Daily Boost — Motivation and Personal Growth

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**Daily Boost — Motivation and Personal Growth**

The Daily Boost is a weekday personal growth podcast for adults who live in the real world and want real results.

Welcome to the School of Scott!

About 10 minutes a day. No canned content, no recycled material — host Scott Smith and his practical way of understanding how life, business, and the world actually work.

Some days he’ll pump you up. Some days he’ll make you think. Some days you’ll love him. Some days you’ll wonder why you listened. Every day, you’ll know exactly what they call him: the nicest renegade you’ll ever meet.

Smile. Nod. Change everything. That’s the code.

If you played by the rules. If you built a good life — career, business, relationships. If you decided you want more. The Daily Boost is your show.

Topics include personal growth, motivation, purpose, decisions, work, money, relationships, time, and keeping your head straight when things get complicated.

20 years. 5,000+ episodes. 130+ million downloads worldwide.

Every day, the School of Scott is in session with a new episode that stands on its own. It’s always real, and occasionally pretty funny — because if you can’t laugh, what’s the point?

Latest Episodes:

Run Your Life Like a Business With a Positive ROI Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Run Your Life Like a Business With a Positive ROI

June 12, 2025 | Episode - 5114

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Want to transform your life and actually see results? I’m sharing my four-step approach to running your life like a business to get a positive return on investment in everything you do.

After 20 years and over 5,000 episodes, I’ve learned that success comes down to treating your personal growth like a profitable business. No more spinning your wheels or ending up with less than you started with.

Featured Story

Scott opens up about a vulnerable moment when his wife forgot to make his lunch before leaving for an appointment, making him feel like a three-year-old asking “What am I going to eat, mommy?” This honest story leads into a powerful discussion about how businesses require positive ROI, and your life should too. Just like a business can’t survive losing money, you shouldn’t invest time and energy into activities that leave you worse off than when you started.

Important Points

Every business must generate profit to survive, and your life should operate the same way - you need positive returns on your investments of time and energy.

Most people have experienced ending up with less than they started with in some area of life, but unlike businesses that can fail completely, you have the ability to switch gears and change direction when needed.

The key to success lies in measuring your progress consistently, just like weighing yourself daily when losing weight, because “if you can’t measure it, you can’t succeed.”

Memorable Quotes

“Do more of what you love and less of what you don’t. That’s it.”

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t succeed. You can only get where you want to go if you know where you’re going.”

“Life is better when you have a positive return, a positive ROI in everything that you do.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Decide what you do when you’re living a happy life and be very specific. Get in touch with what truly makes you happy - it’s probably simpler than you think and something you might not want to admit right now.

Be flexible in your approach, find what works, lock it in, refine it if necessary, and keep doing it. Expect detours and changes, but stay committed to what consistently works for you.

Set benchmarks, measure your progress, and when you miss milestones, immediately adjust and get back on track. Create key performance indicators for your life and use them to stay accountable to your goals.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

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Three Steps to Change Anything Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Three Steps to Change Anything

June 10, 2025 | Episode 5113

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Change doesn’t have to be complicated, even though we make it that way. In this episode, I break down the three essential steps you need to transform anything in your life. Whether you’re stuck in analysis paralysis or overwhelmed by too many options, these steps will give you the clarity and direction you’ve been missing.

I share why bad things change while good changes take more intentional steps, plus a personal story about my radio DJ days and how the podcasting world has flipped since 2006.

Featured Story

Scott reflects on his transition from radio DJ to podcast host, sharing how people once questioned his move to podcasting back in 2006. Now, 20 years later, former radio colleagues are calling him for advice on getting into the podcast world. It’s a perfect example of how dramatically things can change when you stick to your vision.

Important Points

Most people struggle with change because they don’t know what they want, making this the most difficult but essential first step.

Success models and frameworks are everywhere, but you can only find the right roadmap when you have crystal-clear clarity on your specific outcome.

Consistent, disciplined action toward your goal should happen every minute you’re awake because every minute you’re not moving forward is a minute you’re not living the life you want.

Memorable Quotes

“Bad things change. Something bad happens, you change. Never going to do that again. Good things change slower than that.”

“Every minute you’re not bold is a minute you’re not living what you want to live.”

“You’ve been around living in this life a long time. You’re smart enough to do this.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Get crystal clear on what you want - this is the most difficult step and may take weeks of honest self-reflection to figure out.

Find a framework or roadmap by modeling others who have achieved what you want, but only after you know your specific outcome.

Take consistent, disciplined action toward your goal every single day without procrastination or hesitation.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t Let Bill-Paying Kill Your Dreams Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Don’t Let Bill-Paying Kill Your Dreams

June 10, 2025 | Episode -5112

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Summer’s here, and while everyone’s thinking about vacations and fun, Scott wants you to think about something more important: your focus. Your attention determines your destination, and most people don’t realize others have already set their focus.

In this episode, Scott shares a conversation he had with a young man who just finished school and was pursuing his “dream career.” But there was a problem - his focus was in the wrong place, and Scott could hear it immediately.

Featured Story

Scott met a young man at church who had just finished school and was working toward his dream career. The young man also got job certification to pay his bills while pursuing his passion. During their conversation, the young man said something that made Scott’s ears perk up: “I’m hoping I can get a good job supporting my dream.”

To Scott’s trained ear, this wasn’t hope - it was dream-erasing, defocused thinking that would lead the young man away from what he wanted.

Important Points

What you focus on is what you get - if you focus on paying bills instead of pursuing dreams, you’ll stay focused on paying bills for 20, 30, or 40 years.

Golden handcuffs are real - the certainty of earning income becomes your focus, and dreams disappear while you’re busy doing stuff.

The solution is separation - get a job separate from your dreams that pays the bills, then focus every available second on your dreams until you don’t need that job anymore.

Memorable Quotes

“What you focus on is what you get. You’ve heard that a thousand times. Do you believe it?”

“Most folks don’t notice their dreams are gone for like 20, 30, 40 years because they’re so busy doing stuff.”

“When you focus on your dreams, you get so good at what you do. It’s just a matter of time before you percolate to the top and start getting paid to do what you love to do.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Get a job that’s separate from any dream you’ve ever had that makes the money you need to pay your bills.

Focus every single second of time after work on your dreams and getting better at what you want to do.

Define your money-making job by saying “I do this to make money so I can do that,” knowing you’ll shift gears as soon as you’re good enough at your dream pursuit.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Your Goals Keep Getting Blown Off Course Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Why Your Goals Keep Getting Blown Off Course

June 9, 2025 | Episode - 5111

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

You’re hard-wired for goals, whether you realize it or not. If you’re not setting them consciously, everyone else is setting them for you. Scott breaks down why most people struggle with goal achievement using his pilot’s perspective on “flying crooked.” Life will blow you off course like wind affects an airplane, but that doesn’t mean you should take detours or stepping stones.

Learn why going straight to what you want works better than building up to it, and how to make those crucial wind corrections when life gets in the way.

Featured Story

Scott shares insights from a recent Fisher Passion coaching call where a friend wanted to build up gradually to making a TV show instead of going directly for his goal. This leads to Scott’s airplane metaphor about flying crooked - how pilots compensate for wind by pointing slightly into it to reach their destination.

Just like pilots need wind correction to avoid missing their airport, you need goal correction to avoid missing your dreams.

Important Points

Your mind and body are naturally designed to pursue goals, so if you’re not setting them deliberately, others will set them for you.

Taking “stepping stone” jobs or building up to your actual goal often backfires - go directly toward what you want as fast as possible.

Life will blow you off course like wind affects an airplane, so expect it and make constant corrections rather than getting frustrated.

Memorable Quotes

“If you’re not setting goals for yourself and deciding where you want to go, then your body and your mind and everybody around you are setting goals for you, which is why you’re not getting what you want.”

“Why would you give up a year or two or three or five of your life to see if it’s going to work out as a stepping stone?”

“Life gets in the way. It’s going to blow you around. Expect it’s going to happen.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Set clear goals for yourself instead of letting others set them for you - you’re hard-wired for goal achievement, anyway.

Go directly toward what you want rather than taking stepping stone positions or building up gradually to your real objective.

Expect life to blow you off course like wind affects an airplane, then make constant corrections to stay headed toward your destination.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Question That Will Get You Into Action Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

One Question That Will Get You Into Action

June 6, 2025 | Episode 5110

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Feeling stuck or struggling to follow through on your decisions? Scott shares one powerful question that cuts through all the noise and gets you moving toward what you really want.

Drawing from a lesson learned at a screenwriting event 25 years ago, Scott reveals why this simple question is more effective than finding your “why.”

If you’re tired of the same motivational advice and ready for some straight talk that actually works, this episode delivers the breakthrough you need.

Featured Story

Scott takes us back to his days as a film and television producer in Orlando, when he attended a screenwriting event that changed everything. A screenwriter on stage asked one simple question that hit Scott like a lightning bolt: “How bad do you want it?”

This moment of clarity helped Scott realize he was pursuing screenwriting because he felt he “should,” not because he truly wanted it. That revelation became the foundation for a question he asks himself every single day.

Important Points

The question “How bad do you want it?” is more powerful than asking “What’s your why?” because once you know what you truly want, the why becomes automatic.

You will always get exactly what you want when you want it bad enough—whether it’s happiness, money, better relationships, or any other goal.

Many people have plenty of “whys” but still don’t achieve their goals because they simply don’t want it badly enough yet.

Memorable Quotes

“You will always get exactly what you want when you want it bad enough.”

“Nothing can stop you when you want something bad enough. You’ll always find a way.”

“If you haven’t figured it out, sometimes things take longer to get to than you want them to—that’s why ‘yet’ is one of my most favorite words on the planet.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Ask yourself honestly: “How bad do I want it?” before pursuing any goal or making any major decision.

Stop focusing on finding your “why” and start getting clear on what you actually want versus what you think you should want.

Remember that if you’re not making progress on something, you probably just don’t want it badly enough “yet”—and that’s okay.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Failing at Your To-Do List Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Stop Failing at Your To-Do List

June 5, 2025 | Episode 5109

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Scott takes a humorous yet practical approach to productivity by exposing the truth about to-do lists - they’re “to-fail lists” in disguise.

He reveals why most people struggle with traditional task management and introduces a game-changing perspective that removes stress while getting things done. This episode combines Scott’s signature wit with actionable strategies that successful people used to accomplish what matters most.

Featured Story

Scott shares insights from his conversation with a fellow coach who works with high-end entrepreneurs and business owners. Despite their success and resources, these accomplished individuals still need help with the basics - including how to create effective to-do lists. This revelation leads to Scott’s exploration of why we overcomplicate productivity and how returning to fundamentals can transform your daily effectiveness.

Important Points

Most successful people focus on completing just three important tasks per day rather than overwhelming themselves with endless lists.

Traditional to-do lists often become “should I do it,” “when am I going to do it,” and “why haven’t I done it” lists that create guilt and procrastination.

The key to stress-free productivity is shifting from a task-driven mindset to a reflection-based approach that celebrates what you’ve already accomplished.

Memorable Quotes

“If I do three important things a day, I’m good. And anybody I’ve ever talked to that has success in life does about three important things a day.”

“You don’t have to check everything off. Just look and see if you did it.”

“Instead of being guided by your list all day long, every day, like gotta do this, gotta do this. You’re no fun, by the way.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Determine if tasks align with your goals and values, recognizing that focusing on the 20% that matters ensures the rest happens.

Throw away everything you can by reviewing your list and eliminating tasks that don’t need to be done by you or don’t need to be done at all.

Transform your to-do list into a “did I do it” list by reflecting on what you’ve accomplished rather than stressing about what’s left undone.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If You Could Live Like You’re 16 Again? Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

What If You Could Live Like You’re 16 Again?

June 4, 2025 | Episode 5108

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Do you have a song or memory that instantly transports you back to your youth? I experienced that magic moment while watching a YouTube video about David Cassidy and the iconic Partridge Family tour bus. That nostalgic rush got me thinking about what life would look like if we could recapture the mindset and freedom we had at 16 years old.

When you were a teenager, you dreamed big, had real friends, and looked forward to the future with excitement. You weren’t weighed down by debt, stress, or the daily grind that seems to impede living. What if you could bring that energy and perspective into your adult life today?

Featured Story

I was relaxing on my patio, scrolling through YouTube, when a video about the colorful Partridge Family tour bus caught my eye—seeing David Cassidy brought back vivid memories of cutting records off cereal boxes as a kid and waiting impatiently to hear them play. That instant time travel feeling reminded me how powerful it can be to reconnect with who we used to be before life got complicated.

Important Points

When you were 16, you educated yourself daily, had genuine friendships, and dreamed obsessively about your future without letting daily responsibilities crush your spirit.

The job you do today would have felt like prison for your 16-year-old self, which should make you question whether you’re truly living or just surviving.

You don’t need to throw everything away to recapture that youthful energy–you need to get back in rhythm with who you are underneath all the grown-up complications.

Memorable Quotes

“You don’t have to be 16 again, but imagine how much fun you could have if you knew then what you know now, and you used every single bit of it today.”

“Work sure gets in the way of life. You don’t think much about that when you’re a kid, but all you want to do is go to work.”

“I still think like I’m 16 today, and I still feel like I’m yet to grow up.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Start dreaming again about your future and get excited about what’s coming, no matter how many years you have ahead of you.

Surround yourself with real friends who genuinely care about you, not just office acquaintances or social media connections you’ve never met.

Busy yourself with actually living life instead of getting caught up in everything that distracts you from who you really are.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Some People Have More Than 24 Hours in Their Day Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Why Some People Have More Than 24 Hours in Their Day

June 3, 2025 | Episode 5107

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Are you constantly racing against the clock, feeling like there’s never enough time? I’m diving into one of the most challenging topics I deal with daily - the difference between qualitative and quantitative time.

Most people live their entire lives trapped in Chronos time, watching the clock tick by while feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But there’s another way to experience time that can completely transform your life.

I’ll share how mastering Kairos time—those profound, meaningful moments when the clock disappears—can help you accomplish more by doing less and finally break free from the exhaustion cycle.

Featured Story

I share the story of how my wife Joy and I experience time completely differently. Joi follows the traditional factory work schedule we’ve all been taught, operating like clockwork, while I've learned to slip into Kairos time, where the clock disappears and genuine progress occurs.

This contrast perfectly illustrates why some people seem to have more than 24 hours in their day, while others feel constantly behind, even though we all have the same amount of time.

Important Points

There are two types of time: Chronos (sequential, clock-watching time) and Kairos (qualitative, deep-focus time where meaningful progress happens).

The people making the biggest difference in the world have mastered Kairos time, allowing themselves to go deep and focus on what truly matters instead of staying busy.

You can only experience Kairos time when you’re fully absorbed in the moment, which requires the intentional choice to slow down and let others “buzz around” you.

Memorable Quotes

“If you want to live a wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play and about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol.”

“Everybody on the planet is living in Chronos time, but there are a few that are making a difference in this world and living in Kairos time.”

“When you choose to allow yourself to go deep, you slow down, you become still, you become present, and your time overall also slows down.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Make the intentional choice to slow down and stop rushing around trying to get things done - you must consciously reject the busyness trap.

Hold space by removing the busyness from your schedule and not allowing it to fill back up with meaningless activities or distractions.

Fill that protected space with something meaningful and important to you, focusing on the 20% of activities that create 80% of your results.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Putting Your Foot in Your Mouth With This Simple Trick Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Stop Putting Your Foot in Your Mouth With This Simple Trick

June 2, 2025 | Episode - 5106

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Communication can make or break your relationships, career, and daily interactions. In this episode, I share the powerful THINK acronym that has been helping people communicate more effectively since 1914. This simple five-letter framework will transform how you approach every conversation.

Whether you’re dealing with difficult colleagues, navigating family dynamics, or just trying to be a better communicator, this timeless tool will help you pause before you speak and choose your words more wisely.

Featured Story

The THINK acronym originated with Thomas J. Watson Sr. of IBM, who used it to guide his sales representatives. Created around 1914 and popularized by 1939, this communication framework has stood the test of time because it works. Watson understood that better communication leads to better results, and this simple acronym became a core principle that helped build one of the world’s most successful companies.

Important Points

The THINK acronym helps you filter your thoughts before speaking, preventing you from saying something you'll regret and improving all your relationships.

Most thoughts that pop into your head are negative and don’t need to be shared—about 90% of what you think you need to say isn’t necessary.

Sometimes the kindest thing to do is “go dark” and say nothing at all, which differs from ghosting because it’s intentional and temporary.

Memorable Quotes

“About 90% of what you think you need to say is unnecessary. Why say it?”

“My number one rule in life is to be cool and be nice. If you’re not cool and nice to me, I’m still going to be that way to you.”

“Sometimes the best motivation you can get is a good kick in the ass—a good come to Jesus conversation.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Write down the THINK acronym and keep it visible as a daily reminder to filter your communications.

Practice going through each letter before speaking in challenging situations: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind.

Make being kind your number one goal in all interactions, even when others aren’t extending the same courtesy to you.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Strangest Secret: 7 Simple Rules May 30, 2025

Show notes

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

The Strangest Secret: 7 Simple Rules

May 30, 2025 | Episode 5105

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

I had a rough week getting lectured by my dentist and dermatologist, but let’s end on a high note! Today, I’m sharing Earl Nightingale’s timeless wisdom from “The Strangest Secret”–the inspiration that got me into this business. These seven simple principles can transform your life, but only if you apply them. Earl Nightingale did over 5,000 radio programs; his insights are just as relevant today as they were decades ago.

Featured Story

Scott shares the fascinating origin story of Earl Nightingale’s “The Strangest Secret.” Created to motivate insurance salesmen while Nightingale was out of town. This spoken-word recording accidentally became the first gold record of its kind. What started as a simple motivational tool for his sales team launched Nightingale’s entire career and inspired countless people, including Scott himself.

Important Points

You become what you think, so focus your mental energy on what you want, not what you’re stuck in.

Success requires paying the price through time, discipline, and investment — nothing worthwhile comes without effort.

Controlling your thoughts is neuroscience in action; let thoughts come and go without dwelling on them.

Memorable Quotes

“You become what you think. Whatever’s going on inside your mind right now is what you will become.”

“To get success that’s not earned will never last. You must earn it.”

“The secrets of success are indeed strange, and if you take the hype out of it, it comes down to the real basics of life.”

Scott’s Three-Step Approach

Control your thoughts by acknowledging them without dwelling on negative patterns.

Set clearly defined goals that are specific enough to know exactly what you’re accomplishing.

Act promptly when your path becomes clear instead of waiting for the “perfect” time.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

YouTube https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove

Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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