Start With A Win

Adam Contos
  • 4.9 (155)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Every day you have a choice. You can wake up and choose to give in to mediocrity and complacency, you can choose bad habits and poor choices, and you can do the bare minimum to get by and fly under the radar. Or you can choose to make today the day that sets you apart from the crowd, you can choose to start doing the right things, the things that will set you up for success. You can choose to create a life that is worth living, worth waking up to, and worth sharing with the world around you. Today You can choose to start with a win.

  1. 5D AGO ·  BONUS

    Quick Win - Don't Think Big

    Ever had a big goal looming over you, wondering how on earth you'll reach it? Well, here's a little secret: don't think big. Yep, you heard me right. Think small. It's not about the grandiose end game; it's about the tiny steps you take every day that add up to something huge. Focus on those small tasks, the ones that are simple and doable right now. They're the key to unlocking that big dream. Trust me, thinking small leads to big wins. That's your quick win for today! #SmallSteps #BigGoals #AchievementUnlocked #ProgressEveryDay

    28 sec

  2. APR 15

    Mitch Matthews: Why Most Goals Stay Small (and How to 10x Them)

    This episode of Start With a Win challenges leaders to rethink how real growth actually happens - not through rigid planning alone, but through bold vision, intentional experimentation, and the courage to act before everything feels certain. Adam Contos sits down with success coach and top-ranked podcaster Mitch Matthews to explore how high-performing leaders and entrepreneurs can break out of incremental thinking, ignite bigger possibilities, and turn ambition into measurable momentum. It’s a powerful conversation about cultivating the C word, building the A word, and leading with both imagination and execution - designed to help you unlock smarter strategy, stronger teams, and results that compound. If you’re ready to lead beyond limits and create meaningful wins in business and life, this one will stretch the way you think. Mitch Matthews is a success coach, keynote speaker, and host of the top 1% podcast DREAM THINK DO. For more than 20 years, he’s helped high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs clarify their purpose, think bigger, and take bold action. He’s interviewed world-class performers - from bestselling authors to Oscar winners - and coached leaders at NIKE, NASA, Disney, and United Airlines. Mitch is also the creator of The Authority Bridge™, helping professionals build aligned, impact-driven coaching and speaking businesses.  Mitch lives a highly caffeinated life in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife Melissa and they have two wildly creative sons. 00:00 Intro02:04 This concept is a three-step process…05:07 You can’t do this alone…08:55 Do you know what this is and we’re not talking about goals12:02 Never ask your team this…replace it with this14:15 When you move into the next step you have to become a scientist!16:25 Leadership habits and the biggest factor of the leader!   19:40 Oh the A word again.24:50 The P word is hugely important as well as the C word.   27:10 Do I shoot straight vs what should I say! www.mitchmatthews.com DREAM. THINK. DO.  Connect with Adam & listen, rate, and subscribe to his podcast!https://linktr.ee/adamcontos ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    33 min

  3. APR 10 ·  BONUS

    Quick Win - Declutter Your Life

    Take a look around. Are you organized or disorganized? Is clutter building up? Is your car or life dirty? Time to get organized and clean out the clutter. This is called pruning. Think of a rose bush: fewer buds mean bigger, lush flowers. The same goes for your life. Get rid of the garbage, and watch your happiness and organization grow. That's your quick win for the day. #DeclutterYourLife #PruneForSuccess #QuickWin ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    1 min

  4. APR 3 ·  BONUS

    Quick Win - Respecting Time

    Here's the reality: as you gain stature, wealth, and advancement, your tolerance for wasted time decreases, while respect for your time increases. Respecting everyone's time is crucial—it's a significant deposit into your relationship account. Keep investing time in those relationships, and others will value you more. Remember, "early is on time." #RespectTime #BuildRelationships #QuickWin ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    1 min

  5. APR 1

    Rich Horwath: Stop Wasting Time on Business Strategy That Doesn't Work

    In a world where “strategy” has become a buzzword and busywork often masquerades as progress, host Adam Contos sits down with renowned strategic thinking expert Rich Horwath, today on Start With a Win, to cut through the noise and get to what really drives results.  This conversation dives into the hidden habits, mindsets, and decision filters that separate reactive leaders from truly intentional ones - those who create clarity, focus their teams, and win on purpose instead of by accident. Packed with sharp insights, real-world stories, and practical wisdom, this episode challenges you to rethink how you spend your time, set priorities, and lead with direction. If you’re ready to trade chaos for clarity and turn strategy into a daily advantage, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Rich Horwath is the Founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute, where he helps leadership teams think, plan, and act more strategically to drive direction, advantage, and results. A strategy workshop facilitator, executive coach, and keynote speaker, he has helped more than 250,000 leaders worldwide strengthen their strategic capabilities. Rich is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of eight books, has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review, and is recognized by Chief Executive Magazine as “the world’s foremost expert on strategic thinking.”A former chief strategy officer and top-ranked graduate professor of strategy, Rich combines real-world experience with practical tools executives can apply immediately. Inspired by a leader’s question - “How can I become more strategic?” - he built a roadmap to help leaders move from tactical to strategic thinking and continues his mission to teach the world to be strategic.00:00 Intro03:04 Define it…only three words! 05:10 Biggest mistake that leaders make…08:30 A two-page plan, goals (what) and how, is that really all I need!11:50 This needs to happen every 90 days! 14:30 How do we fix middle management?17:28 How to think about strategy and culture?19:07 The three As!22:24 A golden insight, write that down…25:02 A habit that will help stick to your strategy!28:05 A what workout… www.StrategySkills.comhttps://www.strategyskills.com/strategic-book/ ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    30 min

  6. MAR 27 ·  BONUS

    Quick Win - Is Emotional Intelligence Important?

    ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Emotional intelligence is a leader’s superpower. Understanding your team’s emotions builds trust and fuels collaboration. Show you care, and they’ll go the extra mile! 🌟 #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #Teamwork ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    1 min

  7. MAR 20 ·  BONUS

    Quick Win - Unlocking Career Success: The Power of Emotional Intelligence

    Unlock your path to promotion with the power of emotional intelligence! Dive into the three essential "A's" – awareness of self, awareness of others, and awareness of the business – and learn how they can supercharge your career. Understand yourself, connect with others, and align with your company's goals to achieve professional success. Don't miss out on this quick win for your career! #EmotionalIntelligence #CareerGrowth #QuickWins ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    1 min

  8. MAR 18

    Henna Pryor: How to Stop Being Awkward

    In this lively and eye-opening episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with Workplace Performance Expert and bestselling author Henna Pryor to unravel one of the most misunderstood emotions in modern leadership: awkwardness. With humor, science, and refreshingly real stories, Henna exposes the hidden ways awkward moments shape our confidence, communication, and ability to lead under pressure. Together, they explore why today’s increasingly “smoothed-out” world desperately needs leaders who can navigate discomfort with authenticity and courage. This conversation invites listeners to rethink what being confident truly means - and why embracing the messy, human moments might just be the ultimate performance advantage. Henna Pryor, CSP is a Workplace Performance Expert who helps leaders and teams elevate their performance mindset, communication, and interpersonal effectiveness. A regular Inc. Magazine columnist and 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward, she blends two decades of experience with a science-backed approach to taking strategic risks and boosting social and mental fitness.  A global keynote speaker and clients’ self-described “secret weapon for impossible change,” Henna has spoken at TEDx and SXSW and is featured in outlets like FastCompany, INSIDER, HuffPost, NBC, and FOX. She’s also a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, Glassdoor WorkLife Pro, and her book was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. 00:00 Intro01:27 Did you just want to fit it? The three word tag line…04:26 Is this parallel to this? No, it’s this!07:05 Name the awkwardness that exists in the situation.11:30 The best tip!16:01 Do you use AI and how?18:55 This first then this second…21:28 I snuggle my puppy however this is the best way that will help most. www.pryoritygroup.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor/ https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/ ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    23 min
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4.9
out of 5
155 Ratings

About

Every day you have a choice. You can wake up and choose to give in to mediocrity and complacency, you can choose bad habits and poor choices, and you can do the bare minimum to get by and fly under the radar. Or you can choose to make today the day that sets you apart from the crowd, you can choose to start doing the right things, the things that will set you up for success. You can choose to create a life that is worth living, worth waking up to, and worth sharing with the world around you. Today You can choose to start with a win.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Contos
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    563
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 START WITH A WIN
  • Show Website
    Start With A Win

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