June 15, 2025 • 29 mins
Welcome to the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast with me, John C. Morley, your go-to guide for personal transformation, leadership growth, and unlocking the power of purpose in everyday living. In today’s episode, we’re diving into something that we often overlook in our fast-paced world — the deep and undeniable value of our unique role and contributions. Every one of us brings something irreplaceable to the table. So many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy or invisibility, not realizing the immense power and purpose they carry within. Today, I want to remind you — and even remind myself — that we are not here by accident. Each voice, each idea, each experience has value. And when we start recognizing our worth, everything changes. 🌟Let’s break this down together — one truth at a time:1️⃣ Recognize your individual strengths 💪When was the last time you truly paused to take inventory of your gifts? For me, it took stepping back from the noise and recognizing that the way I connect ideas and people is a real superpower. Your strengths may not always look like someone else’s — and that’s exactly the point. Whether you're a great listener, a problem solver, a visionary, or the person who always brings calm to chaos, these strengths matter. I encourage you to name them, write them down, and start using them intentionally. You were designed with a specific purpose — and your strengths are the tools to fulfill it.2️⃣ Acknowledge the impact you have on others 🌍You may not see it in the moment, but your actions — even the smallest ones — ripple out. I’ve had listeners reach out years after an episode aired, telling me how it changed their path. That’s the power of showing up as your authentic self. A kind word, an encouraging email, a helpful suggestion — these things matter. Your presence influences others more than you realize, and when you start walking in that awareness, you’ll begin to lead with more intention and heart.3️⃣ Stop comparing your journey to others 🚫📈This one hits close to home. There was a time when I measured my progress by someone else’s highlight reel. But the truth is, comparison steals joy and distracts us from our own growth. Your journey is uniquely yours. It's not meant to mirror someone else's timeline or results. I’ve learned to celebrate where I am, even if I’m still building, growing, or figuring it out — and that perspective is freeing. Comparison is the enemy of authenticity — and your authenticity is your greatest strength.4️⃣ Embrace your personal growth path 🌱Growth is never linear — it zigs and zags. There are stumbles, lessons, and breakthroughs. I used to think I had to follow a specific roadmap, but life had other plans. Every twist in the path taught me something new about who I am. Your growth may not look like a straight climb, but it’s movement nonetheless. And the more you embrace it — the more you trust that even setbacks have value — the more peace and confidence you'll gain along the way.5️⃣ Share your voice and ideas confidently 🎤For a long time, I stayed quiet in certain rooms, second-guessing my ideas. But once I realized that my voice carries value — everything shifted. Speaking up doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being bold enough to offer your perspective. The world needs your ideas, your vision, and your insight. Whether it's in a meeting, a creative project, or a conversation with a friend — your voice matters. Don’t let fear silence what might be someone else’s inspiration.6️⃣ Reflect on past wins and milestones 🏆It's easy to chase the next goal and forget how far you've come. I make it a point to pause and look back at the wins — both big and small — because they remind me that progress is real. When I launched my first podcast, I didn’t know how it would grow. Today, it's impacted thousands — and it all started with a single episode. Your past victories are proof that you're capable. Let them fuel your next step. Celebration is not vanity — it's motiva
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:20):
Well, hello there, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, Serial Entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life, by the
way, and happy Father's Day to all the
fathers out there.
It is great to be with everybody.
Today is Sunday, June 15th, and it's just
a few minutes after five, if you are
watching this here live.
(00:40):
So thanks so much for tuning in.
If you are coming here the first time,
I want to extend a very warm welcome
to you.
If you're coming back, well, I'd like to
say welcome back.
I know many of you probably had something
delicious to eat, but if you're still hungry,
want something, like I have my delicious RO
water here, another snack, a treat, could be
something hot, something cold, something sweet, or tart,
(01:01):
doesn't really matter.
Go ahead and grab that and head on
back here to the chair so we can
start the show.
Welcome everyone once again to the Inspirations for
Your Life podcast with me, John C.
Morley, Serial Entrepreneur, podcast host and coach, also
video producer, many other things, Serial Entrepreneur, for
personal life transformation, leadership growth, and also unlocking
(01:23):
the power of purpose in everyday living.
In today's episode, I'm going to dive really
deep into something that we often overlook in
our fast-paced world, the deep and undeniable
value of our unique role and contributions.
Every one of us brings something irreplaceable to
the table each day.
(01:45):
So many people struggle with the feelings of
inadequacy or invisibility, not realizing that the immense
power and purpose they truly carry from within
themselves.
Today, I want to remind all of you,
and even remind myself too, that we are
(02:07):
not here by accident on this planet.
Each voice, each idea, each thought, each inspiration,
each experience has a truly unique, amazing value.
And when we start recognizing our worth, everything
changes.
I know you probably get people that say,
you know, you're not worth this, or you
(02:28):
can't do this.
I had this happen to me in my
own journey going back to college.
A lot of my friends that I thought
were my friends were not supportive of me
going back to school because they were jealous
of me going back to school.
So remember, be kind to other people.
That's really important.
Let's break this all down together, shall we?
(02:51):
One truth at a time.
So let's get started, all right?
All right.
Number one, recognize your individual strengths.
When was the last time, folks, and I
want to ask you this seriously, you truly
paused to take inventory of your gifts?
I don't mean in between a sneeze.
(03:11):
For me, it took stepping back from the
noise and recognizing that the way I connect
ideas and people is a real superpower of
mine.
Your strengths may not always look like someone
else's.
And that's exactly the point.
Whether you're a great listener, a problem solver,
(03:33):
a visionary, or the person who always brings
calmness to chaos, these strengths truly matter.
I encourage each and every one of you
to name them, write them down, and start
using them intentionally.
You were designed with a specific, unique purpose,
and your strengths are the tools to fulfill
(03:54):
it.
Let's make sure we acknowledge and know what
that gift is.
Number two, acknowledge the impact you have on
others.
You may not see it in the moment,
but your actions, even those small ones, well,
they ripple out.
I've had listeners reach out years after an
episode air telling me, hey, John, that episode
(04:17):
on whatever changed my life's path.
That's the power of showing up as your
authentic self.
This could be regardless of anything in your
life.
It could be your choices.
It could be whether you're celebrating pride or
whether you're just deciding to be a coach,
(04:39):
a leader, or anything.
No one should ever put you down for
that.
If they do, well, they're not somebody you
should be around.
That is the power of being your authentic
self.
Like I said, a kind word, an encouraged
email, a helpful suggestion, these all make a
difference, and they help as they all matter.
(05:01):
Your presence, ladies and gentlemen, influences others more
than you realize.
When you start walking in that awareness, you
begin to lead with more intention and, of
course, more heart.
So let's start doing it.
Number three, I can't emphasize this one enough.
Stop, stop, stop comparing your journey to others.
(05:25):
It's different.
This one hits close to home for a
lot of people.
There was a time when I measured my
progress by someone else's highlight reel.
But the truth is comparison steals joy and
distracts.
I'm sure it does.
It distracts us from our true own growth.
(05:50):
Your journey is uniquely yours.
It's different than mine.
Mine's different than yours.
It's not meant to mirror someone else's timeline
or results or anything.
I've learned to celebrate where I am even
if I'm still building, growing, or figuring the
world out.
And that perspective is really enlightening and freeing
(06:11):
for me.
Comparison is the enemy of authenticity.
And your authenticity is your greatest strength.
So why don't we embrace it and stop
trying to, you know, chastise and knock it
down?
Number four, embrace your personal growth.
Growth is never linear, folks.
(06:33):
It zigs and zags.
There are stumbles.
There's lessons.
And there's breakthroughs.
I used to think I had to follow
a specific roadmap all the time.
But life had other plans for me.
Every twist in the path taught me something
new about who I am as a person.
Your growth may not look like a straight
(06:53):
line, but it's movement nonetheless.
And the more you embrace it, the more
you trust that even setbacks have value, the
more peace and confidence you'll gain along the
way.
You ready for number five?
I know you are.
Share your voice and ideas confidently.
It doesn't have to be on a podcast.
It can just be with, could be just
(07:14):
a fellow friend or associate or someone in
your family.
For a long time, I stayed quiet in
certain rooms, second-guessing my ideas.
But once I realized that my voice carries
value, everything shifted for me.
Speaking up doesn't mean having all the answers.
It means being bold enough to offer your
(07:34):
perspective.
The world needs your ideas, your vision, and
your insight.
Whether it's in a meeting, a creative project,
or a conversation with a friend, your voice
matters.
Don't let fear silence what might be someone
else's inspiration.
Number six, guys.
(07:55):
Yes, number six.
Reflect on past wins and milestones.
It's easy to chase the next goal and
to forget how far you've come.
I make it a point daily to pause
and look back at the wins, both big
and small, because they remind me that progress
(08:17):
is real.
When I launched my very first podcast almost
four years ago, I didn't know how it
would grow.
Today, it's impacted thousands, if not more.
And it all started with a single episode.
Your past victories are proof that you're capable.
Where has it gone?
Not only has it affected people.
(08:37):
I've been fortunate to get on different networks,
Bronxnet, Oakland TV, and many others across the
country that really appreciate the value I'm able
to bring to them.
I think that's an important, a really, really
important thing.
(08:58):
Let them fuel your next step.
Celebration is not vanity.
It's motivation.
So it's okay to celebrate.
Number seven, celebrate progress, not just perfection.
Perfection is a moving target, but progress is
measurable.
I've said you can only change things you
can measure.
I've learned to find joy in showing up
(09:19):
consistently, even when things aren't perfect.
Progress means you're learning, you're growing, and you're
evolving.
Give yourself permission, folks, to celebrate the messy
middle.
I know it's messy, but you need to
celebrate it.
That's where the magic happens, right?
You ever made eggs before on the stove?
Well, it's a mess until you get the
eggs all kind of culminated in, and then
(09:40):
it kind of gradually changes from the liquid
into something solid, or to your omelet, or
what have you.
So that's where that magic is.
Every small step matters.
And when you recognize progress as success, you
build unstoppable momentum.
So what are you waiting for?
Get going, and no one will be able
to stop you.
(10:00):
Know your presence matters in every single space.
You belong in every room you walk into,
not because of the credentials, the titles, or
the followers you have, but because of who
you are as a person.
I've been in high-level meetings where I
felt out of place, until I reminded myself
that my perspective was just as valuable as
anyone else's.
Your presence can shift energy, spark change, and
(10:23):
bring solutions.
Never shrink to fit a space.
You don't need to prove your worth.
Just show up fully and authentically.
I know this seems like an awful lot,
guys.
And in some cases, it is.
But my question is, do you stop to
figure out what's going on in your life?
Or do you just kind of wait?
(10:44):
Or do you sulk, right?
Do you put yourself down because you're like,
oh, not where you want to be?
And does that stifle you going forward?
It does.
Whether you'd hope it or not, it does.
So now what I want to do is
to give you basically a personal lesson or
story of mine.
One for each point, okay?
(11:10):
And the reason I'm doing this is that
I hope this will truly resonate with you.
And I hope that by you seeing, hearing,
and feeling a real-life story, I'm like,
oh, wait a minute.
I need to start creating my story.
(11:30):
Like, now I understand what this means.
I understand how I can do these things
in my world.
And I don't expect you to get this
overnight, because I didn't get it overnight, all
right?
So I guess I'll just jump in with
the very first one.
I think that's probably the best place to
start.
So the first story tying in with our
point is recognize your individual strengths.
(11:50):
There was a time when I was juggling
multiple ventures.
Well, I still do that.
And I wasn't sure what made me truly
different.
One day after a mentoring session, someone told
me, you connect the dots other people don't
even see.
I was like, wow.
Quote, you connect the dots other people don't
(12:11):
even see, close quote, right from their mouth.
That moment hit me.
I realized that my ability to simply, let's
say, make tech easy, mentor with heart, and
link people to ideas wasn't just a skill.
It was a gift from God.
I stopped chasing what others were doing and
(12:32):
started learning and leaning into my unique zone.
It's quite amazing how things align when you
stop trying to be like everyone else and
just own what's already inside you.
I can't tell you how much joy and
love I get out of doing all these
podcasts and creating all these videos and these
(12:53):
weekly daily reels.
It means so much to me.
It means a lot.
And I hope it does to you.
I hope that means something to you guys.
I really do.
(13:14):
And sometimes this gets hard because we have
nothing to confirm it to.
Don't try to confirm it.
It's coming from you.
It's a blessing.
Just accept it.
A wise person once told me, John, if
there's something in your mind, it didn't get
(13:35):
there by accident.
And there's a good chance that it's in
your mind.
It's there for the right reasons for you
to explore it.
Acknowledge the impact you have on others.
Years ago, after a tough week, I almost
didn't record a podcast episode.
I was tired and convinced no one would
(13:55):
notice.
But I pushed through and I released it
anyway.
Two weeks later, I received an email from
a listener saying that episode stopped them from
giving up on their dreams.
I said they're stunned, realizing something even when
you feel invisible.
Your ripple effect is real.
The moment taught me to never underestimate the
quiet ways we influence others.
(14:16):
And I think a lot of people in
our world, they get hunkered down because of
what they only see in front of their
eyes today.
They don't look at the past.
They don't look at where they've come from.
Number three, stop, stop, stop, guys.
(14:40):
Comparing your journey to others.
I'll admit, early in my career, I constantly
looked sideways, checking what other podcasters, speakers, and
entrepreneurs were doing.
I felt behind, like I'd missed some secret
shortcut.
But the more I leaned and learned into
my own timeline, the more traction I gained.
One time, I launched a series that no
one else in my space was doing, and
(15:02):
it worked.
Not because it was trending, but because it
was me.
Your journey becomes powerful when you stop trying
to borrow someone else's map or be their
timeline, right?
Number four, embrace your personal growth path.
I love my RO water, by the way.
When I first started in tech and personal
(15:24):
development, I thought success was a ladder.
Just climb steadily upward.
But the truth is, it's a winding trail.
I've had speaking gigs canceled, partnerships fall through,
even full pivots in business.
But every detour taught me something valuable.
Growth showed up in the unexpected.
(15:46):
A conversation at a networking event, a failed
launch.
It taught me clarity, a moment of silence
that led to a new idea.
The zigzags are the journey.
That's important to remember.
You can't always go on a straight line.
Number five, share your voice and your ideas
(16:07):
confidently.
There was a mastermind I joined a while
ago where everyone seemed to have all the
answers.
I stayed quiet for weeks, doubting what I
could contribute.
Finally, I shared an unconventional idea.
And to my surprise, it sparked a major
shift in the room's thinking.
That was the last time I let doubt
(16:28):
keep me silent.
Your voice can be the key that unlocks
someone else's growth.
Say what's on your heart.
Speak your truth.
You never know where the words and the
actions you elicit will take someone else and
(16:50):
allow them to continue on an amazing journey,
to start doing more of it.
Number six, reflect on past wins and milestones.
I still remember, guys, the feeling when I
had my podcast, first one hitting 100 episodes.
I was so focused on pushing forward that
(17:11):
I almost didn't pause to celebrate.
But looking back, I realized each episode represented
a step in my evolution.
I'm hesitant being as a host, a competent
storyteller.
Milestones aren't just numbers, guys.
They're markers of transformation.
Now I schedule time to reflect regularly.
Because when you remember what you've conquered, you
(17:32):
walk stronger into what's next.
I think that's a very hard road for
somebody.
Because what you expect to be next might
not be what appears in your life.
And there's nothing wrong with that.
There might be something you need to learn.
Because if you just show up and you
don't know everything, I feel that can be
(17:55):
a problem for some people, right?
And the reason it's a problem is because,
well, you don't know the roadmap.
You don't know where it's going.
And I think that's a very big problem
for a lot of people.
You don't necessarily understand why something is going
(18:15):
somewhere.
I think that's really important.
Number seven, celebrate progress, not just perfection.
I once launched a new program.
Everything that could go wrong, well, it did.
What was that, Murphy's Law?
The landing page glitched.
Emails did not send on time.
And I felt like scrapping it.
(18:35):
But someone messaged me after week one and
said, this already changed the way I think.
Remember I said to you, we're so focused
on wanting to launch and be perfect, that
we never launch.
So I decided I better launch anyway.
And I can always fix things as we
go along.
(18:55):
Done is better than perfect.
This already changed the way I think.
And I know it's changed the way thousands
of people think.
That was the turning point for me and
for many others.
I realized that impact isn't born out of
perfection.
It's born out of consistency.
Done is better than perfect.
I'm not saying to rush what you do.
But I'm also saying don't let your job
(19:19):
keep resetting when you're attached to it because
it's not perfect.
I now track progress, not the polish.
It's the doing, the showing up that really
moves the needle.
And I think so many people want to
get that needle high that they don't necessarily
(19:40):
understand why something is a certain way.
And I think that's a big thing for
a lot of people.
They don't understand why is something a certain
way.
And that why, sometimes, guys, it discourages them.
Sometimes the why discourages them.
And that's something that I believe a lot
(20:03):
of people don't understand.
But we need to embrace that.
Number eight, know your presence matters in every
space that you are in, guys.
Your presence does matter, right?
It really does matter.
(20:26):
There was a board meeting I attended where
I felt like an outsider, younger, newer, and
less established than others.
But during the discussion, I offered a strategy
no one else had considered or thought of.
It changed the direction of the project and
the tone of the room shifted.
That experience taught me that being different is
your power.
Your perspective is needed, even if it hasn't
(20:47):
been heard before.
Don't shrink to fit into a mold.
Shine and glow.
Even if you're the first light in the
room, that's okay.
Be proud to share and show it.
And I know these are sometimes hard things
to embrace.
I know that, guys.
(21:08):
But I also want to let you know
that life is meant to be lived.
Life is meant to be about collaboration.
It's meant to be about collaboration.
So enjoy life.
Enjoy collaborating.
(21:28):
Because when you know how to collaborate, life
not only becomes fun, it truly becomes transformative
and allows you to reach those goals you
have in mind, those inspirations.
I know that all this sounds easy.
(21:53):
But I also know that people get discouraged
when they're not where they want to be.
It's only natural, guys.
In this episode today of Inspirations for Your
Life, I explored a message that so many
of us needed to hear, but often forget.
The reminder that you matter in life exactly
(22:14):
as you are.
I opened up about the real raw experiences
from my life and career that helped me
discover the power of my own inner voice.
The importance of recognizing my unique strengths and
the impact we each have, even when we
don't see it right away on others.
From the moment of doubt, where I always
(22:34):
stayed silent, to the small wins that turned
into major milestones, each story is a testament
to what's possible when we choose authenticity over
comparison and purpose over perfection.
I think that's a real important thing.
Okay, a very, very important thing.
(22:55):
And we need to embrace that.
We talk about the value of personal growth,
the beauty in the messy middle, and the
necessity of reflecting on how far we've come
in life.
Whether you're navigating your own self-doubt, you're
stuck in comparison mode, or you simply need,
(23:19):
well, a boost or a reminder.
Your journey is a valid one, even if
no one else is really cheering you along
the way, or you're not able to cheer
yourself.
This episode was for you today, because ladies
and gentlemen, when you show up as your
true, authentic, whole self, you embrace your gifts.
(23:41):
You're allowed to walk confidently in every room.
You don't just transform your own life.
You light up and inspire others to do
the same all around you.
Inspiration.
It's not a buzzword.
Think of inspiration, guys, which is where I
(24:02):
got the whole soul for this show almost
four years ago, is the fuel that allows
us to continue to stay motivated.
It could be things you hear, things you
(24:23):
see, but I like to say motivation is
those things.
But it's also how you feel, because your
feelings propel you forward to do more things.
When you feel good, guess what happens?
You want to do more of that, right?
When you feel bad, well, you want to
do less of that.
(24:44):
And I think that's a very, very important
thing for a lot of people to understand,
is that you can make these changes in
your life every single day, but it's not
something, folks, that's going to happen in five
seconds.
And I know you're going to get really
frustrated because your life's not perfect.
(25:06):
Well, life is not perfect.
Life is meant to have some rocky or
bumpy roads sometimes.
I mentioned this before.
If you've ever taken a trip and that
road has been rocky or bumpy, but you
probably forgot about that road, or even where
it was, because it was just a blip
(25:28):
on your life's timeline.
But if I asked you about something that
was pretty amazing, I bet that would be
pretty cool, right?
But if I asked you something that was
a bump for many days, you probably remember
that.
But these bumps, guys, allow them to be
teaching points for us.
Don't let them rain on your parade.
(25:49):
Don't let them steal your thunder or your
energy.
Because so many people do that unconsciously, and
then they wonder, why am I so unhappy?
Why is life this way?
Oh, I'm going to tell you.
It's because you're sabotaging yourself.
And maybe you don't want to sabotage yourself,
(26:10):
but you're doing this because you are constantly
looking at what went wrong, instead of, what
can I learn from this lesson?
That allows me to sum up all the
good points and say, okay, what I learned
from this lesson is that I need to
be on time.
Or what I learned this lesson is, I
(26:32):
can't trust people so early on.
Or what I learned from this lesson is,
I need to put more work in.
Or what I learned from this lesson is,
people need to be more accountable.
And because some people aren't, I need to
realize that it's going to fall on me
(26:54):
if I don't have the right accountability person
connected with me.
So these are just some kinds of ideas,
right?
But I think they're important to embrace, and
I think they're important to understand.
Because like I said, when you show up
to the show, because life is a show
every day, right?
We suit up, we're ready with our armor,
(27:16):
it's a show.
We create the illusions in our lives.
I want to take this moment to thank
everyone for coming today.
And for understanding how transformations can happen in
(27:36):
your own life and in others.
And how you are that key to inspiring
others to do the same.
This episode of Inspirations for Your Life, I
hope resonated with you because I'd love to
hear your thoughts.
Share it with a friend who needs a
reminder of their values.
You can find more insights, articles, and tools
at, of course, visiting BelieveMeAchieved.com.
(27:58):
By the way, you can do that 24
hours a day.
We're never closed.
Until next time, everyone, keep embracing your value,
living with intention, and showing up in the
world as your true, authentic self.
And you'll be irreplaceable, a light which only
you can shine.
I hope you guys have a great rest
of your day, an amazing rest of your
(28:20):
Father's Day.
And remember, you can be the light you
choose to be it.
Have yourself a fantastic evening.
And I'll catch you real soon, everyone.
Be well.
(28:56):
Bye.
Well, hello there, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, Serial Entrepreneur.
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life, by the
way, and happy Father's Day to all the
fathers out there.
It is great to be with everybody.
Today is Sunday, June 15th, and it's just
a few minutes after five, if you are
watching this here live.
(00:40):
So thanks so much for tuning in.
If you are coming here the first time,
I want to extend a very warm welcome
to you.
If you're coming back, well, I'd like to
say welcome back.
I know many of you probably had something
delicious to eat, but if you're still hungry,
want something, like I have my delicious RO
water here, another snack, a treat, could be
something hot, something cold, something sweet, or tart,
(01:01):
doesn't really matter.
Go ahead and grab that and head on
back here to the chair so we can
start the show.
Welcome everyone once again to the Inspirations for
Your Life podcast with me, John C.
Morley, Serial Entrepreneur, podcast host and coach, also
video producer, many other things, Serial Entrepreneur, for
personal life transformation, leadership growth, and also unlocking
(01:23):
the power of purpose in everyday living.
In today's episode, I'm going to dive really
deep into something that we often overlook in
our fast-paced world, the deep and undeniable
value of our unique role and contributions.
Every one of us brings something irreplaceable to
the table each day.
(01:45):
So many people struggle with the feelings of
inadequacy or invisibility, not realizing that the immense
power and purpose they truly carry from within
themselves.
Today, I want to remind all of you,
and even remind myself too, that we are
(02:07):
not here by accident on this planet.
Each voice, each idea, each thought, each inspiration,
each experience has a truly unique, amazing value.
And when we start recognizing our worth, everything
changes.
I know you probably get people that say,
you know, you're not worth this, or you
(02:28):
can't do this.
I had this happen to me in my
own journey going back to college.
A lot of my friends that I thought
were my friends were not supportive of me
going back to school because they were jealous
of me going back to school.
So remember, be kind to other people.
That's really important.
Let's break this all down together, shall we?
(02:51):
One truth at a time.
So let's get started, all right?
All right.
Number one, recognize your individual strengths.
When was the last time, folks, and I
want to ask you this seriously, you truly
paused to take inventory of your gifts?
I don't mean in between a sneeze.
(03:11):
For me, it took stepping back from the
noise and recognizing that the way I connect
ideas and people is a real superpower of
mine.
Your strengths may not always look like someone
else's.
And that's exactly the point.
Whether you're a great listener, a problem solver,
(03:33):
a visionary, or the person who always brings
calmness to chaos, these strengths truly matter.
I encourage each and every one of you
to name them, write them down, and start
using them intentionally.
You were designed with a specific, unique purpose,
and your strengths are the tools to fulfill
(03:54):
it.
Let's make sure we acknowledge and know what
that gift is.
Number two, acknowledge the impact you have on
others.
You may not see it in the moment,
but your actions, even those small ones, well,
they ripple out.
I've had listeners reach out years after an
episode air telling me, hey, John, that episode
(04:17):
on whatever changed my life's path.
That's the power of showing up as your
authentic self.
This could be regardless of anything in your
life.
It could be your choices.
It could be whether you're celebrating pride or
whether you're just deciding to be a coach,
(04:39):
a leader, or anything.
No one should ever put you down for
that.
If they do, well, they're not somebody you
should be around.
That is the power of being your authentic
self.
Like I said, a kind word, an encouraged
email, a helpful suggestion, these all make a
difference, and they help as they all matter.
(05:01):
Your presence, ladies and gentlemen, influences others more
than you realize.
When you start walking in that awareness, you
begin to lead with more intention and, of
course, more heart.
So let's start doing it.
Number three, I can't emphasize this one enough.
Stop, stop, stop comparing your journey to others.
(05:25):
It's different.
This one hits close to home for a
lot of people.
There was a time when I measured my
progress by someone else's highlight reel.
But the truth is comparison steals joy and
distracts.
I'm sure it does.
It distracts us from our true own growth.
(05:50):
Your journey is uniquely yours.
It's different than mine.
Mine's different than yours.
It's not meant to mirror someone else's timeline
or results or anything.
I've learned to celebrate where I am even
if I'm still building, growing, or figuring the
world out.
And that perspective is really enlightening and freeing
(06:11):
for me.
Comparison is the enemy of authenticity.
And your authenticity is your greatest strength.
So why don't we embrace it and stop
trying to, you know, chastise and knock it
down?
Number four, embrace your personal growth.
Growth is never linear, folks.
(06:33):
It zigs and zags.
There are stumbles.
There's lessons.
And there's breakthroughs.
I used to think I had to follow
a specific roadmap all the time.
But life had other plans for me.
Every twist in the path taught me something
new about who I am as a person.
Your growth may not look like a straight
(06:53):
line, but it's movement nonetheless.
And the more you embrace it, the more
you trust that even setbacks have value, the
more peace and confidence you'll gain along the
way.
You ready for number five?
I know you are.
Share your voice and ideas confidently.
It doesn't have to be on a podcast.
It can just be with, could be just
(07:14):
a fellow friend or associate or someone in
your family.
For a long time, I stayed quiet in
certain rooms, second-guessing my ideas.
But once I realized that my voice carries
value, everything shifted for me.
Speaking up doesn't mean having all the answers.
It means being bold enough to offer your
(07:34):
perspective.
The world needs your ideas, your vision, and
your insight.
Whether it's in a meeting, a creative project,
or a conversation with a friend, your voice
matters.
Don't let fear silence what might be someone
else's inspiration.
Number six, guys.
(07:55):
Yes, number six.
Reflect on past wins and milestones.
It's easy to chase the next goal and
to forget how far you've come.
I make it a point daily to pause
and look back at the wins, both big
and small, because they remind me that progress
(08:17):
is real.
When I launched my very first podcast almost
four years ago, I didn't know how it
would grow.
Today, it's impacted thousands, if not more.
And it all started with a single episode.
Your past victories are proof that you're capable.
Where has it gone?
Not only has it affected people.
(08:37):
I've been fortunate to get on different networks,
Bronxnet, Oakland TV, and many others across the
country that really appreciate the value I'm able
to bring to them.
I think that's an important, a really, really
important thing.
(08:58):
Let them fuel your next step.
Celebration is not vanity.
It's motivation.
So it's okay to celebrate.
Number seven, celebrate progress, not just perfection.
Perfection is a moving target, but progress is
measurable.
I've said you can only change things you
can measure.
I've learned to find joy in showing up
(09:19):
consistently, even when things aren't perfect.
Progress means you're learning, you're growing, and you're
evolving.
Give yourself permission, folks, to celebrate the messy
middle.
I know it's messy, but you need to
celebrate it.
That's where the magic happens, right?
You ever made eggs before on the stove?
Well, it's a mess until you get the
eggs all kind of culminated in, and then
(09:40):
it kind of gradually changes from the liquid
into something solid, or to your omelet, or
what have you.
So that's where that magic is.
Every small step matters.
And when you recognize progress as success, you
build unstoppable momentum.
So what are you waiting for?
Get going, and no one will be able
to stop you.
(10:00):
Know your presence matters in every single space.
You belong in every room you walk into,
not because of the credentials, the titles, or
the followers you have, but because of who
you are as a person.
I've been in high-level meetings where I
felt out of place, until I reminded myself
that my perspective was just as valuable as
anyone else's.
Your presence can shift energy, spark change, and
(10:23):
bring solutions.
Never shrink to fit a space.
You don't need to prove your worth.
Just show up fully and authentically.
I know this seems like an awful lot,
guys.
And in some cases, it is.
But my question is, do you stop to
figure out what's going on in your life?
Or do you just kind of wait?
(10:44):
Or do you sulk, right?
Do you put yourself down because you're like,
oh, not where you want to be?
And does that stifle you going forward?
It does.
Whether you'd hope it or not, it does.
So now what I want to do is
to give you basically a personal lesson or
story of mine.
One for each point, okay?
(11:10):
And the reason I'm doing this is that
I hope this will truly resonate with you.
And I hope that by you seeing, hearing,
and feeling a real-life story, I'm like,
oh, wait a minute.
I need to start creating my story.
(11:30):
Like, now I understand what this means.
I understand how I can do these things
in my world.
And I don't expect you to get this
overnight, because I didn't get it overnight, all
right?
So I guess I'll just jump in with
the very first one.
I think that's probably the best place to
start.
So the first story tying in with our
point is recognize your individual strengths.
(11:50):
There was a time when I was juggling
multiple ventures.
Well, I still do that.
And I wasn't sure what made me truly
different.
One day after a mentoring session, someone told
me, you connect the dots other people don't
even see.
I was like, wow.
Quote, you connect the dots other people don't
(12:11):
even see, close quote, right from their mouth.
That moment hit me.
I realized that my ability to simply, let's
say, make tech easy, mentor with heart, and
link people to ideas wasn't just a skill.
It was a gift from God.
I stopped chasing what others were doing and
(12:32):
started learning and leaning into my unique zone.
It's quite amazing how things align when you
stop trying to be like everyone else and
just own what's already inside you.
I can't tell you how much joy and
love I get out of doing all these
podcasts and creating all these videos and these
(12:53):
weekly daily reels.
It means so much to me.
It means a lot.
And I hope it does to you.
I hope that means something to you guys.
I really do.
(13:14):
And sometimes this gets hard because we have
nothing to confirm it to.
Don't try to confirm it.
It's coming from you.
It's a blessing.
Just accept it.
A wise person once told me, John, if
there's something in your mind, it didn't get
(13:35):
there by accident.
And there's a good chance that it's in
your mind.
It's there for the right reasons for you
to explore it.
Acknowledge the impact you have on others.
Years ago, after a tough week, I almost
didn't record a podcast episode.
I was tired and convinced no one would
(13:55):
notice.
But I pushed through and I released it
anyway.
Two weeks later, I received an email from
a listener saying that episode stopped them from
giving up on their dreams.
I said they're stunned, realizing something even when
you feel invisible.
Your ripple effect is real.
The moment taught me to never underestimate the
quiet ways we influence others.
(14:16):
And I think a lot of people in
our world, they get hunkered down because of
what they only see in front of their
eyes today.
They don't look at the past.
They don't look at where they've come from.
Number three, stop, stop, stop, guys.
(14:40):
Comparing your journey to others.
I'll admit, early in my career, I constantly
looked sideways, checking what other podcasters, speakers, and
entrepreneurs were doing.
I felt behind, like I'd missed some secret
shortcut.
But the more I leaned and learned into
my own timeline, the more traction I gained.
One time, I launched a series that no
one else in my space was doing, and
(15:02):
it worked.
Not because it was trending, but because it
was me.
Your journey becomes powerful when you stop trying
to borrow someone else's map or be their
timeline, right?
Number four, embrace your personal growth path.
I love my RO water, by the way.
When I first started in tech and personal
(15:24):
development, I thought success was a ladder.
Just climb steadily upward.
But the truth is, it's a winding trail.
I've had speaking gigs canceled, partnerships fall through,
even full pivots in business.
But every detour taught me something valuable.
Growth showed up in the unexpected.
(15:46):
A conversation at a networking event, a failed
launch.
It taught me clarity, a moment of silence
that led to a new idea.
The zigzags are the journey.
That's important to remember.
You can't always go on a straight line.
Number five, share your voice and your ideas
(16:07):
confidently.
There was a mastermind I joined a while
ago where everyone seemed to have all the
answers.
I stayed quiet for weeks, doubting what I
could contribute.
Finally, I shared an unconventional idea.
And to my surprise, it sparked a major
shift in the room's thinking.
That was the last time I let doubt
(16:28):
keep me silent.
Your voice can be the key that unlocks
someone else's growth.
Say what's on your heart.
Speak your truth.
You never know where the words and the
actions you elicit will take someone else and
(16:50):
allow them to continue on an amazing journey,
to start doing more of it.
Number six, reflect on past wins and milestones.
I still remember, guys, the feeling when I
had my podcast, first one hitting 100 episodes.
I was so focused on pushing forward that
(17:11):
I almost didn't pause to celebrate.
But looking back, I realized each episode represented
a step in my evolution.
I'm hesitant being as a host, a competent
storyteller.
Milestones aren't just numbers, guys.
They're markers of transformation.
Now I schedule time to reflect regularly.
Because when you remember what you've conquered, you
(17:32):
walk stronger into what's next.
I think that's a very hard road for
somebody.
Because what you expect to be next might
not be what appears in your life.
And there's nothing wrong with that.
There might be something you need to learn.
Because if you just show up and you
don't know everything, I feel that can be
(17:55):
a problem for some people, right?
And the reason it's a problem is because,
well, you don't know the roadmap.
You don't know where it's going.
And I think that's a very big problem
for a lot of people.
You don't necessarily understand why something is going
(18:15):
somewhere.
I think that's really important.
Number seven, celebrate progress, not just perfection.
I once launched a new program.
Everything that could go wrong, well, it did.
What was that, Murphy's Law?
The landing page glitched.
Emails did not send on time.
And I felt like scrapping it.
(18:35):
But someone messaged me after week one and
said, this already changed the way I think.
Remember I said to you, we're so focused
on wanting to launch and be perfect, that
we never launch.
So I decided I better launch anyway.
And I can always fix things as we
go along.
(18:55):
Done is better than perfect.
This already changed the way I think.
And I know it's changed the way thousands
of people think.
That was the turning point for me and
for many others.
I realized that impact isn't born out of
perfection.
It's born out of consistency.
Done is better than perfect.
I'm not saying to rush what you do.
But I'm also saying don't let your job
(19:19):
keep resetting when you're attached to it because
it's not perfect.
I now track progress, not the polish.
It's the doing, the showing up that really
moves the needle.
And I think so many people want to
get that needle high that they don't necessarily
(19:40):
understand why something is a certain way.
And I think that's a big thing for
a lot of people.
They don't understand why is something a certain
way.
And that why, sometimes, guys, it discourages them.
Sometimes the why discourages them.
And that's something that I believe a lot
(20:03):
of people don't understand.
But we need to embrace that.
Number eight, know your presence matters in every
space that you are in, guys.
Your presence does matter, right?
It really does matter.
(20:26):
There was a board meeting I attended where
I felt like an outsider, younger, newer, and
less established than others.
But during the discussion, I offered a strategy
no one else had considered or thought of.
It changed the direction of the project and
the tone of the room shifted.
That experience taught me that being different is
your power.
Your perspective is needed, even if it hasn't
(20:47):
been heard before.
Don't shrink to fit into a mold.
Shine and glow.
Even if you're the first light in the
room, that's okay.
Be proud to share and show it.
And I know these are sometimes hard things
to embrace.
I know that, guys.
(21:08):
But I also want to let you know
that life is meant to be lived.
Life is meant to be about collaboration.
It's meant to be about collaboration.
So enjoy life.
Enjoy collaborating.
(21:28):
Because when you know how to collaborate, life
not only becomes fun, it truly becomes transformative
and allows you to reach those goals you
have in mind, those inspirations.
I know that all this sounds easy.
(21:53):
But I also know that people get discouraged
when they're not where they want to be.
It's only natural, guys.
In this episode today of Inspirations for Your
Life, I explored a message that so many
of us needed to hear, but often forget.
The reminder that you matter in life exactly
(22:14):
as you are.
I opened up about the real raw experiences
from my life and career that helped me
discover the power of my own inner voice.
The importance of recognizing my unique strengths and
the impact we each have, even when we
don't see it right away on others.
From the moment of doubt, where I always
(22:34):
stayed silent, to the small wins that turned
into major milestones, each story is a testament
to what's possible when we choose authenticity over
comparison and purpose over perfection.
I think that's a real important thing.
Okay, a very, very important thing.
(22:55):
And we need to embrace that.
We talk about the value of personal growth,
the beauty in the messy middle, and the
necessity of reflecting on how far we've come
in life.
Whether you're navigating your own self-doubt, you're
stuck in comparison mode, or you simply need,
(23:19):
well, a boost or a reminder.
Your journey is a valid one, even if
no one else is really cheering you along
the way, or you're not able to cheer
yourself.
This episode was for you today, because ladies
and gentlemen, when you show up as your
true, authentic, whole self, you embrace your gifts.
(23:41):
You're allowed to walk confidently in every room.
You don't just transform your own life.
You light up and inspire others to do
the same all around you.
Inspiration.
It's not a buzzword.
Think of inspiration, guys, which is where I
(24:02):
got the whole soul for this show almost
four years ago, is the fuel that allows
us to continue to stay motivated.
It could be things you hear, things you
(24:23):
see, but I like to say motivation is
those things.
But it's also how you feel, because your
feelings propel you forward to do more things.
When you feel good, guess what happens?
You want to do more of that, right?
When you feel bad, well, you want to
do less of that.
(24:44):
And I think that's a very, very important
thing for a lot of people to understand,
is that you can make these changes in
your life every single day, but it's not
something, folks, that's going to happen in five
seconds.
And I know you're going to get really
frustrated because your life's not perfect.
(25:06):
Well, life is not perfect.
Life is meant to have some rocky or
bumpy roads sometimes.
I mentioned this before.
If you've ever taken a trip and that
road has been rocky or bumpy, but you
probably forgot about that road, or even where
it was, because it was just a blip
(25:28):
on your life's timeline.
But if I asked you about something that
was pretty amazing, I bet that would be
pretty cool, right?
But if I asked you something that was
a bump for many days, you probably remember
that.
But these bumps, guys, allow them to be
teaching points for us.
Don't let them rain on your parade.
(25:49):
Don't let them steal your thunder or your
energy.
Because so many people do that unconsciously, and
then they wonder, why am I so unhappy?
Why is life this way?
Oh, I'm going to tell you.
It's because you're sabotaging yourself.
And maybe you don't want to sabotage yourself,
(26:10):
but you're doing this because you are constantly
looking at what went wrong, instead of, what
can I learn from this lesson?
That allows me to sum up all the
good points and say, okay, what I learned
from this lesson is that I need to
be on time.
Or what I learned this lesson is, I
(26:32):
can't trust people so early on.
Or what I learned from this lesson is,
I need to put more work in.
Or what I learned from this lesson is,
people need to be more accountable.
And because some people aren't, I need to
realize that it's going to fall on me
(26:54):
if I don't have the right accountability person
connected with me.
So these are just some kinds of ideas,
right?
But I think they're important to embrace, and
I think they're important to understand.
Because like I said, when you show up
to the show, because life is a show
every day, right?
We suit up, we're ready with our armor,
(27:16):
it's a show.
We create the illusions in our lives.
I want to take this moment to thank
everyone for coming today.
And for understanding how transformations can happen in
(27:36):
your own life and in others.
And how you are that key to inspiring
others to do the same.
This episode of Inspirations for Your Life, I
hope resonated with you because I'd love to
hear your thoughts.
Share it with a friend who needs a
reminder of their values.
You can find more insights, articles, and tools
at, of course, visiting BelieveMeAchieved.com.
(27:58):
By the way, you can do that 24
hours a day.
We're never closed.
Until next time, everyone, keep embracing your value,
living with intention, and showing up in the
world as your true, authentic self.
And you'll be irreplaceable, a light which only
you can shine.
I hope you guys have a great rest
of your day, an amazing rest of your
(28:20):
Father's Day.
And remember, you can be the light you
choose to be it.
Have yourself a fantastic evening.
And I'll catch you real soon, everyone.
Be well.
(28:56):
Bye.
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com