Podcast Summary: "4 Yellow Ball Habits to Pull Out Potential"

Podcast: Earn the Right to Live Your Dreams
Host: Dr. Coyte Cooper
Episode: 4 Yellow Ball Habits to Pull Out Potential
Date: September 10, 2019

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Coyte Cooper shares practical mindset and behavioral strategies—what he calls "yellow ball habits"—designed to help people break through common personal barriers such as fear, doubt, and negativity in pursuit of their dreams. Drawing on experiences from his personal life and the recent release of his book Flip the Script, Dr. Cooper delivers insights on forming positive daily rituals and reframing challenges using vivid storytelling and a passionate, motivating tone.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The "Yellow Ball" Story: A Metaphor for Flipping the Script (04:10–12:42)

• Main Idea: The "yellow ball" concept is inspired by an experience Dr. Cooper had with his son Carter’s swimming lesson, where a high school instructor used a yellow ball to help children overcome their fear and hesitancy by focusing their attention on an exciting, achievable goal.

• Takeaway: Instead of dwelling on fear or negative thoughts, "chasing the yellow ball" means redirecting your focus toward something positive and actionable—flipping the script on life's barriers.

• Quote:

  "He took the number one barrier, fear, and went whoop. He flipped the script on it with a yellow ball." – Dr. Coyte Cooper (11:31)

2. Common Barriers to Potential (01:30–04:05)

• Identified Barriers: Fear, doubt, negative thoughts, criticism, distractions, and the desire to fit in.
• Universality: These barriers are encountered by people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Motivation for Writing the Book: Dr. Cooper wrote Flip the Script to provide people with strategies—based on his own obstacles and victories—for overcoming these deeply rooted challenges.

3. Introduction to Yellow Ball Habits (12:43–15:55)

• Concept Definition: Yellow ball habits are impactful, daily rituals aimed at redirecting your mindset from barriers to growth.
• Process: Instead of trying to change hundreds of negative thoughts, replace them with intentional, positive habits for at least 66 days to rewire your thinking.

The Four Yellow Ball Habits

1. Morning "NTT Growth Ritual" – Setting a Positive Tone (15:56–20:27)

• The Problem: "We have an abundance of negative thoughts...up to 40,000 negative thoughts a lot of people have in a single day." (16:30)

• Habit: Get up early in a quiet space—before technology or other distractions—dedicate time to read positive, growth-oriented material. Avoid your phone, news, and email upon waking.

• Goal: Start the day with positivity and possibility, laying the foundation for better outcomes.

• Quote:

  "If you'll get up every single morning and start to establish world class habits, you'll radically change your life." – Dr. Coyte Cooper (17:19)

2. "Baseline Blessings" Gratitude Practice – Reframing Scarcity (20:28–25:17)

• The Problem: Scarcity mindset—focusing only on what we lack.

• Habit: Each morning, list three baseline blessings you’re truly grateful for, and then write down something you could be grateful for in your biggest current challenge.

• Goal: Cultivate sufficiency and abundance, training your brain to seek the good and reframe difficulty as opportunity.

• Notable Reference: Dr. Cooper shares how reading Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning helped him shift his perspective after career disappointment.

• Quote:

  "If you do that, you're always...not going to have enough ever. You're always going to have scarc. But...if you're willing...to point your brain to what I call baseline blessings, you will create a foundation for future abundance." – Dr. Coyte Cooper (21:04)

3. "Give and Grow" Ritual – Combatting Perfectionism (25:18–28:45)

• The Problem: Perfectionism and the tendency to delay progress for fear of not being perfect.

• Habit: Each day, ask how you can give—add value to others—and how you can grow, focusing on improvement instead of instant achievement.

• Goal: Shift from a self-centered, anxious mindset to one centered on contribution and progress, reducing anxiety and elevating long-term performance.

• Quote:

  "People that focus on giving and growing are unbelievable at what they do." – Dr. Coyte Cooper (28:10)

4. Stand Out Through "Value Drivers" – Moving Past Criticism and Fitting In (28:46–32:30)

• The Problem: The drive to fit in and the sting of criticism limit authenticity and progress.

• Habit: Write down three traits or values you want to embody daily (e.g., energy, positivity, excellence). Remind yourself not to fit in, but to stand out intentionally and authentically.

• Goal: Build resilience against criticism, reinforce your unique value, and ignite your personal passion.

• Quote:

  "Stop trying to fit in...The most amazing people on the planet, they don't do that...they show up every single day and they have a desire to be different." – Dr. Coyte Cooper (29:15)

Memorable Quotes & Motivational Highlights

• "You want to change your life? Find three things, and every single day, not only write them down, feel it." (24:26)
• "If your idea is perfection, right off the bat...you won't move. Your brain will find ways to distract you and you'll back off." (26:05)
• "Don't settle for average. If your life feels mundane...don't settle, you are capable of extraordinary emotions. You're capable of really extraordinary outcomes." (32:35)
• "I'm crazy passionate about helping you flip the script on your biggest barriers so you can go out and you can crush it in your life." (33:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–04:05: Introduction, purpose of the book, common barriers
• 04:10–12:42: The yellow ball swimming lesson story
• 12:43–15:55: Discovery and explanation of yellow ball habits
• 15:56–20:27: Morning NTT Growth Ritual
• 20:28–25:17: Baseline Blessings gratitude practice
• 25:18–28:45: Give and Grow ritual for overcoming perfectionism
• 28:46–32:30: Creating value drivers and standing out
• 32:31–End: Final motivation and encouragement

Summary Takeaways

Dr. Coyte Cooper’s "yellow ball habits" offer clear, actionable steps to break through fear, scarcity, perfectionism, and the need to fit in. By adopting consistent, positive daily routines that focus on mindset, gratitude, contribution, growth, and authenticity, listeners can dramatically improve their personal satisfaction and performance.

Dr. Cooper encourages listeners:
“Don’t settle. Start showing up every single day and chasing the type of yellow ball habits that will pull out your potential...I’m here to help you do that.” (32:30)

By the end of the episode, listeners are motivated to adopt these habits, reframe their mindsets, and set themselves on a path to living their dreams. Dr. Cooper closes with enthusiasm and an invitation to deepen the journey via his new book Flip the Script.