone has ever made you feel bad about the decisions that you’ve made, then this episode is for you.

Shame is a legitimate emotion. If you were to do something dishonourable - cheat, steal, lie - then feeling shame is an appropriate reaction to that situation.

“Shaming” is a verb in which someone tries to make someone else feel shame for various reason. It usually implies outright attacking someone online and more subtle expressions (eye rolling, underhanded comments, or open comments) in person. I don’t think I’ve included everything, but that is the general idea.

So what can you do about it?

The simple answer is to grow a self esteem that is so high that you don’t care what others think or say.

That’s easy to say, and very hard to do. This podcast is geared towards helping you create that self-esteem because, “just don’t care what others think” is great advice but doesn’t teach you how to get into that state.

 -Dr. K

Episode 068 - I Struggle Where I Lack This Very Important Thing

Clarity, Clarity, Clarity…

The word and concept just keep coming up over and over again. So much so that I just did an episode on the importance of having clarity and how it decreases the amount of anxiety I experience.

Today I wanted to revisit this idea and give you some more tangible examples of how this has played on in my life over the last 4 weeks and what I’ve done to get more clarity.

I’m hoping you are able to plug this into your life and get similar ideas.

 -Dr. K

Episode 067 - Why I Don’t Need My Wife To Need Me

I want my children to know that I love my wife selfishly, and I believe this is only appropriate way to love anything or anyone.

I know that might sound weird but let me explain. I’m not a fan of the modern day idea of love. Love cannot be unconditional, and I believe it has to be earned. Do not make the mistake, as I did, and think that overall benevolence is the same as love. Treating someone kindly or respectfully doesn’t mean that you love them, it means that you have self-esteem and you value other human life.

Love, to me, means the spiritual payment in responses to the values I love. Meaning I love my wife because she embodies those values and sense of life that I value. I love her selfishly, meaning being with her brings me immense joy.

I don’t love her for the things that she does for me (of which she does a lot) and I don’t love her because she needs me - I love her for who she is, her sense of life and her values.

-Dr. K

Episode 066 - Are We Getting Too Soft 

We just got back from time in Florida with the whole crew. The whole crew in this case is the four of us, my parents and my mother-in-law.

It was awesome! I can’t remember the last time I got to spend so many days in a row with my parents.

One thing that I was struck with both my parents and my mother in law was how little they complained, how hard they worked, how little they expected and how grateful they were for what was happening.

It was amazing to see in action. I know all of their back stories, I know how they grew up, I know they’ve seen their fair share of crap and struggled through hard times.

I have a hard question to ask you - I don’t mean it in an insulation way, but in a reflective way… Are you being too soft?

I asked myself a couple times when I had time to pause and reflect. There are times when I feel hard-done-by, or grumpy about something that really is a first-world-problem. I believe I can be more grateful. Hanging out with these awesome people a great reminder to me about the basics in life - thought I would share my experience in hopes you could also benefit.

-Dr. K

Episode 065 - 3 Things I’m Working Hard To Teach My Kids

Have you ever wondered “what’s wrong with the world?”

You have? Ok, good, I thought it was just me. When I initially planned this episode I was going to rant for 10 minutes on what, I think, is wrong with the world but then I knew that not be helpful to you, and it might even be a little scary to listen to; I have a habit of yelling.

So I thought that something more helpful would be, what am I trying to do about it? The answer to this question comes in many forms - my chosen career and what I advocate are part of the that answer but the other part is what I’m teaching my children and how I’m doing it.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode - if you disagree - great, just be polite and respectful and we can chat about it, and if you agree let me know it as well.

-Dr. K

Episode 064 - Decreasing Your Anxiety

Oh anxiety, how I would love to end our relationship all together.

For me, there is nothing more frustrating than losing yourself in a cascade of horrible thoughts and scenarios that haven’t even happened yet, and are very unlikely to happen.

Yes, anxiety is something that has bothered me my whole life, so I can related very well to it.

I know anxiety can be very complicated with many different causes, one of the things that has really helped me has been to look at my level of clarity around the area that has been causing anxiety and if that level of clarity is low, I’ve been very (or at least extra) anxious.

When I’ve been able to increase my clarity, my level of anxiety has always decreased.

-Dr. K

Episode 063 - Could Free Time Be Making You Unhappy

I just finished Digital Minimalism and, like I mentioned last week, it gave me a lot to think about and digest.

My other big take away was the chapter/lesson on free time and what to do with it.

I have been looking online for similar articles to site but with no such luck, all that means is I’m going to be telling you what I took away and how I plan to apply this to my life.

Happiness is my currency and the most important thing we hold in life. Newport brings up the point about people who have achieved, as he puts it, FI or financial independence and what those people have been doing with their lives - the short answer is working, or engaging in tasks that could be mistaken for hard work.

The reason? Because your mind needs something to do.

Yet, when we think about free time we often think about unstructured time doing nothing, which Newport argues, and in retrospect I have experienced, more boredom, more procrastination and more laziness.

-Dr. K

Episode 062 - Are Our Phones Stealing Our Time Alone?

'Without solitude, no great work is possible.’ Pablo Picasso

Do you spend time by alone with your thoughts? Are you finding time to learn and reflect?

I recently began listening to Digital Minimalism (by Cal Newport) and at first I didn’t like it. I don’t believe social media is to blame for it’s addictive nature and I don’t believe social media is making us any worse as human beings, it’s just exposing who we are.

We are told that people lie about the ‘things’ they have so they can appear cool on social media. I agree and, I don’t see any difference between lying on facebook to your followers vs. lying to your friend’s face 15 years ago when we’d go out for coffee or drinks together.

The platform might have changed, but human nature is the same.

All my negativity towards the book changed when I read heard the chapter on solitary. In my personal experience alone time has been a powerful time to reflect, learn, think and strategize. Some of my best experiences in life have come when I am all by myself.

Newport paints a very strong picture that our constant addiction to our phones is interfering/ ruining our solidarity - that made me pay real close attention.

-Dr. K

Episode 061 - Where To Find Your Success And Happiness

I will be dating myself here but I remember growing up and watching a cartoon about a futuristic family named the Jetsons. The Jetson didn’t drive the flew, George (the dad) had a conveyor belt that he stood on every morning that would shave him and get him dressed and they a robot maid that would take care of their chores.

The most amazing thing would be their phones. They didn’t just talk, but they could look at the person they were talking to, and I remember thinking how nice that would be because I wanted to see my grandmother who lived in Croatia.

That technology - the one to look at people when calling them - now exists along with much more. It truly is an amazing time to be alive, and although it’s not perfect, it’s still pretty amazing.

Yet, when we look around are we happier than we were 20 years ago? Is mental health in a better place? Do we feel more connected and alive or more scarred and anxious? 

Happiness, joy, and the emotional we want to experience are not found outside ourselves in a device, relationship, car, job, surgery, younger spouse or anywhere else, they are found inside - the one place that in my opinion too many people are scared to look.

-Dr. K

Episode 060 - Are You Testing Yourself?

Early this week a good friend of mine and practice member sent me an article of a man who was diagnosed with vitamin D toxicity results in kidney failure. It took the medical team a long time to figure out what had caused the problem and the M.D said something that I think is applicable to every aspect of life – when it doubt, test. This whole thing could have been avoided if this individual had their blood tested to see the levels of their vitamin D.

My question to you this week is do you have objective data available for everything that you’re trying to improve in your life? Of course it’s important to know how you feel about it, but do you have numbers around it as well? If not can you get some and can you repeat test on a regular basis?

-Dr. K

Episode 059 - Maybe Now Is Not The Best Time

This week I had two amazing people reach out for advice. One asked how she should continue her workouts despite the fact that she had to battle to flu; the other how she could lose weight with two young children at home that made it really hard to meal prep and eat what she knew she needed to.

My initial gut response was - maybe now is not the right time. Yes there are many people who can train through the flu and lose weight while raising young kids but, there is nothing wrong with not choosing those things. Maybe giving yourself some grace and raising your children or resting is the best way for you in the current moment.

-Dr. K

Episode 058 - Do You Face This And Other Lessons From The CrossFit Open

Do you spend time facing the things that truly make you uncomfortable in life? Not uneasy, not “I’d rather not.” But truly - I’m scared to do this?

19.5, the last workout of the open, created that sense of dread in me. Feel free to laugh, I can’t see you - other peoples fears are often funny and quirky to us since we don’t see the big deal. I grew in a very safe place, my parents did everything to protect me and shelter me from stress and pain and this can was more than obvious in the physical realm. Over time I grew to shy away from physical pain and that dark physical place.

Enter 19.5 20 minutes, I knew I wasn’t going to finish, of Thrusters and chest to bar pull-ups. I didn’t get more painful than that. And yet, I lived to tell the tale and even grow from the experience.

-Dr. K

Episode 057 - The Part Of The Day That Can Derail You

Have you ever had one of those days where the wheels just came off? I recently just had one and the most interesting thing about it was when I reflected on the day, nothing ‘bad’ or exceptional happened, but it felt like all the wheels came off.

Your day is composed of various chunks and different tasks. You don’t just go to the gym. You wake up, make coffee, go to work, pic up your children, go to the gym, have coffee and a million other smaller chunks through out the day. Also stress and negative emotions can get transferred to the next task.

If someone upsets you while you’re at the drive-through those negative emotions can get transferred to your next task creating feelings of stress, anxiety, uneasiness and even anger.

This week, and I’ve been applying this with great success so far, I’ve learned that managing the transitions - releasing the tension and setting expectations for the next part - has been a key to help keeping the days together.

-Dr. K

Episode 055 - Knowing Both Sides

Isn't being wrong the worst, yet the best?

There is nothing worse that that cold chill followed by complete embarrassment when your deepest conviction, the one that you vocally and passionately supported, was found to be completely wrong.

There is also nothing better because you have dropped an incorrect habit or belief from your practice.

This week I wanted to discuss how you can leverage the fact that other people think radically different than you to your advantage.

-Dr. K

Episode 054 - How To Stop Comparing Yourself With Others

There is nothing quite like a good romp around social media to see how great, beautiful, ripped, wealthy, successful, attractive, happy, vacationing everyone is and how we are lonely loser who isn't doing, or doesn't have any of those things.

We all know what it feels like to compare yourself to someone else and how small and miserable it can make us feel.

Is there anyway to stop it? Is there anyway to prevent this chronic comparison with others?

That's the topic of today's episode

- Dr. K.

Episode 054 - How To Stop Comparing Yourself With Others

There is nothing quite like a good romp around social media to see how great, beautiful, ripped, wealthy, successful, attractive, happy, vacationing everyone is and how we are lonely loser who isn't doing, or doesn't have any of those things.

We all know what it feels like to compare yourself to someone else and how small and miserable it can make us feel.

Is there anyway to stop it? Is there anyway to prevent this chronic comparison with others?

That's the topic of today's episode

- Dr. K.

Episode 053 - Why I’ve Quit In The Past

Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach - you should really look him up if you’re an entrepreneur - has a concept he calls “The Gap” or being in ‘the gap.’

The gap is the mental space you fall into when you have something in mind that you want to achieve yet you’re not there yet. The gap is described as that feeling associated with the frustration of not having achieved your end result while feeling like you’re a failure because there is so much left to go.

I was reminded of the gap just yesterday, while doing the thrusters that were programmed for me in my training, how easy it is to feel like you’re not enough and you will never get there.

Of course when I turn around and look at all the good things I’ve done since the last open I feel proud of myself, but if you’re not trained to do that, it’s normal to get discouraged and quit.

Enjoy

-Dr. K

Episode 052 - The Source Of Self Love

I love that the idea of self love, self esteem and self care are becoming more and more popular and talked about.

I love that people are aware of the mental health struggles that we are having as a society and that they inherently recognize that we need to care for ourselves and that it’s ok to love and value yourself.

But how do we do that?

On today’s episode I discuss what I did to make the largest leaps in my feelings of self worth and self esteem.

Enjoy

-Dr. K

Episode 051 - How To Set Up Your Day For Success

Are you a step ahead or are you step behind?

If you’re like me then you are both. Some days I’ve got it figured out and then other days I feel like I want to hop on plane and never come back.

One of the things that I’ve noticed has made a huge impact in enjoying my days is my ability to prepare for the day ahead. If I’m able to do that, it makes a massive impact.

But how do you that? I know there are various ways, on this episode I’ll share what I do. I hope it can help.

Enjoy

-Dr. K

Episode 050 - I've Found This Important When Dealing With My Kids

Am I the only person who was the best, most knowledgable parent in the world, before I had kids? It’s funny how experience is a great and humbling teacher.

I wanted to share something, a way of thinking, that has been very helpful as a parent and I’m hoping you can take it and use it.

The idea is not sacrificing the long term for the short term. What does that mean?

For example, my children eat too much junk food for my liking. And every time their grand parents give them junk food I get a visceral reaction to it. I don’t believe my response is correct; I want to tell them (passionately) that it’s unhealthy and they shouldn’t eat it. But then I think, if I do that, what would be the long term affect of that action over time? My answer - probably a negative emotional association to food - A very bad problem to have.

My simple point - be conscious of the big things that you want your children to learn from you and don’t let the ‘in the moment things’ get in the way.

Enjoy

-Dr. K

Episode 049 - How To Protect Your Happiness, And Life

Pretend your life is one room with only one door leading in and out.

The only way anything - a person, a career choice, a partner - can enter your life is through that one door. Likewise the only way they can exist is through that door.

At the door stands a door man carrying a list. On that list is a set of your values and nobody is allowed to get through the door and into your life unless they are on that list, meeting your values.

We’ve all had people, or things, in our lives, that we knew at the very beginning we shouldn’t associated with or let into our life. They don’t mesh well with us and they have brought pain an suffering. I’m not saying they are necessarily bad people, just not right for us.

The best way to avoid these things happening is to block these people from getting into your life in the first place. Use the door man principle to help.

Enjoy

-Dr. K

Episode 048 - A Drug I’ve Been Using My Whole Life

It’s been a hard week. I had to say goodbye to a close family member. Someone I grew up with, had many experiences with and will miss tremendously.

During the whole process I noticed how the grief, trying to come to terms with the situation, and saying good bye, affected me. I was anxious, more judgemental, edgier and would do things - like bicker with my wife - for no good reason.

I also notice that when I was alone I would listen to music much more. I would want to hear songs that were familiar to me, that I knew the words to… and then I realize why I was doing this.

I was using music as something to ease my pain, to make me forget, to shift my focus, I was using it like a drug to help me cope, and I also realized that I’ve aways used music in that way.

Enjoy

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 047 - Follow Through With Your New Year’s Resolution

If you’re old enough to remember the classic Seinfeld episode where Jerry Makes a reservation for a car rental you’ll quickly understand the most important point of this video.

In the episode Jerry is disappointed because the rental that he made, and was confirmed by the rental company falls through since the car is not there. The classic line was “Your great at taking a reservation, not so much at keeping the reservation.”

The same can be said with New Year’s Resolutions; it’s easy to make them, harder to follow through with your New Year’s Resolution, which is the topic of today’s video.

Enjoy

-Dr. Kresimir Jug

Episode 046 - A Different Kind Of New Year’s Resolution

It’s true that New Year’s is just a date and that you don’t need a certain date to set goals you can start anytime. It’s also true that you’ll probably fail at your New Year’s Resolutions, but this doesn’t stop me from loving this time of year.

I believe that quiet time, reflection, and planning (all qualities of a rational, reality oriented mind) are good whenever they happen, if the changing of calendar inspires you to do those things - then so be it.

This year I have a challenge for you, instead of picking a bunch of things that you would (better bod, more cash) how about you make a resolution to become the person you need to be to get those things, and then check in with yourself on a regular basis to see how you’re doing.

I’ll explain more in this episode…

Also, I’m taking some time off and I’ll be back on the week of January 9th, so Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year.

-Dr. K

Episode 045 - The One Thing That’s Stopping You

Have you ever had a goal that you wanted to start pursuing? Maybe it was creating a product, launching a business or even going to the gym and getting fit?

You had this massive excitement built up, but then, when it was time to pull the trigger and execute you just couldn't do it? Eventually, you stopped altogether and then (this is worst part) you started telling yourself a story, I'm lazy, I just procrastinate, etc.

Lately, I've noticed for myself, that if I lack clarity on a task or goal, I am much less motivated and inspired to accomplish this task. That's what this week's episode is all about.

-Dr. K

Episode 044 - Remember this during a crises

Have you ever had a week where something unexpected threw a massive wrench in your plans, vision and goals?

That was last week for me.

Something, completely out of my control, has sucked up most of my time, focus and energy and the worst part is that dealing with it is not getting me closer to my goals.

So what should you do?

I don’t know much, but I have been alive long enough to know that things are always going to get in the way. In fact, the bigger and better you get, the bigger and meaner the obstacles will become. There is a tendency to think that one day you’ll get ‘there’ and you won’t have to work as hard - the opposite is true - when you get ‘there’ you’ll have to work harder to keep going.

This week I wanted to remind you to never lose focus of what it is you’re chasing, and always prioritize time to keep pursuing it. Does this mean becoming more organized and working harder? You bet! But it will be worth it.

-Dr. K

Episode 043 - A Big Modern Parenting Challenge

As the holidays are approaching and the conversation moves to “Ari what do you want for Christmas?” I find myself torn a little bit.

On one hand I want to be able to buy my children everything that I possible can for them. After all I love them, I want their lives to easy and filled with abundance. Then, on the other hand, I know what’s necessary for success in life.

I know that I grew up in a family where the answer was always yes and I know how hard it was in life when I had to adapt to the fact that life tells you “no” a lot more often than yes. In fact when I look at my life right now, the biggest blessings I had were the times when I struggled to figure things out for myself.

The real issue is not buying gifts or buying gifts, the issue is where do we as parents, or where do you believe we should be drawing the line?

-Dr. K

Episode 042 - What I’ve Been Doing To Improve Productivity

The biggest leverage for me right now is to waste less time, increase my focus and get more work done with the time that I already have allotted to the tasks I do.

I hope that made sense.

I don’t believe there is anything magic about productivity, I believe it’s like everything else and the same principles that apply to being productive apply to weight loss, or strength gain etc.

The biggest gap for me right now is using the time I have to the best of my ability, I doing that by leveraging the journal Rachelle bought me, I’m excited to let you know how it’s been going.

-Dr. K

Episode 041 - The Most Impactful Thing I’ve Done This Year

This past week was my 39th birthday and as with all birthdays I was in a reflective spirit. I was thinking about the last year and I asked myself “what was the one thing you did over the past year that has the biggest impact on your life?”

It was a hard question to answer. First of all I don’t really recall my specific birthday from last year and second there are so many things that I’ve tried over the past year it was hard to get just one.

However, after some thought the answer was reading and applying (that’s the key) David Hawkins book on ‘Letting Go.’ It’s help me find more joy and be at the most peace I’ve ever had before.

Let me know what you think.

-Dr. K

Episode 040 - Getting Your Focus Back When It’s Gone

Getting Your Focus Back When It’s Gone With Dr. Kresimir Jug

Have you ever had something happen that just completely busted your focus? What about those days where focusing your mind just felt impossible?

I’ve been there, but I’ve had enough.

After an incident that happened in my practice this past week I had enough of something, other than myself, taking control of my mental focus.

I’m far from an expert at this, so I asked around, and I learned what people who are much better at focusing have been doing.

This week’s episode is all about what I’ve learned from them and what I’ve been, successfully, applying. I believe this conversation will be of benefit to you

Let me know how it goes.

-Dr. K

Episode 039 - Moving Backward To Go Forward

Don’t be afraid of taking a step back in order to get what you really want in life.

I say this, because I know it’s true, yet there are plenty of areas of my life where I still harbour a lot of fear that’s getting in the way of me getting to that next level.

Don’t be afraid to try, especially if it doesn’t result in the way you thought it should be.

If you’re happy and don’t care about ‘the next level’ then don’t change a thing, keep being happy and that’s awesome. But if you’re unhappy, then be ok with it going wrong, or not finding the correct formula right away.

That’s advice that I needed to hear today, hope it helps.

-Dr. K

Episode 038 - What Are You Fighting For?

It's not enough to know what you don't want. I don't want to depressed, I don't want to feel anxious, I don't want a crappy marriage, I don't want to be fat, etc.

It's much better to be able to frame your goals and vision in the positive. I want great mental health, I want to love my body, I want an amazing marriage, etc.

It might sound like it's semantics, but it's really not. For example if you're 'not depressed,' that's better than being depressed, but it doesn't eliminate anxiety, psychosis, mania and other negative mental states. However, if the goal or target is great mental health - then that assumes no depression, no anxiety, no mood swings, etc.

I might sound like a little difference, but in my experience it's these little changes in the way we say it or want it that make the biggest difference.

-Dr. K

Episode 037 - Relationship Advice I wish Someone Gave Me

Today is an important day for me. October the 17th, 2018 marks my 9th wedding anniversary.

My wife is my top value and I’m thrilled and proud that I’m able to celebrate this occasion and the fact that we’ve been together for 18 years in total.

It also got me thinking, since it hasn’t all been one smooth ride over 18 years, if I could go back and give myself the talk, what would I say? What have I learned over those years, and how could it be helpful.

That’s what this episode is all about.

-Dr. K

Episode 036 - Be Kind To Yourself

This week I have a simple yet powerful reminder: be kind to yourself.

If you're trying to do anything in life failure is a natural part of that process.

Yes it sucks, but it happens to everyone. Just wanted to send you some positive thoughts today and to remind you to be kind to yourself, no matter what.

I guarantee being kind to yourself will bring you more long term success than you ever would imagine.

-Dr. K

Episode 035 - Do This important Step Before You Listen To Your Gut

We love the intuitive person. We love someone who can just wow us with there ability to predict what's going to happen, or their 'way' of just knowing.

Of course, we're all born with different talent levels (I believe you're more talented than you think) but ALL these people have one thing in common.

They have worked their faces off.

I think we put too much emphasis on the finished product and not enough on the work it takes to get there. It's easy to listen to your gut, when your guy knows all the answers because you've worked way harder then anyone else.

Episode 034 - The Most Important Meeting With My Wife

t’s the end of September and you know what that means? End of quarter 3 right?

I bet that’s not what you were thinking, but it’s true.

I want this to serve as a reminder that having a family meeting at the end of every quarter is a great idea. It’s not that the meeting itself is vital, it’s what’s discussed that is. Things like am I clear on what I want in life, am I presently working on those things to make them happen, where am I wasting time, what can do better and etc.

To be clear you don’t necessarily need a meeting to ask yourself those questions and answer them. I have found though, that as I’m working through the day to day, I can get overly focused on the tasks and forget about where I’m going. This meeting serves as a great reminder.

-Dr. K

Episode 033 - How To Be 33% More Productive

“People who leave their phone off for the first hour of the day are 33% more productive”

-Brendon Burchard

I just recently heard this idea. I won’t lie, my first thought was ‘BS.’ I’m a typical Croat in the sense that I’m cynical about almost everything the first time I hear it.

Thankfully I’ve learned that about myself and I’ve trained myself to try something new things even though I don’t initially believe them.

After 2 weeks of doing, all I’m going to tell you is that I think 33% is a bit of an under estimate. Let me explain what I mean.

-Dr. K

Episode 032 - Leveraging The Power Of Your Focus

Where your focus goes, energy flows - Tony Robbins

I've never really understood that quote until this past weekend. Rachelle and I went to the Archangel Summit in Toronto and it took a Hindu priest to frame this seemingly simple concept correctly in my mind for the first time.

Let me explain what I mean.

-Dr. K

Episode 031 - One Unattractive, But Vital, Secret To Success

I've always loved September and back to school.

It's almost like a mini 'new-year.' You're back on track, there is a new schedule, a new, consistent rhythm, and you're back on track with so many things.

This week I wanted to send you a simple reminder to take some of the energy you have on meeting your goals and use that to create a strategy for staying on track, when the next stressor crashes into your life.

Starting and stopping is a goal killer, and no, I'm not talking about taking time off, we all need that. I'm talking about taking extended periods of time off, starting again, then taking more time off.

Figure out a way to make it as consistent as possible, I know it's hard, but it's your best chance.

-Dr. K

Episode 030 - Stop Doing The Things You Suck At

There is nothing easy about achieving your goals in life, the potential for success and failure is always there.

On today's podcast I want to bring up an idea that has been very helpful for me, stop doing the things that I suck at.

Growing up I always believed that if you weren't good at something (had weaknesses) you have to try to strengthen those short comings and get better. This could be true, but it might not be depending on what you want to do.

In this episode I explain more

-Dr. K

Episode 029 - Overcoming Your Fears In A Practical Way

I used to suppress and repress my fear because it was too painful to look at and because I thought that was the best way to overcome it.

I'm slowing learning that 'pushing' negative emotions down deeper inside or away is a sure way to ensure that the negative emotions come back and haunt me in the future.

In this episode I talk about how reviewing my snatch with Coach Lacey resulted in an exercise for developing a strategy to help me overcome my fears.

I'm hoping this podcast can do the same for you.

-Dr. K

Episode 028 - Just A Theory, But Gratitude Makes You Physically Stronger

Going to the gym used to be something that I tolerated. I knew it was good for me, I knew (and felt) the benefits, and because I wanted to be in integrity with every patient I told to train, I did it.

I wasn't overly consistent and spend most of the time unmotivated.

Over the past 2 years, things have changed.

I've been witness to people I care about and people I take care of losing their physical ability. For some, bending over and even getting out of bed became a huge physical challenge.

I started feeling grateful that I had a body that worked, and I started viewing training, not as chore that needed to be accomplished, but as a celebration to being able to move.

It's made all the difference.

Episode 027 - Let Go To Get What You Want

It might sound really weird but I'm starting to think that part of getting what you want, is to let go all the negative emotions surrounding what you want and just focus on the hard work and take joy in it.

I don't believe there is anything amazing about being obsessed or lustful about your goals.

But there is a lot of happiness to be had by working hard and enjoying that process along the way.

-Dr. K

Episode 026 - Are You Spending Alone Time With Yourself

I can only speak for myself, I'm an expert at distracting myself.

I'm always on my phone, listening to music, working on the next project, eating, etc.

This week I had the opportunity to spend some time by myself since Rachelle and the kids went to visit Glamma.

I've found that alone time and spending some time thinking about my thinking has made an amazing effect on me in a positive way.

Since you get to choose how you respond to a situation, it's worthwhile, at least in my opinion, that you spend some time doing just that.

-Dr. K

Episode 025 - Improving Self-Esteem In Your Kids

The health and happiness of my kids is very important to me. When they are sick or not feeling well it negatively impacts my week.

That's why making your Monday's awesome involves making sure the kids are doing well.

On this episode I discuss the foundations for proper self-esteem development in our kids.

I believe we have it very backward in society and I don't believe that faking reality is ever a good idea especially to a kid that knows better.

This could be considered a controversial episode, so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Dr. K

Episode 024 - Improve Your Brain Function With This Activity

Your brain and your body are inseparable.

You can't effect one without affecting the other, treat your body poorly and your brain will suffer, treat your body well and your brain has a better chance of being at it's best.

The activity I'm talking about in today's episode is strength training.

It's a myth that strength is only about muscle size; it's more about the number of muscles your body can use. And in order to use more muscles, you need your brain to be talking to those muscles. I believe this is were the link between the brain and nerve system come from.

I handle more of the specifics in the actually show. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.

-Dr. K

Episode 023 - Be Ok With Your Emotions

We ALL experience negative or bad emotions and have negative or bad thoughts.

The difference, I believe, between the successful and the unsuccessful is that the successful spend far less time there.

Today's podcast is a simple reminder to accept your emotions for what they are... your emotions.

There is a big difference between accepting them and approving. Just because you admit that something is, doesn't mean you approve that it's good or desirable.

That's a very important distinction.

But, none-the-less allow yourself to experience your emotions and then work on creating the ones you want.

-Dr. K

Episode 022 - Is Your Family Doing This?

I believe you should run your family, and your life, like it’s a business.

I know that might sound strange so let me explain…

Businesses are obsessed with one thing - growth. They understand that if next year rolls around, and they are not changing and growing, they might as well be dying.

Are you obsessed with growth? Is your family?

I know you have dreams and aspirations. I know you want to do certain things with your kids, I know you have vacations you want to take. But if you’re not planning the time to make these things happen, they never will.

Businesses have quarterly meetings, quarterly goals, deadlines, accountability, expense reports, projections, structure. Those are all necessary if you want to live your best life.

Just a thought. Would love to know what you think?

-Dr. K

Episode 21 - The One Thing You Can Control

Your mindset is not fixed, it can change.

Yes, that is a belief. You can, of course, believe the exact opposite - that you're fixed and unchangeable, that you have a destiny, that you are the way you are.

If you're not happy with things, they can change.

Believe it or not this all starts with concentrating on the one thing you can control - how you respond to what's happening or happened.

It sounds almost trivial but if you can get that part right, you are on your way with everything else.

On this episode I talk about that one small idea and how to leverage it into much bigger and better things.

-Dr. K

Episode 20 - How I Got Out Of It, And How You Can Too

Last week was not an awesome week. I was stressed out and felt super uncomfortable.

This week is much better. It's not better because my problems have vanished, if anything, those problems are worse.

What's changed is me (my mind) and how I'm processing the information. My mind is back to normal and I'm happy to say that I'm spending less and less time worried and stressed.

On this episode is what I did to flip my mind and something simple you can do to change yours as well.

-Dr. K

Episode 19 - My Confession

Have you ever had to deal with your biggest fear coming true? How did you handle it?

The past two weeks have been super interesting. The things that I have feared are starting to come true, and obviously, I'm scared, but part of me is grateful that I have to prove to myself, yet again. I get to show myself that I'm strong and can manage no matter what it is that comes my way.

I would love to hear your thoughts, more important your story, in relation to this topic. Has this happened to you and how have you handled it?

-Dr. K

It's important to make your Monday awesome as the momentum generated on that day translates directly to the rest of your life. If you're looking to be successful, happy, productive, wealthy, etc., you have to get Monday right. I believe you're designed to be extraordinary and learning to enjoy your Monday is a vital part of expressing that extraordinary ability!

- Dr. Kresimir