Episode 76

76 – Be Negative and Be Prepared

76 – Be Negative and Be Prepared

In this podcast episode, I talk about “The Power of Negative Thinking” by Bobby Knight. He makes excellent points about how being aware of potential negatives can actually lead to positive outcomes. It was fascinating to hear his perspective on why having a positive attitude all the time can actually be counterproductive. Instead, he emphasized the importance of discipline, perseverance, and knowing when to pivot.

One of the things that really stood out to me was his idea that successful leadership means being hard to please. He argued that we should always look for things to fix and improve upon, rather than simply settling for what’s good enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRk38CdgEDE

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3092

Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

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Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

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About your host

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.