All It Takes Is A Goal

Achievements feel amazing, but they only last about 30 minutes. The action that got you there takes thousands of hours. In this episode, I’m sharing soundtrack number 61 from my brand new book, The Three Minute Mindset: fall in like with the achievement, fall in love with the action. I’ll break down why the warm buzz of finishing a book, running a race, or landing a big win fades fast, and why the people who keep showing up are the ones who learned to love the process itself. Plus, I’ll walk you through a question to help you find the one part of your current job you could actually fall in love with. Also, my new book comes out tomorrow, and if you pre-order today you get the full audiobook free.

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Nepotism gets a bad reputation, but here’s a truth that’s existed since cavemen lived in caves: people give opportunities to people they know and like. Life is rarely a meritocracy, and that’s okay. In this episode, I’m sharing soundtrack number 29 from my new book, The Three Minute Mindset: Friends Hire Friends. I’ll walk you through three practical things you can do right now, burn fewer bridges, be friendly, and give without keeping score, plus a true story about running into an old coworker 22 years later at FedEx headquarters. I’ll also share why I’ve started being wide open with my cell phone number (thanks to a billionaire who taught me this lesson) and leave you with a simple question and action that could change how you show up for the people in your life.

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You've already won before, so why aren't you using that success? In this episode, I'm sharing a soundtrack I've been teaching for years: win the way you've won before. I'll walk you through a real moment from a podcast interview where a host had presented at Oxford twice but still felt intimidated by writing a book, and how I helped him see he'd already done something harder. You'll learn why your brain remembers failures but forgets victories thanks to negativity bias, and why people trying to lose weight often ignore the exact tools that helped them get out of debt or finish nursing school. I'll also share how pastors who struggle to write books already have the process inside them, they just need to translate their sermon writing skills forward. Your homework today: think of a time you won, make a list of what made it possible, and bring those same tools to your next goal. Plus, I'm talking about my new book, Three Minute Mindset, out in early November, and how you can get the audiobook free when you preorder.

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Have you ever felt like you're failing at something you used to be great at? You might be judging yourself with an old scorecard. In this episode, I'm breaking down a soundtrack that came from coaching people in my Remarkable You Community, especially a real estate agent who couldn't figure out why he was struggling until he realized he was now caring for his dad who has early onset dementia. He was judging his current performance against a version of himself from a completely different season of life. I'll share how this shows up in my own life with the busiest speaking year of my career, why my daughter's short season in high school band changed how I said yes and no to things, and how you can create a simple scorecard to measure progress in whatever new season you're in right now. Plus, I'll tell you about my brand new book, The Three Minute Mindset, and how you can get the audiobook free when you preorder.

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You've never met someone who accidentally got in shape, accidentally achieved financial freedom, or accidentally built an awesome marriage. In this episode, kicking off a new series based on my upcoming book, The Three Minute Mindset, I'm sharing one of my most powerful soundtracks: awesome is never accidental. Whether it's your health, your finances, your marriage, or your career, everything you care about that becomes awesome takes intentionality. I'll share why the danger isn't trying nothing, it's trying to go from nothing to everything overnight. Plus, I'll walk you through the one question you need to ask yourself today and give you a simple action to take this week that will start building the awesome life you actually want.

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If you ski, try not to fall near the lift. Yard sales are hard enough without an audience. But from the lift you'll also see snowboarders hunting for trouble on purpose: rails, jumps and half pipes. In terrain parks, they don't call those things obstacles. They call them features. In this episode, I'm sharing the first soundtrack from my brand new book, The Three Minute Mindset: Obstacles are features. We'll talk about difficult coworkers, surprise bills (like an $8,000 air conditioner during a Nashville heat dome), and a five-city week full of delayed flights. You'll get a question to get you thinking and an action to get you moving. Plus, find out how to get the audiobook free when you pre-order. Here's to the features.

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Some tasks are dead ends. Some are dominos. In this episode, part of my four episode series on prioritization, I'm teaching you the final question to ask when your to do list feels overwhelming: does this task make other tasks possible? A domino task unlocks a chain reaction of other important work, while a dead end task just gets done and stops there. I'll walk you through a real example from my own week, comparing a low stakes lunch meeting to a high stakes speech description, and show you exactly how the four prompts (promise, money, deadline, domino) helped me figure out what to tackle first. Plus, you'll hear two hilarious stories from my wife's 96 year old grandfather, a Navy veteran, because sometimes the best lessons come with the best stories attached. And a warning: don't overthink this process. Go fast, give it a star, and move on.

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You have too much to do right now. I know because I've never met someone whose biggest problem was too much free time. In this episode, part three of our four part series on prioritization, I'm teaching you a simple question that will help you sort your overwhelming to do list: is there an outside deadline? I'll explain the difference between outside deadlines (like my daughter's 5:30 AM cross country practice) and inside deadlines (the ones you create yourself, like the small milestones I'm setting for my book due in January 2027). You'll learn why high achievers tend to clog their to do lists with tasks that don't actually need to happen this week, and how asking this one question can add more peace and performance to your day.

Episode Links:

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You have too much to do. I know because I've never met someone whose biggest problem was too much free time. In this episode, part of a four part series on prioritization, I'm teaching you the second prompt that clarifies your decision making when your to do list feels overwhelming: is there money involved? Money isn't emotional or fuzzy, it's just math, and I'll show you the specific questions to ask, like whether something will cost you more if you delay it or whether you'll waste money by skipping it. I'm also sharing my 1 4 7 technique, a simple formula for finally taking action instead of endlessly reorganizing your list. Because motion beats perfection, and there is no perfect task waiting to be found. Your broken soundtrack will never tell you that you picked the right one, so stop looking for it and start moving.

Episode Links:

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Your to do list is bursting and it feels impossible to figure out what matters most. Here's the truth: your imagination is bigger than your calendar, so it will always feel that way. In this episode, I'm kicking off a brand new four part series on prioritization, starting with a powerful tool from my book Soundtracks, a good question is a trojan horse for truth. I'll walk you through the first of four questions that will help you sort through everything on your plate, starting with "Is there a promise?" You'll learn about what I call Verbal Reality, why saying "let's grab coffee sometime" without following up can quietly break trust, and how keeping your promises, even small ones, takes practice. If you feel overwhelmed by your to do list, this episode gives you a real tool to start clearing the chaos.

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Most people only check one thing on their dashboard: feelings. That's like covering every other gauge in your car with a Post it note and driving by only watching the check oil light. Sure, you'd know when to change your oil, but you'd rack up speeding tickets, run out of gas, and probably rear end somebody at the grocery store. In this episode, I'm sharing the other data points you need to review besides your emotions, including truth, time, commitments, numbers, and your original dream. I'll walk you through how I used this exact framework to finally deal with my insurance policy, a task I'd been avoiding for way too long. You don't need to check every gauge every time. You just need to know which ones matter for the situation you're in. Drive with your whole dashboard, and you'll actually end up where you want to go.

Episode Links:

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Procrastination loves vagueness. "I'll get to that eventually" means nothing gets done. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact system I use to steal back an hour from my own procrastination, starting with your phone's screen time settings and treating your apps like a restaurant menu. You'll learn why making a list of everything you're procrastinating on actually makes things worse, and why I had to become a phenomenal salesman just to get myself to write. I'll walk you through the four techniques I used today to sell myself on finishing a chapter, including scheduling appointments with myself, using countdown timers, wearing noise canceling headphones as a focus cue, and why writing in a notebook instead of a laptop kills distraction dead. Instagram didn't steal my hours. They sold them to me. It's time to out sell them right back.

Episode Links:

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My favorite one star review calls my books too simple. Guilty as charged, and I did that on purpose. But I wasn't always this way. In this episode I tell you about The Muskrat Incident, the true story of how I chose an impossible taxidermy extra credit project over simply studying for biology class. Spoiler alert, it did not go well. We'll talk about why procrastinators love complicating projects (hint, it gives us someone else to blame when things fall apart), how to avoid becoming what I call a chaos monster, and I'll share the simplest planning system you will ever use. It's four words. No spreadsheets required. If you're ready to stop making life harder than it needs to be, this episode is for you.

Episode Links:

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We can't get coffee together, but we could take a walk. And on that walk, I'd tell you something that might surprise you: your mission in life is sales. Not the kind you're picturing. From the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep, you're selling the most important product that's ever existed, a remarkable life, to the most important person you'll ever meet, yourself. In this episode, I'm breaking down why owning your life feels so overwhelming, why blaming your parents, society, or even cavemen for your problems keeps you stuck, and why no one, not a politician, boss, celebrity, or friend, has more power over you than you have over yourself. It's time to stop pointing fingers and start recognizing the influence you've had all along.

In This Episode:

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Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

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What thoughts are running through your mind on repeat? In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful soundtracks that will help you build bravery in your life. You'll discover why nobody is for everybody (vegan restaurants don't care about BBQ fans), how to beat imposter syndrome by being better today than you were yesterday, and why some beats none when perfectionism tries to stop you. I'll also reveal the four words that get me through every hard run in January ("I'll feel awesome after") and the most powerful question you can ask to rediscover your purpose: Who am I doing this very difficult job for? From hospital CEOs doing it for the donor walk to teachers showing up for the person they used to be, this question clarifies everything. Thoughts turn into actions. Actions turn into results. Let's make sure you're playing the right soundtracks.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

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Come to Stage & Page!

What if the thoughts running through your head on repeat could be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward? In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful soundtracks that help me choose bravery when fear gets loud. You'll discover why "It's just a puddle" changed how I parent and handle everyday stress, how to shift from "Woe is me" to "Wow is me" (one letter that changes everything), and why being the CEO of yourself isn't enough if you're still a terrible boss to yourself. I'll also show you how to focus on the fix instead of the fear, and why feeling uncomfortable is actually a sign your old comfort zone is having a hard time keeping up with you. These aren't just catchy phrases. They're the thoughts that turn into actions, and actions that turn into results. This is episode 5 of our Bravest Summer Ever series, but you don't need to have heard the others to get massive value from these five soundtracks.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

Book Jon to speak at your event!

Come to Stage & Page!

You're either practicing bravery or you're practicing fear. There's no neutral when it comes to mindset. In this fourth episode of the Bravest Summer Ever series, I'm breaking down the third key to bravery: practice. Research shows that just 5 minutes of negative news makes people more depressed, less likely to help others, and convinced the world is a negative place. When you binge the news, scroll political tweets, or read angry Facebook posts, you're practicing fear. So how do you practice bravery instead? Simple. Look at your calendar for the next 7 days and ask: where do I want to be brave this week? Whether it's a big podcast interview, giving tough feedback, or posting about your work, find 1 to 3 practice moments and figure out your plan. The key to mindset is spending more time talking to yourself than listening to yourself. You get better at anything you practice, so let's practice bravery.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

Book Jon to speak at your event!

Come to Stage & Page!

What's brave for me won't be brave for you, and vice versa. I once had a woman share that driving over a bridge was a brave moment for her. I drive over bridges all the time without thinking about it, but paperwork? That sends my heart rate through the roof. In this third episode of our Bravest Summer Ever series, I'm breaking down the second key to bravery: curiosity. Most people aren't curious about themselves because they're running so quickly through life. But when you get curious, you develop self awareness, which is a superpower all its own. I'll teach you three questions to ask yourself to identify your brave moments and give you homework that will change how you see your week. When you're curious, you learn about yourself. When you learn about yourself, you can be braver than ever before. Because bravery is one size fits you, not one size fits all.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

Book Jon to speak at your event!

Come to Stage & Page!

Want to know the secret to bravery? It's not what you think. In this episode, part of my "Bravest Summer Ever" series, I'm revealing the first of three keys to bravery, and it's so obvious you might miss it: goals. Here's the truth: no one is brave "just because." That would be dumb. Bravery is uncomfortable, challenging, and requires sacrifice. So why would anyone choose it? Because they have big, beautiful, sexy goals they're in love with. Goals that get them out of bed at 4:55 AM. Goals they can't stop thinking about. I'd rather watch YouTube than write some days, but I want to hold a finished book in my hand, so I have to be brave enough to focus. Desire leads to bravery. Every successful goal requires it, and every goal inspires it. So let me ask you a tough question: What do you want? You don't have to tell me, but you better tell yourself.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

Book Jon to speak at your event!

Come to Stage & Page!

Fear had a pretty good run the last few years. It kicked our butts, didn't it? But I'm over it, and I think it's time we take back the territory we lost. That's why I'm starting a new 5 episode series called "Bravest Summer Ever." In this first episode, I'm breaking down three reasons why we need to talk about bravery right now: fear had its moment and it's enough already, bravery is the only thing every successful person has in common (it's the skill that unlocks every other), and most importantly, you can learn it. Bravery isn't something you're born with or without. It's a skill anyone can master. I'll share definitions of bravery, from "motion despite emotion" to "putting miles between you and your desire to quit," and give you your first homework assignment: What does brave mean to you? Over the next few weeks, you're going to become braver than you've ever been. Let's rally.

In This Episode:

Order Procrastination Proof!

You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Have me speak at your next event!

Episode Links:

Order my new book, The 3-Minute Mindset

Book Jon to speak at your event!

Come to Stage & Page!