222: Jon Acuff - How To Finish (Give Yourself The Gift Of Done)

Sep 10, 2017

Jon Acuff, a bestselling author and speaker, shares insights from his latest book, *Finish*. He discusses how his supportive parents shaped his writing journey and the importance of practice in overcoming self-doubt. Acuff explains why many struggle to finish projects and offers advice on setting realistic goals. He emphasizes the value of making goals fun and the role of motivation in success. With a humorous twist, he touches on challenges like fear of success and the significance of choosing meaningful questions for long-term endeavors.

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ANECDOTE

Parental Support Shaped His Craft

Jon Acuff's dad was a pastor and communicator who exposed him to speaking and idea-shaping early.
His parents ordered a 'write a book' kit in high school and consistently encouraged his writing.

INSIGHT

Pick Big Questions Worth Two Years

Choose questions worth long-term attention: 'What's a question I'm willing to spend two years answering?'
Big, widely-held desires (like 'I want to write a book') reveal gaps worth studying and solving.

INSIGHT

Avoid Narrative Bias With Real Data

Test principles with diverse samples to avoid narrative bias from single stories.
Acuff ran a near-900 person study to validate his finishing principles rather than rely on anecdotes.

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Jon Acuff is back for a second time on The Learning Leader Show!

JON ACUFF is the author of five books, including the New York Times Bestseller Do Over. For nineteen years he's helped companies like the Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and AutoTrader.com tell their stories. He's a well-known public speaker, and his blogs have been read by millions of fans. His most recent book is: Finish - Give Yourself The Gift of Done.

If you'd like to listen to the first conversation Jon and I had on January 27, 2016, CLICK HERE.

Episode 222: Jon Acuff

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Want to write a book? "What question are you willing to spend two years answering?"

Show Notes:

Why Jon dedicated this new book to his parents and their belief in him as a writer
- His Dad was a pastor, a communicator. Have to learn how to shape ideas and be a speaker
What took so long for Jon to believe he was a writer?
- "I'm a writer. When you do it enough, it becomes possible. I've written six books."
Why this book?
- "People say, I like your book Start, but I never finish, how do I finish?"
Like Jim Collins, Jon says, "What is a question I'm willing to spend two years answering?"
91% of Americans want to write a book and less than 1% of them do it
"I want this thing to be part of my life... This has multiple applications."
James Clear says it's the friction at the start... Lacing up the shoes and beginning the run.
- Jon reply "Is it harder to buy a treadmill or use the treadmill?"
This is built on research. 900 participants. It is a data driven book
How to mix in humor... Why to study stand up comedians?
- "I've watched 100 stand up comedians for every 1 business leader"
"If you want to enjoy the internet more, you must know it's not about you. It never is." -- People are thinking about themselves (Tracy McGrady & JR Smith)
Goal Setting:
- Cut them in half, make the goals smaller
- Test principles -- Look to be 5%-10% better
- "Before I set a goal, I make sure it is the right size"
- How this relates to setting sales goals/quotas in a big company
  - Need a culture of honesty and realistic goals in order to thrive, grow, and survive
- "A goal is a promise to yourself"
"Make it fun if you want it done"
- Satisfaction goes up
- Performance goes up
How to get something done?
- Reward
- Fear
- Which one do you better respond to? You need to know. How about the people that work for you? You need to know
How Jon will read 156 books this year
What is the story you want to tell your kids?
Are you proud of what you do everyday?
"The old rules don't apply anymore... The faucet of freelance money can turn on."
Why do some have "the fear of success?"
- Fear of money
- Fear of high expectations
- Self sabotage
- Fear of "what's next?"