All It Takes Is A Goal

Jon Acuff
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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.

  1. ATG 254: Throw Your Bottles: Why the World Needs What You're Afraid to Create

    6D AGO

    ATG 254: Throw Your Bottles: Why the World Needs What You're Afraid to Create

    I've written 11 books, but I didn't have a 10-year plan. I just got tired of my fearful mindset dictating my entire life. In my mid-30s, I threw my first bottle into the ocean—and it changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing why you need to throw yours too. Here's the metaphor: You're on an island called "My Life," and the things you create are tiny notes you shove into bottles. When you throw them with courage and conviction, they float away to shores you've never seen—bookshelf, Spotify, Etsy, Amazon, maybe even Estonia. Someone opens that bottle and says, "This was made for me." You've never met them. You've never been to their city or country. That's the magic. When we make things, we change. When we share them, other people change. I don't know what your bottle is—a book, album, business, podcast, painting, or something else entirely—but I know it's time to throw it. We're all waiting. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by A R on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    13 min
  2. ATG 253: Be a Rebel: Why Hope is an Act of Open Rebellion in a World Addicted to Fear

    OCT 27

    ATG 253: Be a Rebel: Why Hope is an Act of Open Rebellion in a World Addicted to Fear

    A viral tweet recently claimed that 30-year-olds today can't afford what previous generations could—a house they like, a decent car, a $100K salary, and a stay-at-home spouse. Here's the truth: I was 30 in 2006 and only achieved half of that list. We had seafoam green carpet, a purple bedroom, squirrels living in our roof, a 2-door Camry with 150,000 miles, and a two-hour commute. But we were building something. In this episode, I'm breaking down why people procrastinate when they create impossible-to-achieve dreams, why you shouldn't be discouraged if you can't have all of it right now, and why trying anyway is an act of rebellion. Instagram tells you everyone else has it all. The media tells you you'll never get it. Don't fall into that procrastination trap. Pick the parts you want first and give a little on the others. In a world addicted to fear, hope is an act of open rebellion. Be a rebel. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    16 min
  3. ATG 252: The One Word That Will Sextuple Your Success (It's Not What You Think)

    OCT 20

    ATG 252: The One Word That Will Sextuple Your Success (It's Not What You Think)

    81% of Americans want to write a book. Only 2% actually do. What's the difference between wanting and doing? One word: deadline. In this episode, I'm breaking down why deadlines are the secret weapon for finishing any goal—whether you're writing a book, getting in shape, or finally decluttering that garage. Your Peloton is collecting dust, your planner has cobwebs, and that Ninja Creami is just an expensive paperweight because you're missing this crucial element. I'll show you how to create real deadlines (not fake ones) for any goal, why a goal is actually a promise you make to yourself, and how to join the 2% who actually finish what they start. Because books don't finish themselves, weight doesn't lose itself, and garages don't clean themselves. That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photos Photo by Jeremy Bishop and Photo by Road Ahead on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    17 min
  4. ATG 251: Marriage, Kids, and Snacks: 3 Soundtracks That Keep Us Sane

    OCT 13

    ATG 251: Marriage, Kids, and Snacks: 3 Soundtracks That Keep Us Sane

    Building a business and building a family both require one thing: being brave enough to be bad at something new. In this episode, Jenny and I talk about the soundtracks that have helped us stay sane through marriage, parenting, and every learning curve in between. From why the honeymoon should come six months in, to how we’ve learned to “not buy tickets” for each other’s anxious train rides, to the soundtrack that reminds us we’re raising adults, not just kids. We also unpack the logic trap of arguing with toddlers (spoiler: snacks solve more than you think) and why drawing hard lines out of frustration never works. These mindsets have kept our home peaceful, our marriage strong, and our family grounded - even in airport meltdowns. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Christophe Meyer on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    19 min
  5. ATG 250: Hit the Squirrel: 4 More Marriage Secrets That Built Our 7-Figure Life

    OCT 6

    ATG 250: Hit the Squirrel: 4 More Marriage Secrets That Built Our 7-Figure Life

    Building a 7-figure business while staying married for 25 years doesn't happen by accident. In this follow-up episode, I'm sharing four more marriage secrets that have helped Jenny and me not just survive but thrive together. You'll discover why "I wouldn't bet against us" became our rallying cry when people doubted our dreams, how playing to our strengths means I handle parking while she handles money (and why we always go to bed at the same time), and what "hit the squirrel" really means when you're trying to see the big picture. Plus, I'll tell you why the best way to learn about someone isn't dinner—it's card games. These aren't just relationship tips; they're the soundtracks that helped us build a business, raise kids, and create a life we never thought possible. In This Episode: Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    22 min
  6. ATG 249: 4 Marriage Secrets That Actually Work (And Changed Our Family)

    SEP 29

    ATG 249: 4 Marriage Secrets That Actually Work (And Changed Our Family)

    After almost 25 years of marriage, my wife Jenny and I have learned a few things that actually work—not just the clichés you hear everywhere. In this episode, I'm sharing four practical "soundtracks" we use in our marriage and parenting that have made all the difference. From knowing when to pause an argument (hint: we do better with coffee) to understanding that winners actually quit all the time—just the wrong things—these aren't your typical relationship tips. You'll also discover why "everything is always working out for us" isn't toxic positivity but a powerful mindset shift, and how "family shows up" became our guide for being present when it matters most. These secrets work so well, our kids have started saying them too. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photos by Christopher Jolly and Katie Harp on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    25 min
  7. ATG 248: I Did That! The Confidence-Building Exercise That Changes Everything

    SEP 22

    ATG 248: I Did That! The Confidence-Building Exercise That Changes Everything

    Feeling overwhelmed by all your goals? You're not alone—and that's exactly why we're starting with something different. Instead of brainstorming more things to do, let's celebrate what you've already accomplished. In this episode, I'm sharing the opening lesson from my Greatest Year Ever program, including the simple "I Did That!" exercise that builds the confidence you need for your biggest goals. You've already done hard things—you just haven't given yourself enough credit. Whether you graduated from school, traveled somewhere new, survived a challenge, or helped someone else, it all counts. Let's fill up your encouragement tank before we tackle what's next. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Nicolas I. on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    23 min
  8. ATG 247: Big Life, Small Worries: The 8 Words That Will Change Everything

    SEP 15

    ATG 247: Big Life, Small Worries: The 8 Words That Will Change Everything

    I recently told someone they should print out these 8 words and carry them in their wallet (which makes me sound ancient because who has a printer anymore?) But seriously, if you only remember 8 words from me in 2025, let it be these: "Big life, small worries. Small life, big worries." Here's the thing—if you want small worries, live a life so big you don't have time to stress over the little stuff. Stress grows in the big open chunks of unclaimed time. When I'm writing a book or planning an event, I don't have mental energy for social media drama or one-star Amazon reviews. But when I don't have a mission? That's when I can camp out on stress for days. Your retired uncle watching political news 12 hours a day? He chose a small life and now has bandwidth for big worries. The solution isn't pulling back from big opportunities—it's going all in on your big life and watching your worries shrink. In This Episode: Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends! Keep up with my book list on GoodReads! Sign up for my newsletter, Try This! Book me to speak at your event or to your team! My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com. Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today! Episode Artwork Photo by Andrew Ly on Unsplash Have me speak at your next event!

    14 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Acuff
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    255
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 All It Takes Is A Goal
  • Show Website
    All It Takes Is A Goal

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