All It Takes Is A Goal

Jon Acuff

The future belongs to finishers. Join New York Times Bestselling author and speaker Jon Acuff as he explores the best tips, tricks and techniques to getting from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow. All it takes is a goal.

  • 15 minutes 17 seconds
    ATG 277 | The Napkin That Changed My Life: Why You're Living Inside a Postage Stamp

    A creative director once drew something on a napkin that completely changed how I saw my own limitations. His name was Ted, and he showed me why I was so unhappy at 26, stuck in my fifth job in six years, and dangerously close to needing a sixth. The illustration he drew explained why it's so difficult to create something remarkable when you're trapped inside such a small, constricted world. In this episode, I'm sharing that story and asking you a challenging question: Where have you drawn the boundaries in your own life? Those walls that make the whole experience smaller, safer, and duller? You might think it's your boss, your spouse, or your circumstances holding you back. But what if it's actually you? This is a sneak peek from my new book Procrastination Proof, which releases tomorrow. If you preorder it today, you get the entire audiobook for free at jonacuff.com/proof. Sometimes jealousy is just your dreams trying to get your attention. Let's talk about it.

    In This Episode:

    Claim $97-worth of Free Bonuses when you Pre-Order Procrastination Proof!

    You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    13 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 15 minutes 41 seconds
    ATG 276 | The Real Reason You Procrastinate (It's Not What You Think)

    Ask 100,000 people why they procrastinate and you'll get five common answers: task, time, history, fear, and ego. Maybe the project feels overwhelming. Maybe you don't have enough time. Maybe procrastination paid off in college when you still got an A on that all-nighter paper. Maybe you're afraid it won't be perfect, or maybe your ego says "I shouldn't have to do this." All valid reasons, right? Wrong. There's actually only one true reason people procrastinate, and when you hear it, you're going to say "well, duh." In this episode, I'm breaking down those five common reasons people think they procrastinate, then revealing the surprising real reason we all do it. Spoiler: procrastination isn't a problem. It's actually a solution. We use it because we think it's the best tool we have. But what if I told you there's a better way? My new book Procrastination Proof comes out April 14th, and if you pre-order now, you get the entire audiobook for free.

    In This Episode:

    Claim $97-worth of Free Bonuses when you Pre-Order Procrastination Proof!

    You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    6 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 19 minutes 24 seconds
    ATG 275 | What Are You Waiting For? The Question That Changed My Life at 37

    I spent two years preparing to write my first book. You know what finally got it done? Writing one terrible page on a Tuesday afternoon in a Burger King. For years, I sang Colin Hay's "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin" hundreds of times while stuck in Nashville traffic, living in complete quicksand. Then in 2013, I started my own company and lost all my support systems overnight. I had one employee, and that employee was terrible. It was me. In this episode, I'm sharing the embarrassing situation that forced me to stop procrastinating, the constant battle between responsible me and procrastinating me, and the one question that changed everything: What are you waiting for? This is the first episode in our procrastination series, and it's a sneak peek from my new book Procrastination Proof, which comes out April 14th. Pre order it now and get the entire audiobook for free at jonacuff.com/go.

    In This Episode:

    Claim $97-worth of Free Bonuses when you Pre-Order Procrastination Proof!

    You can grab a copy of my new book Procrastination Proof from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    30 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 33 minutes
    ATG 274 | From $250 Tuesday Nights to The Tonight Show: What John Crist Learned in 13 Years of Comedy

    What happens when two guys who've known each other for 13 years sit down to talk about the weird journey of chasing dreams? In this conversation with comedian John Crist, we get into the stuff nobody talks about: the Excel spreadsheet he keeps of every show he's ever done (including whether he got a standing ovation), why he still sleeps in his car at gas stations with his handgun in the cup holder, and the one joke about the Confederacy he's been trying to crack for six years. We also dive into why most people quit before they make it, what it's like when other comedians become your reverse mentors, the moment you cross over from being the small guy to being the successful one everyone resents, and why "in a world addicted to fear, hope is an act of open rebellion." Plus, John breaks down why he thinks the internet has changed, what makes a good hang on the road, and why he's finally getting married after all these years. This one gets real about the trade offs, the ego hits, and why you can't have both pending doom and whatever at the same time.

    In This Episode:

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Parents & Teens 

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    23 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 17 minutes 18 seconds
    ATG 273 | Starting is Fun, But the Future Belongs to Finishers: 3 Soundtracks That Will Change Your Life

    This is the grand finale of our five episode arc about soundtracks, and today I'm pulling three random cards from my original Soundtracks deck to break down what they mean and how they can help you. We're talking about why starting is exciting but finishing is where the magic happens (spoiler: 92% of New Year's resolutions fail because everyone starts but only 8% finish), why feeling uncomfortable is actually a good sign that you're growing, and why the world will never be changed by the things you almost did. If you've got an almost list (and we all do), this episode will challenge you to rescue just one thing from it. These aren't just cards. They're conversation starters, daily reminders, and tools to help you retire broken soundtracks and replace them with powerful new ones. Growth is the goal, not comfort. Let's get after it.

    In This Episode:

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Parents & Teens 

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    16 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 18 minutes 39 seconds
    ATG 272 | 3 Soundtracks Every Parent with Teens Needs to Hear (Conversation Starters That Actually Work)

    Trying to have a conversation with your teenager? You ask how their day was and get "fine." You ask who was at the party and get "no one." You ask what they're doing and get "nothing." Sound familiar? In this episode, I'm sharing three powerful soundtracks from our Parents and Teens card deck that will help you start real conversations with your teenager. These aren't hypothetical parenting tips. I raised two teenagers, and these are straight from my own dinner table. You'll discover why "if you wouldn't say it to a friend, don't say it to yourself" teaches self awareness, how "this is my first time too" opens up vulnerability and deeper connection, and why teenagers need to think of their parents as "investors in YOU Inc." These conversation starters are natural, simple, and designed to help you move from quantity time to quality time. Because here's the reality: you don't get one deep conversation. You practice these cards over and over until card number seven or fourteen changes everything.

    In This Episode:

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Parents & Teens 

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    9 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 16 minutes 52 seconds
    ATG 271 | You Don't Have to Be the Smartest Person in the Room, Just the Bravest: 3 Soundtracks for Entrepreneurs

    Being an entrepreneur is challenging, which is why you need the right mindset soundtracks. In this episode, I'm sharing three powerful soundtracks from my entrepreneur card deck that will help you build and scale your business. You'll discover why relationships get you the first opportunity but skills get you the second (and why you need both), how to balance the optimism required for dreaming with the realism needed for planning, and why you don't have to be the smartest person in the room if you're willing to be the bravest. After 13 years of running my own company and turning it into a seven figure business, I've learned that success often comes down to one thing: bravery. Not intelligence, not secrets, just the willingness to try, risk, fail, and try again. If you're building a side hustle, scaling a small business, or leading a team, this episode is for you.

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Entrepreneurs

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    2 March 2026, 6:00 am
  • 19 minutes 57 seconds
    ATG 270 | Family Shows Up: 3 Soundtracks Every Parent Needs for Raising Kids

    Welcome to part two of our five part series on soundtracks! This episode is specifically for parents with kids. I'm pulling three random soundtracks from our Parents with Kids card deck and breaking down why they matter. You'll discover why you can fast forward childhood but you can't rewind it (and what that means for decisions like when to give your kid a phone), why tired beats regretful (a soundtrack my daughter taught me when she studied abroad in London), and why family shows up (even when it's a three year old's birthday party or driving a 24 foot Penske truck down the East Coast). These aren't just nice ideas. They're the repetitive thoughts that turn into remarkable actions that turn into remarkable results. If you're a parent trying to navigate the narrow window of childhood, this episode will give you language for the culture you want to create in your family.

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Parents & Kids

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    24 February 2026, 8:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 38 seconds
    ATG 269 | Crisis Magnifies Kindness: 3 Soundtracks Every Couple Needs to Hear

    What if three simple phrases could transform your relationship? In this episode, I'm kicking off a brand new five part series on soundtracks by diving into the couples deck. I'm pulling three cards at random and breaking down why these soundtracks matter for your marriage or relationship. You'll discover why every good relationship costs the same exact thing (hint: it's not money), why you should never, ever ask your spouse to be your accountability partner (seriously, change that setup right now if that's you), and how crisis magnifies kindness in ways you can't imagine. Plus, I'll share why you should never make big decisions when you have crisis brain and what a double thumbs up from a stranger during COVID taught me about small gestures. Whether you celebrated Valentine's Day or not, these soundtracks will help you build a stronger, healthier, more fun relationship.

    In This Episode:

    Grab your very own Soundtracks Conversations Card Deck for Couples

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    16 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    ATG 268 | From Scrap to Steel: How to Turn Wasted Work Into High Value Time

    81% of people work after dinner, drowning in back to back Zoom meetings where they doodle under the table, only to do real work at night. Sound familiar? In this episode, I sit down with Juliet Funt, author and consultant who helps companies turn scrap time into steel, transforming low value work into high purpose, innovative time. We dive into the signs of toxic culture, why anxious deference to the CEO is a red flag, and how to spot when you're stuck in an unhealthy organization. Juliet shares her unconventional path from growing up as Alan Funt's daughter (yes, from Candid Camera) to discovering the power of white space, taking four years to world school her three boys across 14 countries, and why most executives need therapy. Plus, we tackle the fascinating question: do people change via desire or disaster? Her answer might surprise you. If you've ever felt like you're spending unspeakable amounts of time doing work you hate, this conversation will change how you think about your day.

    Juliet Funt on Linked In

    JFG Can Help

    Wasted Payroll Calculator

    In This Episode:

    Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    9 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 48 minutes 16 seconds
    ATG 267 | We Wanted to Love Coming to Work Every Day: Building a Business Without Burnout with Patrick Lencioni

    Patrick Lencioni built a multimillion-dollar business, sold 10 million books, and became one of the most influential leadership voices in the world. But here's what you might not know: he never had a five-year plan, turned down opportunities to scale, and prioritized loving his work over maximizing revenue. In this episode, Pat shares the behind-the-scenes story of building The Table Group, why he kept his team at just 15 full-time employees while empowering thousands of consultants, and how saying no to growth actually gave him an unfair competitive advantage. You'll discover why his wife gave him their house fund to start the business, how he protects time with his family despite constant opportunities, and why one of their core values is "we want to love coming to work every day." If you're building something or thinking about starting, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about success.

    Use code "ATG" for 20% off the Working Genius Assessment here

    Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

    Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

    Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

    Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

    Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

    You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

    Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

    2 February 2026, 6:00 am
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