032: Why it’s okay to suck at your calling

August 22, 2014 By deacon Leave a Comment

Have you ever seen someone work at their craft and awesomeness just pours out of them? It’s fun to watch, right?

Now what if the craft they were amazing at was the exact thing you wish you could be doing?

That feels a little different doesn’t it.

Instead of being in awe of the artist, now it feels more like discouragement you’ll never be that good. And if you can’t be as good as ____, then what’s the use.

If you’ve ever felt like that, then I want to pass along some wisdom that will change everything for you. I know because that’s exactly what it did for me.

In today’s session you’ll learn:

Why you should expect, even hope, to be awful at your next endeavor.
The advice Jon Acuff gave me that changed everything.
How I’m living this out even as I record this session (an unexpected surprise).

[Read more…]

030: What I’ve learned helping 1,000+ people pursue self-employment (with Kevin Miller)

August 12, 2014 By deacon Leave a Comment

I have too many responsibilities to chase my dream. I have to put food on the table. I have to keep the lights.

My only real option is to just keep going on the path that I’m on (even if I don’t love it).

Have you ever thought something like that? I know I have.

I’m fired up to have Kevin Miller on the show today who’s filled with incredible wisdom from battling, and winning, these same questions with over a thousand other business owners.

Kevin shares:

the often overlooked aspect of self-employment that holds people back (including himself)
the most important thing his dad, Dan Miller, taught him growing up
why finding fulfilling work is a responsibility, not a luxury

[Read more…]

What Do I Do Next? The Simple Way To Make The Best Decision

May 21, 2013 By deacon Leave a Comment

When you’re working towards a goal there are always more things to do. Every day you have to make choices about what to do next, and what to put off a while. There’s only so much you can get done in a day!

Choosing what to do next is one of the most important decisions you make. Get it right, and you’ll rocket towards your goal. Get it wrong, and you’ll flounder around forever.

I’ve done both.

The difference was how I chose what to do next. Here’s something I learned from Tony Robbins to help you decide what action to take next.

Do the thing you fear the most.

List all the things you think you need to do to take the next step to your goal. Find the one that really scares you. Do it next.

How I got this wrong

Years ago I decided I wanted to start a business helping people do better with their money. I’ve always been into personal finance, and I thought this would be a great way to do two things I love: helping people win, and personal finance.

[Read more…]

Dylan Sneed: From Corporate Gig To World Traveling Musician

February 26, 2013 By deacon Leave a Comment

We all have dreams. Why is it some people are taking huge strides towards realizing them while others are resigned to spectating?

As a spectator it seems like the only thing standing between you and realizing your dream is luck. A chance meeting with an executive who could fast-track your career. A big-name client with the credibility to explode your brand’s exposure. Or in Dylan’s case, a well connected promoter who can put his latest album on the map.

Maybe it is luck. But I believe in an adage with a different take on it: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

It can feel like the only thing standing between you and your dream is luck. It’s not, it’s work. #HUSTLE Click to tweet this.

I’m stoked to have Dylan Sneed with me today to share his story of how he escaped the corporate grind to travel the world as a musician. Dylan is anything but a spectator, and his story is filled with important lessons for Life Stoked Nation.

What he did while working for a dream-crushing mega-corporation that allowed him to chase his dreams later.
Why you shouldn’t be trying to conquer your fears (and what you should do instead).
What he wrote in his journal while sitting in his cubicle that changed everything.
One simple action that separates Dylan’s amazing story from everyone else’s typical story.
One thing you must be willing to do if you take your dream seriously.

[Read more…]

How to do BIG things that freak you out

January 8, 2013 By deacon 4 Comments

My wife and I have a recurring conversation around our house. It goes something like this.

Me: “You know that new project I’m working on?”

Her: “Of course.”

Me: “When I started, it seemed like a really awesome idea. But now I can’t help but feel crazy for even trying.”

Her: (smiles)

Me: “I mean, I know it could work, and it could be really awesome… I guess I’m just freaked out.”

Her: “Awesome. That’s how you know you’re on the right track. Don’t let the Resistance get you!”

She’s right you know. Because every big idea you have is susceptible to the Resistance. In fact, the sole purpose of the Resistance is to keep you from doing big, scary things. It hates change. It hates risk. It wants to keep you comfortable.

But comfortable won’t get you anyplace worth going.

If you want to do something amazingly awesome, you’re going to have to face the Resistance. In fact, when you meet the Resistance it’s a good indication that you’re on the right path!

[Read more…]

How To Ignite Success In Every Area Of Life

August 7, 2012 By deacon 4 Comments

There are so many places to start to change the trajectory of your success. But before you get wrapped up in productivity tips, intensive planning session, or a never ending stream of life-hacks, there’s something else that will dramatically ignite the success in every area of your life.

Watch this video learn how fitness fuels my success.

Follow @deaconbradley
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I know it’s time to make fitness more of a priority when I

find myself getting stuck and losing momentum
lack motivation
lack energy to work hard
lack creativity
am not performing at my best

Try adding in three to four tough, quick workouts to your week and see how it impacts you mentally, physically, and psychologically!

Like this video? Share it with your friends. That’s how great ideas spread!

The 3 Simple Questions To Get You Unstuck

February 7, 2012 By deacon 2 Comments

I always strive to be better tomorrow than I was yesterday. Sure it’s a great philosophy, but it’s not always that simple is it?

Sometimes things just don’t move forward.

Sometimes you get stuck.

Even with the best intentions and a lot of motivation you will hit a wall every now and then.

Lately I’ve been struggling with productivity. I’ve got some awesome things planned for Life Stoked, but I’m spending too much energy spinning my wheels.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m putting in a lot of time on this stuff, and I’m having a blast. But I can tell I’m not completely in stride. I could be getting better results without struggling so much.

[Read more…]

I Am Dangerous

January 10, 2012 By deacon 6 Comments

I have studied many times
The marble which was chiseled for me –
A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
In truth it pictures not my destination
But my life.
For love was offered me, and I shrank from its
disillusionment;
Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid
Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances.
Yet all the while I hungered for meaning in my life
And I know that we must lift the sail
And catch the winds of destiny
Wherever they drive the boat.
To put meaning in one’s life may end in madness,
But life without meaning is the torture
Of restlessness and vague desire –
It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.

[Edgar Lee Masters]

[Read more…]

Fighting The Resistance

November 17, 2011 By deacon 7 Comments

Lately I’ve been carrying a list of my top short-term goals in my pocket. It’s so easy to get distracted and to come up with new “urgent” things I need to be working on. If I’m not careful I’ll wind up racing from one shiny object to the next without ever really doing anything.

For the last few weeks my list has been one item long.

“Crush 2012” Workshop

If I really knew what I was doing this wouldn’t be so hard. If I had anything worth sharing this workshop would spring to life magically. The outline would flow out of me like a raging river and carry participants off to unimagined successes!

I should have never committed to this.

At least that’s what the Resistance keeps telling me.

Like any new endeavor a great battle awaits me every day. As Pressfield himself describes it: [Read more…]

10 Of The Many Ways To Avoid Losing

October 17, 2011 By deacon 5 Comments

When I was a swimmer in high school I was blessed to train for a world class coach. Coach Block trained us hard 20 hours a week, 42 weeks a year. Long after my swimming career ended our weekly mental training sessions continue to influence how I perform. Here is a lesson straight from my log book:

As pressure mounts there is such a tendency to avoid losing. To avoid this, I thought I might present you with some sure-fire, and not-so-sure-fire, ways to avoid losing.

1) Don’t play. Clearly the surest-fire way to avoid defeat. [Read more…]