Early Accountability

Our guest on this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is Robert Barnes, a U.S. Air Force veteran of 22 years who has become passionate about helping people understand their taxes. Robert joined the Air Force 5 days after his 17th birthday, a new high school graduate who was looking for his place in this world, and he served in Germany and Hawaii for most of his career. Toward the end of his time in the military, he started to wonder why he was having to pay taxes even though he was on the government’s payroll. He breezed through his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees before completed a degree in graduate school as well. At the time of his graduation from his master’s degree, he was asked to begin teaching a personal finance course and he found his new life focus. By simply breaking down the tax code and explaining it to his students and others who asked for his advice, he slowly built up a client base of 300-400 individuals whom he was helping with the completion of their taxes in a consulting capac

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks about strategies for springing into action during this time of quarantine. Just because you are stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t be productive and make good progress on your goals. 1.Use what you have – You already have everything you need to get started, so don’t let your circumstances stop you. Improvise, be resourceful, get creative, and don’t worry about what you don’t have. 2.Start, begin, do – Don’t overthink or over-plan what you want to do. You have the time and resources you need right now, so don’t wait more than a few days before just doing what you want to do. 3.Stop comparing and build a community instead – Rather than looking around at what others are doing during this time and getting into a toxic cycle of comparison with them, appreciate and draw inspiration from them. There are so many free resources out there right now that typically cost hundreds of dollars, so take advantage of them and learn something new. Once you

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi gets real about what our lives look like during this time of social distancing and self-quarantining and encourages us to evaluate what we are working towards. Being stuck inside the house all day, it is easy to just eat whatever you want to, watch whatever you want to, and ignore whatever you want to. It is easy to learn how to waste time, essentially. But what is the main excuse that you always give for not starting or doing certain things or setting certain goals? That you don’t have enough time. While it is inconvenient and unsettling to only be able to leave your house for “essentials”, just think of all the extra time you have right now. Take advantage of this opportunity (that is hopefully once-in-a-lifetime) to start something new, learn something new, set a new goal for yourself and implement the plan you need to follow, connect with those friends you haven’t talked to in a while, and focus on your self-care. You will not regret jumpstarting

As the coronavirus continues to spread in the US and more and more people find themselves affected by the pandemic in one way or another, Kimi also continues her Early Accountability podcast episodes to encourage listeners on the subject. Even since last week’s episode there have been many changes in the situation in the US and around the world, and we want to express our sincerest appreciation and sympathy to the “essential” workers and to anyone who has had a loved one sickened by the virus. This is uncharted territory for all of us and now is the time to band together and help those around us while staying at home to prevent the spread. This week’s practical tips are: 1.Get grounded – Make a point to be mindful every day. Think about where you are, where you have come from, and where you are going. 2.Create a schedule – Whether you are at home alone, with your roommate or spouse, or with your whole family, it is important to keep the day as structured as possible. This will help you stay productive while

Thanks for tuning in to the next episode of the Early Accountability Podcast! On this episode, Kimi continues the conversation we began last week by providing more practical tips for handling the uncertain times in our world right now, particularly regarding COVID-19. Perhaps you have even experienced drastic changes in your lifestyle, school, or work schedule just since last week because of how quickly the virus is evolving and spreading across the U.S. and the world. It is understandable that this turbulence could lead to anxiety, fear, and stress, but there are some simple ways to keep your head above water. 1.Don’t believe everything you hear – Monitor your consumption of television and social media during these times and try to find the balance of staying informed without getting overwhelmed. Read articles written by reputable sources rather than relying on what your friends are saying they have heard. 2.Social support doesn’t mean social isolation – Even in this time of social distancing and self-quar

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks with listeners about 4 simple ways to keep calm during the coronavirus chaos. There is a lot of fear at this time of uncertainty in the wake of a global pandemic that is continuing to spread, but you do not have to let that fear overwhelm you. 1.Focus on what you can control – Practice mindfulness and be aware of yourself and others. Try to stay grounded and concentrate on the power you have in your world rather than getting thrown off by the lack of work, school, and childcare routines. 2.Practice self-care – As much as possible, commit to getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and sticking to a healthy diet. 3.Watch what you are consuming – If you find that the news is making you anxious, limit your time spent watching it. Consider whether the conversations you are having with other people are necessary and helpful or if you should shift what you are talking about. Do your best not to dwell or focus too much on what is going on while still bei

The topic of this episode the Early Accountability Podcast is International Women’s Day. Kimi discusses what it looks like to capture the essence of the day and confront the biases that exist in our own minds and in the world at large. While we should be challenging stereotypes and celebrating the achievements of women every day, this day is a great opportunity to pause and have discussions with those around us about the fair and unfair perceptions of women. Kimi recommends these four specific actions surrounding International Women’s Day: 1.Learn – Educate yourself and become more aware of gender issues and inequalities. Read books, visit museums, attend events, and have tough conversations with your kids to engage them in the narrative as well. 2.Discuss – Talking about the disparities you are seeing such as discrimination, the gender pay gap, and the injustice of harassment and assaults occurring to women is the best way to grow. 3.Be open to change – Recognize that the thoughts and paradigms you grew

Our returning guest on this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is Tyran Cosby, USMC veteran, husband, father, co-founder of Life Behind the Beard, and host of the new podcast Beard Talk with a Veteran. After retiring from the Marines at age 38, Tyran had some decisions to make about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Many of his buddies immediately transitioned into new careers, but Tyran knew that he wanted to take some time for himself to pursue some of the dreams he had put on hold while he was in active duty. He graduated from culinary school and started an acting career before joining forces with one of his military brothers to start Life Behind the Beard. His advice to others going through big life transitions is to accept that you will not be the same as you were before, that you will need to sit down and re-learn who you are and what matters to you. Tyran didn’t know anything about anxiety or depression until he realized that he was going through them, so he had to take a step b

Welcome to the next episode of the Early Accountability Podcast! On this episode, Kimi talks about the best ways to capitalize on free time, whether expected or unexpected, and optimize your productivity. Whether a meeting gets cancelled or you are given an extra day (Leap Day) or you have blocked out some time for yourself, there are ways to make the most of that time and not just waste it binging a show or scrolling through social media. The best way to guarantee that this free time will be productive is to make a list of things that are not time-sensitive but that you want to prioritize. If you want to take an online course, clean out your shed, take up a hobby, connect with an old friend, or check out that new museum or restaurant in your area, you are more likely to do so if you have written it down on your list. Perhaps these are things you have been putting off “until the right time” but the right time never comes because you aren’t in a mindset of looking for productive things to do when you are giv

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and the season of love, Kimi gives a bit of a different take on love during this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast. While we are very focused on loving others and being loved by others this time of year, February is also a good opportunity to pause and prioritize loving yourself. Take a beat and ask yourself if you are living the life you love or if you have just been going through the motions. Are you living in alignment with your passions? Or do you find yourself constantly in anguish and drained from your daily life? Are there tweaks you can make to improve your physical and emotional health, your finances, your career, and your relationships? You can’t give what you don’t have, so take some time for yourself and evaluate the direction of your life. This does not have to be a heavy undertaking, but you will likely find after just a few minutes of allowing yourself to think and dream that there are one or two obvious things that aren’t working for you. It may be

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi checks in with two of her podcast mentees, Maurice L. Wilson and Justice Wali, to discuss their recent podcast launches. As with many things in life, there is quite a process involved in making a dream into reality, so Kimi has been working with these guys and Tyran Cosby on planning and implementing their podcasts for several months before they were ready to start putting content out to the world. Maurice applies his engineering background to financial problem-solving, breaking down the complex wealth equations that currently exist and simplifying wealth-building so everyone can understand it and start doing it for themselves. He believes that everyone should be equipped with the tools to build wealth and enjoy their lives during their “prime years” rather than spending 30-40 years saving for retirement and then being too worn out once retirement comes to actually enjoy it. When it comes to working on his podcast, Maurice’s biggest hurdle was his con

This episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is a continuation of the 2nd Anniversary celebration. During this episode, Kimi talks about the journey that led her to start her podcast in 2018, starting with a project through her Mastermind group at the time. She was challenged by this group and her mentor Amanda Miller Littlejohn to pursue starting a podcast, and while it has not always been an easy endeavor, two years after that first episode was launched, Kimi is so grateful for that early encouragement and accountability that brought the podcast to light. This journey has solidified in Kimi the desire to pay it forward and pass along whatever knowledge and wisdom she can to others who want to use podcasting as their platform to deliver their message. She has seen time and time again the positive impact that pouring into others can have in all aspects of life, and podcasting is no different. Kimi has talked with many of her previous guests about launching podcasts and her conversations with 3 of those p

Welcome to the 2-year anniversary episode of the Early Accountability Podcast! Whether you have been listening since the beginning or you just discovered the show, thank you so much for your support and for being here with us! We have had so many great guests over the past 2 years and we look forward to what this next year will bring for the podcast. At this natural time of reflection, Kimi wants to share with listeners the big 4 things that she has learned during the past year of the podcast. She did the same last year at this time, so be sure to check out Episode 53 if you want to hear her insights from Year 1. 1.Sometimes, you will get hurt – It could be acquaintances or even the people who you trust the most, but there will be times when people hurt you. This doesn’t mean you should walk around skeptical of everyone around you or expecting them to do hurtful things, but it is healthy to recognize that it could happen. In this case, do your best to accept the pain and push past it with grace and dignity.

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks about the importance of having resolutions or goals year-round, not just in January of every year. By the middle of January, it is likely that many people have abandoned their New Year’s Resolutions, often because the lifestyle change required was too significant or abrupt. Making a resolution or goal just for the sake of saying you have one but without any plan for how to carry it out and keep with it is defeating the purpose. Even well-meaning people can be unsuccessful with their goals because of the overwhelming thought of the task in front of them. The best way to get past this obstacle is to be realistic and break the goal down into smaller goals on which you can microfocus until you reach each milestone. January can be a great time of year to reflect back on the ups and downs of the previous year and look forward to what you want to accomplish in the new year. It is a natural time of refreshment and renewal, but there can be other times t

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi discusses ways to maintain your momentum in working towards your goals, even when you hit unexpected roadblocks along the way. It is often tempting to abandon your goals when you face pitfalls or disappointments, but you don’t have to – here are 3 things to keep in mind to keep your goals on track: 1.Expect adversity – Accept that negative things are going to happen sometimes, and these things are necessary for learning and growth. Struggles build character and strengthen your resolve on your journey to achieving your goals. 2.Find your tribe – Surround yourself with a few people who understand what you are going through and give you their perspectives to help you make better choices. Often, these people have similar goals to you or they have previously walked the road you are currently walking, giving them the needed experience to mentor, coach, or encourage you. 3.Understand your triggers – Rather than being disheartened when you hit a snag or when

Our topic on this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is how to approach new goals that you make for yourself in this new year. There could be any number of reasons why people fail to keep their new years resolutions, as Kimi has discussed on previous episodes of the podcast, but rather than focusing on avoiding those “mistakes”, try to focus on these key aspects of effective goals. 1.The Right Pace – Don’t feel the pressure to commit to a lofty goal in January just because other people are talking about their resolutions. It is not reasonable to expect yourself to lose 15 pounds in a month and still maintain all of your other life commitments. If you have a goal for this year, sit down and consider what milestones you will need to reach weekly or monthly to get there. 2.Sustainable – It may very well be possible for you to lose 15 pounds in a month by working out 2 hours per day and eating only vegetables and raw fruits for the entire month, but your body cannot possibly sustain this kind of discip

EAP 101: Meditate, Initiate, and Create - Manifest Your Dreams in 2020 by Kimi Walker

As you prepare for the new year to begin and you feel the inevitable pressure to come up with some new year’s resolutions, consider taking your resolutions in a different direction. This episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is all about living intentionally and choosing the activities or experiences you pursue. In fact, Kimi encourages you to prioritize activities or experiences that fall into these categories: 1.Something that makes you feel productive – This is not busy work, but rather a choice to streamline the way you do things. This could mean outsourcing, delegating, eliminating, brainstorming, planning, time blocking, or anything else that will help you get more done in a simpler manner. 2.Something that makes you feel at peace – Oftentimes, when we have just done something that makes us feel productive, we have a sense of relief that can make us feel at peace. But being productive is not always a prerequisite for peace. You can find peace in moments of rest and reflection, doing something th

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks about turning 2019’s setbacks into a success strategy for 2020. Looking back at what happened in 2019 and thinking about the progress you made – or didn’t make – towards your goals is only half of the process. Here are the 5 ways that Kimi recommends you move forward in 2020: 1.State your setbacks – Be honest and transparent with yourself about what got in your way this year, but don’t dwell on these setbacks. Claim the goals you had set for the year but didn’t quite reach because it is important to keep these in mind as you plan for next year. 2.See the value in the experience – Reflect and really try to glean everything you can from the lessons you learned through the ups and downs of 2019. Be thankful for the things that happened and analyze the reasons why, allowing yourself to let certain things go. 3.Step out of your comfort zone – As was discussed in the previous episode of the podcast, it is likely that some of your unmet goals were the r

This is one of the last episodes of the Early Accountability Podcast for 2019, so Kimi wanted to take this opportunity to talk about looking back on this past year, assessing your progress towards your goals, and applying the lessons learned to planning for 2020. From New Year’s Resolutions to short- or long-term goals over this past year, it is likely that you experienced some disappointments due to goals that were not met. Here are Kimi’s top three most likely reasons why you didn’t reach your goals: 1.You didn’t want to be uncomfortable – There is no denying that change is difficult, challenging, and uncomfortable. It is far easier to just keep things as they are and not go through the hassle of adjusting the way you do or approach things in order to make improvements. But in order to grow, you will have to think and act differently. In 2020, keep in mind that it takes 21 days to build a new habit, and encourage yourself that you can be uncomfortable for 21 days if it means that you get to reach the new