Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

The Daily Boost - Episode 5,004 "Why You Shouldn't Trust Your Brain" Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Scott explores the fascinating relationship between our brain's chemical rewards system and decision-making. He explains why our brains, while essential for survival and success, shouldn't always be trusted blindly due to their addiction to neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Scott shares his unorthodox yet practical approach to managing this relationship for better decision-making. Key Takeaways - Your brain is naturally addicted to chemical rewards, making it an unreliable partner in decision-making without proper verification - The brain takes 10% of daily caloric intake regardless of performance, so it's best to learn to work with it effectively - Emotional decisions aren't always the best decisions, even when they feel right at the moment - Taking time for clarity, such as during a peaceful drive, can help bypass the brain's emotional responses Featured Story Scott shares a listener's experience finding mental clarity during solo road trips on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The story illustrates how removing ourselves from regular environmental triggers can help achieve better mental clarity and decision-making capabilities, contrasting with the "poop show" of regular daily life when our brain's chemical responses are in complete control. Scott's Three-Step Approach 1. Accept that you can't completely control your brain's chemical responses 2. Learn to recognize which activities trigger positive feelings and consciously choose them 3. "Trust but verify" - like Ronald Reagan's approach, acknowledge your brain's influence but verify its decisions Memorable Quotes - "No matter how successful you feel, there is a day when you'll get out of bed wondering if you're successful." - "Your brain is an addict, it's junky. Say it as it is; it's addicted to every possible chemical it can find." - "Do more of what you like and less of what you don't like. Keep those feelings coming." Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #DailyBoost #Motivation #PersonalDevelopment #MentalClarity #BrainScience #DecisionMaking #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth #MotivationalPodcast #SelfImprovement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Boost Podcast - Episode 5003 Monkey Effect: When Others Dump Their Problems on You Host: Scott Smith Episode Description: Scott explores how people try to burden us with their problems (their “monkeys”) and how this affects our ability to pursue our goals. Through a personal story from his fifth grade, he illustrates why we should be mindful of taking on others' responsibilities while managing our challenges, especially during New Year's resolution season. Key Takeaways: - External influences and others' agendas are constantly trying to impact your path - Everyone has their own "monkeys" (challenges/problems) to deal with already - Big goals naturally come with challenges, but they shouldn't be overcomplicated - Saying "no" without explanation is sometimes necessary to protect your time and energy Featured Story: Scott shares a memorable childhood story about his fifth-grade teacher, who literally put a monkey on his back while visiting her home. This amusing yet pointed anecdote is a metaphor for how people frequently try to burden others with their problems and responsibilities, demonstrating why we should be cautious about taking on others' challenges. Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Expect others will try to distract you with their problems and learn to say "no" without explanation 2. Don't overcomplicate or self-sabotage by putting monkeys on your own back 3. Avoid putting your monkeys on other people's backs - they'll just return them anyway Memorable Quotes: - "Life is your circus, and you are in charge of your monkeys." - "You've got your dreams, ambitions, goals, desires, all the things you want to do... And while they may be good, they can still feel like a monkey on your back." - "Not my monkey, not my circus." Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://motivationtomove.com https://faceyourpassion.com https://9minuteclaritycodecom https://perfectweekplanner.com #DailyBoost #Motivation #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Boundaries #PodcastTips #SelfImprovement #LifeLessons #ProductivityTips #MindsetMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love vs Grind: Counterintuitive Path to Success Host: Scott Smith Episode Description: Scott explores wanting success "bad enough" through personal experiences and an enlightening interview with Ann Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels. He discusses the reality of "the grind" and how passion transforms challenging work into meaningful pursuits. Key Takeaways: - True desire for success requires embracing difficulty rather than seeking easy paths - Sometimes, not knowing the challenges ahead can be beneficial for starting ambitious ventures - Following what you love naturally leads to success, even if the path isn't what you expected - Changing direction when passion doesn't align is better than forcing an unwanted path Featured Story: Ann Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, reveals she wouldn't have started if she knew the challenges ahead. Starting with a simple love for making people happy through food, she built an empire of 1,400 locations. The story concludes with a surprising twist - Ann prefers baking chocolate chip cookies over her famous pretzels. Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Verify you want your goal badly enough; change direction if needed 2. Focus on doing what you love rather than dwelling on difficulties 3. Accept that hard work is inevitable but doesn't feel like grinding when aligned with passion Memorable Quotes: "Thank God I didn't know what it was going to take because I would have never even started." - Ann Beiler "Your purpose for today is to get out there and go find your purpose." "Sometimes the things you love, they just sneak up on you." Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #DailyBoost #Entrepreneurship #AuntieAnnes #SuccessMindset #BusinessMotivation #PurposeDriven Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Boost - Episode 5,001 When Resolutions Meet Bathroom Breaks Hosted by Scott Smith Episode Description Join Scott for this milestone 5,000th episode, where he shares a hilarious road trip story that perfectly illustrates the difference between goals and resolutions. Through bathroom breaks, Bucky's stops, and visiting his 92-year-old mom, Scott reveals powerful insights about setting and achieving your biggest dreams. In This Episode - Celebrating 18 seasons and 5,000 episodes of The Daily Boost - A road trip adventure with unexpected life lessons - The real difference between goals and resolutions - Wisdom from a 92-year-old who prioritizes mobility over dignity - Why treating your goals like military objectives works Key Takeaways 1. Set big, exciting goals that light your fire 2. Attack your objectives like a military mission 3. Make firm resolutions, but stay flexible with timing 4. Sometimes, the best path forward isn't the most conventional one Quotable Moments "I'm okay walking around in wet pants as long as I can!" - Scott's Mom. "Your goal should be an obsessive objective." "Sometimes timing's not up to you... and that's okay." Resources Mentioned - Nine Minute Clarity Code Course - http://NineMinuteClarityCode.com Connect With Scott https://motivationtomove.com https://faceyourpassion.com Remember: Life's greatest lessons often come wrapped in laughter and bathroom breaks!* Next Episode: Catch Scott tomorrow for more motivation and real-life wisdom on The Daily Boost! #DailyBoost #GoalSetting #Resolutions #Motivation #PersonalDevelopment #RoadTrip #LifeLessons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t Break Your Success Chain 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 promoter 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 daily 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 2025, 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

How To Make Change in 2025 As we get into the New Year, I've noticed that people are getting back to their old ways. 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

Wouldn’t it be great to have a plan to help you get what you want? What you need is MAPSS. - a system that gets thinking out of the way and focuses on actions in four areas: Motivation: Everything begins with motivation and knowing ‘WHY’ you set your goals. Stay motivated. Accountability: Being accountable and accepting responsibility for your results will empower your success. Saying, ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me,’ is a great way to get started. Planning: Plan your work, work you plan. It’s simple. If you can’t plan it, you won’t be able to do it. Systemization: The first steps of any worthy goal are difficult. As you get more comfortable with your process, lock in the actions and repeat them until you get what you want. Sustainability: Everything takes longer than you think. Momentum is built in life by stacking your accomplishments sequentially. Make sure you set yourself up for the long haul. The freedom you desire rests on a stable and repeatable foundation. Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability. 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, defend it so you never lose it. Simple. I like simple. Simple works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm a big fan of setting big-ass goals. Dreaming BIG is my natural state - which is why S.M.A.R.T. goals are not all that smart. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound. While it may seem like a good plan, I can't wrap my head around not setting goals because they don't seem achievable or realistic. Excuse me? When did big goals seem achievable and realistic? If that were true, you would already be doing them. Anytime you are moving from dreaming into doing, you will be living in the land of crazy and scary. If you hold yourself to what is achievable and realistic, you might as well keep doing what you're doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around this time every year, people begin to declare to me the WORD they have chosen to guide their lives for the following year. I like words - especially when combined with wisdom and a few wisecracks - but that might be just me. Still, I'm always amazed at how excited people get and how much they believe their WORD will guide them into the next year. I'm jealous. I need a WORD, too - and that's where the trouble begins. I can't imagine choosing a word to represent 365 days of getting after it. However, having a word is an emotional trigger that fires neurons in your brain to keep you moving, so why can’t my word be several words? Just like magic - they arrived… Simple. Sophisticated. Focused. Automated. Delegated. Deleted. Ritualistic. It's a little Stoic and a lot of Scott LOGIC - it works for me. If you could use an emotional supercharger, choose a WORD… or WORDS for the year… and see how the next year ROCKS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 300 BC, political life was driving people crazy. To calm the masses, several schools of philosophy popped up. Stoicism still resonates powerfully today. 1. Don't enslave yourself to annoying people. 2. Choose reasonable expectations. 3. Pre-meditate those expectations. 4. You are a mind that is operating a bag of chemicals you call a body. 5. Stop pretending you know that things are bad. 6. You were put here to reason, so use it already. 7. Life is NOT too short. 8. Feel your emotions like a Stoic would. They are your power. 9. Anger is a choice. 10. When it comes down to it, we are dogs tied to the back of a cart. Sound wisdom never goes out of style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When will you get to do what you want to do? More people than you know lose sleep over that question. If that sounds like something you have experienced, you’re not alone. Almost everybody begins their journey when a thought pops into their mind. Then, day-to-day life keeps them busy, and they spend frustrating months fixin’ to get ready. You know, starting to prepare… so you can begin to do… so you can do… and say you did. If that doesn’t work, you summon your friend, Will Power. Will is not a person, but more like a kind of friend that you don’t know why you keep letting into your life. They are a bit slacker, live rent-free in your mind, say they want to help, and never deliver on their promise. Will’s job description should read -- to force you to do things you say you want to do but can’t get yourself to do. When you give up, Will leaves. The good news is, there’s no need to force yourself to do anything. Achieving your biggest goals in life has nothing to do with willpower. Instead, shift your mindset - “To act at your discretion without constraint.” That’s the definition of Free Will, Will Powers’ good cousin. Use your Free Will to harness your excitement and choose the path of least resistance. Start making the slightest changes in your life. Those steps will lead to big results sooner than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m not sure how you feel about the Universe and how things work in the world, but does the Universe speak to you? I can’t tell you if the ‘Universe’ stands alone or if ‘God’ created the ‘Universe’ and runs the show. That’s above my pay grade. What I can say is this. We live and breathe every day in a world that is ganging up on us and trying to get our attention. The question is, are you listening? While there are many ways people seek to receive messages of guidance as we make life decisions, my favorite has always been events that occur in triplicate. If something happens three times, I pay attention. Call me hard-headed, distracted, or set in my ways, but life has taught me that wisdom tends to come in whispers - usually when our thoughts are screaming in our heads and drowning out our dreams. Now, let me be clear... A friend calling three times to go out on the town doesn’t count in my book. Snoozing your alarm clock three times isn’t a message from the Universe that you should sleep in more. The grocery store being out of your favorite chips three times is not a sign that you should go on a diet. All that is what they call the “stuff that happens while you’re alive.” So what counts? 1) Seemingly random situations and people that happen in quick succession or at the same time. 2) They are different in their approach and appearance, yet each delivers a similar message. At first, it may seem disconnected, but in relation to the other messages, you begin to notice. 3) The message you receive is likely something that has been on your mind, keeping you awake all night and speaking to you. Even though you may not immediately recognize its impact, you find yourself slightly redirected in your search for answers. Your path altered. While this is undoubtedly only my description of how I know it when the Universe is ganging up on me, I have learned to allow space for a message to arrive. Whether I realize the impact or not, I have also learned that it always motivates my decisions, choices, and future actions. In other words, things change with little effort. My journey is about breaking from the status quo, exploring the possibilities of life, and going with the flow. I bet the Universe is ganging up on you right now - if you’ll only pay attention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few years ago, my friend Louis Gates taught me about the nine-year life cycle. It's an easy way to get what you want using the Law of Attraction. 9-year cycles begin the day you are born and repeat throughout your life. Happiness is as simple as paying attention to your cycle - and asking for what you want. In year 1, start asking for a new purpose in life. It will reveal itself in year 2. Your focus will tighten. Things start moving in year 3. You'll enjoy the changes happening in your life. You accelerate in the direction of your purpose in year 4. Years 5 and 6 are for evaluation. You decide to focus on only what is working in your life. Years 7 and 8 are about letting go. You begin to remove all clutter from your life. When 9 years roll around, your mind begins to ponder the next phase of your life. The process continues. Where are you in your life cycle? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm sure you have a lot to do today. You’re probably in for a busy day if you use a traditional To-Do list. If I may, I’d like to pass on some advice to make your days much more fun. LOSE your "To-Do List." Replace it with a "Did I Do It List." Of course, a traditional To-Do list will get the job done. But it’s far too easy to focus entirely on your list of things to do instead of what you're supposed to be doing. Don’t get me wrong, when you are inside any project, you may need a list. I can’t imagine myself in the kitchen without a recipe to follow. To-do lists have their place. For everything else, there’s something better. You should be using a “Did I Do It List.” As simple as it sounds, instead of chasing and stressing about what you must do, you simply ensure you’ve done what is needed. Yes, it’s a simple mindset change, but it will change everything about how you get things done — and you’ll have far less stress. 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, and 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. Please don't stop until you get it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Time To Explore What’s Possible I’ve spent the last couple of days saying things like — “What do you do when you are doing you, and your purpose is to find your purpose?” Now, I realize that something so simple is also something most people will ignore. I also realized that for some people, as soon as they begin reading and realize they’ve already heard it, tune out and open the next email. That’s unfortunate. Studies have long ago proven that repetition is the Mother of all skills. Yes, it takes time to learn new things and master them. But getting a new skill is not the value of repetition — it’s the doors it opens. When you opened my email yesterday, you were a different person than now. And tomorrow you will be different than you will be by the end of the week. As you explore your day, you’ll figure out what doesn’t work, lock in what does, and update your worldview. You will see things differently. The wisdom you collect will transform your personality as you explore your life and you will begin becoming the person you are meant to be. Of course, this should be no surprise since you’ve been doing it your entire life. But what if you purposefully did it every day? What if you chose to purposefully explore all the possibilities of your life in hope that it will lead to your destination? What if you explored the possibilities with full faith and trust that you are following your path, the correct path, and the one that will lead you to everything you desire? It’s not a what IF. It’s what IS. It’s your choice to make that happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Say YES to Yourself More This Year 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? Your actions 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 overrated. It will waste years of productive time you could use to enjoy life. Set your 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) Remember that the only thing you must do in life is take 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

My friend Sid called to tell me he had found his next big thing. He decided to take flying lessons and couldn't wait to get started. After hearing my Mom's stories over the years, I have always wanted to learn to fly. Her father was a contractor in Wilmington, North Carolina. When an airport client couldn't pay, he offered lessons. She was 15 years old. Her stories of landing on the beaches of North Carolina were thrilling. Flying solo before an arriving hurricane was captivating. We'll forget that she 3-days short of being legally old enough. Her adventurous spirit took control. With a hurricane coming, she wasn't going to ask for permission. She took command, and it put her in the record books. By the time I began flying 50 years later, things were more controlled, and speaking on the radio to Air Traffic Control was required - and challenging. Being nervous, I often asked for permission when I wanted to do something. I would say, "This is Cessna 67508 requesting permission to…" One day, while waiting for their response, my instructor taught me a lesson I could have learned from my Mom, "You're the Pilot in Command. Your seat is moving, and theirs isn't. Don't ask for permission. Tell them what you want and let them work it out." What? I don't have to ask for anyone's permission to do what I want. I never asked again, in flying or anything else in life. I decide what I want to do and do it. If somebody else needs to know what I'm up to, I tell them, work out the solution, and keep moving. If not, I keep moving. Some days, it feels like we need permission from everybody else. Don't fall into that trap. Your destiny is your choice and yours alone. And what happened to Sid? He asked his wife for permission, and she said "no." He never took a single lesson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One thing that I'm always going to do is refine my morning routine — it's a never-ending process. 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-paced world we live in today, there seem to be two groups when it comes to how to use mornings — personal and productive. 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 must admit that I was not a morning person and didn't like getting up early. 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 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?" I didn't ask about work or what was on my to-do list. It had nothing 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 get caught up in the buzz of life, and everyone does. But you start making real progress the minute you focus on YOU before anything else. 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 they can support you." In my experience, that could have worked better - especially on long-term goals. The reason is that nobody outside my close relationships knows 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, and unneeded pressure on everybody. It takes little thinking to realize the best accountability relationship needs to be 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 potent skill you own. But since you are the boss of YOU and don't always listen to yourself, you need somebody else you trust and respect who is willing to call you out on your stuff. Once they agree, let them do their job. 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 to get what you want. If you don’t deploy, you don’t get it. 4) Defend. After working 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, defend it so you never lose it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve noticed in my life that humans are hoarders when it comes to keeping stuff that works and doesn’t. They keep hanging on; their life depends on it. Now, before I go on, I think there are two situations at play here: 1) Hanging on to what has worked well but needs to go so you can do more of what you want to do. 2) Hanging on what doesn’t work in hopes that it will work well someday. Both can go on for years, leading to frustration as you long for something else. I was on the phone with a client this morning, and we ran into that situation. We began dealing with it a few months ago, and it’s still rearing its ugly head in her life. After exploring it from every angle— Should I keep it? Should I put it to the side and come back to it? Should I toss it and start over? Should I… should I… should I. I finally said the only thing that came to mind - “The mere fact that you keep questioning it tells me you want to drop it. You’re just worried about what comes next, which is strange because what’s next is what you want. Let me ask a question— How would you feel if you dropped everything holding you back and woke up in the morning with a clean slate and ready to move?” She smiled. You know, with that almost embarrassed look that people get when they can’t pretend anymore. She was busted, and she knew it. That’s when she said— “I’m not going to lie. That would feel great!” We had a “moment,” and everything changed. I suggested a 30-day cooling-off period, but with the understanding that she is moving forward and not backward. A few hours later, she sent me a note. It said, “I don’t need 30 days. Thanks.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every day, we all jump into the craziness of life with little thought to the basic rules we use to run our day. Here are a few of mine. You can borrow them if you would like: 1) Do what makes your heart sing. You'll always feel better when you are dancing down your path. 2) Believe anything is possible. As soon as you believe - everything IS possible. 3) Be nice to others. Expect them to do the same. No further explanation is required. 4) Believe in people and encourage their dreams. When you do, they'll return the favor. 5) Do the right thing. If you mess up, say you're sorry, try again. 6) Meet people where they are in their lives and walk with them to where you both want to go. 7) Do what you say you will do. It's always better to under-promise and over-deliver. 8) Make lemonade out of lemons. Everything is fixable if you have the right mindset. 9) Keep things simple. Yup. 10) Relax. Life is short. Double yup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gift of Making a Decision 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 instantly gives 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 today, it's not. It happens daily for millions of people worldwide, and it can happen to you, too. Here's a simple truth— Everything changes instantly and, very likely, forever when you decide. If you hate your job and decide to quit, everything changes. Everything changes instantly if you decide you need space for yourself, turn your phone off, and walk in the woods. If you say "Yes" to yourself and "No" to others more often, your experience changes. I could go on forever, but I don't need to. If you've been alive for any time, you understand that you are only stuck until you decide not to be stuck. Once you make that decision, you are moving again. That's life. Is it easy? Are there limitations? Are there consequences? Maybe, but many of them are good! The point is that any directional change in your life is possible when you decide to recalculate your path. So this year, why not give yourself the gift of considering the possibility that the only thing standing in your way is you? If that's the case, why not get out of your way and 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 be wondering 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

All You Need is ONE Goal 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; you do it daily 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 constantly rolling around in my head. My internal ScottLOGIC told me that if I'm thinking about something anyway, I might think about it purposefully. Also, since I've never met anybody 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 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 tweaked for eons. There's no need to overthink; only accept. Your legacy will define itself if you live a happy and flourishing life. Someday, you will arrive at the person you are meant to be - and be glad 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

Why Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. I was riding my Harley-Davidson Road King a few days ago when my mind suddenly thought - “The Chinese Philosophical concept of Yin and yang describes how opposite or contrary forces may be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world.” What? What? Huh? It happened right before the Daytona Speedway and got me thinking about the advice I give my clients about slowing down. It goes like this - “You must slow down to get what you want.” Advice like that is why I get the big bucks for what I do. No, not really. I get paid because nobody believes me, and it’s up to me to prove it. Let’s go riding. Whenever I’m cruising on my motorcycle, I love it fast and loud, making me smile. That’s the Yin of riding a bike, but you can only go fast and loud for so long before the light turns red in front of you or blue behind you. Occasionally, the place you are speeding toward gets congested, and you have no choice but to slow down. But when you are a high-performance machine designed to go fast, slowing down can be challenging - especially on a 900-pound Harley. That’s where the Zin of riding a motorcycle comes into play. Slowing down is the opposite of fast, yet it can yield the same result - if you know what you are doing. Whether it’s your life or a motorcycle, success requires precision control. If you get it right and trust yourself and your machine, you will continue to make progress. On a motorcycle… 1) Slow down but keep moving. Never stop. 2) Rev your engine so that you always have power to your wheels. 3) Since the motorcycle wants to go faster, pull the clutch into the friction zone between nothing and everything while putting your foot on the rear brake. What? Slow down? Rev your engine? Hit the brakes? Yes. That combination virtually assures that you keep moving forward in any situation, in full control, until it’s time to open it up again. That same thing happens in life. You can’t run full out all the time, and sometimes you must stop. You keep moving forward for everything else in between, no matter how slow you go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expectations in Love And Everything 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, 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 on a mission to achieve my goal as quickly as possible. I was also frustrated since Joi didn’t 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 sought, but Joi had given me something even more powerful. She gave me an expectation; I knew her rules and how to play the game, and I knew she was right. All romantic, friendship, or professional relationships follow the same path. There is an initial spark, a period of trust-building, and 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, I asked Joi to marry me, and she said yes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring Your Possibilities What do I want to be when I grow up? The first time you ask yourself that question is when you are very young - if you ever asked it at all. Frankly, somebody else usually asks you, and you probably don't have an answer, so you just take off running with this thing called life. And then it happens — Forty or fifty years later, people start asking themselves that question again after a family and career. The smart ones in the crowd don’t wait either; they question who they are right now. It can be a scary time. If you are looking for a change in your life, here are a few things to understand— You can't move forward by hanging on to what you have. Remember, you get more of what you focus on in your life. If you focus on what you are giving up, you'll get more. Instead, you must focus on the unknown future and look for clues about what you will do. I call the process "Exploring Your Possibilities. Imagine if anything is possible and there is no limitation or consequence. There is no commitment required, and money doesn't matter. Time has no impact. None of that matters because once you stumble upon what you want, you will have arrived, and everything will be forever different. How do you make this happen? The secret is to put the brake on what you are doing while you seek new adventures. It will take time to find a good fit, so you'll have to ensure you stay in your old ways. Please don’t do it, no matter how comfortable it may feel, to get back in your comfort zone. Pump the brakes. Hold the space you've created. Explore your possibilities, and let life unfold in front of you. It may take time to happen. Then again, maybe it won't. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wouldn't it be great if you received the gift of a wonderful life this year? What if you could have lots of free time, less stress, more money, and great relationships? In my years of coaching folks all over the world, I've learned a few things about lifestyle design: 1) It all begins when you become aware of what you want and accept that it's up to you. 2) It would be best to believe your dreams could be real as soon as you start living them. 3) You are the Boss of you, so there's no reason for a delay. Stop planning and start doing. Forget wishing, hoping, and dreaming. Start with little bits of happiness and work toward living your dream daily. Time will take care of everything else. Living a wonderful life is entirely up to you. Be aware of the desired change; believe it can be yours, and start living it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Thanksgiving! These days, most folks don't remember what Thanksgiving is all about - other than big sales all over Amazon. The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving after a successful harvest in October 1621. The feast lasted three days. The federal holiday began in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving." Thanksgiving is about being grateful. I think a statement from Stoic Philosopher Epictetus is fitting, "He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." Today and every day, let's make it "Thanks-Living" day. Eat well, nap, watch football, and embrace your family and friends. Joi and I are thankful that you allow us into your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a new year almost upon us, it’s time to crank up those 2025 goals. One of the most natural methods of achieving success is to stick to tried and true. That doesn’t mean you can’t move toward something more meaningful. It means that you forgo new knowledge and skills and leverage what you already understand. No-brainer success assumes: 1) You already have experience and wisdom. You will learn any new skill if, and only if needed. 2) You will choose the path of least resistance. The goal is to get the results you want in the fastest period. No distractions. No zig-zagging. 3) Overthinking burns too many brain calories. If you are confused and stuck, accept that you may need to reevaluate your plan. Do it fast. Human nature will compel you to clutter your success journey with distraction. Seek the direct route to the results you want. It’s a no-brainer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle? I was speaking with a client who was 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 a low expectation and be surrounded by 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

Your best life is built sequentially, one level at a time. Forget the elevator, climb all the stairs to the top, and you’ll have lasting success. In 1954, Abraham Maslow released Motivation and Personality. His Hierarchy of needs theory is all about climbing to the top. Maslow suggested that to reach your full potential: 1) You must provide for your physiological needs: food, clothing, shelter, money, and more. 2) You must feel safe. Personally, emotionally, financially, with health and well-being, and against accidents and illness. 3) Socially you need to feel a sense of loving and belonging. 4) Esteem and the desire for acceptance, respect, and value by others is your next step. Maslow said, “What a man can be, he must be.” Self-actualization requires mastery of your previous needs. 5) Self-transcendence removes you from ego and begins your focus on the greater good. Your best life is built sequentially one level at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you remember what it was like to be in 1st grade? It was a time when everybody lavished you with encouragement for being YOU - and because you finished your art project without eating the glue. Those were beautiful times. But you may have noticed things have changed since you were okay to take a nap in the middle of class. You grew up. Yes, growing into an adult brings many mentors your way. They do their best to motivate and inspire you. But you know in your heart that they can only do so much. It's up to you to drive yourself in the direction of your dreams. That's called adulting. I say it's time to PYOTB, my friend! YOU are your own BEST Cheerleader. Don't sit around waiting for somebody to make you feel good. Pat yourself on the butt. Scream, "I done GOOD!" It's going to be the best day ever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Painting Your Way to Success My wife and I are settling into our home, and she has assigned herself to paint every inch of the house. Not because we couldn’t hire somebody to do the job. Strangely, it’s because she loves to paint. I’ll admit that I’ve felt a little guilty leaving her with a rolling brush and a couple of gallons while I find something more interesting to do - which is pretty much anything. Still, I offered to join the painting party and speed up progress in the largest and most challenging room; she accepted my offer, and off we went. If I haven’t made it clear, I don’t love painting. The only thing more painful for me is listening to a boring conversation I’ve heard a thousand times before. Still, brush in hand, I began my journey that day while sharing my philosophy with my wife. She gets that for locking herself in a room with me and a paintbrush. While it played out over a couple of hours, here’s what I said — I’m okay with painting. I am. I see every situation in life, like painting a vast and complex room. You know, a room with lots of windows, corners, and trim. One that requires physical contortions to reach every inch you would never do in real life. If you want to get the job done - heck, if you’re going to get anything done - you keep painting. Keep painting. Keep painting. Keep painting. If you keep painting, you’ll eventually be finished and get what you want. If you stop, not only will your room be a mess, but you won’t get what you want. So, whatever you paint in your life, keep rolling until it’s done. No grind. No hustle and no glamour or drama. Just painting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relative Time Management In my entire life, I've always found it interesting that there never seems to be enough time in the day. Still, most days, everything seems to get done. If it doesn't, the world didn't come to an end, and I survived to check off another item from my to-do list tomorrow. I know I'm not the first human on the planet to face the problem of time, but I do think I'm one of those smartypants people that have figured out how our time works in real life. And it was 180 degrees from what I felt that time was all about. Pay attention now. How you look at time is about to change. First, when you run as fast as possible to get things done, time moves quicker, and less gets done. Even worse, with every minute filled, there is never enough time to do the things that make your heart sing. If you're like me, that will eventually lead you to sabotage your list so you can do something fun for yourself. It's a never-ending cycle. On the other hand, when you slow down, hold space for yourself, and focus on results relevant to your goals, time slows down, and you get more done. Not only that, you magically find yourself with lots of free time that you need to fill. Finally, a chance to read a book, binge on Netflix, or hang out with family and friends. The choice is yours. Of course, if you've ever studied Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, this sounds familiar. As he determined—time is relative. In other words, the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference. So, what is your frame of reference? In our case, I'm not asking whether you are moving fast or slow; I want to know if you are focused on the essential things in life that matter to you? Everything else disappears when you do, times slow down, and you enjoy your day like you were born to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leaders Look For Conflict I admit that the title, 'Leaders Look for Conflict,' might be a bit over-the-top. But, I know that you want to be a better leader. I also know that you hate and don't want anything to do with conflict - especially since I can hear you saying — "Why can't we all get along?" I get it. Saying the word "No" is hard enough. Saying "Yes" when others agree or disagree with your choice can be more difficult. "Why can't we all get along?" The answer is that we can. However, the truth is that conflict will always happen whenever more than two people get together. Especially when there is a common goal and everyone is on the same page. Conflict will always play a role in your success. What? We're on the same page, agree with each other, and want the same result, but there's still conflict. "Why can't we all get along?" It's not that. It's just that no matter how positive your project is, everybody has a different idea of how to reach the outcome. Everybody has a different right way and wrong way. As a leader, things change when you approach conflict as a simple “Y” on the road to progress. It becomes a decision that is part of the process and leads to the outcome everybody desires. Leaders, managers, moms and dads - anyone responsible for moving forward eventually learns to accept conflict. Leaders don't get emotionally fired up, yell and scream, or freak out in some other creative way. Conflict is another step in the process. The faster you accept conflict, the sooner you can resolve the obstacle and reach your goal. Everybody will respect and appreciate you. They will also remember you for helping all involved achieve success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoic Happiness I'm a fan of Stoic Philosophy. While it may be over 2,000 years old, its practicality is still useful. These rules to live by will help you have a happier life: 1. If you're going to learn and succeed, be humble. There is always someone smarter, more successful, and wiser. 2. Find the right scene. Choose your friends and situations. If you want to rise in life, you can't allow yourself to be held down by others. 3. Protect your time. Seneca said, "We're tight-fisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers." Life is short. 4. Never do anything out of habit. Always think about how you can do things better and always question yourself. 5. Keep it simple — do your job. Approach every task as if it were your last because it very well could be. 6. Adapt and learn from failure. Using your success to justify complacency is common. It's also easy, which is why most people do it. You can do more and be better. 7. Live below your means. The more you need to work to maintain your needs, the less you will enjoy what you have. Everything in life comes down to keeping things simple and mastering the basics. That's how you get the success you deserve. 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