The Journey with Morgan DeBaun Episode: Live Coaching with Morgan: How to Prioritize Joy Without Sacrificing Success
Release Date: February 11, 2025

Hosted by Morgan DeBaun, this episode features live coaching sessions with two remarkable guests: Mackenzie, a driven MD and MBA student juggling multiple passions, and Ben Collier II, an entrepreneur navigating the balance between corporate success and personal fulfillment. Morgan delves deep into their challenges, offering insightful strategies to prioritize joy without compromising success.

1. Introduction

Morgan DeBaun opens the episode by setting the stage for live advising sessions aimed at helping high achievers find joy amidst their ambitious pursuits. She emphasizes the importance of creating space for personal happiness and highlights the significance of activities that bring intrinsic joy without the pressure of productivity or external validation.

2. Live Advising Session with Mackenzie

a. Background

Mackenzie is an MD student simultaneously pursuing an MBA. In addition to her rigorous academic commitments, she is engaged in content creation focused on mental wellness and involved in research projects. Her multifaceted pursuits reflect her passion for both medicine and entrepreneurship.

b. Challenges

Mackenzie faces the daunting task of balancing her numerous ambitions. A significant setback occurred when she failed a crucial med school exam in August 2024, which led her to reevaluate her ability to manage her diverse responsibilities. This failure prompted her to question whether she could sustain her high level of ambition across multiple domains.

Notable Quote:
“I can't constantly split my focus as much as I think I can... that really made me step back and be like, can I really be doing all these things at once?” (04:10)

c. Guidance and Insights

Morgan introduces Mackenzie to her Six Pillars of Life: freedom, stability, wellness, passions, relationships, and money. She advises Mackenzie to concentrate on three pillars at a time, allowing the other three to maintain without intense focus. This strategy helps in managing priorities without feeling overwhelmed.

Notable Quotes:

• “You can really only be focusing on three things at once.” (05:40)
• “Wellness is probably should be your number three, because it's critical.” (07:08)

Morgan also recommends using the Eisenhower Matrix, a time management tool that categorizes tasks based on their urgency and importance. This helps Mackenzie allocate her time more effectively, ensuring that important but not urgent tasks, like exam preparation and mental wellness, receive the attention they deserve.

Additionally, Mackenzie explores ways to reintroduce joy into her life with minimal effort, such as participating in clinical shadowing or volunteering in child psychiatry, which aligns with her passion without overwhelming her schedule.

Notable Quote:
“It's just the act of doing it brings me joy.” (18:09)

d. Key Insights and Quotes

• Prioritization Over Perfection: Focusing on essential pillars allows for a more balanced life without the guilt of neglecting other areas.
• Scheduled Joy: Allocating specific times for joyful activities ensures they are integrated into daily life without resistance.
• Delegation: Sharing responsibilities, such as letting her fiancé handle wedding planning, alleviates some of her burdens.

Notable Quote:
“Everything you do that is tied to happiness does not have to be productive.” (00:52)

3. Live Advising Session with Ben Collier II

a. Background

Ben Collier II is an entrepreneur and Morehouse alumnus who has recently launched a platform called We Rest on Sundays. This platform is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's complexities through deep, meaningful conversations. Inspired by his own adversities—growing up with a drug-addicted mother and a father who was incarcerated—Ben aims to impact culture positively.

b. Challenges

Ben is at a crossroads with his platform. While he is eager to scale We Rest on Sundays, he grapples with deciding whether to monetize it or keep it as a passion project. Despite having a stable corporate career, investment properties, and a supportive family, Ben feels the pressure to grow his platform authentically without compromising his values.

Notable Quote:
“There is no driving thought that makes me feel like I need to make income from it... my burning desire is I'm really just focused on growing, scaling Impact outreach.” (36:44)

Another challenge Ben faces is the internalized need to maximize productivity in every aspect of his life, leading to burnout and diminished joy in activities meant for relaxation.

Notable Quote:
“Hobby feels so safe to me and hobby feels in reality, like lazy to me.” (38:12)

c. Guidance and Insights

Morgan suggests reframing Ben’s platform as philanthropy or social impact rather than a for-profit venture. This shift in perspective can alleviate the pressure to monetize and allow Ben to focus on the intrinsic value of his work.

Notable Quotes:

• “Let's call it your social impact.” (39:08)
• “Don't have to do it every day... you don't have to do it every day.” (39:42)

Morgan also advises Ben to consider the intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation dilemma. By emphasizing social impact over revenue, Ben can maintain authenticity and joy in his endeavors.

Furthermore, Morgan introduces the concept of hiring an executive coach to help Ben navigate the scaling of his platform without succumbing to the pressures of continuous productivity.

Notable Quote:
“The key when you're hiring them is to make sure that either they're, like, classically trained executive coaches or they have, like, frameworks.” (55:35)

d. Key Insights and Quotes

• Philanthropic Reframing: Viewing his efforts as social impact allows for greater flexibility and lessens the burden of generating income.
• Balancing Achievement and Joy: Recognizing the need to engage in activities solely for pleasure without an agenda enhances overall well-being.
• Support Systems: Leveraging mentors, advisors, and executive coaches can provide the necessary guidance without overextending oneself.

Notable Quote:
“You need something that's like... play. Because everything else, you got a structured system for everything.” (49:04)

4. Conclusions and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Morgan DeBaun provides actionable strategies for high achievers like Mackenzie and Ben to prioritize joy without sacrificing their goals. Key takeaways include:

• Prioritize with Purpose: Focus on a select few life pillars at any given time to manage stress and maintain balance.
• Reframe Perspectives: Viewing passions and projects as social impact rather than for-profit ventures can preserve intrinsic joy.
• Implement Time Management Tools: Utilizing frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix helps allocate time effectively and reduces overwhelm.
• Embrace Delegation and Support: Sharing responsibilities and seeking guidance from coaches can enhance productivity without burnout.
• Cultivate Low-Effort Joys: Engaging in simple, fulfilling activities can provide necessary breaks and sustain long-term happiness.

Final Notable Quote:
“Prioritizing joy is about making arrangements that serve your happiness without demanding every ounce of your productive energy.” (General thematic summary)

This episode serves as a valuable resource for listeners striving to balance ambition with personal fulfillment, offering practical advice and inspiring insights to navigate their unique journeys.