Jon Acuff's Blog, page 32

Creative Slide Ep. 00 – Welcome

Creative Slide is live! Make sure you’re subscribed to the feed in iTunes or your podcast player to never miss an episode.

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The nearly magical piece of paper I bought in 2011.

Since 2011, I’ve written five books.

How?

The short answer is that I started valuing my most important resource, time.

It’s the only resource I can never earn more of, but for the first 35 years of my life, I didn’t put a huge priority on it. A variety of things helped me change my focus about how I spend my time, but there’s been one piece of paper that has kept me on track these last seven years.

In 2011, I discovered a guy named Jesse Phillips. He was designing a new calendar that would give you a gorgeously laid out look at the entire year ahead. It was massive and easy to use. So, I bought it and started plotting out my adventures.

Suddenly, the “surprises” that used to knock me off course weren’t that surprising anymore because I could see them a month away. Suddenly, I had a better sense of what to say no to and what to say yes to because I could tangibly see how much time certain things would cost me. Suddenly, by planning things like vacations and dates with my wife they actually happened.

I’ve personally used these calendars for seven years. I mount them on foam board and keep them as a record of each year. Here is my collection.

Eventually, I decided I loved the calendars so much that I partnered with Jesse to make my own.

The best part is that right now, you can get it for 25% off.

Most people don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. They make January resolutions and have given up by now.

Not you. You’ve got 93% of the year left.

Don’t miss it.

It’s time to make the most of time.

Get a calendar today.

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The Billion Dollar Question Someone Asked Me.

A few months ago, a 100-year old, multi-billion dollar company asked me a question. Here’s what they said:

“We want to change the world, do you want to help?”

At first, it seemed too good to be true. The older I get the more I learn that people often say crazy, exciting things but then never follow up on them. I’ve learned to be cautiously optimistic when it comes to new opportunities.

They told me that for 100 years they’ve been helping people with their money, but wanted to go beyond that. They wanted to specifically help young couples make the most of their marriages by helping them navigate the messy conversations around money.

Money is a funny thing. It’s one of the greatest things that divides a couple but it’s also one of the greatest things that unites a couple. It’s one of the leading causes of divorce but it’s also one of the leading causes of fun. (The Waffle House Christmas Eve thing Jenny and I did this year was certainly fun.)

They dared me to dream up a year’s worth of amazing projects I would like to do.

So, I did. I went a little bit crazy with the ideas. I went big. And then I presented it to them.

I flew to their headquarters in Minneapolis and you know what they said?

“Let’s do it.”

Not only did they say that, they said, “We think it can be even bigger.”

Over the last three months, every time I’ve come up with a wild idea, that’s been their response, “Let’s make it bigger.”

The company’s name is brightpeak and they’re a part of Thrivent Financial.

This year, we’re doing live events together around the country. We’re creating video challenges. We’re coaching couples. We’re doing about a million things.

It starts today.

I’m launching a brand new idea stream about money, and you can sign up to get it delivered right to you.

Twice a month, I’ll share an idea about money and relationships and where they intersect. I’m going to call it “The Money List” to fit in with all the other lists I have going right now with fresh ideas. (Writer’s List, Speaker’s List, etc.)

I certainly don’t know it all, but I have picked up a few tricks over the last 17 years of marriage.

To make sure you don’t miss a single idea, sign up here.

I think 2018 is going to be wild.

I hope you’ll join me for the ride.

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The travel company got one word wrong.

Last week, I saw an ad for a luxury travel company. The tag line for the vacations they offer is, “Come back new.” The promise is that if you go on one of their trips, you’ll come back new.

Although I think that’s a bit of an overpromise, there’s only one word they got wrong.

The tag line should have said, “Come back you,” because ultimately that’s what we all want.

That’s why we do diets and write books and start businesses. We believe we are capable of more. We believe that there is more to us than meets the eye. We believe that life or bad decisions have covered up a piece of us that is vital. Even if parents and friends and bosses don’t believe in us, that small voice that says “What if?” persists.

New Year’s Resolutions are often our attempt to uncover what has lain dormant and hidden for far too long. It’s our attempt to dream and do, which is perfect because there’s something you need to know.

We don’t need you to be new, we need you to be you. The world is currently short one you.

For the next 48 hours or so registration for my 90-Day Finish Course is open. A PhD named Mike Peasley helped me create a challenge that gives you all the tools you need to complete the goals you care about the most.

It’s not for everyone. It’s for a percent of a percent of a percent of the people reading this.

But if it’s for you, if you’re curious about what it looks like to actually finish, if you’ve got even the smallest glimmer of a goal, I dare you to try it.

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18 Days to an Awesome 2018

I’ve got a free challenge starting on Monday, December 4th.

The concept is simple.

18 days.

1 action each day.

10 minutes a day.

3 hours of total progress when all is said and done.

That’s it. Small steps to ensure a big year.

Use the challenge to write a book, lose a pound, expand a business or learn the dance from Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation video. That was my friend’s goal one year.

You’ve got about 96 hours to sign up. (It closes Sunday at midnight.)

It’s free, it’s fun, it’s gonna remind you that we are a part of a Rhythm Nation.

You in?

Sign up today.

Jon

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How to tell 729,856 people about your thing.

Ever since Finish came out two months ago I’ve heard story after story of amazing things that people have finished with the help of the book.

People have been losing weight, starting businesses, writing books, dropping bad habits, and finishing all sorts of goals.

I’ve shared a couple of these stories on my blog and on social media, but they are so inspiring, I want to tell more of them.

With that in mind, I’m excited to announce something new called “The Finish Hall of Fame” where I use MY platform to share about the things YOU are finishing.

If you’ve read Finish and it has helped you finish something, I not only want to know about it, I want my entire platform to know about it.

Here’s how this will work. I want you to post a picture of the thing that you’ve finished next to your copy of my book, Finish, with the hashtag #FinishHOF. In the caption, tell me how the book helped you finish your goal, whatever it was.

As a bonus, if what you finished was something you can share with me, like a book or an album or a t-shirt, you can send me a copy at the PO Box at the end of this email. If it’s something digital, you can email it to me at jon@acuff.me.

Here are those steps again:

STEP 1 – Post a picture of the thing you finished alongside your copy of Finish. Include the hashtag #FinishHOF

STEP 2 – If applicable, send me a copy of what you finished. (Or email it to jon@acuff.me)

Three quick notes:

1. If your thing only exists in a digital format (an eBook, a digital comic, etc.), take a picture of it on your iPad, eReader, phone, or computer screen. Same goes for those of you with Finish in digital or audio format.

2. If what you did falls outside of my moral compass, I’m probably not going to highlight it in the Finish Hall of Fame. Your 50 Shades of Grey fan fiction might be well-written with an incredible final twist, but I’m going to pass on sharing it with my platform.

3. I’ll be sharing Finish Hall of Fame entries starting in January and all through 2018. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

I can’t wait to start accepting entries into the Finish Hall of Fame! And of course, if you need a little help making it through the middle and finishing your thing, pick up a copy of Finish today.

Here’s to finishing the things in your life that matter most!

Jon

P.S. – Here’s the P.O. Box Address:

Jon Acuff

#178 2020 Fieldstone Pkwy, Suite 900

Franklin, TN 37069

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The Finish audio book just won an award! Listen to a sample of it here.

A quick note to let you know that the folks over at AudioFile have a 4-minute clip of the Finish audiobook live on their review site.

Are you one of the millions of people who have never heard me narrate my own book? Let’s fix that.

Click here for the smooth, dulcet tones of me reading my book:

AUDIOFILE REVIEW: Finish by Jon Acuff

And if you like what you hear, you can get the audiobook here:

Finish on Audible

Here’s part of their review:

“In his lively and encouraging narration, Acuff now explains why finishing is even harder than starting and describes how to overcome the obstacles to accomplishing one’s goals…His clear advice and lively motivational tone make it sound fun and easy to reach the finish line.”

And not only did they write up a great review of the audiobook, but they also gave the book an Earphones Award!

Preview the audiobook here.

Get it here. (Or go old school and get it in hardcover.)

Here’s to finishing!

Jon

One-time Earphones Award Winner

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The world will never be changed by the things you don’t finish.

Over the last seven years, one tool more than any other has helped me plot adventures, keep commitments, and finish the things I care about. Can you guess what it is?

(Note: If you’re waffling between a stationary band saw and a pneumatic nail gun, you may need to reacquaint yourself with my skill set.)

Give up? It’s this calendar.

The reason I keep using NeuYear Wall Calendars is simple: they help me finish. But it’s not just me! Study after study has shown that planning when and where you’ll work on your goals, DOUBLES the chances you’ll actually finish them. (I write a lot more about this in Finish.)

If that’s something you’re interested in – twice the chances at finishing the things you care about – then the Finish Calendar will be the best $24 you’ve ever spent. Because when it comes down to it, the world will never be changed by the things you don’t finish.

If you’re ready to get serious about finishing, you will love the Finish Calendar. Here are 3 reasons why:

1. It’s big and beautiful. 25″ x 36″ with a vertical orientation on one side and horizontal on the reverse.

2. You can choose from two versions: a traditional paper version and a dry erase version for people who need more flexibility.

3. It includes 12 challenges/encouragements from my WSJ #1 Bestseller, Finish. Each one is designed to help slingshot you into a great month of dreaming, doing, and ultimately, finishing.

2018 is fast-approaching and I believe it’s going to be an amazing year! Give yourself the best shot at finishing the things you care about with this beautiful wall calendar.

Get yours today: The 2018 Finish Calendar.

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New video: How to have more fun while finishing your goals

In case you missed it last week, I’m giving away some bonuses in Rocktober for anyone who buys Finish.

Last week it was the Finish Workbook, the perfect compliment to go along with the book.

This week, it’s a brand new video I just recorded called “How to have more fun while finishing your goals.”

I’ll send both of them out to you this Friday morning (October 13th) if you buy Finish (Amazon | B&N) and fill out this form this week.

This exclusive video is a 20-minute Q&A based on a part of the Finish talk I’ve been giving at bookstores around the country.

In it, I dive a little deeper into some of the themes explored in the book including why adding fun to your goal increases your chances of success, how to choose the correct motivation to activate yourself to finish, and the importance of giving yourself little rewards along the way.

The only way to get this video (and the Finish workbook), is to order the book and apply for the bonuses this month. Then this offer is gone.

STEP 1 : Buy Finish (Amazon | B&N)

STEP 2: Fill out this form

That’s it! On Friday morning I’ll send you access to this new video! Don’t miss it!

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Next time you see me, say this…

Something unusual has started to happen to me.

Online and at events, people are coming up to me and saying something I wasn’t expecting.

Sure, they comment on my height, which is overwhelming and giraffe like. But more than that, they’re saying some form of this sentence:

“You helped me finish my goal, here it is.”

And then they hand me something they’ve written, built, designed or accomplished.

For instance, the other day, someone tweeted this:

That’s amazing and not the kind of response I’ve ever had with any other book I’ve written.

Why am I excited about that?

Because you have something you’re supposed to finish, too.

I don’t know what it is.

You do. It’s that little voice inside that haunts sometimes during moments where the quiet is faster than your ability to distract yourself with a smartphone.

You know the voice, we all have it.

“Write your book,” it whispers.

“Run that race,” it intones.

“Start that business,” it encourages.

“Ask for that raise,” it nudges.

The question is, “Will you listen?” The bigger question is, “Will you finish?”

I think you will.

Why do I think that?

Because I keep meeting people like you in cities across the country who are using the research and real practical steps in my book to do just that.

You’ve waited long enough. The voice has done its part. It’s time to do yours.

Pick up a copy of Finish today.

Click here for Amazon.

Click here for Barnes & Noble.

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