In this special Q&A leadership session, Dwayne Kerrigan brings forward one of his most personal and powerful teachings yet—an unfiltered look at problem-solving, decision-making, emotional mastery, strategic planning, and the rituals that shape high-performance leaders.

Responding to 51 listener questions, Dwayne breaks down the “three pillars of progress,” the psychological layers of every problem, why decision-making is a muscle, and how fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm quietly sabotage performance.

He shares the exact rituals he has used for decades—from weekly solitude planning to identity-based scheduling—and the transformative practice he credits with changing his life: think time.

This episode is a masterclass in intentional living and high-performance leadership, blending mindset, structure, neuroscience, and real-world business wisdom. If you’re navigating fast-moving environments, leading teams, or trying to build a more purposeful life, this conversation gives you a proven roadmap forward.

Episode Highlights:
01:46 - Glaring Questions in Decision Making
02:35 - Making Stronger, Confident Decisions
05:09 - 3 Pillars of Progress
06:39 - Reasons for Indecision
10:49 - Decision Making as a Skill
14:07 - Overcoming Overwhelm
17:54 - Key Decisions We Make
23:34 - Changing Your Life Effectively
27:25 - Strategic Thinking Techniques
29:55 - Yearly Vision and Goal Setting
34:24 - Conducting Quarterly Reviews
34:55 - Weekly Planning Strategies
37:30 - Creating a Prioritized Daily Task List
38:44 - Importance of Think Time
42:50 - 3 Laws of Peak Performance
48:46 - Functioning in Fast-Moving Environments
53:10 - Addressing Future Fears
54:18 - Building High-Performance Teams
59:20 - Preparing for Rapid Technological Change
01:03:17 - Managing Unfinished Tasks
01:06:54 - Gamifying Sales and Morning Rituals
01:12:55 - Roadmapping vs. Goal Setting
01:15:21 - Internal vs. External Challenges
01:19:45 - Embracing Vulnerability
01:22:02 - Closing Thoughts

Key Takeaways:
*Decision-making is a muscle—if you don’t practice small decisions with process and ritual, big decisions will always overwhelm you.
*Your focus determines your emotional life—the meaning you attach to events shapes long-term joy or suffering.
*Rituals create identity and outcomes—weekly solitude planning, think time, and identity-based scheduling produce clarity and momentum.
*Strategic thinking requires cadence—yearly visioning, quarterly reviews, weekly planning, and daily recalibration.
*AI will disrupt faster than expected—leaders must systemize processes now to survive the shift.
*Self-love, vulnerability, and forgiveness are essential ingredients for emotional mastery and better decision-making.

Quotes:
“There's three pillars of progress. Number one, see it as it is not worse than it is. Number two, see it the way you want it. And then number three is make it that way.”

“Decision making is a muscle .. and it's a skill set. And often times where we struggle is this area of making the tough and difficult decisions.”

“What you ritualized in practice, in private is rewarded in public.”

“The business side of things should be a game. I mean, it should be fun most of the time.”

“What is going to make you a happier and more joyful person, is attaching a different meaning to the events that happen in your life.”

Resources Mentioned:
*Tony Robbins – “Three Pillars of Progress,” Date With Destiny program, life-planning philosophy
*Stephen Covey – prioritization framework (A/B/C method)
*Waking Up App (Sam Harris) – meditation and mindfulness
*ChatGPT (Teams) – referenced as part of Dwayne’s business infrastructure
*SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) – foundational to AI-based workflow agents
*Identity-based scheduling – Dwayne’s personal system (Chairman, Husband, Father, Student, etc.)

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com

Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.