Michael Bungay Stainier: Fire bullets and then fire cannonballs

The Collective Wisdom Podcast with Cat Preston

Hey there, my wise friends and welcome to the podcast and a very happy new year to you, I hope you're having a great start to 2022 and that your Christmas plans weren't too disrupted by the dreaded COVID. We're kicking off this year with an amazing guest, Michael Bungay Stainer, who is well renowned in the coaching world, having written his brilliant book, The Coaching Habit, which really leads into how you can bring coaching into all aspects of your life, whether you are a parent, manager or a teacher. And how it really does inspire creative thinking, and self-sufficiency. I reached out to him as he's just launching his latest book, which is called How To Begin, it feels like really perfect timing. As for many of us, the beginning of a new year is a time to reflect back on last year, and perhaps set some goals for the year ahead. Michael's take on it is to invite you to set a goal that is at the same time thrilling, important and daunting. And his book is a practical tool that will help you to outline your goal in the first place. And then really dig into why it matters, which will in turn help you to stay motivated. There's an old Buddhist saying that the best time to start anything was probably 20 years ago. And the second best time is probably today. So, if you have an idea for something that you want to launch or get off the ground, then this book is definitely one you should consider reading. As Michael says himself, progress equals happiness. And often we find meaning and happiness with small wins every day. That's how we make real progress. Sometimes it can be the smallest little thing that makes the biggest difference. So, this is a book that's really about figuring out what to focus on, and then helping you to take those small steps to find the wins that get you across the threshold towards your goal. So, with that, I'll hand you over to Michael and just say how much I am so grateful to him for joining me to share his wisdom

Michael Bungay Stainer's Website

Wisdom: Have the curiosity and the courage to find the answer to the burning question inside you

Fire Bullets and then fire cannonballs

Songs: Rubicon by Bob Dylan

Deeper Water by Paul Kelly