Notes for the Children

In this final episode of Notes for the Children, Pat explores the transformative power of forgiveness, describing it as a rare and invaluable gift that costs nothing but holds immense value. 

Drawing on wisdom from Confucius, Martin Luther King Jr., and Oprah Winfrey, Pat shares personal experiences and insights on forgiveness, highlighting its ability to free individuals from internal prisons and cultivate healing. He emphasizes the strength and resilience required for forgiveness and its profound impact on personal growth and relationships. 

Join as to learn more about understanding, practicing and reaping the benefits of forgiveness in...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat explores the profound impact of gratitude on happiness and overall well-being, drawing inspiration from the wisdom of Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh. 

 Highlighting the research-backed benefits of gratitude, he emphasizes its role in enhancing self-esteem, promoting psychological well-being, and reducing the likelihood of depression. He stresses the transformative nature of gratitude, making individuals more resilient, less envious, and fostering healthier relationships. 

Join us as Pat shares his personal journey, affirming that living in a state of gratitude has significantly improved his life, making it less stressful, mor...

In this heartfelt episode of Notes for the Children, Pat delves into the pivotal role of parents, shedding light on the challenges and profound responsibilities that come with this crucial role. 

Reflecting on the lack of formal training for parenting, he emphasizes the need to empathetically understand our parents' experiences, considering the historical context and personal struggles they faced. He urges listeners, especially his children, to walk in their parents' shoes before passing judgment. 

 With candid admissions of personal mistakes and insights into his parenting journey, Pat acknowledges the complexities of being an excellent parent.  

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In this compelling episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner explores the pivotal role of resilience in the demanding world of automotive retail, drawing on his experiences spanning 2,496 weeks of being judged solely on sales performance. He intertwines insights from philosophy and psychology, emphasizing the constant evaluation faced by professionals in the industry.  

 Pat underscores the critical nature of resilience in navigating the relentless pressure and competition, drawing parallels with Michael Jordan's career setbacks. With anecdotes and lessons from his training sessions, he highlights the importance of overcoming negative thoughts, believing in personal capabilities, and embracing ad...

In this insightful episode of Notes for the Children, Pat candidly shares his struggles with guilt. Reflecting on the profound impact it had on his life, he delves into the emotional turmoil and shame he carried for decades. He provides a cautionary tale to his children, emphasizing the need to understand and confront the roots of guilt.  

Drawing from personal experiences, he discusses the destructive nature of prolonged guilt, offering practical advice on breaking free from its grip. Touching on the influence of upbringing and religion, Pat encourages honesty, kindness, and self-awareness as tools to navigate guilt's c...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner shares valuable insights on leadership, happiness, and navigating life's challenges in his heartfelt and practical notes to his children.  

In the realm of leadership, Pat emphasizes the importance of understanding that everyone needs something each day and offers key elements to provide, such as attention, respect, and gratitude. Reflecting on his experiences, he highlights the significance of treating team members with dignity and the pitfalls of hierarchical leadership. 

Throughout, he underscores the personal cost of leadership, acknowledging the higher commitment and sacrifice it entails. Ultimately, Pa...

Join Pat Priestner for this episode of Notes for the Children as he unravels the simple joys and profound lessons that lead to true happiness. Drawing on personal anecdotes and poignant quotes, he reflects on the core elements essential for a fulfilling life. From the importance of cherishing a life partner to finding delight in small pleasures like ice cream, the podcast imparts valuable life advice. 

Pat shares insights on the symbiotic relationship between happiness and suffering, echoing Buddhist teachings on the necessity of balance. He encourages listeners to be mindful of their emotions, work towards minimizing s...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner explores the inevitable aspect of human existence—suffering. Drawing from profound quotes, personal experiences, and the teachings of philosophers and spiritual leaders, he addresses the universality of suffering.  

Pat delves into the hazards of reliving past suffering, urging individuals to break free from this cycle. Thich Nhat Hanh's wisdom on embracing familiar suffering is highlighted, providing a compassionate approach to self-care. 

Join us to learn about the impermanence of suffering and the role of mindfulness in understanding and alleviating suffering. 

In this impactful episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner shares timeless wisdom on cultivating daily habits that lead to success and fulfillment. He emphasizes the profound impact of daily routines on shaping one's destiny and achieving excellence. 

The podcast explores the importance of going the extra mile, focusing on the little things that make a difference, and the transformative power of consistent, positive habits. Pat advocates for a habit of continuous learning, echoing the teachings of philosophers like Gandhi, Aristotle, Seneca, and Epictetus.  

Join us to hear how self-discipline, resilience, and the daily pr...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner shares crucial insights into the power of focus in both professional and personal realms. Drawing from his early experiences as a sales manager, he emphasizes the significance of maintaining focus during work shifts. Pat underlines the choice individuals have between putting in an all-out effort, focusing on success, and making a half-hearted attempt that might lead to disappointment. 

The narrative expands to include lessons learned from an early mentor about the importance of workplace focus, likening it to racehorses wearing blinders.  Join us to hear Pat’s how...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner explores the detrimental impact of jealousy and envy on personal growth and well-being. Drawing from his own experiences, Pat reveals the seven negative effects these emotions had on him, ranging from damaging relationships to lowering self-esteem. 

Delving into Buddhist teachings, he unveils the profound impact of jealousy on happiness and the significance of redirecting one's focus towards self-care. He shares a poignant tale of two shopkeepers, underscoring the destructive nature of jealousy, and reflects on his own struggles with envy, particularly during challenging times in business. 

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the powerful dynamics of optimism versus pessimism, drawing from personal experiences and scientific insights. He reflects on the profound impact of mindset, emphasizing the importance of writing life's challenges in sand and its triumphs in stone. 

 Sharing his entrepreneurial journey, Pat highlights the transformation that occurred when he shifted from a pessimistic mindset to embracing optimism, resulting in tangible success. The episode delves into the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of optimism, with Pat presenting compelling data on its positive effects on health and overall we...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the profound theme of change, drawing inspiration from quotes, personal experiences and impactful lyrics. Pat emphasizes that life doesn't improve by chance but through intentional, small changes. He reflects on the challenges of embracing change, sharing anecdotes from his own life, including a transformative exercise that propelled him towards positive shifts.  

 Pat explores the concept of impermanence, urging listeners to appreciate the beauty of change, particularly in the context of family growth. He addresses the difficulty of making lasting changes, offering insights into common roadblocks an...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the concept of craving and its profound impact on human happiness. Drawing insights from influential figures like Yuval Noah Harari and Swami Sivananda, Pat reflects on the never-ending cycle of desire and its detrimental effects. He shares personal experiences, recounting moments of intense craving during his youth and business endeavors, emphasizing the destructive nature of such desires.  

Pat introduces the Buddhist concept of the hungry ghost, illustrating the insatiable nature of cravings. Through his journey of studying Buddhism, he highlights the importance of self-awareness in o...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner candidly explores his past struggles with a controlling personality, shedding light on the impact of a tumultuous childhood marked by family chaos and alcoholism. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and introspection in understanding and overcoming controlling behaviors. Drawing wisdom from eminent Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, Pat delves into the concept of freedom and strength arising from letting go of things beyond our control.  

Reflecting on his attempts to control the uncontrollable, Pat shares anecdotes, including humorous encounters with whisky bottles. This episode serves a...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the pivotal early years of his sales career, addressing the discouragement that often accompanies the high-pressure environment. Reflecting on traditional motivational methods, Pat shares his realization that sustained success requires more than mere slogans. He recounts the challenges he faced during a financial crisis in 2008, emphasizing the importance of reframing losses as invaluable learning experiences.  

 Pat explores habits that feed discouragement, offering practical insights to cultivate gratitude and surround oneself with positivity. Drawing from personal experiences, including a near-bankruptcy situation, Pat highlights the resilience needed to...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner explores the impact of attitude on one's life journey. He highlights the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, particularly in sales, recounting early experiences in the car sales industry. The discussion evolves into the significance of preparation and mindfulness in fostering a positive attitude, emphasizing the concept of "showtime" and the power of being present in each interaction.  

The narrative also touches on the impact of gossip on attitude and advocates for a more positive and mindful approach. It concludes with a poignant reminder of life's preciousness a...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner reflects on the seven fundamental principles that have consistently proven effective in sales environments throughout his career - perseverance, setting high expectations, taking incremental steps, active listening, maintaining focus, self-compassion and empathizing with others.  

These principles, initially designed for sales success, seamlessly transfer to various careers. Pat emphasizes the importance of not giving up too early, continually expecting more from oneself, and the need for inner reflection in training. He shares personal experiences, ranging from working in a family-owned delicatessen to collaborating with executives of major automotive a...

In this powerful episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner tackles the difficult subject of bitterness, an emotion that can profoundly affect our lives and relationships.

Drawing on personal experiences and the lessons learned from overcoming bitterness, Pat shares his insights into recognizing, understanding, and ultimately releasing bitterness's grip on one's soul.

Listeners will explore the toxic nature of bitterness—how it arises from unresolved anger and pain, and how it can poison our lives and those of the people closest to us. 

Pat delves into the importance of acknowledging the past wit...

In this inspiring episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the critical role of self-discipline in achieving success and fulfillment.

Drawing from his extensive experience as an entrepreneur and through personal development, Pat shares valuable insights and strategies for cultivating strong self-discipline, emphasizing its impact on performance, consistency and overall well-being.

Listeners will explore the interconnectedness of self-discipline with mindfulness, gratitude, and resilience. Pat illustrates how these practices enhance our capacity for self-control and help us navigate the ups and downs of life and career with grace and determination. He shares stories...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner dives deep into the concept of accountability, a principle he credits as a cornerstone of his success. Drawing on nearly five decades of experience, Pat discusses the critical role of personal responsibility in achieving outstanding results, both individually and as part of a team.

Pat introduces listeners to the mantra that has guided Pat's career and the powerful idea that understanding and embracing our role in the outcomes of our efforts is critical to rising to the top of any field. Reflecting on moments of his career...

In this episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner shares invaluable insights into the critical importance of the first five minutes of any interaction, especially in the context of sales. Drawing from decades of experience in the automotive industry, Pat underscores how these initial moments can make or break a deal or a relationship. 

Listeners will discover practical strategies and tips for winning over customers and making positive connections right from the start. Pat delves into techniques such as walking meditation, the significance of active listening, the trust-building power of eye contact and the often-underestimated value o...

In this introspective episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner delves into the profound lesson of self-compassion, sharing insights from a journey marked by personal struggles and growth. 

Pat opens up about the critical realization that loving oneself is foundational to loving others, and the inability to treat oneself kindly makes it challenging to extend genuine kindness and compassion to those around us. Exploring the barriers to self-compassion many of us face, including the harsh inner critic that often drowns out our ability to appreciate our worth, Pat shares hard lessons learned along the way. 

In this Notes for the Children episode, Pat Priestner embarks on a candid exploration of anger, its impacts and the pathways to managing this intense emotion. Drawing upon personal experiences and insights from Michael Singer's "The Untethered Soul," Pat reflects on anger as a natural but often destructive response to perceived threats, and its physiological effects like flushed faces and heightened blood pressure. 

Pat shares his journey from being frequently overwhelmed by anger to understanding and taming it while delving into practical strategies for dealing with anger, including the enlightening perspective offered by Buddhism. He g...

In this powerful episode of Notes for the Children, Pat Priestner explores the concept of the critical voice inside us that constantly undermines our confidence and self-worth. 

Pat shares his personal experiences and insights into how he learned to silence this inner critic and transform his relationship with himself. 

Drawing from his own life, Pat illustrates how our internal battles with self-esteem and confidence affect those around us, especially our children. 

Encouraging listeners to be as compassionate and forgiving with themselves as they would be with their loved ones, Pat provides pra...

In this insightful Notes for the Children episode, host Pat Priestner delves into the intricate relationship between thoughts, emotions, and our overall well-being. He opens up about his own struggles with uncontrolled emotions and the profound realizations that led him to a path of self-awareness and mindfulness.

Pat explores the concept that negative thoughts inevitably lead to negative emotions, impacting our mental state and physical health. By sharing his journey of introspection and understanding the root causes of emotions like anger, jealousy, and frustration, Pat illustrates how he learned to steer his life back on...

In this enlightening episode of Notes for the Children, our host, Pat Priestner, invites listeners on a journey through the art of mindfulness and the power of nurturing positive thoughts.

Drawing from the metaphor of a gardener tending to their garden, Pat explores how we can cultivate our emotional landscape by carefully choosing which 'seeds' – thoughts and emotions – to water and nurture.

By practicing mindfulness, we become more aware of these seeds and gain the wisdom to water the wholesome ones.  Sharing personal insights on how our upbringing influences how we tend to our e...

In this thought-provoking episode of Notes for the Children, join our host Pat Priestner as he delves into the profound and personal interpretations of Bob Seger's iconic song, "Running Against the Wind." 

For Pat, this track isn't just a piece of music; it's a reflection of his life's journey, echoing the changes in meaning and significance over the years. Through an intimate narrative  

 Today, Pat sees "Running Against the Wind" as a metaphor for confronting and overcoming the destructive impulses that often hold us back from achieving true peace and happiness. Thr...