Kreatures Of Habit Podcast: Lori Harder – Climbing the Ladder of Success

Hosted by Michael Chernow | Released: October 2, 2024

Introduction

In this inspiring episode of the Kreatures Of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with Lori Harder, a multi-faceted entrepreneur, best-selling author, and three-time fitness world champion. Together, they delve deep into the routines, habits, and mindsets that have propelled Lori to success, offering listeners valuable insights into building and maintaining effective habits for personal and professional growth.

Guest Background

Lori Harder brings a wealth of experience from various domains. Starting her journey in the fitness industry, she has graced numerous fitness magazine covers and earned her titles as a fitness world champion. Beyond fitness, Lori is the CEO of Glocee, a beauty hydration company, and the host of the popular podcast Earn Your Happy. She is also a keynote speaker and author of the best-selling book A Tribe Called Bliss.

Morning and Evening Routines

One of the central themes of the conversation revolves around Lori's structured routines that anchor her day.

Morning Routine:

• Coffee and Connection: Lori begins her day with a cup of coffee shared with her husband, celebrating their 19-year marriage milestone. This shared moment fosters connection and sets a positive tone for the day.
• Positive Consumption: She prioritizes consuming positive content, such as her current engagement with David Guillaume's Kabbalah teachings, which provides her with tangible insights to manage anxiety.
• Walking Ritual: Together with her husband and their energetic golden doodle, they embark on three-mile walks both in the morning and evening. Lori emphasizes the transformative power of these walks, introducing the concept of the "Power 9"—three things they are grateful for, three things they are excited about, and three things they are manifesting. (09:16)

Evening Routine:

• Digital Detox: Lori disconnects from digital devices by placing her phone away by 7 or 8 PM, ensuring an uninterrupted wind-down period.
• Light Entertainment: She opts for light shows or reading to relax, avoiding heavy or disturbing content that could disrupt her sleep.
• Consistent Bedtime: Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine is crucial for her, aiding in better sleep quality and overall well-being.

"I put my phone away pretty much every night at 7 or 8... it's not even like, for the blue light, but I need to not feel accessible to start calming down." — Lori Harder [53:26]

Key Habits and Their Impact

Lori shares three transformative habits that have significantly influenced her life:

1. Walking: More than just physical exercise, walking serves as a mental reset, allowing her to process thoughts and maintain a clear focus throughout the day.

2. Power 9 Practice: This structured reflection—identifying gratitude, excitement, and manifestations—helps Lori stay grounded and aligned with her goals. It fosters a positive mindset and strengthens her relationship with her husband.

3. Adding Value in Relationships: Lori emphasizes the importance of seeking to add value to others without expecting immediate returns. This approach, she explains, builds meaningful and reciprocal relationships over time.

"We used to read every single night before bed. We haven't been doing that... Something will happen, some form of relief will happen." — Lori Harder [50:27]

Dealing with Anxiety and Distractions

A recurring topic in the discussion is managing anxiety and overcoming distractions, which Lori identifies as her primary challenges.

• Awareness Over Prevention: Instead of simply trying to eliminate distractions like phone usage, Lori focuses on understanding the underlying reasons behind these actions. By questioning her intent—“Why am I picking this up right now?”—she gains better control over her impulses. (00:00)

• Service-Oriented Mindset: Lori highlights how being of service not only helps others but also provides her with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, mitigating feelings of anxiety.

"When you really look at why you're doing it, that's a whole other level... that's really helping me a lot right now to stop with distraction." — Lori Harder [00:00]

Manifestation and Practical Application

The conversation delves into the concept of manifestation, exploring both its philosophical and practical aspects.

• Clear Intentions: Lori defines manifestation as the process of clearly defining what you want and aligning your daily actions towards that goal. She believes it starts with a clear thought or intention, which then directs subsequent actions. (30:51)

• Visualization: Lori practices visualization by imagining her desired outcomes and the person she needs to become to achieve them. This practice helps her stay focused and adaptively align her actions with her goals.

• Practical Steps: Beyond visualization, Lori emphasizes taking practical steps towards goals, acknowledging that manifestation requires consistent effort and adaptability.

"Manifestation is like attempting your best shot at trying to figure out what energy you would be in and who you would be if you already had that thing." — Lori Harder [38:06]

Building and Running Businesses

Lori shares her entrepreneurial insights, highlighting the importance of surrounding herself with smart, capable individuals who can complement her skills.

• Adding Value First: Instead of approaching business connections with a self-serving mindset, Lori focuses on how she can add value to others. This approach builds trust and fosters mutually beneficial relationships.

• Long-Term Vision: She stresses the importance of long-term relationships over immediate gains, believing that consistently adding value will naturally lead to success over time.

• Networking Strategies: Lori provides practical strategies for effective networking, such as identifying key individuals to support and offering assistance without expectations.

"Instead of entering a room and saying, oh, here I am, it's entering a room and saying, oh, there you are, and how can I help you?" — Lori Harder [20:21]

Importance of Consistency and Routine

Both hosts agree on the pivotal role of consistency in achieving success. Drawing parallels from the restaurant industry, they emphasize that consistency in routines leads to reliable outcomes, much like how favorite restaurants maintain consistent quality and service.

• Simple, Repeatable Actions: Routine doesn't necessarily mean a lengthy set of tasks but rather simple, repeatable actions that anchor the day and promote stability.

• Impact on Well-Being: Consistent routines, especially around sleep and daily activities, significantly enhance mental and physical well-being, leading to higher productivity and happiness.

"The food was consistent, the service was fun and good... it's consistency that sets apart great experiences." — Michael Chernow [56:06]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Lori Harder reflecting on her journey from struggling with self-worth and anxiety to becoming a successful entrepreneur and inspiring speaker. She underscores the importance of committing to habits, facing fears, and continuously seeking personal growth. Michael Chernow echoes this sentiment, highlighting the transformative power of routines and the continuous pursuit of excellence.

"If I can do it, you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it." — Michael Chernow [63:39]

Final Takeaways

• Self-Awareness: Understanding the root causes of distractions and anxiety is crucial for personal development.

• Service-Oriented Relationships: Building relationships based on adding value fosters trust and long-term success.

• Consistent Routines: Maintaining consistent daily routines enhances productivity, well-being, and overall happiness.

• Manifestation with Action: Clear intentions combined with practical steps lead to effective manifestation and achievement of goals.

For those seeking to emulate Lori Harder's success, adopting similar habits and mindsets—such as structured daily routines, a focus on adding value, and effective manifestation practices—can pave the way for personal and professional growth.

Follow Lori Harder's Journey:

• Podcast: Earn Your Happy
• Instagram: @LoriHarder
• Company: Glocee

Connect with Michael Chernow:

• Podcast: Creatures Of Habit
• Website: creaturesahabit.com

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Michael Chernow and Lori Harder, highlighting the key points and actionable insights shared during the episode.