DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy

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...

Ron Friedman, Ph.D. is the author of the new best selling book, "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace." He's also an award-winning social psychologist who specializes in human motivation. In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, let's figure out how to create an Extraordinary Workplace. Listen To The Podcast: So what if you were to uncover some simple but powerful strategies to help you to take your leadership to the next level? This week I talk with Ron Friedman, Ph.D. about the psychology of engagement as well as the science and the art of creating extraordinary workplaces It's a fascinating conversation. This week, we discuss: The key factors that lead people to be happy and successful Breaking the established rules on the carrot and the stick Why "employee of the month" strategies don't work Ways to design (or change) your office design to promote productivity and connectedness How to avoid things like "Appearance Bias" in interviews His new book: The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace To get the first chapter of Ron Friedman's new book, visit Bestplacetoworkbook.com and don't forget to rate and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. [Tweet ""Having friends at work makes us better at our jobs." - Ron Friedman"] EPISODE RESOURCES @MitchMatthews The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace Bestplacetoworkbook.com Ignite 80

Some Surprising Things I've Learned From 100 Episodes of DREAM THINK DO In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, let's talk about the things I've learned from 100 episodes. Listen To The Podcast: Can you believe it? It's the 100 Episodes of DREAM THINK DO! In this episode, I look back on the lessons we've learned so far… and talk about some of the surprising truths (and funny stories) that have emerged. I dig into: The myth of the "blind leap of faith" The specific type of fear that has impacted almost all of my guests… and a specific strategy for overcoming that fear The surprising and inspiring never-before-told story from one of my guests that could have gotten us into a heap of legal trouble How to know when to leave your job to pursue a dream Amazing parenting strategies from someone who almost blew up their house as a kid And a whole lot more... I wish I could say something about every episode. All of my guests have left a lasting impression. From best-selling authors to celebrities to entrepreneurs and people doing really cool stuff... we've learned a lot from our guests in 100 episodes. I hope you enjoy this review of some of my favorite moments as well as some of the most helpful, powerful (and funny) insights! [Tweet ""I want to help launch a million dreams in my lifetime." - Mitch Matthews"] EPISODE RESOURCES DREAM. THINK. DO. website MitchMatthews.com/iTunes @MitchMatthews Mitch Matthews on LinkedIn Episode 2: "Punch Worry in the Face." Episode 11: "Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power." Episode 21: "Turning a Boyhood Dream Into a Career of a Lifetime!" Episode 64: "From the Court Room to Crime Novels." Episode 59: "Is this your LEAP Year?" Episode 14: "Navigating Sharks & Ships." Episode 049: "One Wheelchair at a Time." Episode 81: "Will Your Big Idea Fly?" Episode 10: "Pushing Through Fear to Land Your Dream Job." Episode 32: "Overcoming the Comparison Trap."

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, learn about to beating decision fatigue. Listen To The Podcast: Do you find yourself mentally exhausted at the end of the day? If you're like most… the answer is, "Heck yes." That might be due to something called "Decision Fatigue." So how you can learn about to beating decision fatigue. I've been getting a lot of questions on this subject… so I dug into the topic (and some real-world solutions) for this week's deep dive! Decision fatigue affects everyone… but some learn to beat it. Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and others have taken it seriously… and have learned to overcome it by using the simple but powerful strategies we'll discuss. We'll discuss: What is DF and why does it matter Simple strategies for thinking clearer and making better decisions throughout your day How to "stack" your day to be productive Hacks for "decision clearing" Ways to better manage your to-do list Whether you have a demanding career, a stressful schedule, a busy family or even a big purchase in your future… you're probably getting pounded by decision fatigue. Let's help you beat it! [Tweet ""One of the best ways to do decision clearing is to simply keep your email closed." - Mitch Matthews"] EPISODE RESOURCES DREAM. THINK. DO. website MitchMatthews.com/iTunes @MitchMatthews Rory Vaden "Don't Manage Your Time, Multiply It!" on Dream.Think.Do. Mitch Matthews on LinkedIn Sworkit Sworkit on iTunes

In this DREAM THINK DO interview, Peter Nichols joins me to discuss that fateful trip, his tips for pursuing big, audacious dreams… AND we talk about one key to a business that's changed everything for him. In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, be ready to reach your dreams! Listen To The Podcast: After a fateful afternoon in rainy Guatemala, Peter Nichols found himself with a new pair of boots and a new dream. That's sometimes how it happens. You get hit with a new dream… right out of the blue. (Or in Pete's case… right out of a rain cloud!) Fast forward a few years... Peter Nichols is the founder of WILCOX Boots. His company has over 3000 customers in 27 countries and counting! We dive into: The story behind how WILCOX Boots got started How he started small with a big dream (ie. he had no $$$) His keys for getting started and staying with it Some critical concepts for successful social media And… we dive into questions from Dream.Think.Doer's too! [Tweet ""We're really fortunate to live in a time where anything can be done online." - Peter Nichols"] EPISODE RESOURCES DREAM. THINK. DO. website MitchMatthews.com/iTunes @MitchMatthews Follow Peter Nichols Wilcox Boots