Today, you are going to have opportunities to communicate.   Here’s how to create conversations that connect: 1) Meet folks where they are. Please pay attention to how their day is going. Step into their NOW. 2) Establishing something in common. “Wow! Has this day been crazy for you too?” 3) Establish an undeniable truth. “I promise it’s going to get crazier with the holidays coming.”  4) Move the conversation toward an idea that everybody can agree on. “Holidays are coming fast. We should get ahead of it and do some planning.”   5) Bring a new idea into the conversation. “I have a system that will work for both of us. Do you want to see it?”   You will always get more of what you want when your communication moves toward a common goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could maintain never-ending momentum while you work toward your goals? No matter how long it took? The 'MTM Rolling 7' is the solution you need to get the life you've always said you wanted.   It works like this: 1) Set your short-term and long-term goals.   2) Decide what past achievements you enjoy and that you want to defend. Many current successes must be maintained while you pursue your new adventures. 3) Decide what future goals you are ready to 'activate' and achieve. 4) Next week begins this week. On Thursday of this week, make your plan for how you will defend, activate, and create your dream life next week. Spend the next few days thinking about your plan. You'll amaze yourself at how you begin making progress one week at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it me, or does living life these days make you feel like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day?  When it comes to working toward goals, that can be a tremendous asset. It's also something that will break you free when things don't feel like they are going your way. Everybody has ups and downs. Up days are lots of fun. Down days make you want to crawl under a rock. But like the movie, with the right mindset, you always get another chance to try again. How would you feel if every day was a chance to tweak, adjust, flex, or reinvent your approach to living? What if everything got more comfortable as you built your knowledge of what works best for you? How empowered would you feel if you knew that every day was a do-over day? As long as the sun rises and the sun sets, it doesn't matter if you succeed or fail the previous day. Today is always a new day for making your dreams come true. That'll make you get out of bed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've struggled to stay on track daily, your happiness creation skill is out of balance. Before I go on, happiness creation is more than a slogan; it is not automatically activated upon birth.  Rising into your Happiness is a personal choice. It is a decision followed by discipline to become a complete person instead of a narrowly focused human stumbling through life. It is a power that arrives when you realize that the sum is better than the parts. It's not about your health, relationships, or how much money you make. It's not about your spiritual beliefs, values, or your integrity. It's not about how you treat your children, spouse, or friends. Happiness is about all of them. It is about mastering every aspect of your life into YOU. And the best part is - you can do that every day. Every characteristic of your life is essential. When you balance them with focused synchronicity, your Happiness rises, and you become the person you were meant to be.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clarity Eliminates Confusion Have you noticed we live in an age when what you hear and see is not necessarily happening?  It seems our shorter attention spans and social media have elevated attention-grabbing to the point where it overtakes the clarity of the message. One of my mentors is Donald Miller, the creator of Story Brand. He says, “If you make somebody burn too many calories to understand you, they will never understand you, and they’ll move on to an easier choice.” Another one of my mentors is my son, Austin. He’s an intelligent young man these days, but I remember when he was five years old and taught me a lesson about clarity - when Disney released a new movie. Like most kids, Austin was excited and wouldn’t stop talking about it. One day, I asked, in a very adult way, “Okay, where are we going to see this movie?” He answered, “At a theater near you!” Yes. His answer was correct for a five-year-old without worrying about which theater had the film. After all, that’s Dad’s job. When your answer to questions creates more questions, everybody gets confused. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decision-Making Accelerator No matter what you desire in your life, everything starts as a thought in your mind. It will demand your attention. You have three options: 1) Deny it and keep moving. 2) Accept it and put it into action. 3) Delay it and drive yourself crazy. Deny it. Deal with it. Delay it. The quality of your life will be a result of your choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Questions To Ponder Focus is important as you move forward.  Answering these questions will help: 1) What do you want to do? 2) What do you want to have? 3) Where do you want to go? 4) What contribution do you want to make? 5) What do you want to become? 6) What do you want to learn? 7) Who do you want to spend my time with? 8) How much money do you want to earn, save, invest? 9) How much time do you want off? 10) What will you do to create optimum health? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Always a Way When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked?   I used to be that way. Something changed. I learned a long time ago that getting blocked was going to be an everyday occurrence. And, the bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could live with endless frustrations - or find a better way. It came down to this: 1) Blocks have nothing to do with who I am. They could be self-inflicted or caused by others, but they still have nothing to do with me as a person.  2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it.  Always… always… always. You may not like the path. Your ego may get in the way. It may scare you. There is always a way. The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get What You Want I just got off the phone with a client. We were chatting about getting moving. She said, “That’s the hardest part! I need help getting off my butt.” She’s not alone.  Getting what you want comes down to pure physics: 1) An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays at the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. 2) Inertia must overcome your resting state or your current path.  That will require a - 3) Catalyst is what gets you moving - otherwise known as motivation. What will get you moving today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Opportunity Do you sometimes feel stuck and overwhelmed? Feeling as if there is nothing you can do? It happens to everybody. You are not alone. However, people who break free understand three things: 1) Everything in life is temporary. Good or bad, nothing lasts forever. 2) No matter how stuck you feel, there is always more opportunity. More than one person could ever take advantage of in a lifetime. 3) Even though you don’t feel it, successful people start shaking trees until the fruit falls. There is always fruit. It will always fall. You’ll never feel stuck again as long as you know the world has more of whoever you want, just waiting for you to go for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Steps to Stay Motivated I wondered why I couldn't always have my way as a child. Mom and Dad were so mean! I couldn't wait to grow up, move out, and experience being an adult. Everything would be different - or so I thought. After stepping into the adult world, it didn't take long to realize that not much had changed. It turns out it wasn't my parents. It was a life that was turning down my requests. Life was getting in the way, and what was even worse was that I was getting in my way. I've joked over the years that if I'm the Boss of me, why don't I do what I say? Eventually, I realized having a big ass goal, being on a mission, and, most importantly, motivation on demand was the solution. Motivation is a powerful, if not fleeting, tool we all need. But we need to understand how our minds generate motivation: 1) Your physiology dictates your feelings. Movement wakes your body, guides your emotions, and makes anything possible. The easiest way to break free of a slump is to stand up, take a step, and REPEAT. 2) Focus fuels your fire. If you are unmotivated, you are drifting in the wind without direction. Shifting your thoughts in a positive direction and toward what excites you will break you out and get you moving. 3) The words you say create the emotions you feel. Negative self-talk will drag you and everybody else down. Everything changes when you make the words you say to yourself, internally and externally, positive and uplifting. Words matter more than you think. You're human. Your brain isn't wired to stay always motivated unless you are willing to give it a helping hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Productive Morning Routine I love the quiet, peacefulness of mornings, but I'm not too fond of mornings happening so early. Still, the focus, creativity, and feeling of momentum that come with getting up before the chickens have such value that I needed to make it a bit easier. My solution is to drop the complicated and establish a simple routine.  I begin by deciding which area I'm currently prioritizing and choosing a "first thing" task that will move me closer to my goal. Next, I set myself up for success the night before. Depending on my task, I make notes, organize my desk, and get my gym clothes ready - whatever it takes to prepare. Finally, when I wake up, I get licked by the dogs, care for my personal needs, read something inspirational for five minutes or less, and start my day. There are no distractions, no email, social media, or news. Just start. My goal is to make my primary focus the first thing I do in the morning before life gets in the way. It works like a charm. There's a reason the Marines do more before 9 AM than everybody else. Now it's your turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Give Your Life a Happy Ending If you could write a book about the person you have become today, would it have a happy ending? A good portion of my day is spent interacting with clients worldwide. They are usually upbeat, open to problem-solving, and seeking my advice to help them. Or, as they would say, "Help me get out of my way and get my act together.” That's where writing a book comes to mind, and a good question from me - "Okay. Before we begin, if you were to write a book about yourself in the future, would it have a happy ending?" Their answer is always," Yes! That's why I'm here today." My next question is, "If you were to write your book today, what would the answer be?" "Hmm… I would say average. Not great. Not bad. Certainly not a book anybody would read." As the conversation continues, I make these points: 1) All of us get in our way. That's how we learn. And we all have our act together until we recognize that we want another act. That's called growth. 2) People who live an average life almost always chase squirrels and shiny objects more than focusing on actions that create the consistent results they want. It's an exhausting way to live. 3) People who live successfully think more like business people. They implement actions that get results, are sustainable, and grow the economics of the business. In other words, they figure out what works and keep doing it. There is no drifting in the wind. Make your way, figure out what works, and do it again. Simple. Speaking of simple… If the book you would write about yourself isn't who you are, you can start making changes today. That's how you get a happy ending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are You Living Somebody Else's Dreams? All I have ever wanted to do is have fun, impact people mostly positively, make them laugh, have a great family and friends, make some money, and not take life too seriously.   Simple enough.  But in the overly complicated and widely distracting monkey-see-monkey-do world, it's easy to get what you want and still end up with a superficially satisfying life. I suggest such a life is easy to achieve and perfect for anybody willing to get out of bed and join the world.  Life is averagely good.  But what if your inner voice screams, "There MUST be MORE?" Well, there is more. But only if you create it. That may scare you, but it won't if you realize and accept one thing - Someone else has created every single experience you have in your day-to-day life.  Somebody else imagined building the city you call home.  Somebody else imagined designing the car you drive.  Somebody else imagined the phone in your pocket.  Somebody else woke up and decided to turn their dreams into reality so that they could live their life inside their dreams. While that may be fine, maybe it's time for you to let others do the same with your dreams. After all, if they can do it, you can do it - right? While there is more I can and will cover on this topic, there are three items that a fully actualized adult can do to create any reality of their choosing: 1) Understand that all success begins with internally motivated actions. You get to decide what you want, and you can lead the way. The only permission required is yours. 2) The happiness and success you attain in life are determined by your ability to mine your thoughts, reveal your inner desires, accept them as your truth, and hold yourself accountable for creating what is essential to you in your life.  3) Every day, you should carefully discern what is important and likely to affect your success, survival, and well-being. Then, narrow the focus to what is necessary and extremely important; essential. When you dedicate daily focus to building such a strong level of inner understanding, you will instantly begin creating your new world—and others can start living inside your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Successful People Actions If you study people who have succeeded in any area of their lives, you will find they have much in common.  Not only do they follow a set of rules, but they also follow those rules no matter how much life gets in the way. What are those rules? The person who has the strongest "Why" wins. The person who shows up wins. The person who shows up on time wins. The person who is most persistent wins. The person who never assumes wins. The person who is the best at what they do wins. The person who plans and documents their journey and interactions wins. The person who never gives up total control to others wins. The person who accepts responsibility for themselves wins. The person who serves the most wins. The person who is grateful for everything wins. The actions you take automatically become the life you experience. It's essential to be mindful of where you are heading.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Don’t Need Plan B Have you ever wondered how the most successful people in the world get that way? Is their timing right?   Do they “know” somebody?  Luck? That’s it. They get lucky! Maybe, but there is more to it. Every person I’ve ever known who achieved remarkable success did three things: 1) They recognized what they wanted and envisioned themselves living that life. 2) At some point, they commit and go all in. Their dream IS going to happen. There is no “Plan B.”  3) They practice never-ending flexibility and perseverance, regardless of what obstacles they face. They keep going until they achieve their goals. Yes, you must pay a price for living the life of your dreams - and it's not money. It's YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moving Past Frustration When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked?   I used to be that way. Something changed. I learned long ago that getting blocked would be an everyday occurrence. And, the bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could live with endless frustrations - or find a better way. It came down to this: 1) Blocks have nothing to do with who I am. They could be self-inflicted or caused by others, but they still have nothing to do with me.  2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it. Always… always… always. You may not like the path. Your ego may get in the way. It may scare you. There is always a way. The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ONE Important Thing I have a question for you. What is your ONE most important activity?   What is the ONE core activity that, if you do, everything else is fine? What is the ONE core activity that, if you don’t do it, causes everything to fall apart? Many people focus on anything but the most critical activity in their lives. They are usually surprised when things fall apart. Is it showing up for work on time or doing a great job? Could it be your unflinching attention to your family? Does your business have ONE activity that causes people to buy from you? When you focus on your ONE most important activity - everything else will take care of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freedom Between the Lines Are you a fun-loving, carefree person who prefers to drift with the wind? Are you happier following the rules and staying within the lines? Whichever you are, happiness and success will arrive when you combine both: 1) Too much flexibility in life doesn’t allow for compounding your life experience. Like money in the bank, leave it alone once you know what works. 2) Too much structure will limit your ability to discover growth opportunities. Don’t get stuck. Donnie and Marie said it best in the ’70s, “I’m a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock and roll.” Combine the best of both.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born to Do YOU Can you imagine what might happen if you dared to think like your true self, act your true self, and share your true self?  That makes you smile - right? Or you may feel that living from the inside out and being fully authentic with the world is self-centered and egotistical, not how you should be. Still, I bet you’re smiling, at least a little, at the thought. You were born with two things that are yours, and you alone to use as you see fit—or not. The first is Free Will, and without digging into the spiritual and scientific reasons, no matter what happens in your life, you are always doing things YOUR way. Even if you feel your destiny is predetermined, you will do it YOUR way.  Imagine what would happen if you choose to do the things you love and do them your way. You were also born with a Unique Ability you don’t share with anybody else. It has always been there and will never leave you. Imagine what would happen if you used it in everything you do. The next time you second-guess yourself, remember to ask yourself one simple question — “What do you do when you’re doing YOU?” When nobody is telling you what to do, when you’re on your own to fill your time, when you are making the rules, what do you like to do, and how do you want to do it? It’s okay to be yourself. I promise that nobody is judging you. They are most likely waiting for you to show up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conflict. Confusion. Clarity. Are conflict and confusion driving your life? Are they keeping you on an endless search? Everybody has challenges in life. Solving them is easy when you know what is driving you. Three things will keep you on edge. Understand them, and you’ll move forward: 1) Internal. Everything you do produces personal feelings. Only you can feel them. Only you can do something about them. 2) External. There is something outside of you that is causing your inner feelings. You’ll still deal with them internally. 3) Philosophical. When external issues create internal strife, you cross a line. You will feel like your world has turned upside down. Only you can turn things around. All three are always in play. Focusing on your internal feelings will create clarity and drive you to a solution. Start looking inside yourself. YOU are the solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Need Two Mission Statements Mission Statements communicate a purpose to an organization. There is no reason why you can't use them to accomplish your dreams. But you need more than one. I know. It's difficult enough to create a single Mission Statement for your personal life or business. Why do you need two? Because the first is your Internal Mission Statement. It is precise, deeply rooted in your WHY, and will guide you and your closest group of friends, family, and associates to your goals.  The second is your External Mission Statement. This version is used to communicate your purpose to folks outside your core group who do not know your quest's details.  It's good to have two Mission Statements. One is private so that you understand what drives you. The other is public for others to understand WHO you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Strongest Why Wins You have no doubt heard that goals require you to understand WHY you're going after them.  What's your WHY?  The main reason to know WHY is that everything is always more complicated than you initially imagined it would be. Without a strong WHY, you might give up.  But, many folks forget that your real WHY may be hiding from you. A mentor of mine asked WHY I was so passionate about building my business based on daily actions. I said, "Because actions are the key to success!" He didn't buy my answer.  "You're not excited about daily actions. That’s just your process. You get excited about helping people turn every daily action into a transformational experience that gets them the outcome they want." Wow! Boom! Bang! KaPOW! Now, if I'm honest, I already knew that. It's easy to get caught up in day-to-day living and forget what's truly driving you. Is it time to remember WHY? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amping Up Your Productivity Do you ever run out of day before you run out of To-Dos?  Getting what you want in life is often blocked by simple habits that are getting in your way. There are two that everybody tend to miss: 1) The first productivity super-charger is to understand that tomorrow begins today. Planning ahead and setting your path is vital to reach your desired outcome. 2) The second takes a few minutes in the morning before you get busy. The goal is to ground yourself, review your day's plan, and reaffirm what must be done. There's one more that is even more important. Every day has "Non-Optional Activities" that take more time than you think. Non-Opts are taking care of personal needs, like eating and sleeping. They are traffic delays—someone walking into your office or calling you for advice.  Non-Opts are always present and they sap your productivity by robbing you of your time and focus.  Recognizing and allowing time for non-opts is the fastest way to optimize and ramp up your productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Strangest Secret Earl Nightingale created one of the great motivational works of history. The Strangest Secret began as a tool to motivate his insurance company sales force. It is now a motivational standard. What is the Strangest Secret? 1) You become what you think. 2) You must pay the price. 3) We must control our thoughts. 4) Cut away all limitations of the mind. 5) Set a clearly defined goal.  6) Act promptly when your path is clear. 7) Save at least 10% of every dollar. What do you want more than anything else? Commit today to do more than you must to get it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Build Your Side Hustle Every day, I spend time on the phone with excited folks who know they are close to getting what they want but can't figure out how to get it.   Let's start with: 1) Anything you want in this world is owned or controlled by somebody else. 2) If you want their help, you must get their attention. It always comes down to three things. In this order: 1) What problem are they having? No, it may not relate to you. It doesn't matter. If you can help, you will get their attention. 2) What's your solution? How can you fix it? When can you fix it? You'll know when you are close when you see the excitement in their eyes. 3) What's your offer? What must they do to get you to help? What do you want?   It's simple. Address another person's problems with a robust solution and an offer they can't refuse. That's a real win-win. Our sponsor today is HUEL... Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel—nutritionally complete meals in minutes so you can focus on what matters. That’s FIFTEEN PERCENT off with the code: BOOST at HUEL.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Burnout Now Steven Covey called it sharpening the saw. If you take a break to sharpen the blade, you will always cut more wood. The same applies to life. My formula for stopping burnout is Ritual, Rest, Rejuvenate, Reactivate, Repeat. 1) Success comes when you perform ritual actions every day. Figure out what works and do it. 2) Running full-out all the time is not sustainable. You must stop and rest. 3) Resting allows your body and mind to rejuvenate and become strong again. 4) When you are ready, it's time to reactivate into action mode. 5) Repeat until you get what you want. It's easier to cut more wood when you take a break to sharpen your saw. A walk in the park on a busy day counts, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preparing For Your Greatness With the craziness of life, are you having difficulty breaking through to the greatness that is YOU? What does greatness take? 1) Imagination. Your ability to form images, ideas, and sensations in your mind. Without help from anything or anybody. Use yours. Trust yours.   2) Enthusiasm. Living life with the excitement of feeling is PASSION. Only involve yourself in activities that you are enthusiastic about. 3) Persistence. Life is long, and things take time. Learn to love being doggedly persistent. It will serve you well. 4) Faith. Have faith in yourself. Live your life in complete trust and confidence in someone or something. Imagination. Enthusiasm. Persistence. Faith. That's living. Imagine how good it could be with a bit of Gratitude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natural Law is Your Friend Personal growth is a journey. It can be a lot of work. It’s also more fun to follow the rules of ‘Natural Law.’ 1) The Law of Vibration states that thoughts are things. They are one of the most potent forms of energy. Pay attention to your thoughts. What you think about, you bring about. 2) According to the Law of Polarity, nothing exists without an opposite. Love. Hate. Hot. Cold. Yin. Yang. Opposites are different forms of the same thing. Embrace them. 3) The Law of Rhythm states life is a pendulum. What swings left must swing right.    4) Every effect must have a cause; every cause must have an effect. That’s the Law of Cause and Effect. Everything in life is perpetual and never-ending. You can speed up your success by understanding how these always-present forces are at work in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why You Are Holding Back  I was sitting at the dining room table of a friend. We had been solving the problems of the world in an hours-long conversation when she asked, "What are you talking about on tomorrow's podcast?" When I told her that I hadn't thought about it yet, she said,  "Why don't you talk about why people don't take big chances and stay in their comfort zone for their entire life?" My mind did an instant review of my life and all the areas I had stumbled on before getting out of my way. I also remembered conversations with clients over the years on life's leaps. Before I could say anything, she said,  "I know what it is. People get so comfortable with what they've built, and they don't want to chance losing it. Their money, their home, they wonder what their family will say?" Is there anything else? "Yes. Everybody gets scared and freezes. I'm like that, but I've learned to push through fear and go for it - as long as I'm mostly sure I won't lose what I've built." We talked a bit more about what it takes to make the changes you want in life and came to three conclusions- You can do anything when you have a growth mindset and believe that anything is possible. Holding on too tightly to what you have sends the wrong energetic message. When you are willing to expand - you will. Next, as a human, you will never be comfortable gambling on the very thing that allows you to dream. The solid foundation that takes care of your personal needs is why you desire to self-activate. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs taught us that. Your foundation must remain while you expand. Finally, fear will always be present when beginning a new adventure. The cure is knowledge. When you know what you have, see your path forward, and have prepared as much as possible for your journey, you will find yourself willing to go for it. Anything is possible when you protect your foundation, respect the challenge, and honor the dreams whispering to your soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creative Destruction to Get What You Want Do you ever feel like everything has to line up perfectly before you can move forward?  Waiting for the stars to align might seem safe, but it can be exhausting—and often impossible—to maintain momentum toward your goals. Instead of waiting, why not try a bit of Creative Destruction? Think of it like tearing down an outdated kitchen. Rather than spending months trying to fix what’s unfixable, demolish what’s holding you back and clear the path to your dreams. Don’t settle for what’s stopping you. Unleash your creativity, sidestep the obstacles, and start building something new. Let go of what’s not working and make space for what will. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Focus on What's Important, Not Just Urgent As a child, I remember rushing out the door for a day filled with endless adventures, often ending with a game of Hide-and-Seek. Those days felt like they would last forever. Today, we're still running until the sun sets, but now our to-do lists are packed, and we rarely take a moment to reflect on the bigger picture. Here's the truth: you'll always make time for your most essential tasks—eating, sleeping, paying bills, feeding the dog, and caring for your loved ones, no matter how chaotic life gets. But when life feels overwhelming and you find yourself shouting, "Something's got to give!"—it's often your dreams and future goals that are first to be sacrificed. Stephen Covey taught us the power of prioritizing what's truly important. Remember to put yourself on that list, too. And when things go off course, reset quickly, refocus on what matters, and keep moving forward. Not every dream will come true, but the important ones have a way of finding you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paradox of Choice. Are There Too Many? Do you have too many choices in your life?  Is it confusing and making you feel distressed? In 2005, Barry Schwartz wrote Paradox of Choice and challenged traditional thinking. He said the way to maximum freedom in your life was to minimize choice.   Too many choices are not a good thing and can create paralysis. Not to mention, no matter what you choose, you'll always wonder if you could have done better. Distractions are your enemy and focus is your friend. Here's how to free up your life: 1) Limit your choices. Narrow your list to items you have already experienced. Having every option won't serve you. 2) Be sure to permit yourself to try other possibilities IF needed - but only after you've vetted yours first. 3) Stay in your lane and keep it simple.  Too many choices are part of modern life. If you can’t make a decision - shorten your list of options to what is important. Ignore everything else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fast-Track Your Goals Ready to achieve your dreams faster than you can say ‘success’? Here’s a quick and playful way to get you to the finish line: Play to Your Superpowers: Lean into what you’re naturally awesome at! Success comes easy when you stick to your strengths—your hidden superpowers. Say Yes to the Right Stuff: Only commit to activities that bring you closer to your goal. If it doesn’t fit the plan, it’s a no-go! Hype Yourself Up: Remind yourself daily why you’re amazing. Keep your eye on the prize and let your strengths lead the way. The secret? Skip the distractions that have everyone else stuck in slow motion. Focus, do, repeat—and watch the magic happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mapping Your Massive Success Imagine having a clear plan to achieve your goals—a roadmap guiding you every step of the way. Introducing M.A.P.S.S., a simple yet powerful system that takes the guesswork out of success by focusing on actionable steps in four key areas: Motivation: It all starts with knowing your “WHY.” Understanding your motivation fuels your journey and keeps you inspired when the going gets tough. Stay connected to your reasons and keep the momentum alive. Accountability: Owning your results is empowering. Embrace the mindset: “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Holding yourself accountable transforms your actions into consistent progress. Planning: Success loves preparation. “Plan your work, then work your plan”—a simple yet profound approach. Without a plan, your goals remain dreams. Map out your steps and turn your intentions into reality. Systemization: Every great accomplishment starts with a first step, often the hardest one. As you grow comfortable with your routine, lock in those actions. Repeat, refine, and get results through consistent effort. Sustainability: Building success is a marathon, not a sprint. Everything takes longer than expected, but every small win adds up. Stack your achievements, create momentum, and set yourself up for the long haul. Freedom and success rest on a solid, repeatable foundation. By embracing Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability, you can build a life where your goals aren’t just possible—they’re inevitable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Be a Really Good Quitter Have you ever heard someone say, "It's good to be a quitter?" Probably not. But today, it's worth reconsidering what it means to be a good quitter. Quitting isn’t about taking the easy way out. It’s a strategic decision, a smart move when your efforts are leading you nowhere or when progress has come to a standstill. Quitting at the right time can be the key to unlocking new opportunities. We often cling to commitments—whether it’s a job that drains us, a relationship that no longer serves us, or habits that hold us back—because our sense of identity is tied up in seeing things through to the bitter end. But sometimes, sticking it out isn’t the wisest move. Pay attention to your inner voice. If it’s sending up red flags, don’t wait for things to get worse. Trust your instincts and pivot quickly. Remember, quitting isn’t a failure; it’s a step toward something better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simple Steps to Success Here’s the world’s simplest formula for success: Stand up, take a step, and repeat! One of our members asked how to put this straightforward advice into action. Here’s a five-minute daily practice that can transform your life: Pause and Find Your Space: Stop what you're doing. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed for at least five minutes. Focus on Yourself: Take this moment to center your attention on you. Reflect: Ask yourself, “How is my life going?” Let your mind wander through the different areas of your life—work, relationships, health, and personal goals. Focus on each role you play. Identify and Act: For the parts of your life that are thriving, keep that momentum going. For areas that need improvement, ask yourself, “What can I do to make this better?” Take Immediate Action: Act on your answers right away, no matter how small the step. Keep moving forward and never stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life is Happier With Values Do you ever feel like others are constantly getting in your way?  That frustration disappears the moment you start living by your own Values while working toward your Goals. Here’s a simple recipe for making every moment of your day more fulfilling: Know and Live Your Values: Understand your core values and make a commitment to practice them consistently. It's not always easy, but living authentically will make you feel happier and more in control of your life. Set Goals Aligned with Your Values: Only pursue Goals that align with your Values. When your actions reflect who you truly are, you feel more authentic and fulfilled. Embrace the Change: Expect some resistance from those who are used to you doing things their way. But get ready for a newfound peace of mind. Taking charge of your life and making decisions based on your deepest beliefs is the ultimate form of empowerment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Procrastination With a Question Are you a member of the Procrastination Club?  Procrastination is the intentional and habitual postponement of an essential task that you should be doing.  Is that what you are doing?  In my view, three things could be happening if you procrastinate - It may be possible that you are not procrastinating at all? Instead, you may be forcing yourself to do something that you don't need to do anyway. The other possibility is that it simply doesn't mean enough to you to start the process. Or, said another way, other things mean more to you. Finally, your wisdom is telling you this is not something you should be doing. Yes, you must complete some tasks. That's called being a responsible person. But if your list keeps getting longer, it's time to ask yourself a question - Is it important enough to me to get it done?  If not, you know why you are procrastinating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turns Dreams Into Reality Do you have long-held dreams and goals that require little motivation to get yourself moving? Laura and I have worked together for over a decade on various projects. Her latest was a move from a long-time career into something she was in which she was more passionate. After several months, her dream transformed into a goal. The roadmap was in place. Action was the only thing needed to turn dreams into reality, and nothing happened. Months passed by with little or no action. Life seemed to always get in the way of Laura's dreams. When I asked what was going on, she said, "Oh… I don't know. I always seem to have something more important on my mind." That's common, and what John Lennon meant when he said, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."  Over the years, people tend to ACT and DO what serves them best. All while dreaming and planning what they want. It's an exhausting way to live, but you can set yourself free by asking yourself a simple question - "How bad do I want it?" Truthfully, answering that question will do one of two things. It will propel you into action or have no impact at all. If you find yourself motivated and moving, all is well. If not, you have another question to ask - "If I don't want it that bad, should I drop it and move on?" Everybody has ideas and dreams that enter their mind throughout their lives. The important tend to cause automatic forward action. Your life transforms, and everything begins to go in a new direction. For the others, you may want to consider that it's not as important to you as you thought. The best thing is to get your ego out of the way, scratch it off your list, and make room for something that excites you. When you do, incredible new opportunities that have been hiding from you for years will enter your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Will Change When You Get Tired Many have said, "Life is a marathon, not a sprint."  But what happens when you find yourself doing both at the same time?  If you've been living on this planet for any length of time, you've figured out life is a long game made of day-to-day sprints.  If you want a big bank balance, you make small deposits over time. If you want to lose weight, you make small reductions over time. If you want to get a promotion at your job, you do well every day.  The challenge happens when you have yet to define the marathon you are running. A lack of a specific goal can only lead to daily activity that may or may not get you to your destination. If that happens to you, you may feel worn out, frustrated, and wondering when things will turn around.  There's good news. That kind of thinking means that you are on the right track to success. Certain stamina is required to reach any goal, and society today celebrates one's ability to put in the hard work no matter what.  There's only one problem.  If it's not working for you, it's not sustainable behavior. Sooner or later, you will decide to make a change - usually abruptly. Here's the truth: you will change when you wear yourself out.  Reluctant, fearful, or hard-headed, you will put up with a less-than-satisfying life path for so long. When you've had enough, even if the timing is not perfect, you will change when you wear yourself out.  You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it.  So, what's the fix? The marathon we call life will continue until it doesn't, and there are three things you can do to make it better. The first is to define your destination with clarity.  Next, match your daily activity with your goals. Finally, accept that if things don't go your way, you're going to change directions anyway.  You will change when you wear yourself out. Just skip the bad stuff, adjust, and get to the good stuff right now. There's no need to wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Default Life There is a myth floating around that life is more fun when you are spontaneous. That can be true some of the time, but not all of the time. If you want to be happier, more successful, and make life easier, it’s time to live in Default Mode.  In other words, figure out what works and keep doing it. Living in Default Mode makes life predictable for you and everybody around you. It limits decision-making and establishes continuity. It’s a behavior that reduces stress and improves happiness. And studies show that most people will default when a good option is readily available. Of course, the default can be wrong, too. Bad habits should not be used in default mode. And some people claim that default mode means staying in your comfort zone and keeping you from stretching yourself. On that, I'm afraid I have to disagree. My theory of Default Efficiency is simple: figuring out what works and doing it by default is easy, gets excellent results consistently, relieves you from decision fatigue, and allow you to stretch on your terms. Living your life in Default Mode is the fastest way to reaching your goals - your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BIG ASS GOAL Qualifier Ever wondered if your goal is really a BIG goal? Run it through the BIG ASS GOAL Qualifier and see what happens. Big Ass Goal Definition Only goals that make your heart beat faster deserve to be BIG ASS GOALS. What makes this goal larger, more exciting, and scarier? How is it challenging but not too challenging, and how does being challenging grab your focus? Heartbeat Goal Describe why this is a Heartbeat Goal and why you desire to achieve this goal. Pinpoint Focus The best goals begin as broad-based goals, but how would you describe your outcome if it could only fit on the head of a tiny pin? BIG ASS GOAL ABC’s Is this BIG ASS GOAL Achievable for you?  Do you Believe you can reach this goal?  Are you Committed to this goal? Narrow Your Options Is your BIG ASS GOAL so big that you have very few options to achieve it? What are they? (The fewer, the better.) Momentum Goals What will you accomplish within 90 days of working toward this goal? Legacy Goals How will this goal impact the legacy you are building at least 20 years from now? Rewards and Reminders How will you reward yourself for your dedication and remind yourself why you are pursuing this goal? Is it a BIG ASS GOAL? After reviewing your answers, does this goal qualify as a BIG ASS GOAL? Yes or No. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waking Up to Gratitude I woke up this morning with an incredible zest to expand my feeling of gratefulness. Well, there is not so much to expand as to recognize all the things I am grateful for but haven’t thought about lately. That’s the thing about living in a fast-paced world where our daily activities, big and small, fly by and are quickly forgotten. It’s always been that way. There is nothing new in the world. That got me thinking about one of my favorite quotes — “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault As a no-regrets guy, I admit to sometimes not living in gratitude. Thankfully, the wisdom of others is always making sure I remember what is important— Here are a few of my favorites. “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.”—Frank A. Clark “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” —Eckhart Tolle “Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.” —Estonian Proverb “Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: It must be produced and discharged and used up to exist at all.”—William Faulkner “Enough is a feast.”—Buddhist Proverb “When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.”—Anthony Robbins “When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”—Vietnamese Proverb “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”—William Arthur Ward “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”—Cicero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Productivity Strategies Do you find yourself needing to get more done? You might consider creating more productivity. The first rule of being more productive is deciding what is important to you. The second rule is to take control of your day.  A few simple adjustments can change everything: 1) Say, “Yes” to yourself before you say it to others. Meetings, phone calls, casual conversations. If that doesn’t work, say “No” to anything not currently on your list.  2) Control where you focus your attention. Including incoming communication like email and social media. Avoid being recruited onto someone else’s To-Do list. 3) No matter how much control you gain, interruptions are always around. You may as well expect, plan, and allow time for them. 4) Only schedule 50% of your schedule. That will allow time for the unexpected. If nothing shows up, stay focused on what you need to complete. 5) Multi-tasking is a myth. If possible, finish one task before the next. You cross the finish line sooner.   What happens next? EVERYTHING! Keep moving forward, and you’ll get everything you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obstacles Into Opportunity Have you ever wondered how much easier things would be if you didn’t have to think so much? What if the future or your past didn’t matter? Imagine if you didn’t worry about the possessions, success, or drama of others. What would happen if you believed that YOU were in control?   Now, you are starting to think like a Stoic Philosopher. Stoicism is about paring down and simplifying. They eliminate unproductive traits that define the majority of the population. One of the most common is by turning obstacles upside down, creating opportunities, and seeing them as teachable moments. For a Stoic, every bad thing becomes a new source of good.   Marcus Aurelius said it this way,  “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in your way becomes the way.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become The Person You Are Meant to Be People have always sought change for themselves, their lives, or the world. If you want to change something about your life, there is a constant truth: You must change before anything else changes. Many intelligent folks agree - Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” What about Albert Einstein? “The world, as we have created, is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Do you want to change something about today, tomorrow, or the future? You must change before anything else changes. Have you learned lessons from past experiences? You have already changed, and your future is better for it. Rumi said, “Yesterday, I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today, I am wise, so I am changing myself.” If tomorrow you want to be better than today and Yesterday, something has to change. That something is you. If you want to make more money, serve more, and be happier next year, something has to change this year. That something is you. If you want this life to be well-lived, something has to change today. That something is you. What if you want everything about your life to be perfect? Listen to Winston Churchill. “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” It’s so simple. You must change before anything else changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Figuring Out Your Purpose Over the years, the most popular question I get from the MOVERS around here is -- “How do I find my purpose and face my passion?” If I were to expand on that question, it would be - “What can I do today to find my purpose and overcome the fear of living my passion?” In other words, it’s one thing to find it; it’s another thing to get yourself to do it. Today, we’ll focus on finding it. In my quest to live passionately, I always follow a 5-step process for discovering and facing your passion. It has never failed me. 1) Explore the possibilities that are available to you. The more, the better. Many things will interest you, and you should be willing to allow them into your life. 2) Pay attention to what grabs and keeps your attention. Don’t fight the feeling; just follow the urge to explore. 3) Deep dive into the things shoving themselves into your life and immersing yourself. 4) When you find yourself fascinated and nearly obsessed, you are heading a new path, even if it makes no sense. Don’t be surprised if it is nothing you’ve ever considered before. The formula is simple: Exploration + Fascination = Facing Your Passion. While the steps above can include several strategic steps, the more significant challenge is to allow yourself to follow what you find.  Once you find it, be sure you live it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices