logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
26m 33s

212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your W...

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
About this episode

Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.

Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that success comes from disrupting yourself—challenging routines, stepping into discomfort, and continuously evolving. “People think staying in their comfort zone is the safe choice,” she explains, “but real growth happens when we take intentional risks.”

As a bestselling author and leadership expert, Johnson has spent years helping individuals and organizations navigate change. She breaks down the S-curve of learning, a framework that helps professionals recognize when it’s time to move on, pivot, or double down on their current path. From identifying signs of stagnation to developing strategies for career reinvention, she shares practical tools for making bold moves with confidence.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Johnson joins host Matt Abrahams to explore why mastery can be a sign that it’s time for a change, how to manage the discomfort that comes with growth, and why personal disruption isn’t just a challenge—it’s the key to long-term success.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:42) - What Is Personal Disruption?
  • (04:50) - Signs It’s Time to Disrupt Yourself
  • (07:12) - Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
  • (12:09) - Finding Your Next Career Move
  • (15:58) - Ensuring Fulfillment After Disruption
  • (21:59) - Best Career Advice Received
  • (23:32) - Career Regrets & Lessons
  • (25:03) - Conclusion

  ********
Thank you to our sponsors.
 These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Up next
Nov 20
244. Community Creates Change: Build Relationships That Actually Matter
<p><em>Why community is the most powerful tool for transformation.</em></p><p><br></p><p>Community isn't just a feel-good buzzword. According to <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/gina-bianchini/">Gina Bianchini</a>, it's a catalyst for personal and collective transform ... Show More
26m 33s
Nov 17
243. Rethinks: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently
<p><em>Reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals.</em></p><p>“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests ... Show More
28m 56s
Nov 13
242. Tech Tools: The Power of Showing, Not Telling
<p><em>Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.</em></p><p><br></p><p>Sometimes the best way to explain an idea is to show it. That’s why Loom was built — to make communication more visual, authentic, and efficient. By combining video, screen sharing ... Show More
14m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
MI376: Why Do Great Companies Fail? The Innovator’s Dilemma w/ Shawn O’Malley
In today’s episode, Shawn O’Malley (@shawn_OMalley_) discusses why great companies fail, as outlined by Clayton Christensen in his timeless book, The Innovator’s Dilemma, which was first published in 1997. The Economist actually named it one of the six most important business boo ... Show More
45m 4s
May 2025
What Successful People Do When Things Go Sideways
When life throws a curveball and everything feels uncertain, the difference between success and stagnation comes down to how you respond. In this powerful episode, Brendon Burchard breaks down what successful people actually do when things go sideways — and how you can adopt the ... Show More
20m 14s
May 2025
363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro
What separates elite leaders from those who never break through? It’s not motivation or even talent — it’s the discipline to stay focused, make decisions when it’s uncomfortable, and build habits that align with who you want to become. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorne ... Show More
27m 10s
Nov 2023
Think Faster and Talk Smarter to Impress Anyone | Matt Abrahams
Right now, we’d like to thank the sponsor of this episode: LifeMD. Looking to lose weight and improve your health? Embrace your journey towards a healthier and happier you, and achieve lasting sustainable weight loss with LifeMD by your side -> lifemd.com/CHARM In today’s episo ... Show More
53m 7s
Jan 2024
663: How to Grow From Your Errors, with Amy Edmondson
Amy Edmondson: Right Kind of Wrong Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, where she studies people and organizations seeking to make a positive difference in the world through the work they do. She has pioneered the c ... Show More
39m 30s
Apr 2025
Balancing Speaking With Your Full Time Job + Mastering Cold Outreach (Live Coaching W/ Erick)
<p><em>“Knowing who you are as an individual on the spiritual side of life helps guide you to who you are created to be.”</em></p><p>One of the coolest parts of TSL is watching our coaches work 1:1 with students and helping them find the clarity and confidence they need to take t ... Show More
31m 19s
Feb 2025
Ep 368: Insider Transformation Secrets with guest, Jeffrey Mort
Start Your Transformation Now  In this compelling episode of Transform Your Life From the Inside Out, Jim Fortin sits down with Jeffrey Mort—a former TCP student whose journey goes far beyond business growth. Jeffrey shares how a simple decision to invest in his inner work spark ... Show More
40m 44s
Jan 2025
3 Mindset Shifts To Completely Transform Your Life & Relationships
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/tour" target="_blank">I'm going on tour! Come see The School of Greatness LIVE in person!</a></p><p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my new book Make Money Easy here!</a></p><p>The School of Greatness is proud to celebr ... Show More
1h 22m
Feb 2025
217. Silence Your Inner Critic: How to Stop Caring What Others Think (Without Burning Professional Bridges)
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Are you tired of holding back in meetings, second-guessing your decisions, or letting the fear of judgment keep you from sharing your brilliant ideas? In this value-packed e ... Show More
21m 21s
Jan 2025
Career Paths in Cyber
<p dir="ltr">In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole dives deep into the journey of becoming a world-class Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). He emphasizes that this podcast goes beyond the role of a CISO—it's about helping cybersecurity professionals unlock thei ... Show More
32m 15s