November 19, 2024 • 9 mins
Welcome to Day 10 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge! In this brutally honest, emotionally charged episode, host Brandon L. Draper delivers an unapologetic wake-up call.
This isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for those ready to confront their excuses, break free from autopilot living, and take full control of their lives.
Drawing from personal stories, the wisdom of top thought leaders, and the latest scientific research, Brandon dives into the mindset traps that keep people stuck and challenges listeners to escape the monotony of zombie mode—where existence feels like nothing more than paying bills, eating, sleeping, and working until the grave.
This is tough love with a purpose: to ignite a fire in you, to push you past your comfort zone, and to show you what’s possible when you take radical responsibility for your life. With actionable exercises, profound truths, and practical guidance, this episode will leave you inspired to wake up and start living with intention.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing tools that empower individuals to track progress, stay accountable, and create a purpose-driven life. Ready to stop existing and start living? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to own your life.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
This isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for those ready to confront their excuses, break free from autopilot living, and take full control of their lives.
Drawing from personal stories, the wisdom of top thought leaders, and the latest scientific research, Brandon dives into the mindset traps that keep people stuck and challenges listeners to escape the monotony of zombie mode—where existence feels like nothing more than paying bills, eating, sleeping, and working until the grave.
This is tough love with a purpose: to ignite a fire in you, to push you past your comfort zone, and to show you what’s possible when you take radical responsibility for your life. With actionable exercises, profound truths, and practical guidance, this episode will leave you inspired to wake up and start living with intention.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing tools that empower individuals to track progress, stay accountable, and create a purpose-driven life. Ready to stop existing and start living? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to own your life.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper and today we're on day ten
of this twenty two day challenge. Let me make one
thing clear. This episode isn't here to make you feel good.
This episode is here to wake you up, because the
truth is most of you listening right now are living
in zombie mode. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
(00:22):
You wake up every day, go to work, pay your bills,
eat your meals, scroll through your phone, go to sleep,
and do it all over again. And then one day
they bury you six feet under and that's the end
of your story. That's your legacy, a life lived on autopilot.
Let me tell you something, and it's gonna hurt if
you believe your purpose in this life is to pay bills,
(00:44):
take poops, sleep and work. You are more lost than
I thought. But here's the good news. You don't have
to stay lost. You don't have to stay in zombie mode.
You can wake up, take control, and start living a
life that means something. But it starts with you. It
starts with getting brutally honest about where you are and
what's keeping you stuck. Let's talk about zombie mode. Psychologists
(01:07):
call it autopilot living, and it's a state where you're
going through the motions of life without intentionality or purpose.
According to doctor Daniel Gilbert, a psychologist at Harvard University
and author of Stumbling on Happiness, humans spend almost forty
seven percent of their waking hours thinking about something other
(01:28):
than what they're doing. That's almost half your life spent
checked out. Zombie mode isn't just a mindset, it's a disease.
It's what happens when you stop questioning, stop growing, and
stop striving. Is what happens when you let life happen
to you instead of making life happen for you. Real
life example, the walking dead of corporate life. I met
(01:52):
a guy once. We'll call him John. John had a
good job, a house and the suburbs, and a steady paycheck.
On the outside, everything looked fine. But when we got
to talking, John admitted he felt dead inside. He hated
his job, felt no passion, and spent his weekends drinking
just to escape the monotony. John wasn't living, he was existing.
(02:13):
He was a zombie. And let me tell you, there
are millions of John's out there. Does that sound like you?
If it does, it's time to wake up. Living without
purpose isn't just emotionally draining, it's physically harmful. Studies from
the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown that
people who lack a sense of purpose are more likely
(02:34):
to suffer from depression, anxiety, and even chronic illnesses. On
the flip side, having a sense of purpose is linked
to longer life expectancy, better health, and greater resilience. Doctor
Victor Frankel, a Holocaust survivor and author of Man Search
for Meaning, famously said those who have a why to
(02:56):
live can bear almost any how. Purpose isn't just a
nice idea. It's a survival mechanism. It's what gives your
life meaning, direction, and energy. Grab a notebook or your
phone and answer this question. What would make you excited
to wake up every day? Not what society says you
(03:19):
should do, not what your parents want, what makes you
come alive? Write it down. If you don't know the answer,
that's okay. Your job is to start exploring, experimenting, and
asking questions until you find it. Let's get real about
why most people stay in zombie mode. Excuses you've heard
them all. I don't have time I don't have money,
(03:41):
I don't know where to start. Let me tell you something.
Those are lies you tell yourself to stay comfortable. Tony Robbins,
one of the greatest minds in personal development, says it best.
The only thing keeping you from what you want is
the story you keep telling yourself about why you can't
have it. Personal story my excuse filled years. I've been
(04:04):
there when my life fell apart after the military, I
had every excuse in the book. It's not fair. I
don't have the resources, nobody supports me. But let me
tell you what changed the day I stopped blaming everyone
else and took full responsibility for my life. Write down
(04:25):
your top three excuses, be brutally honest. Now, for each one,
write a counter statement that takes responsibility. For example, excuse
I don't have time. Counterstatement, I'm not prioritizing my time.
This isn't about shame, It's about owning your power. Let
me hit you with a hard truth. Comfort is the
(04:46):
enemy of growth. Staying comfortable is what keeps you small, mediocre,
and unfulfilled. Growth only happens when you step into discomfort.
The science of discomfort and growth Neuroscientists have found that
the brain's plasticity, its ability to change and grow. Thrives
(05:09):
on challenge and novelty. When you push yourself into uncomfortable situations,
you're literally rewiring your brain for resilience and success. Doing
one uncomfortable thing. What's one thing you've been avoiding because
it feels uncomfortable. Maybe it's having a tough conversation, applying
(05:29):
for that dream job, or starting that side hustle. Commit
to doing it this week. Growth starts where comfort ends.
Here's another lie people tell themselves. I'm just waiting to
feel motivated. Let me tell you something. Motivation is a myth.
It's fleeting, unreliable, and weak. What you need is discipline. JOCKO. Willink,
(05:52):
a retired Navy seal and author of Discipline Equals Freedom,
says it best. Discipline is the root of all good
lias qualities. The difference between successful people and failures is discipline.
Building discipline. Choose one habit you've been neglecting. Maybe it's
waking up early, working out, or journaling. Start small, but
(06:15):
stay consistent, do it every day no matter how you feel.
Discipline isn't about motivation. It's about showing up, living with purpose.
Isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. It's the difference between
existing and living, between surviving and thriving. And here's the thing,
it's never too late to wake up. It doesn't matter
(06:38):
how old you are, how many mistakes you've made, or
how lost you feel. The moment you decide to take control,
everything changes. Cerebral AI is more than a tool. It's
a game changer. It helps you track your progress, set
meaningful goals, and stay accountable. If you're ready to break
free from zombie mode and start living with purpose, this
(07:01):
is the tool to help you do it. Here's your
final challenge. Write a letter to your future self. In
this letter, describe the life you want to live, the
legacy you want to leave, and the excuses you're letting
go of. Seal it and keep it somewhere safe. This
is your commitment to waking up and living with purpose.
(07:23):
Today wasn't easy. It wasn't comfortable, but that's the point.
Growth doesn't happen in comfort. If you're ready to stop
making excuses, to break free from zombie mode and to
own your life, then start today. Don't wait, don't hesitate.
Your future self is counting on you. Today wasn't easy.
(07:45):
It wasn't comfortable, but that's the point. Growth doesn't happen
in comfort. If you're ready to stop making excuses, to
break free from zombie mode and to own your life,
then start today. Don't wait, don't hesitate. Your future self
is counting on you. Before we go, I want to
invite you to take this journey even further with us
(08:07):
at Cerebral AI. We're all about empowering people like you
to take control of their lives and businesses. Whether it's
through goal tracking, strategic tools, or breakthrough insights. We're here
to help you wake up and live with purpose. Check
us out online at this se r e b R
dot ai. Explore how we can help you scale, grow,
(08:32):
and transform your life and business, and don't forget to
follow us for updates, insights, and more tools to help
you stay on track. You can find us on all
the major platforms iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. Share
this episode with someone who needs a wake up call.
Let's spread this message and start a movement of intentional,
(08:54):
purpose driven living. Until next time, keep moving forward, keep
thinking forward, and remember you're not just here to exist,
You're here to live fully with intention and purpose,
All right, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper and today we're on day ten
of this twenty two day challenge. Let me make one
thing clear. This episode isn't here to make you feel good.
This episode is here to wake you up, because the
truth is most of you listening right now are living
in zombie mode. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
(00:22):
You wake up every day, go to work, pay your bills,
eat your meals, scroll through your phone, go to sleep,
and do it all over again. And then one day
they bury you six feet under and that's the end
of your story. That's your legacy, a life lived on autopilot.
Let me tell you something, and it's gonna hurt if
you believe your purpose in this life is to pay bills,
(00:44):
take poops, sleep and work. You are more lost than
I thought. But here's the good news. You don't have
to stay lost. You don't have to stay in zombie mode.
You can wake up, take control, and start living a
life that means something. But it starts with you. It
starts with getting brutally honest about where you are and
what's keeping you stuck. Let's talk about zombie mode. Psychologists
(01:07):
call it autopilot living, and it's a state where you're
going through the motions of life without intentionality or purpose.
According to doctor Daniel Gilbert, a psychologist at Harvard University
and author of Stumbling on Happiness, humans spend almost forty
seven percent of their waking hours thinking about something other
(01:28):
than what they're doing. That's almost half your life spent
checked out. Zombie mode isn't just a mindset, it's a disease.
It's what happens when you stop questioning, stop growing, and
stop striving. Is what happens when you let life happen
to you instead of making life happen for you. Real
life example, the walking dead of corporate life. I met
(01:52):
a guy once. We'll call him John. John had a
good job, a house and the suburbs, and a steady paycheck.
On the outside, everything looked fine. But when we got
to talking, John admitted he felt dead inside. He hated
his job, felt no passion, and spent his weekends drinking
just to escape the monotony. John wasn't living, he was existing.
(02:13):
He was a zombie. And let me tell you, there
are millions of John's out there. Does that sound like you?
If it does, it's time to wake up. Living without
purpose isn't just emotionally draining, it's physically harmful. Studies from
the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown that
people who lack a sense of purpose are more likely
(02:34):
to suffer from depression, anxiety, and even chronic illnesses. On
the flip side, having a sense of purpose is linked
to longer life expectancy, better health, and greater resilience. Doctor
Victor Frankel, a Holocaust survivor and author of Man Search
for Meaning, famously said those who have a why to
(02:56):
live can bear almost any how. Purpose isn't just a
nice idea. It's a survival mechanism. It's what gives your
life meaning, direction, and energy. Grab a notebook or your
phone and answer this question. What would make you excited
to wake up every day? Not what society says you
(03:19):
should do, not what your parents want, what makes you
come alive? Write it down. If you don't know the answer,
that's okay. Your job is to start exploring, experimenting, and
asking questions until you find it. Let's get real about
why most people stay in zombie mode. Excuses you've heard
them all. I don't have time I don't have money,
(03:41):
I don't know where to start. Let me tell you something.
Those are lies you tell yourself to stay comfortable. Tony Robbins,
one of the greatest minds in personal development, says it best.
The only thing keeping you from what you want is
the story you keep telling yourself about why you can't
have it. Personal story my excuse filled years. I've been
(04:04):
there when my life fell apart after the military, I
had every excuse in the book. It's not fair. I
don't have the resources, nobody supports me. But let me
tell you what changed the day I stopped blaming everyone
else and took full responsibility for my life. Write down
(04:25):
your top three excuses, be brutally honest. Now, for each one,
write a counter statement that takes responsibility. For example, excuse
I don't have time. Counterstatement, I'm not prioritizing my time.
This isn't about shame, It's about owning your power. Let
me hit you with a hard truth. Comfort is the
(04:46):
enemy of growth. Staying comfortable is what keeps you small, mediocre,
and unfulfilled. Growth only happens when you step into discomfort.
The science of discomfort and growth Neuroscientists have found that
the brain's plasticity, its ability to change and grow. Thrives
(05:09):
on challenge and novelty. When you push yourself into uncomfortable situations,
you're literally rewiring your brain for resilience and success. Doing
one uncomfortable thing. What's one thing you've been avoiding because
it feels uncomfortable. Maybe it's having a tough conversation, applying
(05:29):
for that dream job, or starting that side hustle. Commit
to doing it this week. Growth starts where comfort ends.
Here's another lie people tell themselves. I'm just waiting to
feel motivated. Let me tell you something. Motivation is a myth.
It's fleeting, unreliable, and weak. What you need is discipline. JOCKO. Willink,
(05:52):
a retired Navy seal and author of Discipline Equals Freedom,
says it best. Discipline is the root of all good
lias qualities. The difference between successful people and failures is discipline.
Building discipline. Choose one habit you've been neglecting. Maybe it's
waking up early, working out, or journaling. Start small, but
(06:15):
stay consistent, do it every day no matter how you feel.
Discipline isn't about motivation. It's about showing up, living with purpose.
Isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. It's the difference between
existing and living, between surviving and thriving. And here's the thing,
it's never too late to wake up. It doesn't matter
(06:38):
how old you are, how many mistakes you've made, or
how lost you feel. The moment you decide to take control,
everything changes. Cerebral AI is more than a tool. It's
a game changer. It helps you track your progress, set
meaningful goals, and stay accountable. If you're ready to break
free from zombie mode and start living with purpose, this
(07:01):
is the tool to help you do it. Here's your
final challenge. Write a letter to your future self. In
this letter, describe the life you want to live, the
legacy you want to leave, and the excuses you're letting
go of. Seal it and keep it somewhere safe. This
is your commitment to waking up and living with purpose.
(07:23):
Today wasn't easy. It wasn't comfortable, but that's the point.
Growth doesn't happen in comfort. If you're ready to stop
making excuses, to break free from zombie mode and to
own your life, then start today. Don't wait, don't hesitate.
Your future self is counting on you. Today wasn't easy.
(07:45):
It wasn't comfortable, but that's the point. Growth doesn't happen
in comfort. If you're ready to stop making excuses, to
break free from zombie mode and to own your life,
then start today. Don't wait, don't hesitate. Your future self
is counting on you. Before we go, I want to
invite you to take this journey even further with us
(08:07):
at Cerebral AI. We're all about empowering people like you
to take control of their lives and businesses. Whether it's
through goal tracking, strategic tools, or breakthrough insights. We're here
to help you wake up and live with purpose. Check
us out online at this se r e b R
dot ai. Explore how we can help you scale, grow,
(08:32):
and transform your life and business, and don't forget to
follow us for updates, insights, and more tools to help
you stay on track. You can find us on all
the major platforms iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. Share
this episode with someone who needs a wake up call.
Let's spread this message and start a movement of intentional,
(08:54):
purpose driven living. Until next time, keep moving forward, keep
thinking forward, and remember you're not just here to exist,
You're here to live fully with intention and purpose,
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