Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

McKay Christensen
  • 4.7 (119)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

What you can’t see, you can’t be. That’s why we all need a clear vision of who we are and what we can become. On Open Your Eyes join author and business leader McKay Christensen to discover the steps to lasting change on your path to personal and business growth. From personal improvement to team leadership, get the insights and tools you need to open your eyes to a happier life.

  1. 4d ago

    S6E5 - Go the Distance

    McKay demonstrates that life's greatest victories are achieved through steady, everyday efforts rather than sudden breakthroughs through his exploration of the "go the distance" mindset. While our world celebrates quick finishes, real resilience is forged in the quiet, ongoing dedication that persists long after the initial excitement fades. Alongside his friend Austin's adaptation to a paralyzing injury, McKay shares stories of deep perseverance. He explores Stallone's true vision for Rocky and W.P. Kinsella's pursuit of redemption in Shoeless Joe. He then traces Katalin Karikó's long mRNA research and José Hernández's twelve attempts to join NASA. These examples, including Jessica Long's Paralympic path, show that success lies in the quiet, daily struggle. Main Themes: Why the "go the distance" mindset serves as the foundation of long-term success and personal transformationHow Austin redefined his daily reality and found purpose through handcycling after a life-altering accidentRealizing that extraordinary results come from continuing to make ordinary efforts long after excitement fadesRocky Balboa's definition of going the distance as a quest to discover identity rather than simply winning a championshipW.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe and the journey of reconciliation and healing at the heart of Field of DreamsWhy the greatest rewards in life arrive when we choose to push past the point where quitting would be reasonableJosé Hernández's journey from migrant farmworker to NASA astronaut through twelve years of persistent applicationsHow Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman's decades of unrecognized mRNA research paved the way for the rapid COVID-19 vaccine responseUnderstanding the industrial history of "losing steam" and the vital importance of refueling our minds and emotions dailyJessica Long's athletic legacy and how true greatness is forged in the invisible, uncelebrated moments of practice Top 10 Quotes: "Real life is not built around breakthroughs; it is built around continuation." "Real wins in life happen to those who stay the course, who go the distance." "Often, the greatest victory is becoming the kind of person who can stay in the arena long enough to get there." "The greatest rewards in life often come only after we continue beyond the point where quitting would have been reasonable, when we go the distance." "The question is never whether discouragement will arrive; it is rather what will happen after it arrives." "We don't know when the breakthrough will arrive... What we do know is that continuing creates possibilities that quitting never can." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

    27 min

  2. Jun 22

    S6E4 - Because You Choose To

    McKay explores the "because I choose to" mindset - the principle that circumstances don't dictate our reality or outcomes. Throughout the episode he demonstrates that, while life often burdens us with the heavy weight of "I have to," freedom and success emerge when we recognize our inherent agency to choose our response. In addition to highlighting Ashleigh Barty's intentional return to tennis and contrasting it with her earlier burnout, our host goes on to share such stories as Desmond Doss's battlefield convictions and Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku's choice to be "The Happiest Man on Earth." From Arunima Sinha's Everest climb to McKay's lesson at a prison gate, this episode shows how embracing reality changes destiny, urging us to use choice to build an extraordinary life. Main Themes: Why the "I choose to" mindset and intentionality outpace obligation and pressureAshleigh Barty's choice to walk away from and intentionally return to professional tennisLearning to find the positive in a backward-loaded route through the delivery truck lessonHow Desmond Doss held onto his convictions at Hacksaw Ridge despite hostile circumstancesWhy resisting reality consumes energy without producing results and the value of embracing it insteadEddie Jaku's survival of Auschwitz and his decision to become "The Happiest Man on Earth"Kerry Egan's hospice observations on finding meaning at the end of life through acceptanceHow Arunima Sinha scaled Mount Everest and redefined her identity after a tragic train incidentBuilding identity through small and repeated choices that turn into habits and characterDiscovering the ultimate freedom by recognizing our agency and participation in any circumstance Top 10 Quotes: "Most of us do have a choice. And when we remember that we can choose and do choose, our approach is different. It's more healthy." "The human mind has the ability to assign meaning to experience, and that meaning directly influences our behavior and long-term outcomes." "The circumstance itself doesn't determine the meaning, but the response does." "Suffering is not only caused by what happens, but also by what we do with it." "Happiness does not fall from the sky. It's in your hands. It comes from a choice inside you." "Small choices accumulate into identity through repetition." "The shift from 'I have to' to 'I choose to' is therefore not semantic. It's internal strength." "To live from this perspective is to recognize that while circumstances may be given, our level of participation is chosen." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

    25 min

  3. Jun 15

    S6E3 - The Gentle Slope

    The transformative power of the "gentle slope," the principle that our lives are not defined by singular, dramatic events, but by the accumulation of tiny, consistent choices comes under McKay’s scrutiny today. Acknowledging that the world often waits for a "lightning strike" of inspiration, our host explains that true change happens through the quiet persistence of daily habits. Analyzing the history of the Grand Canyon, McKay contrasts a 1956 crash with the slow erosion that actually shaped its depths. He also shares stories of John Woolman’s anti-slavery persuasion and Jennie Flexner’s book-by-book literacy drive. From Edith Eger’s resilience to Barry Magee’s endurance, this episode shows how a one-degree shift changes your destiny. McKay provides a framework for "evolving instead of revolving," urging us to use small habits to build an extraordinary life. Main Themes: The Grand Canyon: Why small forces are more powerful than spectacular eventsThe 1956 mid-air collision and the birth of modern air traffic controlJenny Mass Flexner: Changing generations one book at a timeJohn Woolman and the thirty-year mission of "gentle persuasion"Benjamin Banneker: How a habit of curiosity builds a scientific legacyEdith Eger and the "50 anyway" mindset: Taking risks at any ageEvolving vs. Revolving: Breaking the cycle of past-based thinkingThe Wheat Field Analogy: The science of building neuro-pathways in the brainBabar Ali: The journey from after-school teacher to world-renowned headmasterThe Lydiard Method: Why building an aerobic base is the key to enduranceThe "One-Degree" Rule: How tiny deviations in direction change your final destination Top 10 Quotes: "Extraordinary results are often the product of ordinary actions repeated consistently over time." "The river never set out to carve a canyon a mile deep; it simply kept moving in the same direction." "The great things we achieve, or the erosion in our actions and character, are not arrived at in a moment. Rather, it is a gentle slope." "Our lives are shaped by small choices... like a river carving a canyon, the effects are almost invisible day by day, yet over years, they become impossible to ignore." "Impact compounds." "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." "You’ve got to evolve instead of revolve." "Today's small choices become tomorrow's habits, and tomorrow's habits become next year's character, and character becomes destiny." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

    26 min

  4. Jun 8

    S6E2 - See the Good in Everyone (New Episode)

    McKay explores Dolly Parton’s philosophy of ‘finding the God-light in everyone’ as a transformative leadership discipline. He argues that choosing to see potential rather than faults is a practical way to inspire growth and redirect lives. Our host highlights how belief in others alters history through the stories of Louis Armstrong, Walt Disney, and Abraham Lincoln. Detailing Nelson Mandela’s healing of South Africa and John Wooden’s UCLA coaching, McKay demonstrates that by applying the Pygmalion effect and defending the absent, listeners can foster trust and move beyond automatic negative thinking. Main Themes: Dolly Parton’s "God light" philosophy The Pygmalion Effect on performance Lincoln’s "Team of Rivals" strategy Louis Armstrong’s reform school start Walt Disney and the power of affirmation Defending the absent to build character Mandela’s use of rugby to unite a nation Overcoming self-centered "default settings" John Wooden’s shame-free coaching Belief as a practical leadership strategy Top 10 Quotes: "I try to find the God-light in everybody." "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." "Human nature tends to notice faults first." "When people are seen as capable, they often become more capable." "If you humiliate people, they resist; if you honor people, they change." "When you defend those who are absent, you retain the trust of those present." "Seeing the good in others is a discipline, not a feeling." "Remembering everyone is good makes a meaningful life possible." "Correct what can be improved, not what is wrong with you." "Seeing good in someone can redirect an entire life." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

    23 min

  5. Jun 1

    S6E1 - You Can Decide Again (New Episode)

    McKay investigates the concept that the defining factor of success isn't staying perfectly motivated, but rather the courage to "begin again" every time life knocks you down. He explains that meaningful breakthroughs are often the result of quiet, repeated decisions made long before the world notices the "home run." Drawing on powerful narratives of late bloomers and resilient leaders, McKay shows how waiting is never wasted time. He shares the story of Bryan Torres, who spent 11 years in the minor leagues before a spectacular MLB debut, and Tara Westover, who overcame a survivalist upbringing to earn a PhD from Cambridge. By examining the lives of such icons as Grandma Moses, Sylvester Stallone, and Abraham Lincoln, McKay illustrates that our personal timelines are unique and that setbacks are often necessary preparation for a greater destiny. This episode provides listeners with a framework for letting go of past disappointments, utilizing the "I don't understand it" file for unexplained pain, and finding the resolve to go one more round. Main Themes: The Bryan Torres Story: Lessons from 11 years in the minor leaguesWhy the "waiting" period is actually a season of essential preparation"Nana korobi ya oki": The Japanese philosophy of falling seven times and rising eightTara Westover and the power of starting from scratch to achieve the impossibleThe "I Don’t Understand It" file: A strategy for emotional release and moving forwardGrandma Moses and the myth of the "missed window" for successSylvester Stallone’s "Rocky" moment: The conviction to bet on yourselfAbraham Lincoln: How a lifetime of political defeat built a national saviorShifting the focus from "Am I there yet?" to "Am I better than I was?"How tiny, consistent improvements compound into extraordinary character Top 10 Quotes: "What if the waiting is not wasted? What if the years nobody notices are actually the years building the person capable of handling the moment?" "Every time you decide again, you get a little better." "Disappointment can do one of two things: it can harden you or it can sharpen you." "The world only sees the harvest, but God sees the planting." "Fall seven times, rise eight." "Success is often built through tiny improvements repeated consistently." "Nobody becomes extraordinary instantly. People become extraordinary by repeatedly improving ordinary things." "Some flowers bloom early, some bloom late, but both are still flowers." "Goals eventually end, but character, the character you develop, remains." "When Lincoln lost, he did not restart from zero. He restarted from the experience that he gained." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

    25 min

  6. May 25

    S5E52 - What is a Leader?

    McKay continues his “What is a Leader” series this week by delving into even more critical leadership questions and drawing further inspiration from history and notable figures. In this installment he reviews the challenges faced by leaders and teams, and explores such themes as igniting change, fostering explosive growth, bending reality, and turning the tide. Throughout this thought-provoking episode, listeners gain insights into the power of focus, the significance of nurturing capable leaders, and the remarkable impact leaders can achieve by challenging established norms. Historical anecdotes and real-world examples illustrate how such leaders as Steve Jobs and George Washington motivated their teams to accomplish extraordinary feats by reshaping accepted realities and reigniting dedication. Join McKay as he continues this enlightening journey of leadership, change, and growth, and unveils valuable insights to elevate your leadership skills. Episode Highlights: The significance of igniting change in organizationsThe normalization of deviance and its impact on team performance and leadershipThe three progressive steps to regain your team's trust and commitment as a leaderLeading during challenging timesThe power of focusing your team on the most critical activities for exponential growthThe Reality Distortion Field and its role in bending reality to achieve the seemingly impossibleLeadership lessons from history emphasizing the importance of persistence and inspiration Quotes: "To change your team's reality, you must first change what they think of themselves." "Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do." "Your reality is malleable in the presence of a new view and immense persistence." "Often, leaders must ignite change, and organizations and culture are hard to change." “Your job is to constantly help the team see True North." "People don't at first follow worthy causes. They follow worthy leaders." "As leaders, we have to give people reasons to buy into us." "Add ten followers to your organization, and you have the power of ten people. Add ten leaders to your organization, and you have the power of ten leaders times all the followers and leaders they influence." Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

    31 min

  7. May 18

    S5E51 - How Will You Measure Your Life?

    In today’s episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay guides listeners through a thought-provoking exploration of the criteria by which we measure our lives. Combining an analysis of lives spectacularly well-lived with his own learnings and sage observations, our host demonstrates the critical importance of ensuring these criteria are firmly founded upon those aspects in life that truly matter. The episode traverses various inspiring narratives, from Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s revolutionary work in making cataract surgery affordable for millions in Nepal to Dashrath Manjhi's 22-year mission to carve a safer path through the mountains for his village. McKay also reflects on his battle with cancer, his children’s perseverance and relentless determination, and the poignant story of a colleague and his son who was born with severe physical challenges. The episode concludes by drawing on the biblical story of Peter walking on water, underscoring the importance of maintaining faith amidst adversity. Collectively, these stories challenge listeners to consider the legacies they wish to create, ultimately posing the essential question: "How will you measure your life?" Episode Highlights: Global listener reachDr. Sanduk Ruit’s journeyDashrath Manjhi's dedicationClayton Christensen on life’s measuresPersonal growth through serviceStories highlighting the power of love and perseveranceFaith and overcoming doubtsMeasuring your life by what really matters most Quotes: "I committed myself to a mission of making eye surgery affordable and accessible to every person in Nepal." "One can measure the surgeries provided to the impoverished in Nepal and the miles of travel saved by Dashrath’s new mountain path." "Consider if, ultimately, we are measured against the things that truly matter." "I realized my life would be measured by how I aided people in similar circumstances to mine." "Each day presents a choice on where to place your focus." "Love empowers you to focus, care, and exert more effort." "Keep going until you achieve your goals." "Faith means to believe without seeing, and the reward of faith is to see what you have believed." Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

    29 min

  8. May 11

    S5E50 - Do It Anyway

    This week, McKay takes a look at that all too familiar feeling of not really wanting to do something, and then proceeds to highlight the potential benefits of actually going ahead and doing that thing anyway. Filled with his trademark stories, reflections, and insights, our host’s investigation here today offers enlightening lessons on motivation, discipline, and purpose that promise to transform listeners' perspective on life. During this thought-provoking episode, McKay explores the concept of taking action even when motivation seems elusive. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources, he uncovers the secrets to happiness and success while discussing how discipline plays a pivotal role in achieving these life goals. Throughout the episode, our host navigates various themes, including the significance of commitment, the legendary tale of Jonah, and the impact of creating a culture of excellence. Challenging the myth that motivation is the sole driver of action, McKay takes the opportunity today to pave the way for a more profound understanding of how dedication, discipline, and a “do it anyway” mindset can lead to fulfillment in our lives. Episode Highlights: An awe-inspiring encounter with humpback whalesThe significance of facing fears and taking action even when unwillingDrawing inspiration from the legendary tale of JonahThe power of discipline in achieving lasting success and happinessThe misconception about motivation and the importance of commitmentHow creating a culture of excellence can lead to remarkable resultsExploring the concept of the "abundant approach" How helping others adds motivationEmbracing discipline, finding integrity, and seeking happiness in life Quotes: "We can't be what we can't see. At the core of our behavior is how we see the world and our place in it." "For some time now, I've been nudged and inspired and given opportunities to go in a direction that God wants me to go. And for whatever reason, I've been a bit slow to respond." "Don't give in to the immediate gratification of the thing. Give in instead to your true motive." "Motivation is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." "The winners didn't need motivation. They put a system in place in their life or business and established small habits of discipline." "Life takes the shape of an iceberg…90% of the time, the things that drive results are the work without motivation below the surface." "The definition of integrity is doing something you've decided to do long after the emotion of making the decision to do it has passed." "Happiness and success often come from doing things even when you don't feel like it." "Embrace your potential and fulfill your purpose, even if it means doing things you don't want to do." "Creating a culture of excellence and discipline can lead to outstanding results, even when the task is repetitive and not initially exciting." Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

    31 min
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4.7
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119 Ratings

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What you can’t see, you can’t be. That’s why we all need a clear vision of who we are and what we can become. On Open Your Eyes join author and business leader McKay Christensen to discover the steps to lasting change on your path to personal and business growth. From personal improvement to team leadership, get the insights and tools you need to open your eyes to a happier life.

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