Steven Izen: Gratitude at Our Highest and Lowest

Even though he ran the sprint as a member of the track team at Cornell, Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times looks at life as a marathon. Steven Izen, the hugely successful entrepreneur behind Lokai bracelets with meaning and plant-powered Elements Drinks, shares insights into how he has taken a personal obstacle (dyslexia) and leveraged it as a superpower and why giving his team time off on Fridays is good for both individual and corporate health. This far-ranging conversation takes a look at humility, balance and the importance of connection (especially in our often disconnected and remote post-pandemic world). You’ll enjoy learning about the alone-but-not-lonely practices that nourish Steven professional and personally as well as the power he has found in releasing attachment and emotional reaction to outcomes. He and Chris wrap up with a call to action: Energy is paramount! So remember always ton promote positivity and self-care for yourself and those around you. “If you are finding balance in the things that fill your bucket outside of work, in life,” says Steven, “you will be the best version of yourself.” If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience, please visit this link. And clickhereto listen to previous episodes of Gratitude Through Hard Times. KEY TOPICS:If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to who would that be? Easy! That would be Mom, whom Steven thanks privately all the time, but never in professional contexts.Modeling Humility: Steven’s mother has always walked the walk by making other people’s needs a priority.A spirit of adventure and nod to the highs and lows inherent in life has infused Steven’s entrepreneurism since its inception as a tribute to a treasured grandfather’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s – “the lowest low” he’d ever experienced.About building out www.lokai.comover the past decade, what fuels Steven’s bracelets with meaning and the ventures he has added to his portfolio.No Time for Doubters: Steven has been fortunate to have – and cultivate – a circle of supporters who appreciate his tenacity and work ethic.Steven and Chris share workarounds that have helped them manage (with great results) their respective dyslexia and ADHD.Obstacles as Advantages: How so-called weaknesses strengthen alternative muscles.From Mt. Everest to the Dead Sea: About blending the hopeful and humble; competitiveness and long-term averages.About recalibrating our understanding of balance. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and best fortified against burnout by incorporating all facets of personal health and well-being.Steven provides perspective on quick-hit entrepreneurism and the truth of what it takes to succeed in the long run – pursuing the journey, not the destination.Balance Fridays: Steven’s innovative (and humane) effort to provide team members time once a week to care for themselves physically, emotionally and practically.As a board member for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Steven has had an opportunity to observe seasoned executives who are exemplars of work-life balance as well as purpose-driven values, priorities and decision-making.How to Get Out of Your Own Way: Neutralize emotion and attachment to outcomes!Human Connection is a central priority for Lokai, which is remote and thus requires an intentional commitment to team-building interactions.About the loneliness epidemic – chronic disconnection in a post-pandemic culture.Steven combats loneliness by embracing quality time communing with himself and focusing on a small, intimate group of close friends and family.Message for the Carols: Thanks to two moms from their sons! QUOTABLE“A lot of the gratitude and purpose in giving back that I incorporate into everything I do comes from (my mother).” (Steven)“Everybody experiences highs and lows in life. It doesn’t matter your age, demographic, your income level.” (Steven)“I never let the dyslexia hinder my ability to succeed … and have always taken that mindset into everything I do, including business.” (Steven)“If I believe in something I’ll have to be stopped by a brick wall because I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.” (Steven)“If you are finding balance in the things that fill your bucket outside of work, in life, you will be the best version of yourself and be able to continue for as long as you want.” (Steven)“A connection to self is the thing that sometimes stands in the way of meaningful connection with others.” (Chris)“Energy is everything. What Steven helps you do through his bracelets is get energy … helps you find balance between the Mt. Everest of humility and the deep Dead Sea mud of hope.” (Chris)“Time is important. Money is important. Relationships are important. Energy is most important … You can get things done by being strategic, smart and doing things right.” (Chris) LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:More about the Make-a-Wish FoundationAbout "The Loneliness Pandemic,"chronicled by Harvard Business Review."Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,"by Oliver Burkeman. (Chris reads an excerpt on page 155).More about Elements Drinks and Lokai. ABOUT OUR GUEST:Steven’s Lokai brand of beaded bracelets are on sale at more than 5,000 locations in 170 countries. The $18 collectible multicolored rubber bangles have been spotted on the wrists of athletes and celebs alike. Committed to giving 10% of net profits to charity, Steven has raised more than $9.4 million to date. He is also founder of Elements Drinks and serves on the board of the Make-a-Wish foundation. FOLLOW STEVEN:WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM ABOUT OUR HOST:Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times. FOLLOW CHRIS:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | BOOKS