June 14, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome to the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast with John C. Morley — your go-to space for unlocking wisdom that transforms everyday living into a purposeful journey. In this episode, we dive deep into the pillars of growth, truth, and connection — the foundational elements that empower us to navigate life with clarity and resilience. Whether you're facing challenges or celebrating wins, this conversation will inspire you to embrace change, seek honesty, and build meaningful relationships that fuel your soul and success. Let’s get started and ignite your path to lasting fulfillment.
1️⃣ Embracing personal growth through challenges 🌱 Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones — it’s forged in the fires of challenge. When we face obstacles head-on, we develop resilience, strength, and self-awareness. These moments push us to adapt, learn, and expand beyond what we thought possible. By welcoming challenges as opportunities rather than setbacks, we cultivate a mindset that fuels continuous evolution and prepares us for whatever life throws our way.
2️⃣ The importance of seeking and valuing truth 🔍 Truth is the compass that guides us through uncertainty. Seeking truth means being honest with ourselves and others, even when it’s uncomfortable. Valuing truth fosters trust and clarity in relationships and decisions. It allows us to cut through noise and deception, aligning our actions with reality. This pursuit builds integrity and authenticity — cornerstones of meaningful, lasting success.
3️⃣ Taking responsibility in your life and community 🤝 True empowerment comes from owning your role in your personal story and the community around you. Taking responsibility means acknowledging your influence, choices, and impact. It encourages proactive behavior, where you become a positive force, inspiring others and driving change. By stepping up, we contribute to stronger communities and create environments where everyone can thrive.
4️⃣ Cultivating hope and a positive mindset 🌟 Hope is the fuel that keeps the fire burning when times get tough. Cultivating a positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties; it means choosing to focus on possibilities, solutions, and growth. This mindset creates mental and emotional resilience, helping you bounce back quicker and maintain motivation. Hope opens doors to innovation, creativity, and new beginnings.
5️⃣ Building meaningful relationships and collaboration 🤗 Humans are wired for connection. Building authentic relationships provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Collaboration harnesses diverse strengths and ideas, creating outcomes greater than the sum of their parts. Investing in relationships enriches both personal and professional life, making challenges easier and successes sweeter.
6️⃣ Lifelong curiosity and continuous learning 📚 Curiosity keeps our minds vibrant and our spirits engaged. Embracing lifelong learning means never settling for “enough” — always seeking new knowledge, skills, and perspectives. This habit not only sharpens your abilities but also fosters adaptability in an ever-changing world. Continuous learning fuels innovation and personal fulfillment.
7️⃣ Leading with integrity and consistency ⚖️ Leadership rooted in integrity means aligning actions with values consistently. It builds trust and inspires loyalty because people know what to expect and see authenticity in your choices. Consistent integrity creates a stable foundation for influence, enabling you to lead others effectively and ethically through challenges and opportunities alike.
8️⃣ Appreciating everyday beauty and wonder 🌅 Finding joy in the simple, everyday moments enriches life’s journey. Appreciating beauty—whether in nature, human connection, or small victories—grounds us in gratitude and presence. This practice reduces stress, enhances creativity, and reminds us that life’s richness often lies in the details we might otherwise overl
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Episode Transcript
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(00:19):
Hey guys, good evening.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
Great to be with you on Inspirations for
Your Life.
Today is Saturday, June 14th, 2025.
And that means it's time for a brand
new master topic.
All right.
So the master topic for this week is
Wisdom for Life, Truth and Connection, Series 4,
(00:41):
Show 25 Episode.
Of course, we're on number one.
All right.
So if you are new here, I want
to take this opportunity to personally welcome you
to the Inspirations for Your Life show.
Um, if you are coming back, well, welcome
back, my friend.
It's always great to have, uh, my trusty
friends and colleagues coming back to see some
(01:04):
great information.
So thank you for choosing to come back.
I really do appreciate that.
Hey friends, if you are thirsty, whether it's,
uh, something you want, like, uh, juice or
some water, like I have here, or you
want a snack, something healthy, something sweet, tart
or not, that's up to you.
(01:24):
Head over to your kitchen and come on
back to me so we can kick off
this amazing show.
All right, guys.
And do be sure to check out BelieveMeAchieve
.com for more of my amazing, inspiring variations.
You know, um, as I said, welcome everyone
to the show.
I am John C.
Morley, a serial entrepreneur, podcast host, coach, and
(01:46):
video producer, and many other things.
And your go-to space for unlocking wisdom
that transforms everyday living into purposeful journeys.
In this episode, I'm going to dive deep,
guys, into the pillars of growth, truth, and
connection, the foundational elements that empower us to
navigate life with clarity, resilience, whether you're facing
(02:08):
challenges or celebrating wins.
This conversation will inspire you to embrace change,
seek honesty, and build meaningful relationships that fuel
your soul and success.
So is everybody ready?
Let's get started and ignite your path to
lasting fulfillment.
Hurry on back from that kitchen because I
know that, um, you've got what you need
(02:29):
and we need to kick this show off.
All right, everyone.
So number one, embracing personal growth through challenges.
Growth doesn't happen, folks, um, in comfort zones.
I said this before.
It's forged in the fires of challenges.
When we face obstacles head-on, we develop
(02:49):
resilient strength and self-awareness.
These moments push us to adapt learning and
expand beyond what we thought possible.
By welcoming challenges as, of course, I'm going
to say opportunities, and that is basically, um,
the thing and the big key, uh, to
(03:10):
life, um, rather than setbacks.
We cultivate a mindset that fuels continuous evolution
and prepares us for whether ever life's going
to throw us our way.
I think when we are prepared with a
backup plan, it's like magic can suddenly happen.
(03:30):
But if we don't have that backup plan,
it's like, oh my gosh, like, you know,
what am I going to do?
And so I think that goes through a
lot of people's heads, to be quite honest
with you.
Number two, you ready for number two?
All right.
Number two is the importance of seeking and
valuing truth.
Truth is the compass that guides us through
(03:51):
uncertainty.
Seeking truth means being honest with ourselves and
others.
Even when it's uncomfortable, valuing truth fosters trust
and clarity in relationships and decisions.
It allows us to cut through noise and,
of course, deception, aligning our actions with reality.
This pursuit builds integrity and really authenticity, the
(04:14):
cornerstones of meaningful, lasting success.
But a lot of people don't do this.
And the reason they don't do this is
they get stuck because they put themselves in
their own way.
I mean, I think that's something that is,
uh, pretty remarkable, right?
They get stuck in their own way.
And when you're stuck in your own way,
(04:34):
it's like, how do I get out of
my way?
Right?
Like, how do you get out of your
way?
I think that's a challenge for, uh, I'm
going to say, um, a lot of people,
you know, how do you get out of
your way?
I mean, how does that even, how does
that happen?
Well, you have to realize first of all,
that you're in your own way.
And then once you're in your way, well,
then you know what you can do?
Well, you easily can actually get out of
(04:56):
your way.
So I think that's a very, very, uh,
important thing to understand.
And I'm hoping that you guys definitely, um,
you know, embrace that because it's our truth
that really sets us free.
Number three, guys, taking responsibility in your life.
And of course your community.
(05:16):
True empowerment comes from owning your role in
your personal story and the community around you.
Taking responsibility means acknowledging your influence choices and
your impact that you make.
It encourages proactive behavior, uh, where you become
a positive force, inspiring others and driving change
(05:37):
by stepping up.
We contribute to stronger communities and create environments
where everyone can thrive.
And that's another important point.
Most people don't realize that you can thrive
together.
You see, if you just do something right
and you go through the motions, well, you're
not going to be successful with it.
(05:57):
You're just going to be, um, let's say
at ends, you're just going to survive and
nobody wants to survive.
We want to thrive.
We want to succeed with a month's success.
Number four, cultivating hope and a positive mindset.
Hope is the fuel guys that keeps the
(06:18):
fire burning.
When times get tough, cultivating a positive mindset
doesn't mean ignoring difficulties.
It means choosing to focus on possibilities, solutions,
and growth.
This mindset creates mental and emotional resilience, helping
you bounce back quicker and maintaining motivation.
(06:39):
It, uh, is all about hope because hope
opens doors to innovation, creativity, and new beginnings.
And that's another big point that many people
miss.
They miss the whole concept of what is
hope and hope is really the fuel that
gives us a stamina to move forward.
(07:00):
And I think that's a, that's a very
big thing.
Number five, building meaningful relationships and collaboration.
Humans are wired guys for connection.
If you don't remember me saying this before,
I've said that before.
Building authentic relationships, provide support, encouragement, and a
sense of belongingness.
Collaboration harnesses diverse strengths and ideas, creating outcomes
(07:25):
greater than the sum of their parts.
Investing in relationships enriches both personal and professional
life, making challenges easier and success a lot
sweeter, but too often people rush off to
get these things.
And then, you know what happens?
They're just going through the motions of life.
And that sounds like something that's really crazy,
(07:48):
but people do this all the time, right?
They do this all the time.
And you might say to me, John, you
know, how does that happen?
Well, what happens because you get into this
pattern, right?
And this pattern is something that I feel
a lot of people, like they don't understand,
(08:08):
right?
And so by not understanding it, I'm hoping
that you will realize you need to make
these jumps in your life, right?
You need to make these jumps.
And when you make these jumps, you create
this type of collaboration, which allows your brain
to say, hey, you know what?
(08:29):
This didn't work last time, but I've got
a way we can make it work.
All right.
Number six, lifelong curiosity and continuous learning.
See, curiosity keeps our minds vibrant and our
spirits engaged.
Embracing lifelong learning means never settling for enough.
(08:49):
Always seeking new knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
This habit not only sharpens your abilities, but
also fosters adaptability in an ever-changing world.
Continuous learning fuels innovation and personal fulfillment.
Number seven, guys, leading with integrity and consistency.
(09:09):
Leadership is rooted in integrity.
And that means that aligning actions with values
consistently is the way.
It builds trust and inspires loyalty because people
know what to expect and see authentically in
your choices.
Consistent integrity, okay, creates a stable foundation for
influence, enabling you to lead others effectively and
(09:32):
ethically through challenges and opportunities alike.
You might be saying, John, how does that
even work?
So it comes down to the fact that
when you do something over and over again,
you build trust, people understand your character, because
they don't know you from Adam, right?
(09:54):
Number eight, appreciating everyday beauty and the wonder
that's around us.
Finding joy in the simple everyday moments enriches
life's journey.
Appreciating beauty, whether in nature, human connection, or
small victories, grounds us in gratitude and presence.
This practice reduces stress, enhances creativity, and reminds
(10:17):
us that life's richness often lies in the
details we might otherwise overlook.
I think that's a very, very important point.
Many times, guys, we actually overlook the things
that we need to do, okay?
(10:38):
And this happens because we become very complacent.
Right.
And the joy that we're looking for actually
is around.
But you know what happens, guys?
We block the joy in our life, okay?
We block that joy, and then we're like,
oh my gosh, what do I do now?
(11:01):
Because suddenly we've built ourselves into a corner
or a box, and we don't know how
to change that, okay?
So I think that's a very, very important
thing.
And that means something.
That really does mean something.
(11:22):
Number nine, connecting purpose with action.
Purpose gives direction, folks, but action brings it
to life.
Aligning your daily decisions and habits with your
core value turns aspirations into reality.
When purpose drives your choices, motivation deepens, and
fulfillment, well, soon follows.
(11:43):
You see, this connection creates momentum, turning dreams
into measurable achievements and inspiring those around you
to do the same.
You see, what happens, guys, is we cannot
change something that we don't measure.
So we have to make sure that we're
able to measure everything.
(12:04):
If we can't measure it, then how are
we ever going to get anywhere in life?
We're not.
We're going to keep leading ourselves in this
great big circle of life, and the circle
that kind of confuses us to, well, can
we do this or can we not do
this?
I think that's a huge problem for a
lot of people, that we believe one thing,
(12:27):
but then you know what happens?
We just get lost, and we lose our
way.
I think that's a very, very big problem,
okay, a very, very big problem.
And so you might be saying, you know,
John, why?
(12:48):
I think it's just people's makeup, you know,
and how they act and how they react.
But the real truth of the matter comes
down to you, how you're showing up, your
character in everyday life, because there are going
to be people in this world, guys, I
got to tell you this, that are going
to rain on your parade.
They're going to tell you, oh, you know
what, you can't do this.
I had one professor, no joke, you guys
(13:10):
know I'm going for my master's and then
my PhD, and she said to me, she
says, John, you know, don't study so much
because if you do that, well, then you're
going to know more than I do.
I was like, that was really rude to
say, but they said it.
So I think that's interesting.
Anyway, this is the most favorite part of
the show that I like, and I'm going
to give you a personal lesson or story
(13:35):
about each point.
And the reason I'm going to do this
is because when I do this, it'll help
me solidify the point and allow you to
apply it to your own life.
When we give examples, then we're able to
make it concrete.
But for some reason, guys, examples don't always
(13:59):
follow with things in life.
You know why?
It's because the person sharing it doesn't really
have the experience.
Now, that's not to rank on them, but
if you want to get advice, you want
to talk to somebody who's had the experience
in that field, right?
So let's start with number one, embracing personal
growth through challenges.
I remember a time early in my career
when a business deal I'd poured months and
(14:20):
did completely working on just collapsed.
Felt like a punch to the gut.
Rather than give up, I stepped back.
I analyzed what went wrong and committed to
improving my negotiation skills and business planning.
This was in my real infancy, maybe second
or third year of a tech company.
The setback became one of my most powerful
(14:40):
teachers.
It pushed me to grow not only professionally,
but emotionally, showing me that failure isn't the
opposite of success.
It's part of it.
Failure is not failure as long as we
keep going, as long as we don't stop.
Failure is not really failure.
Number two, guys, the importance of seeking and
(15:03):
valuing truth.
I know so many people that tell me
they're really about truth, but then when I
find out they're not really about truth, they're
placating people.
I think that's a huge problem for a
lot of people.
They just don't understand.
For whatever reason, they're living this weird kind
(15:28):
of world.
I mean, a very weird kind of world.
Number two, the importance of seeking and valuing
truth.
There was a point of time where I
had to make a tough call about a
long time business relationship.
I started noticing inconsistencies and felt something was
off.
Instead of ignoring the signs, I sought clarity
(15:50):
and uncovered truths that ultimately protected my business
and values.
It wasn't easy, but choosing truth over comfort
taught me that honesty, even when hard, leads
to freedom and alignment.
I'll tell you a little bit about the
story, a little bit deeper.
This company was out of the country, and
I had invested not only a lot of
(16:10):
money, but a lot of my personal time
traveling out of the country to meet these
people.
There was something that just didn't jar right,
or I should say click.
We noticed in this business, this was a
vendor of ours that we were buying point
-of-sale systems from.
They were the software developer.
(16:30):
I noticed that anybody that didn't have a
service contract, well, they certainly had problems.
They could basically add products to the machines
and things like that, but you know the
one thing they couldn't do?
They couldn't get the proper sales, so they
(16:52):
couldn't tell what they were really doing.
I called them, and they always helped us
out with a couple of these.
When we got down to the meeting where
things were going to get real and big,
we had signed a nondisclosure and all that,
and then they shared with me that it
(17:14):
was actually part of their business process.
I was like, huh?
Well, John, now that you've signed a nondisclosure,
we can share it with you.
You're one of us.
We did that to ensure that we got
service contracts.
If you notice, you always had problems.
We kind of build a little of a
time bomb into the software.
I was like, are you kidding me?
(17:35):
Yeah, John, it may not be the greatest
thing, but hey, it makes sure we get
paid.
The ones that didn't pay, they would allow
it to work for maybe a couple of
weeks, and then you know what?
It happened again.
I was noting this, and so I asked
them, and they said, yeah, that's how we
work.
After that, I made a decision coming back
home to the United States, and I said,
you know what?
(17:55):
I know this is a huge opportunity, but
I don't want to work with these people
anymore.
I called them up and said, hey, I
appreciate the opportunity.
I just feel that your values don't align
with ours.
I'm not going to lie to customers and
play games to try to get them to
pay us more money.
That's just wrong, so they broke away.
(18:16):
Number three, taking responsibility in your life and
your community.
Years ago, I joined a community board where
I initially felt like a bystander.
One meeting, a heated discussion came up about
a local initiative.
Instead of staying silent, I spoke up, offered
ideas, and volunteered to lead.
That moment changed everything.
I realized that taking responsibility isn't about being
(18:39):
perfect.
It's about being present, being accountable, and being
willing to shape the future together.
Most people will complain, but you know what
they'll never do?
They'll never offer you solutions, so if you've
got people that just, for whatever reason, don't
seem to step up, they always seem to
complain, there's a reason for that, guys.
(18:59):
There is a reason for that, and I'm
hoping that you can understand where I'm coming
from.
And it's pretty simple, right?
Cultivating hope and a positive mindset.
(19:22):
During a period when business was slow, right
around the COVID time, and uncertainty was high,
I began a daily gratitude and visualization practice.
I'd wake up and remind myself of what
was going well, even if it was just
a kind message or a warm cup of
coffee or tea or whatever.
Over time, this habit rewired how I handled
stress.
It didn't make problems disappear, but it gave
(19:44):
me the mental clarity to focus and face
them with optimism and renewed energy.
Number five, building meaningful relationships and collaboration.
Some of the most successful projects I've led
weren't solo efforts.
They were born out of powerful collaborations.
One in particular stands out.
I partnered with one group whose style was
(20:07):
the complete opposite of ours.
At first, we clashed, hands down.
But with some mutual respect and open communication,
we created something far better than either of
us could have done alone.
That experience taught me that connection isn't about
sameness.
It's about synergies.
And where you're good and where they might
(20:29):
be good, you might be lacking and vice
versa.
So that's an important thing.
Number six, lifelong curiosity and continuous learning.
This has to be, hands down, guys, one
of my favorite things, okay?
It's important, okay?
(20:54):
And I'm hoping that if you understand this,
it'll hit home.
I never stopped learning, guys.
I sometimes get made fun of for continuing
to learn, even going back to school and
going back to my master's and my PhD.
And I don't want to stop learning.
A few years ago, I signed up for
(21:15):
a course online.
Even though it was outside of my main
business focus, that course not only expanded my
knowledge but gave me insights, I applied immediately
to grow my brand.
Lifelong learning keeps me energized and open to
new possibilities.
It's one of the greatest investments I've made
in myself.
(21:36):
My question for you today is, how have
you invested in yourself lately?
Or have you invested in yourself?
And if you haven't invested, I have one
question for you.
Why not?
Because anybody that does not invest in themselves,
that's not good, okay?
That is just not a very, very good
(21:56):
thing.
And I'm hoping that you can appreciate that,
all right?
I'm hoping that you can appreciate that.
And maybe you might learn something from that,
no pun intended, right?
So remember, you need to invest in yourself.
(22:20):
You're very important.
Number seven, leading with integrity and consistency.
I once had a chance to cut a
corner on a big project, save time and
a huge amount of money.
Everyone told me to just go for it.
But I knew deep down it would compromise
the integrity of my work and what I
stood for and believed in.
(22:43):
And so I stuck to my values.
And while it took longer, the results were
exceptional.
And my client's trust deepened into us.
Leading with integrity isn't always the easiest path,
guys.
But it's the one that builds real lasting
respect.
Number eight, appreciating everyday beauty and wonder.
(23:08):
This is one that I think a lot
of people, you know, they miss.
I think they miss it because they just
don't understand what it stands for, okay?
And so when I say appreciate, one morning
(23:31):
I was walking to my office and saw
the sun rising over the skyline.
I stopped just for 30 seconds.
Just to take it all in.
That small movement grounded me more than anything
on my to-do list that day.
It reminded me that beauty isn't something we
have to search for.
It's right in front of our eyes.
(23:51):
If we're present enough to notice it and
living in the moment, there's plenty of beauty
around us.
Number nine, connecting purpose with action.
This is something I hear a lot of
people say they're going to do, but they
really don't.
Um, I think the reason that happens is
(24:12):
because a lot of people just believe in
action.
They don't believe in the core values.
Or maybe they do, but they sacrifice.
The work changed them just because it's going
to get them to a financial goal faster.
That's wrong.
When I started my very first podcast, which
(24:33):
was The Tech Show, it wasn't just about
sharing knowledge.
It was about helping others grow.
I took that purpose and built routines, episodes,
and outreach around it.
Every action I took aligned with my deeper
why.
The feedback I get today and from years
in the past are stories from listeners about
(24:54):
how an episode helped them.
It shows that when you pair passion with
consistent action, you create real, lasting, live impact
in your lives.
And although this stuff might sound like common
sense, it's not.
(25:16):
People are so willing to just do whatever
they need to to make money.
I think that's a problem with our world
and our society, that people can just do
(25:40):
that.
Because they think if they sacrifice what they
stand for, then they'll get to where they
want faster.
It might appear that they're getting there faster.
But guess what, guys?
They're cutting corners.
There was a great commercial not too long
ago.
(26:00):
You probably remember Wendy's.
Do you remember the commercial at Wendy's?
It was on, oh gosh, many, many years
ago.
The commercial from Wendy's.
I think you guys remember the commercial.
It was the Wendy's commercial, Where is the
Beef?
And so there was a lady and two
other ladies.
And Les Bun, hey, where's the beef?
(26:22):
I don't think there's anybody back there.
You want something?
And so it's pretty amazing how that happens.
I think a lot of times we're looking
for value.
And it became, of course, an overnight sensation.
When she inspected that fluffy hamburger bun that
(26:45):
lacked in the beef department, she said, where's
the beef?
Right?
It's been a catchphrase since 1984 with Wendy's.
But I think a lot of people sometimes
get hooked on the wrong words or the
wrong concepts.
And they think that's the way to grow.
(27:05):
Because maybe you're not growing as fast as
someone else.
I mean, maybe, right?
Maybe, maybe not.
And so what I want to tell you
is, don't sacrifice what you stand for, okay?
(27:26):
Just to get ahead or to make a
bigger profit.
Because even though you'll reach that bigger profit
today, you're going to be living with integrity
issues down the road that you really didn't
do what you meant to do.
I think that's a big, important thing.
And a lot of people that don't follow
(27:46):
that are going to be second guessing themselves
to say, hey, what am I doing?
Like, why am I doing this?
And it comes down to this.
It comes down to appreciating our wisdom, to
appreciating the growth that we have, the truth,
and what makes that connection live.
(28:09):
Really special.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, a serial
entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
I'll catch you real soon.
Have a fantastic evening, everyone.
(28:46):
Bye.
Hey guys, good evening.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
Great to be with you on Inspirations for
Your Life.
Today is Saturday, June 14th, 2025.
And that means it's time for a brand
new master topic.
All right.
So the master topic for this week is
Wisdom for Life, Truth and Connection, Series 4,
(00:41):
Show 25 Episode.
Of course, we're on number one.
All right.
So if you are new here, I want
to take this opportunity to personally welcome you
to the Inspirations for Your Life show.
Um, if you are coming back, well, welcome
back, my friend.
It's always great to have, uh, my trusty
friends and colleagues coming back to see some
(01:04):
great information.
So thank you for choosing to come back.
I really do appreciate that.
Hey friends, if you are thirsty, whether it's,
uh, something you want, like, uh, juice or
some water, like I have here, or you
want a snack, something healthy, something sweet, tart
or not, that's up to you.
(01:24):
Head over to your kitchen and come on
back to me so we can kick off
this amazing show.
All right, guys.
And do be sure to check out BelieveMeAchieve
.com for more of my amazing, inspiring variations.
You know, um, as I said, welcome everyone
to the show.
I am John C.
Morley, a serial entrepreneur, podcast host, coach, and
(01:46):
video producer, and many other things.
And your go-to space for unlocking wisdom
that transforms everyday living into purposeful journeys.
In this episode, I'm going to dive deep,
guys, into the pillars of growth, truth, and
connection, the foundational elements that empower us to
navigate life with clarity, resilience, whether you're facing
(02:08):
challenges or celebrating wins.
This conversation will inspire you to embrace change,
seek honesty, and build meaningful relationships that fuel
your soul and success.
So is everybody ready?
Let's get started and ignite your path to
lasting fulfillment.
Hurry on back from that kitchen because I
know that, um, you've got what you need
(02:29):
and we need to kick this show off.
All right, everyone.
So number one, embracing personal growth through challenges.
Growth doesn't happen, folks, um, in comfort zones.
I said this before.
It's forged in the fires of challenges.
When we face obstacles head-on, we develop
(02:49):
resilient strength and self-awareness.
These moments push us to adapt learning and
expand beyond what we thought possible.
By welcoming challenges as, of course, I'm going
to say opportunities, and that is basically, um,
the thing and the big key, uh, to
(03:10):
life, um, rather than setbacks.
We cultivate a mindset that fuels continuous evolution
and prepares us for whether ever life's going
to throw us our way.
I think when we are prepared with a
backup plan, it's like magic can suddenly happen.
(03:30):
But if we don't have that backup plan,
it's like, oh my gosh, like, you know,
what am I going to do?
And so I think that goes through a
lot of people's heads, to be quite honest
with you.
Number two, you ready for number two?
All right.
Number two is the importance of seeking and
valuing truth.
Truth is the compass that guides us through
(03:51):
uncertainty.
Seeking truth means being honest with ourselves and
others.
Even when it's uncomfortable, valuing truth fosters trust
and clarity in relationships and decisions.
It allows us to cut through noise and,
of course, deception, aligning our actions with reality.
This pursuit builds integrity and really authenticity, the
(04:14):
cornerstones of meaningful, lasting success.
But a lot of people don't do this.
And the reason they don't do this is
they get stuck because they put themselves in
their own way.
I mean, I think that's something that is,
uh, pretty remarkable, right?
They get stuck in their own way.
And when you're stuck in your own way,
(04:34):
it's like, how do I get out of
my way?
Right?
Like, how do you get out of your
way?
I think that's a challenge for, uh, I'm
going to say, um, a lot of people,
you know, how do you get out of
your way?
I mean, how does that even, how does
that happen?
Well, you have to realize first of all,
that you're in your own way.
And then once you're in your way, well,
then you know what you can do?
Well, you easily can actually get out of
(04:56):
your way.
So I think that's a very, very, uh,
important thing to understand.
And I'm hoping that you guys definitely, um,
you know, embrace that because it's our truth
that really sets us free.
Number three, guys, taking responsibility in your life.
And of course your community.
(05:16):
True empowerment comes from owning your role in
your personal story and the community around you.
Taking responsibility means acknowledging your influence choices and
your impact that you make.
It encourages proactive behavior, uh, where you become
a positive force, inspiring others and driving change
(05:37):
by stepping up.
We contribute to stronger communities and create environments
where everyone can thrive.
And that's another important point.
Most people don't realize that you can thrive
together.
You see, if you just do something right
and you go through the motions, well, you're
not going to be successful with it.
(05:57):
You're just going to be, um, let's say
at ends, you're just going to survive and
nobody wants to survive.
We want to thrive.
We want to succeed with a month's success.
Number four, cultivating hope and a positive mindset.
Hope is the fuel guys that keeps the
(06:18):
fire burning.
When times get tough, cultivating a positive mindset
doesn't mean ignoring difficulties.
It means choosing to focus on possibilities, solutions,
and growth.
This mindset creates mental and emotional resilience, helping
you bounce back quicker and maintaining motivation.
(06:39):
It, uh, is all about hope because hope
opens doors to innovation, creativity, and new beginnings.
And that's another big point that many people
miss.
They miss the whole concept of what is
hope and hope is really the fuel that
gives us a stamina to move forward.
(07:00):
And I think that's a, that's a very
big thing.
Number five, building meaningful relationships and collaboration.
Humans are wired guys for connection.
If you don't remember me saying this before,
I've said that before.
Building authentic relationships, provide support, encouragement, and a
sense of belongingness.
Collaboration harnesses diverse strengths and ideas, creating outcomes
(07:25):
greater than the sum of their parts.
Investing in relationships enriches both personal and professional
life, making challenges easier and success a lot
sweeter, but too often people rush off to
get these things.
And then, you know what happens?
They're just going through the motions of life.
And that sounds like something that's really crazy,
(07:48):
but people do this all the time, right?
They do this all the time.
And you might say to me, John, you
know, how does that happen?
Well, what happens because you get into this
pattern, right?
And this pattern is something that I feel
a lot of people, like they don't understand,
(08:08):
right?
And so by not understanding it, I'm hoping
that you will realize you need to make
these jumps in your life, right?
You need to make these jumps.
And when you make these jumps, you create
this type of collaboration, which allows your brain
to say, hey, you know what?
(08:29):
This didn't work last time, but I've got
a way we can make it work.
All right.
Number six, lifelong curiosity and continuous learning.
See, curiosity keeps our minds vibrant and our
spirits engaged.
Embracing lifelong learning means never settling for enough.
(08:49):
Always seeking new knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
This habit not only sharpens your abilities, but
also fosters adaptability in an ever-changing world.
Continuous learning fuels innovation and personal fulfillment.
Number seven, guys, leading with integrity and consistency.
(09:09):
Leadership is rooted in integrity.
And that means that aligning actions with values
consistently is the way.
It builds trust and inspires loyalty because people
know what to expect and see authentically in
your choices.
Consistent integrity, okay, creates a stable foundation for
influence, enabling you to lead others effectively and
(09:32):
ethically through challenges and opportunities alike.
You might be saying, John, how does that
even work?
So it comes down to the fact that
when you do something over and over again,
you build trust, people understand your character, because
they don't know you from Adam, right?
(09:54):
Number eight, appreciating everyday beauty and the wonder
that's around us.
Finding joy in the simple everyday moments enriches
life's journey.
Appreciating beauty, whether in nature, human connection, or
small victories, grounds us in gratitude and presence.
This practice reduces stress, enhances creativity, and reminds
(10:17):
us that life's richness often lies in the
details we might otherwise overlook.
I think that's a very, very important point.
Many times, guys, we actually overlook the things
that we need to do, okay?
(10:38):
And this happens because we become very complacent.
Right.
And the joy that we're looking for actually
is around.
But you know what happens, guys?
We block the joy in our life, okay?
We block that joy, and then we're like,
oh my gosh, what do I do now?
(11:01):
Because suddenly we've built ourselves into a corner
or a box, and we don't know how
to change that, okay?
So I think that's a very, very important
thing.
And that means something.
That really does mean something.
(11:22):
Number nine, connecting purpose with action.
Purpose gives direction, folks, but action brings it
to life.
Aligning your daily decisions and habits with your
core value turns aspirations into reality.
When purpose drives your choices, motivation deepens, and
fulfillment, well, soon follows.
(11:43):
You see, this connection creates momentum, turning dreams
into measurable achievements and inspiring those around you
to do the same.
You see, what happens, guys, is we cannot
change something that we don't measure.
So we have to make sure that we're
able to measure everything.
(12:04):
If we can't measure it, then how are
we ever going to get anywhere in life?
We're not.
We're going to keep leading ourselves in this
great big circle of life, and the circle
that kind of confuses us to, well, can
we do this or can we not do
this?
I think that's a huge problem for a
lot of people, that we believe one thing,
(12:27):
but then you know what happens?
We just get lost, and we lose our
way.
I think that's a very, very big problem,
okay, a very, very big problem.
And so you might be saying, you know,
John, why?
(12:48):
I think it's just people's makeup, you know,
and how they act and how they react.
But the real truth of the matter comes
down to you, how you're showing up, your
character in everyday life, because there are going
to be people in this world, guys, I
got to tell you this, that are going
to rain on your parade.
They're going to tell you, oh, you know
what, you can't do this.
I had one professor, no joke, you guys
(13:10):
know I'm going for my master's and then
my PhD, and she said to me, she
says, John, you know, don't study so much
because if you do that, well, then you're
going to know more than I do.
I was like, that was really rude to
say, but they said it.
So I think that's interesting.
Anyway, this is the most favorite part of
the show that I like, and I'm going
to give you a personal lesson or story
(13:35):
about each point.
And the reason I'm going to do this
is because when I do this, it'll help
me solidify the point and allow you to
apply it to your own life.
When we give examples, then we're able to
make it concrete.
But for some reason, guys, examples don't always
(13:59):
follow with things in life.
You know why?
It's because the person sharing it doesn't really
have the experience.
Now, that's not to rank on them, but
if you want to get advice, you want
to talk to somebody who's had the experience
in that field, right?
So let's start with number one, embracing personal
growth through challenges.
I remember a time early in my career
when a business deal I'd poured months and
(14:20):
did completely working on just collapsed.
Felt like a punch to the gut.
Rather than give up, I stepped back.
I analyzed what went wrong and committed to
improving my negotiation skills and business planning.
This was in my real infancy, maybe second
or third year of a tech company.
The setback became one of my most powerful
(14:40):
teachers.
It pushed me to grow not only professionally,
but emotionally, showing me that failure isn't the
opposite of success.
It's part of it.
Failure is not failure as long as we
keep going, as long as we don't stop.
Failure is not really failure.
Number two, guys, the importance of seeking and
(15:03):
valuing truth.
I know so many people that tell me
they're really about truth, but then when I
find out they're not really about truth, they're
placating people.
I think that's a huge problem for a
lot of people.
They just don't understand.
For whatever reason, they're living this weird kind
(15:28):
of world.
I mean, a very weird kind of world.
Number two, the importance of seeking and valuing
truth.
There was a point of time where I
had to make a tough call about a
long time business relationship.
I started noticing inconsistencies and felt something was
off.
Instead of ignoring the signs, I sought clarity
(15:50):
and uncovered truths that ultimately protected my business
and values.
It wasn't easy, but choosing truth over comfort
taught me that honesty, even when hard, leads
to freedom and alignment.
I'll tell you a little bit about the
story, a little bit deeper.
This company was out of the country, and
I had invested not only a lot of
(16:10):
money, but a lot of my personal time
traveling out of the country to meet these
people.
There was something that just didn't jar right,
or I should say click.
We noticed in this business, this was a
vendor of ours that we were buying point
-of-sale systems from.
They were the software developer.
(16:30):
I noticed that anybody that didn't have a
service contract, well, they certainly had problems.
They could basically add products to the machines
and things like that, but you know the
one thing they couldn't do?
They couldn't get the proper sales, so they
(16:52):
couldn't tell what they were really doing.
I called them, and they always helped us
out with a couple of these.
When we got down to the meeting where
things were going to get real and big,
we had signed a nondisclosure and all that,
and then they shared with me that it
(17:14):
was actually part of their business process.
I was like, huh?
Well, John, now that you've signed a nondisclosure,
we can share it with you.
You're one of us.
We did that to ensure that we got
service contracts.
If you notice, you always had problems.
We kind of build a little of a
time bomb into the software.
I was like, are you kidding me?
(17:35):
Yeah, John, it may not be the greatest
thing, but hey, it makes sure we get
paid.
The ones that didn't pay, they would allow
it to work for maybe a couple of
weeks, and then you know what?
It happened again.
I was noting this, and so I asked
them, and they said, yeah, that's how we
work.
After that, I made a decision coming back
home to the United States, and I said,
you know what?
(17:55):
I know this is a huge opportunity, but
I don't want to work with these people
anymore.
I called them up and said, hey, I
appreciate the opportunity.
I just feel that your values don't align
with ours.
I'm not going to lie to customers and
play games to try to get them to
pay us more money.
That's just wrong, so they broke away.
(18:16):
Number three, taking responsibility in your life and
your community.
Years ago, I joined a community board where
I initially felt like a bystander.
One meeting, a heated discussion came up about
a local initiative.
Instead of staying silent, I spoke up, offered
ideas, and volunteered to lead.
That moment changed everything.
I realized that taking responsibility isn't about being
(18:39):
perfect.
It's about being present, being accountable, and being
willing to shape the future together.
Most people will complain, but you know what
they'll never do?
They'll never offer you solutions, so if you've
got people that just, for whatever reason, don't
seem to step up, they always seem to
complain, there's a reason for that, guys.
(18:59):
There is a reason for that, and I'm
hoping that you can understand where I'm coming
from.
And it's pretty simple, right?
Cultivating hope and a positive mindset.
(19:22):
During a period when business was slow, right
around the COVID time, and uncertainty was high,
I began a daily gratitude and visualization practice.
I'd wake up and remind myself of what
was going well, even if it was just
a kind message or a warm cup of
coffee or tea or whatever.
Over time, this habit rewired how I handled
stress.
It didn't make problems disappear, but it gave
(19:44):
me the mental clarity to focus and face
them with optimism and renewed energy.
Number five, building meaningful relationships and collaboration.
Some of the most successful projects I've led
weren't solo efforts.
They were born out of powerful collaborations.
One in particular stands out.
I partnered with one group whose style was
(20:07):
the complete opposite of ours.
At first, we clashed, hands down.
But with some mutual respect and open communication,
we created something far better than either of
us could have done alone.
That experience taught me that connection isn't about
sameness.
It's about synergies.
And where you're good and where they might
(20:29):
be good, you might be lacking and vice
versa.
So that's an important thing.
Number six, lifelong curiosity and continuous learning.
This has to be, hands down, guys, one
of my favorite things, okay?
It's important, okay?
(20:54):
And I'm hoping that if you understand this,
it'll hit home.
I never stopped learning, guys.
I sometimes get made fun of for continuing
to learn, even going back to school and
going back to my master's and my PhD.
And I don't want to stop learning.
A few years ago, I signed up for
(21:15):
a course online.
Even though it was outside of my main
business focus, that course not only expanded my
knowledge but gave me insights, I applied immediately
to grow my brand.
Lifelong learning keeps me energized and open to
new possibilities.
It's one of the greatest investments I've made
in myself.
(21:36):
My question for you today is, how have
you invested in yourself lately?
Or have you invested in yourself?
And if you haven't invested, I have one
question for you.
Why not?
Because anybody that does not invest in themselves,
that's not good, okay?
That is just not a very, very good
(21:56):
thing.
And I'm hoping that you can appreciate that,
all right?
I'm hoping that you can appreciate that.
And maybe you might learn something from that,
no pun intended, right?
So remember, you need to invest in yourself.
(22:20):
You're very important.
Number seven, leading with integrity and consistency.
I once had a chance to cut a
corner on a big project, save time and
a huge amount of money.
Everyone told me to just go for it.
But I knew deep down it would compromise
the integrity of my work and what I
stood for and believed in.
(22:43):
And so I stuck to my values.
And while it took longer, the results were
exceptional.
And my client's trust deepened into us.
Leading with integrity isn't always the easiest path,
guys.
But it's the one that builds real lasting
respect.
Number eight, appreciating everyday beauty and wonder.
(23:08):
This is one that I think a lot
of people, you know, they miss.
I think they miss it because they just
don't understand what it stands for, okay?
And so when I say appreciate, one morning
(23:31):
I was walking to my office and saw
the sun rising over the skyline.
I stopped just for 30 seconds.
Just to take it all in.
That small movement grounded me more than anything
on my to-do list that day.
It reminded me that beauty isn't something we
have to search for.
It's right in front of our eyes.
(23:51):
If we're present enough to notice it and
living in the moment, there's plenty of beauty
around us.
Number nine, connecting purpose with action.
This is something I hear a lot of
people say they're going to do, but they
really don't.
Um, I think the reason that happens is
(24:12):
because a lot of people just believe in
action.
They don't believe in the core values.
Or maybe they do, but they sacrifice.
The work changed them just because it's going
to get them to a financial goal faster.
That's wrong.
When I started my very first podcast, which
(24:33):
was The Tech Show, it wasn't just about
sharing knowledge.
It was about helping others grow.
I took that purpose and built routines, episodes,
and outreach around it.
Every action I took aligned with my deeper
why.
The feedback I get today and from years
in the past are stories from listeners about
(24:54):
how an episode helped them.
It shows that when you pair passion with
consistent action, you create real, lasting, live impact
in your lives.
And although this stuff might sound like common
sense, it's not.
(25:16):
People are so willing to just do whatever
they need to to make money.
I think that's a problem with our world
and our society, that people can just do
(25:40):
that.
Because they think if they sacrifice what they
stand for, then they'll get to where they
want faster.
It might appear that they're getting there faster.
But guess what, guys?
They're cutting corners.
There was a great commercial not too long
ago.
(26:00):
You probably remember Wendy's.
Do you remember the commercial at Wendy's?
It was on, oh gosh, many, many years
ago.
The commercial from Wendy's.
I think you guys remember the commercial.
It was the Wendy's commercial, Where is the
Beef?
And so there was a lady and two
other ladies.
And Les Bun, hey, where's the beef?
(26:22):
I don't think there's anybody back there.
You want something?
And so it's pretty amazing how that happens.
I think a lot of times we're looking
for value.
And it became, of course, an overnight sensation.
When she inspected that fluffy hamburger bun that
(26:45):
lacked in the beef department, she said, where's
the beef?
Right?
It's been a catchphrase since 1984 with Wendy's.
But I think a lot of people sometimes
get hooked on the wrong words or the
wrong concepts.
And they think that's the way to grow.
(27:05):
Because maybe you're not growing as fast as
someone else.
I mean, maybe, right?
Maybe, maybe not.
And so what I want to tell you
is, don't sacrifice what you stand for, okay?
(27:26):
Just to get ahead or to make a
bigger profit.
Because even though you'll reach that bigger profit
today, you're going to be living with integrity
issues down the road that you really didn't
do what you meant to do.
I think that's a big, important thing.
And a lot of people that don't follow
(27:46):
that are going to be second guessing themselves
to say, hey, what am I doing?
Like, why am I doing this?
And it comes down to this.
It comes down to appreciating our wisdom, to
appreciating the growth that we have, the truth,
and what makes that connection live.
(28:09):
Really special.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, a serial
entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
I'll catch you real soon.
Have a fantastic evening, everyone.
(28:46):
Bye.
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