Ep 111: Is the Extra Mile Essential?

This episode focuses on the impact of AI in the housing industry, specifically in mortgage underwriting, following Better's announcement of automating the process in 47 seconds without human intervention. Michael and Kathryn discuss the implications of AI on job roles, emphasizing speed and efficiency improvements while addressing concerns about job displacement. They explore how AI could free up time for more complex problem-solving and client interaction, encouraging professionals to leverage AI to enhance their skills and career growth. The conversation highlights the need to adapt to technological advancements while maintaining focus on areas that AI cannot replace, such as human relationships and complex decision-making. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the concept of "essentialism" and the importance of slowing down to think and make meaningful decisions. The idea originates in the book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown.    Essentialism emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity in communication. Kathryn and Michael explore how people often go beyond what is necessary, either through excessive preparation or detailed explanations, which can obscure the core message. The conversation touches on the need to distinguish between tasks that require extra effort and those that simply need clarity. They also discuss how simplicity can lead to freedom and efficiency, both in personal and professional settings. The key takeaways included the importance of self-reflection to streamline processes and the concept of going the "essential mile" rather than the "extra mile." Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

[This episode serves as a follow-up to last week's episode 109: "Are You Caught in the Drift?" offering a more industry-specific perspective on navigating career changes in real estate and mortgage sectors.] In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss the concept of career drift, particularly in the mortgage and real estate industries. They explore how professionals in these fields might unintentionally drift away from their original passions and goals, often due to a lack of growth or adaptation to changing market conditions. Michael shares his personal experience of transitioning from loan origination to coaching, emphasizing the importance of having a clear "why" when considering career changes. Kathryn and Michael also highlight the distinction between burnout and drift, with burnout being an active, often recognizable struggle, while drift is a more passive and unintentional decline. They encourage listeners to reflect on their career paths, seek new challenges, and avoid making irreversible decisions without careful consideration. The episode concludes with a reminder that it's never too late to address career drift and pursue new opportunities. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Michael and Kathryn discuss the concept of "the drift" in this episode of Building Bigger Lives, exploring how it can affect both personal and professional life. They explain that the drift occurs when individuals lose their sense of direction or purpose, often due to a combination of complacency and unnoticed gradual changes. Michael shares examples of how the drift can manifest in various aspects of life, such as career progression, personal health, and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and regularly evaluating one's progress to prevent getting caught in the drift. Kathryn suggests that small, incremental changes in routine or social circles can help individuals stay on track. The hosts also discuss strategies for recognizing and addressing the drift in others, advocating for empathy and support rather than criticism. They conclude by encouraging listeners to tune in for a future episode focused specifically on how the drift affects those in the housing industry. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Welcome to the Building Bigger Lives Podcast! This episode features Jason Mata, a mortgage education leader who discusses his journey from working in consumer finance to creating Mortgage Educate, which provides homebuyer education classes across the country. Jason explains how he started with small workshops in Sacramento and expanded to working with 16 universities, hosting over 60 classes annually with 150-200 attendees each. He shares his approach to balancing his role as both an educator and mortgage producer, emphasizing his passion for helping clients understand homeownership. The conversation highlights Jason's commitment to education and community service, while also touching on his personal life as a father of two and competitive athlete. The episode concludes with Jason offering advice to others looking to start educational initiatives, emphasizing the importance of consistency, valuable content, and genuine community service over lead generation. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Michael and Kathryn explore the concept of time blocking for entrepreneurial leaders, discussing its practicality and importance in managing schedules and creating consistent habits. They cover various aspects of time management, including the value of white space, establishing routines, and aligning tasks with energy levels and team schedules. The conversation concludes with insights on creating flexible time blocks that accommodate different seasons and life circumstances, while emphasizing the need for clear communication and self-awareness in maintaining productivity. The episode aims to provide listeners with actionable strategies to manage their time effectively, offering a balance between deep thought and practical execution. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

Welcome to the Building Bigger Lives Podcast. This episode features Frank Blakeley, who shares his journey from a fitness industry background to becoming a successful mortgage professional in Orange County, California. Frank discusses how he transitioned from personal training to mortgage lending after realizing the fitness industry's focus on numbers over client service wasn't aligning with his values. He emphasizes his approach to avoiding burnout through routine management, prioritization, and maintaining a balanced personal and professional life. Frank also explains his decision-making process, which involves assessing whether changes are driven by personal growth or external factors, and he highlights his recent shift to a leadership role where he can mentor other originators while maintaining better work-life balance following his wife's health scare. The conversation concludes with Frank's discussion of his disciplined approach to work, including his consistent use of the Navigator system to track lead sources and maintain productivity metrics. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of The Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss the importance of choosing a clear and focused theme for business planning, emphasizing how themes help align team members and guide decision-making processes. They explore various strategies for developing and simplifying themes, including collaborative approaches and visual representations, while highlighting the distinction between personal identity and goals.  Michael explains that a theme helps create focus and alignment among team members by ensuring everyone is heading in the same direction. He suggests that the theme should reflect the desired outcome of the year and can be captured in one to five words. The discussion emphasizes the value of a clear theme in eliminating confusion and excuses, and in rallying team energy towards shared goals. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Today's episode of The Building Bigger Lives podcast features Michelle Berman-Michael, a national keynote speaker and business strategist who helps professionals use social media for revenue-generating connections. Michelle is the founder of Beyond the Method, a platform that helps mortgage and real estate professionals use social media for revenue-generating connections. She discusses her approach to social media strategy, emphasizing that success comes from making less content but focusing on meaningful connections through storytelling and emotional resonance. This helps entrepreneurs start each month in the black and experience the compound effect of their efforts. Michelle shares how her father's influence shaped her work ethic and approach to business, and explains that her coaching focuses on helping clients overcome resistance to social media by shifting their focus from metrics to actual business outcomes. The conversation explores how storytelling and vulnerability create trust with audiences. Michelle concludes by sharing her 2026 focus on setting clear boundaries while balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and business owner. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives Podcast, Kathryn and Michael discuss strategies for a successful start to the new year, emphasizing the importance of reviewing personal priorities before delving into professional planning, setting clear goals, and maintaining a vision aligned with your values. They explore various planning tools and frameworks, including focus plans, quarterly reviews, and the Core 4 framework, to help individuals achieve their objectives while maintaining balance. Michael highlights the value of a life plan review to align personal and professional goals, using a GPS analogy to illustrate how setting a clear direction can lead to better decision-making and fulfillment. They also touch on the need to adapt life plans as personal circumstances and relationships evolve. The discussion concludes with insights on utilizing downtime effectively, as they encourage listeners to embrace margin in their schedules. Building Bigger Lives Podcast https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage