In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. dive into Stephen R. Covey’s third habit: Put First Things First. This principle moves beyond good intentions and asks the real question: are you spending time on what truly matters—or just reacting to the urgent?💡 Key Ideas Covered:1️⃣ The Urgent vs. Important MatrixCovey’s Time Management Matrix reveals how much of life gets eaten by urgent but unimportant tasks. Champions live in Quadrant II—focusing on what’s truly important but not yet urgent.2️⃣ Saying “No” to the Wrong YesPrioritizing means learning to disappoint the right things so you can focus on the right priorities. Willie and Jon share personal stories of saying no in order to say yes to their true mission.3️⃣ Why Busy ≠ ProductiveThe danger of mistaking activity for achievement. Productivity is about progress on the right goals, not filling your schedule with endless tasks.4️⃣ Practical Tools for Putting First Things FirstTime-blocking your big rocks first.Weekly reviews to realign with your values.Protecting “champion time” for family, health, and vision.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This isn’t just another productivity hack—it’s a shift in how you see your life. Putting first things first means leading yourself with clarity instead of letting life’s noise lead you.🏁 Final Takeaway:Champions don’t let urgency steal importance. They focus on what lasts, what matters, and what builds the legacy they want to leave.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for more conversations that take timeless books and turn them into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #FirstThingsFirst #StephenRCovey #Leadership #TimeManagement #ProductivityWithPurpose

In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. dive into Habit 5 from Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.Too often, we jump into conversations ready to argue our point or defend ourselves. But Covey reminds us that true influence, leadership, and connection don’t come from talking—they come from listening with empathy.💡 Key Ideas Covered:👂 Listening with Empathy, Not Just EarsMost people listen with the intent to reply. Champions listen with the intent to understand. That shift changes the entire dynamic of relationships.💬 You Can’t Influence Without First UnderstandingCovey teaches that when people feel heard, they naturally open up to your perspective. Understanding builds trust—trust creates influence.⚡ Why We Fail at ListeningFrom distractions to ego to impatience, most people struggle with giving others their full attention. Jon and Willie share personal stories of when they failed to listen—and what they learned from it.🛠️ Tools to Practice Habit 5Pause before responding.Repeat back what you hear in your own words.Ask clarifying questions instead of assuming.Focus on their perspective, not your rebuttal.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This habit isn’t just for leaders—it’s for parents, partners, coaches, and friends. Seeking first to understand transforms every conversation, every relationship, and every outcome.🏁 Final Takeaway:Champions don’t rush to be heard—they earn the right to be heard by first listening deeply. Seek understanding, and influence follows.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for more conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #SeekFirstToUnderstand #StephenRCovey #Leadership #Empathy #ActiveListening

In this raw and reflective episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Ian Stermer put themselves in the hot seat with Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Instead of just reviewing the book, the trio takes a personal approach—sharing which habit is their biggest strength, which one is their biggest weakness, and which habit they think would make the biggest difference for the others on the show.💡 Key Ideas Covered:1️⃣ Our Strength HabitsEach host shares the one habit they feel strongest in—whether it’s proactivity, prioritizing first things first, or sharpening the saw. These stories show where the 7 Habits already play out in their lives and leadership.2️⃣ Our Weakness HabitsWhich habit is hardest to practice consistently? From struggling with “begin with the end in mind” to battling against the pull of urgency over importance, the team gets vulnerable about where they fall short.3️⃣ The Habits We’d Choose for Each OtherIn a fun twist, each host points out which habit they believe would take the other to the next level. Sometimes affirming, sometimes challenging—but always real.4️⃣ Practical Insights for ListenersThe episode highlights how different habits can be strengths for some and weaknesses for others, and how accountability and outside perspective can accelerate growth.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This isn’t theory—it’s personal. By holding up the mirror to themselves and each other, the Champion Reads crew models what growth looks like in action: honest self-reflection, real feedback, and the humility to admit what still needs work.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for conversations that go beyond book reviews and turn bestselling principles into powerful, personal growth journeys.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #StephenRCovey #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #LeadershipHabits #ChampionCircle

In this massive Champion Reads special, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer take the Rotten Tomatoes–style rating system to the next level. Instead of just rating a few, they go back and score every book they’ve covered so far that hasn’t been officially rated—bringing humor, hot takes, and honest opinions.This isn’t about theory—it’s about what actually stuck, what actually worked, and what still shapes how they live and lead today.💡 Key Segments in This Episode:🍅 The Ratings GauntletOne by one, the team revisits books from earlier episodes and gives them a 1–10 score—explaining the highs, lows, and biggest lessons learned.⚔️ The DebatesNot everyone agrees, and that’s where the fun begins. Some books get instant praise, others get roasted, and some spark full-on debates.🏆 The Top 5 CountdownAt the end, the crew reveals their official Champion Reads Top 5 Books of All Time (so far)—the ones that truly shaped their businesses, lives, and mindsets.🎉 Why This Episode MattersIt’s part celebration, part reflection, and part playful banter. Whether you’re new to the show or have been along since Episode 1, this one is your roadmap to the books that made the biggest difference.👥 What You’ll Take AwayWhich books are actually worth re-reading.Which “big-name” bestsellers didn’t hold up.The 5 books that stand above the rest for entrepreneurs, leaders, and champions.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for authentic, high-energy conversations that don’t just review books—they turn them into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #BusinessBooks #BookRatings #Top5Books #RottenTomatoesStyle #ChampionCircle

In this special edition of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer turn book reviews into a fun Rotten Tomatoes–style showdown. Instead of breaking down principles, the crew rates and debates three of their recent reads:The Underdog Advantage by Dean GraziosiOversubscribed by Daniel PriestleyThe Lean Startup by Eric Ries💡 What Goes Down in This Episode:The Ratings Game – Each host gives their 1–10 score and defends it (sometimes passionately).Best Ideas vs. Biggest Weaknesses – Which book delivered the most usable wisdom, and which one fell flat?Who Would You Recommend It To? – Not every book is for everyone—so we cut through the fluff and say who actually needs it.Laughs, Disagreements, and Hot Takes – From “this book changed my perspective” to “eh, didn’t land for me,” nothing is off the table.🔥 Why It’s Different:This isn’t a breakdown of frameworks—it’s the raw, unfiltered opinions of three entrepreneurs and coaches putting these books through the Champion Reads lens. Expect fun, debate, and a little book banter along the way.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for high-level, high-energy conversations that don’t just review books—they turn them into real-world action.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#BookRatings #ChampionReads #TheUnderdogAdvantage #Oversubscribed #TheLeanStartup #BusinessBooks #RottenTomatoesStyle #ChampionCircle

In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer break down one of the most practical principles from The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: batching tasks to keep momentum moving forward.They explore why batching is more than just a productivity hack—it’s a momentum-builder. From reducing wasted energy to streamlining focus, the trio unpacks how underdog entrepreneurs can use batching to accelerate results without burning out. You’ll hear real examples of how grouping similar tasks has helped them push projects forward faster while avoiding the chaos of scattered work.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Momentum Through Batching – Why grouping tasks creates flow and rhythm.Efficiency Over Chaos – How batching cuts down wasted energy and context-switching.Small Wins Stack Up – Turning little batches into big breakthroughs.Focus That Compounds – Using batching to reduce overwhelm and build consistency.Systems That Serve You – How batching sets the foundation for sustainable growth.Whether you’re creating content, building a business, or just trying to manage your daily to-dos, this episode will help you see how batching is the secret to building momentum that lasts.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for raw, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #BatchingTasks #MomentumMatters #ProductivityTips #Entrepreneurship #ChampionCircle

In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Ian Stermer, and Jon Kovach Jr. unpack one of the most game-changing lessons from The Lean Startup by Eric Ries—start lean, start simple, start now.They break down how billion-dollar companies like Google, Groupon, and Amazon all began with a minimum viable product (MVP)—the simplest version of their idea—to prove it worked before pouring in massive time or money.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Focus on the Core – Strip your idea down to its most essential function.The MVP Advantage – Test demand with the simplest possible version.Cut the Fluff – Eliminate distractions and fancy features until the core works.Action Over Analysis – Stop waiting for perfect conditions—start and learn.Innovation Through Action – Build, measure, learn, repeat.With stories ranging from Von Dutch hats to DJ booths to billion-dollar tech companies, the hosts prove that you don’t need a big budget or perfect plan—you just need to start.If you’ve been sitting on a big idea because it’s “not ready,” this episode will show you how to get it off the ground today.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #StartLean #MVP #Entrepreneurship #ActionOverPerfection #ChampionCircle

🎯In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. kick off their series on The Lean Startup by Eric Ries with one core truth: execution is everything.They share the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous from their own entrepreneurial journeys—like Jon’s “Pee With Friends” app idea (yes, really) and chaotic early days running multiple startups. The big lesson? No matter how genius an idea feels, it’s worthless unless tested in the real world.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Execution Over Perfection – Great ideas need action, not just planning.Fail Fast, Learn Faster – Failure is feedback, not the finish line.No Perfect Plan – Startups are messy; agility is the winning skill.Do It Your Way – There’s no single formula for success.Balance Creativity & Action – Imagination sparks ideas; execution makes them real.From hilarious missteps to hard-earned wins, Willie and Jon show how the best entrepreneurs stay nimble, adapt quickly, and trust their own unique path. If you’ve been waiting to “get it perfect” before starting—this is your wake-up call.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #ExecutionOverPerfection #FailFast #EntrepreneurLife #ChampionCircle