June 13, 2025 • 29 mins
In a world where we’re constantly chasing deadlines, to-do lists, and external validation, we often forget to check in with the most important person — ourselves. What if I told you that true transformation doesn’t start with hustle, but with reflection? In this powerful episode, we’re stepping into the stillness to rediscover clarity. Whether you’re seeking direction, healing, or simply more presence, these practices will help you get grounded and grow. Tune in as I walk you through habits and mindsets that will re-center your purpose and spark the best version of who you’re meant to become.1️⃣ When did you last pause to reflect?The pace of life can be relentless, and unless we intentionally slow down, we risk living on autopilot. Taking time to pause is not a weakness — it’s wisdom. Reflection is how we audit our soul. Ask yourself: Am I reacting to life or responding with intention? Even five minutes of silence can provide surprising insight. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken that pause, consider this your invitation.2️⃣ Identify moments that shaped who you are.Think back to the experiences that left a permanent mark — not just the highlights, but also the hardships. These moments often hold the lessons that define our values and character. From a first job, a loss, a major risk, or even a quiet win — your story has power. Reflecting on these milestones builds both self-awareness and resilience.3️⃣ Revisit your childhood or early dreams.As children, our dreams were vivid, untamed, and pure. Along the way, life may have quieted them. But buried beneath our routines may still be that original spark. Reconnecting with childhood aspirations — even in small ways — can reignite your passion and point you toward your true north.4️⃣ Evaluate if you're living your values or just your schedule.It’s easy to get so busy that we confuse activity with alignment. But are your days filled with what matters or just what’s urgent? When your calendar reflects your values, life feels more authentic. Take stock of how your time is spent and make intentional shifts to honor what you truly care about.5️⃣ Reflect on who you are becoming.Growth isn’t static. Every decision, every habit, every moment is shaping your future self. The question isn’t just “Who am I?” — it’s “Who am I becoming?” This forward-facing reflection encourages accountability and inspires you to keep evolving with purpose.6️⃣ Let go of what no longer serves you.We carry so much that we’ve outgrown — outdated beliefs, toxic habits, even relationships that dim our light. Letting go isn’t failure; it’s freedom. When you release what holds you back, you make space for new beginnings and better alignment.7️⃣ Celebrate your small wins.Progress often comes in whispers, not roars. Recognizing your small victories — waking up early, completing a task, showing kindness — trains your brain to notice growth and fuels confidence. Don’t wait for the “big moment” to celebrate; honor each step.8️⃣ Journal or voice record your current state.Capturing your present thoughts creates clarity. Whether written or spoken, journaling is a mirror that reflects your internal world. It’s not about perfect grammar or structure — it’s about honesty. You’ll be amazed at the insights that surface when you allow yourself to express freely.9️⃣ Start with mindful mornings. 🌅How you begin your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Instead of grabbing your phone, start with intention — a breath, a stretch, a thought of gratitude. These few mindful minutes can ripple through your entire day with focus and calm.🔟 Practice gratitude daily. 🙏Gratitude turns what we have into enough. It’s a daily practice that reorients your mindset from scarcity to abundance. Even in challenging times, finding one thing to be grateful for can shift your energy and open your heart.1️⃣1️⃣ Prioritize meaningful interactions. 🤝In a hyperconnected world, genuine connection is rare — but it’s what we crave most. Make time
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:20):
Hey guys, it's John C.
Morley here at Serial Entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
I'm so glad you decided to join me
here tonight, just a few minutes before 10
o'clock.
It is June 13th and it is 2025
and I'm so glad you decided to join
me here.
This is the last of the master topic
for, um, basically this week, cause it is,
(00:42):
uh, basically show, um, actually we're on show
number, uh, 24 and it's episode number seven,
do check out guys, believemeachieved.com for more
of my amazing, inspiring creations.
You can do that 24 hours a day.
Really hope you'll check that out.
(01:03):
If you guys are hungry or thirsty, feel
free to go to the kitchen and go
grab yourself something amazing.
And, um, well, uh, then, um, I will,
uh, start the show.
So what are you guys waiting for?
Definitely, uh, get back to me.
I know you're going to love what we're
doing.
And, um, I think this has been a
(01:27):
pretty amazing week, right?
Uh, and I think what a lot of
people don't realize with this topic, which is
really a cool topic is that, um, most
people don't understand what this means.
(01:48):
And so the grand, the master talk of
the week is how connection purpose and peach
transform our world.
We're on series four and the granular is,
um, challenge listeners to reflect on their own
journey.
Series four show 24 episode number seven.
So like I said, do check out believemeachieved
.com for more of my amazing, of course,
inspiring creations.
(02:09):
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I do want to
welcome everyone, uh, that is new to the
show.
Welcome.
If you're coming back, we'll welcome back in
a world where we're constantly chasing deadlines, do
lists, external validations.
We often forget to check in with the
most important person.
Who's that?
Ourself.
What have I told you that true transformation
doesn't hustle and start with that, but with
(02:31):
reflection in this powerful episode, um, I'm going
to step into the stillness to rediscover clarity,
whether you're seeking direction, healing, or simply more
presence, these practices will help you get grounded
and grow.
And tune in as I walk now through
the habits and the mindsets that will center
(02:52):
your purpose and spark the best vision of
who you can become.
Don't be afraid to become that vision because
ladies, gentlemen, you can definitely become that vision
right now.
All right, you can become it right now.
And I think that'll really blow you away
when I, when I share this with you.
(03:13):
All right.
Number one is when did you last pause
to reflect in your life?
Pace of life can be relentless.
And unless we intentionally slow down, we risk
living on autopilot.
Taking time to pause is not a weakness.
It's wisdom.
Reflection is how we audit our soul.
(03:33):
Ask yourself, am I reacting to life or
responding with pure intention?
Even five minutes of silence can provide surprising
insight.
If it's been a while since you've taken
that pause, well, consider this your personal invitation
to take a pause and not just today,
(03:56):
take pauses often, at least once a week,
maybe once a day, they don't have to
be long pauses, but they need to be
pauses so that you can appreciate, um, what's
going on in your life and how you
can transform your life into something that is,
I gotta say quite remarkable.
All right.
Quite remarkable.
(04:16):
So that is, uh, where I want to
go there.
And so, um, you know, as I said,
it can be relentless, but if it's been
a while, well, consider this your personal invitation
to go ahead and, uh, pause.
Number two, identify moments that shaped who you
are.
Think back, ladies and gentlemen, to experiences that
(04:38):
left a permanent mark, not just the highlights,
but also those hardships.
These moments often hold the lessons that define
our values, character from the first job we
might've had, a loss or relationship, a major
risk, or even a quiet win.
Your story has power more than you believe.
Reflecting on these milestones builds both self-awareness
(05:01):
and resilience.
But I think some people get afraid to,
to do that.
All right.
I think they get afraid, uh, to actually,
you know, do that because by doing that,
um, you're going to find that maybe it's,
um, it's about what you can be, not
(05:25):
who you are right now, but who you
can become, I think that's a very important
thing.
Who we are becoming in life, right?
Who are we becoming in life?
And I know that sounds like something that's
(05:46):
really, I want to say a little bit
crazy, um, but I want to tell you
that this is something that's pretty remarkable.
It's something that everyone has.
The ability has the power to do right
now in their lives, right?
Literally has the power to do this right
(06:08):
in their life, but sometimes they get stuck
in the moment.
They get stuck where they're going.
And I think that can be a problem
for some people, right?
It could be a problem.
So, um, I think it's really important to,
uh, heed this advice that I'm giving you.
And so, um, you know, you can do
(06:32):
this.
Let's move on to number three.
Revisit your childhood or early dreams.
As children, our dreams were vivid, untamed and
pure.
Along the way, life may have quieted them
down, but buried beneath our routines may be
that original spark reconnecting with childhood aspirations.
And even in small ways can reignite your
(06:55):
passion and point you toward your true north,
your true north is where you live, like
where you are putting your value toward, right?
We call it your true north, your purpose
in life.
Number five, reflect on who you are becoming.
(07:16):
See growth isn't static folks.
Every decision, every habit, every moment is shaping
your future self.
The question isn't just, who am I?
It's who am I becoming?
This forward facing reflection encourages accountability and inspires
you to keep evolving with purpose.
Let go of what no longer serves you.
(07:39):
We carry so much that we've oftentimes outgrown
outdated beliefs, toxic habits, even relationships that dim
our light.
Letting go folks isn't failure.
It's freedom.
When you release what holds you back, you
make space for new beginnings and better alignment.
But I think a lot of people, they
don't actually know what that means or what
(08:01):
that could mean.
So they really put themselves into this world
where they're just not able to do anything.
I think that's hard for a lot of
people, you know, to understand that they have
this power and by having this power, they
can truly become the person that they've always
(08:23):
wanted to be.
And I know that's not an easy thing
to do, to get into alignment.
Number seven, celebrate your small wins.
Progress often comes in whispers, not roars.
Waking up early, completing a task, showing kindness,
change your brain to notice growth and fuels
confidence.
Don't wait for the big moment to celebrate,
(08:44):
honor each step as it occurs.
Number eight, journal, ladies and gentlemen, or voice
record your current state.
Capturing your present thoughts creates clarity, whether written
or spoken.
Journaling is a mirror that reflects your inner
and internal world.
It's not about perfect grammar or structure.
It's about true integrity and honesty.
(09:06):
You'll be amazed at the insights that surface
when you allow yourself to express freely and
you're not like, oh, my gosh, I didn't
do this sentence right.
I didn't do that sentence right.
But I think that's a very important thing
that many people don't understand and they don't
they don't realize, you know, what that is.
And I think that can be hard for
some people to literally understand that.
(09:30):
And so.
You might wonder why.
And it's because.
You're pursuing a certain way, you're going down
a certain way, I think that's very, very
important to understand what that means in your
own life.
(09:50):
All right, let's move on to the next
point.
Um, number nine, start with mindful mornings.
This is one of my favorites.
We talked about this earlier in the week
a little bit.
How you begin your day sets the tone
for everything that follows.
Instead of grabbing your phone, start with intention,
a breath, a stretch, a thought of gratitude,
(10:11):
these few mindful minutes can ripple through your
entire day with focus and the ability of
being calm.
Number ten, practice gratitude daily.
You've heard me say this before.
It's not overrated, folks.
It's something that I think everyone in this
world needs to understand that you can do
(10:33):
this.
It's just you have to focus a little
bit.
So this is practice gratitude.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
It's a daily practice that reorients our mindset
from scarcity to abundance, even challenges of times
that we don't know what to do.
Finding one thing to be grateful for can
(10:54):
shift your energy.
And you know what, ladies and gentlemen?
It can actually open up your heart.
That's a that's a very amazing thing when
I say it can open up your heart.
That's something that you just you can't make
that up, OK?
(11:15):
You just cannot make that up.
Does that make sense, everybody?
Hopefully it does.
(11:35):
But what does it mean to you?
Maybe it means that you're trying to figure
something out.
Maybe it means that.
It could mean that doesn't have to, but
maybe it means that.
(11:57):
I think if we can understand where we're
going.
Then maybe things could be easier, right?
So we move on to number 11, prioritize
meaningful interactions.
In a hyperconnected world, genuine connection is rare,
but it's what we crave most.
Make time for real conversations, deep listening and
(12:19):
shared presence.
Relationships thrive not on quantity, but quality.
And so it's important to understand.
Creating purpose routines, routines bring structure, but when
infused with meaning, they become rituals, align your
(12:42):
habits with your goals and values.
This is how we build a life.
We don't need to escape from one mindful
choice at a time.
(13:02):
I think this is hard for a lot
of people, but it truly means something, OK?
It's how we build our life, because you
don't need to escape, as I said, from
one mindful choice.
At a time.
We need to realize what's going on, number
13, incorporate movement and nature.
(13:24):
Number 14, engage in evening reflection.
Before you sleep, look back on your day.
I think that's a I think that's a
very, very, you know, important thing that hopefully
you can maybe understand.
But I realize you might not understand.
And I realize that it might not be
(13:45):
something that you that you understand.
Think about this before you go to sleep,
look back on your day.
What did you learn?
What moments stood out?
This ritual helps you process, let go and
keep with a lighter heart.
(14:06):
Save the stage for a better tomorrow.
Number 15, limit digital distractions.
We scroll so much, right?
We forget to live.
Unplugging isn't just a detox.
It's an act of self-respect.
Reclaim your time and attention from digital noise
and reinvest it into what matters, your core
(14:27):
goal, your purpose, the people, your peace.
Does that make sense?
I think sometimes
(14:51):
we don't always get why things are a
certain way because we're too unaligned with.
What we're doing.
Number 16, practice self-compassion, be kind to
yourself, folks.
You're not doing anybody a favor by being
(15:16):
nasty yourself.
Self-compassion means embracing your imperfections, understanding that
growth is messy.
You deserve the same kindness that you give
to others.
So start sharing that.
OK.
And this is the part of the show,
guys, that I really like.
(15:44):
I think it's important for people to understand
this.
And so what I want to do.
Um.
Is realize that.
I want to share some stories with you,
so I want to give you.
(16:07):
So maybe one personal story or lesson for
each point today that I went over, and
it's my hope that that's going to solidify
things, hopefully.
(16:27):
Does that make sense to you guys?
I mean, I hope it does.
Because when we start to come to a
connection, it does something really amazing.
OK, so I have some stories, hopefully I'll
have time to get through all of them.
(16:47):
If I don't, I'm just going to get
through what I have time for, because I
do have a lot of stories.
First one, guys, is when did you last
pause?
The pace of life, guys, can be relentless.
And unless we intentionally slow down, we notice
that it is a problem, like I said.
Um, and you might be saying, John, you
(17:08):
know, this doesn't make a lot of sense,
but it's it's really important because if you
don't know what's important, then you don't understand
life.
Right.
I think that's a I think that's a
very, very big thing to really understand.
(17:32):
So let me start with the first lesson.
First lesson is something I want to talk
about.
So one morning I actually found myself staring
blankly at my computer, surrounded by unchecked boxes
and digital noise.
It hit me.
I was achieving, but not aligning.
And that moment of stillness, forced or not,
(17:53):
was the beginning of a new kind of
success, inner clarity.
This episode is basically my invitation to you
to stop doing for a moment and start
being let go on this powerful reflection journey
together, because when you do that, it's important
(18:19):
to make sense.
The important thing that I want to share
with you.
When did you last pause to reflect?
Used to hustle from task to task without
thinking twice until I burned out during a
(18:42):
project.
I remember sitting in my car one evening,
engine off, just breathing.
That five minute pause gave me more clarity
than months of planning.
Since then, I made space each day just
to listen inwardly.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
OK, really, really important.
Number two, identify moments that shaped who you
(19:05):
are.
So that makes sense, everyone.
Identify those moments, because if you can identify
those moments, then life can really be very
special.
OK, when my mentor had passed away unexpectedly,
(19:30):
it shattered my world.
But in grief, I discovered a deeper appreciation
for legacy and intentionality.
His encouragement to build things that matter, Dr.
Dwayne Dyer, became my compass.
Even when I doubted myself, I realized there
were still things I can do.
(19:57):
The next thing I want to talk about
is revisiting your childhood or early dreams, right?
Your early dreams, I think your early dreams
are hopefully something that will, I'm hoping it'll
inspire you.
And that's my hope.
(20:17):
And if it inspires you, then maybe you
can understand, like, where you're going.
So revisit your childhood or early dreams.
At age 10, I used to build pretend
radio stations in my room, recording shows with
a toy microphone.
I lost that playful spirit in adulthood until
(20:37):
I started podcasting again.
Suddenly, that childhood joy just returned back.
And that's when I learned that everything I
do needs to be about play.
Whether it's engineering, whether it's marketing, whether it's
video, I creatively play and I get paid
to creatively play.
It reminded me the clues were always there,
but I had to check on it.
(21:03):
Does that make sense to everybody?
And so you can make this difference, guys.
Number four, evaluate if you're living your values
or just your schedule.
I once had a calendar full of networking
events and meetings, but none of them lit
(21:23):
me up.
I realized I was living someone else's definition
of success.
I cut half of it out and replaced
it with volunteering, reading and podcasting and engineering
and video production.
And my soul finally took a breath.
I think that's an important thing.
(21:50):
And so let go of what no longer
serves you.
OK, these are important things, OK, very important,
reflect on who you are becoming.
(22:20):
Does that make sense to everyone?
I'm hoping it does.
But then again, you know, I understand it
may not.
And so you have to think about, you
know, what does that mean in your life?
Like, what does that mean for you?
I think it means a lot.
(22:43):
I think it means that.
You have the ability to grow.
When you reflect on who you're becoming, a
few years ago, I met someone who described
me as always rushing.
That struck a nerve with me.
I started asking myself not just what am
(23:04):
I doing, but who am I becoming?
Through this, I shifted my actions from reactive
to intentional.
I let go of what no longer serves
me, let go of what no longer serves
you.
I held on to a business partnership for
way too long out of fear, even though
I knew it was aligned.
When I finally walked away from this particular
(23:25):
deal, it was like shedding armor because I
was doing something someone else's way when I
was working for a company.
The space that opened up brought in better
opportunities and lighter energy.
(23:45):
Does that make sense?
Celebrate your small wins.
I once ignored finishing my first script because
it wasn't perfect.
A friend pointed out, you did it.
That's the win.
That changed me.
Now, every completed workout, heartfelt message or check
task gets its moment, no matter how small.
(24:06):
Number eight, journal or voice record your current
state.
Does that make sense?
One night, feeling overwhelmed, I hit record on
my phone and just talked 20 minutes later.
I had cried, laughed and finally understood what
(24:28):
was bothering me.
That raw audio became the most honest conversation
I've ever had with myself.
Record yourself and you'll learn quite a bit.
OK.
That's important.
(24:48):
Number nine.
Start with mindful mornings.
OK.
There was a time when I'd wake up
and instantly reach for my phone.
One day, I left it off and just
sat on the balcony, sipping tea and breathing
that morning.
Had felt sacred.
Now, my morning ritual starts with silence, not
(25:10):
scrolling, and it changes everything.
Number 10, practice gratitude daily.
(25:32):
Does that make sense, everyone?
During a low point, I remember I committed
to writing three gratitude a days.
When entry read, I'm grateful for this pen.
That was a shift.
When you can see blessings in the ordinary,
your mindset begins to overflow, not just with
thanks, but with possibilities.
I think we have to realize that things
(25:53):
are really.
All right.
I think that's a very important thing to
understand, you know, that whole that whole concept.
(26:19):
Does that make sense, everybody?
I hope it does.
Summer 11.
Prioritize meaningful interactions.
After a networking event, I realized I didn't
remember a single real conversation.
So I changed how I showed up slower,
more present or cautious, more curious.
A simple question I learned from Dale Carnegie,
(26:40):
what can I do to talk in terms
of the person's interest?
What lights you up these days?
What gets you up out of bed?
Led to one of my closest friendships.
Create purposeful entities.
Brushing my teeth became a meditation when I
paired it with an intention that my words
today be kind.
The routine I once rushed became sacred.
(27:04):
That shift taught me that meaning isn't found
after the habit.
It's built into it.
Incorporate movement into nature.
Does that make sense?
I mean, hopefully, hopefully it does.
Um, I hope that makes sense to everybody.
(27:34):
After long work days, I started taking forest
walks at first.
It felt.
Really like indulging now, it feels essential.
One day I saw a deer just a
few feet away.
That still moment reminded me the world is
beautiful, but you have to look up to
see it.
Engaging evening reflection used to fall asleep, anxious,
(27:54):
my mind spinning that I started jotting one
sentence at night.
What did today teach me?
Even though today's offered insights, this ritual turned
my nights from restless to restorative limit digital
distractions.
I tried a 24 hour phone fast and
was stunned by what I noticed.
My thoughts, my creativity, even how I reached
(28:16):
for distractions.
That experiment turned into a weekly tech break
and it's helped me reclaim presence in the
noisy world sometimes.
So I think it's important that we understand
all this stuff and practice self-compassion.
Do take care of yourself, ladies, gentlemen, and
do check out believemeachieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Have a great one, everyone.
Hey guys, it's John C.
Morley here at Serial Entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
I'm so glad you decided to join me
here tonight, just a few minutes before 10
o'clock.
It is June 13th and it is 2025
and I'm so glad you decided to join
me here.
This is the last of the master topic
for, um, basically this week, cause it is,
(00:42):
uh, basically show, um, actually we're on show
number, uh, 24 and it's episode number seven,
do check out guys, believemeachieved.com for more
of my amazing, inspiring creations.
You can do that 24 hours a day.
Really hope you'll check that out.
(01:03):
If you guys are hungry or thirsty, feel
free to go to the kitchen and go
grab yourself something amazing.
And, um, well, uh, then, um, I will,
uh, start the show.
So what are you guys waiting for?
Definitely, uh, get back to me.
I know you're going to love what we're
doing.
And, um, I think this has been a
(01:27):
pretty amazing week, right?
Uh, and I think what a lot of
people don't realize with this topic, which is
really a cool topic is that, um, most
people don't understand what this means.
(01:48):
And so the grand, the master talk of
the week is how connection purpose and peach
transform our world.
We're on series four and the granular is,
um, challenge listeners to reflect on their own
journey.
Series four show 24 episode number seven.
So like I said, do check out believemeachieved
.com for more of my amazing, of course,
inspiring creations.
(02:09):
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I do want to
welcome everyone, uh, that is new to the
show.
Welcome.
If you're coming back, we'll welcome back in
a world where we're constantly chasing deadlines, do
lists, external validations.
We often forget to check in with the
most important person.
Who's that?
Ourself.
What have I told you that true transformation
doesn't hustle and start with that, but with
(02:31):
reflection in this powerful episode, um, I'm going
to step into the stillness to rediscover clarity,
whether you're seeking direction, healing, or simply more
presence, these practices will help you get grounded
and grow.
And tune in as I walk now through
the habits and the mindsets that will center
(02:52):
your purpose and spark the best vision of
who you can become.
Don't be afraid to become that vision because
ladies, gentlemen, you can definitely become that vision
right now.
All right, you can become it right now.
And I think that'll really blow you away
when I, when I share this with you.
(03:13):
All right.
Number one is when did you last pause
to reflect in your life?
Pace of life can be relentless.
And unless we intentionally slow down, we risk
living on autopilot.
Taking time to pause is not a weakness.
It's wisdom.
Reflection is how we audit our soul.
(03:33):
Ask yourself, am I reacting to life or
responding with pure intention?
Even five minutes of silence can provide surprising
insight.
If it's been a while since you've taken
that pause, well, consider this your personal invitation
to take a pause and not just today,
(03:56):
take pauses often, at least once a week,
maybe once a day, they don't have to
be long pauses, but they need to be
pauses so that you can appreciate, um, what's
going on in your life and how you
can transform your life into something that is,
I gotta say quite remarkable.
All right.
Quite remarkable.
(04:16):
So that is, uh, where I want to
go there.
And so, um, you know, as I said,
it can be relentless, but if it's been
a while, well, consider this your personal invitation
to go ahead and, uh, pause.
Number two, identify moments that shaped who you
are.
Think back, ladies and gentlemen, to experiences that
(04:38):
left a permanent mark, not just the highlights,
but also those hardships.
These moments often hold the lessons that define
our values, character from the first job we
might've had, a loss or relationship, a major
risk, or even a quiet win.
Your story has power more than you believe.
Reflecting on these milestones builds both self-awareness
(05:01):
and resilience.
But I think some people get afraid to,
to do that.
All right.
I think they get afraid, uh, to actually,
you know, do that because by doing that,
um, you're going to find that maybe it's,
um, it's about what you can be, not
(05:25):
who you are right now, but who you
can become, I think that's a very important
thing.
Who we are becoming in life, right?
Who are we becoming in life?
And I know that sounds like something that's
(05:46):
really, I want to say a little bit
crazy, um, but I want to tell you
that this is something that's pretty remarkable.
It's something that everyone has.
The ability has the power to do right
now in their lives, right?
Literally has the power to do this right
(06:08):
in their life, but sometimes they get stuck
in the moment.
They get stuck where they're going.
And I think that can be a problem
for some people, right?
It could be a problem.
So, um, I think it's really important to,
uh, heed this advice that I'm giving you.
And so, um, you know, you can do
(06:32):
this.
Let's move on to number three.
Revisit your childhood or early dreams.
As children, our dreams were vivid, untamed and
pure.
Along the way, life may have quieted them
down, but buried beneath our routines may be
that original spark reconnecting with childhood aspirations.
And even in small ways can reignite your
(06:55):
passion and point you toward your true north,
your true north is where you live, like
where you are putting your value toward, right?
We call it your true north, your purpose
in life.
Number five, reflect on who you are becoming.
(07:16):
See growth isn't static folks.
Every decision, every habit, every moment is shaping
your future self.
The question isn't just, who am I?
It's who am I becoming?
This forward facing reflection encourages accountability and inspires
you to keep evolving with purpose.
Let go of what no longer serves you.
(07:39):
We carry so much that we've oftentimes outgrown
outdated beliefs, toxic habits, even relationships that dim
our light.
Letting go folks isn't failure.
It's freedom.
When you release what holds you back, you
make space for new beginnings and better alignment.
But I think a lot of people, they
don't actually know what that means or what
(08:01):
that could mean.
So they really put themselves into this world
where they're just not able to do anything.
I think that's hard for a lot of
people, you know, to understand that they have
this power and by having this power, they
can truly become the person that they've always
(08:23):
wanted to be.
And I know that's not an easy thing
to do, to get into alignment.
Number seven, celebrate your small wins.
Progress often comes in whispers, not roars.
Waking up early, completing a task, showing kindness,
change your brain to notice growth and fuels
confidence.
Don't wait for the big moment to celebrate,
(08:44):
honor each step as it occurs.
Number eight, journal, ladies and gentlemen, or voice
record your current state.
Capturing your present thoughts creates clarity, whether written
or spoken.
Journaling is a mirror that reflects your inner
and internal world.
It's not about perfect grammar or structure.
It's about true integrity and honesty.
(09:06):
You'll be amazed at the insights that surface
when you allow yourself to express freely and
you're not like, oh, my gosh, I didn't
do this sentence right.
I didn't do that sentence right.
But I think that's a very important thing
that many people don't understand and they don't
they don't realize, you know, what that is.
And I think that can be hard for
some people to literally understand that.
(09:30):
And so.
You might wonder why.
And it's because.
You're pursuing a certain way, you're going down
a certain way, I think that's very, very
important to understand what that means in your
own life.
(09:50):
All right, let's move on to the next
point.
Um, number nine, start with mindful mornings.
This is one of my favorites.
We talked about this earlier in the week
a little bit.
How you begin your day sets the tone
for everything that follows.
Instead of grabbing your phone, start with intention,
a breath, a stretch, a thought of gratitude,
(10:11):
these few mindful minutes can ripple through your
entire day with focus and the ability of
being calm.
Number ten, practice gratitude daily.
You've heard me say this before.
It's not overrated, folks.
It's something that I think everyone in this
world needs to understand that you can do
(10:33):
this.
It's just you have to focus a little
bit.
So this is practice gratitude.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
It's a daily practice that reorients our mindset
from scarcity to abundance, even challenges of times
that we don't know what to do.
Finding one thing to be grateful for can
(10:54):
shift your energy.
And you know what, ladies and gentlemen?
It can actually open up your heart.
That's a that's a very amazing thing when
I say it can open up your heart.
That's something that you just you can't make
that up, OK?
(11:15):
You just cannot make that up.
Does that make sense, everybody?
Hopefully it does.
(11:35):
But what does it mean to you?
Maybe it means that you're trying to figure
something out.
Maybe it means that.
It could mean that doesn't have to, but
maybe it means that.
(11:57):
I think if we can understand where we're
going.
Then maybe things could be easier, right?
So we move on to number 11, prioritize
meaningful interactions.
In a hyperconnected world, genuine connection is rare,
but it's what we crave most.
Make time for real conversations, deep listening and
(12:19):
shared presence.
Relationships thrive not on quantity, but quality.
And so it's important to understand.
Creating purpose routines, routines bring structure, but when
infused with meaning, they become rituals, align your
(12:42):
habits with your goals and values.
This is how we build a life.
We don't need to escape from one mindful
choice at a time.
(13:02):
I think this is hard for a lot
of people, but it truly means something, OK?
It's how we build our life, because you
don't need to escape, as I said, from
one mindful choice.
At a time.
We need to realize what's going on, number
13, incorporate movement and nature.
(13:24):
Number 14, engage in evening reflection.
Before you sleep, look back on your day.
I think that's a I think that's a
very, very, you know, important thing that hopefully
you can maybe understand.
But I realize you might not understand.
And I realize that it might not be
(13:45):
something that you that you understand.
Think about this before you go to sleep,
look back on your day.
What did you learn?
What moments stood out?
This ritual helps you process, let go and
keep with a lighter heart.
(14:06):
Save the stage for a better tomorrow.
Number 15, limit digital distractions.
We scroll so much, right?
We forget to live.
Unplugging isn't just a detox.
It's an act of self-respect.
Reclaim your time and attention from digital noise
and reinvest it into what matters, your core
(14:27):
goal, your purpose, the people, your peace.
Does that make sense?
I think sometimes
(14:51):
we don't always get why things are a
certain way because we're too unaligned with.
What we're doing.
Number 16, practice self-compassion, be kind to
yourself, folks.
You're not doing anybody a favor by being
(15:16):
nasty yourself.
Self-compassion means embracing your imperfections, understanding that
growth is messy.
You deserve the same kindness that you give
to others.
So start sharing that.
OK.
And this is the part of the show,
guys, that I really like.
(15:44):
I think it's important for people to understand
this.
And so what I want to do.
Um.
Is realize that.
I want to share some stories with you,
so I want to give you.
(16:07):
So maybe one personal story or lesson for
each point today that I went over, and
it's my hope that that's going to solidify
things, hopefully.
(16:27):
Does that make sense to you guys?
I mean, I hope it does.
Because when we start to come to a
connection, it does something really amazing.
OK, so I have some stories, hopefully I'll
have time to get through all of them.
(16:47):
If I don't, I'm just going to get
through what I have time for, because I
do have a lot of stories.
First one, guys, is when did you last
pause?
The pace of life, guys, can be relentless.
And unless we intentionally slow down, we notice
that it is a problem, like I said.
Um, and you might be saying, John, you
(17:08):
know, this doesn't make a lot of sense,
but it's it's really important because if you
don't know what's important, then you don't understand
life.
Right.
I think that's a I think that's a
very, very big thing to really understand.
(17:32):
So let me start with the first lesson.
First lesson is something I want to talk
about.
So one morning I actually found myself staring
blankly at my computer, surrounded by unchecked boxes
and digital noise.
It hit me.
I was achieving, but not aligning.
And that moment of stillness, forced or not,
(17:53):
was the beginning of a new kind of
success, inner clarity.
This episode is basically my invitation to you
to stop doing for a moment and start
being let go on this powerful reflection journey
together, because when you do that, it's important
(18:19):
to make sense.
The important thing that I want to share
with you.
When did you last pause to reflect?
Used to hustle from task to task without
thinking twice until I burned out during a
(18:42):
project.
I remember sitting in my car one evening,
engine off, just breathing.
That five minute pause gave me more clarity
than months of planning.
Since then, I made space each day just
to listen inwardly.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
OK, really, really important.
Number two, identify moments that shaped who you
(19:05):
are.
So that makes sense, everyone.
Identify those moments, because if you can identify
those moments, then life can really be very
special.
OK, when my mentor had passed away unexpectedly,
(19:30):
it shattered my world.
But in grief, I discovered a deeper appreciation
for legacy and intentionality.
His encouragement to build things that matter, Dr.
Dwayne Dyer, became my compass.
Even when I doubted myself, I realized there
were still things I can do.
(19:57):
The next thing I want to talk about
is revisiting your childhood or early dreams, right?
Your early dreams, I think your early dreams
are hopefully something that will, I'm hoping it'll
inspire you.
And that's my hope.
(20:17):
And if it inspires you, then maybe you
can understand, like, where you're going.
So revisit your childhood or early dreams.
At age 10, I used to build pretend
radio stations in my room, recording shows with
a toy microphone.
I lost that playful spirit in adulthood until
(20:37):
I started podcasting again.
Suddenly, that childhood joy just returned back.
And that's when I learned that everything I
do needs to be about play.
Whether it's engineering, whether it's marketing, whether it's
video, I creatively play and I get paid
to creatively play.
It reminded me the clues were always there,
but I had to check on it.
(21:03):
Does that make sense to everybody?
And so you can make this difference, guys.
Number four, evaluate if you're living your values
or just your schedule.
I once had a calendar full of networking
events and meetings, but none of them lit
(21:23):
me up.
I realized I was living someone else's definition
of success.
I cut half of it out and replaced
it with volunteering, reading and podcasting and engineering
and video production.
And my soul finally took a breath.
I think that's an important thing.
(21:50):
And so let go of what no longer
serves you.
OK, these are important things, OK, very important,
reflect on who you are becoming.
(22:20):
Does that make sense to everyone?
I'm hoping it does.
But then again, you know, I understand it
may not.
And so you have to think about, you
know, what does that mean in your life?
Like, what does that mean for you?
I think it means a lot.
(22:43):
I think it means that.
You have the ability to grow.
When you reflect on who you're becoming, a
few years ago, I met someone who described
me as always rushing.
That struck a nerve with me.
I started asking myself not just what am
(23:04):
I doing, but who am I becoming?
Through this, I shifted my actions from reactive
to intentional.
I let go of what no longer serves
me, let go of what no longer serves
you.
I held on to a business partnership for
way too long out of fear, even though
I knew it was aligned.
When I finally walked away from this particular
(23:25):
deal, it was like shedding armor because I
was doing something someone else's way when I
was working for a company.
The space that opened up brought in better
opportunities and lighter energy.
(23:45):
Does that make sense?
Celebrate your small wins.
I once ignored finishing my first script because
it wasn't perfect.
A friend pointed out, you did it.
That's the win.
That changed me.
Now, every completed workout, heartfelt message or check
task gets its moment, no matter how small.
(24:06):
Number eight, journal or voice record your current
state.
Does that make sense?
One night, feeling overwhelmed, I hit record on
my phone and just talked 20 minutes later.
I had cried, laughed and finally understood what
(24:28):
was bothering me.
That raw audio became the most honest conversation
I've ever had with myself.
Record yourself and you'll learn quite a bit.
OK.
That's important.
(24:48):
Number nine.
Start with mindful mornings.
OK.
There was a time when I'd wake up
and instantly reach for my phone.
One day, I left it off and just
sat on the balcony, sipping tea and breathing
that morning.
Had felt sacred.
Now, my morning ritual starts with silence, not
(25:10):
scrolling, and it changes everything.
Number 10, practice gratitude daily.
(25:32):
Does that make sense, everyone?
During a low point, I remember I committed
to writing three gratitude a days.
When entry read, I'm grateful for this pen.
That was a shift.
When you can see blessings in the ordinary,
your mindset begins to overflow, not just with
thanks, but with possibilities.
I think we have to realize that things
(25:53):
are really.
All right.
I think that's a very important thing to
understand, you know, that whole that whole concept.
(26:19):
Does that make sense, everybody?
I hope it does.
Summer 11.
Prioritize meaningful interactions.
After a networking event, I realized I didn't
remember a single real conversation.
So I changed how I showed up slower,
more present or cautious, more curious.
A simple question I learned from Dale Carnegie,
(26:40):
what can I do to talk in terms
of the person's interest?
What lights you up these days?
What gets you up out of bed?
Led to one of my closest friendships.
Create purposeful entities.
Brushing my teeth became a meditation when I
paired it with an intention that my words
today be kind.
The routine I once rushed became sacred.
(27:04):
That shift taught me that meaning isn't found
after the habit.
It's built into it.
Incorporate movement into nature.
Does that make sense?
I mean, hopefully, hopefully it does.
Um, I hope that makes sense to everybody.
(27:34):
After long work days, I started taking forest
walks at first.
It felt.
Really like indulging now, it feels essential.
One day I saw a deer just a
few feet away.
That still moment reminded me the world is
beautiful, but you have to look up to
see it.
Engaging evening reflection used to fall asleep, anxious,
(27:54):
my mind spinning that I started jotting one
sentence at night.
What did today teach me?
Even though today's offered insights, this ritual turned
my nights from restless to restorative limit digital
distractions.
I tried a 24 hour phone fast and
was stunned by what I noticed.
My thoughts, my creativity, even how I reached
(28:16):
for distractions.
That experiment turned into a weekly tech break
and it's helped me reclaim presence in the
noisy world sometimes.
So I think it's important that we understand
all this stuff and practice self-compassion.
Do take care of yourself, ladies, gentlemen, and
do check out believemeachieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Have a great one, everyone.
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