Best Dyan Williams Podcasts (2024)

1
Parole in Place Plan Will Allow Certain Undocumented Spouses and Children of U.S. Citizens to Get Green Cards through I-485 Adjustment, Instead of Consular Processing 14:57

19d ago14:57

14:57

On June 18, the Biden Administration announced a “Parole in Place” plan to allow certain undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residence within the U.S., instead of needing to depart for Immigrant Visa processing. "The Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families Together" provides basic inf…

1
Learn While Doing Things (Better) 14:42

3M ago14:42

14:42

Learning is a meta skill for thriving, growing, and doing better. When you don’t learn, you stay stuck and repeat the same mistakes. While learning might not be as urgent as performing tasks, producing output and meeting deadlines, it’s just as important. Your performance is at its lowest when you’re purely performing or purely learning. You’re mos…

1
I-212 and I-192 Approvals for U.S. Visits Following Conviction and Deportation = True Success Story 7:13

3M ago7:13

7:13

A Canadian citizen wished to enter the U.S. to reunite with his U.S. citizen parents and sibling. But a decade-old conviction for Conspiracy to Import Ecstasy into the U.S. and his deportation, which followed his release from prison, barred him on four inadmissibility grounds: 1) INA 212(a)(2)(a)(i)(I) (crime involving moral turpitude) 2) INA 212(a…

1
How to step into uncertainty, make progress, and find flow 14:53

5M ago14:53

14:53

Uncertainty makes it harder to make progress and find flow in meaningful things. In easy conditions, progress is a straight line toward an end point. But when there’s uncertainty, progress is more like a feedback loop. In episode 68 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:09 When faced with the unknown, you can either do something or do nothing…

1
Goal Setting to Make Your Best Year Ever 11:04

6M ago11:04

11:04

Setting goals - when done right - puts you on the path to a more desired life. In goal setting, do not make the finish line the main thing or lose sight of the journey. In episode 67 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:15 By breaking your big goals down into mini goals, you achieve small wins that build your confidence, grow your knowledge,…

1
A Bias for Action Can Make You Fail 17:36

9M ago17:36

17:36

A bias for action can help you do big things and reach big goals. In big projects, it's vital in the delivery phase, which should be fast. But it hurts the planning phase, where it’s better to be slow. In episode 66 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:00 A bias for action feels productive but can also backfire and cause big failure in big p…

1
Solitude: A Path to Move Through Loneliness 19:24

10M ago19:24

19:24

Solitude is a chosen state of being alone. It is not the same as interpersonal loneliness or existential loneliness, which may lead to an early death or death by suicide in extreme cases. The need for alone time is as vital to human life as the need for social interaction. When you practice solitude, you will be better able to move through loneline…

1
Turn your hard efforts into easier steps (become an Incrementalist) 3:19

11M ago3:19

3:19

As you make gains, step by step, your actions and behaviors that used to take a lot of effort become more like a habit. You can choose to stay there and enjoy what you’ve accomplished or take the next step for a new challenge. The Incrementalist: A Simple Productivity System to Create Big Results in Small Steps, is now available on both Amazon and …

1
Can You Get a U.S. Visa if You Have a Conviction for or Admit to a Drug Offense? 19:13

1y ago19:13

19:13

If you were convicted of or admit to committing a drug offense, this subjects you to a permanent bar from the United States. This means you will not be eligible to receive a U.S. visa or admission to the U.S. on crime-related and perhaps health-related grounds. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. That said, is Prince Harry’s U.S. visa subje…

1
Making Decisions When You Don't Know What to Do 16:51

1y ago16:51

16:51

Uncertain outcomes and imperfect data make it tougher to decide. A decision starts with a choice, which is an opportunity to select from two or more options. A decision is cutting off options and narrowing it down to just one. This is harder to do in novel, high-stakes situations. In episode 63 of The Incrementalist, you will learn how to make bett…

1
Making Decisions When You Have Choice Overload and Cognitive Biases 14:15

1+ y ago14:15

14:15

Decision-making can be daunting. A decision can be so tough that you avoid it for as long as possible, instead of approach it head-on. And we can get worn out by the sheer number of choices we make daily. In episode 62 of The Incrementalist, you will learn two major pitfalls in decision making and strategies to navigate them: 1. Pitfall #1 - Choice…

1
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Goal Setting 16:33

1+ y ago16:33

16:33

Goals are targets, milestones or results you want to achieve. But week after week, month after month, year after year, we set goals that we soon forget. Before you decide that goals don’t work, first look at how you set them. In episode 61 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) Even when we don't set goals, we carry them around in some shape or …

1
Why You Need to Set Goals, Even if Achieving Them Doesn't Make You Happier 15:39

1+ y ago15:39

15:39

Even if goals don’t make you happy or happier, you still need to make them for different reasons. In episode 60 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The limits of goal setting and goal achievement. 2) The 5 reasons you still need to set goals, even if they don't really make you happier. Watch the video, Why You Need to Set Goals, Even if Achie…

1
What to Do When You're Motivated to Do Nothing 16:27

1+ y ago16:27

16:27

What to do - when you feel like doing nothing - depends on the reasons you're unmotivated and unproductive. In episode 59 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The Procrastination Equation, a formula by Dr. Piers Steel that helps explains why you feel unmotivated and why you procrastinate. 2) 10 tips to get out of a mental slump and motivation …

1
The Truth About Productivity Advice and Toxic Productivity 14:54

2y ago14:54

14:54

Toxic productivity occurs when you apply habits, routines and practices that are prescribed for someone else. Some of the productivity advice are hacks, tricks and tips that won’t work for you. They just don’t match with your mindset, preferences and season of life. In episode 58 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The truth about productivit…

1
The Power of Slow Living and Doing Less 16:30

2y ago16:30

16:30

Harness the power of slow living and practice the slow philosophy. This is how you break the obsession with doing more faster and, instead, do the right things at the right speed. On the road of life, there are twists and turns, hills and valleys. We can map out and plan our journey. But even then, we can’t always see what’s ahead of us in a given …

1
5 Things to Start Doing to Finish Your Goals 14:28

2y ago14:28

14:28

If you have trouble finishing projects and goals, you’re not alone. This is a common human experience. But there are 5 things you can do to finish strong with any project or goal. In episode 56 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1. The limits of willpower, better habits, and more refined systems. 2. The 5 things to start doing to finish your go…

1
How to Stay Focused and Control Your Attention 15:10

2y ago15:10

15:10

Your ability to focus on deep work is key to being productive. Your power to connect ideas is vital to being creative. Whether you’re focusing or mind wandering, you need to direct your attention to perform at your peak. In episode 55 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The difference between Hyperfocus and Scatterfocus and why you need both …

1
Digital Minimalism: Break Your Technology Addiction and Master Your Tech Use 14:55

2y ago14:55

14:55

Digital technology has its benefits and is not all bad. But tech-overuse and tech addiction cause problems too. To break our tech addiction and master our tech use, we need Digital Minimalism: “A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support th…

1
3 Gifts from Memento Mori (Remembering You Will Die) 12:31

2+ y ago12:31

12:31

Memento Mori is a powerful practice to create a meaningful, productive and fulfilling life. Roughly translated to English, it means, "Remember you must die." Reflecting on your own death might seem like a dark and depressing way to live. But it offers three unique gifts that help you live with intention. In episode 53 of The Incrementalist, you wil…

1
Why Work-Life Balance is Not Worth the Effort (and What to Aim for Instead) 12:27

2+ y ago12:27

12:27

When we hear the term work-life balance, we tend to think of it as a good thing. It’s doing great work, without overworking. It’s getting enough rest, without staying idle. But if we want to have a meaningful and productive life, striving for perfect work-life balance is not often the right path. What we really want to aim for is Intentional Imbala…

1
3 Ways to Make Boring or Hard Work Easier to Do 14:33

2+ y ago14:33

14:33

Do you struggle to stick with challenging projects? Can you stay curious when you do tedious tasks? How do you deal with boring, hard things you have to do? Habits help you automate positive behavior and actions on a daily basis. But they are not enough to perform at your peak. There will be times when you will have to do boring or hard things that…

1
How to Reset and Start Fresh (when you feel stuck) 11:10

2+ y ago11:10

11:10

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Do you have thoughts churning around, usually about things you don’t control? Is lack of clarity stopping you from taking action? If you feel stuck, bored or just plain lazy, you might be waiting for inspiration to strike. But what if it doesn’t? You might think you need more discipline or willpower. …

1
A Quick Way to Make Habits Stick 12:32

2+ y ago12:32

12:32

Do you have trouble remembering to do a new habit? Are you setting the right conditions to form the habit? Do you lose motivation when you don’t get immediate results? Habit stacking is a quick way to build good habits, which have a lasting, massive impact in your life. Habits are automatic behaviors that reduce decision fatigue, make time your all…

1
4 Reasons It's So Hard to Build Good Habits 11:17

2+ y ago11:17

11:17

Goals are the results and outcomes you want to achieve. They are the direction you want to head in, at least for the time being. But systems are what create the desired results and outcomes. Your daily habits make up your system. What you do day in and day out compounds over time to determine your level of success, mastery and contentment. In episo…

1
How to Time Block (Without the Apps) 16:06

2+ y ago16:06

16:06

Do you get overwhelmed by digital task management tools? Are you seeking a good mix of structure and flexibility in your day? Is there an easy, stress-free way to block time for important projects? When you hear the term Time Blocking, you might picture color-coded calendars filled up with specific activities for the week. Digital apps to block tim…

1
When to Quit and When to Persist 14:12

2+ y ago14:12

14:12

Are you in a cul-de-sac, on a cliff, or in the dip? Patience and persistence are essential for success. If you give up whenever you face a challenge or an obstacle, you’re bound to fail. But you also need to know when to quit and cut your losses. In episode 46 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The Sunk Cost Fallacy means we prefer to contin…

1
How to Kickstart Your Year with 12 Key Questions 10:33

2+ y ago10:33

10:33

The start of the new year is an ideal time to take stock and reflect. January 1, the 1st of every month, or the start of a new season are temporal landmarks. This is when many of us set goals or recommit to goals. A review of the year gives you insights on how to move forward in the next. It’s better to do it in the first week of the year, but no l…

1
Small Steps: The Surest Way to Success 18:18

2+ y ago18:18

18:18

At the end of the year and the start of a new one, we tend to reflect on accomplishments and think about aspirations. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the status quo if it works for you. Constantly striving for the next big thing is no better than leading a simple, satisfying life. But like all human beings, you probably have a wish or a dream th…

1
I-601 Waiver for INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) Bar + Immigrant Visa = A True Success Story 9:33

2+ y ago9:33

9:33

Five years after being found inadmissible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), our client finally received her Immigrant Visa to join her U.S. citizen spouse in the United States. Consistent with normal processing time, USCIS took 10 months to approve her Form I-601 application for waiver of inadmissibility, which we prepared and filed on her behalf. But due…

1
Make Use of Good Anxiety 16:02

2+ y ago16:02

16:02

We have all experienced anxiety on some level at various points in our lives. COVID-19 and the global response to it have brought massive changes and deep uncertainty since the start of 2020. Before then, 90% of Americans in the room raised their hands when asked if they had experienced daily anxiety. Wendy Suzuki, a neural science and psychology p…

1
How to Control Your Attention 13:05

2+ y ago13:05

13:05

There are news stories and articles on how we have the attention span of a goldfish. You might have heard that with the Internet, we can now only focus for 8 seconds at a time. The good news is there are no studies to back this up. There is also a common belief that we use only 10% of our brain. The entire brain is being used, but some parts are mo…

1
Get Bored Now 8:59

2+ y ago8:59

8:59

Is boredom a negative emotion? It is defined as a feeling of discontent with something that is dull, repetitive, tiresome or tedious. We prefer to stay away from anything that is boring to us. But boredom is largely a complex emotion that can have a very positive impact. It can make us more creative and productive. In episode 41 of The Incrementali…

1
12 Essential Things that Enhanced My Life 13:01

2+ y ago13:01

13:01

Some of the wealthiest people are the most depressed and saddest in the world. Having too much stuff can be distracting and overwhelming. Less stuff brings more clarity, more space, and more freedom. Still, there's nothing wrong with having shiny, new things. You don’t want to depend on things to make you happy or to define you. But you also don’t …

1
Progress, Not Perfection, is the Way 9:16

3y ago9:16

9:16

Small wins make you more productive, creative, committed, collegial, and focused. When you track the progress you’ve made, no matter how small, you gain confidence that builds on the momentum. With an incremental approach, you take daily actions that move you in the right direction, instead of take big leaps that are more likely to steer you off co…

1
Love and Connection in a Time of Loss 7:29

3y ago7:29

7:29

We’ve all experienced loss in some shape or form. It could be the loss of a dream job, a friend moving away, a health crisis, or a change in lifestyle that you didn’t plan for. The death of a loved one is a very painful experience. It’s hard to even say the word "death" in this context. The end of a life is so final, so permanent, and so irreversib…

1
How to Learn and Master Any Skill (part 2) 22:54

3y ago22:54

22:54

When you’re acquiring and developing a new skill, you need to learn how to learn. Learning is a meta-skill for life and for sustaining peak performance. This continuation of a two-parts episode builds on the foundation principles covered in Episode 36. In episode 37 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 7 more takeaways to learn and master any ski…

1
How to Learn and Master Any Skill (part 1) 14:16

3y ago14:16

14:16

When you’re learning and developing any skill, it’s better to have a growth mindset, than a fixed mindset. Talent and natural ability do matter. But your attitude towards failure and setbacks are more critical. There are two modes of learning theories: entity versus incremental theories of intelligence. Entity theorists think, "I am smart at this."…

1
Create Space to Think (part 2) 22:01

3y ago22:01

22:01

Making space between activities can be done solo, without allies. But industry norms and workplace culture might pull you back into chronic busyness. Norms are standards or principles of action that apply to a group. A culture is made up of norms. Effective leadership from the top reduces the burden on individuals who seek to have more margin in th…

1
Create Space to Think (part 1) 14:01

3y ago14:01

14:01

To do creative, high-leverage work, you need to step back and look at the big picture. But when there are fires to put out, demands to meet, and crises to solve, it’s hard to stop and think about what’s really important. When we zoom out though, we find that urgency doesn’t equal a true emergency. Many of the things we did should have waited until …

1
COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Green Card Applicants, Starting October 1st 15:22

3y ago15:22

15:22

The CDC has a new requirement that will affect all green card applicants. Starting October 1, 2021, intended immigrants must receive full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to immigrate to the U.S. This new requirement affects eligibility for permanent residence on health-related grounds. COVID-19 has been added as a Class A medical condition that bars …

1
Make Time Your Ally (not a thing to manage) 16:04

3y ago16:04

16:04

Industrialization created a clock time mentality. Time is now standardized, visible in the ticking minutes, and outside our existence. Time is a resource to make money, and a thing to be traded, maximized and optimized. So, you end up with busyness, overwhelm, and pressure. And you feel guilty when there’s margin. This is where time management fall…

1
Patience is a Superpower 5:29

3y ago5:29

5:29

We often get stressed and anxious when the thing we want done is not done. We want what we want now. We don’t like waiting. Patience is sometimes seen as an anti-skill that wastes time, or a sign of indecisiveness or lack of power and autonomy. But in today’s fast paced world where overwhelm is common and immediate gratification is expected, patien…

1
Make Willpower Irrelevant 17:30

3y ago17:30

17:30

If you want to get to the next level, you need willpower to make creative breakthroughs and steady progress. Don’t you? After all, willpower helps you to beat distractions and delay gratification to make wise choices. But willpower is limited. It gets depleted the more you use it and as the day goes on. While you could do certain things to boost an…

1
Dealing with Motivation Ruts and Burnout 22:35

3y ago22:35

22:35

2020 was an especially challenging year. And this year continues to require some extra effort to start and finish things that matter. Even if you’ve built a business for yourself (like I did), you can still have creative exhaustion and feel trapped by your work. Maintaining discipline is more critical than having motivation. Preserve your energy an…

1
Finding Your Ikigai (sense of purpose) 16:37

3y ago16:37

16:37

True productivity is not just about getting more stuff done effectively and efficiently. It also involves creating a meaningful and satisfying life. This doesn’t mean you always get what you want or that everything comes easy to you. Hardships can build appreciation for life itself. Words like purpose and calling are nebulous. They are associated w…

1
How to Stay Accountable and Stop Self-Sabotage 19:23

3y ago19:23

19:23

To gain traction and execute better on your goals, start with a 12-week action plan instead of a longer term, annual plan. Rather than wait an entire year to track progress and measure results, you do a formal review every 12 weeks. And in the 13th week, you make a plan for the next 12 weeks. As part of your routine, you score the week, plan the we…

1
How to Accomplish More in 12 Weeks Than in 12 Months 15:14

3y ago15:14

15:14

If you’re resisting what you need to accomplish, you might have given yourself too much time to execute your plans. New Year’s Resolutions and annual goals rarely get you to where you need to be and create the life you want. Move out of annual thinking and adopt the 12 Week Year. With this planning technique, a year is no longer 12 months; it's 12 …

1
Get Stressed the Right Way 19:16

3y ago19:16

19:16

Stress is not always bad. It comes with having big goals and pushing beyond your comfort zone. Going off to college, starting a new job, traveling to a foreign country, or launching a business trigger stress. And they also bring feelings of excitement, confidence and achievement. Stress is positive when it stimulates growth, adaptation and expansio…

1
Make Better Decisions Even When You're Uncertain 20:50

3y ago20:50

20:50

When you’re making a decision on tough problems, you are always missing key information. Every decision is biased because it’s based on limited beliefs, assumptions and data points. You can never be sure of the outcome. A bet is a decision about an uncertain future. And decisions are bets in uncertain environments. As you seek to learn more, you st…

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Dyan Williams Podcasts

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