Most people rush into goal setting without slowing down long enough to recognize the life they've already lived.

In this episode, John walks through the updated 2026 Growth and Goals exercise, a reflective framework he uses with coaching clients and leadership teams to help them honor their growth and set intentional direction for the year ahead.

Through a personal story and a guided, question by question walkthrough, this episode invites you to slow down, look honestly at how far you've come, and then define goals that actually matter.

🟩 Download the 2026 Growth and Goals Exercise:
https://learnloft.com/annual-growth-audit/

Listen straight through, pause and jot down your answers as you go, or download the exercise and work through it on your own.

Most people move too slowly. They wait for clarity, permission, or the perfect moment. High performers do something different. They take advantage of the moment at hand.

In this episode, John explains why speed and urgency are perpetually underrated advantages in leadership, sales, and life. Drawing from real-world examples, including healthcare, sales, and high-performing leaders, he shows why speed is not recklessness but respect for the moment in front of you.

You'll also learn how leaders can build a culture of urgency without burning out their teams by demonstrating speed, talking about it clearly, and celebrating it intentionally.

🟩 Quote of the Day:
"Speed is not rushing. It is respect for the moment in front of you."

📘 Get the book The Optimistic Outlook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4R5VJH1/

Today I want to share something meaningful with you.

What began as a simple idea to help my kids strengthen their mindset on the way to school grew into a daily newsletter, then a podcast, and now a book. In this special episode, I read the full introduction to my new book, The Optimistic Outlook.

The introduction sets the tone for everything the book stands for. It is honest about the reality we all face and the negativity that can shape our thinking, and it offers a simple but powerful truth. You can choose your optimistic voice. One thought at a time. One lesson at a time.

If you have been encouraged by this show, the newsletter, or any of the daily messages this year, I think this introduction will speak to you. It explains why optimism is not a feeling you stumble into. It is a skill you train.

In this episode, you will hear:
• The story behind the Optimistic Outlook
• Why your mindset is the most important muscle in your body
• The difference between the pessimistic voice and the optimistic voice
• Why choosing optimism is not naive, it is intentional
• How daily thoughts shape long-term identity
• Why I wrote this book and who it is for

Quote from the episode:
"Life is too short and too hard to let your mind settle into negativity. Your mind must be challenged, shaped, and trained to believe good things can happen and that the future can be bright."

If this message resonates with you, you can get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4R5VJH1

Use your gifts,
John Eades