Daily Boost Motivation and Coaching

Freedom and Growth Between the Lines Are you a fun-loving, carefree person who prefers to drift with the wind? Are you happier following the rules and staying within the lines? Whichever you are, happiness and success will arrive when you combine both: 1) Too much flexibility in life doesn’t allow for compounding your life experience. Like money in the bank, leave it alone once you know what works. 2) Too much structure will limit your ability to discover growth opportunities. Don’t get stuck. Donnie and Marie said it best in the ’70s, “I’m a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock and roll.” Combine the best of both.  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: support@motivationtomove.com 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: support@motivationtomove.com 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: support@motivationtomove.com 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: support@motivationtomove.com 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

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