In this compelling episode of "Bad Day Excellence," host Brian Walsh delves into the heart of what it means to live with purpose in a world increasingly driven by automation and efficiency. As we navigate the age of replacement, Brian challenges the notion that progress must come at the cost of humanity. Join us as we explore the power of compassion, creativity, and connection in the workplace, and discover how small acts of rebellion can lead to profound change. Tune in to learn how to reclaim your attention, reignite your creativity, and rebuild meaningful connections in a system that often forgets the human element. #HumanRebellion #PurposeDriven #Leadership
Burnout is not just about workload, it is about meaning. Brian Walsh, Amanda Zidlick, and Nicole Eisdorfer explore multigenerational burnout across Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. They cover why connection fuels resilience, how to make 1 on 1s human again, and micro systems that restore energy. Expect honest stories, practical frameworks, and a clear challenge to leaders, ask, Are you okay, and care about the answer.
What You Will Learn
Burnout as Demands vs Resources, why connection and meaning matter
The reality of remote connection and how to build it on purpose
Generational stress patterns, purpose, overload, sandwich stress, identity loss
Finite games vs infinite games, and why promoting top performers without leadership tools backfires
Systems that operationalize care, 1 on 1s, skip levels, brainstorms that lower pressure
Restoration vs rest, simple daily and weekly practices that prevent burnout
Connect with the Guests
Amanda Zidlick, Operation Phoenix, https://opsphoenix.com
LinkedIn: Amanda Zidlick
TikTok: @operationxphoenix
Instagram: @operationxphoenix
Nicole Eisdorfer, Truer Words, https://truerwords.substack.com
LinkedIn: Nicole Eisdorfer
TikTok: @stoplyingtoyouremployees
Host
Brian Walsh, Bad Day Excellence, https://www.baddayexcellence.com
Share the Episode
If this helped, follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with a leader who needs a nudge to operationalize care.
What if you stopped managing time... and started owning it?
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh explores the ancient Greek idea of Chronos vs. Kairos—and how understanding it can completely change the way you live, work, and lead.
You’ll learn how to:
Escape the productivity trap that keeps you busy but unfulfilled
Build hard, soft, and flow boundaries that protect your focus
Experience more Kairos moments—those timeless, fully present states where life finally feels meaningful
Reclaim your energy, your creativity, and your peace
This episode will challenge your relationship with time and show you how to make every hour feel like it belongs to you again.
Challenge of the Week:Cancel one meeting and replace it with a Kairos session—deep work, creative flow, or just breathing space. Time expands when you take ownership of it.
Subscribe for more episodes on habits, leadership, and personal growth.
Because on your worst days, you don’t need motivation, you need systems.
A leader I coach thought he was deciding whether someone deserved a promotion, but halfway through our conversation, everything flipped. The real question wasn’t about the employee at all, it was about him.
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, we dive into the mindset shift that separates average managers from transformational leaders. You’ll learn how to stop evaluating people by titles and start developing them through ownership, clarity, and consistent growth.
We’ll break down:
The pivotal moment that reframed a leader’s decision from “Do they deserve it?” to “What kind of leader am I?”
How to measure ownership potential using the Four Cs: Connection, Choice, Competency, and Consistency.
The hidden gap that slows team growth and how to close it without burnout.
Why cheering for effort, not outcomes, builds trust and long-term engagement.
If you’re a leader navigating promotions, culture, or team development, this episode will give you a fresh lens for decision making and a system for activating ownership in others.
🎧 Listen now to transform how you lead, one small, intentional habit at a time.
What if the secret to living fully wasn’t chasing results, but mastering yourself, embracing the journey, and taking on bold challenges that scare you?
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh breaks down three powerful strategies for living a regret-free life:
The Dichotomy of Control – Why letting go of what you can’t control and owning what you can will free you from stress and people-pleasing.
Stop Chasing Results – How focusing on the process, not the destination, compounds into exponential growth.
The Misogi Challenge – The annual, life-defining challenge that will push you beyond your comfort zone and give you stories worth remembering.
Along the way, Brian shares lessons from Stoic philosophy, Drake’s “YOLO,” Aerosmith, and personal experiences like writing his book, running a marathon, and cycling 75 miles for charity.
By the end, you’ll have a framework to: ✅ Focus on what truly matters ✅ Create momentum through consistent habits ✅ Stretch your limits with challenges that redefine your potential
If you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and start building a life filled with meaning, growth, and unforgettable stories, this episode is for you.
🔗 Free 5-Day Leadership Program: www.baddayexcellence.com/clarity
📘 Get Brian’s book Habit Craft 101
Today is not a productivity pep talk. It’s a containment plan.
When the system crashes, pings explode, and everyone wants answers, you don’t need more grit. You need a simple crisis routine. In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh shares the CALM Loop he uses when everything is on fire: Clear the smoke with a 90-second reset, Assess and triage what actually matters, Limit work in progress to 3, and Message stakeholders with a tight 3-line update.
You’ll learn:
How to stop the panic spiral and get your brain back online
A triage method that separates “critical today” from “important this week”
Why a WIP cap creates momentum and reduces rework
A messaging script that buys you space without sounding defensive
Weekly challenge: build a one-page triage board with columns for Today Critical, This Week, Waiting, Done.
If this helped, follow and leave a quick review so more people find the show. Let’s turn bad days into breakthroughs.
Five words to flip your whole day. Try them before your coffee. In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian shares the 5-word clarity habit that rescued his chaotic mornings: “What’s my one win today?” You’ll hear how identifying emotional triggers, swapping doom-scrolling for tiny wins, and setting clean boundaries at work can restore focus, protect family time, and rebuild momentum. We’ll cover pitfalls (choosing a project instead of a win, picking five wins, hiding your win in the inbox), a noon gut-check ritual, and a respectful script for when your boss hijacks your day: “If A must be done today, that pushes B to next week. Is that ok with you?”
Try the challenge: put a sticky note where your morning starts with the question “What’s my one win today?” and celebrate the tiny wins. Ratings, reviews, and shares help more people turn bad days into breakthroughs.
Real talk. The show dipped and my ego took a lap. Instead of sulking, I used it as a trigger to build momentum again. In this episode I break down a simple system to turn failure into fuel using my SPARK Cycle: Simple, Prompted, Acted, Rewarded, Kept. We’ll map the Dunning Kruger roller coaster, talk Maniacal Intention, and set a tiny spark that gets you moving today.
You’ll learn:
How to treat failure as a trigger, not a verdict
The Rule of 100 and why reps beat talent
A step-by-step SPARK Cycle you can copy today
Why lifting others when you’re down creates unfair momentum
Try this: Pick one task you’ve avoided, run it through SPARK, and post your tiny win.
Rate and review if this helped. It spreads good vibes to people having a bad day.
Also, if you want to work with any one of the Momentum Makers here are some links to check out:
SummaryIn this conversation, Amanda Zidlick and Brian Walsh discuss the significance of team building in the workplace, emphasizing that it is essential for fostering communication and collaboration among employees. They explore effective strategies for team building, the role of leadership in employee retention, and the importance of understanding employee needs beyond just salary. The discussion also highlights the signals that indicate a risk of employee turnover, providing insights into creating a positive workplace culture.You can find Amanda on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationxphoenix/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@operationxphoenix
In this conversation, Brian Walsh discusses the concept of 'Bad Day Excellence' and how to maintain productivity and motivation even on challenging days. He emphasizes the importance of establishing routines, creating momentum, and celebrating small wins to foster personal growth and success. Walsh provides practical strategies for developing a 'Bad Day Excellence Plan' that includes identifying tiny actions that can be taken to maintain progress, regardless of motivation levels. The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the content and support the podcast.
Takeaways
What’s the sentence your brain whispers right before you take action? “I’m not ready.” “What if I mess this up?” Left unchecked, those looping thoughts slowly chip away at your confidence and train your brain to avoid risk.
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh breaks down how self-doubt becomes a habit, why your brain rewards hesitation, and how to interrupt the cycle with a simple habit loop shift. You’ll learn how to flip “what if” into action, ride out the six-second wave of fear, and create small wins that build lasting confidence.
What you’ll discover in this episode:
Why repeating thoughts literally create your reality
The TAP cycle (Trigger, Action, Prize) that keeps self-doubt alive
How perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise
A micro-habit to replace hesitation with progress
Real-life examples to apply at work, home, health, and money
This week’s challenge to identify and break your top self-doubt phrase
If you’ve ever stalled out at the edge of opportunity, this episode will give you the tools to turn hesitation into resilience.
This week, Brian walks through the mindset shift that helped him during one of the hardest weeks of his life. You’ll learn a quick grounding exercise, a simple habit loop you can run any time heaviness hits, and a practical way to focus on what you can control so you can move forward with a little more peace.
What you’ll learn
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to get out of your head and back into the moment
Why the “weight” you feel isn’t your whole reality
The TAP cycle for tough moments: notice the Trigger, run a helpful Action, collect the Prize
A plain-English take on the Stoic dichotomy of control
How tiny wins reset your mood and rebuild momentum
If this helped, tap Follow and leave a quick review. It helps more people find the show on their bad days. Share this with a friend who could use a little lift.
A quick note
This podcast shares general information and personal experience. If you’re struggling, consider talking to a mental health professional. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
No budget spreadsheets. No finance degree. Just one daily action that compounds.
If juggling bills, kids, and a career already leaves you fried, the last thing you need is a 12-tab budget template. In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian unpacks the “quiet wealth” habit—one tiny, automated move that builds your bank account while you live your life.
What You’ll Learn
Action Challenge
Links & Resources
Love the show? Text this episode to a friend who’s “getting their money right,” hit Follow on Spotify, and drop a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Your ratings and shares help more busy people turn bad days into breakthroughs!
Connect with Brian WalshInstagram: @baddayexcellence | TikTok: @leadfastdaily | LinkedIn: /in/walshmegrow | www.baddayexcellence.com
Feel like you have to shout to be taken seriously? Think again. In this episode Brian breaks down four habit pillars—Self‑Preparation, Clear Communication, Time & Energy Guardrails, and Visible Accountability—that create genuine executive presence. You’ll hear why “fake it till you make it” backfires and how small daily habits quietly build the authority people trust and follow.
What You’ll Learn
The posture, eye‑contact, and wardrobe cues that shape first impressions
A five‑minute morning clarity ritual to stay calm under pressure
The PAR listening framework to speak less and say more
How to time‑block and audit your calendar so your priorities speak for you
One ceiling poster Brian uses to stay accountable (and why chest‑thumping kills credibility)
Action Challenge
Strengthen your listening muscle this week: use PAR in every meeting, pause before you speak, and notice how quickly your influence grows.
Resources & Links
Free Habit Tracker → baddayexcellence.com/tracker
Previous Episode → 3 Productivity Habits to Get Unstuck Fast
Connect with Brian on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/walshmegrow
Book → Habit Craft 101 on Amazon
Share the Love
Send this episode to a new manager who needs a confidence reset. If you enjoyed it, hit Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review. Your support helps more listeners turn bad days into breakthroughs.
If you’re always busy but never making progress, this is the reset you need.
Let’s be real. If your calendar is packed but you still feel stuck, something’s broken. In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, I break down 3 productivity habits that actually help you move the needle instead of just putting out fires.
These aren’t hacks. They’re habits. Built to protect your energy, automate what matters, and help you focus like a machine. Even if your brain runs wild with ADHD like mine.
We’ll get into:
My “Daily 3” time-blocking ritual
90-minute focus sprints that actually stick
The ADD Exercise (Automate, Delegate, Delete) that clears your plate and your mind
I share real-life examples from my own messy journey too. Like the email habit that tricked me into feeling productive when I wasn’t, and the exact way I rewired it.
No fluff. Just straight talk, strong opinions, and simple systems that work.
🎯 This week’s challenge: Pick ONE of these productivity habits and commit to it for 4 weeks. Don’t try to do all three at once. Start with one and make it automatic.
📣 Got a coworker drowning in to-do lists? Send them this episode. Just maybe give them a heads-up so it doesn’t feel like a sneak attack.
👇 Grab my book Habit Craft 101, sign up for the newsletter, or get free tools below to help you take action.
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Mentioned in this episode:
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🛠 Want more like this?
Subscribe, leave a review, or tap 5 stars if you got something out of today’s episode. It helps the show grow and helps more people turn their bad days into something better.
I’ve released 28 episodes of Bad Day Excellence, and honestly I didn’t think I’d make it this far.
In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I’ve learned about fear, consistency, identity, failure, resilience, and most importantly, the power of habit.
You’ll hear:
The fears I had before launching this show (and how I beat them)
Why consistency matters more than confidence
How I built a simple system to create weekly content with ADHD and a full-time job
What perfectionism really is (spoiler: it’s procrastination in disguise)
The tech failure that almost derailed me
The joy I’ve found in creating
And the biggest lesson of all: people connect with you when you show up
Whether you’re chasing a passion project, trying to find clarity, or just need proof that progress is possible—this one’s for you.
🎯 Weekly Challenge: Post ONE piece of content this week—just to get started. Doesn’t need to be perfect. Just needs to be real.
👉 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and drop a 5-star rating if you’re feeling it. Every share helps someone else find clarity on their bad day.
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👋 Connect with Brian Walsh
Website: www.baddayexcellence.com
Instagram: @walshmegrow
Email: brian@baddayexcellence.com
The robots aren’t coming—they’re already here. But instead of panicking, what if we used them to become more focused, efficient, and present in life?
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, host Brian Walsh breaks down AI in plain language and shows you exactly how he uses tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, NotebookLM, and Power Automate to:
✅ Save 1.5+ hours a day at work
✅ Level up as a parent
✅ Learn faster on the go
✅ Help his son improve reading comprehension
✅ Create real-life, gamified learning experiences using free AI tools
Whether you're brand new to AI or just scratching the surface, this episode will help you:
Understand the 3 types of AI (Narrow, General, and Super)
Apply AI to reduce overwhelm and sharpen your focus
Build habits around AI that create time, not take it
👊 Brian’s challenge to you this week:
Open an AI app and ask it:
“I’m a smart person trying to grow. What can you tell me about [insert any topic]?”
Talk to it like an old friend. See what shows up. That’s how clarity begins.
💬 Mentioned in this episode:
Power Automate by Microsoft
ChatGPT
Perplexity AI
NotebookLM by Google
Free prompt link for Brian’s RPG-style learning adventure for kids
AI story generator for reading comprehension
🎁 Free Resource:
👉 https://www.baddayexcellence.com/AI
🧠 Let’s build habits that unlock peace, productivity, and purpose—without getting lost in the noise.
Feeling overwhelmed by politics, the economy, or nonstop news? In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh explores how Stoic philosophy—and simple daily habits—can help you stay calm, focused, and resilient no matter what’s happening in the world.
👉 Learn the Dichotomy of Control: how to shift energy away from what you can’t control and toward what you can.
👉 Discover habits that steady your mind, from the “Don’t Put It Down” method to environment design and the PAR method (Pause, Acknowledge, Respond).
👉 Take on this week’s challenge: identify emotional triggers and build responses that keep you grounded.
💡 Key takeaways:
How to apply Stoicism to everyday stress
Ways to use your environment to promote peace
How to build tiny habits that protect your mental clarity
✨ Hit Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to help others find clarity on their bad days!
Are you stuck in the hustle cycle: grinding, multitasking, and still not moving the needle?
In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh flips the script on productivity guilt and introduces the concept of Strategic Laziness, a smarter, science-backed way to work less and achieve more. Backed by Stanford research, personal transformation, and real-world leadership insights, you'll learn how cutting the busywork actually accelerates your growth.
🎯 What you’ll learn:
Why 70-hour workweeks don’t lead to better results
How multitasking kills your focus (and your IQ)
The 80/20 rule and why most of your effort is wasted
How to use “The Reverse To-Do List” to eliminate overwhelm
3 habit-based strategies to protect your energy and increase effectiveness
What Daniel Kahneman’s court study teaches us about decision fatigue
🔥 Plus, this week’s Challenge of the Week will help you build clarity and momentum by doing less — on purpose.
🎁 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people turn their bad days into breakthroughs.
📘 Grab my book: Habit Craft 101
🧠 Free download: Strategic Laziness Habit Map (coming soon)
📱 Follow Brian on Instagram: @walshmegrow
🔗 Suggested Additional Elements (optional):
Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your team, or even your family? You're not alone. In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh dives into the DISC personality assessment and reveals how understanding these four core styles, Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness can revolutionize the way you lead, communicate, and build lasting habits.
You’ll learn:
How each DISC type forms and responds to habits
Practical leadership techniques to support every personality
Real-life examples from parenting, business, and marriage
Why knowing your type (and your team’s) is a game-changer
If you're building a team, leading a family, or just want to understand people better, this one’s for you.
🔍 Take the DISC Assessment Free → baddayexcellence.com/disc
📖 Learn more in Chapter 3 of Habit Craft 101 → Buy Now on Amazon
💌 Subscribe to the Mindset and Motion newsletter → https://www.baddayexcellence.com/email
