Jon Acuff's Blog

Have you ever felt frustrated trying to control things that are completely out of your hands? In this episode, I’m kicking off a new summer series where I randomly pick cards from my Soundtracks Conversation Deck and share the mindset shifts that can change everything. Today’s soundtrack: “I am the CEO of my actions, not the CEO of my outcomes.” We’ll talk about why remarkable people focus on what they can control while accepting what they can’t, plus I’ll share how this one shift helped me stop getting mad at Nashville weather (yes, we get more rain than Seattle—I looked it up like a complete dork). Ready to let go of outcomes and lean into action this summer? Listen to this episode now.

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Do you ever catch yourself saying “I’m too busy” when someone asks you to connect? Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow, says that’s one of five lies keeping us stuck—and he’s got the research to prove it. In this episode, Mo breaks down his “Cut to Climb” process (30 minutes quarterly to find 50 hours you’ll never waste again) and his MIT system for weekly planning that actually works. Plus, you’ll hear about his genius ChatGPT setups for family, work, and decision-making that sound like something from the future. Oh, and yes, we definitely talk about his green-cheeked conure and miniature donkey. Tune in to hear more!

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A few years ago, Simon Sinek and I had the same editor. Since then, I’ve had the chance to learn from him, and let me tell you—it’s been a game changer.

In this episode, I’m sharing three lessons Simon taught me: why you should be able to draw your idea on a napkin, why short beats long every time, and the power of being kind to people behind you. Plus, I’ll tell you about an unexpected birthday surprise that perfectly illustrates why the encouragement you put out comes back to you in ways you never expect.

Whether you’re building a business, writing a book, or chasing any dream, these insights will save you time and help you think differently about success. Time to get started on that thing you’ve been thinking about doing.

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I’ve never met someone who accidentally got in shape. Or accidentally had a great marriage. Or accidentally built a million-dollar business. You know why? Because awesome is never accidental.

In this episode, I’m sharing how this simple 4-word soundtrack will change how you think about achievement. After interacting with hundreds of thousands of people online and learning from CEOs across different industries, I’ve discovered that successful people are intentional about three specific things: their time, their actions, and their relationships.

Which one do you need to work on? Let’s figure it out—because if you want to be awesome, you’re going to need to be intentional about it.

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Ready to continue making this your most intentional summer? In this episode, I’m sharing the final 19 ways to elevate your summer from average to extraordinary. From buying the weirdest thing at your local farmer’s market, to exploring your dream neighborhood, to committing to reading with your kids—these actionable ideas will inspire you to make the most of the season. No need to have heard part 1; you can jump right in! Whether you’re looking to learn something new (art classes, fly fishing with a guide), create memories (4th of July parties, visiting new states), or simply add more joy to your days (bird baths, journals, ice cream reviews), these suggestions will spark your own creativity for truly making this the greatest summer ever.

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Summer is here, and in this episode, I’m sharing the first 18 of 37 incredible ways to make this your most remarkable summer yet. Why wait for January to set meaningful goals? From catching up with friends you’ve been meaning to see, to visiting quirky local attractions you’ve never explored, this list (created with help from my Guaranteed Goals Community) is packed with ideas that anyone can implement. Whether you’re looking to finally try that neighborhood restaurant, learn a new card game, or simply upgrade your tired flip-flops, these intentional goals will transform your summer from ordinary to extraordinary. Tune in for part one of this special two-part series, and get ready to “pool so hard” this season!

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In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Leak to talk about his new book, . Ryan shares insights from coaching everyone from CEOs to NBA stars, explaining why talented people are often mislabeled as difficult, and how to maintain boundaries when success accelerates. We explore the warning signs of leaders going off the rails, Ryan’s Mount Rushmore of books, and even his predictions for the NBA Finals. Whether you’re dealing with complicated people or trying to avoid becoming one yourself, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who’s constantly in the arena.

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Want to know the simplest leadership principle that makes people elbow each other when I share it on stage? “Leaders who can’t be questioned end up doing questionable things.” In this episode, I’ll share how the gap between the boardroom and the break room creates problems, why your team might be editing their feedback by 15%, and my embarrassing story about a CEO with terrible Zoom lighting (spoiler: everyone lied and said it looked great). Whether you’re leading a company, a family, or just yourself, I’ll show you how to create an environment where honest feedback thrives instead of dies. Because the higher you climb on the success ladder, the more opportunities you’ll have to behave poorly, and the more you need people brave enough to tell you the truth.

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In this episode, I’m delivering the graduation speech I’ve never been asked to give. I’ve packed it with seven brutally honest pieces of advice for Gen Z graduates that you won’t hear from those boring traditional speakers droning on about “wings” and “moxie.” Whether you’re 18 or 48, you’ll find something in this graduation manifesto that might just change your life. And no, I didn’t bring merch to sell afterward (though I definitely would if they’d let me).

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In this episode, I share my revelation about accepting who you are instead of constantly trying to transform into someone else. I’ll also tell you about my Phoenix epiphany, where I discovered that pushing through just 11 minutes of resistance unlocks flow in the work you’re meant to do. Life gets easier when you stop swimming against your current.

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