Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Have you noticed that airplanes fly crooked? Heading to their destination, winds attempt to blow them off course. That’s why pilots turn their aircraft into the wind. They call it Wind Correction. The same thing happens when you set a Goal. While you prefer the straight path, you will likely run into winds that will blow you off course. Your spouse disagrees with your plans. Your boss demands more hours. Your kids, friends, and responsibilities keep blowing you further away from your dreams. It’s time to start thinking like a pilot setting a flight plan to a distant city with a Kristy Kreme donut store about to turn in the ‘Hot Donuts’ sign. Keep an eye on your final destination. Always set goals that factor in winds that will blow you off your course. Make minor corrections until you get where you’re heading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Law of Attraction should be called the Law of What You Think About Most. Like attracts like. What you think about, you get. If you think, "I won't get it because I never do," - you are correct. Dreaming of something new while focusing on current problems is a sure way to keep spinning your wheels. The secret is to focus your attention and actions on what you want to attract. That will require a dedicated effort. Vision Boards, lists of goals, daily journaling are all great ways to stay on track. The "Law of What You Think About" is magical and straightforward… Decide what you want. Believe it is possible. Focus on the future, not the past. Don't stop until you get it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have a question for you. What is your ONE most important activity? What is the ONE core activity that makes everything else fine? What is the ONE core activity that, if you don’t do, causes everything to fall apart? In Brian Tracy’s book Eat The Big Frog First, he recognized that many people focus on anything but the most critical activity in their life. They are usually surprised when things fall apart. Is it showing up for work on time or doing a great job at work? 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 - and do it first - everything else gets easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, I've witnessed dozens of people set themselves up for failure by following seemingly wise advice - "When you set a goal, make it public and tell everybody you know so that they can support you." In my experience, that hasn't worked so well - especially on long-term goals. The reason is that anybody outside of my close relationships doesn't know me well enough to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. That makes it challenging to provide support in meaningful ways, difficult for me to accept it, and unneeded pressure on everybody. It doesn't take too much thinking to realize that the best accountability relationship is based on respect and a sincere connection to have the most impact. That means there is no need to crowd-source accountability when you only need two people to keep you on track. The first partner is the one you listen to the most - YOU! Accepting responsibility for your accountability is the most powerful skill own. But since you are the Boss of yourself and don't always listen to yourself, you need somebody you trust, respect, and are willing to call you out on your stuff. Once they agree, let them do their job. Getting what you want begins and ends with you, but having an accountability partner is a great way to keep you on track in the messy middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything we do is guided by what we think is logical in our minds. I call my way of thinking Scott LOGIC. Is it common sense? Is it experience-based? Is it how I choose to live? Yes. But mostly, it is an endless list of thoughts that make my day better. Here are a few that will no doubt do the same for you. Life is long enough. But not for everybody. Recognize the difference. Life goes quickly unless you are bored. Stay busy. Life passes slowly when you are going fishing tomorrow. Some people are too serious. Others are not serious enough. You get to choose who you are. Standing in another person's shoes before opening your mouth a best. The reward for hard work is more work. The reward for being lazy is more lazy. When you turn your phone off, it won't ring. Most things in life should be in moderation. Excess is good now and then. It takes a fraction of the time to read a good book than to write a book. That makes reading a book a good investment of your time. People who read more earn more. People who don't read don't understand why. Saying "I don't care" means you do care. Do you know what that is? Everything you experience is filtered through what you hold as the truth. Make sure you are correct in your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I want to live forever! Well, that’s what I used to say when I was a kid. As I passed a few birthdays and dealt with life’s challenges, I started thinking differently with a realization — My life, all of our lives are spent learning and figuring things out. While it can be tiring, it’s also what pours energy and meaning into our days. As we age, our knowledge deepens, our day-to-day get less attractive, and we lose our youthful drive. But Scott doesn’t do that. I’m way too stubborn. So what have I learned from being such a hard head dedicated to living a life experience like no other? The first thing is to slow down. That means breaking free from all those dull and automatic behaviors that are not serving you. Moving as fast as you can through hundreds of activities won’t get you anywhere. Eventually, you’ll realize that a slow, more focused approach is more effective. The next thing to do is study and learn as much as possible, and your perception of time will feel longer. And perception is reality. This works because as we get older, we know more, so life is easier. But, it’s the act of learning something new that creates stackable memories that make your life fill full, vibrate, and exciting. Finally, fire up your Anticipation Engine by taking the time to create 6 to 12 event horizons per year. In other words, schedule something in the future that gets you excited and never stops. Having positive anticipation in your life is a driving factor in living a happy life. Slow down, study, and anticipate. It turns out living a long and happy life only requires that you think and act like a child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call me crazy, but everything I've ever done had its roots in a 30-day sprint - and it's a long time. A week is easy, crossing several weekends and life events will make it seem like forever. Here’s how you do it: 1) Set what Napoleon Hill calls a Major Definite Purpose, otherwise known as a big ass goal. 2) Stop that silly negative self-talk. Others may throw sticks and stones; don't throw them at yourself. 3) Start thinking of all the reasons you CAN be successful. Make a list. 4) Decide that you will do whatever it takes to reach your goal for the next 30 days. Nothing will stop you. Decide that you will do whatever it takes to reach your goal for the next 30 days - and you will. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel like there are a thousand things that must line up before you can get what you want? It may feel safer to wait until the stars align to take the next step toward your goals. Another choice would be blowing up, tearing down, and blasting away what you don't want. Hmm - it seems that we are living in a time that did that job for us - right? I’m talking about Creative Destruction. Creative Destruction is like demolishing an old kitchen. Instead of taking months and making things worse by fixing the unfixable. Blow up what's in your way and create a clear path to your dreams. Don't accept what is stopping you. Turn on your creativity and figure out a way to sidestep the problem. Start to build something new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get closer to the endemic phase of the pandemic we've been living in for the last couple of years, I've noticed that people are getting back to their old ways. Now that we're not being forced to evaluate our daily lives, confused about what you want - and how to get there. That's okay. It's a journey. But what is that journey? Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often." And it helps if you understand the stages of change: 1) Pre-Contemplation. You may intend to take action but are unaware that your behavior is the problem. 2) Contemplation. You recognize the problem and start to debate the pros and cons of your actions. 3) Preparation. You intend to take action soon. You may even begin small steps. 4) Action. The process of making the specific changes required to create your new life begins. 5) Maintenance. Sustain your efforts for at least six months. You will likely achieve a life-long transformation. 6) Termination. You have zero temptation and are sure you will not return to your old unhealthy habits. Winston Churchill said something else - "For myself, I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how the most successful people in the world get that way? Is their timing is right? Do they know somebody? Did they get lucky? Every person I’ve ever known who achieved remarkable success did three things: 1) They accepted what they wanted and believed it could be theirs. 2) They decided that their dream IS going to happen. 3) There is no Plan B. When you know what you want, decide to go after it, and don’t give yourself any other options, you are more likely to get what you want. Simple is as simple does. Thanks, Forrest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the world of Scott Logic, I’ve always fought my advice that said - When life is predictable, scripted, and process-oriented - BORING - life gets as excited as you ever dream it could be. As a guy who likes excitement in my day, you can see why I would prefer to ignore that wisdom - and I’m not alone. Still, I don’t miss it. I prioritize that way of thinking at all cost. Let’s talk about that ‘scripted’ part of living. While I love a good spontaneous day, I’ve learned that the more scripted and predictable my day, the less stress I have and the more I get done. All that means is that I know what I’ll be doing throughout the day when I’ll be doing it, and what time I’m done for the day. Frankly, I can usually tell you weeks in advance what I’ll be doing. Maybe that’s why when somebody asks me when I’m available for a meeting, I never need to check my calendar. I already know because everything is already in place. Next, I think you should live a process-oriented life. The best way to explain what I mean is to use goals as an example. Most people set goals and focus on the outcome of achieving that goal. If it’s weight loss, your goal may be to lose 50 pounds. While that’s not a bad thing, focusing exclusively on the end goal is a fast way to fall off the wagon after a single, out-of-control weekend. But there is a better way… Instead of focusing on the goal of losing 50 pounds, it’s much easier to focus on the steps in the process that will get you there—watching what you eat, exercising, keeping yourself motivated, shopping for your future skinny jeans. The mindset is simple; as long you keep doing what’s working, you’ll get what you want. Simple. A scripted life and a process-oriented life is a good life. Figure out what works and do it over and over again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I get the pleasure of advising dozens of people every week in one-on-one interactions. When you factor in my podcast distribution, I interact with hundreds of thousands of people every week. And there's one question I always get. Who advises you? Who is your coach? Who is your mastermind? The simple answer may be broader than you'd like, especially if you are looking for a specific solution to apply to yourself. The number one member of my mastermind is the person I listen to most. The person I respect the most. The person that will have the most impact on my life is ME. Why? Because there is nobody, I listen to more than I listen to myself. Having self-awareness about how your mind works, how you think, how you choose to act, what works for you, and what doesn't work for you is key to a happy and successful life. Like it or not, you are all by yourself regarding what's happening inside your head. And what happens inside of your head is what dictates what will happen in your life. Besides myself, who is in my mastermind? Every person, every situation, every piece of reading, anything and everything, that catches my attention, passes into my ears, around my mind, and everything in between is my mastermind. When you're self-aware and paying attention to your thoughts, the world becomes your mastermind. The more aware you are, the more you can sift and sort those knowledge bombs being dropped into your life into what works for you. So how about people? Are they in my mastermind? The answer is yes. I have a select group of people, it's not too large, and it changes over time. I would estimate between five and seven that I can call anytime, ask questions, and seek wisdom. These people can contact me as well. If they have my respect and I have theirs, we pay attention to what we have to say. Mastermind is defined as many minds working together. But, to take advantage of that power, you must master your mind first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A long time ago, it occurred to me that life is nothing more than a giant scavenger hunt. Yes, life is full of questions, and it’s long enough for you to figure out all the essential answers. And the winners are the people who figure out the solution for what you are seeking. Here are a few that I use on a regular basis to get me thinking: 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? 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? I’ll repeat it. Life is full of questions, and it’s long enough for you to figure out all the essential answers. It’s time to get busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you spend any time listening to me at all, it won’t take long before you hear me screaming from the tops of the mountains to ignore the agenda and propaganda-filled world we live in and focus on yourself. Here’s the truth... Nobody is thinking about you and what you do. That means that you need to pay attention to yourself because nobody else will. Some folks find that way of thinking difficult because society would make you believe that you must do what everybody else is doing to be successful. Let’s think about that for a minute. Is everybody more successful than you or is everybody pretty much in the same boat as you? You know the answer. So, who is more successful than you? It’s the people that are out in front leading the masses. You know, the ones who paid attention to what they wanted, thought it through and convinced everybody else to support them on their mission. Here’s another truth… When you think about yourself first, you’ll have time to think about others too. Like they say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have an admission to make. I'm a bit lazy. Yes, I also like to work harder than most people. Still, I'm lazy when doing things I don't want to be doing. It's been said that when you do what you love to do, you will never work another day in your life. Frankly, I've found it to be quite the opposite. What I do is difficult and takes a lot of time and effort. But I enjoy it? Still, I'm lazy. I want everything to be easy, and I want it now. I don't think I'm different than anybody else. I'm lazy. I'm driven. I'm lazy. I think I made my point. And if you know me well, you may be thinking; he's not that lazy. Oh yes, I am… While it may take a long time to master the skill required to make things easy for myself, I'm only willing to go through the hard work if it allows me to be lazy - eventually. And do you know what the coolest thing is about being lazy? Your initial hard work allows you to be lazy and makes what you do look easy to others. Too bad for them. I guess they were sleeping and binging Netflix when you were preparing to make it look easy and be lazy. Here's today's life lesson. It's good to be lazy, as long as you are willing to do the work required to allow you to be lazy - someday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine how your life would improve if everybody in your world understood what to expect. Expectations are powerful. Pay attention to these three: 1) What do you expect of yourself? You get to decide how you approach the world. 2) What do you expect of others? Clearly, understand what you expect of others. That allows you to avoid surprises - and toxic relationships. 3) What do others expect of you? When you let others know what they can expect of you - and walk your talk - you are living in integrity. Your life will always be more comfortable when you know what to expect of yourself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I was in broadcast school, we spent a lot of time learning the rules of journalism. While that subject fills books, most everything we needed to know was - Who? What? When? Where? Why? If you know that information, you can tell a complete story. Years later, I re-arranged the formula for my personal growth. Every time I set goals and consider a different direction I ask - Why? What? When? Where? Who? Occasionally I need to ask HOW I’m going to accomplish my goal - but that usually takes care of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 healthy again. 4) When you are ready, it's time to reactive 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

Whatever you get in life is a result of your daily habits. What is a habit? According to the dictionary, it is a settled or regular tendency or practice. It is also something that is especially one that is hard to give up. Good habits or bad - habits are hard to give up. If that’s the case, you may as well choose good habits. In a survey of 233 self-made millionaires, here’s what people who are successful at anything have in common: They get up early, read, a lot, spend 15 - 30 minutes each day on focused thinking. Good habits, done daily, create success. They make exercise a priority, spend time with people who inspire them, pursue their own goals. Settled habits maintain success. They get enough sleep, have multiple income streams, avoid time-wasters. If you want better results you want, it’s simple as having a solid list of good habits that you do every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked? I learned a long time ago that getting blocked is an everyday occurrence. The bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could either live with endless frustrations or find a better way. It came down to understanding: 1) Blocks have nothing to do with who you are. Self-inflicted or caused by others, they still have nothing to do with you as a person. 2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it. Always. You may not like the path. Your ego may get in the way. It may scare you. There is still a way to get what you want. 3) Removing blocks from your life takes nothing more than commitment and action. That’s called passion. No block can stand up to passion. The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I speak about being joyful often and get lots of questions about making it happen. First, there is no magic to being joyful, and rose-colored glasses are not required. In fact, the more precise you see the world, the more joyful you will be. When you accept that merely being alive means you will run into occasional challenges, you will be more joyful. When you realize that dealing with challenges is a privilege of being alive, you will be more joyful. When you accept that frustration is part of life, you will be more joyful. You will be more joyful when you deal with everything that life throws at you without skipping a step. Being joyful essentially comes down to having a great day, getting a good night’s sleep, and repeating it over and over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A client asked me, "What do you pay attention to most of the day to keep yourself on track?" I said, "I pay attention to MY agenda first. When I cross paths with the agendas of others, it doesn't have to be my way or the highway, but I must continue to live the life I desire and get the results I want without delay and distraction. The truth is, I want us both to do that." As long as you know what you want in life, getting is a matter of moving forward a little bit every day and staying on track. Since every person you meet is on their path, you will always find yourself with the opportunity to willingly or unwillingly be pulled into their agenda. If you do, you detour yourself from your dreams. Take control of your agenda before somebody does it for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I live by a mantra that says - “Almost everything in my day-to-day life should be routine. Consistent. Predictable. Between the lines. Boring. But, occasionally, it’s good to get out of the box, a little on edge, a bit scared, and a lot excited.” The truth is, you need both. There is also another truth. Most things that make you happy and successful are pretty mundane. Improving and enjoying your home… Paying bills, investing, and saving… Spending time with family… Yes, regular life is a boring life. But it’s your consistent routines that are focused on what’s essential that allows you to have incredible highs in your life too! Have fun and stick to what feels comfortable and working for you. After all, most things that make you happy and successful are mundane. It’s not a rut; it’s your comfort zone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever wish you had a less complicated life? Even if your job and life are overcomplicated out of necessity, like launching a rocket or performing brain surgery, you can still simplify everything. How do you do it? The fact is, the actions you are taking in your life and your job are probably not causing the overwhelm. It's the people and the results that are causing you to feel that way. The easier way to under-complicate is to begin saying "No" to the arbitrary and unattainable demands of others and focus exclusively on the results you want. Here are a couple of ideas: 1) Practice the law of "Good Enough." Perfectionism is over-rated. It will waste years of productive time that you could use to enjoy life. Set your own standards and rise to them. 2) Get good at saying "No." Make that two-letter word your default answer for everything. And remember, sometimes, saying nothing at all gets the same result. 3) Keep in mind that the only thing you must do in life is taking a BREATH. Everything else is optional and self-inflicted. Leonardo da Vinci said," Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Why not show everybody how sophisticated you are? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating a difference in your life is a non-stop process that requires simple actions to help you get what you want. And it is, after all, about getting what you want and keeping what you love. You’ll always go through these steps: 1) Decide. Everything begins with your decision to head off in a new direction. While sometimes you may feel like you’ve made a decision, if you’re not moving, you haven’t. 2) Define. Aimless wandering is fun when that’s what you’ve decided to do. Otherwise, it’s frustrating, exhausting, and takes place more than you think. When you define your path, you get to walk your path. 3) Deploy. As dull as the advice may be, putting your plan into action is the only way for you to get what you want. If you don’t deploy, you don’t get it. 4) Defend. After working so hard to get what you want, you can guarantee that something or somebody will try to take away your results. That’s not good or bad. That’s life. When you find what you love, be sure to defend it so you never lose it. Simple. I like simple Simple works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything you do is guided by what you think is logical in your mind. Just like everything I do is directed by my Scott LOGIC. Is it common sense? Is it experience-based? Is it how you choose to live? Yes. But mostly, it is the filter in your mind at work. Here are a few of my filters: Life is long enough. But not for everybody. Life goes quickly. But not if you're bored. Life passes slowly when you are fishing. Some people are too serious. Others are not serious enough. Both disagree with the other. You must stand in another person's shoes to understand how they see you. The reward for hard work is a chance to work more. The reward for laziness is a chance to be lazy more. Turning off your phone means it won't ring. Most things in life should be in moderation. Excess is good now and then. It takes a fraction of the time to read a good book as it does to write one. That makes reading a book a good investment of your time. People who read more good books earn more money. People who don't read don't understand why others earn more. Saying "I don't care" means you do - at least about something. Everything you experience is filtered through what you hold as the truth. Choose what you hold carefully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everybody has dreams. Daydreams, dreams while you sleep, and dreams of what you wish for the future. I’ve always believed that dreams are goals you have nurtured to become real in your life. But how do you know if the voice speaking to your heart will lead you in the right direction? Brant Pinvidic’s book, The 3-Minute Rule, has four questions that will help: 1) What is it? Do you understand exactly what you want? 2) How does it work? How will you go about reaching your goal? What will likely be the outcome? 3) Can you do it? Is your plan reasonable? Do you have the time, skills, money? 4) Are you sure? If you are willing to put in the effort, are you confident you can achieve your goal? Use these when something is holding you back. I promise. The clarity you are seeking is around the corner. 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

How To Break Bad Habits Have you struggled to break a habit? Bad habits are not good. They will mess up your day. They are also not permanent. You weren’t born with bad habits, and you are not required under penalty of law to keep bad habits. Since there’s no real reason to keep bad habits, let’s replace them the easy way. Nobody likes to give up what’s comfortable - even if it’s not serving you. Instead, start a new behavior and replace the bad before it mucks up your life again. Breaking bad habits is doing new behaviors instead of old behaviors. No muss. No-fuss. Be consistent and persistent, and you will wipe that old habit away forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I first met my wife, Joi, I knew we would be married and live happily ever after. But there was a problem. Joi didn’t see it that way - at least not right away. If life has taught me anything, it’s that almost nobody is on the same page when they first meet. We might be in the same book but not on the same page. In the early weeks of our relationship, I was in full-on action mode, and I was on a mission to achieve my goal as quickly as possible. I was also getting frustrated since Joi didn’t seem to share my urgency. She was enjoying our relationship and in no hurry. One day, I decided to take action - I dragged myself out of bed at 4:30 AM, drove 30 minutes, and waited for Joi to arrive at the gym. I met her when she stepped out of her car, nearly scaring her to death, and said, “I love you. What do I have to do to catch you? We should…” Stopped by a kiss, she said, “We’ll know in about 6-months. Let’s enjoy the ride.” It wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but Joi had given me something even more powerful. She gave me an expectation, I knew her rules, how to play the game, and that she was right. All relationships, romantic, friendship, or professional, follow the same path. There is an initial spark, a period of trust-building, and finally, commitment. In time, the relationship grows stronger or will fade. Time will tell. That’s how it works and how it went for us. Exactly 6-Months later, to the day, I asked Joi to marry me, and she said yes. That was 15 years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's an idea floating within your mind. Soon it will demand your attention. Is this all there is? Am I destined for something bigger? Your real purpose will arrive in your life when you: 1) Accept WHO you are and have always been. You are beautiful just the way you are. 2) Accept WHAT you do when you are doing you. Life is far more enjoyable when you spend most of your time in your comfort zone - and step out occasionally. 3) Accept WHEN when you want to start living in the moment. Now is a good time. 4) Accept WHERE you are in your life. As long as you know where you are, you can go anywhere. Accepting your real purpose is revealed by daily actions. If you want to go in a new direction, change what you do. Start today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before I begin, I want to define what I mean by doing nothing. I don’t see doing ‘nothing’ as something unproductive. Instead, I see ‘nothing’ as a protected personal space that lies between your thoughts and your actions. It is a place that provides a contemplation and planning opportunity before launching into massive and focused action design to reach your outcome and achievement of your goal. It is a holding space where inspiration, desperation, motivation, even intimidation, bubble up into your consciousness and await your next action. Instead of moving your thoughts immediately into action mode or never moving at all, both of which cause unnecessary drama, you purposefully quarantine your thoughts until you are assured in your success plan or decide to take a new direction. Doing nothing looks like this: 1) All thoughts and potential actions arrive in your mind and are held for evaluation. 2) Unless based on a previous decision and cleared for instant action, you always take the time to ensure that your actions will lead you to your vision. 3) If you don’t know the absolute end-game of your journey, you are still on another path. Don’t take a step until you know where you are one your new path. In the end, doing nothing is a place in your mind where you choose your path, direct your actions, and create your legacy. It is a place of personal respect that is built into you and will allow you to have the most significant impact on yourself and the world around you. I don’t know about you, but I get a lot of good thinking time when I’m doing nothing. That time is priceless. If doing something takes you off track, you might be better off doing nothing - at least for a little while. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a title like "Three Steps Required to Change Anything" an oversimplification of what it takes to get what you want? Or… is it the acceptance that everything is simple - until we complicate it. If you guess the second, you will get along just fine. So, what are those three steps? The first step to getting anything you want is to KNOW what you want. Many will argue that the first step is the most difficult. Like they say, "work with the outcome in mind." I don't see it this way and believe it's not more complicated than what follows. Next, you need to know how you will accomplish your goal by establishing a framework or roadmap to get there. No, you won't see every step you must take, but unless you are living under a rock, you will know the significant accomplishments that must happen. Just look around, and you'll see them everywhere. Finally, you must take consistent and disciplined action toward your goal with every waking moment. Every time you allow your focus to drift, you find yourself taking longer to reach your outcome. So, there it is. While many nuances will challenge you, the basic steps to getting what you want are simple - Know it. Map it. Do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You hear a lot about using morning rituals to get more done. But what if you could use your mornings to get more done for YOU? In the fast-face world, we live in today; there seem to be two groups when it comes to how to use mornings—personal and productivity. Once folks remove themselves from the craziness of jumping out of bed, taking care of the kids, and hitting the drive-through, they choose one of the two. But what if there was a third group that was more satisfying? Before I go on, I need to admit that I didn't use to be a morning person and didn't like getting up early at all. I even quit my first couple of jobs as a morning radio host so I could sleep. Later in my career, I would hit my desk at 5 AM and pound through my to-do list as fast as possible. I must have been saying, "I…MUST… GET… IT… DONE!" That didn't work well because I didn't see the purpose of getting out of bed early if it was only to work. For a few years, I spent my mornings reading and meditating before heading off to the gym. I got in better shape, but my bank balance was less, and my future goals were seemingly unreachable. Then, one day out of pure frustration and sporting a brand-new I don't give a heck attitude, I asked myself a question that changed everything - "What's the first thing I should do tomorrow morning that, if I do, will allow me to live a life of my design?" Notice that I didn't ask about work or what was on my to-do list. It didn't have anything to do with getting more done or getting in better shape. I focused on the lifestyle I wanted to live - and it was life-changing. In the years since I made that decision, I've started my days doing the most important thing I deem required to live the life of my choosing, and I've been happier for it. I've also come across dozens of morning do-gooders who are getting everything done, except what they dream of doing, and when they realize it's not their fault, everything changes. They got caught up in the buzz of life, and everyone does. But, the minute you choose to focus on YOU before anything else is when you start making real progress. When you focus on what is important to you, you get what is important to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever caught yourself doing or saying something you swore you would never do? You have been TRIGGERED! It can be frustrating when you set the rules and don't follow them. Sometimes you put your foot in your mouth. Sometimes you put the pizza in your mouth. In any case, your emotional habits are triggering your actions before you can do anything about them. Controlling behaviors that have been on auto-pilot for years takes: 1) Catching yourself after the fact. Notice your mistake and see it coming sooner next time. 2) Catching yourself being triggered as it's happening. You're getting better. 3) Catching yourself before you act and stop it. That's the goal. Emotional Triggers can throw you off track from your goals. Pay attention to your behaviors and make minor adjustments until you get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you study people who have had success in any area of their life, you will find they have much in common. Not only do they follow a set of rules, they 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 is most persistent wins. The person show 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 acceptances responsibility for themselves wins. The person who serves the most 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

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle? I spoke with a client trying to be everything to everybody. His business was not growing. His life was not happy. He couldn’t seem to find a way to make progress. That’s when I said… “My friend, you are stuck in the middle. Nothing good happens when you are in the middle.” In business and life, it’s okay to have low expectations and surround yourself with like-minded folks. It’s also okay to reach for your dreams, have high expectations, and expect that of others. What happens if you’re in the middle? When low and high expectations combine, confusion is the result. Mediocrity overtakes quality. Frustration will be your daily friend. The choice is yours. If I were you, I would make the decision never to get stuck in the middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ll never forget the day a mentor of mine said to me — “You have to become the person you want to be before becoming the person you want to be.” What? So I have to fake it until I make it? Heck no! I’m not going to change who I am - no way! “No. You’re not changing who you are. It’s just that you have to understand that the future, you will have a different set of beliefs than you hold right now. That’s called growth. Whatever you believe, you will become.” At first, I thought he meant I would have to sell my soul to the devil and take on beliefs that were not mine to get what I wanted. But one day, I realized that day-to-day living is changing me anyway. I may as well make a choice myself. My thinking when like this — If I hold a self-image because of what I believe, all I have to do is create a future self-image, decide what that person would believe, and design a set of rules and actions that make those beliefs happen. What’s the best part? There’s no waiting. The very minute you decide what you believe, everything begins to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the time of the year when it seems almost everybody is setting new goals. It's also the time of year most folks will quickly give up on those goals. There has been a lot of research about how long New Year's Resolutions last. On the short end, most folks give up at 12 days, the most committed stay in the game for an entire month. Now, since it takes 66 days to set a new behavior, it's no wonder people have such a difficult time changing. Here's an exciting way to think about that problem. Setting a goal is a conscious decision that is an executive function of your brain - which operates serially. While you may think that you can multitask, your brain processes one item at a time. That means it must prioritize what's most important so it can work on it for you. When you set and prioritize a goal, you are essentially eliminating other alternatives that may be more important to you. When you do, your brain views taking action as a potential opportunity lost and makes any new tasks difficult. How do you make it easier? The answer can be found in the word ''Alternative'' because the inverse is true— Any new goal will feel easier when it is more important to you than the alternative choice. In other words, choose wisely. If you want to set great goals, pursue them, make a significant change to your life, the secret is to make your goal more important than any alternative that may be lurking in the back of your mind. When you choose correctly, you'll find yourself automatically motivated to reach any goal you have successfully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ll never forget the day a friend called and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse - and I didn’t. Rob was an event promotor who had snagged the chance to book an up-and-coming comedian named Jerry Seinfeld into a local venue. He needed somebody to warm up the audience and introduce Jerry. I was all in when he agreed to cover my drink tab and let me hang out with Jerry before the show. It was 1986, and Jerry’s television series about nothing was still in development. I know that because it’s what we talked about before the show. As he munched on veggies and sipped sparkling water, I’ll never forget how focused he was on getting what he wanted. Tired and worn out from living on the road, I asked how he managed to keep going. He said — “I know exactly what I want. I’m a comedian, so I have to be funny. The only way to be funny is to write funny jokes. The only way to write funny jokes is to write every day. So, I write every day and put a big red “X” on the calendar. Eventually, there is a chain of X’s on the calendar. My goal is not to break the chain.” Then, in a very Seinfeld way, he screamed, “Don’t break the chain! That’s how you get what.” Over the years, I’ve read that others have had the same conversation with Jerry. I’m guessing it was a rule of success that he practiced and shared often. I’m happy he shared it with me. As we begin 2022, pick an action and do it every day until you get so good people notice. And, whatever you do, “Don’t break the chain!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toss Your To-Do List This is the time of year when people start thinking about getting more productive in their life. Over time, I've learned there is a significant benefit of growing older and wiser, figuring out what works in most areas of life, and learning to avoid the school of hard knocks. I'm always amazed at how much time people fritter away deciding how to be more productive— trying to keep up with their never-ending daily list of things. Eventually, though, we all learn that a good life will always offer more opportunities than you can ever use. The day will come when it becomes easier to focus on essential and yield consistent results. I ran into that when I learned to fly little airplanes. Aviation is over one hundred years old. That means new pilots experience information overload as their Instructor crams their brains full. And flying airplanes can be unforgiving when you get things wrong. That causes you to micro-focus on tiny details - especially when performing your Pre-Flight Checklist. One day, while walking to our airplane, I was freaking out. I was finding it impossible to remember the thousands of items that make for a safe flight— "There is so much on my list, and I keep thinking I'm going to miss something and get myself hurt… or worse." My Instructor smiled… "That's not a list of everything you need to do. It's a DID I DO IT LIST. That way, you’re only double-checking that you did the important stuff." Pure brilliance! I embraced the "Did I Do It" philosophy in flying and everything I do from that day forward. It also became the mantra for how I go about getting things done. Why does it work? A "Did I Do It List" assumes that you already know what you must accomplish. All you have to do is make sure you've done it. That way of thinking allows you to release the stress of information overload, enjoy yourself more, get lots done, and celebrate your victories. Plus, the boost you get from seeing how much you have accomplished feels great. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can't tell you how many times I've heard somebody say— "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself and saved more money." True or true? Modern times are interesting times, and when it comes to living a long life, people either think life is too short or long. If you do things correctly, long enough is the best answer, but 200 years ago, most folks didn't have the luxury of thinking about things like that. If you lived during those times, you lived at a slower and harder pace. And, since time is relative, your perception was slower, as well. Everything was slower. It would be like a two-week, off-the-grid vacation in a mountain cabin without your phone in modern times if you think about it. That used to be daily life. Yes, time-wise, living to the ripe old age of 40 felt like living to 100 today - if something simple didn't take you out sooner. When California had open land, low-priced real estate, and gold in them-there-hills, almost everybody died much younger than today. Usually from an exotic disease like a toothache. If you lived a couple of centuries ago, the simple life meant simple goals: Survive childhood. Buy a horse. Get married. Buy another horse. Build your first house on your 40-year old Grandparents' property. Get your kids through 5th grade so they can graduate to help you plow the field. And if you were a planner, plant a tree on the hill a soon as you can so that it is big enough for your kids to bury you under when a toothache took you out. While it's easy to make fun of the old days, one thing rings true— If you lived in the past, wondering what you would do next in your life would never be an option. Since you have that option, the question is, what are you going to do with it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend sent a note on a subject that profoundly resonates with me. He asked me, "What's more important, passion or money?" Ask any person who knows me, and they will tell you that I am all about doing what makes my heart sing - PASSION! After all, you know what they say — "Do what you love, and the money will follow!" I bet you've heard that most of your life. I will also bet that you have personal experience that would suggest otherwise, and there are millions of starving artists, writers, actors, and other creative types that would agree with your observations. That list should also include stay home moms and dads, school teachers, police officers, and many more. I believe there is no happier life than living a passionate life. I also believe that everybody has different monetary requirements that make them happy. And, I know that, while our quest to live with passion may be why we live a prosperous life, it's also what gets in the way of that life. If you desire to do what makes your heart sing and live a happy and prosperous life, there are two things to remember: 1) Focusing entirely on your passion at the expense of other and more routine aspects of life eventually stops you from living your passion. Life will get in the way. 2) Focusing exclusively on money and other routine aspects of life will force you to postpone doing what you are passionate about - possibility forever. I know many will disagree with this statement, but my experience and ScottLOGIC has taught me something — Life is long, and it is impossible to focus on ONE thing without covering everything else. It may work short-term, but acting that way is a recipe for disaster and frustration. The solution comes down to a simple equation— Passion + Realty + Discipline = Everything you want! Like it or not, when you obsess and demand that you do what you love, accept the reality and costs of real life, and discipline yourself to strike a balance, you will get everything you want in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me start by saying that goal setting is powerful, and you should be doing it - but there is a good chance that you are overdoing it. It's human nature to set goals, and you do it every day without thinking. That's why it's so powerful. It's also why it's so easy to set so many goals that you can never get any of them done. Let me define how I see goals. No matter what distracts me, I've come to think of goals in two ways: 1) Legacy Goals that I will spend my entire life achieving. 2) Living Goals that will propel me to my Legacy Goals. I didn't think this way for much of my life, but one day, I accepted that no matter what I was chasing, it was the "who I would become in my life and how do I get there" thoughts that were always rolling around in my head. My internal ScottLOGIC told me that if I'm thinking about something anyway, I might as well think about it purposefully. Also, since I've never met anybody who was happy to pursue daily activities that didn’t lead to something bigger, I knew that everything should always lead to something bigger. Anything else will eventually break your spirit - and that should never happen. As you set yourself up for a life of satisfaction, no matter how much life gets in the way, think of "Legacy Goals" as the top of a pyramid that is built on a foundation of "Living Goals." "You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible — Marcus Aurelius. Your mission is to focus on daily "Living Goals" that are designed and intended for you closer to your "Legacy Goals," Stoic philosophy also says — The culmination of human endeavor or end is "happiness" or "flourishing." For some, the idea of a single "Legacy Goal" may seem impossible. After all- How can you possibly know who you will become after an entire lifetime of living? How is it even possible that you can reach a goal you can't define? How is it possible to stay focused on one goal your entire life? Frankly, understanding how that works is something we don’t need to worry about today. It's been debated, analyzed, and tweak for eons. There's no need to overthink, only accept. If you live a happy and flourishing life, your Legacy will define itself. Someday, you will arrive at the person you are meant to be - and be happy for it. One goal is all it takes. Everything else is a step on the journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When my wife and I were first married, it wasn’t long before I learned that waking up at 5:45 AM, and every step after that, seemed to be programmed into her DNA - and I was not too fond of it. Over the years, I had grown to dislike mornings. Mostly because I found myself doing one of two things; the hustle and bustle of the daily grind or what the self-help gurus were telling me I “should” be doing with my mornings. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t. My wife, on the other hand, doesn’t do that. Unlike most folks in the world that are caught up in the drama of life, she operates with a “figure out what works, keep doing it, never think about it again” mindset. If I’m being honest, as a widely creative, spontaneous, and go-for-it kind of guy, Joi’s mindless persistence drives me crazy. But, since there is no way to change her ways, I have no choice but to find my way. Besides, as a guy who has worked with tens of thousands of successful people, I’ve seen the same behavior so many times there is no denying that a simple and constantly repeating morning routine is where success is born. After all, the early bird gets the worm! But that still leaves us to figure out what our routine should be? For me, that boiled down to one simple question— What’s the most important thing I can do that will make everything else possible? Now, I’ve found when I ask a question like that, the answer comes flying at me like a brick falling off a roof and hitting me right in the forehead - and it happens fast. I may not like the answer, but sometimes the truth hurts. If you want to lose weight and get in shape, the most important thing is to exercise. If you want to make money, your most important thing might be to invest. If you want to write a book, your most important thing is to write. In my case, I have legacy dreams for myself, my family, my business, and you. To make that happen, the most important thing I can do is write in the morning. Once I made that decision I… Wake up, get out of bed, shower, and dress, eat a quick breakfast, sit at my desk, and write for the next three hours. No distractions. No questions asked. So, how do I get everything else done? Frankly, once you take care of what is most important to you, there isn’t much else. Still, when the time comes, I ask myself what the next most important thing that will make everything else possible - and do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a person who always does things the same way or prefers to change things up at every chance? If you’re lucky, you are both. Traditions are the secret sauce behind the emotional connection we feel at this time of year. Family get-togethers, office gatherings, crazy shopping crowds? Yes. I know we’re in a pandemic, and not everything is as it used to be - but it is in our minds. The traditions make our lives unique and are always present, never forgotten, and form the fabric of our lives. They are very human, and they are essential. But let’s get back to my earlier comment that “traditions make our lives special.” The fact is, somebody has to make the tradition. Is that you? My wife and I were walking in the neighborhood and noticed that Janice was almost finished with her Christmas decorations. I stopped and said— “Wow. That looks like a lot of work!” “Yes, it is. But I love it, and it’s my tradition,” she said. “Well, thank you for making Christmas for the rest of us.” She didn’t know what to say, but she understood what I was meant. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year, or any other time of the year, traditions are the same as habits and rituals. They make our lives more fulfilling. But always remember, somebody has to make the tradition so that all of our worlds are a better place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My mind is constantly searching for a simple, three-step process for anything that will help me get what I want, and that usually comes down to something I talk about a lot; making a decision. I speak about decision-making much of my day because it’s the most dynamic tool you have in your personal development tool kit. It should be easy — Almost everything you will ever want to do in life has already been done. The solution to getting what you want should be based on logic and proven steps. In other words, figure out what works and do it. But, as much as we can all agree that it should be easy, using logic to get what we want doesn’t have much to do with being a human—that’s where emotions and a more phycological approach come into play. “Come on, let’s just do what we know works?” You say. “No. I’m not feeling it. Let’s go with the flow and figure it out?” Logical vs emotional thinking is an epic battle that could be told by Stephen Spielberg in a blockbuster movie. Oh, wait, it always is! Let’s take a side trip to the movies and prove my point. The Hero has a problem in a movie, and something has to change, but they don’t know what to do? Professionally speaking, they are an emotional mess, no matter how real it may be. Then, in a movie, their situation suddenly thrust them into taking action to solve their problem. Logic kicks in, and they get busy fixing life. But, in a movie, life gets in the way, their actions are not working, and their emotions take over. It seems that all is lost, but never fear. Before any good movie ends, our Hero figures out precisely what needs to be done. One. Two. Three. Victory is at hand. Somebody, please roll the credits. What’s the lesson in the story we are writing? Everything that you want to do has already been figured out. Your job is to set your emotions aside, go into logic mode, and take the fewest steps possible to reach your dream. They’re no need to wait. Hero’s don’t wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we approach the most spiritual time of year, I find more and more of my thoughts are focused on what my future will bring. But instead of drafting a list of goals, my mind seems to settle into a different place— What if I could give myself a gift that would instantly give me what I want? What if I don't have to chase my dreams and start living them instead? What if there was nothing in my way - ever? While that way of thinking may seem out of touch in today's world, it's not. It happens every day for millions of people worldwide, and it can happen for you too. Here's a simple truth— Everything changes instantly and, very likely, forever when you make a decision. If you hate your job and decide to quit, everything changes. Everything changes instantly if you decide you need some space for yourself, turn your phone off, and take a walk in the woods. If you decide to say "Yes" to yourself and "No" to others more often, you experience change. I could go on forever, but I don't need to. If you've been alive for any length of time, you understand that you're only stuck until you decide not to be stuck. Once you make that decision, you're moving again. That's life. Is it easy? Are the limitations? Are there consequences? Maybe, but many of them are good! The point is that any directional change in your life is possible the instant you decide to recalculate the path you are walking. So this year, why not give yourself the gift of considering the possibility that the only thing standing in your way is you? I bet that you already know that. If that's the case, why not get out of your way and just do what you say you want to do? Yes, I know you may not know what to do? Yes, I know you may not know how to do it? Yes, I know you may wonder how your life will be? All of that is true. But you know that you want something different? Do you know what's not working? Do you know what you don't want in your life? That should be all the motivation you need to go for your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can’t remember her name, but I can tell you she was not a happy person. It was a hot, hazy, and humid Virginia day when I arrived for a class reunion. As I stepped toward the check-in table, a friend of more than thirty years locked eyes with me, broke into tears, and screamed— “Oh Scott… can you help me? I’m not happy!” Next, she bolted out of her seat, ran around the table, and hugged me… and hugged me… and hugged me… and hugged me. This is not the first time this has happened, and being a professional, I knew what I was going to say, “Of course I’ll help, just let me get settled, and we’ll talk later”. Frankly, I was buying time to figure out why somebody I have never known not to be happy was not happy. What had changed? Nothing! My friend found herself a full-fledged member of The Always Club, as in “I always wanted to be thin and in shape… I always wanted to find my purpose in life… I always wanted to make more money… I always… I was a member of The Always Club myself, along with about a gazillion other folks collectively trying to figure out life’s secrets. Who knew it would take most of us thirty years of post-high school living to realize we’ve never done what we have always wanted to do? If that sounds familiar, it’s not your fault, and it’s more common than the common cold. But unlike the common cold, you can’t just sit around and wait seven days for it to go away, or you’ll remain a member of The Always Club for the rest of your life. So what did I say to my friend? “What you have always wanted is not something you have been denied. It hasn’t disappeared or passed you by, and somebody else didn’t take it. You have been happily living your life, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just remember, your “always wanted” is alive and well, living in your future, just waiting for you to go after it.” And she hugged me… and hugged me… and hugged me. So what are you waiting for? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving, I found myself finishing leftover candy and bit into a Jolly Rancher - a recipe for disaster for anybody with a mouth full of dental work. As you might have predicted, it wasn't long before I was at the dentist. I don't like dentists much. Maybe it was because as a kid, our family dentist was Dr. PAIN… uh… Dr. Payne. Still, there I was with the sound of drilling and suction filling the room, along with the occasional mumbled answer coming from my mouth, answering important questions like, "What have you been up to lately?" Then tell me not to move my mouth. Seriously? Is that a skill they teach at dentist school? Wait until your patient can't speak and ask them a question? That's like me asking my young kids a question at the dinner table and telling them not to chew with their mouths open? But that's life. Sometimes life doesn't make sense, even though I would argue that things are good almost always, which is why we notice it when they are not. And boy does happen a lot this time of year. Then again, it happens a lot every time of the year. I'm writing today's note as most of us roll through the holiday season. I think it's good to keep two things in mind: Life is fully capable of getting in the way any time of the year, and it will. No matter how crazy, it should never be unexpected. By the way, that includes the self-inflicted part that is so common. I don’t want to hear any why me, why it, why now? As we say in the south, “It is what it is!” Besides, since life getting in the way stuff comes in all varieties, we don't have the right to enjoy the good stuff if we're always complaining about the bad stuff. Next, no matter how much life gets in your way during the holiday seasons, most of us seem to find a way to make it unique for ourselves and others. So, if you're going the extra mile to make magic, you don't get to enjoy the compliment and smiles on the faces of others if you complain about how hard you worked to make it happen. Of course, if you've made it this far into today's message, you might be saying, "Sure I can! I'm fully capable of complaining about my suffering as long as I'm happy in the end. Besides, that's who I am!” I only have one comment. Sure you are. But why not skip the grumpy part and enjoy the fun part? And you can do that all year long! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices