EducationSelf-Improvement

All It Takes Is A Goal

Jon Acuff

Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including his most recent, All it Takes is a Goal.

Published in dozens of languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Chick-fil-A, and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.

Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two daughters.

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#298
Today · 14 min
ATG 298 | Is There Money Involved? The Prioritization Question That Cuts Through the Noise
You have too much to do. I know because I've never met someone whose biggest problem was too much free time. In this episode, part of a four part series on prioritization, I'm teaching you the second prompt that clarifies your decision making when your to do list feels overwhelming: is there money involved? Money isn't emotional or fuzzy, it's just math, and I'll show you the specific questions to ask, like whether something will cost you more if you delay it or whether you'll waste money by skipping it. I'm also sharing my 1 4 7 technique, a simple formula for finally taking action instead of endlessly reorganizing your list. Because motion beats perfection, and there is no perfect task waiting to be found. Your broken soundtrack will never tell you that you picked the right one, so stop looking for it and start moving. Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#297
August 31 · 12 min
ATG 297 | Why Your To-Do List Will Always Beat Your Calendar (And What to Do About It)
Your to do list is bursting and it feels impossible to figure out what matters most. Here's the truth: your imagination is bigger than your calendar, so it will always feel that way. In this episode, I'm kicking off a brand new four part series on prioritization, starting with a powerful tool from my book Soundtracks, a good question is a trojan horse for truth. I'll walk you through the first of four questions that will help you sort through everything on your plate, starting with "Is there a promise?" You'll learn about what I call Verbal Reality, why saying "let's grab coffee sometime" without following up can quietly break trust, and how keeping your promises, even small ones, takes practice. If you feel overwhelmed by your to do list, this episode gives you a real tool to start clearing the chaos. Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#296
August 24 · 14 min
ATG 296 | Your Whole Dashboard: Why Checking Only Your Feelings Is Costing You Your Dreams
Most people only check one thing on their dashboard: feelings. That's like covering every other gauge in your car with a Post it note and driving by only watching the check oil light. Sure, you'd know when to change your oil, but you'd rack up speeding tickets, run out of gas, and probably rear end somebody at the grocery store. In this episode, I'm sharing the other data points you need to review besides your emotions, including truth, time, commitments, numbers, and your original dream. I'll walk you through how I used this exact framework to finally deal with my insurance policy, a task I'd been avoiding for way too long. You don't need to check every gauge every time. You just need to know which ones matter for the situation you're in. Drive with your whole dashboard, and you'll actually end up where you want to go. Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#295
August 17 · 14 min
ATG 295 | Find an Hour, Start Selling: How I Trick Myself Into Beating Procrastination
Procrastination loves vagueness. "I'll get to that eventually" means nothing gets done. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact system I use to steal back an hour from my own procrastination, starting with your phone's screen time settings and treating your apps like a restaurant menu. You'll learn why making a list of everything you're procrastinating on actually makes things worse, and why I had to become a phenomenal salesman just to get myself to write. I'll walk you through the four techniques I used today to sell myself on finishing a chapter, including scheduling appointments with myself, using countdown timers, wearing noise canceling headphones as a focus cue, and why writing in a notebook instead of a laptop kills distraction dead. Instagram didn't steal my hours. They sold them to me. It's time to out sell them right back. Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#294
August 10 · 14 min
ATG 294 | The Muskrat Incident: Why Simple Beats Complicated Every Time
My favorite one star review calls my books too simple. Guilty as charged, and I did that on purpose. But I wasn't always this way. In this episode I tell you about The Muskrat Incident, the true story of how I chose an impossible taxidermy extra credit project over simply studying for biology class. Spoiler alert, it did not go well. We'll talk about why procrastinators love complicating projects (hint, it gives us someone else to blame when things fall apart), how to avoid becoming what I call a chaos monster, and I'll share the simplest planning system you will ever use. It's four words. No spreadsheets required. If you're ready to stop making life harder than it needs to be, this episode is for you. Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#293
August 3 · 14 min
ATG 293 | You Are in Sales: Why Your Real Mission Is Selling Yourself a Remarkable Life
We can't get coffee together, but we could take a walk. And on that walk, I'd tell you something that might surprise you: your mission in life is sales. Not the kind you're picturing. From the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep, you're selling the most important product that's ever existed, a remarkable life, to the most important person you'll ever meet, yourself. In this episode, I'm breaking down why owning your life feels so overwhelming, why blaming your parents, society, or even cavemen for your problems keeps you stuck, and why no one, not a politician, boss, celebrity, or friend, has more power over you than you have over yourself. It's time to stop pointing fingers and start recognizing the influence you've had all along. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#292
July 27 · 15 min
ATG 292 | 5 Soundtracks That Will Make You Braver (Nobody Is for Everybody)
What thoughts are running through your mind on repeat? In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful soundtracks that will help you build bravery in your life. You'll discover why nobody is for everybody (vegan restaurants don't care about BBQ fans), how to beat imposter syndrome by being better today than you were yesterday, and why some beats none when perfectionism tries to stop you. I'll also reveal the four words that get me through every hard run in January ("I'll feel awesome after") and the most powerful question you can ask to rediscover your purpose: Who am I doing this very difficult job for? From hospital CEOs doing it for the donor walk to teachers showing up for the person they used to be, this question clarifies everything. Thoughts turn into actions. Actions turn into results. Let's make sure you're playing the right soundtracks. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#291
July 20 · 15 min
ATG 291 | Turn Up the Volume: 5 Bravery Soundtracks That Will Change Your Life
What if the thoughts running through your head on repeat could be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward? In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful soundtracks that help me choose bravery when fear gets loud. You'll discover why "It's just a puddle" changed how I parent and handle everyday stress, how to shift from "Woe is me" to "Wow is me" (one letter that changes everything), and why being the CEO of yourself isn't enough if you're still a terrible boss to yourself. I'll also show you how to focus on the fix instead of the fear, and why feeling uncomfortable is actually a sign your old comfort zone is having a hard time keeping up with you. These aren't just catchy phrases. They're the thoughts that turn into actions, and actions that turn into results. This is episode 5 of our Bravest Summer Ever series, but you don't need to have heard the others to get massive value from these five soundtracks. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#290
July 13 · 12 min
ATG 290 | Bravery is More Muscle Than Magic: How to Practice Being Brave This Week
You're either practicing bravery or you're practicing fear. There's no neutral when it comes to mindset. In this fourth episode of the Bravest Summer Ever series, I'm breaking down the third key to bravery: practice. Research shows that just 5 minutes of negative news makes people more depressed, less likely to help others, and convinced the world is a negative place. When you binge the news, scroll political tweets, or read angry Facebook posts, you're practicing fear. So how do you practice bravery instead? Simple. Look at your calendar for the next 7 days and ask: where do I want to be brave this week? Whether it's a big podcast interview, giving tough feedback, or posting about your work, find 1 to 3 practice moments and figure out your plan. The key to mindset is spending more time talking to yourself than listening to yourself. You get better at anything you practice, so let's practice bravery. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#289
July 6 · 13 min
ATG 289 | Bravery is One Size Fits You: Why Curiosity is the Key to Courage
What's brave for me won't be brave for you, and vice versa. I once had a woman share that driving over a bridge was a brave moment for her. I drive over bridges all the time without thinking about it, but paperwork? That sends my heart rate through the roof. In this third episode of our Bravest Summer Ever series, I'm breaking down the second key to bravery: curiosity. Most people aren't curious about themselves because they're running so quickly through life. But when you get curious, you develop self awareness, which is a superpower all its own. I'll teach you three questions to ask yourself to identify your brave moments and give you homework that will change how you see your week. When you're curious, you learn about yourself. When you learn about yourself, you can be braver than ever before. Because bravery is one size fits you, not one size fits all. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#288
June 29 · 12 min
ATG 288 | The First Key to Bravery (And Why You'll Never Be Brave Without It)
Want to know the secret to bravery? It's not what you think. In this episode, part of my "Bravest Summer Ever" series, I'm revealing the first of three keys to bravery, and it's so obvious you might miss it: goals. Here's the truth: no one is brave "just because." That would be dumb. Bravery is uncomfortable, challenging, and requires sacrifice. So why would anyone choose it? Because they have big, beautiful, sexy goals they're in love with. Goals that get them out of bed at 4:55 AM. Goals they can't stop thinking about. I'd rather watch YouTube than write some days, but I want to hold a finished book in my hand, so I have to be brave enough to focus. Desire leads to bravery. Every successful goal requires it, and every goal inspires it. So let me ask you a tough question: What do you want? You don't have to tell me, but you better tell yourself. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#287
June 22 · 13 min
ATG 287 | Bravest Summer Ever: Why Fear Has Had Enough of a Run (Part 1)
Fear had a pretty good run the last few years. It kicked our butts, didn't it? But I'm over it, and I think it's time we take back the territory we lost. That's why I'm starting a new 5 episode series called "Bravest Summer Ever." In this first episode, I'm breaking down three reasons why we need to talk about bravery right now: fear had its moment and it's enough already, bravery is the only thing every successful person has in common (it's the skill that unlocks every other), and most importantly, you can learn it. Bravery isn't something you're born with or without. It's a skill anyone can master. I'll share definitions of bravery, from "motion despite emotion" to "putting miles between you and your desire to quit," and give you your first homework assignment: What does brave mean to you? Over the next few weeks, you're going to become braver than you've ever been. Let's rally. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#286
June 15 · 14 min
ATG 286 | What Your Favorite Airline Says About You (And Why It Matters)
After 14 years of travel, I finally achieved Delta Diamond Medallion Status. But here's the thing: it took me over a decade even though I fly 100 times a year. Why? Because time is the currency I care about most. In this episode, I'm breaking down what your airline choice reveals about your priorities and why understanding your real values changes everything. If you live in Atlanta, Delta is unbeatable with Sky Clubs and first class upgrades. But I live in Nashville, and flying Delta means adding 2 to 4 hours to every trip through connections. That's 200 hours a year I'd lose. Your words don't reveal what you care about, your actions do. Whether it's airlines, yard work, or cars, the choices you make every day show who you really are. I'll teach you how to match your actions to your intentions, because that's the soundtrack that always leads to excellence. The choices you make, make you. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#285
June 8 · 12 min
ATG 285 | Stop Saying "Late Bloomer": The 4 Words That Will Change Everything
I used to introduce myself as a "late bloomer" on hundreds of podcast episodes. It sounded casual, even humble. But here's what I was really saying: "I should have learned this earlier. Smarter people figured this out years before I did. I'm behind." That broken soundtrack has been quietly wreaking havoc in my life for years. In this episode, I'm exposing one of the most dangerous phrases you might be saying right now and showing you the four words you should say instead. Whether you learn something new at 30, 50, or 70, whether you accomplish a goal this year or next, whether you finally clean that garage or lose those 20 pounds, there's no official age when you're supposed to do any of it. Shame cannot answer the question: "When was I supposed to know this?" Because there is no answer. You're not a late bloomer. You're right on time. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#284
June 1 · 1 hr 2 min
ATG 284 | Your Communication Type Is Sabotaging Your Success (And You Don't Even Know It)
Why do some people totally bomb when a conversation really counts? In this episode, therapist and author Jason VanRuler breaks down the five communication types that explain how we connect, where we fail, and why we keep repeating the same patterns. From Peacemakers who avoid conflict to Sparks who struggle to go deep, Jason reveals how childhood shaped your communication style and what happens when stress makes the real you show up. We also dive into the bullseye method for vulnerability (not everyone gets the middle), why cutting people off isn't a badge of honor, and the three phrases that will change your relationships: "If it matters to you, it matters to me," "Can I explain this?" and simply "Maybe." Plus, Jason shares why you need a new therapist when you can guess what they're going to say, the watches and hobbies we've both obsessed over, and why he cries on planes flying home. If you've ever wondered why communication breaks down when it matters most, this episode will show you exactly what's happening and how to fix it. In This Episode: Find Jason VanRuler on Instagram: @jason.vanruler Or online at jasonvr.com Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#283
May 26 · 13 min
ATG 283 | The Analyst's Trap: When Reviewing the Past Prevents You From Dreaming the Future
You're a pro at seeing what went wrong, why it went wrong, and exactly what it will cost if it goes wrong again. If you love a good post mortem and naturally think in terms of evidence and precedent rather than optimism and possibility, you might be an Analyst. In this episode, I'm breaking down the third procrastination profile from my new book Procrastination Proof. Analysts excel at reviewing data and learning from results but get stuck moving from analysis to future vision. You become an archivist for mistakes, accidentally curating a perfect museum of all the times it didn't work before. The pain of the past creates the procrastination of the present. You can't do today because of something that happened yesterday. Do you know what the hardest part of the eleventh diet is? The first ten that didn't work. If this sounds like you, take the free quiz at JonAcuff.com/quiz to discover your exact procrastination profile and get a customized action plan. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Have me speak at your next event! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#282
May 18 · 13 min
ATG 282 | Hustlers: When Moving Fast Means You're Going in the Wrong Direction
If you'd rather jump in without reading the instructions, if paperwork feels like it's slowing you down, if your first inclination is ACTION! ACTION! ACTION!, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down the hustler procrastination profile from my new book, Procrastination Proof. Hustlers excel at taking consistent action and turning thoughts into momentum faster than anyone else in the room. You thrive in the montage part of the movie where most people get stuck. You put together IKEA furniture without looking at the instructions. But here's your trap: you can end up in the wrong city, or even the wrong state, because you were going 100mph without checking the GPS. You're the king of hustle but the jester of progress. Production without direction is just expensive busy work. In this episode, discover why review feels like a threat to you, how to recognize when you're moving fast in the wrong direction, and what to do about it. Take the free quiz at JonAcuff.com/quiz to find out your procrastination profile. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#281
May 11 · 14 min
ATG 281 | Are You a Perfectionist? Why Your Perfect Plans Keep You Stuck
If you have the most detailed, amazing plans but you're always waiting until everything is perfect to get started, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down the second of four procrastination profiles: the Perfectionist. You excel at creating detailed roadmaps and speak spreadsheet fluently, but you get stuck moving from planning to execution. The plan feels safe. The first real step does not. You're going to change the world just as soon as the plan is perfect, but here's the problem: the plan will never be perfect. It can't be, because there's too much information and it's all changing too quickly. In this episode, discover your core procrastination trap, why you resist the uncertainty of execution, and what to do about it. Plus, I'll tell you about the lightning fast, free quiz at JonAcuff.com/quiz that will show you exactly which type of procrastination you deal with and give you a step by step action plan to overcome it. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#280
May 4 · 14 min
ATG 280 | Are You a Dreamer? Why 1,000 Ideas and Zero Actions Is Procrastination in Disguise
Do you have a thousand ideas and don't know what to do with them? This episode is for you. I'm breaking down the first of four procrastination profiles: the Dreamer. Dreamers excel at envisioning breakthrough possibilities but get stuck translating vision into actionable plans. You love a blank whiteboard, thrive at kickoff meetings when anything is possible, and can rattle off 10 new ideas before anyone else thinks of one. But here's your trap: you stay in dream mode because it's comfortable, limitless, and doesn't ask anything of you. Starting something new feels productive, but it's actually a sophisticated form of procrastination. The excitement of a new idea gives you a dopamine hit that feels like progress without any of the actual risk. In this episode, I'll show you how to recognize if you're a dreamer and what to do about it. Plus, my team created a lightning fast, free quiz at JonAcuff.com/quiz that will tell you exactly which type of procrastination you deal with. In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!
#279
April 27 · 15 min
ATG 279 | The 4 Permissions You Need to Give Yourself a Remarkable Life
Nobody wakes up wanting an average life. We all want remarkable marriages, careers, and relationships. But how do you actually build that? After 15 years of helping over a million people and testing hundreds of ideas, I discovered it comes down to four permissions: permission to dream, permission to plan, permission to do, and permission to review. In this episode, I'm breaking down the DPDR system from my new book "Procrastination Proof" and showing you exactly how to use it for three hours, three months, or three years. You'll discover why planning is just visiting the future and taking notes, why you shouldn't quit your day job until you answer one critical question, and how to use this success loop to finally retire from procrastination. Plus, I'll tell you about the free quiz that reveals which of the four procrastination traps you're most likely to fall into. Whether you're a dreamer, perfectionist, hustler, or analyst, find out at jonacuff.com/quiz In This Episode: Order Procrastination Proof! You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Episode Links: Order Procrastination Proof! Book Jon to speak at your event! Come to Stage & Page!

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