ATG 247: Big Life, Small Worries: The 8 Words That Will Change Everything
I recently told someone they should print out these 8 words and carry them in their wallet (which makes me sound ancient because who has a printer anymore?) But seriously, if you only remember 8 words from me in 2025, let it be these: "Big life, small worries. Small life, big worries." Here's the thing—if you want small worries, live a life so big you don't have time to stress over the little stuff. Stress grows in the big open chunks of unclaimed time. When I'm writing a book or planning an event, I don't have mental energy for social media drama or one-star Amazon reviews. But when I don't have a mission? That's when I can camp out on stress for days. Your retired uncle watching political news 12 hours a day? He chose a small life and now has bandwidth for big worries. The solution isn't pulling back from big opportunities—it's going all in on your big life and watching your worries shrink.In This Episode:Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!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!Episode Artwork Photo by Andrew Ly on UnsplashHave me speak at your next event!
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ATG 246: Mindset Reboot: The First Step to a Remarkable Life
What if the formula for a remarkable life was so simple you could write it on a sticky note? In this episode, I share the exact mindset shift that took me from stuck in Atlanta traffic to building a life I love. You’ll hear the story of how I stopped blaming my commute, my boss, and my circumstances, and discovered that the cavalry I'd been waiting for was actually myself.The truth? Your thoughts create your actions, and your actions create your results. Remarkable or average... it’s your choice.Plus, I invite you to the Mindset Reboot, a free two-day event where you’ll learn how to take control of your thoughts so you can finally create the life you want.In This Episode:Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!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!
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20:33
ATG 245: Hope Hard, Work Hard: Why Hope Has Become Controversial (And Why You Need It Anyway)
Apparently, hope is controversial now. Who knew? I've been posting about hope lately, and people have been telling me I'm tone deaf because the supply chain is broken and the economy is terrible. One of my friends literally can't be happy until the supply chain is fixed (even though he doesn't work in supply chain). When did we start tying our personal lives to global numbers we don't control?I spent nearly 20 years as an excuse factory—blaming my parents, my boss, the economy, my background—and it got me nowhere. Then I discovered something radical called personal responsibility. In this episode, I'm sharing my simple philosophy: hope hard, work hard. Start where you are with what you have. Because here's the truth—you can't wait for the world to be perfect to change your own life. The only way to change the world is to change you first. I'll share how getting up early to pay off a car loan eventually led to building two kindergartens in Vietnam. Small changes spread.In This Episode:Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!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!Episode Artwork Photo by Eddie Kopp on UnsplashHave me speak at your next event!
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13:59
ATG 244: Try Again: The Two Words That Stand Between You and Your Biggest Goals
There are only two words standing between you and the book you've always wanted to write, the business you want to start, and yes, even millions of dollars. Just two words. According to the University of Scranton, 92% of New Year's resolutions fail—and it's because nobody knows about these two powerful words. Here's the thing: nothing is successful on the first attempt. Nothing. Fear isn't afraid of your first try (we're a single-serve culture), but it's terrified you'll take that second step. In this episode, I'll break down the four main reasons people don't try again—from the hurt of the last attempt to mentally rehearsing failure until it becomes a tattoo instead of henna. Plus, I'll share how trying again got me through writing my 11th book after throwing away three half-finished drafts. Because here's what I need you to know: trying again isn't failure or embarrassing—it's the first gigantic leap toward mastery.In This Episode:Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today!Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!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!Episode Artwork Photo by Steve Johnson on UnsplashHave me speak at your next event!
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ATG 243: Today Is An Adventure
I'm going old school today—70s and 80s motivational guru style. You know those thick plastic binders with cassette tapes that made you want to run through walls? That's the energy I'm bringing. This episode is different. It's a short, highly motivational boost designed to be replayed whenever you're discouraged and need that little bit of juice. Because today isn't just another average Monday—there's no such thing as average days when we're guaranteed none and given this one. Today is an adventure, an invitation to edge country where anything is possible. We can plan and predict, but the day speaks in dares, not formulas. So download this one, save it for a rainy day, and remember: killing your dreams because you're afraid they might get bruised is a trade-off you should never make. Today is much like you—one of one.In This Episode:Grab a Soundtrack Conversation Deck for that overthinker in your life today!Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!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!Episode Artwork Photo by Dino Reichmuth on UnsplashHave me speak at your next event!
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.