Closing The 18 Inch Gap Podcast

Edwin Soler
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This is a podcast based on the book titled Closing the 18-Inch Gap by Edwin Soler. This is a book that helps you discover the bloodspots in your mindset so that you can close your 18-inch gap which is the distance between your mind and your heart. Your heart desires to accomplish big dreams and lofty goals but your mind says you cannot do it for whatever reasons there may be. I help you close the gap so you can achieve your dreams and goals.

  1. 5d ago

    EP 135: 18 Life Changing Perspectives- Part 1

    In today's episode I'm bringing to you 18 statements that change your perspective. Life is constantly changing. It is always evolving. The lessons learned to get to your dreams can be very rewarding but also can be very difficult. As I go through these I remind myself that I too have been through a lot of these perspectives. My perspective of life has changed dramatically over the past three years. In fact it's changed dramatically over the past three months. So many good things are happening, clarity is coming, passions to rediscover, so much more. The journey to your dream realization was never a straight line. It was never meant to be. 18 perspectives, that's perfectly with my podcast and book. Each perspective and inch closer to closing that 18 inch gap. Today I'll bring you the first nine as I want to allow time to go into each one of these and bring you the other nine for the following week's episode. As I elaborate each point I want to ask you where does this fit in your life. There's no one around you right now just you and me and as you can tell this is just recording. So it's really just you listening to what I recording the past. No one else around, no one to judge you or ask you questions. Just let each perspective sink in and see where you are and see what it speaks you and what direction it may be taking you.  I call these perspectives because they can be seen different ways. Don't let the way I expect to be the only way that it can be seen. You can interpret it for your own situations, circumstances, where you are at this moment or have been. That's the fun part about where you're going. You get to set the rules that you want to set a high you get there. I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." Did you know that I also have something special for you: Dreams delayed often turn into dreams denied. But with the right mindset you can go further than you can ever imagine  and today I have a gift just for you and it's called… 3 Ways to Know You Are Ready To Start Achieving Your Dreams Inside this gift you'll receive an intro guide that will allow you to feel the freedom of finally moving forward as hesitation fades and momentum builds with every step you take toward your dream. It will help you reignite the fire you thought you'd lost by reconnecting with your purpose and finding the courage to rise above fear, doubt, and excuses. Step into the life that's been calling you all along as you realize the version of you who can achieve it has been ready the whole time. And you can get this gift via your email once you sign up. I can't wait to see you over there! Sign up and let's stop dreaming later and start living now. Get your gift at edwinsoler.com/gift •    Quote of the week: "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." — John F. Kennedy   Points covered: 1. Becoming the best version of yourself comes with a lot of goodbyes 2. You are what you do, not what you say you'll do 3. Sometimes your value is not seen until your absence is felt 4. It's fine to fight for someone who you love, it's a waste of time to fight for someone to love you 5. Never assume the mistake of assuming the person of peace is unskilled at war 6. One minute of anger, lust or greed can ruin a decade of your hard work 7. You're getting close, that's why it's getting tough 8. Any lesson you refuse to learn will repeat itself until you do 9. Sometimes you must go to war with yourself to fix yourself And there you have it the first nine Life Changing Perspectives.  Each one with a specific message. A clear path laid out for you to take as you move forward. Today I'm giving here the information. The question is now what you do with it? It's up to you what you do moving forward. This is something specific that really grab your attention and would like to talk more, while I have one last thing to share with you.  And it's the following: If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat.  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift from me to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  2. Sep 3

    EP 134- What Is Your Soul calling For?

    What is your soul calling out for? This is something pulling out to you that you cannot string together? Is there something that just keeps asking something of you but doesn't make any sense? I was experiencing just that. It took some time to put together but I finally figured out. This is an enormous resurgence of discovery and rediscovery in my current situation. When these things call out to you, they can become doorways into parts of yourself that have been drowned out by noise, responsibility, expectations, and the relentless pace of modern life. Your soul may not be calling you toward something new. It may be calling you back to something you abandoned, something you buried, or something you never gave yourself permission to become. It certainly has for me and I will be going over these in today's episode. I want to use this as a form way to inspire you to reconnect, to rediscover, to question, to be curious of what lies ahead with the possibilities can be. Not everything that you do is going to make sense in the beginning or connect. But I'm a big believer that everything is connected one way or another. And today I'm going to show you just that. I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." So let's get going with today's episode….  What Is Your Soul Calling Out For?   •    Quote of the week: "Revisiting an old hobby is like meeting an old friend who knew you before the world changed you." — Unknown Points covered: Your soul may not be calling you toward something new. It may be calling you back to something you abandoned, something you buried, or something you never gave yourself permission to become.  Today I'm bringing you 15  benefits that will show up when you answer your souls calling and in the end I will tell you what my soul has been calling me out to do and what I did about it so stay tuned to the end: 1. You Rediscover the Person You Were Before the World Told You Who to Be When you answer your soul's calling, you can begin remembering who you were before responsibilities, expectations, careers, relationships, and other people's opinions shaped your identity.  2. Forgotten Dreams Begin Crawling Out of the Shadows Some dreams don't die. They simply become quiet. A soul calling can disturb the dust covering dreams you once convinced yourself were unrealistic, impractical, too expensive, too late, or too inconvenient.  3. Your Creativity Starts Breathing Again Creativity is often one of the first casualties of an overloaded life. When you draw, work with clay, photograph something beautiful, write, build, cook, garden, or create with your hands, something inside you begins moving again.  4. You Discover Talents You Didn't Know Were Still Alive Sometimes the soul doesn't call you toward something because you're already good at it. It calls you toward something because there is something inside you waiting to develop. You may discover an ability that has been dormant for decades.  5. You Finally Hear Yourself Think Solitude creates space between you and the noise. No notifications. No expectations. No constant opinions. No endless stream of information telling you what you should want, buy, accomplish, fear, or become.  6. You Separate Your Soul's Desires From Other People's Expectations One of the hardest questions we can ask ourselves is: "Do I actually want this, or have I simply learned that I'm supposed to want it?" Your soul's calling can expose the difference.  7. You Experience a Different Kind of Rest Sleep isn't the only thing we're missing when we're exhausted. Sometimes we're suffering from a lack of inner rest. Camping, sitting beside a fire, walking through the woods, throwing clay, sketching quietly—these activities can give your mind somewhere else to go.  8. You Reconnect With the Parts of Yourself That Have Been Neglected There can be entire pieces of ourselves sitting in the corner waiting for attention. The adventurer. The artist. The builder. The dreamer. The explorer. The musician. The writer.  9. You Begin Feeling Alive Instead of Merely Functional There is a profound difference between living and functioning. You can pay the bills, meet the deadlines, answer the emails, take care of everyone, and still feel strangely absent from your own life.  10. You Give Yourself Permission to Want Something Again Sometimes disappointment teaches us to stop wanting. We stop dreaming because dreaming creates vulnerability. If we don't want anything, nothing can disappoint us. 11. You Discover That Your Life May Have More Chapters Left One of the most devastating beliefs a person can carry is, "That part of my life is over."  12. You Become Less Dependent on the Noise for Your Sense of Worth When you spend time creating, exploring, or simply being alone, you discover something important: you don't have to be constantly validated to have value. You can make something nobody sees.  13. You Find Clues About What Your Life Is Asking From You Next Your soul's calling doesn't always arrive as a lightning bolt saying, "Here's your purpose." Sometimes it whispers through patterns. Why do I keep wanting to be outside?  14. You Create Distance From a World That Is Constantly Demanding Your Attention Sometimes the answer isn't "do more." Sometimes the answer is "disconnect." Turn off the phone. Leave the notifications behind. Get into the woods. Sit beside the water. Make something with your hands.  15. You Close the Gap Between the Life You're Living and the Life Your Heart Knows Is Possible This may be the deepest one for your message. Your soul's calling is ultimately about alignment. It's about bringing the life you're actually living closer to the life that exists inside you. The things you're discovering—camping, drawing, pottery, solitude—may seem unrelated on the surface. But underneath them may be a common message: "Slow down. Get quiet. Create. Explore. Remember. Listen. Come back to yourself." And that's where your 18-inch gap becomes incredibly powerful for this episode. The gap isn't necessarily about knowing exactly what your dream is. Sometimes the gap is created because your heart has been speaking while your life has been too loud to hear it. Your soul's calling doesn't always sound like a career. It might sound like: "I need to be alone." "I need to make something." "I want to go camping." "I want to draw again." "I want to work with my hands." "I want to write that book." "I want to get outside." "I want to learn something just because I'm fascinated by it." "I want to remember who I was before life became so complicated." And perhaps the most important question isn't "What is your purpose?" That's a huge question, and sometimes it's so intimidating that people don't know where to begin. Instead ask: "What keeps calling you?" What do you keep thinking about? What did you love before you became practical? What did you once dream about? What makes you lose track of time? What makes you feel strangely peaceful? What are you craving that has nothing to do with money or achievement? What part of your life feels starved? What are you suddenly fascinated by? And perhaps the most revealing question: "If nobody were watching, judging, applauding, or paying you for it—what would you want to do?" That may be where the conversation with your soul begins. Your soul's calling is ultimately about alignment. It's about bringing the life you're actually living closer to the life that exists inside you. The things you're discovering may seem unrelated on the surface. But underneath them may be a common message: "Slow down. Get quiet. Create. Explore. Remember. Listen. Come back to yourself." And that's where your 18-inch gap becomes incredibly powerful for this episode. The gap isn't necessarily about knowing exactly what your dream is. Sometimes the gap is created because your heart has been speaking while your life has been too loud to hear it. I promised I was going to share with you what has been calling me. Well they are the  following: Camping Drawing Pottery And there you have it!  What Is Your Soul Calling Out For? The important question is, what are you going to do about it? The easiest thing you can do my friend is just take the first step. Login to Amazon and start adding in your cart things you might,  go to the art supply store and get just one or two things, by some books to expand your understanding. The possibilities are endless. But whatever you do, answer your soul's calling. You'll thank yourself for it later. If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat.  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to  edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift from me to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  3. Aug 27

    EP: 133 What Happens When Everything Goes Right Part 2

    Last week I started an episode about what happens when things go right. I began exploring the idea of the challenges that come up when things are going well as opposed to when things go wrong. You could almost look at it as a reverse engineering sort of thing. Looking at things from a different angle. That's just how I'm wired. I tend to look for things that are hiding in plain sight. Looking for ideas and illustrations and lessons that I can pull out of experiences and illustrations and so much more. I also mentioned that I read a lot. Just recently I read an entire book in a weekend, of course the subject was fascinating enough to keep my attention. And today I sent an email out to those on my email list about that very thing, reading books. There's a statistic that says that the majority of people they graduate from either high school or college will never read another book for the rest of their life. What a tragedy. There's so much to be learned books. And that's one thing that success can bring, just a thought that you no longer need to keep learning. Don't make that mistake. I also mentioned success can bring its own challenges and ways you see money, opportunities that it can bring, financial freedom is so much more. I spoke about success being a different kind of pressure, when the dream actually comes true, becoming addicted to the next goal, and not necessarily bringing those to helped you get to where you are along with you as you climb higher and become more successful. In today's episode I'm going to bring the remaining list of things that can happen when things go right. I trust that the information I will bring to you today will help you immensely. Because if you keep at it long enough things will start turning around and get better. If you believe in your dream enough you will not give up and you will see a turnaround. My gift for you: 3 Ways to Know You Are Ready To Start Achieving Your Dreams Inside this gift you'll receive an intro guide that will allow you to feel the freedom of finally moving forward as hesitation fades and momentum builds with every step you take toward your dream. It will help you reignite the fire you thought you'd lost by reconnecting with your purpose and finding the courage to rise above fear, doubt, and excuses. Step into the life that's been calling you all along as you realize the version of you who can achieve it has been ready the whole time. And you can get this gift via your email once you sign up. I can't wait to see you over there! Get your gift at: edwinsoler.com/gift Quote of the week: "We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are." - Oprah Winfrey Points covered: 1.    Success Can Expose Your Weaknesses — Failure may hide certain weaknesses because you never get far enough for them to matter.  2.    You Need Systems to Sustain What Motivation Created — Motivation can help you climb the mountain, but systems help you stay there.  3.    You Can Become the Bottleneck — At first, you may have to do everything yourself. But eventually, your inability to delegate, trust others, or release control can become the very thing that prevents your dream from growing.  4.    Everyone Wants a Piece of Your Success — As visibility increases, so can demands on your time, attention, money, energy, and relationships. Learning to distinguish between genuine opportunity and people simply wanting access to what you built becomes essential.  5.    You Can Forget Why You Started — The pursuit of success can slowly replace the purpose behind the dream.  6.    Success Can Make You Stop Listening — One of the most dangerous moments for a dreamer is when success convinces them they no longer need feedback.  7.    You Still Have Problems at the Top — Reaching the top doesn't eliminate problems; it changes them. You don't necessarily have fewer challenges—you often have different, more complicated, and more consequential challenges.  8.    You Have to Protect Your Energy, Not Just Your Success — People talk constantly about protecting businesses, investments, careers, and accomplishments, but rarely about protecting the person who created them. Burnout can destroy a dream just as effectively as failure can.  9.    You Must Learn How to Enjoy the Victory — There is a difference between achieving something and actually experiencing the achievement. If you never stop long enough to celebrate, reflect, breathe, and acknowledge how far you've come, you can spend your entire life chasing a destination you never allow yourself to enjoy.  10.    The Ultimate Challenge Is Staying Ready When Everything Is Going Right — Success should not make you paranoid, but it should make you intentional. The goal isn't to constantly look for something to go wrong; it's to remain humble, adaptable, grateful, disciplined, and awake enough to recognize the new challenges that success brings.  If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat.  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to  edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift from me to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  4. Aug 21

    EP 132: What Happens When Everything Starts Going Right? Part 1

    I have read so many things, listened to podcasts, about things going wrong, pitfalls, wrong decisions, and so many other things. This is truly necessary to explore. If it's ignored do it at your own peril. But it occurred to me this week, what about if everything goes right? Rarely, if at all, do you ever hear or read about saying things going right and the challenges that may bring. Success can be just as challenging if not more when you're trying to reach for your dreams. Or better yet when you're there. You will find plenty of material telling you how to get to the top but very little from what I can tell you on how to stay there. What would that look like? What blind spots do we need to see to stay there? What are you not being told? We live in a society where negativity reigns. It's the attention getter. It's what gets the bills paid so to speak. It's working for clicks, comments, forward sharing and so much more. I remember the late great Dan Miller had a section in his podcasts where he would speak about the greatest thing he saw mind or even several things. I currently listen to another podcasts were thers's two hosts and they ask each other was the best thing you are this week. It's about positivity, not negativity. But even positivity can bring some negativity in the form of stress, unexpected challenges and so much more. Success brings its own challenges. It changes the way you can see relationships, the way you see money, opportunities can bring temptations, and so much more. With the sudden inflow of financial freedom your decision-making may get skewed, were completely blown out of proportion. A lot of people say that money changes the way a person is. But that's not true at all. All money does is reveal what was the person's heart hidden all that time. But the better you are prepared for success the better off you will be. So today's episode I'm going to bring just the opposite. The challenges you will face when things start going right. And how to stay ahead of the curve. I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." So, let's dive into What Happens When Everything Starts Going Right    Quote of the week: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Confucius Points covered: 1.    When the Dream Actually Happens  2.    Success Can Create a New Kind of Pressure 3.    The Fear of Losing What You Finally Gained  4.    You Can Become Addicted to the Next Goal 5.    Success Changes Your Relationships  6.    The People Who Helped You Get There May Not Belong at the Next Level  7.    Your Old Identity May Not Know How to Handle Your New Reality  8.    More Opportunities Can Become a Bigger Problem Than No Opportunities  9.    Success Can Make You Lose Your Focus  10.    You May Outgrow the Dream That Got You Started And there you have it!  What Happens When Everything Starts Going Right Part 1 If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat.  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to  edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift from me to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  5. Aug 14

    EP 131: What Happens When You Are In The Wrong Room?

    What Happens When You Are In The Wrong Room  I have been part of many marketing groups and have had very little success to show for it.  I'm about to wrap up the latest one as my schedule is shifting and will certainly consider joining any in the future. The wrong room doesn't always mean bad people. Sometimes the people in the room aren't malicious. They may simply have a different vision, different values, different expectations, or a different definition of success. And sometimes you have outgrown the room. The message isn't, "Everyone who doesn't support your dream is toxic. Leave them." It's this: The room isn't necessarily wrong. It may simply be wrong for where you're going. And that connects directly to your 18-inch gap: the distance between what your heart knows it wants and what your mind has been convinced is possible. Sometimes closing that gap requires more than changing your thinking. It requires changing the environment in which that thinking is constantly being reinforced. Don't spend your entire life trying to convince the wrong room that you belong there. There are rooms where you will have to prove yourself. That's part of growth. But there are also rooms where you don't have to spend every ounce of your energy proving that your dream deserves to exist. You walk in. You speak. You contribute. You are challenged. You are heard. You are valued. And most importantly— you are allowed to become. Maybe your dream isn't dying. Maybe it's suffocating because you're trying to grow it in the wrong room. The question isn't always:  "What's wrong with me?" Sometimes the better question is:  "Is this still the room where I am supposed to become who I'm capable of becoming?"   I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing."   Quote of the week: "It's better to admit you walked through the wrong door than to spend your life in the wrong room." — Colby Kultgen Points covered: When You're in the Wrong Room: 20 Ways It Can Affect a Dreamer 1. You begin questioning your own worth. When you're constantly overlooked or undervalued, you can eventually mistake someone else's inability to recognize your value for evidence that you don't have any. Counter-action: Separate your worth from their recognition. Your value doesn't increase when someone applauds you or decrease when someone ignores you. Stop using the room's opinion as the measuring stick for your worth. ________________________________________ 2. You shrink your dreams to fit the room. Instead of asking, "What is possible for me?" you start asking, "What will these people allow me to want?" Counter-action: Give your dream permission to become bigger again. Find environments where ambition isn't treated like arrogance and possibility isn't treated like foolishness. Your dream needs room to breathe. ________________________________________ 3. Your confidence slowly erodes. Being repeatedly dismissed can make even a capable person hesitate before speaking, acting, or taking a risk. Counter-action: Rebuild confidence through evidence. Start keeping track of the things you have accomplished, survived, learned, and overcome. Let your history remind you that you are more capable than the current room suggests. ________________________________________ 4. You stop using your voice. When nobody listens, eventually you may decide there is no point in speaking. Counter-action: Use your voice somewhere it can be heard. Your voice doesn't become less valuable because the wrong people refused to listen. Find people who are willing to engage with what you have to say. ________________________________________ 5. You become afraid of being misunderstood. You may start editing yourself before anyone else gets the opportunity to misunderstand you. Counter-action: Stop making yourself smaller to prevent misunderstanding. Not everyone will understand your vision—and they don't have to. Clarity about who you are matters more than universal approval. ________________________________________ 6. You start seeking permission instead of pursuing possibility. The wrong room can condition you to wait for someone else to validate your next move. Counter-action: Give yourself permission to move. You don't need everyone to agree with your dream before you take the next responsible step toward it. ________________________________________ 7. You confuse familiarity with belonging. You may stay simply because you've been there a long time, even though the environment no longer fits who you're becoming. Counter-action: Ask whether the room fits your future, not just your history. Something can be familiar without being healthy for your growth. Sometimes leaving isn't rejection; it's recognition. ________________________________________ 8. You begin believing your dream is unrealistic. When everyone around you thinks small, your dream can begin to feel unreasonable simply because it is different. Counter-action: Expose yourself to people who think possibility. Spend time with people who have pursued difficult things and understand that meaningful dreams often look unreasonable before they become real. ________________________________________ 9. You become emotionally exhausted. Constantly defending your ideas, explaining yourself, or trying to prove your value consumes energy that should be going toward your dream. Counter-action: Stop spending dream energy on unnecessary validation. Not every critic deserves a response. Protect your emotional bandwidth and redirect it toward building. ________________________________________ 10. You become overly dependent on external validation. You may need someone else to say "good job" before you believe you actually did one. Counter-action: Develop internal validation. Learn to recognize progress even when nobody is clapping. Sometimes the most important person who needs to believe in your progress is you. ________________________________________ 11. You begin playing a role instead of living authentically. You become whoever the room rewards rather than who you genuinely are. Counter-action: Return to authenticity. Ask yourself, "Who am I when I don't have to perform for acceptance?" Your dream should be connected to your identity—not a character you created to survive someone else's expectations. ________________________________________ 12. You lose momentum. Constant discouragement creates hesitation, and hesitation eventually becomes inactivity. Counter-action: Create movement before motivation returns. Take one small action that reconnects you with your dream. Momentum often returns after movement—not before it. ________________________________________ 13. You become afraid to fail publicly. If the room already doubts you, failure can feel like proof that they were right. Counter-action: Redefine failure as information. A setback doesn't validate the room's opinion. It gives you information about what needs to change, improve, or be attempted differently. ________________________________________ 14. You start comparing yourself to the wrong people. You measure your progress against people whose values, circumstances, goals, or definitions of success are completely different from yours. Counter-action: Choose a better scoreboard. Measure yourself against the person you were yesterday and the person your dream requires you to become tomorrow. ________________________________________ 15. You become resentful. Being repeatedly ignored or undervalued can create anger toward the people who seem to hold you back. Counter-action: Turn resentment into redirection. Instead of spending your energy proving them wrong, use that energy to build something that proves yourself right. ________________________________________ 16. You begin abandoning parts of yourself. You may stop talking about your interests, ideas, ambitions, or dreams because you've learned they aren't welcomed. Counter-action: Recover what you silenced. Revisit the ideas, passions, and dreams you buried to fit into the room. Some of your greatest potential may be hiding underneath everything you stopped allowing yourself to express. ________________________________________ 17. You mistake rejection for a verdict. Someone saying "no" can begin to feel like the world saying "no." Counter-action: Treat rejection as redirection, not definition. One room's rejection doesn't determine your destiny. Sometimes the closed door is simply evidence that you are knocking on the wrong door. ________________________________________ 18. You become afraid of outgrowing people. You may intentionally hold yourself back because you're afraid success will change relationships or make others uncomfortable. Counter-action: Allow growth without apology. You can love people without remaining the same size for their comfort. Growth may change relationships, but refusing to grow changes you. ________________________________________ 19. You forget what you originally wanted. The longer you live according to someone else's expectations, the harder it can become to distinguish your dream from the life you've been conditioned to accept. Counter-action: Return to the original question: "What do I want?" Strip away expectations, obligations, comparisons, and other people's definitions of success. Reconnect with the dream underneath the noise. ________________________________________ 20. You conclude that something is wrong with you. This is perhaps the most dangerous consequence. Eventually, the dreamer may believe, "Maybe I'm the problem." Counter-action: Consider that

  6. Aug 4

    EP 130: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey, Part 2

    EP 130: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey, Part 2 Last week I spoke about how before you ever arrive somewhere meaningful, you spend hours making decisions, adjusting, overcoming obstacles, and continuing forward. That's exactly how dreams work. They are rarely accomplished in one giant leap. They're achieved one mile, one decision, one obstacle, and one lesson at a time. In this episode, I will be taking you on a journey of making your dreams come true.  I use this framework of taking a trip in the car as a way to illustrate what that would look like as a way to remember this easier. It was so much information that I split this episode in two. Are you someone that may be stuck in a job or a situation where you know there is so much more but have no idea how to get there?  Do you dream of something bigger but don't know what or where to start? Well I want to tell you how I can help you with that.  My role isn't to provide answers—it's to help people like you step through that fear, replacing uncertainty with clarity, isolation with partnership, and hesitation with purposeful action. And if you don't have any of these and are ready to start your journey, I 'm here for you too! I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." A gift for you:  3 Ways to Know You Are Ready To Start Achieving Your Dreams Get your gift at edwinsoler.com/gift Quote of the week:  Quote of the week: "Dreams don't work unless you do." — John C. Maxwell Points covered  in this episode: The journey continues: More challenges lie ahead but you are prepared for them. •    Flat Tires- A flat tire interrupts the journey, but it doesn't cancel it. Problems demand attention, not surrender. Life's disappointments are often temporary repairs, not permanent endings. Learning to fix what breaks is part of becoming the person capable of reaching the destination. •    Engine Trouble- Occasionally the issue isn't external—it's under the hood. Something inside the vehicle requires repair before continuing. Sometimes our beliefs, attitudes, habits, or emotional wounds become the real obstacles. Until those internal issues are addressed, external progress remains limited. •    Getting Lost- Missing an exit doesn't make the destination disappear. It simply requires humility to admit you're off course and the willingness to make corrections. Many people spend years pretending they're headed in the right direction because they're too proud to turn around. Growth often begins with admitting you've been driving the wrong road. •    Using GPS- GPS constantly gives guidance, even after mistakes are made. It doesn't shame you for taking a wrong turn—it simply recalculates. Mentors, coaches, faith, wisdom, and trusted counsel serve the same purpose. The best guidance doesn't condemn your mistakes; it redirects your future. •    Ignoring the GPS- We've all done it—thinking we know a better shortcut. Sometimes that shortcut adds an hour to the trip. Pride has a way of convincing us that advice is optional. Dreams are often delayed because we insist on learning every lesson the hard way. •    Carpooling- Long journeys become lighter when shared with the right people. Great companions encourage you, help navigate, share expenses, and make difficult miles enjoyable. The wrong passengers, however, complain constantly, distract you, criticize your direction, and drain your energy. Choosing who rides with you is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. •    Passengers Who Want a Different Destination- Not everyone sitting beside you shares your vision. Some will continually suggest turning around or heading somewhere safer. If you constantly surrender your destination to satisfy everyone else, you'll never arrive where you were meant to go. Protecting your dream sometimes means disappointing people who never intended to travel your road. •    Changing Drivers- During long trips, drivers switch because fatigue affects judgment. In life, trusted mentors, accountability partners, and wise counselors can temporarily help you regain perspective when you're emotionally exhausted. Asking for help doesn't mean giving up control; it means protecting the journey. •    Roadside Attractions- Interesting attractions can provide refreshing moments along the drive. Celebrating milestones, victories, and moments of joy keeps motivation alive. Just don't confuse the attraction with the destination. Enjoy the stops, but don't unpack your life there. •    Driving at Night- At night you can only see a short distance ahead, yet that's enough to keep moving. Dreams often unfold this way. You don't need to see the entire future—you only need enough light for the next faithful step. •    Sunrise After a Long Night- Every overnight drive eventually welcomes the morning. What once felt uncertain suddenly becomes clearer. Seasons of struggle don't last forever. If you keep driving, clarity eventually catches up with your courage. •    Helping Another Stranded Driver- Sometimes you pull over to help someone whose car has broken down. It delays your arrival slightly, but it reminds you that the journey isn't just about you. Often the people you help today become part of the encouragement you need tomorrow. Dreams become more meaningful when they lift others along the way. •    Watching the Miles Add Up- Most trips don't feel dramatic mile by mile. Yet every mile matters, even the ordinary ones. Dreams are rarely built in moments of excitement—they're built in thousands of faithful, unnoticed steps. Consistency often accomplishes what intensity never can. •    Crossing the State Line- There comes a moment when you realize you've entered new territory. Nothing magical happened at the border; you simply kept driving until the scenery changed. Personal transformation happens the same way. One day you look back and realize you're no longer the person who first started the journey. •    Finally Arriving- Reaching the destination feels incredible, but something surprising happens almost immediately—you begin imagining the next adventure. The destination provides satisfaction, but the journey is what transformed you into someone capable of getting there. Your greatest reward isn't the place you arrived; it's the person you became along the way. •    Planning the Next Journey- Every meaningful destination eventually becomes another starting point. The confidence, wisdom, resilience, and experience gained from one dream prepare you for an even greater one. Life isn't about reaching one final destination and stopping. It's about becoming the kind of person who continually answers the call to grow, explore, and pursue the next dream with even greater faith and purpose. Closing Thoughts: Don't forget to celebrate!  But if you only celebrate arriving, you'll miss the thousands of moments where your character was built. Dreams are never simply about getting somewhere—they're about becoming someone. Every toll paid, every detour endured, every storm survived, every mile traveled, and every lesson learned is shaping you into the person your dream has been waiting for all along. The destination may inspire you to start the journey, but it's the journey that transforms you into someone capable of living the dream. And there you have it!  The Road Trip of a Lifetime: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey!  Part 2 If this resonated with you then feel free to reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat (click on the link).  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough.  I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  7. Jul 29

    EP 129: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey! Part 1

    The Road Trip of a Lifetime: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey  Part 1 Before you ever arrive somewhere meaningful, you spend hours making decisions, adjusting, overcoming obstacles, and continuing forward. That's exactly how dreams work. They are rarely accomplished in one giant leap. They're achieved one mile, one decision, one obstacle, and one lesson at a time. In this episode, I will be taking you on a journey of making your dreams come true.  I use this framework of taking a trip in the car as a way to illustrate what that would look like as a way to remember this easier. Are you stuck in a job or a situation where you know there is so much more for you?  Do you dream of something bigger but don't know what or where to start? Well I want to tell you how I can help you with that.  My role isn't to provide answers—it's to help people like you step through that fear, replacing uncertainty with clarity, isolation with partnership, and hesitation with purposeful action.  I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors and/or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." A gift for you:  3 Ways to Know You Are Ready To Start Achieving Your Dreams Get your gift at edwinsoler.com/gift Quote of the week:  "Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground." — Theodore Roosevelt •    Eyes on the Stars: Represents your dreams, vision, and long-term goals. It is the ambition that drives you to reach higher and think outside the box.  •    Feet on the Ground: Represents your values, practical steps, and current reality. It ensures you maintain a solid grasp of your daily responsibilities and foundational principles.  Points covered: How it all starts: If you don't know where you are going, you will not get there to begin with. •    Choosing the Destination Every road trip begins with answering one simple question: "Where do I want to go?" Before you ever turn the key, your destination already exists in your imagination.  •    Deciding the Trip is Worth Taking Plenty of people dream about visiting amazing places but never actually leave their driveway. The decision separates dreamers from travelers.  •    Mapping the Route Nobody simply starts driving hundreds of miles hoping they'll accidentally arrive. You consult a map, GPS, or itinerary because direction matters more than speed.  •    Preparing the Vehicle Before leaving on a long journey, wise travelers inspect the tires, brakes, fluids, battery, and engine. They know a neglected vehicle is far more likely to break down.  •    Packing the Essentials Nobody packs everything they own for a road trip. They intentionally choose what will help and leave behind what will only weigh them down. Pursuing a dream requires doing the same with your life.  •    Fueling Up Before Leaving Starting with an empty gas tank would be foolish. You begin full because you know there may be long stretches without another station. Spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, you also need to start full.  •    Checking the Weather Experienced drivers know the weather influences the journey, but it doesn't determine the destination. Rain may slow you down, snow may require caution, and storms may force temporary adjustments.  •    Leaving the Comfort of the Driveway Nothing happens until the car actually begins moving. The driveway feels safe because it's familiar, but nothing new is discovered there. Every meaningful dream begins with uncomfortable action.  •    Following the Speed Limit Driving too slowly keeps you from reaching your destination, but driving recklessly can destroy the journey altogether. Growth has a pace. Many people delay their dreams through procrastination, while others sabotage them by rushing success before they're prepared.  •    Watching the Fuel Gauge Throughout the drive, you constantly monitor how much fuel remains. Ignoring the gauge eventually leaves you stranded. The same is true emotionally.  •    Stopping for Fuel Refueling may seem like it delays the journey, but it's actually what makes the journey possible. Breaks aren't signs of weakness; they're investments in longevity. Rest is often the difference between finishing your dream and abandoning it halfway there. •    Paying the Tolls Some roads require a toll if you want access to faster or better routes. Success also demands payment—not always financially, but through discipline, sacrifice, consistency, learning, and perseverance. Every worthwhile dream has a price tag attached to it.  •    Driving Through Construction Zones Construction slows traffic because improvements are taking place. While frustrating in the moment, those delays create safer and stronger roads for future travelers. Personal growth often feels like construction.  •    Unexpected Detours GPS suddenly announces, "Recalculating route." The original road is closed, but the destination hasn't changed. Dreams often unfold exactly this way. What feels like a setback is sometimes the only road leading you toward an even better outcome than the one you originally imagined. •    Traffic Jams Sometimes you do everything right and still sit completely still. Progress appears invisible even though you're still on the correct road. Seasons like these teach patience, endurance, and trust.  Closing Thoughts: If you only celebrate arriving, you'll miss the thousands of moments where your character was built. Dreams are never simply about getting somewhere—they're about becoming someone. Every toll paid, every detour endured, every storm survived, every mile traveled, and every lesson learned is shaping you into the person your dream has been waiting for all along. The destination may inspire you to start the journey, but it's the journey that transforms you into someone capable of living the dream. And there you have it!  The Road Trip of a Lifetime: Why Dreams Are Never a Destination—They're a Journey!  Part 1 If this resonated with you then feel free to reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat (click on the link).  It's only about 30 minutes to get started  and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough.  I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. You can find it and so much more I offer for your journey to make your dreams come true by going to edwinsoler.com/gift and getting your gift to get started. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

  8. Jul 23

    EP 128: Fifteen Real Reasons Many Say No To Their Dreams!

    Why do so many people say no to their dreams?  I'm someone that is very curious about these things and when you strip away the surface objections many people have, almost every hesitation falls into one of these Deeper Emotional Drivers:   • Fear of failure – "What if this doesn't work?"  • Fear of success – "What if my life actually changes?"  • Fear of vulnerability – "Someone will see the real me."  • Fear of wasting money – "I've been disappointed before."  • Fear of being judged – "People will think I can't handle my own life."  • Fear of commitment – "What if I can't finish?"  • Fear of change – "My current life is miserable...but it's familiar."  • Fear of trusting again – "I've been let down too many times."  • Fear of hope – "It's easier not to dream than to be disappointed again."   The Biggest Hidden Objection The strongest resistance often isn't about coaching at all. It's this: "What if I discover I'm capable of more than I've been living...and then I have no excuse not to pursue it?"   Do any of these resonate with you?   That's the tension many people carry. They don't fear the coach as much as they fear confronting the gap between the life they're living and the life they believe they're meant to live.   My  role isn't simply to provide answers—it's to help people like you step through that fear, replacing uncertainty with clarity, isolation with partnership, and hesitation with purposeful action. That shift in identity and possibility is often more compelling than coaching itself.     I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast.  "I help professionals that desire to be speakers, authors or coaches uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing."     Quote of the week: "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'" — Muhammad Ali   Points covered:   In this episode, I cover three points for each question:  What's being asked, the real pain behind the question and my Dream Realization Counterpoint.   1. Do I really need a life coach? They don't believe they're "broken enough" to deserve help. They think they should figure everything out alone. You don't hire someone because you're broken—you partner with someone because your dream is too important to leave to chance.   2. Is life coaching worth the money? Fear of wasting money. They've invested in things before that didn't work. The greatest expense isn't coaching—it's spending another five years living beneath your potential.   3. Can a coach really help me? They doubt anyone can understand their unique situation. A Dream Realization Partner doesn't have to live your life—they help you see what you can't see from inside it.   4. What if coaching doesn't work? Fear of disappointment and another failed attempt. Coaching isn't magic. Transformation happens when commitment meets the right guidance.   5. Can't I just read books or watch YouTube? They believe information equals transformation. Information gives knowledge. Partnership creates accountability, clarity, and momentum. Those are completely different.   6. Why can't I motivate myself? They're ashamed they've lost confidence. Motivation fades. Vision, purpose, and accountability create sustainable action.   7. Am I a failure if I need help? Pride mixed with insecurity. The strongest leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs all have coaches because growth is intentional—not accidental.   8. How do I know if a coach is legitimate? Fear of scams and fake experts. The right partner doesn't promise perfection—they provide clarity, challenge, honesty, and measurable progress.   9. What if I'm not ready? Fear disguised as preparation. You'll never feel completely ready. Readiness is created by taking the first courageous step.   10. What if I don't follow through? They've broken promises to themselves before. A Dream Realization Partner helps rebuild trust with yourself one commitment at a time.   11. What if I have too many problems to fix? They feel overwhelmed and don't know where to begin. You don't solve your entire life in one day. You create one breakthrough that changes everything else.   12. Is coaching just someone giving advice? They don't want to be lectured or controlled. Great coaching doesn't tell you what to do—it helps you discover the best version of yourself and equips you to become it.   13. Why do I keep starting and stopping? They've lost confidence in themselves. Consistency isn't about willpower—it's about removing what's keeping you stuck.   14. Will coaching force me to change who I am? Fear of losing their identity or comfort. True transformation doesn't change who you are—it uncovers who you were created to become.   15. What if people judge me for getting a coach? Fear of looking weak. People may judge your investment today, but they'll admire your transformation tomorrow   You do not have to have every single one of these. In fact, it only takes one to hold you back.  I don't want to see you stuck or making excuses. I want to see you make those dreams come true.  There is no better time than now to get started.    Stop comparing yourself to others that may seem like they have it all together and have no problems or challenges. The truth is that we all do.  It's how you face and overcome the challenges that makes a difference. And having me on your side will certainly make your journey a lot easier.  Because the fastest path from point A to point B is having someone like me with you.   If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat.  It's only about 30 minutes to get started and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough.   If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you!   This podcast is based on my book Closing The 18-Inch Gap and can be found by simply going here: edwinsoler.com/book

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This is a podcast based on the book titled Closing the 18-Inch Gap by Edwin Soler. This is a book that helps you discover the bloodspots in your mindset so that you can close your 18-inch gap which is the distance between your mind and your heart. Your heart desires to accomplish big dreams and lofty goals but your mind says you cannot do it for whatever reasons there may be. I help you close the gap so you can achieve your dreams and goals.

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