DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy

Lindsay Palmer has made it a habit to create opportunities where none seem to exist. She did this throughout college and it got her a dream mentor and a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers. She did it after college to land her dream job. In this interview, Lindsay talks with Mitch about the strategies you can use to create opportunities and live more of the life you want to live. Listen To The Podcast: In college, she couldn't find an internship matching with her passions, so she created one.That's right.She created her own internship. (That effort helped her to eventually land a coveted position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.) She couldn't find a mentor locally, so she searched the country for people who were the best of the best in her chosen field.She reached out.She connected. Those efforts enabled Lindsay to meet with one of the industry's top leaders and then be invited to fly across the country to attend a series of events as her new mentor's special guest. Her "dream job" didn't exist right out of college, so she worked a "side-hustle" to build up her skills and make some extra money. Now… just a few years later… she's in her dream job.And, I'm wildly blessed to say… that it's with me and the team behind the BIG Dream Gathering. I wanted to bring Lindsay on DREAM THINK DO, because she has some great stories and some powerful insights to share when it comes to creating opportunities… especially when none seem to exist. If you've ever felt a little stuck... If you've ever needed to make a change, but you just weren't sure where to start… I think you're going to love this interview. Oh and let me know what stood out to you from Lindsay's story.Leave a comment below.I'd love to hear from YOU! Enjoy. Mitch FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BIG DREAM GATHERING: Lindsay and I talked about working together on the BIG Dream Gathering. Click here to find out more about these inspiring, powerful and fun events. Here's a Podcast Summary for those who enjoy those types of things: Summary Did you ever wonder why attendees of the Big Dream Gatherings rave about the experience? The idea behind the gatherings and the Dream Think Do podcasts is to help people connect with their dreams and live their best lives. In 2011, host Mitch Matthews met a Duquesne student Lindsay Palmer at one of his Big Dream Gatherings. This is her story, which she shares candidly, with humor and passion, just like she lives her life. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Mitch Matthews talks about recent podcasts on Higher Purpose and why this one falls into the same series. [05:40] Introduction of Lindsay Palmer, who attended her first Big Dream Gathering when she was still a student at Duquesne University, and her light-bulb moment that changed the course of her life. [10:21] The Big Dream Gathering opened doors for Palmer, who was happy to run right through them in pursuit of her dream. She wanted to share what she got from the gathering with fellow students and arranged for Mitch Matthews to speak at her school. [15:15] What happened when Palmer found someone in Florida who was walking out her big dream as an event planner [16:30] Mitch Matthews' definition of what a Dream Job is, and is not. [20:48] How "bridge jobs" and side hustles helped Palmer, and many others like her, pave the way to their dream job. [26:25] Through school, Palmer worked side jobs, convinced that they would help her get to her dream job sooner. Her peers thought she was overdoing it, but she was on a mission. [29:25] The payoff, and the joy of giving back. [32:45] Words of Wisdom for someone listening to the podcast from their dorm, their car, or their cubicle. Your Dream Job and What a Big Dream Gathering Can Do When Mitch Matthews met Lindsay Palmer at a Big Dream Gathering in 2011, he had no idea that their paths would cross repeatedly over the next few years.

Lise Cartwright is the "Queen of the Side Hustle." She created her dream job and has helped countless others do the same through her 24 best selling books. Listen in to Lise's story and get practical strategies so you can do the same! Listen To The Podcast: Have you ever been curious about trying something different as a career… but you just weren't sure how to start… or if you even should? That's where Lise Cartwright found herself a few years ago. She was in a job that wasn't fulfilling. A little part of her was dying every day. She knew there had to be better for her. BUT… she wasn't in a place where she could just quit and start all over. Instead, she launched a side hustle. That is… she started to experiment with different kinds of work on her own time. Writing. Organizing. Planning. All the stuff she loved. But now she was doing it for other people. And she was getting paid. Things started to take off and she quit her "bad fit" job. Now, she's doing work that she enjoys… while getting paid well to do it. It's not easy… but it sure is satisfying. I love Lise's story. How about you? What's something that stood out to you from the ideas that Lise shared? I'd love to hear from YOU! Leave a comment and let me know. LISE'S CONTACT INFO: Cartwright has many bestselling books, including the popular Side Hustle Blueprint: How to Make an Extra $1,000 in 30 Days Without Leaving Your Day Job, all of which are available on Amazon. As well, she offers business-building courses and workshops, The 7 Day Challenge, and some useful freebies on her website, Hustle and Groove. HERE ARE SOME SHOW NOTES IF YOU'RE INTO THAT SORT OF THING: Summary When New Zealand's Lise Cartwright first appeared on the Dream Think Do podcast in March of 2015, she was a successful indie author with six Amazon bestsellers to her credit. Impressive, right? Now she returns as a guest less than two years later, and that bestseller number has grown to twenty-four. How does she do it? That is exactly what she shares with readers and followers in her books and courses. Known as "the queen of the side hustle," Cartwright has built a highly successful business helping ordinary people turn their side passions or sidelines into full-time careers. She does this through coaching on her websites, in her books and audiobooks, through courses and workshops, and on her blog. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Introduction to Lise Cartwright, bestselling author and success coach from Auckland, New Zealand [02:06] Cartwright has been busy creating the exciting new course to go along with The Side Hustle [05:20] Definition of the side hustle [07:00] How Cartwright began her own side hustle and why [09:58] With no background in writing and no experience, Cartwright became a relative expert, working in her spare time and on weekends [14:30] The Side Hustle Blueprint series is born with titles such as How To Make an Extra $1,000 in 30 Days Without Leaving Your Day Job [18:09] Revamping and updating her series to keep pace with changes in the industry, Cartwright works to make sure her information is cutting edge [21:25] Cartwright shows that she can help the artist or artisan who wants to market her products online, by helping her find her market and client base [30:00] The steps Cartwright reveals for an artist growing their business are the same steps you will need to build any type of online business [31:45] Contact information and social media presence The Side Hustle Queen of the side hustle, Lise Cartwright from Auckland, New Zealand, teaches others how to create this in their own lives because she successfully did it in her own. She defines the side hustle as "something you can do in your spare time, which is neither time nor financially intensive." Most of Cartwright's prior business life was spent in jobs where she w...

A few years ago, my DREAM THINK DO guest, Tom Pietras, asked himself a simple but profound question: "What would I regret if I got run over by a beer truck on the way home from work?" (Hey… he lives in Madison, Wisconsin… so it's not a crazy question!) His answer (and his next steps) changed everything for the better. Listen To The Podcast: By all outward appearances, Tom had everything going for him. He was a successful executive doing challenging work he enjoyed. Plus, he had a happy marriage and was surrounded by some great friends. What more could a guy want? Here's the thing. When he answered his "beer truck" question, he got hit with a surprise. The surprise… was that he wanted to dig back into a former passion. Music. Drumming to be more specific. He had drummed as a kid. His dad had taught him. He was good too. But then a disagreement made him put down the sticks. They stayed down… for 29 years! But the "beer truck" question and a chance encounter at a dinner party changed everything… for the better. During our convo, we dig into Tom's story but we also talk through some of the specific strategies he used to set a new course for his life and career. It hasn't been easy… but the journey has been amazing. Whether you're 25 or 75… or somewhere in between… I think you'll be inspired and equipped by hearing from Tom. I loved this convo. I hope you do too! If so, what's something from Tom's story that stood out to you? What's something you could apply? Comment below and let me know. I'd love to hear from you! CONTACT INFO: Also, here's how you can find out more about Tom and his band, CD, Know My Name by The Ryan McGrath Band is available on Amazon or iTunes. Website: The Ryan McGrath Band for concert and tour dates. Like them on Facebook for updates and information. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BIG DREAM GATHERING: Mitch and Tom also talked about working together on Mitch's BIG Dream Gatherings around the country. Click here to find out more about these inspiring, powerful and fun events. Here are the show notes if you're interested in those kinds of things: Summary Even with a successful career and a happy marriage, there can still be something missing in life. The choice then is whether to keep pushing the feelings away or to open yourself up to your long-buried passions. Tom Pietras, a successful executive at American Family Insurance, faced such a choice. He found his answer when he asked himself one question, What would I regret if I got hit by a beer truck on the way home? The answer opened up a new world to him. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] The second in Mitch Matthews' new series of three podcasts featuring three very diverse Dream Think Doers, at different points in their lives, who recognized the need to make a change to live more authentically. Introduction of Tom Pietras. [02:48] As a successful leader at American Family Insurance, Pietras had a fulfilling and enviable career. At forty-three he went through "somewhat of a midlife crisis" that led to fulfilling a long-buried passion to pursue drumming. [09:20] How a chance encounter at a dinner function turned into an incredible opportunity. [15:40] Finding a public forum where he could perform every week. [22:30] The Ryan McGrath Band cut their first album, Know My Name, available on Amazon and iTunes. [27:40] Success did not come overnight, but every step along the way, Pietras was planning, setting goals, and moving forward. [32:30] Pietras asked both his wife and employer for their support in pursuing his dream. [40:00] Words of Wisdom: Proceed as if Success Is Inevitable. Envision success. Dream Think Do – Tom Pietras Midlife Crisis When you're going through a midlife crisis and you live in Madison, Wisconsin, asking yourself, What would I regret if I got run over by a beer truck on the way home fr...

Jake Heilbrunn is the author of "Off the Beaten Trail." It's the story of what he learned by going on a backpacking trip throughout Central America by himself with no phone or knowledge of Spanish. Listen To The Podcast: His book is a memoir. I like memoirs. Especially from people who have lived long and interesting lives. Jake is 19. He hasn't been on the planet for very long. But as Indiana Jones once said, "It's not the years, it's the mileage." Jake's got a story to tell. Especially because at 18… Jake decided to leave the life he was used to… and go on a solo backpacking trip through Central America with no phone OR knowledge of Spanish. We're going to talk to him about that trip… and some of the things he learned from the experience. Jake's been rocking it since his return. In addition to his new book, he's also been featured in Psychology Today, ThoughtCatalog.com, and The San Diego Union-Tribune to name a few. He's living the DREAM THINK DO life… so I wanted to have him on. Listen in because Jake has some wisdom to share that's way beyond his years! I'd love to hear what stood out to you about Jake's story. Leave a comment and let me know. Jake's Contact Information: Off the Beaten Trail by Jake Heilbrunn is available on Amazon. Website: www.jakeheilbrunn.com. Now, here's some show notes for those who enjoy that kind of thing: Summary What could happen if you dared to follow your heart and make a major change in your life? What if that action taking your life in a whole new direction? Nineteen-year-old Dream Think Doer Jake Heilbrunn focuses on these questions. He's written about his adventures in Off the Beaten Trail and is a sought-after speaker at high schools and universities across the country. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] The first of three podcasts featuring three very diverse Dream Think Doers, at different points in their lives, who recognize the need to make a change to live more authentically. [05:00] Off the Beaten Trail is a memoir written by Jake Heilbrunn, covering his solo-backpacking trip through South America with no phone and no knowledge of the Spanish language. [07:00] An outbreak of hives and overwhelming anxiety made Heilbrunn question his life direction, and consider how he might make some changes. [10:46] Volunteer work in Guatemala was a brave choice, but it turned out that by following his gut feelings, Heilbrunn found a new way of being. [18:02] The contrasts between life in Guatemala and life in the U.S. brought Heilbrunn a new understanding of the world and the choices we make. [23:00] Heilbrunn finds inner power from his experience. He learned not to be afraid to put himself out there, and not to wait for someone to give him permission to live the life he dreamed of. [29:15] How a college career counselor changed his life by asking him two questions: What is the worst thing that could happen and what is the best thing that could happen. Dream Think Do – Jake Heilbrunn Off the Beaten Trail is a memoir of sorts, written by Jake Heilbrunn, covering his solo-backpacking trip through South America with no phone and no knowledge of the Spanish language. Memoirs often bring to mind work written by a person after reaching a seasoned age, but at nineteen, Jake already has some pretty incredible stories to tell, not just of his adventures, but of how he allowed the experiences to change his life. A Rough Start at College Heilbrunn's problems started in earnest three days after he left his home and family in San Diego to attend an out-of-state college where he knew no one. He broke out in hives and was pretty much plagued by them every day for the first semester. Doctors prescribed pills and creams, but nothing seemed to work, and they couldn't identify the source of his problem. If that wasn't enough, he also began manifesting signs of excessive anxiety.

Goal Setting is a perfect topic for the ending of one year and the beginning of another. Keynote speaker, bestselling author, mentor, and success coach, Mitch Matthews deals with this subject with insight, humor and intelligence. Receive a Free Action Guide download to help with the process by texting "dreamthinkdo" to 44222. Listen To The Podcast: So... what are some of YOUR "Purpose-Driven Goals?" I'd love to hear from YOU! Leave a comment and let me know some of your Purpose-Driven Goals for the year. Either that or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter: @mitchmatthews. Oh... and don't forget to grab the free download. It's pretty. :) And it'll help you with the process! Now... let's get to work. Here are the show notes if you're into that kind of thing... (They're written by a team member. So... here we go into third person.) Enjoy! Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] How goals can be buried on the shelf before they are ever undertaken and how to stay on track. [02:25] Goals can help you gain focus, excitement, anticipation and energy. Matthews explores what you were put on the planet to do and purpose-driven goal setting. Text dreamthinkdo to 44222 to get the graphic goal planner that will guide you through the process. [07:00] When it comes to higher purpose, Matthews recommends the book, The One Thing. "I think if we get clear on the bigger things," he says, "the smaller things become easier." [14:15] How to tell if you are living your higher purpose. Clues that life gives you by your activities and how they make you feel. [16:07] Why the phrase, "exceedingly abundant life" means so much to Matthews, and why he incorporated it into his professional higher purpose goal. [18:18] Matthews poses the question, "What might your higher purpose be?" He believes that knowing your purpose leads to figuring out your higher goal, which leaves you energized and focused. [21:36] If talk of higher purpose makes your head spin, Matthews suggests another way to break it down. Instead of starting with your higher purpose, just start with the fundamentals. [24:12] The roots of your tree are made up of your core beliefs, what you truly believe. One of Matthews' favorite speakers and teachers is Gary V., who lives true to his core values and messaging. [29:29] What are some roots to your higher goal? If your roots are taken care of, your tree will stand strong in the storms of life. [30:00] Your branches are the offshoots of your higher goal or purpose. Matthews promises that if you get clear on these concepts that "the goals will come pouring out of you." [37:27] How to fuel your higher purpose. It is different for everyone. What is right for you? He would like to hear from you about how you do it. Get in touch. [43:00] Matthews unveils some of his professional goals for 2017. [45:22] What are some of your specific goals for the upcoming year? They may relate to your job, finances, relationships, health, travel, or fun. Whatever they are, make sure they connect with your higher purpose in some way. Deep Dive with Mitch Matthews: Goal Setting With the New Year looming, Matthews tackles the tough subject of goal setting. Some approach this subject with trepidation because it's much easier to fail than it is to follow through. "We set goals, even write them down," says Matthews, "and then they get buried on our desk, or get put on a shelf, and they just get dusty." But it doesn't have to be that way. Proper goal setting "can help you gain focus, excitement, and even energy," promises Matthews. It is doable, but that doesn't mean it is easy. "If you're a long-time Dream Think Doer, you're not looking for easy, you're looking for good, you're looking for solid, you're looking for something that allows you to do more of what you were put on this planet to do, and that's what we're going to go after today,

Internationally recognized financial expert Adam Carroll was on the show a few years back, but now he's just released his latest book, The Money Savvy Student. With that in mind it was time to check in with him again and find out what is happening with his career and what drives his popularity. His previously successful books, Winning the Money Game, and 30 Days to 1K, are still selling well and the new one is expected to enjoy the same kind of success. As well, he's recently released a long awaited documentary, Broke, Busted, and Disgusted, to be broadcast by CNBC. Listen To The Podcast: Time-Stamped Show Notes [01:10] Intro and background [05:05] Carroll's worst financial decision. How he learned from that mistake, revamped his strategies & teaches others. [08:30] Common-sense post-holiday strategies for recovery from over-spending and starting the new year off right. [13:01] Raising money savvy kids and promoting "financial literacy." [15:15] The power of knowing your numbers. [20:00] Simple strategies for simplifies and earning extra cash. [23:06] How an assignment from a teacher in Texas changed everything. [26:45] A story that inspired Adam (and thousands since). [31:05] Carroll thoughts on eradicating overwhelming student debt. Adam Carroll: Know Your Numbers After the holiday spending most people realize they have overspent and that it is time for some belt-tightening and penny-pinching. The realization that they have plenty of debt makes them remorseful and tight-fisted. But financial expert Adam Carroll cautions about being too quick to zip up your wallet. "I want you to buy one more thing before you pull in the reins," advises Carroll. "I want you to spend seventy-nine cents on a spiral-bound notebook and write down everything you spend on a daily basis, whether it's $1.19 for a pack of gum or $1.89 for a soda." Carroll believes that most of us tend to spend much more than we estimate. The act of writing in the notebook is geared towards bringing your spending into consciousness, because most people do it unconsciously. Know what is coming in, and know what is going out. Post-Holiday Purging There is a tendency to overindulge over the holidays not just with food, but with gifts, giving as well as receiving. "Your house seems like it got smaller because of all your new stuff," jokes Carroll. In the Carroll household, they use January and February to purge what they no longer want or need, by donating or selling unnecessary items. Craigslist could become your best friend during this period. In his book, 30 Days to 1K, Carroll walks through the steps and shows how it can pay off. If you read just one chapter a day for 30 days, you will finish the book in a month, you'll be rid of a lot of unnecessary items, and you'll have money to show for it. The Money-Savvy Student The Money Savvy Student was mostly written for high school and college kids. Carroll spends a great deal of time talking to assemblies in schools, enlightening teens and young adults about how they can take control of their financial future and avoid paying off student debt for decades. A teacher in Texas gave students an assignment to write down every article of clothing they were wearing and assign a price to it. Then, every bit of food they would eat that day, and assign a price. Those numbers were to be multiplied by seven days of the week, and then by fifty-two weeks for the year. He then reminded them that was just the bare bones of survival. They still had to add in glasses, braces, sports equipment, cell phones, surgeries, extra-curricular activities, etc. When one of the students asked why he gave them that assignment, he replied, "So you will know how expensive you are." It is estimated, Carroll says, that it costs about $250,000 to $300,000 to raise a child to the age of eighteen. Apparently some of the students took the assignment to heart and had a change of att...

Mitch Matthews dives into his three favorite strategies for your best holiday season ever. Each strategy is posed in the form of a question that only YOU can answer. By using these strategies in your own life, you will be able to experience this holiday season with more joy, peace, and fun. Listen To The Podcast: Time Stamped Show Notes [03:20] The first strategy and the story behind it (I get personal… so get ready) [12:19] Some science behind the power of gratitude [18:15] Second strategy (This one will help you to stay present) [22:50] An accountability tool you can use to stay in the moment [26:24] Third strategy - This will help you to replace worry with something better [32:30] We'll talk about a recent "experiment" that helped me to overcome the "worry ninjas" that can sneak into the holidays Question #1 - What Can I Be Grateful for in This Moment? The first to admit that the holidays can sometimes be tough, Matthews remembers one from six years ago. He was struggling with his business and money was in short supply. Pulling his pickup into the Target parking lot, his intent was finding gifts for the family. He and his wife had already discussed postponing gifts for each other until after the holidays, but he still needed to buy for the family. As he swept through the doors, Christmas carols were playing, and cheery holiday decorations adorned the store. He wanted more than anything to be able to provide for his family, give great gifts, and make it a magical season. Instead, all he felt was a heavy sadness. He couldn't bear it. Turning around, he headed back through the doors, straight to his truck. As he watched shoppers emerge from the store, their faces reflected joy or worry. Only one word described how he felt: broken. Not wanting to let his family down, he had to do some speedy inner coaching to get his thinking straight. He knew right away what to do. He asked himself one of his favorite questions: "What can I be grateful for in this moment?" He wasn't feeling much gratitude, so he started with something basic. "One of the simplest things was the truck I was sitting in," he recalls. "It was warm, it was running, and had gas in the tank." He realized that he and his family had their health, and a few gifts to give. Absolutely nothing had changed except his attitude and yet he drove off feeling so much better. "There is actually some science behind this question," says Matthews. A study was done with a group of acknowledged worriers. They were split into two groups, and blood tests were done to measure serotonin and dopamine levels to establish a baseline. There was no medication involved, but the "treatment group" was asked to write down two or three things every day, think about them, and feel gratitude for them. After one month their serotonin and dopamine levels increased, and they reported feeling happier, less depressed, more creative, and sleeping better. Tests were done monthly for six months. After that, they were advised to stop the "treatment". A month later they tested their blood one more time. The levels remained improved. The control group remained as they began, with no improvement in serotonin or dopamine levels. Researchers concluded that the treatment group had retrained their brains to look at the world differently. Question #2 - What Is Something I Don't Want to Miss? This time of year is hectic. There are so many commitments, gatherings, parties, and extra social events that it is easy to miss some things. You can even be present for an event, but miss it. Matthews says, "You can be there, boots on the ground and still miss something." Matthews confesses he is a recovering perfectionist, trying to make every Christmas for his family look like a "Hallmark movie." For him, the best part of the holiday season is Christmas Eve at home with his wife and children. That is top on his list of "I don't want to miss.

A full-time job doesn't mandate ignoring your passion. By routinely reviewing your purpose and engaging in honest self-evaluation, you can incorporate both a fulfilling vocation and avocation into your life. Started three years ago, the movie review blog Russelling Reviews is the brainchild of American born Russell Matthews and is his contribution towards "creative dialogue between church and the entertainment culture". Now living in Australia with his wife and four children, Matthews works full-time as the Engage Manager in a Christian outreach ministry, City Bible Forum, and part-time as a movie reviewer. Listen To The Podcast: Time-Stamped Show Notes [04:26] How the blog Russelling Reviews started. [11:14] Finding the time for a full-time job and part-time business. [20:01] Three points for figuring out your purpose. [25:50] The three upcoming films Matthews is excited to review. [31:28] How to harness your passion and start a part-time business. Do What You Love But Keep Your Day Job Starting a sideline business can be challenging on its own, but when you are juggling it with a full-time job, as well as with a wife and four children, challenging becomes somewhat of an understatement. Russell Matthews has worked full time with a Christian outreach ministry,City Bible Forum, in Sydney, Australia for the past ten years. He's the Engage Manager, which is all about community outreach. With only 5% of the Australian population being regular church-goers, he has his job cut out for him. Three years ago his blog started as a result of two things he loves. Christianity is very important to him and he is crazy about movies. Matthews grew up in a family that adored movies. A favorite family past time over the years was viewing movies together followed by rousing discussions afterward. These fond memories encouraged him to continue as a movie buff throughout adulthood. It was not a stretch then when he decided that reviewing movies in relationship to Christianity would be a good niche for him. His blog, Russell Reviews was well-received when it was first published on the Insights website and it continues to grow in popularity. His reviews appear in Insights Magazine and Entertainment Fuse. Matthews is passionate about his blog and his mission to "tie in the movie to a faith component and spark dialogue around it." It doesn't hurt that he gets tickets to see the movies before they are open to the general public, or that it is his job to watch movies. Then he works to "pinpoint the quality of a film and write a quality review." His reviews also appear on Reel Dialogue, which cites its purpose as "engaging with films, without disengaging your faith." Three Key Evaluation Factors Checking in with his motive and purpose regularly is a priority for Matthews. In doing so, there are three key components he must examine to be sure he is on course. He likes to stay grounded and "keep it real" by starting each day off by having a talk with God. No day is too busy to skip this all-important step. It's a way of being honest with himself about what he is doing, why he is doing it, and evaluating whether he needs to think about changing course. Read commentaries and ideas regarding the Bible. Examine ideas and review their validity with regards to the written word. Submit to honest self-evaluation. Is this all worth it? Is my course of action the best thing for my relationship with God and my family? Favorite Memory So Far Often Matthews receives only one pass to a film preview, but sometimes he gets a pair. He loves it when he does, because that means he can take his wife or one of his children. He recently had the pleasure of viewing a film with his eleven-year-old daughter, Carolyn. When he asked her what she thought of the film, she replied, "Well Dad, I was thinking about the different levels in this film..." It took him back to his childhood and discussi...

Finding your passion can take a bit of searching. When you identify it, don't wait for permission from someone else to act on it. Kristina Kuzmic embodies this mindset, going from down-and-out to a social media sensation that Huffington Post calls "parenting comedy at its finest." Listen To The Podcast: Time-Stamped Show Notes [02:00] How Kuzmic's new career began [05:20] Coming from hard times [07:45] How to find your passion [09:45] Live your life paying attention [11:21] Recognizing that sometimes passion is fueled by anger [13:00] Don't wait for permission from others act [18:24] On posting a video with no sound [19:56] The creative process [23:33] Kuzmic's followers view her as a friend [25:00] Dealing with insecurities and fears [28:00] Monday Wine Milkshakes [30:15] Final words of wisdom [33:07] Contact info An Avalanche of Change Success rarely comes fast and easy. The process of identifying your passion, finding a way to act on it, and sustaining follow-through can be tough. No one knows this better than social media sensation Kristina Kuzmic. She's received rave reviews from People Magazine for her fun, parenting videos on YouTube and has upwards of a quarter of a million followers on Facebook. Her confidence shines through her smile and you'd never guess that just a few years before, she was recovering from a marriage break-up and living in one room with her two kids. She bought them bunk beds and slept on the floor next to them. They got by on food stamps and her three part-time jobs. Though she dreamed of better things, she had no idea of what dramatic changes were about to happen. Kuzmic wanted to find meaningful work but had no idea where to start, so her new husband handed her the car keys and said, "Go. Take a drive and figure it out." Her career goals, it turned out, were not lofty. She wanted to create fun videos for YouTube. So she did, and people loved them. When a friend encouraged her in 2010 to submit an application to The Oprah Network contest for a new show, she did. Less than a month later she got a call from the producers and ended up with her own cooking show, "The Sticky Cook". She also ended up with a brand new car courtesy of Oprah. Kuzmic's head was spinning from the rapid-fire change in her life and she remarks, "Instead of giving me a glass slipper, Oprah gave me a car!" Something about that struck home, and Kuzmic says, "I had been feeling like a loser and a failure, but when I got the Oprah show I realized that Oprah believed in me more than I believed in myself. It hit me like a ton of bricks, but the good kind of bricks, not the bad ones." Finding Your Passion People often have difficulty pinpointing their passion or purpose. Kuzmic's advice for that is to "try just paying attention to what gives you goose bumps. Write that down. I had a whole list of random notes in my phone." When you have accumulated 100 notes or so, review them and look for a common thread. "That is your passion," Kuzmic says, "build on that." In working with her own passion, Kuzmic found her vision unfolding and realized that she wanted her videos to support and encourage moms. Don't Wait for Permission The only problem with the video idea was that Kuzmic didn't have a good camera and she didn't know how to edit. All around her she saw people waiting for permission, for some third party to tell them their idea was good and it was okay to move forward. In her own life that wasn't happening, so she decided to put her videos out herself. "No more excuses. I'm just going to get this done," she said. With her do-it-yourself attitude Kuzmic made plenty of mistakes, but she kept moving forward. She realizes there must be others like herself, who berate themselves for making mistakes. "If that person is out there," laughs Kuzmic, "just remember that I have a video I posted where you can't hear me talking....

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, let's figure out how to create your best year ever! Listen To The Podcast: Click here to get Hyatt's free ebook --> "Achieve What Matters in 2017: The 8 Strategies Super-Successful People Are Using Now to Accomplish More Next Year" Have you ever wanted to reinvent yourself? Have you ever wanted to break out of a rut and try something new? Would you love to make 2017 your best year ever? Well… if you answered "heck yes" to any of these questions… my DREAM THINK DO guest, Michael Hyatt can help! After being the President of a top publishing company, Michael Hyatt reinvented himself by first giving himself permission to try some new things. He went on to launch his own organization which is now a multi-million dollar online leadership development company which provides training and useful tools for high achievers. Plus, as a success coach, Hyatt helps people to remove the roadblocks to their success, and intentionally move towards achieving their dreams. His blog is ranked by Google in the top 0.5% of all blogs. He is the author of 8 books, including his highly acclaimed Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, which was a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon bestseller. And I'll say that Michael is one of my heroes because of his extraordinary success and the classy way he's achieved it. This week, we discuss: [03:30] How Hyatt began his first blog, Working Smart when he was the President and COO of Thomas Nelson Publishing. [13:30] We talk about some of the surprises that came when he published his book, Platform [14:50] How the concept of "The Best Year Ever" was born. [17:40] The invisible fence story. (You're going to love this one!) [20:00] Hyatt shows how reframing fear can change your life. [23:00] We talk about the trap of setting too many goals, plus Michael explains how to avoid it. [25:44] We dig into how you can avoid letting your past trip you up. [32:25] Final words of wisdom from Hyatt. EPISODE RESOURCES "Achieve What Matters in 2017: The 8 Strategies Super-Successful People Are Using Now to Accomplish More Next Year" Here's some additional information about Michael and our conversation: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World Michael Hyatt is one of the world's top business bloggers and most sought-after speakers. He is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a multi-million dollar online leadership development company which provides events, online training, and other useful tools for high achievers. As a success coach, Hyatt helps others remove the roadblocks to their success, and intentionally move towards achieving their dreams. His blog is ranked by Google in the top 0.5% of all blogs. It is no wonder that his powerful book Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World hit the top bestseller lists. A concise roadmap for anyone who wants to use social media to build a business, the pages of this highly reviewed book contain Hyatt's step-by-step plan for building a powerful platform. He discusses why, with social media, this is the best time in history to get noticed. From personal experience, Hyatt advises, "It has never been easier, less expensive, or more possible than right now." 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever Hyatt's video course concept was born out of a personal assessment that he began in his own life in the year 2000. He made it a practice to take the time between Christmas and New Year's Day to ask himself one question, "How can I make the upcoming year the best year ever?" Looking at his personal life, business, health, finances, goals, and dreams, Hyatt formulated a plan to make the upcoming year the best one ever. He continues the practice every year. The assessment works so well for him that he decided to share the idea with others to help them do the same. Most people drift from one year to the next and wonder where the ti...