All It Takes Is A Goal

ATG 204: Avoid Thanksgiving Fights with This 1 Sentence Nov 18, 2024

Thanksgiving is practically designed for family debates, especially the kind that get sparked right as you’re reaching for the mashed potatoes. But this year, I’ve got one sentence that will change everything: “Politicians are temporary, family is forever.” In this episode, we’re talking about how to keep things calm, keep your cool, and maybe even enjoy the meal without ducking into the pantry for a pie break. Give it a listen, and let’s make this Thanksgiving one that’s memorable—in a good way!
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ATG 203: From Overthinking to Action: Graham Cochrane on Chasing Dreams and Embracing Change Nov 11, 2024

I had an awesome conversation with my friend, Graham Cochrane, about goal-setting, career pivots, and discovering your unique purpose. We dove into the pressures we face, how to manage overthinking, and why it’s so important to pursue a life that aligns with who you really are. If you’re struggling with work-life balance, thinking about making a business shift, or just need help pushing past self-doubt, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use. Graham also shares some wisdom from his new book and talks about how taking risks can lead to more personal freedom.
In This Episode:
You can check out Graham's new book, Rebel: Find Yourself by Not Following the Crowd
Keep up with his The Graham Cochrane Show and check out his website
Follow Graham on Instagram
Graham's Book List:
The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Play The Man by Mark Batterson
The Art of Encouragement by Jordan Montgomery
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 202: Your Friends Are Your Future Nov 04, 2024

You've probably heard the classic quote, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” But what does that really mean for your life? In this episode, I’ll break down why your circle isn’t just a group of friends—it’s a blueprint for who you’re becoming. I’ll share personal stories, like how running with friends unexpectedly made me faster and how the right people can level up every area of your life. Plus, I'll give you three super practical ways to put this concept into action. Want to run a little faster together—literally and figuratively? This episode will show you how!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 201: Why 2025 Will Be Your Greatest Year Ever Oct 28, 2024

I have a prediction for you—2025 is going to be your Greatest Year Ever. You’re going to tackle those big goals, beat procrastination, perfectionism, and all the usual roadblocks, and it all starts now. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how you can make that happen with my new 8-week challenge designed to help you start 2025 with a rock-solid mindset, a clear plan, and the tools to make success inevitable.
If you’ve ever felt like you're stuck or unsure of how to take that next big step in your career, relationships, finances, or health, this episode is for you. I’ll share the powerful strategies behind overcoming overthinking and self-sabotage and lay out why November, not January, is the time to get ahead.
Ready to make 2025 your best year yet? Head over to jonacuff.com/greatest and register today! Don’t wait until January—start building your greatest year right now.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 200: 7 Ways to Survive Election Stress Oct 21, 2024

It’s the 200th episode of the podcast! I can’t believe we’ve reached this milestone together. In this episode, we’re talking about election stress and how to handle it. You know those anxious soundtracks that play on repeat in your head during election season? They’re exhausting, but they don’t have to control you. Today, I’m sharing 7 practical election soundtracks that will help you survive the stress, get more sleep, and stay focused on what really matters. From looking forward to the future to reducing your news intake, we’ll cover simple strategies that make a big difference in how you handle this season.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 199: A Father, A Hurricane, & The Walk Of A Lifetime! Oct 14, 2024

I don’t usually do breaking podcasts, but this story was too incredible not to share. My guest, David Jones, reached out with a story that perfectly ties into Soundtracks. When a hurricane hit western North Carolina, David faced a series of impossible obstacles trying to reach his daughter’s wedding. But he made it—on foot, through the devastation, determined to walk her down the aisle. In this episode, David shares his unbelievable journey and how the soundtracks he used helped him keep going through every challenge. This is a powerful reminder of how the right mindset can carry you through the darkest moments. I can’t wait for you to hear it!
In This Episode
Find out more about David at his website, The Excellency Advisory
You can also keep up with David on LinkedIn and X
David's Book List
BE 2.0 by Jim Collins & Bill Lazier
Think Again by Adam Grant
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ATG 198: 2 Ways to Shift Your Mindset When You Feel Like Quitting Oct 07, 2024

Have you ever felt like quitting? I have. And in this episode, we’re going to talk about two powerful ways to change how you feel when you’re at that breaking point. This is a lean-in episode, so I need you to lean in with me. I see something incredible in you—your potential, your joy, your success—even if you don’t see it yet. Together, we’ll explore how to turn those negative thoughts into ones that push you forward, not hold you back.
And if you're ready to take this mindset shift to the next level, join me for the free Mindset Reboot Challenge on October 16-17. In just two days, we’ll dig into the broken soundtracks holding you back and create new ones that propel you forward. Don’t miss it! Sign up at JonAcuff.com/challenge and start changing your mindset today. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

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ATG 197: The Lie of 'Do It While You're Young': Why Every Decade Can Be Your Best Sep 30, 2024

In this episode, I’m diving into three big lies that I think are putting way too much pressure on Gen Z and Millennials—“Do it while you’re young,” “Don’t grow up, it’s a trap,” and the idea that you have to choose between joy and responsibility. I used to believe some of these myself, but now that I’m in my 40s, I’ve learned something better. You don’t have to choose between making memories and building a life you love. Join me as I share some personal stories, lessons I’ve learned, and why I think every decade can be the best one yet. Whether you’re 22 or 52 or 82, this one’s for you.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

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ATG 196: The Meanest Things My Kids Have Said to Me Sep 23, 2024

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the meanest things my kids have ever said to me—and trust me, they’re hilarious. We’ll also dive into a common myth that makes parenting way harder than it has to be. If you’ve ever believed raising teens has to be a nightmare, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t. A simple mindset shift can change everything. And since we’re in the middle of a parenting season on the podcast, don’t forget to check out my brand new book How Teens Win, co-written with my two daughters. It’s available for purchase now!
In This Episode:
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I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 195: How to Get Your Teenagers Talking Again Sep 16, 2024

Does your teenager barely talk to you anymore? In this episode, I’ll not only explain why that happens, but also how to change it. I’ll share three soundtracks that make starting conversations with your kids easier, plus a personal story about dreaming big with my daughter.
If you want to build stronger connections with your teens, check out my new book, How Teens Win, that I co-wrote with my daughters. It’s available now wherever books are sold!
In This Episode:
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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 194: 3 Soundtracks to Help Teens Win at Social Media Sep 09, 2024

Have 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, called How Teens Win. If you have a teenager or an almost-teenager, you’re going to love this book. And as part of the pre-order bonuses, I created a special digital resource called How Teens Win Social Media, which has seven soundtracks to help you navigate social media with your teen(s). In today’s episode, I’ll share the first three and tell you how to get the other four. Don’t miss this chance to equip your teen to win in the digital world!
In This Episode:
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I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my book, Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 193: How Teens Win: Sneak Peek of the Intro and Chapter 1 Sep 02, 2024

In this episode, I’m giving you an exclusive sneak peek into our new book How Teens Win, which releases on September 10. First, I’ll read the intro to set the stage, and then my daughter LE will take over with the first chapter. It’s a little taste of the wisdom, laughs, and real-life advice we’ve packed into this book.
Whether you’re a teen, parent, grandparent, teacher, or coach (or just someone who loves a good story), this episode is for you. Listen and hear why How Teens Win isn’t just a book—it’s a conversation that can change lives.
In This Episode:
Order our new book, “How Teens Win”
Get the free bonuses for “How Teens Win”
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my book, Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 192: One Trick to Worry Less That Nobody’s Telling You About Aug 26, 2024

Ever feel like your brain is stuck in a loop of worries? In this episode, I’m sharing one simple trick that will help you worry less and accomplish more.
Here’s how it started: On a Sunday afternoon, the number 5 kept bouncing around in my head. I needed to run 5 miles, but every part of me wanted to bail. My brain was pulling out all the stops to convince me not to do it. But instead of letting those worries win, I decided to flip the script.
In this episode, I’ll show you how repeating a single word helped me get off the couch and out onto the pavement. Join me as I talk about turning our stress into success, one simple step at a time!
In This Episode:
Order our new book, “How Teens Win”
Get the free bonuses for “How Teens Win”
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my book, Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 191: Soundtracks For Your Family: A Conversation with My Daughter McRae Acuff Aug 19, 2024

In 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 time—it’s about setting the stage for something great. So, come join us as we laugh, learn, and explore the soundtracks that keep our family moving forward. You won’t want to miss this one!
In This Episode:
Check out McRae and L.E.'s book, You're New Playlist
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my book, Finish, today!

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 190: 2 Ways to Shift Your Feelings When You Want to Quit Aug 12, 2024

In this episode, I dive into two powerful ways to change how you feel when you want to quit. Fear often targets those who dare to dream and it uses surprise and the "shouldn't feel this way" tactic to hold you back. I'll share my practical "If/Then" thinking and how repetition and relationships can help you push through fear. Learn to anticipate fear's tricks, prepare for them, and find the support you need to stay motivated. Don’t let fear dictate your journey—beat it with these essential tools!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my book, Finish, today!

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ATG 189: How to Cut Your Emails by 85% Aug 05, 2024

I still remember the first time I tried email in 1997. I thought it was terrible and wouldn’t catch on. Fast forward to today, and email has improved (and definitely caught on!) but remains a constant distraction.
This year, I decided to tackle my inbox by limiting email checks to 30 focused minutes a day, five days a week. The results were transformative. I received fewer emails, realized I wasn’t as essential as I thought, and boosted my productivity, tripling my writing output. The discipline required was minimal compared to the benefits.
In this episode, I share my journey and practical tips to help you reclaim your time from your inbox. Whether you’re overwhelmed by emails or just looking for more efficient ways to manage them, tune in and discover how to cut your time on email by 85%.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 188: 3 Things I Learned from Spending 10 Seconds with a Billionaire Jul 29, 2024

What did I learn from a 10-second interaction with a billionaire CEO? Join me for this episode, as I recount a pivotal moment with Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A. Fourteen years ago, I had the privilege of working with Dan and learned invaluable lessons on leadership and humility. From taking out the trash to teaching a high school Sunday School class, Dan's actions demonstrated his commitment to serving others. True success lies in valuing human connections and being open to interruptions. Learn how these small moments can transform your leadership style.
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ATG 187: 3 Simple Tricks To Change Your Mindset Jul 22, 2024

Want to learn how to make your thoughts work for you, not against you? In this episode, I share my journey from skeptic to believer in the power of positive affirmations, visualization, and self-competition. It took me decades to figure this out, but now I’m here to show you three simple mindset tricks that can change your life. These practical tips have been game-changers for me and countless others. Tune in and discover how the road to great results always starts with great thoughts.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 186: The Art of Encouragement in Leadership with Jordan Montgomery Jul 15, 2024

What does it take to go from a small-town upbringing to coaching Fortune 500 executives and professional athletes? Join me as I sit down with Jordan Montgomery, owner of Montgomery Companies and author of The Art of Encouragement: How to Lead Teams, Spread Love, and Serve from the Heart. Jordan shares insights into his journey, emphasizing leadership lessons learned in the financial services industry and the role of authentic encouragement. We discuss balancing professional success with family life, his passion for the outdoors, love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the importance of being willing to try things and fail. Tune in as we explore the importance of setting daily goals, embracing feedback, and maintaining strong personal connections in leadership.
In This Episode:
Check out Jordan's newest book, The Art of Encouragement!
Find out more on Jordan's Podcast, The Montgomery Companies Podcast, or his website.
You can also find Jordan on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook
Jordan’s Book List:
The Bible
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Go-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg and John David Mann
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 185: The Law of the Harvest: Why Effort Equals Results Jul 08, 2024

Have you ever wondered why some efforts pay off while others fall short? In this episode, I'm diving into a concept close to my heart: the Law of the Harvest. Over the past decade running my own business, writing books, and speaking at countless events, I've come to realize that this principle—reaping what you sow—holds true in every aspect of life. Whether it's nurturing relationships, building a business, or improving personal health, every effort we put in directly influences the results we achieve. It's not always easy, but embracing this law has taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, perseverance, and the rewards of consistent effort.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 184: The Path to Continuous Learning with David Novak Jul 01, 2024

How can leaders continue to improve and maintain a commitment to lifelong learning? Come along with me in this episode as I dive into the world of leadership learning with David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Brands. David shares his unique idea collection system and dives deep into why maintaining focus is crucial for long-term success. We'll explore those moments when leaders hit a learning slump and uncover effective strategies to reignite that curiosity. You'll also discover the transformative power of recognition, gratitude, and having truth-tellers in leadership—all while hearing captivating stories like the journey of Crystal Pepsi and Cool Ranch Doritos!
David’s book list
The Bible
Good to Great by Jim Collins
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
O Great One by David Novack
Get more info at David’s website!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 183: How To Finish Any Goal In 4 Words! (Part 2) Jun 24, 2024

Welcome back to the podcast for part 2 of How To Finish Any Goal In 4 Words! In the last episode, we dove into Results and Actions. Now, let's tackle the next two: Time and Motivation. I'll share practical strategies to make the most of your time and keep your motivation high as you work towards your goals. Whether it's writing a book or chasing any other dream, these insights will be your guide. Plus, I'll introduce you to the Finish Journal, a powerful tool I've created to support you every step of the way. Let's keep crushing those goals together! Tune in now!
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ATG 182: How To Finish Any Goal In 4 Words! (Part 1) Jun 17, 2024

In this episode of All It Takes is a Goal, I’m excited to share the first two words of my four-word formula for achieving any goal: "Results" and "Actions." I’ll explain why 92% of New Year's resolutions fail and how you can avoid becoming part of that statistic. I’ll show you how to define clear results and take practical actions to reach your objectives, using my book-writing process as an example. Plus, I’ll introduce you to the Finish Journal, a new tool I created with Leuchtturm1917 to help you complete your goals. Tune in and let’s start transforming your goals into accomplishments!
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ATG 181: 7 Fresh Soundtracks to Deal with Fear! Jun 10, 2024

Do you feel like fear has a bit too much say in your life and thoughts? In this episode, I’m sharing seven new soundtracks to crush the fear that has been getting a vote in your lives and thoughts. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make when you try these affirmations for a week! Remember, you have to work to find hope, positivity, and joy, but trust me, it’s absolutely worth it. Tune in and let's conquer fear together!
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ATG 180: How To “Buy Back Your Time” with Dan Martell Jun 03, 2024

How do successful entrepreneurs tackle the challenge of maintaining focus? Join me for a captivating conversation with Dan Martell as we dive into this crucial aspect of entrepreneurship. Dan, a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, entrepreneur, and angel investor, became a highly sought-after coach in the SaaS industry after exiting three technology companies within ten years. Dan shares savvy insights on reclaiming time through hiring strategies and the importance of trust and streamlined systems for personal growth. Tune in to hear about Dan's daily routine and his methods for balancing work and personal life.
Plus, learn about his book, Buy Back Your Time, where he shares even more valuable strategies for reclaiming your most precious resource.
Dan’s Book List:
A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi
The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Good to Great by Jim Collins
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
In This Episode:
You can follow Dan on Instagram and YouTube or check out his website!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 179: Take Your Career From Accidental to Intentional with Scott Miller May 27, 2024

Ready to unlock joy and growth in your career? Join me as I sit down with Scott Miller to explore his new career-focused book, Career on Course. Scott shares invaluable insights from his dynamic professional journey, emphasizing the importance of joy and self-awareness in personal and professional growth. As a multi-passionate individual, he highlights the significance of experimentation to discover what truly resonates. Tune into our conversation about reading habits, productivity, and unlocking your potential. This episode could ignite your next career breakthrough!
Scott’s Book List
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Donald Miller’s Books
The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey
Malcolm Gladwell’s Books
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
In This Episode:
Check out Scott's website!
Find out more about his book, Career On Course
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 178: Morning Mastery - Tips for a Productive Day with Jeff Sanders May 20, 2024

Do you want to learn how to make the most of your mornings? Join me and guest Jeff Sanders, author of The 5 A.M. Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast and a renowned podcaster, as we look at ways to master your mornings and optimize your day. Jeff shares his expertise on the weekly review process and agile goal setting, offering invaluable insights into planning your week and setting achievable goals.

Learn the importance of setting smaller, actionable goals aligned with larger objectives. Jeff also shares about the tools and techniques he uses, from digital calendars to task managers, to streamline his workflow and maximize productivity. You want to hear this conversation!
Jeff's Book List:
Getting Things Done by David Allen
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Effortless by Greg McKeown
In This Episode:
Check out Jeff's podcast, The 5 A.M. Miracle wherever you find your podcasts
More info on his website!
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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 177: 1 Question That Will Automatically 100X Your Self-Awareness May 13, 2024

Want to know the one question that will automatically 100x your self-awareness? Then you're in for a treat on All It Takes Is a Goal podcast! Join me as we uncover the secrets behind stalled dreams and untapped potential. We'll explore the power of this game-changing question. So, are you ready to boost your self-awareness and goals? Tune in now.

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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 176: 7 Things They Won’t Let Me Say In A Graduation Commencement May 06, 2024

Ever wonder why graduation speeches always stick to the same tired script? Join me for this episode where I break free from tradition and share unfiltered truths they won't let me say on stage. From navigating failure to tackling debt, I'm serving up real talk you won't find elsewhere. Plus, I've got tips on combating loneliness and avoiding fear mongers. It's time to shake things up and dive into some raw wisdom. And hey, if you've got a kid about to graduate or need a refresher yourself, this episode is a must-listen. College presidents, consider this your invitation to slide into my DMs—let's chat!
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ATG 175: How I Read 100 Books In A Year Apr 29, 2024

How do I plow through 100 books yearly? Here's a sneak peak: start with your shelf, hit the library, track your progress on Goodreads, and always have a new book queued up. Why do I read so much? Well, reading makes you more likely to be a millionaire. That’s a cool benefit. According to socio-economist Randall Bell, “Those who read seven or more books per year are 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read.” I like those odds.
In this episode, I could only cover 9 tips, but if you want all 36 of my tips, you can download my free guide! Check it out at www.JonAcuff.com/read.
Jon's Book List:
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Obvious Adams by Robert Updegraff
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ATG 174: The Simple Way to Stop Complicating Your Goals Apr 22, 2024

Do you find yourself overcomplicating goals before even starting? In this episode, I share how the fear of inadequacy often leads to unnecessary complexity. Drawing from personal experiences, I highlight the importance of embracing challenges gradually and offer practical tips for simplifying goals. Through self-reflection exercises, I’ll guide you to identify areas of over-complication and empower you to move forward confidently.
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ATG 173: Goal-Driven Mindshifts: Breaking Barriers with Dr. Josh Axe Apr 15, 2024

Ever wondered how to cultivate a more meaningful life while achieving your biggest goals? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josh Axe to explore just that. As a leading authority in natural medicine, Dr. Axe shares actionable strategies for breaking through limiting beliefs and prioritizing faith, family, work, and health to align with your journey toward fulfillment. We discuss the importance of strategy and creating a plan to achieve your goals. Plus, we talk about Josh's newest book, Think This, Not That.
Whether you want to improve your physical or financial health, raise the quality of your relationships, or take your career to new heights, these mindshifts will help transform your goals in life. Tune in to this episode and start unlocking the keys to achieving your most fulfilling goals.
Dr. Josh's Book List
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins
And David Perceived He Was Kingby Dale L. Mast
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
In This Episode
Learn more at Dr. Josh's website.
Grab his new book, Think This, Not That.
The Dr. Josh Axe Show is available in your favorite podcatcher
Listen to Jon and Dr. Josh's episode!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 172: Think Ahead: Decision-Making Habits and Systems with Craig Groeschel Apr 08, 2024

Have you ever wondered why success sometimes feels like a game of dodgeball, with distractions flying at you from every direction? Join me in this episode as I interview Craig Groeschel, New York Times bestselling author, and the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, which created the free YouVersion Bible App.
We're diving deep into the wild world of leadership and uncovering how to navigate the pitfalls of achievement. From battling the boss called pride to building a fortress of accountability, Craig's insights are pure gold. Plus, we'll explore decision-making habits and the importance of thinking ahead. So grab your pen and notebook and join us for this conversation about conquering goals and crushing it in leadership!
Craig's Book List:
Good to Great by Jim Collins
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Power of Moments by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
In This Episode:
Find Think Ahead, wherever books are sold!
You can find out more on Craig's website
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I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 171: How To Fix Every Distraction with Just 12 Words Apr 01, 2024

Have you ever thought about the real price tag on your Instagram obsession? Well, strap in, because in my latest podcast, I'm diving deep into the rabbit hole of social media addiction. Let's face it, we're all guilty of spending way too much time scrolling through Instagram, only to realize it's left us feeling empty and unfulfilled. But fear not, because I've got a game-changing solution. Join me as I unpack the hidden costs of digital distractions and chart a course toward reclaiming our time and prioritizing what truly matters in life.
In This Episode:
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I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 170: The 2-Step, Failproof Formula for a Spectacular Career Mar 25, 2024

Ever dreamed of getting paid for doing what you love? It's not just wishful thinking! In this episode, I unpack the two crucial steps to crafting a fulfilling career. First, find a passion that you love so much, you'd do it for free. Then, master your craft until people can't help but pay you for it. It's time to pursue your dreams with purpose and pave the way for a successful, fulfilling career path. Tune in for actionable insights that'll transform your professional journey!
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 169: Who’s Afraid of the C-Word? (Commitment) Mar 18, 2024

What if my myriad goals signify creativity rather than chaos? In my latest podcast, I explore the common dilemma of having too many goals. I outline the four stages of goal achievement— Dream, Plan, Do, Review—underscoring how boundless imagination thrives in the Dream stage but falters with commitment. Fear of choosing the wrong goal and wasting time looms large. Drawing from personal experience, I confess my struggle with commitment, fearing the loss of subscribers and creativity. I stress the importance of small commitments to build momentum, urging you to confront your fear of commitment and unlock the rewards of focused pursuit.
In This Episode:
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 168: “What Do You Want?” How to Answer the Most Difficult Questions for Goals Mar 11, 2024

Chances are you’ve had one or more of the following thoughts about goals: "I don’t know what I want to do," "I have too many goals," or "The goal is too complicated." Do you know what all of these thoughts have in common? They are all just different varieties of fear. In this episode, we’re going to break down that first fear, “I don’t know what I want to do.” Can you boldly declare your wants without justifying them? I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent too much time letting fear dictate my choices. It's time to reclaim control. Join me in this episode to discover how.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 167: Wise People Win: Here’s How to Become One Mar 04, 2024

Ever had a moment that reshaped everything? Last July, I stumbled upon two sentences about wisdom. They sparked a 670-hour journey, revealing the costs: humility, relationships, money, opportunity, and time. Tracking "wisdom hours" through reading, mentoring, and reflection reshaped my decisions, well-being, patience, and curiosity. Now, I ask you: Are you actively pursuing wisdom? You can start by dedicating just an hour to activities like walking with a wise friend or journaling. Pursuing wisdom isn't just an idea; it's a transformative path. Join me as we uncover its power together in this episode.
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 166: Texting Oprah, Navigating Goals, and Self-Worth with Jamie Kern Lima Feb 26, 2024

Have 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 insights, unveiled in her latest book, Worthy, which offers invaluable wisdom on the pursuit of goals and the pursuit of true fulfillment.
In This Episode:
You can grab a copy of Jamie's new book, Worthy
Find out more at her website
You can find Jamie on Instagram and Facebook
Jamie's Book List:
The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication by John C. Maxwell
The Power of One More by Ed Mylett
All It Takes is a Goal by Jon Acuff
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ATG 165: How to Turn 1000 Hours Outside Into a Goal with Ginny Yurich Feb 19, 2024

Ever wondered how to strike a balance between screen time and outdoor adventures? Well, I've got the perfect guest to shed some light on that! Join me as I sit down with Ginny Yurich, the visionary founder of 1000 Hours Outside, on the latest episode of my podcast. Ginny's insights into nature-based play and experiences are unmatched, making her a go-to source for inspiration and practical tips. She hosts the top-ranked "1000 Hours Outside Podcast" and has authored five books, including her latest, Until the Streetlights Come On. Let's dive in and discover how we can all embrace the beauty of the outdoors.
In This Episode:
Check out Ginny's book, Until the Streetlights Come On
You can find Ginny on Instagram
More at the 1000 Hours Outside website
Ginny's Book List
Smart Moves by Carla Hanford, PhD
Balanced and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
War of Art by Steven Pressfield
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ATG 164: 5 Weird Decisions That Make My Marriage Awesome Feb 12, 2024

If you’re married or would like to be someday, you are going to love this episode. I share five unconventional decisions that have strengthened my relationship with Jenny. From counseling to trusting instincts, having kids early, choosing friends wisely, and employing a "how" and "wow" approach, we have learned to prioritize communication and positive relationships. Tune in today!
Want to be weird this year with someone you love? Read a book together! I wrote a new book called All It Takes Is a Goal that will give you and your spouse an amazing shared vision for what’s possible next. Few things unite a couple like a goal they can work on together. Pick up a copy today anywhere books are sold.
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ATG 163: 9 Counterintuitive Ways To Enjoy Your 2024 Goals Feb 05, 2024

Ever wonder why most people have given up on their goals by now? While many have let go of their aspirations, we haven’t - because we're not like most people. Let's keep the momentum alive in 2024!
In this episode, I share unconventional strategies to help us stay on track. From keeping goals private until they're strong, to prioritizing what you love, we'll navigate this goal journey together.
Try a few of these tips and see how amazing 2024 can really be! Better yet, grab a copy of my new book All It Takes Is a Goal and just read chapter 2. It has a tool that will instantly show you what you really care about and give you a really simple life plan you can put into work immediately.
The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
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I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 162: Dear 22-Year-Old Me Jan 29, 2024

Ever thought about the advice you'd give your younger self? What guidance would you offer? This week on the podcast, I'm sharing just that with a letter to my 22-year-old self. It's a conversation about reflecting on life's pivotal moments and realizing the power of setting goals for a more fulfilling journey ahead. Whether you're currently around the age of 22 or wish you could share wisdom with your younger self, this episode is for you!
The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
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My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

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ATG 161: Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events) Jan 22, 2024

In this episode, I'm on a mission to help you crush your 2024 goals. I share the vital aspects of Monthly Actions and Events—streamlining your month and breaking down those big annual goals. Discover the power of monthly reviews for adjusting and fine-tuning your goals. Plus, the Events category is where we capture those unique yearly goals or experiences. Join me in making this year truly exceptional—check out this episode now!

Join me in the Guaranteed Goals Community! Unlock instant access to over 100 videos, live events with me, and a supportive global community dedicated to cheering you on. Break through fear, perfectionism, and procrastination. With accountability and consistency, your goals are within reach. Visit Jonacuff.com/goals and invest in your future today! Hurry - the community closes January 26, 2024.
The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 160: Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly) Jan 15, 2024

Have you ever been in that spot where your list of goals feels like a never-ending puzzle, and you're just not sure how to piece it all together? Well, join me as I pull back the curtain and introduce you to a game-changing checklist that'll bring clarity to your goal-setting journey. In this episode, we're diving deep into the daily and weekly sections, where I'll share my personal strategies for handling goals, including my personal phone time hack and the art of meticulous planning. We'll also bust the myth of “fake goals” and explore my tried-and-true productivity system. Ready to conquer your list of aspirations? Tune in and let's transform your goals into a practical checklist.
Join me in the Guaranteed Goals Community! Unlock instant access to over 100 videos, live events with me, and a supportive global community dedicated to cheering you on. Break through fear, perfectionism, and procrastination. With accountability and consistency, your goals are within reach. Visit Jonacuff.com/goals and invest in your future today! Hurry - the community closes January 26, 2024.
The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

Have me speak at your next event!

ATG 159: 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have Jan 08, 2024

New year, new goals! In this episode of All It Takes Is a Goal podcast, I'm breaking down the five game-changing categories for your goals: Career, Financial, Relationships, Health, and Fun. Use these categories to discover how to turn your big dreams into actionable steps. Plus, I reveal some mind-blowing data and give you a tool you've never seen before. Don't miss the chance to level up your goal-setting game in 2024!
Ready to conquer your goals and make 2024 your most successful year yet? Join me in the Guaranteed Goals Community! Unlock instant access to over 100 videos, live events with me, and a supportive global community dedicated to cheering you on. Break through fear, perfectionism, and procrastination. With accountability and consistency, your goals are within reach. Don't miss out—visit Jonacuff.com/goals and invest in your future today!

The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
In This Episode:
Order my new book All It Takes Is A Goal, available wherever you find quality books!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 158: 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity! Jan 01, 2024

Happy New Year! Welcome to the All It Takes Is a Goal podcast, where we're kicking off 2024 with Part 1 of the Fail-Proof Resolutions Series! I'm here to guide high performers like you through three episodes, equipping you with tools to conquer your goals. In this episode, we focus on creating a massive goal list for the year. High performers, like yourself, excel at creating goals; our challenge is prioritizing them. I provide three questions to spark ideas on this. Stay tuned for next week when I make categorizing your goals a fun adventure! Let's make 2024 your best year yet!
Ready to make your resolutions stick in 2024? Join me for the Fail-Proof Resolutions Challenge from January 3rd through 5th at jonacuff.com/challenge. It's free, it's awesome, and together, we'll kickstart your best year yet!
The Failproof Resolutions Podcast Series:
Episode 1 - 3 Unexpected Questions to Multiply Your Goal Creativity!
Episode 2 - 5 Types of Goals You Should Always Have
Episode 3 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Daily and Weekly)
Episode 4 - Turn Your Goals Into A Checklist (Monthly and Events)
Episode 5 - Dear 22-Year-Old Me
In This Episode:
Order my new book All It Takes Is A Goal, available wherever you find quality books!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 157: My 5 Favorite Books from 2023 Dec 25, 2023

I managed to plow through about 85-ish books in 2023. And I say "ish" because there are still a few days left, and I tend to go on a reading spree during Christmas break.
Why did I read those 85-ish books? Simple—I love reading. I mean, I was that odd kid bringing books to sleepovers back in elementary school. For me, wisdom is like gold, and books are the cheapest, fastest way to the life you want. Check out my top 5 favorite reads of 2023, and if you wanna crush it in 2024, snag my book All It Takes Is a Goal and join my FREE Fail-Proof Resolutions challenge.
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
My Top 5 Books of 2023:
Dickens and Prince by Nick Hornby
The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham
Slow Horses by Mick Herron
Mad World by Lori Majewski and Jonathan Bernstein
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
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Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 156: How to Stay Motivated All Year Dec 18, 2023

I've got a reality check for you, and it's not the cheeriest news. In 2024, you're going to lose your motivation. Yep, it happens, and often sooner than you think. Did you know that Strava, the fitness app giant, dubbed the second Friday of January as "Quitter's Day"? Most New Year's Resolutions don't even make it out of January. But fear not, because I've got a plan to help you navigate the motivation rollercoaster. Listen to this episode for the 3 steps to stay motivated all year long.
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 155: Tomorrow Starts Today Dec 11, 2023

In this episode, I'm revealing a game-changing idea: "Tomorrow starts today." What do I mean by that? I mean that if you want to win next year, start working on it this year. Better yet, start working on it today. Break free from the January 1st myth. Imagine an "Amazing Race" with a 20-day head start—winning would be easy, right? Apply that to your goals. Don't wait until January; start collecting goals today. Use a digital note, Instagram, or a notebook. On January 1st, armed with a list of resolutions, you'll be unstoppable.
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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ATG 154: Beyond the Scale: Secrets to Success in Weight Loss and Business with Corinne Crabtree Dec 04, 2023

In this podcast, I interview Corinne Crabtree, an expert in weight loss and business. With her podcast "Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne Crabtree," which has 50 million global downloads, and her business that’s ranked #1052 in the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Businesses, Corinne is on a mission to help women reach personal wealth and health goals. We delve into breaking down fear, normalizing negative thinking, and understanding motivations. Corinne shares her daily routines, decisions for long-term success, and insights on avoiding burnout. Join us for an insightful episode exploring goal-setting, ambition, and balance in life.
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
In This Episode:
You can listen to Corinne's first episode on ATG here!
Check out Corinne's podcast Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne Crabtree
Find Corinne on Instagram @corinne_crabtree and @nobsbusinesswomen
You can sign up for Corinne's Free No BS Weight Loss Course
Be sure to check out the No BS Business Membership waitlist
Get a copy of Finish the Book
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 153: How to Win Your New Year’s Resolutions Before the Year Even Begins! Nov 27, 2023

Ever wondered why New Year's resolutions often fizzle out by February? Join me in this episode as we explore the art of winning your resolutions before the year even starts. Let's ditch the post-Christmas rush and create goals that stick by learning how to practice your goals this December for a head start on success. I've got practical tips and a game plan for making your resolutions a year-long reality. Let’s jumpstart your goals like never before!
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
In This Episode:
Get a copy of Finish the Book
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 152: 2 Decisions Great Comedians Always Make! (And why you should, too.) Nov 20, 2023

Ever wondered what it takes to distill a three-minute story into the perfect 60-second joke? Join me on the All It Takes Is a Goal podcast as I unravel the answer inspired by a dinner conversation with comedian Nate Bargatze. In this episode, I share two pivotal decisions that can shape a profoundly fulfilling life.
Can you believe that 2024 is almost here? It’s time to order your 2024 Finish Calendar to get a head start on working towards your goals for next year. Order yours here today.
In This Episode:
Get a copy of Finish the Book
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 151: The 4 Best Words in the Entire Harry Potter Series Nov 13, 2023

How does Harry Potter relate to achieving your goals? Join me in this episode of All it Takes is a Goal podcast as I share the enchanting connection between the wizarding world and personal achievements. Ever wondered how four words from the series can transform your perspective? Stay tuned to discover the magical insights and inspiring stories that lie ahead!
In This Episode:
Grab a copy of the Finish Calendar to help you with your goals!
Get a copy of Finish the Book
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 150: Navigating Entrepreneurship with Bill Hampton Nov 06, 2023

I'm thrilled to have Bill Hampton as our special guest in this episode of All It Takes Is a Goal. Bill has an impressive background as a CEO, CMO, and Chief Business Development Officer, and spent 13 influential years at Ramsey Solutions, where he played a pivotal role in turning a local radio show into a national media powerhouse. Bill's unwavering commitment to continuous learning and hands-on leadership has been instrumental in his journey.
In this episode, we'll uncover the secrets to transforming life's curveballs into opportunities for growth and personal development. Whether you're in search of inspiration or you’re aiming to unlock your full potential, tune in for this must-listen episode packed with wisdom that Bill gained from his experiences.
Bill Hampton's Book List:
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Straight from the Gut by Jack Welch
In This Episode:
You can catch up with Bill on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn as well as his website!
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 149: 5 Things I Learned When I Took 30 Days Off Oct 30, 2023

I used to be terrible at taking time off. I was a workaholic like many of you out there. But then, something remarkable happened. I had a life-changing conversation at a conference. I met a guy who told me he took a whole month off every July, a far cry from my mere 10 days of vacation each year. It got me thinking, “Could I do that? Could I build a thriving business and still take a month off?”

Well, I did! And in this podcast, I'm sharing the insights from that journey. I want you to challenge the conventional beliefs about work, find self-awareness, and set powerful goals. So, let's dive in and explore how taking a break can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 148: 3 Soundtracks for Mastering Your Time Management Oct 23, 2023

In this episode, I'm laying out four raw truths about time and why it's absolutely critical to align your goals with your calendar. Get ready to take charge of your mindset because I've got three important soundtracks to overhaul your approach to time management. Once you've made that mindset shift, you'll be on the fast track to effective time management, prioritization, and turning your calendar into a powerhouse for achieving success.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 147: 3 Things I Wish I Knew Sooner as a Parent Oct 16, 2023

In this episode of the All It Takes Is a Goal podcast, I'm excited to share with you three crucial parenting lessons that, looking back, I wish I had grasped sooner. From tackling those tricky mealtime situations to deciphering the perfect timing for your child's first phone, I'm here to offer you some down-to-earth advice. And of course, I've got a humorous puddle mishap story up my sleeve to remind us all not to take life too seriously. So, tune in for these invaluable nuggets of parenting wisdom and more!

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 146: The One Truth: A Path to Positivity with Jon Gordon Oct 09, 2023

In 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 your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
You can check out Jon Gordon's new book, The One Truth
Take a listen to his podcast, Positive University
Find out more at JonGordon.com where you can connect with him on social media!
Jon Gordon's Book List
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
All The Places To Go by John Ortberg
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Illusions by Richard Bach
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 145: 4 Soft Skills That Make Hard Goals Easier Oct 02, 2023

Ever wondered what sets apart those who achieve their goals from those who don't? In this episode, I'm here to answer that question by unveiling the four transformative soft skills that can make your hard goals not only achievable but also a reality.
Whether you're pursuing a dream, embarking on a new project, or simply striving to elevate your life, remember this: resilience, self-awareness, flexibility, and patience are your steadfast companions on the path to success. Let's unlock the potential of these skills together and turn your hard goals into tangible achievements.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 144: How to Instantly Cure Imposter Syndrome Sep 25, 2023

Is imposter syndrome holding you back from achieving your goals and dreams? In this episode, I share the one thing I did to beat imposter syndrome, and it’s something you can easily do too.
Are you ready to beat imposter syndrome and achieve your goals? It doesn’t take a ton of effort - the smallest amount of work gets the process started. And you have instant access to that process today.
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 143: The Only 2 Ways to Escape Your Comfort Zone Sep 18, 2023

Do you ever feel stuck in a rut? Let’s change that! In this episode, I’m sharing the two best ways to escape your comfort zone from Chapter 5 of my new book, All It Takes Is a Goal. This one is going to be a lot of fun! Are you ready?
My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is now available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 142: The Fool-Proof Plan to Tapping Into Your Full Potential Sep 11, 2023

Ever wondered if achieving your biggest goals could be simpler than you imagine? Join me for an exclusive sneak peek into my new book, All It Takes Is a Goal. In this episode, I'll read the first 11 pages of my new book, unveiling my insights into the art of goal-setting. Whether you're new here or a long-time listener, the stories and practical advice inside my new book will inspire you to make your dreams a reality.
And guess what? You can pre-order my upcoming book All It Takes Is a Goaland claim free gifts (including the audiobook) by September 12 here.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 141: 6 Nerdy Tools to Achieve Your Goals Sep 04, 2023

Are you ready to elevate your goal game? In this episode, I share six nerdy yet game-changing tools that top achievers always employ. Curious about celebrating micro milestones or using timers to enhance focus? Tune in to learn how to expand your mindset, behaviors, and results. Embrace measurable data, visual targets, regular evaluations, and simple systems to propel your goal progress. Don't miss out on this chance to level up your success journey. Together, we'll unleash the potential of these tools and turn your dreams into reality, step by step!

And guess what? You can pre-order my upcoming book All It Takes Is a Goaland claim free gifts (including the audiobook) by September 12 here.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 140: Fix your negative mindset in 24 minutes! Aug 28, 2023

Ever wondered if positivity could truly outshine negativity? In this episode, I delve into my personal journey of transforming from a skeptical cynic as a kid to a hopeful optimist in my mid-30s. How did rejecting negativity lead me to embrace hope, even in the face of rejection, job loss, and missed opportunities? Tune in as I share the powerful revelation that positivity offers an unparalleled ROI, fostering creativity, deeper relationships, and open doors. Over 13 years, I've harnessed positivity to supercharge motivation, career growth, and connections. Don't miss this dynamic exploration of the mindset shift that can illuminate your path from darkness to a brighter, more fulfilling future.

And guess what? You can pre-order my upcoming book All It Takes Is a Goaland claim free gifts (including the entire audiobook!) by September 12 here.
In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 139: Use Online Video to Build Your Influence with Sean Cannell Aug 21, 2023

Ever wondered how to harness the power of online video to skyrocket your influence on platforms like YouTube? Dive into this episode with guest Sean Cannell, a YouTube sensation who's turned video content into a fun-filled adventure. Sean's journey, from rave parties to YouTube stardom, showcases the magic of goal setting combined with passion and purpose. Eager to know the secrets behind setting vibrant goals, building a loyal community, and navigating the highs and lows of content creation? Don’t miss this rollercoaster ride of laughs, insights, and actionable tips!
In This Episode:
Follow Sean on Instagram or on YouTube
Check out ThinkMedia TV on YouTube
Buy a copy of the 2nd edition of Sean’s book YouTube Secrets!
Sean's Book List
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell
The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork by John Maxwell
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Preorder my new book, All It Takes Is A Goal!
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 138: Summer School #6: Speak Like a Pro (A Crash Course in Public Speaking) Aug 14, 2023

Want to wow a crowd with your words? In this episode of All It Takes Is a Goal, Gian Lemmi and I break down the secrets of public speaking. We'll talk about the “lean-in line” and how to make your message hit home. Tune in to hear about my 15-year speaking journey and the lessons I wish I knew when I started!
This is the last episode of our Summer School series! Make sure to hit that subscribe button for future episodes and go back to listen to the full Summer School series here.
In This Episode:
Preorder my new book, All It Takes Is A Goal!
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 137: Summer School #5: My Top 10 Lessons I’ve Learned From Owning A Business Aug 07, 2023

Ever wondered what a decade of running a small business looks like? I’ve got ten lessons from a decade of running my own business that I want to share with you in this episode. Join me and my co-host Gian Lemmi as we dive into mastering communication, harnessing the power of tracking business data, and genuinely connecting with your audience's needs. We’ll also delve into the art of valuing your time, the finesse of negotiation, and the adaptability required in the ever-changing entrepreneurial landscape. Plus, we're unpacking teamwork strategies and the essential role of a solid support system. Prepare for a dynamic experience of growth, inspiration, and practical advice to elevate your business endeavors!
This episode is part of our Summer School series! Make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode of this series!
In This Episode:
Preorder my new book, All It Takes Is A Goal!
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 136: Summer School #4: A Journey of CrossFit, Personal Development, and Achieving Health Goals with Nicole Aucoin Jul 31, 2023

Are 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 including writing, captivating conversations, and so much more! Trust me, it's going to be a blast. Make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode of this series!
Nicole's Book List:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Power to Change by Craig Groeschel
Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
Building Your StoryBrand by Donald Miller
The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz
Communicating For A Change by Andy Stanley & Lane Jones
In This Episode:
On Instagram, you can follow Nicole, Healthy Steps Nutrition, and CrossFit HSN.
Check out Nicole's podcasts, Nutrition Made Simple and Grow Your Nutrition Business
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 135: Summer School #3: Sunday Scaries Jul 24, 2023

Have you ever experienced the Sunday scaries? That sense of dread that creeps in on Sunday afternoons, making you anxious about the upcoming week? In this episode of All It Takes Is a Goal podcast, I'm specifically addressing how to deal with those Sunday scaries. Join me and my co-host Gian Lemmi as we share rapid-fire tips and strategies to overcome this common struggle. Get ready to conquer your Sunday scaries! Let's get started!

This episode is part of our Summer School series! Get ready to learn through a fun journey covering various topics including writing, captivating conversations, and so much more! Trust me, it's going to be a blast. Make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode of this series!

In This Episode:
Gian's pick: The Office ASMR Podcast
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 134: Summer School #2: Ghostwriting and Self-Publishing Demystified with Maria Gagliano Jul 17, 2023

Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring a book to life? Well, in this episode of the All It Takes Is a Goal podcast, I sit down with the incredible Maria Gagliano to explore the world of book writing, revising, and editing. As an editor and bestselling ghostwriter at Penguin Random House, Maria has worked on some major titles, including my own book, Do Over, as well as #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso and Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. Join us as Maria and I discuss the art of connecting ideas with readers, her personal writing routine, and essential tips for first-time authors. Plus, she dives into the fascinating world of ghostwriting and the pros and cons of self-publishing. Get ready for an engaging and enlightening conversation that will inspire you to take your writing goals to the next level!

This episode is part of our Summer School series! Get ready to learn through a fun journey covering various topics including writing, captivating conversations, and so much more! Trust me, it's going to be a blast. Make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode of this series!

In This Episode:
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 133: Summer School #1: Writing Tips Jul 10, 2023

Have you ever dreamed about being a writer? Join me and my co-host Gian Lemmi on this episode of the All It Takes Is a Goal podcast as we discuss what it takes to have a career in writing. I'll share six practical tips, from crafting captivating book titles, to learning from literary masters, to discovering how a visit to a bookstore can reveal invaluable insights into genres, covers, and popular patterns. Don't miss this episode—tune in now!

And guess what? This episode is just a taste of our exciting Summer School series! Get ready to learn through a fun journey covering various topics including writing, captivating conversations with my former book editor and a Crossfit Gym owner, and so much more! Trust me, it's going to be a blast. Make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode of this series!

Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 132: Transforming Your Inner Critic into Your Biggest Ally Jul 03, 2023

How do you effectively deal with your inner critic? I've realized that I need my inner critic, but not all the time. He's terrible at the start of projects and brainstorming, but he's great at checking the final details when the project is almost done. Don't fight him, just invite him to the right parts of your life. Together, we'll uncover practical strategies to transform your inner critic from a hindrance to a powerful ally. Let's conquer our inner critics and achieve our goals.
Every successful goal has four stages: 1. Dream 2. Plan 3. Do 4. Review. Invite your inner critic to the Review stage to get the most out of it. Learn how to have fun in all four stages right here!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 131: The Brilliant Zone: Achieve Your Goals through High-Value, Low-Energy Actions Jun 26, 2023

What 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 have fun in all four stages right here – acuff.me/goals.
In This Episode:
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 130: The Important Zone: How to Focus on What Matters Most Jun 19, 2023

Are you tired of feeling trapped in the never-ending vortex of busyness, where you're left wondering if you're truly making progress on what really matters? In this episode you’ll learn to identify the important things that deserve your undivided attention. We’ll also take a deep dive into the Important Zone, where actions bring maximum value and require maximum energy. If you have a goal like getting healthy, decluttering, or starting a business, you’ll learn what it takes to make these happen. It's time to realign your focus, reclaim your time, and make remarkable progress toward your most meaningful goals.
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 129: Navigating the Distraction Zone Jun 12, 2023

Are distractions interfering with your goals? If so, you're in for a treat because this episode is all about exploring the world of distractions. We'll uncover the truth behind the allure of perfectionism and the grip of the Distraction Zone. But don't worry, I've got your back with practical strategies to outsmart distractions and stay focused on what truly matters. Get ready to optimize your time and crush your goals. Are you ready to confront distractions head-on? Let's dive in and make progress happen!
In This Episode:
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book
Soundtracks the Video Course
Finish Course

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 128: How to Avoid the Urgent Zone Jun 05, 2023

Are you stuck in the Urgent Zone, where high energy actions leave you with low value? Let’s unravel the secrets of avoiding this productivity trap. What if I told you that perfectionism is just fear dressed up in a tuxedo, preventing you from reaching your goals? Discover how to break free from the Urgent Zone and focus on what truly matters. Plus, our episode sponsor, GGC Ad, has a $5 parenting tip hidden within. Can you find it? Tune in now and revolutionize your approach to success.
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
You can get more info on the Soundtracks Video Course.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 127: How High Achievers Navigate the 4 Time Zones May 29, 2023

Did you know there are four time zones that high achievers always face? In this episode, you’ll learn what these time zones are and how to best navigate them to accomplish your goals. I share tactical and practical ways to manage your time and energy effectively, unlocking your path to maximum productivity. We'll also dive deep into defeating perfectionism, embracing new leadership roles, and replacing shame with hope. Listen now if time is a constant struggle for you and your goals.
Having trouble turning your wishful dreams into accomplished goals? I've got the perfect solution for you inside the Guaranteed Goals Community! Get ready to make some serious progress by checking out the website. Let's make those dreams a reality together.
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
You can get more info on the Soundtracks Video Course.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 126: The Magic of 1% Wins May 22, 2023

Have you ever been frustrated because you can’t seem to make progress on your goals? In this episode, we’re going to cover how progress is actually made, and why a 1% win can lead you to 100% success. You’ll learn how to build a solid base, measure your starting point, and actively seek progress. By tracking essential data points and embracing the power of the 1% win, you'll gain clarity, momentum, and achieve remarkable outcomes.
Ready to start seeing progress? Let’s go!
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
You can get more info on the Soundtracks Video Course.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 125: 8 Signs You’re a Perfectionist (Part 2) May 15, 2023

Did you know that perfectionism is a toxic trait? In this episode, I’ll explain exactly why and share the final four signs you may be a perfectionist. Perfectionism may seem like a vitamin, but it's actually poison. Perfectionism drains your energy, hinders progress, invents imaginary issues, and isolates you from your community. It's essential to overcome perfectionism to achieve your goals. Don't worry if you missed Part 1 of this episode, you can listen to it here. Let's jump in!
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Previous ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
You can get more info on the Soundtracks Video Course.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 124: 8 Signs You’re a Perfectionist (Part 1) May 08, 2023

Do you ever find yourself striving for perfection, only to feel drained and discouraged? What if I told you there's a better way? As someone who struggled with perfectionism for years, I know how it can hold you back and drain your energy. Excellence, on the other hand, can inspire and motivate you to achieve your goals. In this episode, I share four of the eight signs you’re a perfectionist. Do any of these sound like you? Listen now to find out!
In This Episode:
Want to join my online goals community called the Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Other ATG Episodes About Perfection:

Check out these resources too:

Soundtracks the Book
Finish the Book

Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
You can get more info on the Soundtracks Video Course.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 123: Why You're Always Out of Time and How to Fix It May 01, 2023

Are you always running out of time, feeling overwhelmed or stressed out by an endless to-do list? In this episode, I’ll show you why this happens and share the quickest and easiest way to fix it! You'll discover why managing your time effectively is critical to achieving your goals, plus I’ll share my favorite tool for checking my time. Listen in to take control of your schedule to accomplish more with minimal stress and maximum fun!
Want to join my online membership called Guaranteed Goals Community? Click here to get started!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 122: 5 Games for Winning Your Goals Apr 24, 2023

Sometimes life feels overwhelming – too complicated or complex. But at the end of the day, it all boils down to just 5 big games. In this episode, Gian and I unpack each of the 5 games: career, finances, relationships, health, and fun. And you’ll learn the cheat codes to stack the deck in your favor to get the most out of your life and goals. So no matter your goal – get in shape, write a book, start a side hustle, have a better marriage, pay off debt, raise a Rhodesian Ridgeback – listen in and start winning!
Want to join the GGC? Click here to get started!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 121: Beyond Perfect: Soundtracks I Use to Beat Perfectionism (Part 2) Apr 17, 2023

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 perfection and unlock your full potential!
In This Episode:
Join the 3-day FREE Beyond Perfect Challenge!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 120: Beyond Perfect: The Hidden Enemy of Your Goals (Part 1) Apr 10, 2023

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 GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 119: 5 Mind-Blowing Quotes You Need to Crush Your Goals Apr 03, 2023

Have you ever wondered what it takes to achieve your goals and unlock your true potential? In this episode, I share five mind-blowing quotes from Elizabeth King, John Mellencamp, Scott Galloway, and Al Andrews. These quotes have personally impacted me and can help you too.
You’ll also learn why it’s important to have a system and boundaries in place to achieve your goals and unleash your creativity. Grab something to take notes, because you’ll want to write these down and keep them close when you need extra encouragement. Join me for this episode where we explore the powerful insights of these amazing individuals together!
In This Episode:
Join the free Beyond Perfect Challenge!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 118: Dare to Dream Big: Master the Art of Boldness for Goal-Driven Success with Jennifer Cohen Mar 27, 2023

What 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 of failing" to having a "PhD in getting right back up again." Plus, you won't want to miss our playful debate on who would win in a fight between Paw Patrol and Clifford the Big Red Dog!
Join us for an entertaining and empowering conversation that will challenge you to embrace boldness and create the life you've always dreamed of. Are you ready to be bold?
Jennifer's Book List:
From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
Mastery by Robert Greene
The Law of Human Nature by Robert Greene
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Jennifer’s new book Bigger Better Bolder: Live the Life You Want, Not the Life You Get
Check out Jennifer's podcast Habits & Hustle and find out more on her website!
Follow Jennifer on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok @therealjencohen
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 117: Turn Your Passion Project into a Profit Powerhouse: Business Growth Secrets with Donald Miller Mar 20, 2023

Are you looking to start your side hustle or level up into a thriving business? In this episode, join me as I interview business expert Donald Miller about the secrets to turning your passion project into a profitable powerhouse. We cover everything from economic goals and marketing tactics to leadership skills specifically tailored for entrepreneurs. Listen in, take notes, and learn the strategies you need to crush your business growth goals!
Donald began his dream business in 2010. Despite initial success, he found himself overwhelmed by daily operations, and his business struggled to achieve consistent results. Over years of fits and false starts, Donald managed to grow his company to nearly $20 million by identifying six crucial aspects of a successful business. Today, he shares these insights to help others soar to success.
If you are looking for a simple plan to grow your small business, check out his new book – How to Grow Your Small Business.
Donald's Book List:
The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Donald’s new book How to Grow Your Small Business: A 6-Step Plan to Help Your Business Take Off
Check out Donald's podcast Business Made Simple and find out more on his website!
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 116: Dunk Like an NBA Pro - Secrets to Success with David Nurse Mar 13, 2023

Ready to dunk like an NBA player? In this episode, I talk to former NBA player turned coach and author, David Nurse, about his secrets for success. Join us as we explore backup plans, a “why not me” mindset, and tools to overcome rejection and develop habits for success.
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of David’s book, Breakthrough!
Check out David's podcast The David Nurse Show
Find David on his website and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @davidnursenba
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 115: 24 ingredients of a good goal (Part 2) Mar 06, 2023

In our last episode, I introduced the first 12 items that make a successful goal. The wait is over!
This week I want to share with you the second half of the recipe for a great goal. These are green flags in your goal journey. If the majority of this list is true for your goal, you are probably on the right track. And if it's not, it is more than okay to revise those goals. It's never too late to change direction or start over. I hope this episode encourages you on your way to achieving your goals!
In This Episode:
Catch the first 12 items for a successful goal here!
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 114: 24 Ingredients for a Wildly Successful Goal (Part 1) Feb 27, 2023

Have you ever felt overwhelmed thinking about how to make a goal work? I used to be so confused by what separated good, successful goals from goals that might not work.
This week, I sat down and made a list of what I think are 24 things any fantastic goal needs. I didn't want to overwhelm you, so I only put 12 in this episode. You'll have to wait until next week to find out the other 12. But let me tell you, if you have the majority of these ingredients for your goal, odds are it's worth pursuing. I hope you leave this episode feeling inspired and ready to find some great goals.
In This Episode:
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 113: 5 Ways to Make Your Goals Work For You Feb 20, 2023

I bet when many people think about goals, they think about the Do stage. I want to share with you an important but often-forgotten step to success. In today’s episode, I talk about the Review stage of your goals. We need to review our goals because we want to see if our goals are working for us. Why is this important? Well, who would want to work on a goal that isn’t worth their time or effort? I definitely wouldn’t. That’s why the review stage is so important to achieving goals that actually matter. Sometimes reviewing means we have to go back a stage or two, but I’ve found that it is always worth it. In this week’s episode of All it Takes is a Goal, I share 5 different ways you should be reviewing your goals.
In This Episode:
Check out last week's episode on Do: This 1 action separates goal finishers from goal starters!
My episode on Plan: 2 Secrets to Simplify All Your Goals!
The first of the series, Dream: Two Words That Will Set Any Goal Up for Success
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 112: This 1 action separates goal finishers from goal starters! Feb 13, 2023

Do you ever feel stuck when it comes time to actually put your goals into motion? Planning and prepping can be fun for many of us, but then comes the hardest part – doing. This week, I share how I crush the DO stage of the goals process. It’s my favorite tip for putting action behind your plans or words. Don't let your goals sit on the shelf. It is time to DO.
In This Episode:
Check out last week's episode on Plan: 2 Secrets to Simplify All Your Goals!
Listen to my episode about Dream: Two Words That Will Set Any Goal Up for Success
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 111: 2 Secrets to Simplify All Your Goals! Feb 06, 2023

Planning can be the hardest part of starting a new goal. I don’t know about you, but I often get overwhelmed with questions about when, where, why, and how my goals will be achieved. Or I have 100 goals and don’t know which one to actually start. In today’s episode, I am going to give you the two secrets to successfully planning your goals. It is simpler than we make it! Don’t waste time on unnecessary questions or goals that aren’t worthwhile. Listen in to learn the simple key to goal picking and planning!
In This Episode:
Read “Ish” by Peter Reynolds
Listen to my episode about Dream: Two Words That Will Set Any Goal Up for Success
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 110: Two Words That Will Set Any Goal Up for Success Jan 30, 2023

For years, I used the “Goldilocks” method when I started new goals - nothing too big, nothing too small. Needless to say, it never got me where I really wanted to be. Then I finally discovered that I was doing the dreaming phase of goals all wrong. I learned that at this critical stage of planning goals, there are two words that are like rocket fuel for your goal. These two words will give your goal the oomph it needs to actually get off the ground and keep you moving forward when challenges arise. Tune in to find out what they are!
In This Episode:
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 109: Break through the 4 Most Dangerous Places Goals Get Stuck! Jan 23, 2023

In episode 107 of All it Takes is a Goal, we discussed the four simple stages of goals. They’re uncomplicated and easy to replicate. But if they’re so simple and work so well, why doesn’t everyone use them? Why haven’t we all achieved our goals yet? In this episode, we’re going to discuss four different types of goal getters, where each type gets stuck, and how you can break through plateaus when you arrive at one. If you didn’t catch episode 107, no worries! You can jump in here. Tune in to learn what type goal getter you are and what you can do to avoid getting stuck on your path from start to finish!
In This Episode:
Listen to my interview with Greg Sankey
Sign up for the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 108: A Formal Invitation To the Best Year of Your Life Jan 16, 2023

This week on All it Takes is a Goal, I’m sharing a story about a castle, a third-grade teacher, and YOU! This is a story about how to stop putting off your dreams and how to get started on them. Most importantly, it’s about how to stick with them day in and day out until you’ve finally succeeded in the goals that are most important to you. This story changed my life, and I think it will change yours too. It might even make 2023 your best year. Tune in for your invitation to my party of possibility and so much more!
In This Episode:
You can join the Guaranteed Goals Community today!
Buy a copy of the Finish Calendar!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 107: 4 words that will help you accomplish ANY goal! Jan 09, 2023

I’ve been studying goals for 12 years. I’ve helped more than 100,000 people achieve their goals; I’ve conducted research studies about goals; I’ve written books about goals; I’ve given keynote speeches about goals. It's safe to say, I am OBSESSED about goals. In this episode, I’m distilling everything I’ve learned over the last decade about achieving goals into 4 simple words. These 4 words are not magical, but when used correctly and in the right order, something magical happens. Whether you want to start a business, lose weight, learn to play the drums, learn to knit, or anything in between, use these 4 words, and your goal is as good as done.
In This Episode:
You can join the Guaranteed Goals Challenge happening January 10-12, sign up today!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 106: Can this goal nerd achieve all 70 of his 2023 goals? (GOAL REVIEW) Jan 02, 2023

Happy New Year! I love this time of year. As a “Goal Nerd” it’s kind of like my super bowl. That’s why I’m kicking off 2023 with a giant list of all the goals I’m trying to accomplish this year.
If any of my goals sound like something you want to do too, use them as inspiration for yours! I’ll also share a few ways you and I can work on our goals TOGETHER this year! As always, at the end of this year, I’ll do a status report on how I did with all my goals. Tune in to the episode for some encouragement, practical tips on making sure you follow through on all those New Years resolutions, and so much more!
In This Episode:
You can join the Guaranteed Goals Challenge happening January 10-12, sign up today!
Follow me on GoodReads
My episode about How to create fail-proof New Year’s Resolutions
The review episode of my 2022 goals
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 105: Which 2022 goals did I bomb? Which did I crush? Let's talk! (GOAL REVIEW) Dec 26, 2022

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 were more successful than others and how you can avoid some of the mistakes I made!
In This Episode:
You can join the Guaranteed Goals Challenge happening January 10-12, sign up today!
Follow me on GoodReads
My episode about How to create fail-proof New Year’s Resolutions
Jon's conversation with Dan Pink
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 104: The 24 dragons that will try to sabotage your goals (and 3 ways to slay them all) Dec 19, 2022

If you're about to start a new goal in 2023, there are 24 obstacles that are about to try to sabotage you. I’ve worked with over 100,000 people on their goals, studied goals, and hustled on my own goals for over a decade now, and I’ve watched these 24 obstacles trip people up over and over again. They’ve certainly gotten to me before, and I bet they’ve gotten you a time or two as well. Luckily, these dragons can be vanquished. I’ve got three ways you can see your goal through to the end, no matter how hard these challenges try to knock you down. Tune in to learn how to beat things like imposter syndrome, fear, procrastination, lack of motivation, and so much more!
In This Episode:
You can join the Guaranteed Goals Challenge happening January 10-12, sign up today!
Follow me on GoodReads
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 103: The 7 best books I read in 2022 Dec 12, 2022

I 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 2023 reading list. For more book recommendations, find me on GoodReads!
Jon's Top 7 Books of 2022
A Noel Killing by M.L. Longworth
Bourdain, The Definitive Oral Biography by Laurie Woolever
The Psychology of Money - Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel
Leap Over A Wall by Eugene Peterson
From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
12 Notes on Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones
Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 102: This is what your kids actually think about you: My eye-opening conversation with Dr. Meg Meeker Dec 05, 2022

Being a parent means a lot of things. It can be joyful, fun, and one of life’s greatest blessings. It can also be challenging, overwhelming, and just plain hard. No matter what season of parenting you’re in, my guest Dr. Meg Meeker has some awesome encouragement for you.
Dr. Meg Meeker is a pediatrician who has practiced child and adolescent medicine for 33 years and is the author of six best-selling books. She is also a nationally acclaimed speaker on parenting issues and serves on the Advisory Board of the Medical Institute. Listen to our conversation for a discussion about what matters most in parenting relationships, managing your kid’s screen time, and so much more!
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Dr. Meg’s book Strong Fathers Strong Daughters!
Find Dr. Meg’s other books here
Check out Dr. Meg's Podcast, Parenting Great Kids, and her website
Meg's Book List:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Emily Dickenson’s poetry
Jane Austen’s books
Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 101: How to *literally* make the world a brighter place: My conversation with Becca Stevens Nov 28, 2022

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably seen that around this time of year, I always talk about an amazing organization called Thistle Farms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women survivors of abuse, trafficking, and addiction.
I’m thrilled to have their founder and President, Becca Stevens, join me for this special episode. Becca is a speaker, justice entrepreneur, author, and priest. She has been named a CNN Hero, a White House Champion of Change, and holds five honorary doctorates. Listen to our conversation to hear stories of healing and redemption and learn about how you can make the world a little brighter this holiday season.
In This Episode:
You can support 500 Lights Home
Buy a copy of Becca’s newest book
Visit Thistle Farms
Follow Becca on Instagram
Becca's Book List:
The Long Lonliness by Dorothy Day
Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman
The Understory by Pamela Erens
Frederick Douglass: America’s Prophet by D.H. Dilbeck
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 100: 5 Soundtracks to Make You Feel Brave Nov 21, 2022

Happy 100th episode of All it Takes is a Goal! In this very special episode, we’re wrapping up a three-part series about how to practice bravery. So far we’ve discussed the 3 Keys to Mastering Bravery, 4 Tools for Your Bravery Toolbox, and today we’ll be covering 5 Soundtracks to Make You Feel Brave.
A soundtrack is my phrase for a repetitive thought, and they have the power to hold you back or slingshot you toward your goals. Fear is especially good at keeping you stuck, so I’m sharing the 5 soundtracks that will replace fear with courage so you can keep moving toward the goals that are most important to you!
In This Episode:
Catch up on the rest of the Bravery series:
3 Simple Ways to Be Braver in the Next 7 Days
4 Tools You Need in Your Bravery Toolbox!

Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 99: 4 Tools You Need in Your Bravery Toolbox! Nov 14, 2022

Welcome to Week 2 of a three-part series on bravery! Last week, we covered the three keys you need to master bravery. This week we’re talking about four tools that will help you along the way. Why? Because trying to do anything without the right tools is overwhelming, frustrating, and sometimes impossible (imagine trying to build an IKEA bookshelf without screws - that could wreck even the most loving of marriages). Tune in for the tools that will make practicing bravery so much easier it just might feel like cheating.
In This Episode:
Catch up on the rest of the Bravery series:
3 Simple Ways to Be Braver in the Next 7 Days
5 Soundtracks to Make You Feel Brave
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 98: 3 Simple Ways to Be Braver in the Next 7 Days Nov 07, 2022

In this episode, I’m kicking off a three-part series about bravery. Why bravery? Why not creativity, character, wisdom, or hustle? I chose bravery because every goal you want to achieve is on the other side of a brave decision. Luckily, bravery is as learnable as tying your shoes. Tune in to learn why bravery is so crucial to accomplishing what matters to you and ways you can implement it in your life immediately!
In This Episode:
Catch up on the rest of the Bravery series:
4 Tools You Need in Your Bravery Toolbox!
5 Soundtracks to Make You Feel Brave
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 97: The #1 Way to Boost Your Leadership Skills with Leadership and Relationship Expert Dr. Karyn Gordon Oct 31, 2022

There are so many ways to develop leadership skills, but according to Dr. Karyn Gordon, there’s one strength that consistently outperforms all others: emotional intelligence.
Dr. Karyn Gordon was told she probably wouldn’t graduate high school due to a learning disability. Now she’s a leadership and relationship expert, TED Talk speaker, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and CEO of DK Leadership, a global leadership coaching company whose purpose is developing great leaders at work and at home (take that naysayers!). She joins me for a crash course in leadership, developing your emotional intelligence, solution-focused therapy, working in harmony with people of other generations, and so much more.
Karyn's Book List:
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
John Maxwell Leadership Books
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Karyn’s new book!
Visit Karyn’s website
Watch Karyn’s TED Talk
Follow Karyn on Instagram and LinkedIn
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 96: How to spark creativity when you feel like there’s none left - my interview with innovation expert Jeremy Utley Oct 24, 2022

Creativity 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 episode, he’ll teach you how to tap into your Idea Flow, reframe problems, and provoke your imagination so that creativity becomes as natural as learning any other skill.
Jeremy's Book List:
The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner
Shoe Dog by Phil Night
Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
Where Good Ideas Come From by Stephen Johnson
Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Jeremy's book IdeaFlow
Listen to Jeremy’s Podcast
Visit Jeremy’s Website: ideaflow.design and jeremyutley.design
Follow Jeremy on Twitter or LinkedIn
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 95: Finite Schedules, Infinite Possibilities: The Time-Management Episode with Laura Vanderkam Oct 17, 2022

We all have a finite number of hours in the week (168 to be exact), and oftentimes it doesn’t feel like enough for everything we want to do. But what if there was a way to fit all the most important things into your schedule? What if you could actually pursue all the personal and professional goals you have and have them live in harmony?
Laura Vanderkam is a time-management expert and author of the new book, Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters. She’s also a mom of five and knows how challenging it can be to make time work for you not against you. She joins me for an incredible conversation about prioritizing what matters, finding time for the work and people you love, and so much more!
Laura's Book List:
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Laura’s new book!
Listen to Laura’s podcasts: Before Breakfast & Best of Both Worlds
Visit Laura’s Website
Follow Laura on Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 94: Get Disciplined About Your Discipline - My Conversation with Ryan Holiday Oct 10, 2022

The people that struggle most with discipline aren't always Netflix-obsessed couch lovers. A lot of times, it's very successful, high-achieving individuals that have a hard time with it…but why?
Ryan Holiday would explain that it’s those people who have a tendency to be overly-disciplined causing them to risk things like health, happiness, and relationships. Ryan is the bestselling author of many books including Trust Me, I’m Lying, The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and his latest book, Discipline is Destiny. He joins me for a conversation about striking the right balance of discipline, using “pullback” methods, and so much more!
Ryan's Book List:
Meditations: A New Translation, by Marcus Aurelius, Gregory Hays Translation
Mastery by Robert Greene
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Ryan’s new book
Visit Ryan’s Website
Listen to Ryan’s Podcast
Read more from Ryan online: The Daily Stoic
Follow Ryan on social media: @ryanholiday @dailystoic
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 93: Unlock Your Genius: How to love and excel at your work with Patrick Lencioni Oct 03, 2022

Why do some people seem to effortlessly thrive at their work while some of us feel like we’re constantly just trying to make it through the week? Patrick Lencioni would tell you that it’s because some of us are excelling in our area of genius, while others of us are trying to tap into strengths we don’t have or don’t enjoy.
Patrick is one of the founders of The Table Group and is the pioneer of the organizational health movement. He is the author of 12 books, which have sold over 7 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. As President of the Table Group, Patrick spends his time speaking and writing about leadership, teamwork, and organizational health and consulting with executives and their teams. He joins me for a conversation about the six different areas of genius and how you can tap into yours so that your work becomes easier and more enjoyable.
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Pat’s new book
Listen to Pat’s podcast
Visit Pat’s website
Follow Pat on LinkedIn
Pat's Book List:
Drunks and Monks by John H. Carmichael
Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras
Searching for and Maintaining of Peace by Jacques Philippe
Absolute Relativism by Chris Stefanick
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 92: The Unexpected Gift of Rejection - My wildly hopeful conversation with Nona Jones Sep 26, 2022

Is it really possible to change the future or do our pasts dictate who we are destined to become? Nona Jones would tell you that the future is yours to shape, no matter the circumstances you come from. She had the sort of childhood no one expects good things to come from, so she flipped the script on the world.
Nona is now an international speaker, preacher, author, and the head of global faith-based partnerships at Facebook. She is a graduate of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program and was named one of Essence Magazine’s “Under 40 Women to Watch.” She most recently served as Secretary of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association Board of Directors and on the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force. Presently she leads a church with her husband in Gainesville, Florida. Nona joined me for an incredible conversation about rejection, redemption, and becoming who you were meant to be despite what you have to overcome.
Nona's Book List:
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Deep Work by Cal Newport
In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Nona’s new book!
Listen to Nona’s podcast
Visit Nona’s Website
Follow Nona on social: @nonanotnora.
Grab your copy of the 2023 Finish Calendar!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 91: 3 Signs of Imposter Syndrome Sep 19, 2022

Right now, I’m at the beginning of a three-year writing process for my next book that’s all about bravery. Why bravery? Because after nearly 50 years I discovered that every win, every triumph, and every victory in my life happened in the moments I chose to weather the storms caused by my fears. Every goal you want to achieve is on the other side of a brave decision. That’s why this week we’re talking about a fear that keeps a lot of people from ever starting their dreams: imposter syndrome. We’ll cover why it’s such an insidious force and what you can do to overcome it in the episode.
In This Episode:
Sign up for the 5 Brave Days Challenge!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 90: Curate and Crank Up Your New Playlist with my two favorite authors (my daughters!) Sep 12, 2022

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 first time. They’re still writing the soundtracks they’re going to listen to for the rest of their lives. That's why I wrote my new book, Your New Playlist with my teenage daughters, L.E. and McRae. They join me in a very special episode of All it Takes is a Goal to talk about why mindset is so powerful, how to ditch broken soundtracks, and how to build new ones that will help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
In This Episode:
Order Jon's new book, "Your New Playlist" and read the first two chapters!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 89: Life is an emergency; live accordingly - my awe-inspiring conversation with Eric “ET” Thomas Sep 05, 2022

Have 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 Finalist. He’s taken the world by storm with his creative, common-sense approach to living a successful, satisfying professional and personal life. He joined me for an incredible conversation that will have you ready to run through your walls and break the glass ceilings in your life.
ET Book List:
The Bible
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Daily Motivation for African-American Success by Dennis Kimbro
Chicken Soup for the Soul (Any)
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
In This Episode:
Check out ET's book!
Watch Eric’s “How Bad Do You Want It?” speech
Listen to Eric’s podcast
Follow Eric online: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter
Pre-order Jon's new book, "Your New Playlist" and read the first two chapters!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 88: Overcome Resistance and Embrace Restraint: The secret formula to achieving your dreams with THE Steven Pressfield Aug 29, 2022

Why 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 toward your dream, quieting distractions, Obi-Wan Kenobi moments, King Kong, and so much more!
Steven Pressfield Book List:
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy
Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller
History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides

In This Episode:
Buy a copy of Steven’s new book!
Visit Steven’s website.
Follow Steven on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Pre-order Jon's new book, "Your New Playlist" and read the first two chapters!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 87: Interruptions, overwhelming tasks, long goals, and day jobs: How to win 4 situations everyone faces Aug 22, 2022

There are endless distractions that are constantly taking us away from the things we try to accomplish. Some are innocent, like when your kids need help with a school project. Others are more frustrating, like a job that constantly cuts into your personal time.
Regardless of what the distraction is, it makes moving forward with your goals harder. That’s why in this episode, I’m teaching you how to overcome four of the most common things that get in the way of progress: interruptions, overwhelming tasks, long goals, and day jobs. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools to keep moving toward the finish line of your goal even when everything is trying to get in the way.
In This Episode:
Pre-order "Your New Playlist" and read the first two chapters!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 86: How to get the cheat codes from people smarter than you - Part 2 Aug 15, 2022

The number one thing a mentor can give you is cheat codes. That phrase may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. Great mentors have great cheat codes, and cheat codes make accomplishing your goal a lot easier.
In Part 2 of this special micro-series, we’re wrapping up our conversation on establishing and maintaining a thriving mentor relationship. I’ll share the questions to ask your mentors, what to do if you’re having a hard time finding a mentor where you live, and most importantly, how to accelerate the goals you’re working toward with your mentor.
In This Episode:
Part 1 of this Mentor Series
Check out my Finish Course
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 85: How to build your own time machine, aka find a mentor - Part 1 Aug 08, 2022

Mentors are like time machines. They’ve been to the future you want, and if you ask them, they’ll tell you how to get there too. In this special two-part micro-series, we’re talking about how to find a mentor, how to maximize the relationship, and how to marry your goals with their expertise. Tune in to learn about the qualities every mentor needs, your responsibilities in the relationship, how to ask a potential mentor to partner with you, and so much more. By the end of this episode, you’ll join the league of time travelers that are shaving entire years off their biggest goals.
In This Episode:
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 84: The 4 Mistakes Public Speakers Make & How You Can Avoid Them Aug 01, 2022

Welcome to our final week of Summer School! This week, we’re talking about what I think is the best job in the world, public speaking. I know some of you shuddered just thinking about getting on a stage to talk to people, but before you freak out, hear me out.
You may not have any aspiration to be a professional public speaker (but if you do, you’re going to LOVE this episode), but there will be times in life when you have to communicate your ideas to a group of people. That could be in a team meeting at work, on a Zoom call with a client, or with your family and friends. No matter if you’re speaking to 5 people or 500, I want you to feel confident and maybe even excited, so this week, I’m going to share 4 mistakes to avoid so you can crush your communication every time.
Summer School Series:
Week 1: 8 wicked easy ways to charge more for your side hustle
Week 2: 5 stupid simple steps to jumpstart a healthier life
Week 3: 5 steps I use to write New York Times Bestsellers
In This Episode:
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 83: 5 Steps I Use to Write New York Times Bestsellers Jul 25, 2022

Welcome to Week 3 of the Summer School series! This week we’re talking about the five steps I use to write New York Times Bestselling Books. We’ll discuss the common pitfalls most aspiring authors make, the paradoxes of self-publishing, the exact process I use to create my drafts, and so much more! If you want to write a book, you’re going to love this episode.
Summer School Series:
Week 1: 8 wicked easy ways to charge more for your side hustle
Week 2: 5 stupid simple steps to jumpstart a healthier life
In This Episode:
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 82: 5 stupid simple steps to jumpstart a healthier life Jul 18, 2022

People 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 goal you have (I promise it doesn’t involve the tr**dm*ll). I hope you brought an apple because class is about to begin.
Summer School Series:
Week 1: 8 wicked easy ways to charge more for your side hustle
In This Episode:
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 81: 8 wicked easy ways to charge more for your side hustle Jul 11, 2022

Class is in session! Welcome to week one of my special Summer School series. I 'm constantly asked about four different types of goals: side hustles, health, writing and speaking. So, for the next 4 weeks I am going to answer 1 question for each of these topics! Up first, side hustles! Why? Because roughly 90% of the entrepreneurs I interact with don’t charge enough money for what they do. Of that 90%, the majority of them are not just undercharging, they’re grossly undercharging. I would argue that not charging enough is one of the biggest problems facing entrepreneurs right now. That’s why I’m giving you eight ways you can charge more for your side hustle! Try them out and I guarantee you'll start to see the results you want.
In This Episode:
Listen to Episode 15 of this podcast – Say these 3 words if someone asks you to work for free
Read Derek Siver’s book, “Anything You Want”
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 80: How to change your crazy uncle’s mind about politics - My conversation with David McRaney Jul 04, 2022

Can people actually change their minds? Why does anyone do anything? And what do genies (yes, like the wish-granting-guys-that-live-in-lamps) have to do with it?
David McRaney is an author, journalist, lecturer, and the creator of the blog You Are Not So Smart, which became an internationally bestselling book, later followed by You Are Now Less Dumb. David currently hosts the popular You Are Not So Smart podcast and speaks internationally about irrational thinking and delusion. He joins me for an unforgettable conversation about opening a pet store after a life-altering car crash, the truth about people with off-the-chart IQs, the origin of birthday parties, and so much more. For more from David, check out his latest book, How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion.
In This Episode:
Visit David’s website
Listen to David’s podcast, You're Not So Smart
David McRaney Book List
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Rendevous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Dune by Frank Herbert
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 79: Unoptional Joy - Why prioritizing your happiness is crucial to your success with Valorie Burton Jun 27, 2022

So many of the messages we receive in the world try to convince us that success is the key to happiness. But what if that's backward? America's Life Coach, Valorie Burton, argues that happiness is actually the key to the success we crave, and she's got the research to back it up.
Valorie is a bestselling author of 13 books, podcast host, and the founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute (CaPP). She's served clients all over the world through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She joins me for a conversation on prioritizing your happiness, positive psychology, and resilience strategies that will help you achieve your goals. For more from Valorie, check out her latest book, Let Go of the Guilt!
In This Episode:
Visit Valorie’s website for more information
Learn more about the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute
Valorie Burton's Book List:
Authentic Happiness by Martin E. P. Seligman
Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman
The Five Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Get my 5 Things to Shout About Newsletter every Friday straight to your inbox!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 78: Master the art of your craft - My conversation with comedian, Dustin Nickerson Jun 20, 2022

Anyone 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 hilarious conversation about honing your craft, doing the parts of the job that no one likes, the struggles of social media algorithms, and so much more! For more from Dustin, check out his debut book How to Be Married (to Melissa): A Hilarious Guide to a Happier, One-of-a-Kind Marriage.
In This Episode:
Visit Dustin’s website for more info on tours and projects
Buy a copy of Dustin’s new book: How to be Married (to Melissa)
Listen to Dustin and Melissa’s Podcast
Dustin Nickerson's Book (and Comedian) List:
Books 1-4:
Quitter by Jon Acuff
Comedians:
Michael Longfellow
Michelle Wolf
Brian Simpson
John Mulaney
Get my 5 Things to Shout About Newsletter every Friday straight to your inbox!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 77: The superpower we all have but are terrified to use: Influence - My conversation with Julie Solomon Jun 13, 2022

Whether we admit it or not, we all have something to say. We all have dreams. We’re all trying to build something, achieve something, or communicate something, so why do we constantly sell ourselves short? Why is being honest about what we want and going for it so hard? Julie Solomon sees this happen every day.
Julie is a business coach, speaker, host of the top-rated The Influencer Podcast, and author. She’s spent over a decade helping people align their purpose with their vision to find out what makes them shine while confidently sharing it with the world. She joins me for a conversation about overcoming self-sabotage, confronting the uncomfortable truths about ourselves, healing from messy origin stories, and so much more!
In This Episode:
Check out Julie’s website for more info!
Grab her book, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable.
Take a listen to Julie’s Podcast, The Influencer Podcast
Julie Solomon Book List
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
What We Wish Were True by Tallu Schuyler Quinn
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 76: How to improve the 35,000 choices you make every day – My conversation with Mark Miller Jun 06, 2022

According to psychologists, we make nearly 35,000 decisions in a day. Some are nearly unconscious and automatic, but others have the power to shape our lives. That can feel like a lot of pressure, especially if you’re in a position of leadership. That’s why Mark Miller is on a mission to take the stress out of making choices - no matter how big or small.
Mark Miller is a business leader, best-selling author, and longtime Chick-Fil-A employee. Mark started his Chick-fil-A career working as an hourly team member in 1977. Today, he’s the Vice President of High-Performance Leadership. He began writing almost twenty years ago, and just released his 10th book, Smart Leadership. He joins me for a conversation about becoming an effective leader with impact and influence, which Chick-FIl-A sauce reigns superior, and so much more!
In This Episode:
Visit Mark Miller’s website
Buy a copy of Mark’s new book "Smart Leadership: Four Simple Choices to Scale Your Impact"
Give Mark a call or text 678-612-8441
Mark Miller Book List:
The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Insanely Simple by Ken Segall
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 75: Go All In: How to quit your job to follow your dreams - my conversation with Tim Schurrer May 30, 2022

We’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 the job he loved so that he could go all in. He joins me for a conversation about making the map from your day job to your dream job, creating a runway for your transition, and the brass tacks of what chasing your dream really entails. For more from Tim, check out his book that started it all, The Secret Society of Success: Stop Chasing the Spotlight and Learn to Enjoy Your Work (and Life) Again.
In This Episode:
Visit Tim Schurrer’s website
Discover how to enjoy your work (and life) again when you order Tim’s new book, The Secret Society of Success
Tim Schurrer Book List:
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
Taking People with You by David Novak
Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 74: Navigate the Wild Wild West of side hustles like a pro with Joshua Becker May 23, 2022

How do you transition from hobby to full-time side hustle? Nobody knows that better than my guest Joshua Becker.
Joshua is the author of "Things That Matter: Overcoming Distractions to Pursue a More Meaningful Life,” the bestselling author of "The More of Less", "The Minimalist Home", and the founder of Becoming Minimalist. He joins me for a conversation about leaving his job to pursue writing, the hard truths every side hustler needs to hear, and ways to make your entrepreneurial journey smoother.
In This Episode:
Check out Joshua's website
Buy a copy of Joshua’s new book, “Things that matter”
Joshua Becker's Book List:
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 73: Stop trying to be Ideal You and grow Actual You – My conversation with Marshall Goldsmith May 16, 2022

We all have a version of ourselves we want to be, but can we actually become the ideal version of ourselves? And is that really necessary?
Over the course of his nearly 40-year career, world-renowned executive coach and New York Times bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith has sold millions of copies of his books and coached more than 200 CEOs and their teams. He deeply understands how certain behavioral changes can help you avoid pitfalls on the way to successful careers and lives. He joins me for a conversation about how you can stack the deck in your favor and achieve your best performance in work and in life. For more from Marshall, check out his new book, “The Earned Life, Lose Regret Choose Fulfillment.”
In This Episode:
Visit Marshall Goldsmith’s website for more information
Buy a copy of Marshall’s new book, The Earned Life

Marshall Goldsmith Book List:
Old Path, White Clouds by Thich That Hang
Hesselbein on Leadership by Frances Hesselbein
American Icon by Bryce G. Hoffman
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 72: From College Dropout to CEO: My conversation with Adam Contos May 09, 2022

The 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 major life changes, and leading with impact. For more from Adam, check out his book Start With a Win: Tools and Lessons to Create Personal and Business Success.
In This Episode:
Get more info at Adam Contos’ website
Take a listen to Adam’s podcast
Buy a copy of Adam’s new book, “Start with a Win”
Adam Contos Book List:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Visit Leadr to set up a custom demo for your team today and discover why 600+ organizations are already using Leadr to track goals and develop their teams. Use promo code ACUFF to save 20%.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 71: Reinvent your life, raise millions of dollars, do work that matters - The Scott Harrison Story May 02, 2022

How 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 City two years later, he founded the non-profit organization Charity: Water in 2006. In 15 years, with the help of more than 1 million donors worldwide, Charity: Water has raised over $598 million and funded 79,136 water projects in 29 countries. He joins me to talk about rebuilding his entire life, what saved his nonprofit from bankruptcy, and the power of living a transparent life.
In This Episode:
Visit Charity:Water online
Watch the video at The Spring
Buy a copy of Scott Harrison’s book, Thirst
Scott Harrison Book List:
Getting Things Done by David Allen
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Chip and Dan Heath
Sacred Fire by Ronald Rolheiser
Visit Leadr to set up a custom demo for your team today and discover why 600+ organizations are already using Leadr to track goals and develop their teams. Use promo code ACUFF to save 20%.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 70: “I don’t have to. I get to.” My amazing conversation about work, life, and service with Scott Jeffrey Miller Apr 25, 2022

Being 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 professional values are your most valuable compass, and the gift of honest communication. For more from Scott, check out his book Master Mentors: 30 Transformative Insights from Our Greatest Minds.
In This Episode:
Check out Scott's website.
Take a listen to the On Leadership Podcast.
Scott's Book List:
Zoom by Istvan Banyai
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Visit Leadr to set up a custom demo for your team today and discover why 600+ organizations are already using Leadr to track goals and develop their teams. Use promo code ACUFF to save 20%.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 69: The messy art of raising modern teenagers - My interview with my 18yo L.E. Acuff Apr 18, 2022

What’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 the nuances of social media, the things parents need to stop saying, and tips for parents raising young adults. For more from L.E., pre-order Your New Playlist at acuff.me/playlist!

Read the first chapter of our new book, “Your New Playlist
Use code ACUFF for 20% off with Leadr when you book a custom demo for team development
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 68: How to make 200 million cookies from a college dorm room – My conversation with Tiffany Chen Apr 11, 2022

In 1999, Tiffany Taylor accidentally stood up Leon Chen for a date (she was ice skating at the mall with a friend). As an apology, she baked and delivered a batch of warm cookies, and the concept of warm cookie delivery was born. Shortly afterward, the pair launched Tiff’s Treats with just $20 and a big dream during their sophomore year at the University of Texas. Since then, the founders have married and their business has grown to include 68 stores and more than 1700 employees. Co-founder and author, Tiff Chen, joins me for a conversation on starting the entrepreneurial life at such a young age, dealing with pushback, managing the roles of spouse and business partner and so much more. For more from Tiff and Leon, check out their brand new book, It's Not Just Cookies: Stories and Recipes from the Tiff’s Treats Kitchen.
In this episode:
Visit Tiff's Treats at their website
Tiffany's book list:
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Join the free Overcoming Overthinking Challenge!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 67: How to read 100 books in a year Apr 04, 2022

Why is it hard to think of the right thing to say in a meeting? Or to be interesting on a date? Why are you intimated by the blank page as a writer? Because your idea bank is empty. Reading changes that. It fills up your idea bank, and that’s why I want you to be able to read 100+ books in a year. Does that sound impossible? I promise, it’s not. I’ve done it before and there are some very simple steps you can use to make it a lot easier. Whether your goal is 10 books or 100 books this year, I’ll show you how to hit it. I’ve got 28 ways you can crush your reading goal, keep your idea bank full, and keep your creativity flowing.
Join the free Overcoming Overthinking Challenge!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 66: Break free from entrepreneurial poverty. My conversation with small business expert Mike Michalowicz Mar 28, 2022

So, 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, author, and small business expert. He’s helped thousands of people around the world start businesses they love and grow them into thriving organizations. He joins me for a brutally honest conversation about coming back from extreme losses, prioritizing profit for your business or side hustle, and overcoming “superhero syndrome.” For more from Mike, check out his new book, Get Different.
From This Episode:
Visit Mike Michalowicz’s website
Buy a copy of Mike’s latest book, Get Different
Mike's Book List:
Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang
One Red Paper Clip by Kyle MacDonald
The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas

Visit Leadr to set up a custom demo for your team today and discover why 600+ organizations are already using Leadr to track goals and develop their teams. Use promo code ACUFF to save 20%.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 65: Do more than just the right thing. My conversation on the surprising power of service with Steven J. Anderson Mar 21, 2022

We 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 to go the extra mile during every goal you set for yourself while you serve those around you.
From This Episode:
Check out Steve's new book The Bicycle Book : The Story of a Boy, His Father, a Paper Route and 12 Secrets of Serving Others in Business and Life
For everything else, go to his website
Steve's Book List:
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell

Visit Leadr to set up a custom demo for your team today and discover why 600+ organizations are already using Leadr to track goals and develop their teams. Use promo code ACUFF to save 20%.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 64: Go with your head or trust your gut? Your body knows the answer. My mind-blowing conversation with Annie Murphy Paul Mar 14, 2022

Your brain is powerful, but it’s limited. Sometimes it’s able to tell you exactly what you feel, how you can respond to a challenge, or how you can create ideas. Other times, it can’t. Enter Annie Murphy Paul, an acclaimed science writer whose book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain is a New York Times Editors' Choice and a Washington Post Best Nonfiction Book of 2021.
She believes that we’re using our heads too much and missing the cues the rest of our bodies are giving us to help us navigate everyday life. From being able to focus more, to expressing more creativity, to managing our emotions, your body does a remarkable job of communicating what you need to accomplish all those things and more. The problem is that most of the time, we’re too busy listening to our head. Tune in to our conversation to discover how you can tap into the full potential of your mind and the “extra-neural” resources beyond it.
From This Episode:
Keep up with Annie at her website and Twitter
Grab her book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 63: Be where you are, and know where you’re headed. My conversation with the unreasonably available Bob Goff Mar 07, 2022

Leaving a legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strategy, intentionality, and in Bob Goff’s case, seemingly endless generosity. Bob Goff is a recovering lawyer, New York Times bestselling author, Disneyland office resident, and Chief Balloon Inflator of his nonprofit organization, Love Does.
He’s also been a friend of mine for about a decade. It only takes about 13 seconds with Bob to feel more motivated, so after a whole episode with him, you’ll be ready to dream bigger than you ever have. Listen in for a conversation about living generously, accomplishing what’s most important to you, and creating the kind of impact that will outlast your life. For more from Bob, check out his new book Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy.
From This Episode:
Read Bob Goff’s new book, “Undistracted: Capture your purpose, rediscover your joy"
Find out more about The Oaks, Bob’s Retreat Center
Follow Bob Goff on Instagram
Bob's Book List:
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Check out the Finish Course
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 62: Oprah, Elon Musk, Tom Brady and how to use the power of charisma in your own life - My interview with Vanessa Van Edwards Feb 28, 2022

Why do some leaders effortlessly earn trust and create environments where we thrive while others come off as sterile and struggle to create a welcoming space? Bestselling author, Vanessa Van Edwards, says it’s because some people have naturally high charisma, or a harmonious blend of warmth and competence, and others have to work to cultivate charisma.
Vanessa is the author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding With People, her TED Talk has over 54 million views, and she’s spent nearly 17 years formulating, researching, and writing her newest book Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication. She joins me in this episode to talk about the science of charisma and how you can use it in your life to be a better leader, entrepreneur, friend, or partner.
From This Episode:
Visit Vanessa’s website and check out her YouTube channel!
Buy a copy of Vanessa’s new book, “Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication"

Vanessa's Book List:
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps by Allan Pease
Linchpin by Seth Godin

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 61: Why the World Needs You to Make a Lot More Money: My conversation with Derrick Kinney Feb 21, 2022

Money isn’t bad… right? Derrick Kinney knows money has the power to create amazing opportunities and experiences for you and the people you care about. So why do so many of us struggle to embrace big financial goals or the desire to acquire more money?
Derrick believes if you’re not making the money you deserve and you’re not making the impact on the world you want to make, you have the power to change that. He joins me in this episode of All it Takes is a Goal to teach you how you can leverage your money in a powerfully good way. For more from Derrick, check out his new book, Good Money Revolution!
From This Episode:
You can follow Derrick on Instagram or visit his website
Buy a copy of Derrick’s new book, “Good Money: How to make more money to do more good.”
Catch up with the Good Money Podcast
Derrick's Book List:
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 60: How to be married to a dreamer with Jenny Acuff Feb 14, 2022

How 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 other’s feelings, give constructive feedback to each other, and so much more!
From This Episode:
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 59: Debunking the popular (but incorrect) philosophy of “No regrets” - My conversation with Daniel H. Pink Feb 07, 2022

We live in a culture that’s obsessed with living regret-free, but if we’re honest, we all have them. Collectively, it’s the most common negative emotion we experience, so why do we struggle to deal with it so much? That question led New York Times bestselling author, Daniel H. Pink, to ask 16,000 people in 105 countries about their regrets.
He found that this negative emotion has the potential to be used in a powerful and positive way. He joins me in this episode for a conversation about how dealing with your regrets and failures can help you reprioritize your values, make you a better decision maker, and propel your life in a new direction.
From This Episode:
Find out more about Dan Pink at his website where you can order The Power of Regret or any of his other books and book him to speak!
Dan's Book List:
Working by Studs Terkel
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Influence by Robert Cialdini
1984 by George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 58: "What do I do now?" How to move forward when your “normal” disintegrates. My interview with Dave Hollis Jan 31, 2022

Dave 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 forward again with confidence.
From This Episode:
Check out Dave on his website or Instagram
Dave also hosts the Rise Together podcast
Dave's Book List:
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 57: Get a grip on your calendar: The last time management tool you’ll ever need Jan 24, 2022

When I ask people what the hardest part of finishing their goals is, the #1 answer is always time management. We’re all too busy, and we all have a finite amount of hours in the day to work with. But would you believe me if I told you that you can create more time? Because you can.
In this episode, I’ll teach you the power of a Time Audit, show you to use it to get a grip on your calendar and create more time to spend doing what matters most. If you’re constantly wishing for more hours in your day, this episode is for you!
From This Episode:
Catch up on Part 1, Part 2, and the Motivation Portfolio
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 56: The 5-minute tool that will help you make 30 days of progress Jan 17, 2022

Big 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 Episode:
Catch up on the first episode
Watch Gary Gulman’s State Abbreviations stand up
Enter code JONACUFF at Ukwazi Makadamia to get a free snack-size package of macadamia nuts with any order!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 55: Does your New Year’s Resolution have these 3 words yet? It better! Jan 10, 2022

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 Pender
I talked with Brendan Leonard about having fun goals
Follow me on Goodreads
Ninja Selling by Larry Kendall
The Goal by Eli Goldratt and Jeff Cox
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 54: 10 micro goals for massive results Jan 03, 2022

Are 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 Jon on Goodreads
Ninja Selling by Larry Kendall
The Goal by Eli Goldratt and Jeff Cox
The Molecule of More Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long
The Gift By Lewis Hyde
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 53: How to create fail-proof New Year’s Resolutions Dec 27, 2021

92% 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:
Grab a 2022 Finish Calendar!
Check out the notebook I use
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 52: From “accidental entrepreneur” to the 40 under 40, the side hustlers guide to success with Courtney Hale Dec 20, 2021

When 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 single dad, and so much more!
From This Episode:
Learn more about Super Money Kids on the website and Instagram
Catch up with Courtney on Instagram
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 51: Don't be a jerk to the person you spend the most time with - how to be kind to Future You Dec 13, 2021

Have 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 you haven't listened to Parts 1 & 2 yet, I promise you'll be able to follow along!)
In this episode:
Go back and listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of this 3 episode series if you haven't yet!
Finish more goals with the Finish Calendar!
Corinne Crabtree's conversation on All It Takes Is A Goal
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 50: Postponing joy, losing your edge and why it's easy to repeat negative thoughts Dec 06, 2021

I 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 have completely missed the smoke monster and feel like, "Why is there a polar bear on this tropical island?" You’ll still know what’s going on. Part 3 coming soon!
In this episode:
Catch up with Part 1 of this 3 episode series
Finish more goals with the Finish Calendar!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 49: The gift you need to give YOURSELF this holiday season (Part 1) Nov 29, 2021

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 newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 48: Finish more goals by asking 1 surprising question! Nov 22, 2021

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 episode
Finish more goals with the Finish Calendar
Text me at 615-398-6873
Book me to speak at your next event!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 47: 4 Soundtracks to Survive the Holidays Nov 15, 2021

Do 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 episode:
Book Jon to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon over on Instagram
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 46: 5 reasons you should ignore the sleep mafia Nov 08, 2021

Have 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 to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 45: When is the last time you felt 13? Nov 01, 2021

"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!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 44: It's YOUR life, so live it on purpose. My inspiring conversation with Tanya Dalton Oct 25, 2021

Tanya 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 to you.
In this episode:
You can find more about Tanya's books, podcast, and videos at her website!
Tanya's book recommendation: Think and Grow Rich
Sponsored by Remodel Health. Use code ACUFF50 and get 50% off!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 43: It’s great to be average: Accomplishing goals just because you love them with Brendan Leonard Oct 18, 2021

Brendan 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 because they’re the best at it, but just because they enjoy it. He joins me for a conversation all about how to accomplish your goals without taking yourself too seriously.
In this episode:
Find out more at Brendan Leonard's website.
One Long River of Song by Brian Doyle
Sponsored by Remodel Health. Use code ACUFF50 and get 50% off!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 42: How to Embrace the Unknown and Express Your Hidden Genius with Victoria Labalme Oct 11, 2021

Do 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 genius, and have a lot of fun while you figure out life. Listen to our conversation for some inspiring advice about dealing with uncertainty and being authentically you in the process.
In this episode:
Find out more about Victoria at her website and check out her book Risk Forward.
Book Jon to speak at your event or to your team!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 41: How to make $10 million when your dream falls apart. My bonkers conversation with Cathy Heller. Oct 04, 2021

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 her life and building a massive business is wildly inspiring. She stepped on my toes a lot in this episode, challenging me to do some things in my own life that I’ve been afraid to try. If you listen to this episode while on a treadmill, you’re probably going to fall off. That’s a safety warning, right there.
In this episode:
Cathy Heller is online at her website and Instagram.
Listen to her podcast Don't Keep Your Day Job and check out her conversation with Jon.
Grab a copy of her book Don't Keep Your Day Job.
Find out more about The Quitters Club.
Sponsored by Remodel Health. Use code ACUFF50 and get 50% off!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 40: Becoming a Micro Innovator with Josh Linkner Sep 27, 2021

Creativity 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 innovation.
In this episode:
Find out more on Josh Linkner's website or at 3 Ring Circus
Check out Josh's book Big Little Breakthroughs
Sponsored by Remodel Health. Use code ACUFF50 and get 50% off!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 39: How to unlock the power of self-awareness and the Enneagram with Ian Morgan Cron Sep 20, 2021

What 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 can use that knowledge to accomplish your goals.
In this episode:
Buy Jon's book Soundtracks by September 30 and get 2 free posters here!
Find out more about Ian Morgan Cron through his website, podcast, his book Road Back to You about the Enneagram, and his upcoming book The Story of You.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

ATG 38: The secret month that makes accomplishing your goals a lot easier! Sep 13, 2021

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 for the Back to Challenge!
Sponsored by Remodel Health. Use code ACUFF50 and get 50% off!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 37: At your best: How to get time, energy, and priorities working in your favor with Carey Nieuwhof Sep 06, 2021

Life 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:
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Jon's episode on Carey’s podcast
At Your Best, Carey’s brand new book!
Carey’s Website
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 36: Stop Performing and Start Serving: How to Build a Brand That Matters with Rory Vaden Aug 30, 2021

74% 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 it to reach your goals.
In this episode:
Get a Free Brand Call with Brand Builders
You can follow Rory on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 35: 4 ways to master the art of Strategic Boredom Aug 23, 2021

When’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 refill your creative tank by tapping into the power of strategic boredom.
In this episode:
Book Jon to speak at your next event!
Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie
Sign up for Jon's 5 Ideas to Shout About Newsletter
Catch Jon's interview with Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the SEC
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 34: Grizzly Bears and Gill Nets: Discovering what matters most in life with "Alone" Producer Ryan Pender Aug 16, 2021

You’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’t seen a single episode, you’ll love this conversation and how lessons from the wilderness can apply to your life.
In this episode:
Watch Alone on the History Channel or online!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 33: 5 simple ways to escape the comparison trap Aug 09, 2021

Who’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. Listen in for the 5 easiest ways to avoid comparison so that you can spend your energy focusing on your own growth and goals.
In this episode:
Book Jon to speak at your next event!
Find Jon's article on comparison here.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 32: Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness with Richard Lui Aug 02, 2021

Can 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 help you to reach your goals.
You can catch up on everything Richard Lui is up to and grab his book on his website!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 31: The 4 best steps to take before you start a new goal Jul 26, 2021

Have 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 where you are when you open it. That’s why this episode is all about drawing a massive “You Are Here” X so that you can build a base that will launch your success and help you track your progress.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 30: Lose 100lbs, build a multi-million dollar business, laugh a lot - the Corinne Crabtree story Jul 19, 2021

What 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 health goals. Whether you’re looking to get in shape, advice on growing your side hustle or want a productivity hack that will transform your calendar, my conversation with Corinne has what you need to know.
Keep up with Corrine on Instagram and try her No BS Free Course!
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 29: 7 Ways to Deal with Rejection Jul 12, 2021

How 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!

ATG 28: How to take the awkward out of networking with Jordan Harbinger Jul 05, 2021

If 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 insights and strategies from the world’s most successful people.
Listen to my conversation with Jordan for practical advice about how to build the network you need to help you accomplish the goals you’re working on without all the awkwardness.
In this episode:
The Jordan Harbinger Show
Jordan's website
Jordan's free course
Jordan on Instagram & Twitter
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 27: 8 ways to spot perfectionism in your life Jun 28, 2021

Perfect 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:
Jon's book Finish
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 26: ls it ever too late to chase a dream? Jun 21, 2021

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 directly applies to that dream you've been putting off. Listen to the story that changed the way I thought about dreams and fear forever because I think it will change your view too!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 25: Introducing New Friend Friday! Jun 18, 2021

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 direction.
Book list mentioned in this episode:
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Jay Papasan
The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 24: A Masterclass in leadership with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Jun 14, 2021

What 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 small, if you hold any leadership position in your life, this episode is a masterclass that will encourage you to be the best leader you can be.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
Be Quick But Don’t Hurry by Andy Hill
Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible
Do Over by Jon Acuff
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 23: This Sentence Will Change Perfectionism Forever Jun 07, 2021

What 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 that will move you toward the finish line of your goal.
Join the FREE 5 day Beyond Perfect Challenge!
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 22: The Overachiever's Guide to Unattaching Your Work from your Worth with Mary Marantz May 31, 2021

My guest, Mary Marantz, is a podcaster, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of the book, Dirt. Mary grew up in small rural town in West Virginia, and from an early age excelled in everything she did. Despite the limited opportunities her hometown offered, with the enduring support of her dad and years of hard work, she went from a five-room schoolhouse to the hallowed halls of Yale University.
Her journey is nothing short of incredible, but along the way her achievements and her identity became one in the same to her. Untangling the two was a long process, but she joined me this week to share the process it took to undo the mindsets that a lifetime of overachieving instilled in her. Listen in for an incredibly moving conversation about how you can achieve big goals without letting them define who you are.
Links from this episode:
Mary's book Dirt
Mary's Website
Jon and Mary's conversation on The Mary Marantz Show
Goal coaching at The Whiteboard Room
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 21: How to build a Motivation Portfolio May 23, 2021

Why is staying motivated during a goal so difficult?
When your motivation for a new goal disappears, the temptation may be to believe that you've picked the wrong goal to work on, but most of the time, I don't think that's the issue at all. Motivation is notoriously flighty, so the key to success is learning how to bring it back every time it takes off. In this episode, I'm sharing my #1 motivation tool so that you can keep making progress on your goals even if your excitement starts to fade.
Links from today's episode:
Jon's book Finish
The FREE 5-day Beyond Perfect Challenge
The Finish Calendar
Read the first chapter of Soundtracks here
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 20: Part 2 - Greg McKeown & how to make the essential things in your life the easiest things May 20, 2021

Greg Mckeown joined me this week for a speical two-part episode to help answer the question "Do big goals have to be painfully difficult "to count?"
Greg is a speaker, podcast host, and author of the recently released book, Effortless, and he doesn't think your most important goals have to be that difficult at all. In Part 2 of our discussion on how to make the essential things in your life the easiest things, we're picking up right where we left off bringing you more practical ways you can accomplish your goals with minimum stress and maximum value.
Find out more about Greg and his new book, Effortless, at his website. Catch up with his podcast What's Essential.
In this episode:
Josh Shipp's 18 Books Every Teen Should Read Before They Turn 18
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 19: Part 1 - Greg McKeown & how to make the essential things in your life the easiest things May 16, 2021

Have you ever convinced yourself that to achieve a big goal, it has to be painfully difficult or it doesn’t count?
There aren’t many people that take committing to the essential things in life more seriously than Greg McKeown. Maybe you’ve heard him on the What’s Essential podcast, read his book million-selling book Essentialism. He’s a fountain of wisdom, and in this special two-part episode, he’s sharing the secret to effortlessly accomplish the goals that are most important to you. Sound too good to be true? Listen in for this incredible conversation and stay tuned for part two!
Find out more about Greg and his new book, Effortless, at his website. Catch up with his podcast What's Essential.
Follow Jon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 18: 10 Things No One Tells You When You Graduate From College May 10, 2021

There are a limited number of universal truths in the world, but I think we can all agree on this: Nobody likes a boring graduation speech. That's why this week's podcast episode is my version of what I think all commencement speeches should be: practical, fun, and in list format.
Whether you're a grad, know a grad, or even if you can't remember your college graduation because it was so long ago, tune in for the 10 things that no one ever tells you when you graduate college that will help you succeed in the real world.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 17: 3 shame-free soundtracks that will help you crush your health goals. May 03, 2021

Health and fitness goals are at the top of the list of difficult things to accomplish.
It's not that losing weight, staying in shape, or shaving a few minutes off your mile time are difficult because there's a lack of information about how to do those things. They're difficult because of the abundance of shame that often creeps in when you start pursuing health-related goals. In this episode, I'll give you the 3 shame-free soundtracks that will help you accomplish all your difficult health goals and keep you moving forward until you've reached the finish line.
Book mentioned in this episode:
I Hate Running and You Can Too by Brendan Leonard
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 16: The 3 things that changed my mind about positive thinking Apr 26, 2021

When I say "positive thinking," what words come to mind?
If it's words like "dumb," "fake," or "cheesy," you're in good company. I used to be a total hater too, but not anymore. A few years ago, I started noticing that leaders I really respected believed in positive thinking, and it was hard to argue with the results they were constantly producing in their life. So I began to investigate. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing how my experiments with positive thinking led me to create a New Anthem that changed my life, the lives of thousands of others, and how it can change yours too.
Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 15: Say these 3 words if someone asks you to work for free Apr 19, 2021

How do you say no to friends who want you to work for free without damaging the relationship?

I doubt there’s an entrepreneur out there that hasn’t had to ask this question at some point. If you're a photographer, a designer, a developer, a writer, a personal trainer, a doctor, a mechanic, a hairstylist, a lawyer, an illustrator, a dog walker, or a billion other professions, friends are going to ask you to work for free. In this episode, I’m sharing four guilt-free soundtracks that will help you set boundaries and keep making money.
From this episode
If you don’t want to do the project, say this:

In order to honor and fulfill the commitment I’ve made to my paying clients, I can’t take on any pro bono work. I love doing it when I can, but I don’t have the time.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 14: Just Say “Yes”: How one woman’s positive mindset took her from barista to CEO Apr 12, 2021

How much power does a positive mindset really have?

Colleen Barry lost her job in the entertainment industry during the dot com bust in 2001. Her unexpected unemployment led her to take a job making pizzas in a wood-fired oven, doing freelance graphic design, and eventually becoming the “lobby barista” of a real estate agency.
Today, she’s the CEO of the same company where she used to serve espresso to prospective clients. Listen to this week’s episode of All It Takes is a Goal to learn how choosing a positive mindset allowed her to climb the ladder and how you can use the same strategies she did to achieve your goals too.
Books mentioned in this episode:
There's No Such Thing As Luck by Colleen Barry
Start by Jon Acuff
The Dip by Seth Godin
Lead with Luv by Ken Blanchard and Colleen Barrett
Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph.D.
Pema Chödrön
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 13: Small Towns, Big Dreams: How to achieve an authentic goal and live it out with Joseph Sojourner (Sojo) Apr 05, 2021

How does a goal go from an idea in your head to something tangible you live out every day?

Joseph Sojourner AKA Sojo is a rapper, public speaker, sneakerhead, and good friend of mine. Like a lot of people, Sojo was once just a small-town kid with big city dreams. So how did he go from Akron, Ohio to traveling the country, working on movie sets, and living out the dreams he’d had since middle school? Listen in to our discussion to learn what it takes to pursue authentic goals, take control of your story, and actually finish a goal.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 12: Soundtracks: How 3 simple words can completely change your overthinking Mar 29, 2021

The last thing an overthinker needs is 800 new ideas about transforming overthinking. So in this episode, I simplified two years of research into three words. How?
Well, I'll tell you exactly as I read you the entire Introduction and Chapter 1 of my brand new book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. Want to learn how to make your thoughts fight for you not against you? Listen to this week's episode and make sure you pre-order your copy of the book at soundtracksbook.com.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 11: Building Resilience: 3 Soundtracks to Use When You Don't Feel Brave Mar 22, 2021

Resilience is a popular word, especially in the midst of what we’ve faced in the last year. We all need it, but what does it actually mean? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what resilience is and how you can build it with the three soundtracks I use when overthinking starts to get in the way of progress.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 10: Memory Hack: Learn the two tricks elite athletes use to accomplish big goals. Mar 15, 2021

I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that your memory is a liar.

We tend to think our memory is telling us exactly what happened in the past but that’s never what it does. It adds details. It deletes details. It distorts details. Your memory is a real rascal, a word I’m trying to bring back. That’s the bad news. The good news is that your memory is malleable. You can hack it. In this episode I’ll share the two memory tricks elite athletes use to accomplish big goals.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 9: Uncommon Success: How to make little decisions that lead to huge results with John Lee Dumas Mar 08, 2021

John Lee Dumas is a goal machine. I took about a thousand notes during this fun interview and so will you. If you want an encouraging, practical story from someone who built a whole new life, brick by brick, this is the one for you.
John's new book The Common Path to Uncommon Success is available for pre-order. You can also find out more at the Entrepreneurs on Fire website.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 8: The trick Will Smith uses to pick movies and how it can change your life, too! Mar 01, 2021

When he was 21, Will Smith was going to move to Los Angeles. He was from West Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where he spent most of his days. (I just made you sing.) His manager, James Lassiter, told him, “Listen, if we’re going out to L.A., we probably should have a goal.” The transition from rapper to actor would not happen by accident and Lassiter knew if they went to LA without a goal that city would eat Will Smith alive. “I want to be the biggest movie star in the world,” Smith replied. That sentence in and of itself isn’t that unique. A thousand people riding buses from the Midwest out to Hollywood say that same thing every week.
But what he did next radically changed his life and it’s a simple principle you can use to change your life, too. I call it, “Borrowing someone else’s diploma” and I’ll explain how to do it in this episode.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 7: 3 Ways to Start Changing Your Mindset Feb 22, 2021

Want to change your mindset? Want to tweak your self talk? Want to become more mindful without going on a 90-day Jared Leto style silent retreat in Sedona? Listen to this episode. I’ll teach you three really simple techniques I learned while doing the research for my new book about overthinking.
Join the free Overcoming Overthinking Challenge at www.Acuff.me/Challenge
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 6: Bravery is a choice not a feeling. Here’s how to choose it today. Feb 15, 2021

In the 1800s, sailors would stamp, “Here be dragons” on unexplored, dangerous sections of maps. It was meant to serve as a warning, but what if there aren’t as many dragons as you were told? What if it was time to launch that adventure you’ve been dreaming about? What if you could beat those dragons? This short, inspirational episode is going to make you want to run through a wall like the Kool Aid man. I promise.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 5: The Venn Diagram Of A Best-Selling Idea Feb 08, 2021

You’ve got an idea, but is it a best-selling idea? Whether it’s a side-hustle or starting your own business, I share the three circles to apply to your goal of creating something lots of people will love.
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Referenced in this episode:
Billy Ivey on Instagram.
Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 4: Billy Ivey on writing his first book, goal-setting without chasing identity and being my first mentor Feb 01, 2021

When I asked Billy Ivey to be a guest on a show about goals, his wife asked him, “Is this like some kind of intervention?” That made me laugh and I promise you will too in this fun conversation with my very first writing mentor. We’ve been friends for 22 years, worked closely with the same billionaire and started our first blog together. Take a listen.
You can keep up with Billy Ivey on Instagram or his Napkinisms website.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 3: Grade Yourself On A Curve Jan 25, 2021

My favorite teachers always graded on a curve. They’d add bonus points to particularly difficult tests. What if you did the same thing with 2020 and 2021? Instead of beating yourself up about the most weirdo years we’ve had in a decade, what if you gave yourself a few bonus points? In this episode I’ll show you how I did it with one of my big goals.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 2: Stuck On The Starting Line Jan 18, 2021

Buckle up, this one’s a firehose. Here’s what’s inside this episode: 1. How to use the phrase “I’ve always wanted to” as an easy way to find a new goal. 2. How to turn your goal into a race you can win. 3. How to pick a goal out of all your different options.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

ATG 1: 5 Ways To Do Terrifying Things Jan 11, 2021

One of the few things that every goal has in common is that to accomplish it, you have to do terrifying things. You have to get outside the proverbial comfort zone. Here are the 5 steps I use and why they helped me recently with surfing legend Laird Hamilton.
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

All It Takes Is A Goal is here! Jan 01, 2021

Jon Acuff didn’t write a book for the first 34 years of his life. He's written 7 in the last 11. What changed? Find out in this wicked short preview of Jon Acuff's new podcast, "All It Takes Is A Goal."
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Order Soundtracks, Jon's newest book available wherever you find quality books!

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