First Things First: Beyond Being Busy

On the Franklin Planner Podcast, hosts George Wright III and Misty Howard introduce Hyrum Smith’s concept of “natural laws” from The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management, using Stephen R. Covey’s lighthouse story to illustrate realities that cannot be changed, only respected. 00:00 Lighthouse and Natural Laws03:49 Gravity and Working With Reality05:20 Engineering Success and Titanic Warning09:18 Natural Laws and Productivity12:11 Principles Versus Practices and Values16:57 Preview of the Ten LawsThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamAbout Misty HowardMisty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences.Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership.Guest Resources:Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

George Wright III and co-host John Harding launch a new Franklin Planner Podcast series walking through First Things First (1994) by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill, explaining its principle-centered framework and connection to the Franklin Planner mindset. 00:00 Why First Things First07:29 Rethinking Time12:23 Maria Story Clock Compass21:18 Three Time Management Generations33:04 Paradigm See Do Get39:32 Fourth Generation Life LeadershipThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner Team

On this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III sits down with Greg McKeown, New York Times bestselling author of Essentialism and Effortless, to challenge everything we think we know about productivity and success. Greg shares why today's technology leaves us feeling more overwhelmed than ever, how to take back control of our priorities, and why learning to understand others is essential to living a more intentional life. 00:00 Why Less Matters Now03:31 Tech Built Wrong07:11 Disorientation Machine12:54 Why Priorities Fail24:24 New Conversation Game31:22 Effortless Versus Hard33:29 The 10X Dilemma40:34 Easy Not Lazy48:18 Prioritizing With OthersThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamAbout Greg McKeownDr Greg McKeown and his wife, Anna, are the proud parents of four children. McKeown is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most”, which together have sold 3 million copies and been published in 40 languages and recently released The Essentialism Planner, a 90-day guide to accomplishing more by doing less.LinksWebsite: https://gregmckeown.com/Books: https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmckeown/

George Wright III and co-host John Harding explain Franklin Planner’s foundational Productivity Pyramid as a companion to the Time Matrix, designed to connect what matters most to daily action and “inner peace.” They outline four levels—governing values, goals, weekly planning, and daily actions—framing the key question of how priorities make their way into everyday life. They discuss identifying values , translating values into season-specific goals, and why weekly planning creates the best daily plans. John offers a weekly planning review process, cautions against too many or misaligned goals, and shows how daily planning and the important/urgent Time Matrix help handle interruptions while staying aligned with values.00:00 Why the Pyramid Matters06:17 Four Levels Overview07:23 Governing Values Foundation11:23 Turning Values Into Goals15:41 Weekly Planning Power20:57 Weekly Planning Checklist22:51 Daily Planning and Time Matrix26:58 Quotes and Listener ChallengeThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamAbout Misty HowardMisty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences. Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership.

George Wright III is joined by Misty Howard to introduce a new series covering Hyrum Smith’s book "The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management." They explain that audience feedback prompted more content on the planner’s timeless principles, emphasizing that the methodology is about more than efficiency in an “age of time famine.” They discuss Smith’s concept of inner peace as the result of aligning daily actions with core values, using examples like the “ladder against the wrong wall” and a seminar attendee who prioritized time with his son and later felt no guilt after his son’s death. Misty shares Hyrum’s background, including turning down a lucrative job to start a seminar company that became Franklin Quest. 00:00 Why Franklin Planner Matters02:27 Meet Hyrum Smith05:51 Time Famine Problem08:36 Inner Peace and Values11:35 Hyrum Smith Life Story15:36 Executive Letter LessonThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner Team

On the Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III with John Harding and Misty Howard highlight Theodore Roosevelt as a model of resilience, character, and leadership, emphasizing that while we can’t choose everything that happens, we can choose our response. They discuss Roosevelt’s sickly childhood with severe asthma and nearsightedness, his father’s challenge to “make your body,” and Roosevelt’s disciplined transformation. In his 20s, after success at Harvard, early political rise, and marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee, he lost both his mother and wife on February 14, 1884, prompting him to seek renewal in the Dakota Territory and form his “Strenuous Life” philosophy. They cover his decision to fight in the Spanish-American War by forming the Rough Riders, his anti-corruption, pro–working class leadership, his unexpected ascent to the presidency after McKinley’s assassination, and his Square Deal priorities: corporate control, consumer protection, and conservation, concluding with “The Man in the Arena” and a call to face fears and act on values.00:00 Why Roosevelt Matters03:37 Childhood Weakness to Strength15:34 Rebuilding in the Dakotas20:23 Rough Riders and War Hero25:08 Fighting Corruption in Politics29:32 Unexpected Path to Presidency36:41 Man in the Arena LessonsThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamAbout Misty HowardMisty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences.Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership.Guest Resources:Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

Host John Harding interviews John P. Covey on timeless principles and how aligning with them improves personal and professional effectiveness. Covey explains that values are internal and drive 100% of behavior moment by moment, while principles are external and govern consequences, using gravity as an analogy. He applies principles socially through trust, honesty, and Stephen R. Covey’s “emotional bank account,” emphasizing that a deposit is only a deposit if the recipient sees it that way and that deposits must be consistent and frequent. In leadership, he contrasts fear-based command-and-control with trust-based approaches that create synergy. Covey outlines the seven habits along the maturity continuum from dependence to interdependence and notes principles remain relevant despite technological change. He recommends daily alignment practices (including The Miracle Morning) and rebuilding low-trust relationships by identifying withdrawals and experimenting with deposits.00:00 John Covey Background02:23 Uncle Steve Connection05:12 Why Principles Matter09:01 Values Drive Behavior13:56 Principles Are External16:38 Social Principles and Trust19:32 Emotional Bank Account22:59 Deposits That Count26:15 Leadership Applications29:34 Fear Versus Trust31:58 Alignment Drives Results33:41 Learning Principles Daily36:34 Benefits And Seven Habits38:42 Maturity Continuum Explained42:12 Principles In Modern Change44:41 Stormproof Core Principles48:43 Hardest Principles To Live50:39 Daily Alignment Practices52:14 Rebuilding Low TrustThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner Team

On The Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III interviews Dave Sanderson, the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, who recounts the Hudson River landing, the 36-degree water evacuation, and how preparation, mindset, and teamwork mattered as much as landing the plane. Sanderson explains how the experience reshaped his priorities, exposed feeling undervalued at Oracle, and led him to pursue the “four freedoms” (time, money, mission, relationships) and ultimately leave corporate life with Tony Robbins’ coaching and encouragement. He shares key lessons from mentorship and “proximity is power,” the role of meaning and reframing, and frameworks he teaches including VCR (vision, capabilities, reach), focusing on outcomes, and “best next step.” The conversation emphasizes values-based leadership, building trust over competence, developing resilience from past reference points, and fulfilling a promise to pass mentorship forward.00:00 Hudson Crash Replay00:27 Podcast Welcome02:14 Dave's Flight Story03:48 Aisle Up Out Mindset06:28 Resilience Built Over Time08:06 Aftermath And Oracle Wakeup09:43 Four Freedoms Escape Plan12:18 Mentorship With Tony13:26 Proximity And Meaning17:08 VCR Resilience Framework20:57 Vision Values Leadership23:10 Trust Over Competence25:40 Focus With Next Steps28:27 Building Team Resilience32:07 Leading Your Life34:37 Mentor Promise Story38:26 Mentorship Call To ActionThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamGuest BioLInksWebsite: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesandersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveSandersonSpeaks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davesandersonspeaks/

Co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding revisit why goal setting is one of the Franklin Planner podcast’s most popular topics, emphasizing that the greatest power of goals is not what they accomplish but what they awaken and change in the person pursuing them. They discuss why writing goals down and reviewing them matters amid digital overload, citing research on handwriting, sustained attention, interruptions, and the value of uninterrupted “deep work.” Using examples from NASA checklists, the brain’s filtering of attention (including noticing opportunities once a goal is set), Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile, and Churchill’s purpose-driven leadership, they connect goals to belief, executive functions, and self-coaching. They invite listeners to write down what matters most, choose 2–3 goals, and review them for three weeks, and they preview an upcoming member event with Stephen M. R. Covey on building and restoring trust.00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup01:41 Why Goals Matter02:45 Goals Change You05:22 Why Write It Down08:30 Reflection vs Technology11:18 Paper Protects Focus14:25 Brain Filters Attention17:37 Belief and Possibility21:07 Leadership and Purpose26:07 Daily Review Practice28:10 Self Coaching Research30:59 Two Part Goal Exercise33:20 Events and ClosingThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner Team

George Wright III, John Harding, and historian Misty Howard celebrate America's 250th anniversary by exploring four overlooked heroes of the American Revolution whose examples continue to teach timeless leadership principles. Rather than focusing on famous Founding Fathers, they examine the remarkable lives of Henry Knox, Francis Marion, Sybil Ludington, and Benjamin Rush, showing how ordinary individuals changed history through determination, resourcefulness, courage, and service. Along the way, they connect each story to modern leadership, emphasizing that greatness is not determined by status or circumstance, but by the choices we make and the values we live. The conversation concludes with a reminder that history is more than something to study—it is a guide for living a meaningful life today.00:00 Courage Shows Up In Ordinary People00:40 Welcome And America's 250th Anniversary04:22 Henry Knox And Determination07:18 The Impossible Cannon Mission09:38 Lessons In Perseverance12:01 Francis Marion The Swamp Fox15:16 Guerrilla Warfare And Resourcefulness17:08 Character Over Circumstance20:20 Sybil Ludington And Courage22:10 A Sixteen-Year-Old Answers The Call23:24 Defining Moments Require Courage26:00 Benjamin Rush And A Life Of Service28:47 Medicine As A Calling29:27 Serving The Poor And Forgotten30:20 Purpose Beyond Success31:56 Four Leadership Principles33:10 Finding Unsung Heroes Around You34:41 Applying History To Everyday Life35:19 Choices Define Our Legacy36:15 Closing ThoughtsThank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together. Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/The Franklin Planner TeamAbout Misty HowardMisty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences.Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership.Guest Resources:Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.