All It Takes Is A Goal
Jon Acuff
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including his most recent, All it Takes is a Goal.Published in dozens of languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Chick-fil-A, and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two daughters.
Episodes
Mentioned books
16 snips
May 11, 2026 • 16min
ATG 281 | Are You a Perfectionist? Why Your Perfect Plans Keep You Stuck
A breakdown of the perfectionist procrastination profile and why endless planning keeps you from starting. Exploration of the safety of plans versus the uncertainty of action. Examples of how perfectionism shows up in writing, content creation, and teamwork. A quick quiz is offered to identify your procrastination type and get a tailored action plan.
7 snips
May 4, 2026 • 16min
ATG 280 | Are You a Dreamer? Why 1,000 Ideas and Zero Actions Is Procrastination in Disguise
They break down the Dreamer procrastination profile and why endless ideas can hide inaction. You’ll hear how imagining possibilities becomes a comfort zone that blocks real planning. The conversation covers the four procrastination profiles and a simple path from dreaming to doing. Practical prompts point to taking depth over constant new starts.
20 snips
Apr 27, 2026 • 17min
ATG 279 | The 4 Permissions You Need to Give Yourself a Remarkable Life
A practical breakdown of four permissions that stop procrastination: dream, plan, do, and review. Planning is reframed as visiting the future and taking notes. Advice on starting projects without quitting your day job and using short- and long-term loops to make progress. A quiz helps identify which procrastination trap you fall into.
33 snips
Apr 20, 2026 • 17min
ATG 278 | Permission: The One Word Solution to Procrastination
A lively take on how one simple word can end procrastination and spark action. The conversation compares permission to willpower and explains why it’s an easier trigger for change. Childhood permission slips become a metaphor for daring choices. Listeners are urged to accept permission from their future selves and start building a more remarkable life today.
17 snips
Apr 13, 2026 • 17min
ATG 277 | The Napkin That Changed My Life: Why You're Living Inside a Postage Stamp
A creative director’s napkin sketch reveals how self-imposed boundaries make your world feel tiny. The host recounts a turbulent early career and how blame masked procrastination. Listeners are challenged to find where they’ve shrunk their lives and to see jealousy as a signal of buried desires. The conversation teases a new book and offers ways to take small, remarkable steps forward.
42 snips
Apr 6, 2026 • 17min
ATG 276 | The Real Reason You Procrastinate (It's Not What You Think)
They unpack five common beliefs about why people delay tasks, from overwhelm and bad time estimates to past success, fear, and ego. Then a surprising reveal: procrastination is actually a chosen tool, not just a flaw. The conversation teases a better system to replace putting things off.
24 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 21min
ATG 275 | What Are You Waiting For? The Question That Changed My Life at 37
A candid dive into how one messy page in a Burger King kicked off a book and a career shift. He breaks down why procrastination is a systems problem, not laziness. Hear the mental tug-of-war between the responsible self and the delaying self. Find out how urgency and embarrassment can spark action and the single question that pushed him to start.
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 35min
ATG 274 | From $250 Tuesday Nights to The Tonight Show: What John Crist Learned in 13 Years of Comedy
John Crist, stand-up comedian and social media star with over a billion views, shares the odd grind behind a comedy career. He talks spreadsheets of every gig, sleeping in his car while chasing shows, adapting during COVID, the long craft of joke-writing, trade-offs of success, and why live feedback beats AI. Short, honest stories about persistence, touring life, and keeping perspective.
6 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 19min
ATG 273 | Starting is Fun, But the Future Belongs to Finishers: 3 Soundtracks That Will Change Your Life
Three random Soundtracks cards spark a conversation about why starts are thrilling but finishing creates real results. The episode explores how discomfort signals growth and why comfort often hides stagnation. It challenges listeners to rescue one item from their 'almost' list and replace old thought patterns with new, action-oriented reminders.
Mar 9, 2026 • 20min
ATG 272 | 3 Soundtracks Every Parent with Teens Needs to Hear (Conversation Starters That Actually Work)
Short, practical conversation starters parents can use with teens are showcased. One soundtrack reframes self-talk by comparing it to how you’d talk to a friend. Another models parental vulnerability with simple admissions and apologies. The third invites parents to support teen passions by thinking like investors in their future.
