HCI Webinar Recap: How to Win Monday's, with Paul Epstein

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Paul Epstein about how to win Monday's. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Jonathan and Paul discussed the concept of "winning Mondays" as a mindset for setting intentions and building confidence for the week, with Paul emphasizing the importance of doing what others won't do to become a champion. They also shared a story about a woman in Afghanistan who took control of her situation and achieved great things, and Paul offered his work, including books and a podcast, as resources for personal growth. The conversation concluded with Paul emphasizing the importance of being aware of one's own "weather system" and intentionally choosing warmth to attract positivity.

Winning Mondays: Excellence and Confidence

Jonathan and Paul discussed the concept of "winning Mondays" as a mindset for setting intentions and building confidence for the week. Paul, a former professional sports executive, shared his insights on achieving excellence and sustaining a high standard. He emphasized the importance of doing what others won't do to become a champion. The conversation was recorded on a Friday, with the intention of focusing on Mondays rather than the current day.

Win Monday for Career Success

Paul discusses the concept of "Win Monday" as a strategy to improve one's life and career. He explains that most people dislike Mondays and often waste them, which can lead to wasting up to 2.5 months of productivity per year. Paul emphasizes the importance of taking one action to make Monday a winning day, which can create momentum for the entire week and year. He suggests that winning Monday actually starts on Sunday by planning the critical tasks for Monday morning. Paul also addresses those who don't enjoy their jobs, advising them to own the first hour of their day by investing in themselves through exercise, reading, or personal growth activities before starting work.

Afghan Woman's Tech Success Story

Jonathan shared a story about a woman in Afghanistan who, despite being in a difficult situation, took ownership of her circumstances and learned to use a computer. She then taught others and started a tech business, computer schools, and a robotics team, which won competitions worldwide. Jonathan emphasized that anyone can achieve great things by taking control of their situation and making the most of it. Paul expressed interest in learning more about the story and the movie.

Paul Epstein's Master Toolkit

Paul Epstein shared his work, including his books "The Power of Playing Offense" and "Better Decisions Faster," and his podcast. He also offered a master toolkit with various resources on his website, paulepsteinspeaks.com. Paul emphasized the importance of being aware of one's own "weather system" and intentionally choosing warmth to attract positivity. He encouraged the audience to identify one room or relationship they could warm up on Monday.

Listen to the webinar here: