The greatest obstacle to productivity isn’t a lack of time, skill, or effort—it’s the invisible weight of doubt, stress, and worry. We grind ourselves down, convinced that success comes from doing more, when in reality, true effectiveness begins with thinking better.
In this episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast, Gerald J. Leonard sits down with retired pediatrician Dr. Ron Schneebaum to uncover a truth that could transform the way you approach work, relationships, and life. Together, they explore the powerful connection between emotional health, happiness, and productivity.
Dr. Schneebaum shares his transformative journey in medicine, where he adopted a holistic approach to patient care—treating the whole person, not just their symptoms. He reveals how compassion, love, and empathy are essential for not only healing but managing stress and thriving in all aspects of life.
The conversation delves deeper into childhood trauma’s lasting effects and the importance of addressing emotional wounds for personal growth. One of the episode's most impactful moments is Ron’s morning reflection routine, a practice that grounds him and helps him face challenges with calm and purpose.
If you’re ready to shift your mindset and live with more intention, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn how nurturing your emotional health can unlock your full potential—both at work and in life.
What We Discuss
[02:02] - Introduction to Dr. Ron Schneebaum
[08:03] - Learning effective study techniques
[11:06] - Building personal connections in medicine
[14:49] - Lessons learned from illness
[17:14] - Introduction to Ron’s book
[19:05] - The impact of COVID-19 on work life
[21:55] - Managing stress in the medical field
[23:10] - Morning visualization techniques
[25:04] - Reviewing daily interactions for growth
[28:25] - The magic of consistent practice
[32:26] - Healing childhood wounds and making progress
[39:25] - The influence of role models in adolescence
[43:45] - Conclusion and additional resources
Notable Quotes
[07:48] "When I saw medicine as a possibility of it being intellectually challenging and having this interpersonal side, I said that's what I wanted to do." — Ron
[20:00] "At the end of the day, no one ever sits on their deathbed and talks about the hours they spent in the office. They talk about the loved ones they spent time with, the people they helped, the memories they created, the things that they did that made a difference in other people's lives." — Gerald J. Leonard
[21:18] "When you care more about the person than just about getting the job done, the job will get done, but the person will be engaged." — Ron
[23:10] "One of the ways that I find is a great stress reliever, and this is available for everyone, is to set your alarm clock for about 10 or 15 minutes earlier than you need to get up and visualize your day ahead." — Ron
[29:05] "Think of somebody in jazz, like the greats doing their solos, or Ella Fitzgerald doing her scat stuff where she ends up back where she started. It didn't come out of her never having practiced it; she really worked at it." — Ron
Our Guest
Dr. Ron Schneebaum is a retired pediatrician with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he served on the clinical faculty of Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine. There, he founded the "Fresh Perspectives" program to support children and teens with behavioral, emotional, psychological, and academic challenges.
Renowned for his teaching, Dr. Schneebaum was voted Best Teacher in Pediatrics by Dartmouth medical students. After retiring from clinical practice, he shifted his focus to helping individuals live happier, more fulfilled lives. Through his book, Bigger Hearted, and his podcast, On Being Happier: Thinking with Heart and Mind, he shares valuable insights on emotional well-being and personal growth.
Outside of his professional work, Dr. Schneebaum enjoys organic gardening, hiking, woodworking, photography, and cooking, while continuing to advocate for mental and emotional well-being.
Ron Schneebaum
Website https://ronschneebaummd.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-schneebaum-b1515321
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bigger-Hearted-Retired-Pediatricians-Prescriptions-ebook/dp/B0DQJYPW3Y
Productivity Smarts Podcast
Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com
Gerald J. Leonard
Website - geraldjleonard.com
Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com
Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard
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