The Growth Guide: Self-Improvement | Greatness | Impact | Creators | FI |

In today's episode, I talk about the art of aligning your actions with your true desires to achieve success and fulfillment. 

Learn about the importance of knowing what you want, understanding what it takes, and doing the work consistently.  This episode provides practical examples and highlights common pitfalls like blaming, complaining, and getting angry when expectations aren't met.

Tune in to discover how reconciliation isn't about giving up, but about living with purpose and ensuring your actions truly reflect your goals.

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/are-you-reconciled/

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

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Today, we have JL Collins on the podcast, a best-selling author and Financial Independence blogger.

JL’s first book, The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life, was published in 2016 and has become something of a bible for people in the financial independence movement.

He joined me today to discuss his new book: Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence.

We talk about financial independence theoretically, but more, we talk about stories of JL’s readers who’ve written to him or called him to tell him their story.

People who’ve shared how his lessons on financial independence have changed their lives and from that, my friends, I hope there are lessons that can change your lives

Timestamps:

[08:46] The Post-College Adventure: JL discusses his decision to travel through Europe after starting a career and how it shaped his financial goals.

[11:37] The Power of a High Savings Rate: The importance of maintaining a high savings rate for achieving financial independence.

[18:59] Financial Independence, Happiness, and Life Purpose: JL explores deeper philosophical questions about the relationship between happiness, purpose, and financial independence.

[21:43] Early Financial Discipline: How early financial discipline translates to long-term financial security.

[27:44] The Rare Advocacy for Financial Independence: Why the pursuit of financial independence remains rare in a society dominated by consumerism.

[39:20] Debt Repayment Strategy: The pros and cons of paying off small debts versus focusing on high-interest debt first.

[57:49] Living Differently: The benefits of living a non-conventional lifestyle to achieve financial independence.

[01:06:24] The Magic of Compounding: The power of compounding and how it can turn small initial investments into substantial wealth.

Connect with JL Collins:

Website – https://jlcollinsnh.com/ 

Twitter – https://x.com/jlcollinsnh 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553123045028  

Books by JL Collins:

Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence―And How to Join Them

The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life

In today's episode, we're flipping conventional wisdom on its head by diving deep into the surprising philosophy of using laziness as a superpower.  

Join me as I talk about how this counterintuitive approach has helped me achieve remarkable milestones: becoming a CFO, completing an Ironman and an ultra marathon, running every day for a year and a half, and building a multimillion-dollar portfolio, all while maintaining a rich personal life.

I'll break down the key pillars of "lazy efficiency." We'll explore how saying "no" strategically can open up your calendar for what truly matters, why automation and delegation are your best friends, and how to transform wasted spaces into productive opportunities. 

Whether you're looking to optimize your professional or personal life, this episode promises to change how you view and leverage your own laziness for a more efficient and fulfilling life.

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

 https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/laziness-is-a-superpower/

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

https://thegrowth.guide/newsletter/

Today, we have Brian Preston on the podcast.  Brian Preston, (CPA, CFP®, PFS) is the author of Millionaire Mission and Founder & Host of The Money Guy Show.

Brian lays out a nine-step system for building wealth with the money you already have in his new book: Millionaire Mission.

We cover the five levels of wealth, financial order of operations, and the mindset needed for wealth building. Brian also discusses the importance of balancing savings and enjoying life, understanding the difference between being rich and being wealthy, and the impact of savings and investing on one's financial journey. 

I really enjoyed this conversation with Brian, and I hope you do too.

Timestamps:

[1:56} The Influence of Mr. Morrow: The Morrow moment, a pivotal event that changed Brian’s financial journey.

[4:14]  “Army of Dollars”: the idea of an "army of dollars" working for you while you sleep.

[9:07] Financial Order of Operations: A step-by-step guide for managing money.

[13:12] Cash and Retirement Accounts: Important of having emergency reserves and having retirement accounts.

[16:37] Being Rich vs. Wealthy: Brian explains the difference between being rich and being wealthy.

[33:45] Teaching Children About Money: Brian shares his approach to teaching his daughter about money and savings.

[52:37} Financial Independence: Brian shares his journey to financial independence, starting with small investments in his 20s.

[56:59] The Five Levels of Wealth: Stability, strategy, security, freedom, and abundance.

[1:02:49] Maintaining Financial Discipline: Brian emphasizes the need for regular measurements and success indicators.

Connect with Brian Preston

Website – https://moneyguy.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/moneyguyshow/

Twitter – https://x.com/moneyguyshow

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneyguy/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@moneyguyshow

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyGuyShow

Book by Brian Preston:

Millionaire Mission: A 9-Step System to Level Up Your Finances and Build Wealth

In today's episode, we dive into a popular entrepreneurial concept: "burning the boats." I talk about the historical roots of this idea, drawing inspiration from the story of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes.

But is this approach really for everyone? I also introduce the "Spider Man approach," advocating for a more cautious and strategic way to pursue new ventures while still working a 9 to 5 job.

Join me while I discus the risks, rewards, and personal considerations of both approaches, guiding you on your journey to financial freedom and success. Whether you're considering burning the boats or swinging like Spider Man, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make the best decision for your future. 

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/burn-the-boats/

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

https://thegrowth.guide/newsletter/

Today, we have Ross Simmonds on the podcast.  Ross is an entrepreneur and marketing strategist, and is the founder of Foundation Marketing, a B2B content marketing agency that combines data and creativity to support successful and ambitious software brands in the worlds.  Foundations has worked with brands like Canva, Jobber, Enboarder and more.

Ross joined us today to discuss his book, Create Once, Distribute Forever: How Great Creators Spread Their Ideas and How You Can Too.

In this episode, Ross emphasizes the importance of intentional and supportive relationships, with a focus on resilience, community engagement, and effective content distribution across multiple platforms. 

Ross shares insights on repurposing content, leveraging social media metrics, and the significance of building genuine connections to attract success.  We explore the challenges of creating content, managing backlash on social media, and practical advice for dealing with criticism. 

Tune in for strategies to level up your social media game.


[07:07] Leverage Twitter: Leveraging Twitter for virality requires strategic content.

[14:49] Content Creation:  Create valuable content to capture potential leads.

[21:10] Repurposing Content:  Repurpose content for multiple platforms to maximize reach.

[40:18] Email Lists:  Build email list for direct, effective communication.

[54:44] Empower Others:  Celebrating others leads to increased engagement. Empower and uplift through recognition and support.

[59:39] The 4 E’s:  Use 4 E's to steal an audience.

[01:06:14] Sharing work: embrace feedback and learn. Fear communities.

Connect with Ross Simmonds

Website – https://rosssimmonds.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thecoolestcool/

Twitter – https://x.com/thecoolestcool

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@RossSimmondsTV

Create Once, Distribute Forever: How Great Creators Spread Their Ideas and How You Can Too

Book by Ross Simmonds

In today's episode, we dive into a topic we all face at some point - hitting the wall. 

I share my personal experiences and offer valuable insights on how to bounce back from burnout and avoid hitting the wall in the first place. From setting boundaries to self-care techniques, I provide practical advice to help you recharge and excel. 

Join me as we explore the importance of awareness, prioritization, and the 3 d's - defer, delete, delegate. Plus, learn six simple steps to bounce back, including reconnecting with hobbies, getting ample rest, and practicing mindfulness.  

Tune in and get ready to tackle burnout and achieve more in your life.

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/hitting-the-wall/

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

https://thegrowth.guide/newsletter/

Today, we have Scott Young on the podcast.  Scott is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Ultralearning, a podcast host, computer programmer, and an avid reader. Since 2006, he has published weekly essays to help people learn and think better. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Pocket, and Business Insider, on the BBC, and at TEDx among other outlets. 

Scott joined us today to discuss his new book – Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into learning and skill development with Scott. From the debate around unlearning in psychology to the real-life examples of refining motor skills, we explore the complexity of acquiring new abilities. Scott’s expertise helps enrich our understanding of deliberate practice, problem-solving, and the power of imitation in creativity.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Scott, our second one, and I hope you do too.

[05:34] Learning is complex, with three main themes: learning from others, practice, and feedback. 

[19:52] Embracing failure is important, but not always the best teacher for success.

[21:43] Success comes from learning by doing and having early victories is key for motivation and learning.

[32:02] Questioning value of extreme dedication and improvement in skill.

[42:08] Strategies include watching problem solving and detailed storytelling for knowledge retention.

[52:41] Learning through examples, feedback, and cognitive load in problem solving.

[1:07:40] Discussing mind as a muscle and transference for skill improvement.

[1:18:04] Learning new skills requires practice and consistency to overcome old habits and succeed under stress. 

Connect with Scott Young

Website – https://www.scotthyoung.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/scotthyoung/

Twitter – https://x.com/ScottHYoung

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthyoung/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@ScottHYoungVid

Books

Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery by Scott H. Young

Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/get-better-at-anything

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

https://thegrowth.guide/newsletter/

Enjoy this re-release with my guest, Brian Feroldi. Brian is a financial educator, author, speaker, creator, and YouTuber. Brian began investing in 2004. He had no idea what he was doing at first, but as his experience and knowledge of the stock market developed, his returns improved considerably. He enjoys assisting others in making better financial decisions, particularly with regard to investments. He joined us today to talk about his book, ‘Why Does the Stock Market Go Up?: Everything You Should Have Been Taught About Investing in School, But Weren't.’

According to Brian, the most powerful time to start investing is when you are young. The more time that you have on your side, the more powerful the dollars that you are putting into the market. Brian shares the common investing mistakes people make and how to avoid making those mistakes.

We explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of taking a company public and investing in mutual funds. Brian also dives into the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the creation of the S&P 500. 

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of finance.

[02.54] US stock market – Starting the conversation, Brian explains why he addresses the US stock market as the greatest wealth-creation machine of all time in his book.

[10.29] Selling ownership – We talk about how a corporation can raise money from investors by selling ownership in itself.

[16.03] New York Stock Exchange - The largest stock market exchange in the world today.

[23.15] IPO – Brian defines what an IPO is and how it interfaces with the stock market.

[30.21] P/E ratio – Brian defines the Price to Earnings ratio and the macroeconomic factors that resulted in a high or low ratio in different time periods.

[38.05] Benjamin Graham – Benjamin Graham invented the concept of value investing, influenced Warren Buffett

[43.00] Compounding - The compounding of an investment leads to massive gains in wealth over time.

[50.49] Mutual funds – Brian explains the reasons for the underperformance of mutual funds.

[59.46] Financial advisor – We talk about the things people need to be looking out for if they are going to use a financial advisor.

Resources

Connect with Brian 

Website - brianferoldi.com/ 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/brianferoldi/ 

Instagram - instagram.com/brianferoldi/ 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrianFeroldiYT

Twitter - twitter.com/BrianFeroldi 

Book by Brian

Why Does The Stock Market Go Up?: Everything You Should Have Been Taught About Investing In School, But Weren't 

Book by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Book by Terry Smith

Investing for Growth: How to make money by only buying the best companies in the world – An anthology of investment writing

In this episode, we'll take a journey through the different seasons of life that shape and define our existence. 

From Formation, where our character is molded by early experiences, to Adolescence, where we start setting the foundation for our future, to Baby Season, a time of pure joy in bringing new life into the world. 

But we'll also dive into the harder seasons, such as Funeral Season, where we confront loss and grief, and ultimately, the final season, Death. 

Join me as I navigate through the beauty and lessons of each season and learn to cherish the moments along the way.

👉 For more on this episode, check out the website:

https://thegrowth.guide/podcast/the-seasons-of-life/

 👉 If you want to learn how to Live Better, Achieve More, and Be Financially Free, Sign up for my Free Newsletter:

https://thegrowth.guide/newsletter/