Jon Acuff's Blog, page 30

I sat in a circle one cold Wednesday morning. Thistle Farms, an organization that has helped women escape from the bonds of trafficking, prostitution and addiction, invites volunteers to sit in this circle once a week.

Inside, the women who work at Thistle Farms and are going through the two-year residential program share what they are grateful for that week and challenge you to do the same.

I’ll never forget when one woman said, “Last night, when the temperature hit freezing, I was thankful I had blankets and a place to sleep inside. I always think about the women who are still out in the cold on nights like that.”

And then we lit a candle to light the way home for that woman.

Today, you might not be in the circle, but you’ve got the same opportunity.

My goal this month is to help sell 1,000 candles which will mean employment for six more women at Thistle Farms. (Check out this short video Ty and I filmed about the campaign!)

That’s a lot of candles but I think we can do it.

The concept is simple, more candles = more light = more women finding their way home.

Thistle Farms’ hand poured soy candles burn with the promise that Love Heals Every Body. Blended with pure essential oils, and handcrafted by women survivors, each candle sold helps to provide sanctuary, healing, and employment for women. (They’re such high quality candles that Whole Foods carries Thistle Farms products!)

If you need a gift idea for someone, need a great candle for your own home, or just want to do something kind for a stranger, buy a candle today.

You will even save 10% on your order when you use the code ACUFF18 at check out!

Thanks in advance for being part of this adventure with me. There are a lot of women in Nashville and at the 50 other sister homes around the country who will sleep inside tonight instead of under highway passes because you cared. You gave them the chance to stand on new ground.

Buy one here and be sure to use code ACUFF18 at checkout!

Jon

P.S. Last year, we exceeded our goal of selling 500 candles within days of announcing the campaign. This year, we’re stepping it up! Click here to be a part!

The post Help me light the way home again this year. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

A few weeks ago, a guy named Jordan Geist sent me an email. Here’s what it said:

In 2017, I was tired of quitting on a bunch of goals and resolutions just weeks in, I had basically not worked out since college and read the first chapter of maybe 10 different books, so I was excited to hear about “Finish.”

Jordan and I have a lot in common. I have 10 different half started notebooks on my book shelf. I’ve half trained for races, started complicated carb hating diets and almost written more books than I can count.

How about you? Have you ever found it hard to finish a goal? You’re not alone. According to a University of Scranton study, 92% of all resolutions fail.

Jordan’s email continued:

In December, I finished Finish as the only book I finished in 2017.

As an author, I am required by literary law to tell you that any month is a great month to read my book! The truth is, December, January and September are the best months for a book like “Finish” because you have natural calendar momentum that will help you.

After I had thought up some 2018 “goals” of 24 books and running a marathon that I already knew I’d quit in January, I cut those to 12 books and a 10K upon reading your book.

Cutting your goals in half flies against every aggressive, red bulled Instagram motivational advice you hear, but it actually works. Why? It’s based in research. I partnered with a PhD named Mike Peasley to create the concepts in “Finish.” We studied nearly 900 people for six months as they worked on goals. One of the things we found is that people who cut their goals in half are 63% more successful in the long run. But did it work for Jordan?

I’m currently reading book 27 of the year, ran a 10K in April and am registered for the Dallas Half Marathon in December (and have lost 20 pounds, my wife thanks you too).

Instead of having a crazy goal that he’d give up on, Jordan read “Finish” and had a practical plan that actually works.

I think I can genuinely say I’ve utilized every concept in the book, and never laughed so hard reading one either.

I don’t like reading boring books and neither should you. Finishing a goal is hard enough without wading through advice that will put you to sleep. I think the story about the ping pong coach I hired is one of the funniest things I’ve ever written. (And most ridiculous things I’ve ever done.)

I love Jordan’s email and I’d love you to write me one after you read “Finish” and actually accomplish your goals.

Maybe there’s a pair of pants you want to fit back into or a book you want to write or a business you want to start.

Regardless of your goal, this is the best time to get Finish.

Why?

The paperback version came out today and it’s only $11. And for a limited time, I’ll send you access to the Finish Video Series – 12 videos expanding on the ideas in the book, plus a workbook – for FREE when you email me your receipt. (Click here to get your free video series.)

Starting is fun, but the future belongs to finishers.

What email will you write me in 2019?

The post Jordan sent me an email. I want to get one from you, too. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

I don’t know who first decided you should give a speech from a stool, but that was a terrible decision that somehow became a trend.

It might work at a bar, as you lean over and tell the bartender your woes, but a stool is terrible on stage.

Here are three reasons I never use stools, or even small chairs, when I speak.

1. It makes me look shorter.

Nothing establishes authority like a speaker who has legs dangling off of a stool like an eager four year old who somehow found his way on stage. You might be taller than me, but stools tend to be oversized and your legs are going to swing. I promise.

2. Smoothly getting on or off a stool is impossible.

You know who looks good climbing onto a stool or small chair? No one. It’s an awkward look, even if you’re not also trying to deliver a cogent speech.

3. It’s easy to fall off a stool.

Why would you possibly trust your whole stage presence to a piece of furniture that has been dragged around a venue? Know what I never put my faith in? The structural integrity of a stool that has been sitting under a stack of chairs in a storage closet for six months until three hours ago.

Let me illustrate that last point with a photo.

I took this at an event recently. That stool is designed to throw you off. Look at the front. It’s slippery and curved downward to make sure you slide off it the minute you sit down. That’s not a stool, that’s a booby trap.

Is it weird that I have this many thoughts about stools? Sure, but I’m not about to send you into the wild without real information about the pitfalls of public speaking.

Never trust a stool.

Want more ideas about giving awesome speeches? Sign up for my weekly speaking email!

The post Stools are the worst. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

How do you balance work, business travel and family life?

It’s a question I get all the time for all the reasons you think.

Let me first say that I’m not an expert at this. I don’t always get it right, but I have learned a few things over the years that I want to share when it comes to the idea of work-life balance.

These ideas have been learned from 15 years of working for someone else and 5 years working for myself as an entrepreneur.

1. Balance isn’t the goal.

Why? Because perfect balance is a myth. It doesn’t exist.

The reason it doesn’t exist is because every life has seasons. April is challenging for accountants. December is challenging for people who work at churches. The fall is when I speak. The winter is when I write all month long. The summer is when I gain too much weight from too much cheese.

Almost every profession and life is like this in one way or another, so the idea that work-life balance is this singular thing that can be achieved and maintained all year round is not a reality I believe in.

I spoke once in July and a dozen times in October. Think that affects how much time I spent with my family during those months? Of course it did. Balance would mean I try to speak the same amount of times each month all year long. But the spring and fall are conference season. That would be like an NFL player, yes our body types are similar, saying to his coach, “We play too many games in the fall. Can’t we play one game a month, all year long?”

I didn’t shame myself into feeling guilty in July because I wasn’t working as much. I knew that season was coming in October. Likewise, I’m not going to spend October feeling guilty that I’m not with my family as much. That’s what happens in October, and it’s why we did so much family stuff in July.

Your profession might have a different rhythm or schedule than mine, but don’t shame yourself in a natural season of busyness. Be present when you can be present. Admit the season you’re in and lean into it.

2. I don’t demonize work.

Once in a while I remind my kids that the fun things we do don’t happen without the time I spend working.

When I took my daughter McRae to New York City earlier this year I made it a point to remind her that the reason I was able to be there with her on a Friday afternoon creating fun (expensive) memories was that I was away on business a month earlier.

Did I bring it up several times a day during the trip to beat her over the head with it? No. But I did mention it, just to remind her that work is a part of life, and that it’s a good thing because it makes some amazing experiences possible.

To the best of my abilities, I don’t demonize work in front of my kids. I want them to respect it, and I also want them to realize that because of it, we can make some awesome memories as a family.

It’s crazy that in our “I hate Mondays” culture we criticize our own jobs vocally in front of our kids for 18 years and then act surprised when they don’t like to work in their 20s.

How you talk about your job today impacts how your kids will think about their jobs tomorrow.
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Whenever I can, I tie my work into the fun things we get to do in real life as a family.

3. We share calendars.

Like a lot of families these days, we use shared calendars to our advantage in the Acuff household as much as possible. Whether it’s digital or paper, we’ve found that communicating our activities and planning time together leads to less hassle and more awesome.

At any time, my kids can look at our shared Google calendar and say, “Oh dad has a phone call,” or, “Oh dad is out of town that day,” and know that I’m not available. Likewise, I can see when I’m supposed to take someone to swim practice so I don’t double-book myself.

We also use our gigantic Finish Wall Calendar to plot out adventures for the year so we can see how much time we’re spending together as a family during every season. (We plan in dry erase, because life when you’ve got a family is very rarely lived in ink. Something unexpected always happens!)

It kills me that in every other area of our lives we plan when things are going to happen, but when it comes to family time we assume that it will just magically appear like a double rainbow. Of course it won’t! We don’t just hope family time happens, we plan it (and track it) strategically on our wall calendar.

(This is my favorite, by the way. I’ve been using it for 8 years. You can get yours here.)

Balancing work life and family life perfectly is a myth. Every profession and every season is different. Lean into the season you’re in, don’t demonize work, and plan your adventures with your family ahead of time.

Jon

P.S. For the first time ever we added some digital content to the Finish Calendar! For the first 6 months of 2019 you’ll get new ideas from me on how to be productive and effective with your time when you order your wall calendar. Get yours here.

The post 3 Secrets to a Healthy Work-Life Balance appeared first on Jon Acuff.

In two months, I will be 43 years old.

When I was 23, I thought that 43 was the equivalent of 83. Surely, once you are in your 40s you have to start eating calcium chews for your brittle, brittle bones. Vision probably goes too, better stock up on blueblocker sunglasses that make it look like only one very specific part of your body is from the movie, “Tron.” I assumed when you were 43 years old you met your friends for coffee somewhere quaint that had an adequate senior citizen discount.

My view of 43 is a little different now that I’m about to hit it. So is my view of me.

There are still moments when my own head feels like a vast, unknowable wilderness to me. I make mistakes I didn’t see coming and worse than that, repeat the same mistake approximately 19 times before I think, “Wait a minute, I see a pattern …”

But at the same time, I’ve learned a few things about how I work best.

For instance, if I don’t have a goal, I don’t do anything.

I’d like to tell you that continuous, incremental improvement is my default and it happens organically like jazz. I just look up one day and realize, “Wait a second? I’m in great shape! My marriage is amazing. My friendships are rock solid!”

Unfortunately, that is not the case. My default isn’t discipline, my default is donuts. (It’s actually queso, not donuts, but the rhythm of donuts was better and rhythm is a dancer.)

So, this year, I’m trying something new.

I’m calling it “10 ’til 19.”

I’m going to do 10 different things between November 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019.

I tend to coast this time of year but realized recently that there’s still a ton of time left in 2018. I also realized that I’m a workaholic and need to make sure I have some fun goals.

What am I doing for my 10 til’ 19?

Here’s my list:

1. I’m officially closing the office from December 22 – January 1.

Over the last few years, I’ve launched courses on January 1st, which meant the team and I had to work over the holidays. That’s not any fun. This year, I’m closing the office for a couple of weeks. I’m going to treat me and my team the way a great boss would. (I’ll share more about this in the entrepreneur’s email I send out once a week.) My wife and kids will be thrilled that I’m more present this Christmas and I think the time off will be wonderful.

2. I’m launching the “Finish” paperback on December 4th.

My latest book “Finish”, which was a #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, is coming out on paperback! I’m going to do my best to get it to as many people as possible because the stories I’ve heard from people who used it over this last year to complete their goals have been awesome. (For example, I have a bookshelf at home full of books people wrote using the principles in my book.) You can get a copy of the hardcover right here.

3. I’m going to read the last three Harry Potter Books.

My kids bet me that I couldn’t read the whole series from September 1 to December 31. I have three left and I plan on finishing them! (I never finished the last book years ago because I didn’t want it to end and my kids teased me mercilessly.)

4. I’m watching all the Harry Potter movies with my kids, even the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

We’ve had a real HP resurgence at the Acuff house this fall. During Christmas vacation, we’re going to watch all eight movies.

5. I’m writing my book proposal.

I have a new book proposal I’m really excited about. On November 1, I’m going to take all the ideas I’ve been working on and put them into an official book proposal. (I’ll share more about this in my weekly Writer’s List email I send out.)

6. I’m reading, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

For years, I’ve loved James’ approach to habits and was thrilled when he put his work into this awesome book. I am looking forward to reading this one. (James didn’t ask me to do this, I’m just genuinely excited about this book.)

7. I’m going to get Jenny some thoughtful Christmas gifts.

Every January, I think to myself, “Next year I am going to put a lot of thought and time into the gifts I give Jenny for Christmas.” And then life gets in the way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not shopping at Walgreen’s on Christmas Eve for her presents, but I know I could really wow her if I was more deliberate.

8. I’m going to ski once in Salt Lake City, Utah.

My buddy Randy lives near Snowbird and I really want to grab two days of skiing in December with him.

9. I’m running a 5K with McRae on December 1.

Running with my youngest daughter is a great way to connect with her and we found a fun race in Nashville.

10. I’m doing a screentime challenge with L.E.

My oldest daughter L.E. and I are doing a screentime challenge to deliberately limit the amount of time we spend on our phones. (If your teenage daughter is game to limit phone time, you jump at that opportunity!)

Is that all I’ll do over the next two months? Nope, I have a lot of other commitments I’m looking forward to. In addition to those fun projects, I’m going to be more deliberate about connecting with friends.

Will it be perfect? Nope. If the snow in Salt Lake City doesn’t show up early enough, I can’t really do anything about that. If I need to send some emails out when the office is closed, I won’t beat myself up either. The goal works for me, I don’t work for the goal. If I want to change it, I will.

But, I’ll definitely have fun along the way and I know I’ll do a lot more than I would have without any goals.

How about you?

You’ve got two amazing months left in 2018.

What would you put on your, “10 ’til 19?”

I dare you to make your own list.

P.S. This is the calendar I personally use every year to track my goals.

The post 10 things I’m doing in the next 2 months. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

Right now, as I write a draft of this idea on an early September morning, I am training for a half marathon.

That means this morning I need to run.

I should be doing five miles. That is what’s on the schedule, but today I only have time for four. When faced with that dilemma, I am tempted to do what I usually do – run 0.

It’s a classic act of perfectionism. A perfectionist would rather get a 0 than a C-. We’d rather do none than some. But, I’ve learned something over the years when it comes to exercise. Want to know what it is?

“A little is a lot.”

Do I wish I had time today for five miles? I do. That would be awesome. But guess what happens if on 10 different days I run four miles instead? I will have run 40 miles. Guess what happens if I choose to run 0 because things aren’t perfect on 10 different days? I run 0.

Whether it’s ten days in a row or 1,000, when you don’t do anything, the result is always 0.

Perfectionism doesn’t scale.

Over time however, a little is a lot.

Over time, none is always none.

If you only have time to do 15 minutes in the gym today, that’s OK.

If you only have time to walk around the block once today, that’s OK.

If you only have time to run one mile, that’s OK.

A little is a lot.

This post was featured earlier this month on my Health List. If you’d like biweekly ideas on achieving your fitness goals via email, you can sign up here.

The post A little is a lot appeared first on Jon Acuff.

About a year ago, I decided to admit I’m a geek.

I don’t know how you define that word.

When I was a kid it wasn’t a compliment, but then all the geeks and nerds founded tech companies, became billionaires and hired the jocks that used to steal their lunch money as security guards to patrol their campuses.

When I think of the word geek or nerd, I think of someone who is willing to be a big, loud fan of something. I think of someone who is willing to deep dive in a subject that they love.

A year ago, I decided there are five things I like to geek out about:

1. Public Speaking

2. Writing

3. Entrepreneurship

4. Parenting

5. Health and Fitness

Instead of just occasionally writing about those subjects, I decided to really nerd out.

Every week, I share a public speaking idea to help you give awesome speeches and make more money doing it.

Every week, I share a writing tip to help you write and sell awesome books.

Every week, I share an idea about growing your business without blowing up your life.

Every two weeks I share an idea about the wild ride that is parenting.

Every two weeks I share an idea about staying in shape and eating OK-ish. (I won’t help you get swole or ever give you recipes that involve kale.)

If you want any of those ideas, you’ve got two options:

1. Sign up here for all of them.

2. Pick and choose which ones work for you.

The ideas are short, funny and helpful, which is actually a pretty good description of me as a person. Except the short part. A lot of people are intimidated by my physical presence.

If you’re a nerd about any of those five subjects, let me know.

It might be time for us to geek out together.

The post 5 ways to geek out with me appeared first on Jon Acuff.

You have the ability to change your life every day of the year. This is true, but two specific months are better than any others. What are they?

January and September.

We all know why January matters, but why is September so amazing?

1. Back to school momentum.

Tens of millions of people are getting geared up for the big change that school represents. There’s tremendous national momentum.

2. Most people are done with vacation.

Again, on a national level, people are “getting back to business” after summer vacations. There’s a tidal wave of possibility.

3. The season changes.

As an added bonus, the season switches from summer to fall officially further driving home the feeling of change. (Don’t tell Tennessee this which will remain hot until like February.)

This year, I don’t want you to miss the magic of September.

That’s why I’m doing a free challenge called “SeptemberJanuary.”

You, me and thousands of people from across the planet are going to spend 30 days working on things we care about.

It’s free, it’s fun and registration closes August 31st at midnight.

Sign up here!

The post The two best months to change your life. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

Every year I talk about how my big wall calendar is my #1 productivity tool and until that stops being the case, I’ll keep doing it. Nothing helps me finish projects and achieve goals in the short term AND the long term like this calendar does. It truly is a game-changer for me.

I just got word from the printer that the 2019 edition is shipping next week so before I started sharing about it with everyone, I wanted to give you first dibs since you have purchased one in the past. (We’re printing a limited amount.)

It’s still an enormous 25″ by 36″ that you can order in “dry-erase” or “paper”, it still has no gaps between months like a traditional calendar, and it still features portrait orientation on one side and landscape on the other.

What’s new this year is that in addition to the massive wall calendar with encouraging statements from me, you also get six months of help from me and my team. We’ll send you 12 check-in moments from January 1 – June 30th, which will include 6 different videos.

Why? Because a good calendar isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s a motivation machine and we want to make sure you get the most out of it.

Here’s the link to get your copy before they’re gone: The 2019 Finish Calendar

The post The number one productivity tool I’ve used in the last 8 years. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

The problem with New Year’s Resolutions is that no one really makes New Year’s Resolutions.

We all make January Resolutions, missives of hope and protein shakes and yoga and book writing when the year feels new and pristine.

By July, those goals feel a million miles away, cooked out of our memory by the hot summer days and long humid nights.

But what if this could be the better half of the year?

That’s a question that’s bothered me for the last few weeks. For all the books I’ve written about chasing goals, I’ve never had that thought before. I’ve never thought about the back end of the year that way. (Even after I met author Bob Buford who wrote a book called “Half Time” about the second half of your life, I didn’t break the year down that way.)

Runners talk about this concept. It’s called a “negative split,” and means that you ran the second half of your race faster than the first half. It means that despite being tired, despite being hot, you actually picked up your pace.

What if that’s how the year worked, too?

What if the second half, was the best half?

We’ve both got six months left in 2018.

Six, glorious, wide open months just waiting for a goal. (Starting today, it’s 183 days until the end of the year or 30 days until they start selling Christmas products at the mall.)

I wrote down 39 different goals in the last month. Some are events like, “Take McRae to New York for her 13th birthday,” others are daily like, “Write a to do list every day.” Will I complete all of them? I won’t. Will I finish more this second half than I ever have before? I will.

I think you should think about the second half too.

To get your started, here are 10 of the goals I’m working on:

1. Sell out a comedy night.

2. Write 184 pieces of content.

3. Finish my new book proposal.

4. Ride my bike 500 miles.

5. Encourage 184 people.

6. Take Jenny on 12 dates.

7. Grow my Instagram to 100,000 people.

8. Blog once a week.

9. Launch a course on public speaking.

10. Ski one time.

Those goals are all over the place, but so is life. It’s always messy and chaotic in all the best ways.

I’ve already made some progress on those goals, too. I’ve written a few pieces of content. I’ve taken steps to launching the ticket sales for my comedy night. And, you can follow me on Instagram right here. That would be awesome!

Here’s to a better second half.

Here’s to finishing the year in the best way you ever have.

Here’s to making the next six months, the best six months.

P.S. Seriously, this is my Instagram and it’s magical. You should follow me.

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