On Monday I shared 4 Steps to Personal Growth. A number of the tweaks I shared consisted of filling your mind with good and helpful things. There are few avenues to sharpen your mind and jump start your personal growth like listening to podcasts. It allows you to transform those previously mundane parts of life into some of the most meaningful time in your day. Its how you redeem your commute, mowing the lawn or folding laundry and ultimately it is how you will transform your mind.

Below are ten podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis. If you are looking to grow and take things to the next level, I emplore you to add them to your que and give them a listen.

5 Leadership Questions
If you are looking for an excellent leadership podcast to help you grow, this is the one! I stumbled upon it and it has instantly become one of my absolute favorites. During each episode hosts Barnabas Piper and Todd Adkins ask five questions of a guest or about different leadership topics. Recent podcasts have touched on the differences between coaching and mentoring, leadership differences by generations, and public speaking.

Ask Pastor John
A daily podcast providing thought provoking thinking on ranging topics to help you grow and engage God's word on various topics.

HBR IdeaCast
A product of the Harvard Business Review, the HBR IdeaCast is a wonderful podcast sampling some of the finest thinking on a wide range of topics. Recent discussions have included the creator of Wordpress, the CEO of PepsiCo, and the topic of becoming a better listener.

The Briefing
The Briefing is a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview. It is one that I listen to each morning to engage my mind in thinking about the days headlines.

This Is Your Life
Michael Hyatt is the defacto leader when it comes to blogging for influence. In addition to his blog Michael hosts a podcast sharing practical advice to help you take your career to the next level.

Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
I stumbled upon this podcast recently after reading several of Carey's blog posts and have really enjoyed it. Carey interviews some extraordinary leaders and brings their insights to you.

Entrepreneur On Fire
Entrepreneur On Fire is an excellent collection of interviews with some of today's top entrepreneurs. Recent interviews have included NY Times Best-selling author Michael Port, and Udemy king and online course guru Jonathan Levi. From an officer in the U.S. Army to podcast master John Lee Dumas has a pretty cool story and helps other entrepreneurs share their's in a helpful and meaningful way.

The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim conducts some of the most interesting and compelling interviews I've heard. Tim is the author of 4 Hour Work Week and engages people from all walks of life in an entertaining fashion.

Manager Tools
The go to podcast for learning how to manage and lead people. They cover topics ranging from running a meeting to leading a team to taking notes in a meeting. If you need to learn it, they teach it in a helpful and insightful way.

The Art of Manliness
In this weekly podcast Brett McKay discusses the topics we all want to know more about with some of today's top authors and leaders. If you aren't familiar with Brett McKay and his awesome blog, The Art of Manliness, you just might need to check it out.

As the great Tony Robbins says,"For things to change, you gotta change."

The truth is your team and your business are dependent on your growth. It can't grow if your not. So own it. Draw a line in the sand today and commit to growing and developing yourself. If you are growing you can lead and today I have a simple four step plan to help transform you over the next year.

1. Read

You hear this one all the time because it is true. Leaders are readers & readers are leaders. Reading helps sharpen your mind and helps you grow as a communicator. It is not just the content of what you read that shapes you, you learn how to think and communicate in an articulate and coherent fashion.

If the thought of reading has you overwhelmed or you just don't think you have time, start small. Commit to reading a minimum of 10 pages per day. That's 3,650 pages in a year!

2. Redeem Your Commute

Instead of listening to the radio, dial up a podcast or audio book while you drive. This simple step will transform your commute from simply getting from A to B into one that transforms your mind.

3. Replace TV

One common habit of the extremely successful that I have seen in interview after interview is that they turn off the TV. Instead of spending the 30 minutes before bed on the couch watching the next episode of your favorite show on Netflix, pull out your laptop or iPad and spend that time putting good things in your mind. Listen / watch videos of the top personal growth leaders as you prepare for bed.

4. Lock Arms with Winners

It is said that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with. I couldn't agree more. Increase your time with good people who are running the same direction and encourage one another.

None of these steps requires much more of you than a commitment to do a few things differently over a period of time but what a difference they could make!