It's a Good Life

Listen to the full episode hereNegotiation is a crucial skill in both business and life, but unfortunately many people do it poorly. In this episode, Brian interviews former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator Chris Voss about the negotiation tools he has used to save lives and learns how these tools can be used in business to save deals! Based on emotional intelligence and human nature, these specific skills transcend culture, build trust and uncover the other side’s value system. If you want to nail negotiation, this podcast is a must!  Inspirational quotes from today’s podcast:“Learning is the only sustainable competitive advantage for anybody.” — Chris Voss“The person who wants to meet you in the middle is usually a poor judge of distance.” — Anonymous“You can never stop learning about understanding people.” — Chris Voss“If you get out of argument-based negotiations, your success sneaks up on you.” — Chris Voss“You don’t have to be combative to be a great negotiator.” — Chris Voss“You’ve got to keep the other side’s guard down.” — Chris Voss“You need the other side to hear themselves out loud.” — Chris Voss“Curiosity is a positive frame of mind.” — Chris Voss“There’s a difference between being likeable and needing to be liked.” — Chris VossItsagoodlife.com

At the age of 28, Scott Harrison walked away from his career as a top nightclub promoter in New York to volunteer on a hospital ship in West Africa and discover his true calling. In this episode, he tells Brian how, with no money or experience, he founded charity: water, an organization that has raised over $740 million to bring clean drinking water to more than 18.4 million people around the world. YOU WILL LEARN:·     How his childhood shaped him.  ·     How he came to a radical decision to reset his life.   ·     How he built one of the most trusted nonprofits in the world. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: charity: water “Thirst,” by Scott Harrison NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “703 million humans are poisoning themselves today because of the situations they were born into. And it's a solvable problem.” – Scott Harrison “We literally know how to help 100% of the people on earth get water, but we haven't chosen to do it. We haven't built the will, the determination. We haven't built the movement. We haven't raised the resources to do it. But that's what keeps me so excited.” – Scott Harrison “I feel so fortunate, at 28, to have realized there would never be enough. There would never be enough - someone would always have more.” – Scott Harrison “I just encourage people to ask a different question: how can I use my time and my talent and my money in the service of others?” – Scott Harrison“It almost is intoxicating when you're moving from a life of accumulation, of collecting the markers of success, to then saying, ‘Well, what if my life could benefit others?’” – Scott Harrisonitsagoodlife.com

Listen to the full episode here“When work is your blessing and you do so much of it, your life is more of a blessing. It's more of a contributor to the good life that you want to live.” – Brian BuffiniIn today’s world, many people see work as something to be endured, not enjoyed. In this episode, Brian explains why our culture’s definition of success needs to be re-examined, why a lack of self-control and an inability to delay gratification mean people get stuck in jobs they dislike and why, when done in the right way, work offers far more than just financial reward and is the key to the good life.YOU WILL LEARN:Why work is often perceived as a curse.The three blessings of work. The best way to work. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:S1E191, Do the Hustle INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“Opportunity is missed by most people because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison“Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses and some don't turn up at all.” – Sam Ewing“If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.” – Stephen Covey“Our economic decisions can doom us to doing jobs we hate and they can eliminate our choices.” – Brian Buffini“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie“I have this great passion myself for this calling to bring the good life to more people; to help people feel better, to help people think better and to help people do better.” – Brian Buffini“When you view work as a blessing and not a curse, those who come after you will see work as a blessing and not a curse and their work will impact others.” – Brian Buffiniitsagoodlife.com

In today’s busy world, procrastination is the mortal enemy of potential and true achievement. In this episode, Brian explains how you can stop making excuses, conquer procrastination and get on the road to incredible success. YOU WILL LEARN:·     The psychology of procrastination.·     The impacts of procrastination.·     Tips to beat procrastination. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:S2E166 The Power of PerseveranceS2E170 The Slow Burn of Success: Cultivating Patience S1E059 Get Organized Now! The Most Organized Man in America – with Dr. Alex Lackey S2E141 What I Learned from Jim Rohn DO IT N.O.W. “The Power of Habit,” by Charles Duhigg “The Power of Full Engagement,” by Jim Loehr and Tony SchwartzThe Peak ExperienceNOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “When we get people to beat procrastination, we can get people to beat their goals.” – Brian Buffini “Procrastination is not waiting and it is more than delaying. It is a decision not to act.” – Dr. Joseph Ferrari “We are so scared of being judged that we look for every excuse to procrastinate.” – Erica Jong “When you're doing the good stuff on autopilot, you're winning.” – Brian Buffini “Habits and routines are the secret elixir of the most successful people in the world.” – Brian Buffiniitsagoodlife.com

Listen to the full episode hereHomeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. In this episode, Brian explains why real estate has been the making of him in his career, as a provider for his family and as a primary source of investment. Topics discussed include why people’s homes were their refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic, why owning is better than renting and why, for many people, the mortgage interest write-off could be the difference between being a renter and being an owner.Use the button below to download this week’s resource and follow along with the episode.DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCE YOU WILL LEARN:Why homeownership increases personal wealth and well-being.Why homeownership promotes stronger families and neighborhoods.Why homeownership is good for the economy. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:S2E124, “Getting the Mortgage Monkey Off Your Back” INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“Food, shelter and clothing are the three predominant needs of humanity – and owning a home answers one of those.” – Brian Buffini“A house is made with walls and beams. A home is made with love and dreams.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson“Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt“Having a home and buying real estate, even buying investment real estate, is a phenomenal goal to set your mind on, and a great set of goals to have as the end to which all your efforts are directed.” – Brian Buffini“90 percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” – Andrew Carnegie“Can a home buy you happiness? No, it can't. But can it contribute to your happiness? Absolutely.” – Brian Buffini“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” – Confucius“Owning a home is a magical thing. And it's the magic I hope that you currently are participating in.” – Brian Buffini“Real estate has provided me with the income to go pursue the gifts God's given me to go help as many people as I can. I owe that to real estate.” – Brian Buffiniitsagoodlife.com

If you want to break free of what’s holding you back and truly grow, you have to embrace discomfort. In this episode, REALStrengths expert Rachael Yeaman shares how you can use your innate gifts and abilities to step outside your comfort zone and transform your life. YOU WILL LEARN:·     How your unique strengths can help you to live life on purpose. ·     How your setbacks can set you up for future success.·     How you can start changing your life today.     MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:REALStrengthsMasterMind SummitThe Peak ExperienceLeadership Conference NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “In order to live life on purpose, you need to get clear on what matters most. Our unique strengths are directly connected to what we value most.” – Rachael Yeaman “We have to go ‘all in’ on life. No one else is doing that for us.” – Rachael Yeaman “The only way to conquer fear is to face it head on. We need to embrace discomfort and know that that's the only way to grow.” – Rachael Yeaman “We need to reframe rejection as protection.” – Rachael Yeaman “In order to seize your life, in order to seize every single day, you have to seize your strengths.” – Rachael Yeamanitsagoodlife.com

Listen to the full interview here“I learned that the prison was not the eight feet between the walls. It was eight inches between my ears.” – Captain Charlie PlumbIt takes extraordinary resilience to survive the impossible. In this episode, Brian interviews former navy fighter pilot and Vietnam Prisoner of War, Captain Charlie Plumb. Captain Plumb explains how on his 75th combat mission over North Vietnam, five days before he was due to return home, he was shot down. Captured, tortured and imprisoned, he spent over 2,000 days as a POW in an 8ft x 8ft cell. Topics discussed include: Why his naval training was vital, how his parents’ philosophies of discipline and forgiveness helped him to survive and which daily routines kept him going. YOU WILL LEARN:What he learned about himself during his time in captivity.Why he believes adversity can bring opportunity.How strong leadership transformed his prison experience. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:“I’m No Hero,” by Charlie PlumbINSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“The good news is, when you have that opportunity to sit still nearly six years, you go back through your mind, and you learn an awful lot about yourself.” – Captain Plumb“I think the biggest thing I learned about myself was that regardless of what is around me, I still can make choices about my response to the things around me.” – Captain Plumb“Lots of times the biggest opportunities in life are wrapped up in the package that looks like a big-time problem.” – Captain Plumb“There's a lot of people in the marketplace today that are struggling there. They have total freedom and yet they're in a prison in their mind.” – Brian Buffini“Acid does more harm in the vessel it's stored than on the subject it’s poured.” – Proverb“I think the good life to me means a life of service. And I'm under the belief that if you help enough people get what they want, you can have a very, very successful life.” – Captain Plumbitsagoodlife.com

What could you achieve if you were willing to take the risk? In this episode, REALStrengths expert Rachael Yeaman shares how unlocking and empowering your innate gifts and abilities will help you to maximize your potential and your life. YOU WILL LEARN:·     What your comfort zone costs you.   ·     Why living in reactive mode leads to regret. ·     How to stop being ruled by fear.    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:REALStrengthsMasterMind SummitThe Peak ExperienceLeadership Conference S2E159 All It Takes Is a Goal with Jon Acuff The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, by Bronnie Ware The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “A cost associated with staying in this comfort zone is that we play small; we become stagnant and complacent.” – Rachael Yeaman “There needs to be seasons of rest. There needs to be seasons of comfort. But there also needs to be seasons of challenge.” – Brian Buffini “How much I missed, simply because I was afraid of missing it.” – Paulo Coelho “It's about recognizing this tension that exists between who we are and who we could be if we took the risk.” – Rachael Yeaman “If we want to maximize our lives, we have to use our strengths in the face of fear and choose courage over comfort.” – Rachael Yeamanitsagoodlife.com

Listen to full episode here“A budget provides peace and security.” — Brian BuffiniWhether you have more money in the bank than you know what to do with or you’re searching the couch cushions at the end of the month looking for spare change, you need a budget. Not only do the majority of people not have a budget, many fear even creating one! Creating a budget is nothing to fear; it’s an empowering activity that gives you total control over your money instead of the other way around. In this episode, Brian Buffini gives in-depth information to help you create a budget that works for your financial goals and circumstances. You’ll learn why most people don’t budget, how to prioritize your expenses and the apps that can help, and how to create a surplus each month, even if money is tight. By the end of the episode, you’ll be motivated to save more and build wealth. Inspirational quotes from today’s interview:“There is no amount of money that you will create that will be enough to not have a budget.” — Brian Buffini”A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went.” — Dave Ramsey“My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.” — Errol Flynn“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” — Zig Ziglar“Plan your work and work your plan.” — Norman Vincent Peale“What gets measured gets managed.” — Peter Drucker“He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.” — Swedish proverb“Do not save what’s left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” — Warren Buffet“A budget tells us what we can’t afford but it doesn’t stop us from buying it.” — Brian Buffini“It’s not your salary that makes you rich; it’s your spending habits.” — Charles Jaffe“Time is like money. The less we have of it to spare, the further we make it go.” — Josh Billings“A portion of all you earn is yours to keep.” — George S. Clason“Your business is the golden goose.” — Brian Buffini“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin“The best investment you’ll ever make is in yourself.” — Warren Buffet Mentioned in the episode:PocketGuardYouNeedABudgetWallyMvelopes