How to Get Somebody's Attention

Some of the best lessons come when everything goes sideways. I'm recording this with a raspy voice and a cough I'm fighting to hold back — but when a client named Dave asked how I create content so effortlessly, I realized I'd never actually broken it down before. So today I'm doing exactly that. Whether you're a content creator, a business owner trying to get noticed, or just someone who wants to communicate better at work, this four-part framework will change how you show up. In the age of attention, how you communicate is everything. Featured Story Dave came to me wanting help with YouTube shorts and a podcast. He'd seen me teach a 20-minute Inner Circle session on pre-planned responses and asked how long it took to put together. Eight or ten minutes, I told him — walking my dogs when the idea hit, came back and made five slides. He couldn't believe it. Did you rehearse the podcast you recorded right after? I said no. I hung up the Zoom call, hit record, and went. He wanted to know how. And honestly? I'd never thought about it before. But that question cracked open something I've been doing for 20 years without even realizing it. Important Points The content game has nothing to do with technique — it's about knowing your subject so cold nobody can shake you. Your personal style isn't a bonus. It's the reason people choose you over a thousand other experts in the same space. A strong POV will definitely run some people off — and that's exactly how you know it's working the way it should. Memorable Quotes "If you don't have a strong point of view, I can just go to ChatGPT and get whatever view I want — it'll agree with me." "I know when I hit the mark — it's always the exact moment I'm pissing you off the most. That's how this works." "All of us are content creators now, every single one of us — and if you can get somebody's attention, you can win." Scott's Three-Step Approach Start with absolute mastery — know your subject so well that you can teach it sick, off the cuff, without notes. Layer in a style so distinct and consistent that people recognize how you think before they even see your name. Lock it in with a POV strong enough to polarize — then pivot and give your audience a take they didn't see coming. Chapters 0:02 - Still showing up even when everything hurts 1:24 - When a sick voice becomes a premium asset 3:00 - The question Dave asked that changed everything 6:31 - Rule one: Know it so cold nobody can shake you 8:10 - Rule two: Know exactly who you're talking to 9:54 - Rule three: Own the style only you can pull off 11:51 - Rule four: The POV that makes people pay attention Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the secret to changing your life — or anyone else's — comes down to one timeless psychological principle? Today I'm breaking down AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. It's been around for over a hundred years, and it works in business, leadership, friendships, and raising kids. But there's a real twist happening. In the world we're living in right now, the last "A" isn't action anymore — it's implementation. That's the piece most people are completely missing. I'll show you exactly how it works and why it changes everything. Featured Story There's a guy at my church I genuinely like. But for months, there was a wall between us. He saw me coming and figured I was there to take over his territory. I wasn't — but that didn't matter. Last night, surrounded by nearly a million dollars' worth of audio and video gear, I spotted my opening. I started talking tech with the installer — something I know cold from running studios for years. My friend caught it. His wall dropped. By the end of the night, he leaned over and said we should grab coffee and talk business. That's AIDA in real life. All I did was get his attention. Important Points AIDA — Attention, Interest, Desire, Action — is a timeless psychological principle that touches every area of life. Real attention is actually awareness — when someone truly sees what's possible, they become genuinely open to change. The missing piece isn't action — it's implementation. Help people execute what they want, and they'll trust you forever. Memorable Quotes "We've got enough tools, frameworks, and roadmaps — what's missing is what we're actually doing with all of them." "When you get someone's real attention and build genuine desire, they're going to do something about it every time." "If something gets your attention, you'll become interested — and that path leads straight to passion and purpose." Scott's Three-Step Approach Bring awareness first — get their attention by showing up with something immediately real and relevant to them. Build real interest and desire by connecting what you genuinely know to exactly what they want to accomplish next. Skip the push to take massive action — help them implement what they want, and you'll win their trust for good. Chapters 0:02 - Bike Week, big goals, and a spending confession 1:24 - Straight from the Inner Circle call this morning 2:22 - The church friend who kept his distance from me 3:57 - What AIDA is and why it's worked for 100 years 7:34 - Why implementation beats action in today's world 13:32 - The feed-forward feedback model made simple Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're writing the book of your life right now — every single day. The question is, will it have a joyful ending? Not happy. Joyful. There's a difference, and it matters more than most people realize. Too many people are living average lives, chasing shiny objects instead of building something that lasts. That's no way to write a story worth telling. In this episode, I'm sharing three things that separate people who live joyfully from those just getting by — and showing you how to start rewriting your story today. No waiting. Featured Story I walked into Costco the other day fresh off an Italian ice from Jeremiah's — the best spot in Daytona Beach. I'd literally just eaten when the sample lady appeared with cake. I grabbed one without thinking. My wife stared at me. "You just had ice cream." I said, "It's free. I have to eat it. It's required by law." She reminded me I was on a diet. I told her the diet starts Monday. It's Saturday. I'm the boss of me. That moment is funny, but it's also a perfect example of why writing a joyful life takes more than good intentions. Being the boss of you cuts both ways. Important Points Getting in your own way is how you learn and grow — your act is already solid; you're just ready for a brand-new one. Average lives are exhausting because people chase shiny objects rather than consistent actions that actually work. Think like a business owner — find what gets results, make it truly sustainable, and keep doing it every single day. Memorable Quotes Happy is overrated — joyful lasts. When you're truly joyful, you don't have to chase it down every single day. You have your act together right now. You just don't want it anymore — and that's exactly what growth looks like. Find what works, do it again and again and again, and watch your joyful ending write itself. That's the whole plan. Scott's Three-Step Approach Catch yourself getting in your own way and recognize it for what it actually is — the starting point of real growth. Drop the shiny objects and lock onto the one or two actions that consistently create the results you actually want. Build sustainable habits like a business owner, and your joyful book ending will start writing itself every day. Chapters 0:02 - You're the boss of you — and what that really costs 2:53 - The difference between happy and joyful endings 5:30 - Why most people end up writing an average book 8:30 - Would your book have a joyful ending written today? 10:38 - Three things that separate joyful people from the rest 14:22 - How to start writing your joyful ending right now Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A man at the gym told me he doesn't believe in motivation. That got me more motivated in about one second than he'll ever know. Motivation is real — and it's the only freaking thing that matters. Today I'm sharing a personal story you've never heard before. How a scary diagnosis, a Tony Robbins event, and one sentence from my wife changed everything. Then I'm dropping quotes from the greatest speakers on the planet that are going to hit differently after you hear the story. Motivation is waiting. Come get it. Featured Story A few months before, my wife had been diagnosed with cancer. Malignant melanoma — the scary kind. We were terrified, scheduled for surgery in December, trying to figure out what to do next. When I heard Tony Robbins was coming to town and my friend at the radio station could get us in free, I said we're going. Not because I'm a Tony Robbins guy. I needed her in a room with people looking at life in a positive way. She needed those tools. We did everything. Walked on the coals. All of it. And somewhere in that room, she looked at me and said, "You can do what Tony's doing." That one sentence changed my life. Important Points Motivation isn't something you hunt for — it fires up automatically the moment you know exactly what you want. Pay attention to what gets you fired up and stop looking for motivation — it's already living right inside you. Keep growth and opportunity in front of you every single day, and nobody, nothing, can slow you down for long. Memorable Quotes The moment you know what you want, motivation isn't a problem anymore — it finds you instantly and automatically. Stop looking for motivation. Something will grab your attention, fire you up, and you'll be off and running fast. When you get through the hard stuff, don't dwell in it. Keep right on living — that's where everything changes. Scott's Three-Step Approach Pay attention to whatever grabs you naturally and fires you up right now — that's your real motivation talking. Get crystal clear on what you want, because that clarity is the one switch that turns your motivation on instantly. Keep growth and opportunity in front of you every single day so your motivation stays locked in and never fades. Chapters 0:02 - The gym conversation that started everything 0:43 - Not a motivational show — something better 2:24 - Cancer, Tony Robbins, and one life-changing sentence 4:47 - The kickboxing class that launched a podcast 7:07 - What motivation actually is and where it lives 10:07 - What automatically fires you up when you need it 13:09 - Quotes from the greats that hit different today Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everybody wants to succeed at a higher level. But when the road gets narrow, and it requires choosing one thing over everything else? Suddenly, options look a lot more appealing. On this episode, I'm breaking down what higher-level success actually demands — and it's not another planner, app, or podcast. It's narrowing your identity, staying in your lane long enough for your brain to adapt, and doing the reps until it clicks. This isn't motivational poster talk. It's what I've seen work with smart, talented people who are playing at 70% and want more. Featured Story Before Joy came into my life, I was all over the place. I was good at what I did, but I was just moving and floating around doing stuff. It felt fantastic at the time. I had no real lane. Then Joy walked in, and Joy doesn't do scattered. She's a repetitive person — same things, every single day. Drove me absolutely insane. For years. But before I knew it, I was doing the same things. Eating right. Working out most days. A real routine was forming. Repetition rewarded me, and it got easier because I didn't have to think about it anymore. She changed everything without saying a word. Important Points Higher-level success isn't complicated — it's uncomfortable and demands narrowing your identity to one lane. Operating at your natural strengths gives you leverage, and leverage beats hustle every single time — every time. Knowledge isn't wisdom — wisdom only shows up after you've made mistakes, because experience is earned, not downloaded. Memorable Quotes "You can't play at a high level as a generalist — the world rewards specialists, and your brain rewards repetition." "Most people quit right before their identity shifts, right before things click — that's exactly when you need to stay." "Drop the ego, pick a lane, get to work. It's deceptively simple — which is exactly why so many people miss it." Scott's Three-Step Approach Identify your natural wheelhouse — not what pays the bills or sounds impressive — and commit to going deeper, not wider. Put in the reps and stay in your lane long enough for your brain to adapt — that's when mastery starts to click. Spend more time doing than learning, and then hire a coach to catch the blind spots you'll never see on your own. Chapters 0:02 - Why most people only talk about succeeding 4:39 - Smart, capable people stuck at 70% capacity 5:41 - Higher-level success demands a narrower identity 8:33 - How Joy turned me into a repetition convert 10:20 - Stop learning so much and start doing the work 11:47 - The identity shift that changes everything Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Burned out? Maybe not. What if you're just running your life out of order? I'm sharing a framework I've used with myself and my clients for years — the MAPSS system. Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, Sustainability. In sequence, this changes everything. Out of sequence, burnout is just around the corner. Wednesday this week, I caught myself staring at the screen, arguing with AI, and refreshing my email, hoping for something to get mad about. Sound familiar? You're not exhausted from effort. You're exhausted from ambiguity — and that's a fixable problem. Let's reset today. Featured Story Wednesday hit different this week. I was sitting at my desk, staring at the screen like it owed me an answer. Opening tabs. Closing them. Checking email again — hoping something came in that I could get mad about. Then I caught myself arguing with AI. Actually arguing. That's when it hit me. Was I burning out? Or was I running my week out of sequence? I figured it out fast. I'd been winging it for two weeks. No structure. And there I was, doing the Wednesday stare-down — not from effort, but from ambiguity. The sequence was off, and my brain was paying the price. Important Points Most burnout isn't emotional collapse — it's decision overload from running your life out of the right sequence. The MAPSS system — Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability — only works in order. If you can't describe your plan in one or two sentences, you don't have a plan — you have activity and ambiguity. Memorable Quotes "Burnout isn't an emotional collapse — it's decision overload, and you feel it every time you re-decide the same thing." "You're not exhausted from effort. You're exhausted from ambiguity — it's an awareness issue, not an energy issue." "If you can't run this pace for five years without resenting it, you haven't built a system — it's just adrenaline." Scott's Three-Step Approach Start by checking your real motivation — is it still aligned with who you are today, or a game you outgrew years ago? Lock in accountability and simplify your plan until you can describe the whole thing in a single sentence or one word. Build systems that run without pep talks or caffeine, and ask if you can sustain this pace for five straight years. Chapters 0:02 - Topic intro: burnout is everywhere these days 1:46 - Are you burned out or just running out of order? 5:27 - Introducing MAPSS: the anti-burnout framework 6:25 - What each layer looks like when it breaks down 8:25 - Burnout is decision overload, not exhaustion 10:16 - Your Friday reset: pick one layer and fix it Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the things slowing you down aren't obstacles — they're distractions disguised as opportunities? After 5,300 episodes, I know one thing for certain: the people who win are the ones who can tell the difference. Most of us are moving fast, juggling 30 things, and wondering why we're not getting where we want to go. The answer might surprise you — and it starts with a dog agility course and a world champion trainer named Mindy. If you're ready to stop veering off course and start moving toward what actually matters, this one's for you. Featured Story When Levi was about a year old, I decided to try dog agility with him. I did what I always do — watched the videos, read the books — but I also tracked down a world champion trainer. If I were going to do this, I wouldn't start with someone who just knew the basics. Her name was Mindy, and she was the real deal. What she taught me changed everything. On an agility course, my dog isn't reading the numbers — I am. My job is to discriminate between the right path and the false one. One wrong turn and we're completely off course. That lesson hits different when you apply it to your own life. Important Points Too many options create decision fatigue — when everything looks like a chance, nothing actually moves you forward. Distractions disguised as opportunities are the sneakiest obstacles — they feel exciting but always pull you off track. Knowing your goals is the only real way to tell a genuine opportunity from an expensive, time-consuming detour. Memorable Quotes "Having options is the key to being happy — when you're truly not stuck anywhere, your whole life changes for good." "If you live an active, growth-oriented life, you're going to encounter distractions. That's all there is to it." "Follow the numbers, go as fast as you can, and slow down just enough to keep navigating whatever gets in your way." Scott's Three-Step Approach Get clear on your goals first — you can't discriminate between obstacles and opportunities without a real path. Once your path is set, discriminate hard — if something doesn't match your numbers, it's a distraction, not a chance. Move fast and protect your course — when you know where you're going, nothing should be allowed to pull you off. Chapters 0:02 - 5,300 episodes and the question that doesn't matter 1:01 - Opportunity, growth, and feeling completely stuck 5:19 - The dog agility lesson that changed how I think 8:14 - How Mindy set traps — and why your boss does too 10:44 - When distractions show up dressed as opportunities 13:38 - Follow the numbers and finally get where you want Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know the quiet rules that high performers follow — even when life is fighting back? After 20 years and over 5,200 episodes, I've watched successful people up close. They're not always the smartest or the most talented. But they follow a simple set of rules that most people skip right past. In this episode, I break down the rules I keep coming back to — the ones that show up in every winning life I've ever seen. They're not complicated. You've probably heard them before. Now it's time to actually do them. Featured Story Saturday afternoon, I walk in at 3:30 for rehearsal, and everything is still in the boxes. I run audio for the church I go to — it's a portable setup that breaks down after every service and lives in a trailer until the next one. I never assume it's going to be ready. Never. So I always show up early. That day, it was a three-person job and I had 30 minutes. But because I never assumed, I was there in time to get it done. That one habit — never assuming — shows up everywhere in a winning life. And once you see it, you can't unsee it. Important Points Find your strongest why, make it personal, and you'll outwork, outlast, and outperform almost anyone in your path. Showing up consistently is the one rule that creates legacy — 5,200 episodes prove it works every single time. Taking ownership of everything in your life — even the mess you didn't make — puts you back in the driver's seat. Memorable Quotes "I showed up for 20 years, did over 5,000 episodes, and AI tells new listeners every day that I'm the real deal." "Accept responsibility for everything, even the stuff you didn't want — then you're back in control, and you win." "When your why is stronger than the next person's, you win — it doesn't matter what the competition looks like." Scott's Three-Step Approach Get crystal clear on your strongest why — it becomes the fuel that drives every decision from this point forward. Commit to showing up consistently and on time — it signals seriousness and separates you from almost everyone else. Never give up total control to others and accept full responsibility for everything — that's how winners think. Chapters 0:02 - Why rule breakers still need rules that work 4:13 - The strongest why is the one that wins every time 4:49 - Why showing up every day beats talent alone 6:41 - The 60-second rule that filters out the flakes 9:08 - Never assume it's handled — it probably isn't 12:52 - Own it, serve more, and gratitude changes things Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're doing everything right but still stuck going in circles? I spent the weekend at Daytona watching a guy in 19th place never hold a single lead lap. Then chaos hit. While everyone else crashed, he stayed calm, navigated through the mess, and won the race. That's the power of being prepared when it matters most. Today I'm teaching you my pre-planned response system. It's changed everything for my clients who are crushing it in business but keep getting blindsided in important conversations. This is applied awareness before the moment happens. Featured Story Years ago, I was dating Joy, who's now my wife of 19 years. I was terrible at dating but determined to nail every moment. We're at this French restaurant in Mount Dora, and she looks at me and asks, "Mr. Smith, what are your intentions, sir?" Without hesitation, I said, "My intentions are to get you to fall madly in love with me, marry me, and spend the rest of your life with me. Is that okay?" Her jaw hit the table. Was it random? Not even close. I'd practiced that response over and over. I had it dialed in and ready to fire. That's what pre-planned responses do. They turn the moments that matter into wins instead of regrets. Important Points Important conversations trigger emotions, emotions narrow your thinking, and that narrow thinking creates regret. Most regret doesn't come from bad intentions but from showing up unprepared when the moment demands your best. Pre-planned responses give you composure when stakes are high and emotions want to hijack the conversation. Memorable Quotes "Confidence in any conversation isn't about charisma. It's about preparation and showing up ready to execute." "If you think through what you'll do when you're totally surprised, you'll never be totally surprised by anything." "We're not controlling the conversation. We're controlling ourselves inside the conversation when it matters." Scott's Three-Step Approach Identify the specific conversation coming your way, what concerns you about it, and what's actually at stake here. Anticipate the angles of attack like pushback, objections, emotions, blame, and surprise questions heading your way. Write short anchor responses you can repeat calmly when pressure hits and you need composure fast under fire. Chapters 0:02 - Racing metaphor that changes how you think (chaos wins) 4:00 - The restaurant moment that locked in my marriage 5:06 - Why successful people still say stupid things 8:53 - The four-step system for never getting caught off guard 11:12 - Anchor responses that give you control instantly 13:04 - Emergency saves when conversations go sideways fast 13:39 - One issue rule that stops the emotional spiral completely Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever had your brain just go blank at the worst possible moment? You can see where you need to go, but you have no idea how to get there. I had this happen at 3,000 feet while flying my daughter home from college. The airport was right in front of me, but I was completely disoriented. Terrifying. What I did next saved the day. In this episode, I share the three-rule framework pilots use in moments of confusion that works just as well when your brain quits on Tuesday afternoon. Ready to stay steady when everything feels uncertain? Featured Story I was flying my Cessna to pick up my daughter from the University of Florida. Clear day, smooth air, nothing special. About 15 minutes from landing, the heat and drone had me snoozing. Then suddenly, I had this overwhelming sensation that I had no idea where I was. The airport was right in front of me, but I couldn't figure out how to get lined up. Panic kicked in. I was minutes from controlled airspace and hadn't called the tower. I could have faked it, but instead I keyed the mic: I'm confused and need help. Within minutes, they vectored me to a perfect final. Worst landing ever, but I got it stopped. Not bad for a lost pilot. Important Points When your brain goes blank and you feel disoriented, stabilize first before making any dramatic decisions or changes. Small confusion turns into a catastrophe when people stop flying the airplane, spiral, overreact, or pretend they're fine. Procedure beats panic every time—training kicks in when thinking shuts down and your brain switches to threat mode. Memorable Quotes "Just because you feel lost doesn't mean you are. Sometimes you're just a little south of the field you're looking for." "Aviate, navigate, communicate. Fly steady, get clear, speak up early. That's how you land the plane in daily life too." "Ask for help before it becomes an emergency. Don't wait until it's a catastrophe to open your mouth and communicate." Scott's Three-Step Approach Aviate first—stabilize your behavior and don't make dramatic decisions that could make your situation even worse. Navigate second—once you're stable and nothing's getting worse, get clear on where you are and the path forward. Communicate third—ask for help early before it becomes an emergency, whether with clients, vendors, or your spouse. Chapters 0:02 - Happy Monday (yes, Mondays can be happy too) 1:43 - When your brain goes blank at the worst moment 3:03 - Flying disoriented at 3,000 feet (a true story) 5:25 - The three rules pilots use when confused 8:05 - Asking for help when you don't want to admit it 10:26 - How to apply aviate, navigate, communicate daily 11:35 - Using this framework in your personal relationships Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: [email protected] Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices