StoryQ

21/08/2020

Rick on NPR now! Tune in!

27/06/2020

What You Forgot About Being A Kid: Crying is not cool.

It just suddenly happens. Your eyes well up, and despite your efforts to suppress or hide it, here it comes. Those tears rolling down your cheek making you feel vulnerable, like you’re a little baby. Can you imagine anything worse? The show of weakness? The ugly expression. The pure humiliation?

But there is something worse. NOT doing it.

Get 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID today to learn more. Available on E-book, Audiobook and dustjacketed hardback via www.rickstevenson.com/book




StoryQ The 5000 Days Project

26/06/2020

Rick’s EQ TIPS: Best be yourself... because everyone else is taken!

One of most rewarding elements of personal story mentoring is when the kids you’ve been mentoring finally give up on trying to be what they’re not and settle into fully being who they actually are.




The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

24/06/2020

So pleased to have been invited to speak on self-worth at the Flourish 2020 Virtual Summit over the weekend in Perth, Australia!

https://flourish-2020-virtual-summit.heysummit.com/talks/self-worth-only-comes-from-one-place/

A talk by Dr. Rick Stevenson

20/06/2020

Rick’s EQ-TIPS: Breathe.

When you feel overwhelmed, focus on your breathing instead of reaching for your phone. We often use our phones to distract us from challenging moments, but this often leaves us more stressed and more disconnected from what matters most. Allow yourself a moment to turn inward instead, and focus on your breathing!




StoryQ The 5000 Days Project

15/06/2020

Rick's EQ Tips: Laughter is indeed the best medicine...
..but a vaccine would be even better right now.




The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

14/06/2020

Rick will be a featured speaker at the June 19 kick-off of Flourish, hosted by Inside Out and Dr Suzy Green! This virtual event will challenge your thinking about personal, professional, and financial wellbeing beyond this global pandemic.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A6676274515556880384/

We're excited to announce that The 5000 Days Project will be speaking at the upcoming - June 19 kick off - Flourish event hosted by Inside Out and Dr Suzy...

13/06/2020

What You Forgot About Being A Kid: Your friends, grades, sports, talents, and family define who you are and how you feel about yourself.

When I ask young people where their self-worth comes from—their source of confidence and self-esteem—these are the Big Four answers. Grades. Friends. Sports/Arts. Family. After all, good grades, popularity, and athletic achievement are all rewarded from the moment we start school.

Why shouldn’t these areas be the ultimate source of self-worth? Because after 5500 interviews, it is clear that they are not. As a result, even the highest achievers suffer crippling self-doubt as they chase a moving goal line.

The true source of self-worth is revealed in the term itself.

Get 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID today to learn more. Available on E-book, Audiobook and dustjacketed hardback via www.rickstevenson.com/book




StoryQ The 5000 Days Project

12/06/2020

Podcaster Greg Voisen at Inside Personal Growth talks to Rick about his book, the 5000 Days Project, and StoryQ tech. Give a listen!

https://insidepersonalgrowth.com/podcast-793-21-things-you-forgot-about-being-a-kid-with-rick-stevenson/

Have you ever thought about the power of your own story? In my interview with author Dr. Rick Stevenson about his new book entitled "21 Things You Forgot About Being a Kid" we discuss the power of story and how your story is one of the most valuable assets you have. Join us for a great interview and...

07/06/2020

Our StoryQ technology is core to futuresThrive's mental health initiative. Crowdfund!

https://www.facebook.com/futuresTHRIVE/photos/a.684016965760305/733238290838172/

When crisis ensues “early” is no longer an option. Join our fight to educate on, screen and treat mental health starting at the age of four in the safest environment medicine offers - the well-child visit. https://ifundwomen.com/projects/youth-mental-health-re-imagined

05/06/2020

Rick’s EQ TIPS: Will we pass the Marshmallow Test?

When it comes to opening the country back up and working through these protests, will we pass the Marshmallow Test?

Remember the study? One marshmallow is placed in front of a child and the child is told that if she can wait ten minutes without eating the marshmallow, she will get a second one. While most children fail, Science shows that those with patience and self control to wait tend to do much better in life.




The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

04/06/2020

Peaceful protest. Civil disobedience. Action at the ballot box. Systemic policy change. All are vital steps toward building a more “just" society.

That said, to paraphrase an ancient philosopher, “There will never be true change in our nation until there is change in our neighborhoods. And there will never be change in our neighborhoods until there is change in our families. And there will never be change in our families until there is true change in our own hearts.”

We can point our fingers at each other but until we address the intolerance, prejudice, ignorance and racism in our own hearts, justice will elude us. So, let's get busy because each of us holds THE key to change. It can only truly happen from the ground up.

30/05/2020

What You Have Forgotten About Being a Kid: Even though your family can embarrass you—and at times you may even hate them—underneath it all they are more important to you than anything else.

My final question of each 5000 Days Project interview is, “What are you most grateful for?” I ask this in an attempt to send each child off in gratitude for the life they just reviewed. The answer to that question is 95% predictable.

They are grateful for family.�

This is true even when the kids have hugely dysfunctional families. What is it about families?

Get 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID today to learn more. Available on E-book, Audiobook and dustjacketed hardback via www.rickstevenson.com/book



The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

27/05/2020

Rick’s EQ Tips: Transformation

Caterpillars (us) retreat into cocoons (us in isolation) and emerge as beautiful butterflies (hopefully us following isolation). How will this experience change you? And your family?

To some extent, we as parents are destined to be clueless about what our kids are really going through. We will lack context when attempting to identify with our kids’ current journeys.

However, we can understand and connect with them better if we are willing to listen and learn—if we stay in touch with them through emotions, that common language we all share. Not only will we find a deep well of connection in those shared feelings, but we open up the opportunity to further grow up ourselves!



The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

23/05/2020

What You Have Forgotten About Being A Kid: You really want to talk to adults, especially your parents, but they don’t show signs of wanting to listen.

Wait! you say, that sure is not my experience with my 14-year-old. Are you sure kids want to talk?

Yes. A lot. And most of the time. Sadly, we all buy into a myth that kids, especially teens, don’t want to talk—and I fear that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. As with many things, that’s mostly on us as adults. I know that the sullen faces, tsunamic mood swings, one-word answers, and defensive body language suggest otherwise.

But this is where you need to ignore the text and read the subtext. This is one of those rare cares where, “No, leave me alone” means “Yes, I need you.”

Get 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID today to learn more. Available on E-book, Audiobook and dustjackted hardback via www.rickstevenson.com/book



StoryQ The 5000 Days Project Dr. Rick Stevenson

21/05/2020

Rick’s EQ Tips: Got Cabin Fever?

When the Lord closes a window, open a fricken door. They’re meant to work that way.

Take my young 5000 Days Project friend Luciano, who grew up dirt poor in Chile. His mother abandoned both him and his father. At age 6 he lost his right eye to cancer. When he was 14, he was riding too close to a commuter train, got sucked in under the cars, and lost his right arm and his right leg. In a country where such a condition may doom a person to begging on the street, he realized he had two choices—be angry at God, or take full responsibility for what happened and never look back. Luciano chose the latter and has become a major para-Olympics star and a national celebrity. He has refused to let circumstance and bad luck define him.



The 5000 Days Project StoryQ Dr. Rick Stevenson

20/05/2020

Some tips on understanding what your teen is feeling during the lockdown.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-quarantine-your-teen/

It is difficult for teens to understand the quarantine. A child psychiatrist offers tips on how to communicate with your teen during COVID-19.

18/05/2020

What You Have Forgotten About Being A Kid: You believe that parents and other adults have absolutely no idea what it’s like to be a kid today.

Face it: You once thought that about your own parents. And now your kids believe it about you, too!

And guess what? You were right. And your kids are right, as well.

Evidence? At one point during your teen years you were likely told by some well-meaning adult, “Enjoy high school. It’s the best time of your life.” Even though you’ve probably forgotten and are now similarly waxing nostalgic about your own high school years, your initial reaction was probably like your kid’s reaction today. Pure panic.

Get 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID today to learn more. Available on E-book, Audiobook, and dustjacketed hardback at www.rickstevenson.com/book

14/05/2020

Rick's EQ Tips: Don't Stop Moving

Why does the earn spin at 1000 mph? CNN’S Chris Cuomo recently shared his experience of having the Coronavirus. He revealed that the virus just wants you to go to sleep and give up. His doctor told him to resist this—to keep active, to breathe deeper and keep moving.

So why does the earn spin at 1000 mph? Because if it didn’t, we’d all fall off. Keep moving. You’ll have plenty of time to rest when you’re dead.



Dr. Rick Stevenson The 5000 Days Project

12/05/2020

These 5000 Days Project kids at Geelong Grammar School in Australia tried out the StoryQ and found the following...

https://vimeo.com/318853541



The 5000 Days Project StoryQ

This is "StoryQ Student Testimonials" by The 5000 Days Project on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/05/2020

What You Have Forgotten About Being A Kid: You feel completely alone, certain that you’re the only one going through what you’re going through—the only one feeling what you’re feeling.

She sat in front of me, barely holding it together. At 12 years old, Ella was still the picture of innocence, but the secret she was about to share weighed heavily on her small, sloping shoulders. “I’ve been looking at porn,” she whispered as the tears began to fall. “It just came up on my computer. I didn’t look for it—but I looked at it. And I liked it.” And then she broke into heavy sobs…

Over 5500 interviews, I have found that kids this age feel too old to talk to their parents and too young to talk to each other creating a perfect storm of loneliness.

Learn more by reading 21 THINGS YOU FORGOT ABOUT BEING A KID, available on e-Book, audiobook, and dustjackted hardback. Visit www.rickstevenson.com/book now!



Dr. Rick Stevenson The 5000 Days Project

01/05/2020

Practical steps to strengthening our immune systems!

http://ow.ly/2zh450zqFtq



The 5000 Days Project StoryQ Dr. Rick Stevenson

It starts with building our immunity from the inside-out.

28/04/2020

Rick's EQ Tips: The Power of Weakness

Earlier this year I had foot surgery and was on crutches for ten weeks. Six weeks in I had no choice but to go on my filming assignments in Australia and then continue on to the UK... the circumference of the globe, all on crutches.

For those of you who have never been on crutches, it's not a good feeling. You always feel like that guy walking through a restaurant with toilet paper stuck to his shoe.

Given that I had all of my film equipment, it required me ask for a lot of help. As a result, I discovered two things. First, people are generally incredibly generous. Second, I spoke to ten times more people on this trip than normal because I needed their help. This led to ten times the human interaction and ten times the human connection.

This experience reminded me that we connect with each other much more out of our weakness than strength. Best trip yet!



StoryQ Dr. Rick Stevenson

27/04/2020

"How Movies Can Grow Our EQ"

Each of us are the main character in our own epic movie—or at least we should be. But what about those obstacles, those character flaws, and those fears that blind us from knowing where we need to go?

Understanding story structure and character arcs can illuminate the way.

Spoiler Alert: It works!

Book Dr. Rick Stevenson now for a webinar staff presentation of this timely stay-at-home topic!

Good For:
• Adults
• Kids & Teens
• Employees

Learn more at https://www.rickstevenson.com/speaking



Dr. Rick Stevenson

25/04/2020

We make about 35000 decisions a day... and are facing big ones right now. Here is the secret to making sure our decisions are the best they can be...

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/mental-health-deep-slow-wave-sleep-brain-science-emotion-decision-making/

It’s directly connected to your mental health.

21/04/2020

Rick’s EQ Tips: The Death of FOMO

After two weeks in self-imposed quarantine upon returning from South Africa, my wife, Julie, and my two younger kids decided to go for a drive with me. Given that we could not really go anywhere or do anything we ended up driving by a restaurant we "may" choose to go to in the future.

Whoa... When did Friday nights with your teens become so exciting?

We all laughed at the banality of it and Julie thoughtfully observed the death of FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out… not only for our teens, but for ourselves. When no one is doing anything, there is nothing to regret missing and even the little things become satisfying.

Wow. Upon our return to the new normal, we all might consider leaving our FOMO behind. Life is much better without it.

StoryQ Dr. Rick Stevenson

16/04/2020

Rick's EQ-Tips: Patience!

I have struggled with it my whole life. As a younger man, every time I tried to address it, I would lose it. Patience, that is. I mean, who has the time, right?

Finally, I discovered a solution: The 5000 Days Project, which is now on day 7862. What better way to deal with impatience than to start a project that never ends? You learn to celebrate the process rather than itching for some resolution.

What endless project might you consider starting right now?

By the way, I ran across a wonderful story about Mumbai’s solution for impatient, horn-honking drivers: the city is testing traffic lights that stay red if you honk your horn. Solving traffic and noise problems one brilliantly petty development at a time!



StoryQ The 5000 Days Project Dr. Rick Stevenson

14/04/2020

Look what we found on Pinterest AU! Getting a handle on 5000 Days...



StoryQ The 5000 Days Project

13/04/2020

Rick’s EQ-Tips: If I Only Had Time...

News Flash! Now you do. At home. In quarantine.

Julie turned to me recently and said, “I’ve just realized something about all of those things I’ve said I would do if I only had the time.”

I said, “Let me guess, because I think I’ve had the same thought. If I don’t do these things now, I’ll NEVER do them. We’re being called out on what really matters to us. We are what we do, not what we say.”

She smiled. I was spot on. Okay, "To-Do" list. Come to Daddy…

10/04/2020

Rick's EQ-Tips: Reverse Quarantine?

One of my wife’s friends recently declared that when this is over, he’s going into "reverse quarantine" and he’s not coming home for a month!

Funny. I still happen to be in that honeymoon phase where I’m guiltily enjoying time together with Julie, but the proximity can be unsettling.

My advice? Respect each other’s boundaries and space, develop a schedule to create predictability, turn conflict toward the real enemy, and use it all as an opportunity to build your team and have fun.

07/04/2020

05/04/2020

Rick's EQ-Tips: Stop Using the C-word. Please!

If you must refer to Covid-19 (my last usage, I promise) perhaps borrow from Harry Potter and label it “The Virus That Shall Not Be Mentioned.” Or “That wacky event wrecker.” Or even “Grandpa’s nasty friend.” Granted, it has been vital to wake us all up and educate us about one specific term—urgently and ad-nauseum.

But even if there is anyone is left on Earth who hasn’t yet gotten the clue, perhaps it’s best now for the human race to…you know. Exercise the power we have.

Let’s respect social distancing, wash our hands... and start undermining the power of the word before it gets the best of us.

02/04/2020

01/04/2020

Testing Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence) in the Covid-19 Era.

My family was sitting in a restaurant in South Africa last week when suddenly everyone got REALLY testy. Our attempt to get a flight home was getting desperate... and getting to us.

Now, our situation was Emotion Lite compared to Italy's quarantines, stock market dives, and care centers full of dying seniors. But stress causes our immune systems to break down at a time when we need them most... so keeping on top of our EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient) is vital as it directly impacts our health and well-being.

Beyond capturing a priceless time-capsule of growing up, The 5000 Days Project has always been about developing EQ—staying in touch with our feelings—through Personal Story Mentoring.

We recommend this simple test.

Take the last 24 hours and try to list every emotion you have felt.

For me, last Thursday’s checklist included feeling anxiety (will we get out of Cape Town), anger (at myself for not being more prepared for my family and at the airlines for their total lack of information), gratitude (that we had the credit and common sense to meet most needs), fear (about the unknown), frustration (with the "pushy" people around us), amusement (when the first name read off the wait-list failed to come forward another passenger shouted “Next!"), pride (about my kids' maturity and patience), relief (when we were selected for the very last flight out), moral conflict (about hundreds of others who had not yet learned of their fate), fatigue (as we hauled our gear down the jetway), and exhilaration (as we stepped onto the plane). And this was just in the space of five hours.

Identifying, owning and sourcing our feelings allows us to process them and not become their victims.

One final note. When I landed on North American soil, I felt like dropping to my knees and kissing the ground... though I resisted since any facial contact with unknown surfaces was discouraged.