Shows
All It Takes Is A GoalATG 226: No Elevator at Everest: A Candid Conversation with my brother, Will AcuffIn this episode, I sit down with my younger brother Will—founder of Corner to Corner and author of No Elevator at Everest—for a raw, hilarious, and deeply meaningful conversation about goals, grit, and joy in the midst of real-life challenges. We talk about family dynamics, stolen cars, late-night wake ups, and the kind of leadership that gets built when nobody's watching. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to lead with purpose when life doesn’t slow down, this episode is for you.Will's Book ListThe Big Leap by Gay Hend...
2025-04-2152 min
All It Takes Is A GoalATG 194: 3 Soundtracks to Help Teens Win at Social MediaHave you ever wondered how teens can actually win at social media instead of just surviving it? In this episode, I’m sharing three key soundtracks that will help teens thrive online. From building a positive presence and setting healthy boundaries, to avoiding the comparison trap, I’ll give you practical tips to make sure social media is working for your teen, not against them. We’re in the middle of a big parenting season at the Acuff house! I’ve got a brand new book coming out that I wrote with my two daughters, LE and McRae, c...
2024-09-0919 min
All It Takes Is A GoalATG 191: Soundtracks For Your Family: A Conversation with My Daughter McRae AcuffIn this episode, I’m hanging out with my daughter McRae to chat about one of our family’s go-to topics: soundtracks. We’re digging into how the soundtracks in our heads help us set goals, dodge those unforced errors, and make life a little more fun. Whether it’s packing your lunch the night before or remembering to put your shoes on first (trust me, it’s a game-changer), we’ll share the stories and quirky lessons that have become the soundtracks we live by. And yes, we’ll even tackle why showing up early isn’t just about being on t...
2024-08-1927 min
All It Takes Is A GoalATG 166: Texting Oprah, Navigating Goals, and Self-Worth with Jamie Kern LimaHave you ever found yourself caught between the allure of external success and the deeper quest for internal fulfillment? In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Kern Lima, a celebrated entrepreneur, as she shares her riveting journey from childhood aspirations to the pinnacle of business success, founding a billion-dollar company. Despite her remarkable achievements, Jamie bravely opens up about her ongoing battle with self-worth, highlighting the stark disparity between self-confidence and genuine self-worth. Her candid reflections shed light on the intricate dynamics of pursuing ambitious goals while contending with internal struggles. Tune in as we explore Jamie's profound...
2024-02-2646 min
All It Takes Is A GoalATG 146: The One Truth: A Path to Positivity with Jon GordonIn this guest episode, we're joined by the incredible Jon Gordon as we explore the world of positivity and his latest book, The One Truth.Jon Gordon shares his inspiring journey from writing to speaking, highlighting the role of resilience and unwavering family support. He shares tips on pursuing passions alongside your day job and making family and marriage a priority. This episode is your recipe for positivity, a clear path to personal growth and enduring success!My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from...
2023-10-0949 min
The Jon Gordon PodcastJon Acuff | How to Plan Goals that You're Guaranteed to ReachOn this episode of the Positive University Podcast, Jon Gordon is joined by New York Times bestselling author, Jon Acuff. Jon Acuff talks about: His 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential How to Plan Goals that You're Guaranteed to Reach And more! Sound too good to be true? Jon Acuff thought so too. Until it happened--again and again--for him and the hundreds of real people in his research project. Whether your goals are personal, relational, or career-driven, the key to a better future is closer than you think. G...
2023-09-1248 minThe Jon Gordon PodcastJon Acuff | How to Plan Goals that You're Guaranteed to ReachOn this episode of the Positive University Podcast, Jon Gordon is joined by New York Times bestselling author, Jon Acuff. Jon Acuff talks about: His 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential How to Plan Goals that You're Guaranteed to Reach And more! Sound too good to be true? Jon Acuff thought so too. Until it happened--again and again--for him and the hundreds of real people in his research project. Whether your goals are personal, relational, or career-driven, the key to a better future is closer than you think. G...
2023-09-1248 min
The Jon Gordon PodcastJon Acuff | The Importance of Setting GoalsOn this episode of Positive U, Jon is joined by Jon Acuff to discuss why it is so importance that we set goals for ourselves. Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. When he's not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, and companies around the...
2023-09-0148 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 136: Summer School #4: A Journey of CrossFit, Personal Development, and Achieving Health Goals with Nicole AucoinAre you tired of the never-ending sea of conflicting advice when it comes to achieving your health goals? In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Nicole Aucoin, founder of Healthy Steps Nutrition. Together we’ll discuss the power of setting goals, breaking down the complexities of nutrition, and discovering practical strategies to transform your well-being. Whether you're aiming to lose weight, improve athletic performance, or simply lead a healthier lifestyle, this episode is your resource.This episode is part of our Summer School series! Get ready to learn through a fun journey covering various topics in...
2023-07-3147 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 131: The Brilliant Zone: Achieve Your Goals through High-Value, Low-Energy ActionsWhat if achieving your goals could be easier than you think? You’ve probably heard the phrase “work smarter not harder,” but rarely do people share exactly how to do it. In this episode, you’ll learn all about the Brilliant Zone – a realm where every action you take adds value while requiring minimal energy. I share practical examples and strategies help you stay in your brilliance and unleash your true potential. Ready to achieve your goals without exhausting all of your energy? Let's dive in!Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to hav...
2023-06-2621 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 121: Beyond Perfect: Soundtracks I Use to Beat Perfectionism (Part 2)Does your perfectionism make you feel like it's "all or nothing?" That perfectionist mindset limits your productivity and full potential. In "Beyond Perfect" Part 2, I join forces with Gian Lemmi, an Acuff team member and collegiate tennis coach, to tackle this issue. In this episode, you'll discover the value of breaking goals into smaller tasks, why I have a wall of reminders for tough days, and the soundtracks I use to beat perfectionism. You’ll also learn how to adjust your personal scorecards throughout life's seasons and make the most of every opportunity. Join us to embrace progress over pe...
2023-04-1732 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 120: Beyond Perfect: The Hidden Enemy of Your Goals (Part 1)Ever felt like perfectionism is your biggest obstacle to achieving your goals? In this 2-part series of "Beyond Perfect," you'll discover how to take control of your perfectionism and unleash your full potential. Join me and my special guest, Gian Lemmi from Acuff Ideas (you're gonna love him)! In this episode (Part 1), we discuss impostor syndrome, procrastination, and striking the right balance between excellence and perfectionism. Let's kick perfectionism to the curb and start making real progress together!In This Episode:Follow me on GoodReadsBook me to speak at your event or...
2023-04-1031 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 118: Dare to Dream Big: Master the Art of Boldness for Goal-Driven Success with Jennifer CohenWhat does it take to live the life you truly want? In today's episode, I explore this question with author Jennifer Cohen. Jennifer shares her belief that boldness is a learnable skill and reveals an approach that can help you overcome the fear of failure. We discuss the importance of vulnerability, embracing failure, and creating daily habits that lead to success. Jennifer also offers valuable advice on the difference between bold moves and big risks, while emphasizing the significance of not putting others in harm's way.My favorite was hearing Jennifer's journey from being a self-proclaimed "master...
2023-03-2747 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 105: Which 2022 goals did I bomb? Which did I crush? Let's talk! (GOAL REVIEW)At the end of 2021, I recorded a podcast episode where I shared all the goals I wanted to pursue in 2022. There were 38 goals that I wanted to accomplish. In this episode, I’m doing a review of how I did on all of them. I’ll tell you which ones I crushed, which ones I miserably failed at, and which ones I retired after a while because they were just plain silly. In the next episode, I’ll share all of my 2023 goals, so we can do it all again next year. Tune in for insight on why some goals...
2022-12-2632 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 103: The 7 best books I read in 2022I love lists, especially “best of” lists at the end of the year. if you share your best moments list, best restaurants for queso list, or best trails for a run list, and I’m so there. In this episode, I’m sharing the seven best books I read in 2022. They range from biographies to mysteries and cover topics from money to creativity to the life of King David. No matter the genre, each of these books taught me something that made 2022 a little better. Tune into the episode, and make sure to add these books to your 202...
2022-12-1236 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 96: How to spark creativity when you feel like there’s none left - my interview with innovation expert Jeremy UtleyCreativity and innovation are commonly viewed as fleeting moments of inspiration that must be grand, life-altering, and totally new. No wonder they can feel so intimidating. But what if they were actually muscles that could be stretched and grown slowly over time with practice?In this episode Director of Executive Education at Stanford’s acclaimed Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (aka the d.school), Jeremy Utley is here to teach you how to do that. Jeremy is a self-proclaimed “recovering MBA, spreadsheet junkie, and management consultant,” who now studies innovation in large enterprises and startups. In this episod...
2022-10-241h 01All It Takes Is A GoalATG 90: Curate and Crank Up Your New Playlist with my two favorite authors (my daughters!)TikToks and Instagram reels go viral when they have the right soundtrack. Your thoughts are the same way. The loudest, catchiest, most played thoughts are the ones that shape the way we view ourselves, the actions we take, and the results that come from those actions. But what if the thoughts we listen to the most are broken soundtracks? What if the loudest thoughts we have about ourselves aren’t even true? As adults, we’ve all picked up bad soundtracks along the way, but the students in our lives are still curating their playlists for the firs...
2022-09-1240 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 89: Life is an emergency; live accordingly - my awe-inspiring conversation with Eric “ET” ThomasHave you ever felt like you’ve hit a wall in your life? Like you don’t know exactly what you want to do, but you know what you’re doing isn’t it? Eric Thomas grew up in a world that was against him from the start in a lot of ways. At a young age, he found himself homeless and living with no real direction until he realized he had to make a change.Today, he’s known as ET “The Hip Hop Preacher,” and is a world-renowned speaker, educator, pastor, and audible.com Audie Awards Finalis...
2022-09-051h 16All It Takes Is A GoalATG 88: Overcome Resistance and Embrace Restraint: The secret formula to achieving your dreams with THE Steven PressfieldWhy is following a dream so hard sometimes? You know what you want, and you know what you need to do to achieve it, so why hasn’t it happened yet?I’m thrilled to have my long-time mentor, Steven Pressfield, join me for an episode all about doing the thing we all want - to live out our dreams. Steven is the bestselling author of countless screenplays, novels, and nonfiction books, including Gates of Fire, Turning Pro, and one of my all-time favorites, The War of Art. In this episode, we talk about taking consistent steps towa...
2022-08-291h 04All It Takes Is A GoalATG 82: 5 stupid simple steps to jumpstart a healthier lifePeople constantly come up to me and say, “Wow, Jon, you are so tall and fit…how do you do it?” OK, that hasn't happened yet, but I've started doing CrossFit and I'm pretty sure that exercise makes you taller so we'll see.What people do know about me is that I’m a goal nerd and avid runner that’s crushed a lot of my fitness-related goals. That’s why in week 2 of our special Summer School series I’m going to teach you a few easy ways you can live a healthier life and reach any health goa...
2022-07-1824 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 78: Master the art of your craft - My conversation with comedian, Dustin NickersonAnyone who has decided to turn their hobby or passion into a career eventually comes to the the realization that what they love doing isn’t just about having fun anymore. That means you have to learn how to excel at it and monetize it, or as Dustin Nickerson would say, “Everyone likes to drive the car, but somebody has to work on it, right?” Dustin is an author, podcaster, and professional comedian who performs in over 300 shows a year. He’s appeared on Comedy Central, Hulu, Fox, and Netflix alongside Kevin Hart. Dustin joins me for a hilari...
2022-06-201h 01All It Takes Is A GoalATG 75: Go All In: How to quit your job to follow your dreams - my conversation with Tim SchurrerWe’ve all daydreamed about quitting our 9-5 to pursue our dream job - opening a beachside bookstore, launching a clothing line, buying a bed and breakfast in New England - but what does it actually take to leave your job and make a plan to move forward? Tim Schurrer knows because he did it not that long ago. Tim was the right hand to Donald Miller for almost a decade as COO of StoryBrand and previously worked at TOMS Shoes and at Apple. When he realized he had dreams to become an author, he eventually quit th...
2022-05-3049 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 72: From College Dropout to CEO: My conversation with Adam ContosThe only thing that never changes is how much things are always changing. So how do you navigate constant transitions and still reach your goals? Adam Contos is the former Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. He’s also a former SWAT team commander, Marine, two-time college dropout, and author. He’s rebuilt his life and his career from the ground up time multiple times and his experience has left him with a lifetime of wisdom on personal growth and leadership. He joins me for a conversation about building systems for success, dealing with...
2022-05-0944 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 71: Reinvent your life, raise millions of dollars, do work that matters - The Scott Harrison StoryHow do you tackle the goals that feel totally insurmountable? Things like ending world hunger, putting a stop to trafficking, or saving an endangered species? This week’s guest understands how intimidating it can be, but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his goal of providing clean water to everyone - as in literally every single person on the planet. Scott Harrison spent almost 10 years as a nightclub promoter in New York City before leaving to volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa as a volunteer photojournalist. Returning home to New York...
2022-05-0257 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 70: “I don’t have to. I get to.” My amazing conversation about work, life, and service with Scott Jeffrey MillerBeing a leader, entrepreneur, spouse, parent, or high-achieving person isn’t always easy. Difficult tasks, difficult conversations, and difficult decisions are ever-present, so how do we navigate them with both efficiency and positivity? Capping a 25-year career as the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Business Development, Scott Jeffrey Miller currently serves as FranklinCovey’s senior advisor on thought leadership. Scott also hosts On Leadership with Scott Miller, the world’s largest and fastest-growing leadership podcast. He joins me for a powerful conversation about reframing the most difficult aspects of your goals, how personal and profes...
2022-04-2548 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 69: The messy art of raising modern teenagers - My interview with my 18yo L.E. AcuffWhat’s it like being a teenager today? What’s up with Gen Z’s meme obsession? How do you motivate a teenager to have goals? As a parent, I’ve asked myself all these questions, so I decided to ask them to someone who might be able to answer, a real-life teenager, my 18-year-old daughter, L.E. Acuff. L.E. is a senior in high school preparing for her freshman year of college. She’s also a brilliant, trumpet-playing, swim star, and co-author of a book we wrote together. She joined me for a very special conversation to talk about...
2022-04-1846 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 66: Break free from entrepreneurial poverty. My conversation with small business expert Mike MichalowiczSo, you started a business or a side hustle with an amazing vision. It fulfills you and it serves others. You dreamt it would give you plenty of time and money so that you could live the way you please. However, the reality is that you’re not making enough, you’re working your tail off, and your soul is being diminished in the process. If that’s you, my guest, Mike Michalowicz, the author of the wicked popular "Profit First," would say you’re in entrepreneurial poverty, but he’s here to change that. Mike is a speaker...
2022-03-2850 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 65: Do more than just the right thing. My conversation on the surprising power of service with Steven J. AndersonWe all want to do good in the world. We want to be good friends, good parents, good employees, and good leaders, but what would happen if we took it all one step farther? What if you went beyond good in every goal you set for yourself? Stephen J. Anderson is an internationally known business strategist, entrepreneur, author, and speaker. He's founded more than a dozen growing and diversifying businesses, and he's a big part of the reason I got to open for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium. He joins me for a conversation on how...
2022-03-2145 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 60: How to be married to a dreamer with Jenny AcuffHow do I get my spouse/significant other to understand and support the big dream I’m chasing?” This is the most asked question my wife Jenny and I get, so after a substantial amount of begging and pleading, I was able to convince her to join me in this very special Valentine’s Day episode. We share everything 20 years of marriage has taught us about how you and your partner can be a team while you create and pursue projects together. Listen to our conversation to learn about how to balance the “wow” and the “how,” manage each ot...
2022-02-1450 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 58: "What do I do now?" How to move forward when your “normal” disintegrates. My interview with Dave HollisDave Hollis is a New York Times best-selling author, host of the popular Rise Together podcast, a keynote speaker, and a business coach on GrowthDay. He’s also a father, the taller half of the Jon & Dave Show, and a good friend of mine. In this special episode, Dave joins me for a conversation about facing fears, creating a new normal, dealing with haters, and his up close and personal experiences with Airbud (yes, the dunking/spiking/touchdown scoring dog). If a few of life’s curveballs have you feeling stuck, Dave has the encouragement that will help you move...
2022-01-3148 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 56: The 5-minute tool that will help you make 30 days of progressBig goals are accomplished through small actions. That’s why a crucial part of successfully finishing a goal is tracking the little things that keep you moving toward the finish line. In this episode, I’ll teach you how to make an Action Tracker AKA the tool I use to accomplish all my goals. I’ll also share the question I ask myself when I’m tempted to give up on a goal, prompts to help you zero in on exactly what steps you need to take to reach your goal, and so much more!From This Epi...
2022-01-1724 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 55: Does your New Year’s Resolution have these 3 words yet? It better!Every successful goal has 4 things in common: results, action, time, and motivation. Results are first on the list for a reason. If you don’t determine where you want to end up, you’ll never know when you’ve crossed the finish line. Listen to this episode for the three simple words that will help you define the results that will measure your success.From This Episode:Here's my conversation with Alone producer Ryan PenderI talked with Brendan Leonard about having fun goalsFollow me on GoodreadsNinja...
2022-01-1022 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 54: 10 micro goals for massive resultsAre you working on a goal that has you feeling stuck? Or maybe it feels really overwhelming or frustrating? If you can relate, chances are, your goal is too big. That’s why this episode is all about the power of a micro-goal, AKA a small goal that generates big results. It’s sort of like having a Roth IRA. You invest small actions over time, and eventually, you’ve got massive dividends. Listen in to learn how to set a micro-goal that can slingshot you over the finish line of 2022.From This Episode:Follow...
2022-01-0329 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 53: How to create fail-proof New Year’s Resolutions92% of New Years Resolutions fail according to an University of Scranton study. (Did you just think of The Office?) Those are pretty grim odds, but there's a secret I'm sharing in this episode that will help you beat them. I'll walk you through how to set a fail-proof goal, share how I did on my goals this year (spoiler: I didn't finish them all and that's okay), and tell you about my goals for 2022 so you can see how to set yourself up for success in the new year.From This Episode:...
2021-12-2737 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 52: From “accidental entrepreneur” to the 40 under 40, the side hustlers guide to success with Courtney HaleWhen Courtney Hale hosted his first financial literacy program, he had 5 kids in the program. Now, he’s helped thousands of parents and children all over the country understand saving, spending, and finances. Courtney is the Chief Hope Dealer of Super Money Kids, a social-enterprise that designs experiences to improve the financial literacy of youth. Among numerous awards and recognitions, Courtney has been recognized on the 40 under 40 list and featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show (yes, THE Ellen DeGeneres show!). Listen to this episode for our conversation on tools every entrepreneur needs, starting a side hustle, being a...
2021-12-2051 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 51: Don't be a jerk to the person you spend the most time with - how to be kind to Future YouHave you ever stayed up late scrolling Instagram or YouTube and woken up exhausted? When that happens to me, I always think, "Night Jon screwed Morning Jon." Have you ever decided to change your sheets after you get home from work, only to come home to a completely unmade bed you forgot all about? Morning You screwed Night You. How can you prepare future you for success?In this episode, I'll answer that question and wrap up our special three-part series with the last gift I want you to give yourself this holiday season. (It's okay if...
2021-12-1323 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 50: Postponing joy, losing your edge and why it's easy to repeat negative thoughtsI told my counselor a few weeks ago that I was afraid of "Losing my edge." His answer surprised me and I bet it will surprise you too. In Part 2 of this special three-part series, I’m sharing the second of three very specific gifts you need to give yourself this holiday season. Just like the first gift, it’s free, fits all, and you can't find it for sale online, in stores, or in catalogs. I’ll tell you what it is in this episode! Missed Part 1? That’s okay, this isn’t the show, "Lost." You won't...
2021-12-0622 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 49: The gift you need to give YOURSELF this holiday season (Part 1)In this episode, I’m kicking off a special three-part series with three very specific gifts you need to give yourself at the end of the year. All three gifts are 100% free, they fit everyone and you can't find them for sale online, in stores, or in catalogs. What are they? Find out in this episode! Stay tuned for Part 2 & 3!In this episode:Finish more goals with the Finish Calendar!Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.Order Soundtracks, Jon's ne...
2021-11-2921 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 48: Finish more goals by asking 1 surprising question!Want to have a big year? Ask big questions. In this episode, I’ll teach you one of the most powerful questions you can ask when it comes to finishing goals. Heads up, it's going to step on your toes a little bit. It’s probably a question you’ve never asked yourself before, but as soon as you do, you’re going to be surprised it took you this long.In this episode:Catch up on the Grading on a Curve episodeFinish more goals with the Finish CalendarText me at 615-3...
2021-11-2219 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 47: 4 Soundtracks to Survive the HolidaysDo you love the holidays? I know that can be a loaded question, that’s why I’ve got a special holiday episode of All it Takes is a Goal for you. We’re on the edge of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and so many other celebrations, and maybe it doesn’t feel like a Hallmark movie for you. Maybe you’re dreading it just a little bit. Don’t stress. In this episode, I’ve got 4 soundtracks that will help you survive the holidays so you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!In this...
2021-11-1525 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 46: 5 reasons you should ignore the sleep mafiaHave you ever felt guilty for not waking up hours before the sun comes up? Have you ever felt like you shouldn't take a nap or should get up at 3AM to do burpees? That's probably the result of the "Sleep Mafia," AKA a group of influencers trying to convince you that you need to wake up when they wake up. In this episode, I've got 5 reasons you should ignore them and stick to the sleep schedule that's best for you.In this episode:Book Jon to speak at your event or...
2021-11-0827 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 45: When is the last time you felt 13?"Well that was...awkward." I don’t care if you're 25, 35, 45, 55, or 85, at some point, something is going to happen that makes you feel like a 13-year-old all over again. You'll be in a meeting, a presentation, or a dinner party where something awkward will happen and you'll stand there feeling like the teenage version of yourself. What do you do in that moment? I've got three questions to ask yourself when you face any of life's awkward moments.In this episode:Book Jon to speak at your event or to your team!
2021-11-0120 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 44: It's YOUR life, so live it on purpose. My inspiring conversation with Tanya DaltonTanya Dalton is a best-selling author, speaker, and nationally recognized productivity expert. Her first book, The Joy of Missing Out, was named one of the Top 10 Business Books of the year by Fortune Magazine, and her podcast, The Intentional Advantage, has received millions of downloads. She knows that it's easy to get caught up pursuing other people's goals or only setting the goals you think others expect you to. She joins me for a conversation about how to set goals even when you don't know what you want to pursue and how to accomplish what actually matters...
2021-10-2545 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 43: It’s great to be average: Accomplishing goals just because you love them with Brendan LeonardBrendan Leonard is a writer, illustrator, speaker, and ultrarunner. In 2019, he completed 52 marathon-distance runs in 52 weeks, and survived, while having fun part of the time. Leonard is a columnist at Outside, and his writing has appeared in Runner's World, National Geographic Adventure, Climbing, and Alpinist and on CNN.com and in dozens of other publications, including his website, Semi-Rad.com. He also lived in a van for several years, loves pizza, and is easily one of the coolest people I’ve ever gotten the chance to talk to. He’s passionate about people doing what they love not...
2021-10-1853 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 42: How to Embrace the Unknown and Express Your Hidden Genius with Victoria LabalmeDo you ever feel like you’re the only person that didn’t get the manual on how to be an adult? Or like you still have no idea what you really want to spend your life doing? Let me introduce you to my guest, Victoria Labalme. Victoria is a Performing Artist and Performance Coach, so it probably goes without saying she’s a creative genius. She’s the founder of Rock the Room, and recently released a brand new book called Risk Forward. Victoria’s on a mission to help you embrace the unknown, express your hidden gen...
2021-10-1139 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 41: How to make $10 million when your dream falls apart. My bonkers conversation with Cathy Heller.I don’t video record my podcasts because I’m so new at this that I’m pretty sure I’m making weird faces while I read the questions I’ve written before hand for these interviews. Plus, I apparently have a furious focus face, the old “triple F” as they say in Latin. I look so mad when I’m really listening. But if you could see the video of this conversation, in this episode you’d see me start leaning in, start clapping and start taking notes. Cathy Heller’s story of losing her record deal, reinventing he...
2021-10-0445 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 40: Becoming a Micro Innovator with Josh LinknerCreativity is all about revision. Not many of us are capable of launching ideas already formed and perfectly successful, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t creative. I had my friend, Josh Linkner, join me for a conversation about creativity and innovation. Josh is the number one most booked innovation keynote speaker. And he also loves Legos. We discussed Josh’s recent book, Big Little Breakthroughs, which is all about how small creative acts can unlock massive creative rewards over time. Whether you consider yourself in the “creative field” or not, you absolutely have the potential to unlock...
2021-09-2746 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 39: How to unlock the power of self-awareness and the Enneagram with Ian Morgan CronWhat you do says a lot about you, but why you do what you do says a lot more. That’s why I asked Ian Morgan Cron to join me for a conversation all about the Enneagram. Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and host of the popular podcast, Typology. He uses the Enneagram personality-typing system as a tool to help leaders cultivate self-awareness and emotional wisdom. Whether you’ve never heard of the Enneagram or you have some experience with it already, this conversation will help you discover more about yourself and how you...
2021-09-2044 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 38: The secret month that makes accomplishing your goals a lot easier!Everybody knows that January is a big month for goals, but there’s another secret month hidden in the calendar that’s a powerful time to start a new goal. I call these months “slingshot months” because they fall during times of the year where there’s already momentum building so they can launch your goals toward success. It took me 25 years to discover the hidden power of the second, less famous slingshot month, but you’re about to learn all about it and how to make the most of it in 25 minutes.In this episode:Sign up...
2021-09-1326 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 37: At your best: How to get time, energy, and priorities working in your favor with Carey NieuwhofLife always moves fast, but what happens when the pace of life becomes totally unsustainable? My friend and mentor, Carey Nieuwhof, rebuilt his entire life after a whirlwind career left him burned out and exhausted for years. A former lawyer, Carey is now a bestselling leadership author, speaker, and podcaster. He speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. He joins me in this episode to tell you how to make time work for you so you can live more of the life you love. In this episode:...
2021-09-0648 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 36: Stop Performing and Start Serving: How to Build a Brand That Matters with Rory Vaden74% of Americans agree that they're more likely to trust someone who has an established personal brand, so what does your personal brand say about you? Do you have a personal brand? Have you ever thought about building one? New York Times best-selling author, professional speaker Hall of Famer, eight-figure company entrepreneur, and my long-time friend, Rory Vaden, knows that personal brands are the future no matter what industry you're in. He joins me in this episode to tell you how to develop and sustain a killer personal brand so that you can master your message and use...
2021-08-3047 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 35: 4 ways to master the art of Strategic BoredomWhen’s the last time you were really bored? If you’re like me, it’s probably the last time you were in the shower. That seems to be the only time when I’m not trying to maximize productivity by multi-tasking or listening to an audiobook or podcast. Most of us have packed our lives so full of activities that we don’t have a lot of room left for the quiet, often necessary groundswell of creativity. Creativity needs boredom, but there’s a way to be strategic about it. Listen to the episode for four ways you can...
2021-08-2330 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 34: Grizzly Bears and Gill Nets: Discovering what matters most in life with "Alone" Producer Ryan PenderYou’re completely alone in the wilderness. You only have 10 pieces of gear. If you can tough it out longer than nine other people, you win $500,000. Also, there are bears. And maybe a wolverine here and there. How long do you think you would last? This is the actual premise of one of my all-time favorite TV shows, Alone. One of the show’s producers, Ryan Pender, joins me this week to tell me the surprising lessons people learn about life and themselves when they’re completely isolated and solely focused on their survival. Even if you haven’...
2021-08-1641 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 33: 5 simple ways to escape the comparison trapWho’s that person you always compare yourself to? Maybe it’s some perfect mom you follow online? Or maybe it’s the coworker who actually got in better shape during the pandemic? The one that got the 8-pack of abs then had the audacity to also learn Italian, start a community garden for elderly orphans, and rescue five Corgi-German Shepherd mixes? You know who I’m talking about. Social media has made it easier than ever to get caught in the trap of comparison, but there are a few actionable steps you can take to avoid it. List...
2021-08-0922 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 32: Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness with Richard LuiCan selfless acts help you achieve your goals? It may sound counterintuitive that investing time into others can help you achieve your goals, but Richard Lui has the data that proves selflessness pays major dividends for the giver and the receiver.Veteran journalist Richard Lui has more than 30 years in television, film, technology, and business. He's the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program, and a team Emmy and Peabody winner. He joins me for a conversation to teach you how to find the hidden power of selflessness and how it will...
2021-08-0245 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 31: The 4 best steps to take before you start a new goalHave you ever felt like no matter how hard you’re working on a goal, you’re just not making any progress?When the scale doesn’t budge, the income doesn’t increase, or the pages don’t get written, it can be discouraging. Not seeing progress come quickly enough is one of the biggest reasons people give up on their goals. Here’s the issue though - progress is found not received, and the only way to see it is to know exactly where you started. The best map in the world is useless if you don’t know w...
2021-07-2621 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 30: Lose 100lbs, build a multi-million dollar business, laugh a lot - the Corinne Crabtree storyWhat does it really take to be successful? A platform? The right connections? A giant start-up fund?Corinne Crabtree didn’t have any of those things but that didn’t stop her from building a massive business. Corinne is a weight loss coach, multi-million dollar business owner, and productivity genius, but her success wasn’t the result of some big break. Corinne was raised by a single mom without any money. She didn't finish college. She started her business without a platform. And now she's got a multi-million dollar business and has helped thousands of people achieve their...
2021-07-1946 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 29: 7 Ways to Deal with RejectionHow do you handle rejection?If you're like me, you'd respond with "poorly and personally, " but there's a better way. Rejection sucks, but it's a part of life, and you should be prepared for it. That's why in this episode, I'm giving you 7 ways you can deal with rejection that will help you take the sting out of it, learn from it, and get over it.Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!
2021-07-1222 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 28: How to take the awkward out of networking with Jordan HarbingerIf you've ever heard the word “networking” and were instantly flooded with images of uncomfortable cocktail parties, awkward business card exchanges, and cheesy Zoom calls, it’s probably because that’s how most of the world is still running networking events. Luckily there are people like Jordan Harbinger that are making the world of networking much more enjoyable and much more worth your time. Jordan is a lawyer that left the corporate world to, in his words, “read books and talk to smart people.” His podcast, the Jordan Harbinger Show, receives over 11 million downloads a month and features ins...
2021-07-0551 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 27: 8 ways to spot perfectionism in your lifePerfect isn't possible.Deep down, you know this, but perfectionism will do everything in its power to convince you that if you take perfect steps, you can achieve perfect goals. The reality is that perfection is in the opposite direction of your goal's finish line. Sometimes perfectionism is easy to spot, but sometimes it can get a little sneaky. That's why this episode is all about how to spot perfectionism in your life so that you can identify it, avoid it, and stay on track and finish your goals.Mentioned in this episode:
2021-06-2823 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 26: ls it ever too late to chase a dream?What's the best age to take a risk?Fear will always tell you that you're never on time for your dream. It will try to convince you that you're too old or too young; that you don't have enough experience or that you're too experienced to take a chance on something new. But if there's one thing I know to be true, it's that some of life's greatest lessons come from the most unexpected circumstances. For me, one of those great life lessons involves a story about a finger, a power drill, and bravery, and it all...
2021-06-2118 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 25: Introducing New Friend Friday!In this very special episode, Joel and Matt from the How to Money Podcast join me for the first-ever New Friend Friday. Joel & Matt are financial experts, craft beer enthusiasts, and real-life best friends. They know that figuring out your finances can be an intimidating goal, so they're joining me to answer 5 questions that will help you jumpstart financial goals with peace of mind. Whether you want to start investing, pay off debt, or save up for a killer vacation, start with this episode for some great practical tips and resources that will get you moving in the right...
2021-06-1822 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 24: A Masterclass in leadership with SEC Commissioner Greg SankeyWhat would you do if you were the leader of the most successful college sports league in the entire world when COVID hit?That’s the exact question the Commissioner of the SEC, Greg Sankey, faced. Last year when the pandemic forced the world to shut down, all eyes were on Greg and his team as they figured out how to navigate the college football season in the midst of chaos. He joins me for a conversation about how to lead through a crisis and how to keep learning as you go. No matter how big or sm...
2021-06-1456 minAll It Takes Is A GoalATG 23: This Sentence Will Change Perfectionism ForeverWhat if you could turn perfectionism from a foe into a friend?I started asking myself that question after years of constantly wrestling with perfectionism. It led me to an interesting creative exercise: I invited perfectionism to have a conversation with me. What unfolded helped me to see that my once mortal enemy might have been a misunderstood companion all along. If you're tired of fighting with perfectionism, it's time for a truce. Listen in for an episode that will redefine your view of perfectionism and give you tools to use it in a way...
2021-06-0720 min