Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Scott Smith explores the power of daily fresh starts, drawing parallels to the movie "Groundhog Day." He reveals how understanding life's repeating patterns can lead to positive change, discussing the role of brain chemistry, discipline, and awareness in breaking free from negative cycles. Through personal insights and practical wisdom, Scott shows how viewing each day as a do-over opportunity can transform your approach to life's challenges. Featured Story: Scott shares how his early business concept "Start Moving, Stay Moving" (SMSM) was built on the simple truth that consistent movement creates change, regardless of life's obstacles or setbacks. Key Takeaways: Every day offers a fresh opportunity for change Understanding life patterns helps break negative cycles Brain chemistry influences behavior but doesn't determine destiny Consistency matters more than perfection Awareness is key to making positive changes Daily discipline trumps dopamine-driven decisions Memorable Quotes: "Everything got more comfortable with the right mindset." "Today's a new day for making your dreams come true." "Unless you die today, unexpectedly, every day is truly a do-over day." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Recognize your repeating life patterns 2. Build awareness of what works best for you 3. Practice discipline to maintain positive changes Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging episode, Scott Smith explores the fascinating parallel between life and jigsaw puzzles. Unlike puzzles that come with a picture on the box and all the pieces inside, life doesn't provide us with such clear instructions. Scott shares personal stories about his grandson's puzzle competition and his father's paint-by-numbers hobby to illustrate how we approach life's challenges. Through these analogies, Scott reveals that success isn't about racing to finish first or staying perfectly within the lines. Instead, it's about understanding your current view, developing necessary skills, and recognizing when timing is right for your next move. Featured Story: Scott recalls his father's dedicated paint-by-numbers hobby in the laundry room "man cave." This story illustrates how we often try to follow predetermined patterns in life, but reality rarely matches the picture on the box. Sometimes, the best approach is finding your own way while maintaining awareness of your direction. Key Takeaways: Life, unlike puzzles, doesn't come with a complete picture or all the pieces upfront Success requires zooming in from the 30,000-foot view to understand what's really happening Developing skills takes time and consistent effort Timing plays a crucial role in achieving your goals Facing scary situations is necessary for growth Focus on developing specific skills rather than trying to master everything Memorable Quotes: "Today's the day to start. Not yesterday and not tomorrow." "The more you do that, the better off you're going to be." "Take your time and learn." Scott's Three-Step Approach: Zoom in and become aware of what's really happening in your situation Work on developing specific skills needed for your goals Give yourself time to gain experience and wisdom while staying focused on what matters Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith reveals a game-changing approach to modern communication in this engaging episode. Drawing parallels between dogs' straightforward communication style and humans' complex interactions, Scott introduces his "Rule of Three" for better communication. Through personal anecdotes and coaching experiences, he demonstrates how switching from asynchronous messaging to real-time conversation can transform day-long debates into five-second solutions. Featured Story: During a Face Your Passion coaching session, Scott shares how a member's day-long text message debate highlighted a common communication pitfall. This real-world example showcases why immediate voice communication often proves more effective than extended text exchanges. Key Takeaways: - Text-based communication often leads to prolonged, unresolved conflicts - Face-to-face or voice conversations resolve issues more efficiently - Instant messaging can cause reactions to fester unnecessarily - Simple communication approaches often yield better results - Being present in the moment improves communication quality - Real-time dialogue prevents misunderstandings Memorable Quotes: "Take a 24-hour debate, turn it into a five-second solution just like that." "Stand up, take a step, repeat, keep going until you get what you want." "Nothing will communicate better than just two people in front of each other." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Recognize when asynchronous communication is creating conflict 2. Switch to synchronous communication (phone or face-to-face) after three exchanges 3. Address issues immediately rather than letting them fester Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith explores timeless success principles, drawing from Jack Canfield's work and his own experience. He emphasizes emotional control, honest self-reflection, and the value of time while challenging listeners to embrace real change and brutal honesty. Featured Story: Scott reflects on recommending Jack Canfield's "The Success Principles" over the years, using this as a springboard to share his own essential principles for daily success. Key Takeaways: All emotions come from within and can be controlled Success requires honest feedback from respected peers Failure is a necessary step toward achievement Time and attention are your most valuable resources Brutal self-honesty drives real change Memorable Quotes: "You can change right now - you've done it before." "Time is your most precious resource." "Be brutally honest with yourself." Scott's Three-Step Approach: Take control of your emotions Seek honest feedback from respected peers Use time intentionally and purposefully Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith shares a powerful story about following GPS navigation in Colorado that led him down a dangerous road, using this as a metaphor for life's navigation systems. He introduces his proven MAPSS framework - Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability - offering practical insights for creating reliable personal guidance systems. Featured Story: A harrowing detour in Colorado teaches Scott the dangers of blindly following GPS navigation, despite a warning sign. This experience becomes a metaphor for the importance of developing trustworthy personal navigation systems in life. Key Takeaways: Motivation must precede understanding your "why" External guidance systems aren't always reliable Success requires both personal accountability and systematic planning Sustainable results take longer than expected Systems should become biological, not just technological Memorable Quotes: "Sometimes you can't trust your GPS, but you can trust yourself." "If you don't have the motivation to get what you want and sustain it, you won't get it." "The ride is fun, but sustainability is key." Scott's Three-Step Approach: Find your motivation before starting any project Create accountability measures to track progress Develop biological systems before technological ones Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith tackles the timeless rules of motivation that should never be broken. Drawing from his podcast analytics, he delves into why his "rule-bending" episode went viral and explores which motivational principles are truly non-negotiable for success. Scott challenges both traditional and modern perspectives on personal development, offering practical insights on values, goals, and authentic transformation. Featured Story: After discovering his "rule-bending" episode's popularity, Scott explores why certain motivational rules should remain unbroken, despite our natural tendency to bend them. He emphasizes how understanding and respecting these core principles leads to sustainable success. Key Takeaways: Purpose and passion emerge from clarity of thought Transformation requires both faith and courage Strong personal values create strong passions Goals serve as the natural "heartbeat" of life Sustainable change combines emotion with logic Memorable Quotes: "You're not broken - you know everything you need to know." "Strong values create strong passions." "Everything happens when something happens." Scott's Three-Step Approach: Accept your current reality before seeking change Align goals with personal values and beliefs Balance emotional drive with logical planning Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ #PersonalDevelopment #DailyBoost #DailyBoostPodcast #Motivation #Transformation #LifeCoaching #SelfImprovement #Inspiration #Success #Accountability #9minuteclaritycode #Words #Wisdom #Wisecracks #FaceYourPassion #PerfectWeekPlanner #DailyAwarenessDiary #Episode5023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith tackles a powerful topic: the importance of prioritizing yourself in a world driven by others' agendas. Through a compelling story of his friend's 60-day social media detox, Scott illustrates how stepping back from constant digital noise can lead to unprecedented mental clarity and wellbeing. He challenges listeners to examine how external agendas and propaganda might be derailing their authentic selves, offering practical insights on maintaining boundaries while staying informed. Featured Story: A friend shares his transformative experience of avoiding social media and news for 60 days, reporting significant improvements in his mental wellbeing. This personal account serves as a launching point for discussing how constant exposure to others' agendas can impact our ability to live authentically. Key Takeaways: Self-prioritization is essential for sustainable care of others External agendas constantly compete for our attention and energy Social media and news should be treated as entertainment, not reality Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining personal wellbeing Being aware of propaganda and others' agendas helps protect your priorities Memorable Quotes: "If it's up to me, then it's going to be." "Don't let the world wear you down because it will." "The biggest thing that keeps you from being upbeat is the people that are just... how do they do that?" Scott's Three-Step Approach: Recognize when others' agendas are being imposed on you Treat social media and news as entertainment rather than reality Practice "glancing" at the world instead of getting consumed by it Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description: In this enlightening episode, Scott Smith explores the profound difference between goals and intentions, leading to a powerful discussion about creating an "average perfect day." He introduces a groundbreaking tool - the Daily Awareness Diary template - that helps listeners identify blind spots in their journey to personal fulfillment. Scott delves into the science behind why some motivational techniques fail while others succeed, offering practical insights into aligning your daily activities with your natural rhythms and core values. Whether you call it perfect or simply pleasing, Scott demonstrates how achieving consistently satisfying days leads to an extraordinary life. Featured Story: Scott shares a conversation with his client from Cape Town, who preferred calling it an "average good day" instead of a "perfect day." This exchange highlights a crucial insight: whether you aim for perfection or consistent good days, success comes from aligning your daily activities with your natural rhythms and core values. Key Takeaways: Goals are targets; intentions are the actions you'll take to reach them Your natural energy patterns and biological rhythms should guide your daily schedule Success comes from aligning external goals with internal values Waiting for retirement to live your ideal life is a mistake Daily awareness is crucial for identifying what's holding you back Memorable Quotes: "Do more of what you love to do and less of what you don't." "You can have all the discipline you want, but what if we aligned everything we did with what we're wired to do?" "If you could, on average, have a really good day every single day of your life, how would your life be?" Scott's Three-Step Approach: Map your day based on your natural energy patterns and rhythms Identify and honor your core values and beliefs in daily activities Align your external goals with your internal wiring and values Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://motivationtomove.com Coaching, Course, Community: https://faceyourpassion.com Training: 9minuteclaritycode.com Free Resource: https://perfectweekplanner.com Free Resource: https://:dailyawarenessdiary.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith challenges the traditional pursuit of productivity, advocating instead for efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing from decades of entrepreneurial experience, he shares five practical rules for getting more done with less effort, emphasizing automation and pattern recognition over complex productivity systems. Featured Story: Scott shares how his radio DJ experience and business philosophy led him to develop a "automate everything repeatable" approach, demonstrating how simplifying processes leads to greater efficiency. Key Takeaways: If you do something repeatedly, automate it Understand processes before automating them Schedule only 50% of your day Humans are pattern machines - use this to your advantage Accept interruptions as inevitable Memorable Quotes: "If I have to do it more than once, how often do I need to do it?" "Nothing is more than somebody else's to-do list." "Your brain can only focus on one important task at a time." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Say no to unnecessary meetings 2. Delay responding to communications 3. Schedule only 50% of your day maximum Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith reveals his proven system for creating the perfect work week. Drawing from years of experience, he shares how he transformed from being dragged around by his schedule to mastering it through a unique Thursday planning approach and strict time boundaries. Featured Story: Scott shares how he structures his work week into just 16.5 focused hours across Tuesday-Thursday, demonstrating how intentional scheduling leads to greater productivity and freedom. Key Takeaways: Plan your week on Thursday to enjoy stress-free weekends Define and protect your working hours Your time belongs to you, not others Consistent scheduling creates predictability Limited work hours increase productivity Memorable Quotes: "Your hours are your hours, not your boss's hours." "Awareness is a complicated gift - once you have it, you can never go back." "Life gets easy when you master the basics of scheduling." Scott's Three-Step Approach: Plan next week every Thursday Define specific working hours Protect your schedule boundaries Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Visit: https://www.perfectweekplanner.com/ Learn More: https://www.dailyawarenessdiary.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Smith tackles the crucial topic of clear communication in today's noisy world. Drawing from his experience in radio and Donald Miller's teachings, Scott reveals why making your message easy to understand is essential for success. Through personal stories and practical insights, he shares how reducing "mental calories" in communication leads to better connections and results. Featured Story: Scott shares a humorous yet insightful story about his five-year-old son attempting to tell him about a movie "at a theater near you," highlighting how context and clarity are essential for effective communication. Key Takeaways: If people burn too many calories understanding you, they'll seek easier options Clear messaging is crucial for personal and professional success Know exactly what you want to communicate before sharing Avoid creating questions that lead to objections Use language that matches your audience Memorable Quotes: "If you make somebody burn too many calories to understand you, they will never understand you." "Know what you're communicating - if you don't understand it, nobody else will." "When you create a question in their mind, you create an objection." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Get crystal clear on your message before communicating 2. Eliminate elements that create additional questions 3. Use your audience's language, not your own Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Scott Smith shares how feeling stuck led him to develop a powerful vision framework. Drawing from his TV production career, he reveals the "keeper of the vision" concept that transforms goals into reality. Scott provides actionable steps to create, validate, and maintain your vision for lasting success. Featured Story: A client struggling with career transition learns to bridge the gap between their current position and retirement using Scott's vision framework. The story demonstrates how clarity of vision eliminates confusion and creates natural momentum toward goals. Key Takeaways: Vision creates natural motivation Test ideas by asking "what does that mean?" Every action should align with your vision Clear vision eliminates confusion Consistent vision maintenance drives success Memorable Quotes: "Motivation is inspired by inspiration." "If you can't describe what it means, it's not going to be in your vision." "Every single thing you do should align with steps toward your vision." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Create Vision: Test and validate ideas until you have a clear mental picture 2. Cast Vision: Share or reinforce through writing, recording, or visualization 3. Keep Vision: Evaluate all actions against vision alignment Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this enlightening episode of The Daily Boost, Scott Smith tackles the universal challenge of feeling stuck and shares his proven method for breaking free. Drawing from his 20-year experience as a television and film producer, Scott introduces the powerful concept of being the "keeper of the vision" - a strategy that transformed his approach to both business and personal growth. Scott reveals his three-step framework for creating and maintaining a clear vision that pulls you toward your goals, whether you're navigating career transitions, personal relationships, or daily challenges. He explains why having a concrete vision is crucial for motivation and how to effectively test and validate your goals. Featured Story: Scott shares a compelling client case study about navigating life transitions, particularly moving from an established career toward retirement. Through this story, he demonstrates how creating and maintaining a clear vision helps bridge the confusing "middle ground" where many people get stuck. Key Takeaway: Vision is the key driver for getting unstuck in any situation Test and validate your ideas by asking "what does that mean?" Motivation naturally flows from a well-defined, inspiring vision Every action should align with steps toward your vision Being the "keeper of the vision" requires consistent focus and adjustment Memorable Quotes: "Motivation is inspired by inspiration." "If you can't describe what it means, it's not going to be in your vision." "Every single thing you do between now and reaching that vision has one purpose - to align with a step that will get you closer to what you want." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Create Your Vision: Brainstorm ideas and test them by asking "what does this mean?" until you have a clear mental picture 2. Cast Your Vision: Share your vision with others or reinforce it to yourself through writing, recording, or visualization 3. Keep Your Vision: Maintain focus by evaluating every action against your vision's alignment Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Visit: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Learn More: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging Friday episode, Scott Smith weaves together personal anecdotes (including a humorous William Shatner comparison) with timeless motivational wisdom from Napoleon Hill. Scott explores the power of 30-day sprints and major definite purpose, while offering a fresh perspective on taking "massive imperfect action." Through his signature storytelling style, he breaks down how life's messiest moments often lead to our greatest discoveries of passion and purpose, encouraging listeners to embrace the journey of personal growth. Featured Story: During a church men's group meeting, someone mistook Scott for William Shatner, leading to a humorous reflection on speaking styles and embracing who you are. This anecdote sets up the episode's broader message about authenticity and taking action, even when it's not perfect. Key Takeaways: The power of having a "major definite purpose" or "big ass goal" Why negative self-talk is particularly damaging to personal growth The importance of listing reasons for success rather than failure How "massive imperfect action" leads to growth through necessary mess-making The natural progression from passion to purpose to meaning to legacy Why embracing imperfection is crucial for long-term success Memorable Quotes: "The bigger the goal, the more likely you're going to succeed in getting it." "I don't mind you being around negative people, but don't be a negative person and hang around yourself." "Your passion, your purpose, your meaning and your legacy all start from bumbling, stumbling like a hot mess right through life." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Set a major definite purpose that stretches but feels achievable 2. Commit to 30 days of consistent action, even if imperfect 3. Embrace the mess that comes with massive action while learning from it Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Special Offer: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Facebook: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this thought-provoking episode, Scott Smith shares a touching and humorous conversation with his 93-year-old mother, who asks him if he's figured out what he'll be when he grows up. This leads to a deeper exploration of life's fundamental questions that can guide personal growth and fulfillment. Through his signature blend of wisdom and warmth, Scott presents ten essential questions that he's been asking his audience for 19 years, demonstrating how these timeless inquiries can help shape a more purposeful life. Featured Story: Scott recounts visiting his mother in Virginia, expecting to offer guidance to her, only to find himself on the receiving end of a profound question about his own life direction. This story sets up the episode's broader message about continuous growth and self-reflection at any age. Key Takeaways: Life's unfairness is a reality, but our mindset can help level the playing field The science of how our minds work is constantly evolving Personal growth is a lifelong journey that doesn't stop with age Retirement isn't necessary when you love what you do Time off may be less important than finding work you enjoy Health optimization is more scientifically understood now than ever before Memorable Quotes: "When you get your mind wrapped around what life is, that pocket of life when you do, all of a sudden it gets more fair really fast." "I think most of us were made to work, made to succeed, made to achieve, made to aspire." "Learning makes the brain grow, and the more it hurts, the better it is for you." 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 your time with? 8. How much do you want to earn/invest/save? 9. How much time do you want off? 10. What will you do to create optimum health? Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Special Offer: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Facebook: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode, Scott Smith explores the counterintuitive relationship between structure and freedom, weaving together insights about sobriety as a superpower (referencing Brené Brown) with deeper truths about how discipline creates true liberation. Through engaging storytelling and real-world examples, Scott challenges the common misconception that freedom means living without structure, demonstrating how the most successful and genuinely free people often have the most structured lives. Featured Story: Scott shares the aviation metaphor of "flying by the seat of your pants," explaining how relying solely on feelings and intuition - just like early pilots - can lead to disaster. He connects this to the tragic story of JFK Jr.'s crash to illustrate how living without proper structure and verification can lead to misguided life decisions. Key Takeaways: True freedom paradoxically comes from having strong structural foundations Daily repeating patterns are essential for building lasting success "New level, new devil" - each life stage requires building new foundations Freedom-seekers often resist structure to their own detriment Consistency and discipline are more valuable than sporadic bursts of creativity The importance of identifying and leveraging personal "superpowers" Memorable Quotes: "Sobriety is my superpower." "Structure creates the freedom you're looking for." "You cannot trust the seat of your pants." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Identify what's already working and producing desired results in your life 2. Create daily repeating patterns around those successful behaviors 3. Build structured foundations while advancing to new levels Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Special Offer: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Facebook: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this energizing episode, Scott Smith unpacks his powerful "Bridge of Life" concept, drawing inspiration from his visit to the Hoover Dam. He explains why having a solid foundation – what he calls a "peaceful base" – is crucial before making major life changes. Through his signature blend of wisdom and humor, Scott shows how rushing into change without proper preparation is like trying to cross a bridge that's only half-built. He shares practical insights on how to build both your current and future foundations, ensuring you can successfully bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Featured Story: While visiting the Hoover Dam, Scott observed the construction of a massive bridge, which sparked a profound metaphor for life transitions. This observation evolved into his "Bridge of Life" concept, demonstrating how successful life changes require both a solid current foundation and a clear vision of your future foundation, connected by purposeful, steady progress. Key Takeaways: Stop overthinking and trust your gut instincts when making decisions Building a "peaceful base" in your current situation is essential before pursuing major changes Success requires both present and future foundations connected by gradual, intentional progress Rushing into changes without proper preparation often leads to setbacks The right time to "jump" is when you've built about 70-80% of your bridge Memorable Quotes: "You know what's right, you can feel it in your gut." "Your current act today is your foundation - get it peaceful, then decide what you want in the future." "If your life is a hot mess right now, you don't want to put a hot mess on top of it." Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Establish your current peaceful base by addressing immediate stresses and challenges 2. Define and begin building your future foundation through clear goal-setting and preparation 3. Build your bridge gradually, taking the leap only when both foundations are solid Connect With Scott: Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Special Offer: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Facebook: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Boost - Episode 5011 Are You Working ON Your Life or IN It? Host: Scott Smith Episode Description In this thought-provoking episode, Scott Smith tackles the universal challenge of procrastination with his signature blend of humor and wisdom. He weaves personal anecdotes, timely observations about Inauguration Day 2025 and Martin Luther King Day, and robust business insights from "The E-Myth" to deliver a compelling message about taking control of your life. Through engaging storytelling, Scott challenges listeners to examine whether they're truly working on their life or just being swept along by it, offering practical wisdom for those ready to stop being "crastinators" and start taking action. Featured Story Scott shares the insightful parallel between Michael Gerber's "E-Myth" concept and personal life management. Just as a plumber can get caught up in running a plumbing business instead of doing actual plumbing, people often find themselves caught up in "running" their lives instead of truly living them according to their vision. Key Takeaways - The simplest success recipe: Stand up, take a step, repeat - Being aware of what's truly holding you back requires honest self-reflection - External interruptions and others' return to routine can derail your New Year plans - Success is an ongoing journey that continues even after achieving initial goals - The importance of distinguishing between working "in" your life versus working "on" your life Memorable Quotes "The only time you get to stop standing up, taking a step, and repeating is the day you die." "Have you sat down to work on your life, or are you just buzzing around in your life?" "Stand up, take a step, repeat. That's it. That's the world's easiest success recipe." Scott's Three-Step Approach 1. Honestly assess what's truly holding you back in your life 2. Take control of your schedule instead of letting it control you 3. Regularly step back to ensure you're working on your life, not just in it Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ Special Offer: https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this introspective episode, Scott Smith explores the concept of finding your "pocket in life" - that sweet spot where everything flows naturally despite life's chaos. Through personal stories and analogies from music and football, Scott reveals how being in life's pocket leads to contentment and resilience amidst daily challenges. Key Takeaways: The question "What do you do when you're doing you?" helps reveal your authentic self beyond surface-level activities The "pocket of life" is similar to musicians finding their perfect rhythm within a band's synchronized performance Being in life's pocket means finding peace and harmony while chaos continues around you Spiritual connection, whether through God or universal energy, helps maintain your position in life's pocket Featured Story: Scott shares a lighthearted story about his wife giving away his remaining Christmas candy canes to the grandkids because he was "on a diet." This personal anecdote introduces the episode's theme that life isn't always fair, but maintaining perspective and finding humor helps us stay balanced. Scott's Three-Step Approach to Finding Your Pocket: 1. Recognize that life continues with its symphony of activities, chaos, and noise 2. Find your spiritual center or connection to something greater than yourself 3. Allow stress to flow through you while maintaining your position in the pocket Memorable Quotes: "Left to your own devices, left to whatever you want to do... What do you do when you're doing you?" "The pocket is where you take yourself to a spiritual place... where you see yourself as one with everything while everything buzzes around you." "When you're in the pocket, life is smooth... you're protected, you take a breath, you believe." Connect With Scott: Facebook https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Sign up for the 9-Minute Clarity Code https://nineminuteclaritycode.com/ NEW YEAR SALE: Use code 9MCCNEWYEAR to SAVE! Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify #PersonalDevelopment #DailyBoost #DailyBoostPodcast #Motivation #Transformation #LifeCoaching #SelfImprovement #Inspiration #Success #Accountability #9minuteclaritycode #Words #Wisdom #Wisecracks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, Scott Smith breaks down the essential process of transformational change, explaining why searching for motivation alone doesn't work. He shares his professional insights from thousands of hours of coaching, revealing a proven framework that starts with inspiration and leads to lasting change. Show Sponsors: Audible: http://Audible.com/Boost or text “BOOST” to 500500 Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Key Takeaways: Inspiration naturally leads to motivation, not the other way around True transformation begins with discovering the "what" before understanding the "why" Knowing "how" to achieve your goals amplifies your motivation and intensifies your "why" Successful change requires replacing old habits with new patterns, plus discipline and accountability Featured Story: Scott shares a client story about Tammy, who created her own empowering verb "yetting" based on his previous episode about the word "yet." This creative approach to language demonstrates how simple mindset shifts can create momentum in personal development. Scott's Three-Step Approach: 1. Get inspired first and let that naturally lead to motivation 2. Identify what you want (the what) before focusing on why you want it 3. Learn the "how" through proper guidance, then implement with discipline and accountability Memorable Quotes: "I think you're perfect already. Just be you and then do cool stuff around it." "Searching for motivation is futile. What happens is inspiration happens." "Once you know how you're going to do something, boom, motivation gets amped up because you know what to do." Connect With Scott: Facebook https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Sign up for the 9-Minute Clarity Code https://nineminuteclaritycode.com/ NEW YEAR SALE: Use code 9MCCNEWYEAR to SAVE! Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify #PersonalDevelopment #DailyBoost #DailyBoostPodcast #Motivation #Transformation #LifeCoaching #SelfImprovement #Inspiration #Success #Accountability #9minuteclaritycode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Boost Show Notes How to Say NO Without Losing Your Friends - Episode 5008 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Scott shares powerful communication techniques from his background in improv, teaching listeners how to better handle difficult conversations and maintain a growth mindset. He weaves these lessons through a touching story about his 93-year-old mother's decision to give up her driver's license, demonstrating how acceptance and positive framing can make life's transitions easier. Key Takeaways - Using "Yes, and" in communication helps maintain open dialogue and avoid blocking conversations - The word "yet" is a powerful tool for maintaining a growth mindset when facing challenges - Structure and patterns are essential for success, even in seemingly spontaneous activities like improv - Sometimes giving things up can be reframed positively, as demonstrated by Scott's mother's attitude about having a "chauffeur" Featured Story Scott shares how his 93-year-old mother handled giving up her driver's license with grace and humor. Instead of being upset about failing the vision test, she chose to see it as finally having a personal chauffeur (her daughter) to drive her anywhere she wants to go. Her positive attitude about this major life transition serves as an inspiring example of how to handle difficult changes. Scott's Three-Step Approach 1. Start with "Yes" instead of blocking communication with immediate nos 2. Follow with "And" to maintain dialogue while redirecting the conversation 3. Use the word "Yet" when facing challenges to maintain a growth mindset Memorable Quotes "People like to hear the word yes. What follows the yes doesn't really matter." "If you say 'yet,' you will extend everything." "I have waited my entire life to have a chauffeur to take me anywhere I want to go." Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://www.faceyourpassion.com/ https://www.9minuteclaritycode.com/ #DailyBoost #PersonalDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #GrowthMindset #LifeTransitions #PodcastTips #PositiveMindset Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clearing Your Life's Clutter Daily Boost Podcast - Episode 5007 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Scott Smith explores the concept of simplifying life by addressing both physical and mental clutter. Using wisdom from Stoic philosophy and Brian Tracy's "Eat the Big Frog First," he explains why taking inventory of your life's complexities is crucial for personal growth and achieving your goals in 2025. Key Takeaways Life's basics (sleep, food, hydration, bodily functions) form the foundation of wellbeing - You can't effectively add new things to your life without removing existing clutter - Stoicism advocates for simplicity through clarity of thought, not necessarily minimalism - Managing and worrying about excess "stuff" wastes significant mental energy Featured Story Scott shares a humorous morning conversation with his wife about having a "frog in his throat" after reading Brian Tracy's book "Eat the Big Frog First." The story serves as an entertaining introduction to discussing productivity, mental clarity, and clearing life's clutter. Scott's Three-Step Approach 1. Start with a complete brain dump of everything cluttering your life 2. Include all areas: physical, emotional, financial, relationships, and work 3. Don't organize while dumping - just get everything out of your head and onto paper Memorable Quotes - "If you don't know where you are now, what's really going on, what's surrounding you, you can't get to where you want to go." - "New stuff is not going to fix your old stuff, but I guarantee you this: the old stuff you're hanging on to will break the new stuff." - "Awareness is your gift. Once you have it, you cannot give it up." Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #PersonalDevelopment #Productivity #DailyBoost #LifeCoaching #MentalClarity #Declutter #SelfImprovement #Motivation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living an Imperfectly Perfect Life - Episode 5006 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Scott Smith explores the concept of living an imperfectly perfect life, discussing how life's natural peaks and valleys affect our journey. He shares insights about human adaptation, the challenge of maintaining New Year's resolutions, and the importance of mastering life's basic fundamentals before pursuing complex goals. Key Takeaways Life naturally flows between peaks and valleys due to hedonic adaptation, and understanding this pattern helps manage expectations and responses. Mastering the basics (sleep, nutrition, hydration, health) creates a strong foundation for pursuing larger goals. The fundamentals of human experience haven't changed throughout history - success comes from embracing simple, proven principles. Discipline and self-awareness are crucial for maintaining progress and achieving goals beyond basic needs. Featured Story Scott discusses National Quitters Day (January 10th), when most people abandon their New Year's resolutions. He connects this to his Perfect Week Planner tool, emphasizing how awareness and discipline can help maintain momentum despite the natural tendency to quit. The story illustrates how simple, consistent actions often yield better results than pursuing perfection. Scott's Three-Step Approach Master the basics of life first (sleep, nutrition, hydration, health) Find and follow existing maps for achieving specific goals Maintain discipline to execute plans consistently Memorable Quotes "If you master the basics, if you get right down to it, if you got your health, life is perfect." "You are the only person responsible for your life experience." "The stuff of life is the stuff of life is going to keep coming at us. And the basics of life are the basics." Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #DailyBoost #PersonalDevelopment #LifeBasics #SelfImprovement #Motivation #PerfectlyImperfect #LifeBalance #Success #Discipline #Mindfulness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Boost Podcast - Are You a Rule Bender? - Episode 5,005 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Scott Smith explores the complex relationship between following rules and bending them, sharing personal experiences from his high school days and radio career. Through engaging storytelling, he reveals how sometimes we unconsciously follow the rules while thinking we're breaking them and the importance of understanding when rule-bending crosses the line. Key Takeaways - Rules in jobs, relationships, and organizations serve important purposes, even for self-proclaimed rule-benders - Understanding your "why" and following core principles can coincide with being a rule-bender - Sometimes, we follow important rules unconsciously while thinking we're breaking them - Creating your own rules without considering others can lead to professional consequences Featured Story Scott shares a pivotal career moment when his radio mentor called him in for a "Come to Jesus" meeting. While Scott prided himself on being a rule-bender, his mentor showed him how he followed all the essential rules - showing up early, being persistent, never assuming, and taking responsibility. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Scott learns he is creating too many rules that affect others. Scott's Three-Step Approach 1. Recognize which rules are fundamental and serve a purpose 2. Understand your personal "why" and align it with organizational goals 3. Consider how your actions and personal rules impact others Memorable Quotes - "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard - "You may not like our rules, but you seem to have written them for us." - "Rules for thee, but not for me." Connect With Scott Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #DailyBoost #PersonalGrowth #Motivation #Leadership #RuleBreaker #PodcastNotes #SuccessStrategies #PersonalDevelopment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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