The Essence of Greatness, Part 5: Determination

We’ve all had big dreams. But in a lot of cases, those dreams didn’t pan out the way we envisioned them. Sadly, this causes a lot of people to give up. Our outcome-oriented society has trained us to expect instant gratification and immediate results. When we don't get them, we quit. But the real tragedy is that we stop dreaming. In this episode, I discuss how to regain your big dreams and how to achieve them through a process-oriented approach to life. Show Highlights Include: A counterintuitive method that lets you live out your biggest dreams instead of pushing them aside and giving up (1:51) How one man took the British cycling team to the top by focusing on small improvements (5:26) Why dreaming of massive success is destroying your motivation (5:42) How our outcome-oriented society stops you from achieving your dreams (6:26) The commonly misunderstood lesson hidden in the lives of professional athletes (7:22) What you can learn from how Bill Walsh won his first Super Bowl... 14 years before it was played (11:01) Why you should celebrate when you experience failure (13:26) Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

In today's episode, I share my journey of significant health improvement and weight loss in our final discussion, "The Essence of Greatness: The Basics." Learn how a shift in mindset can lead to better health and more fulfillment. I use straightforward wisdom and personal stories to illustrate how small changes can create big results. Join us for clear, actionable insights that can help you lead a healthier, more successful life.  Listen now! Show Highlights Include:  Are you willing to pay the price for success? [00:51]  Discover the life-changing power of disrupting thinking. [02:03] Learn more about the critical role of pain in success. [04:09] Find out this essential component of all successful endeavors. [08:24] How can you fuel greatness with determination? [09:22]  Can you achieve greatness through daily basics? [12:19] What happens when you combine determination with strategy? [13:21] Here is what you must do when you achieve greatness. [17:00] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

In this episode, we focus on the theme of determination and its role in achieving personal success.  Today I will share my own experience of losing 130 pounds and improving my health, emphasizing the mindset changes that were essential to this journey. I will refer to insights from thinkers like Samuel Chan and Francis Bacon to discuss why embracing challenges and understanding the reasons behind our goals are crucial for transformation.  Join me, Dr. Rick, as I offer practical advice on how to cultivate determination and make meaningful changes in your life. Show Highlights Include:  Ever wondered what it's like to overcome a 300-pound weight? [01:18] Here is how you can move away from your island of comfort. [02:24] Learn about the transformative impact of disruptive thinking. [04:01] What happens when you cannot answer the “why” question? [05:22] Do you know how to become comfortable with being uncomfortable? [06:28] Why are we reluctant to change unhealthy life patterns? [08:32] How does the lack of a rationale affect your life? [09:06] Discover this one constant variable to ensure success. [11:32] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third-Grade Dropout, for free.

With the world moving at the click of a button, most of us have forgotten what it’s like to wait for something. But if we’ve learned anything from the great minds of Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill, it’s that waiting shapes your talents into your greatest achievements yet. But how does sitting in traffic jams or being placed on hold make you a better person?  In this episode, Dr. Rick shares the deep wisdom behind waiting and how it creates the most valuable and fulfilling experiences in your life.  Show Highlights Include: What Bible stories and developing films have to teach you about creating more meaningful experiences in life and finding strength the next time you get impatient. (0:30) Why the most successful people waited decades for their ‘moment of fame’ and what they can teach you about living in the moment right now.  (6:07) The ‘athletic championship’ approach to appreciating the process before making your next big move. (10:49) What knitting reveals about the power of patience and how you can find clarity in everyday tasks. (12:00) Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

Stress probably feels like an inevitable part of your everyday life (especially over the last year). But spending your days worrying about every little thing doesn’t make life better, it only makes you feel less in control. Instead of waiting for stress to take a different approach in life, why don’t you? In this episode, you’ll learn how to find peace in any stressful moment and why the most complicated questions often have the simplest answers.  Show Highlights Include: Why managing your stress starts with two statements from Psychology Today. (0:32) How to stop feeling worried when things are out of your hands (and the one thing you always have control over). (2:48) The ‘Front Porch’ secrets for living a calmer life today (and why you shouldn’t worry about tomorrow). (6:45) What an African Violet plant reveals about finding beauty in unpleasant times and how to use peace with whatever comes your way. (8:56) Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

Welcome to "How Ya Livin'," where self-improvement meets real-life stories with your host, Dr. Rick Rigsby. In episode 184, join us for an impactful discussion on "The Essence of Greatness."  Today, I explore how a change in my thinking led me to drastic weight loss and the realization that growth demands answering the tough "why" questions in our lives.  I will highlight why embracing pain is essential for success, how discomfort is a necessary part of personal transformation, and how disruptive thinking can lead to significant breakthroughs—featuring inspirations from historical figures and modern-day success stories.  So brace yourself for a challenge and get ready to transform because here on "How Ya Livin'," we're all about living better, bolder, and braver. Let's get started. Show Highlights Include:  The importance of changing your thinking.[01:07] Why pain is critical to growth? [02:28] What happens when we can’t answer the “why” question? [03:02] Here is what you can do to gain control. [04:43] Are you willing to pay the price being uncomfortable requires? [05:42] Discover the transformative power of disruptive thinking. [06:37] Let’s look at some great examples of disruptive thinkers from history. [07:11] Learn how this person achieved massive success with his disruptive thinking skills. [08:45] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

In this episode, Dr. Rick Rigsby continues the conversation on "The Essence of Greatness." He recaps the first two episodes of the series, covering the importance of embracing pain for growth and the mindset of doing hard things better.  Dr. Rigsby shares personal insights from his health journey, highlighting the need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to achieve true greatness. This episode encourages listeners to assess their motivations and commit to the process of change.  Stay tuned as Dr. Rick Rigsby leads us on a path of transformation and living our best lives. Show Highlights Include:  Do you have the capacity to be successful? [00:38] What is the price to be paid to accomplish greatness? [01:32] Why is it important to know your purpose in life? [03:00] What prevents growth? [05:35] Is the process more important than the outcome? [06:39] What is the meaning of being uncomfortable to succeed? [07:31] The difference between hunger and need. [07:56] The “why” question as a source of motivation. [08:38] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

Get ready to join Dr. Rick Rigsby on a journey of grit, growth, and greatness! In this episode, he shares raw and powerful insights, drawn from his own health transformation, that will ignite a fire within you.  Discover the untold secrets of enduring pain, answering life's tough questions, and doing hard things better. Dr. Rigsby's gripping storytelling and timeless wisdom will challenge you to break free from comfort, embrace the discomfort, and unleash your potential.  Tune in and prepare to revolutionize your approach to success! Show Highlights Include:  Discover the reason our growth is hijacked. [01:13] What's your singular purpose for success? [02:46] Does pain offer any joy and satisfaction? [04:19] Here is your key to breaking free from negative behaviors. [05:50] How is this generation different from previous generations? [07:44] What is the valuable lesson from the past generation? [09:13] The transformative benefits of adversity. [10:33] Are you focused on the outcome or the process? [11:16] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

In this episode of How Ya Livin, Dr. Rick Rigsby explores the essence of greatness, starting with a discussion on the pain of success. He emphasizes the necessity of change and growth, pointing out that growth equals change, which in turn equals loss and pain.  Throughout the episode, Dr. Rigsby highlights the importance of focus, purpose, and relentless determination in achieving greatness, drawing from personal experiences and inspirational quotes. Furthermore, he shares intimate insights from his own health journey, shedding light on the process of transformation.  Listeners can expect to explore the concept of greatness and the pursuit of excellence in this transformative discussion. Show Highlights Include:  Discover the foremost requirement of personal growth. [01:00] How does purpose drive you to greatness? [03:12] Here is your key to developing a laser-sharp focus. [04:35] Find out about the only and ultimate path to growth. [06:09] Why do we look for shortcuts to success? [08:21] Do you know that paying the price for success is a privilege? [10:15] The key is to embrace teachability and diversity. [12:24] Are you ready to get out of your comfort zone and embrace greatness? [15:06] Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.

Have you ever come across someone who was relentlessly negative? Someone who always saw the bad in a situation? Maybe you were in a tough spot in your life that you thought would never pass.  How do you move past that? In this episode, Dr. Rick discusses the primary factor that determines how you react to a situation, the things you should be focusing on in a crisis, and how to shift your thinking to improve perspective.  Show Highlights Include: The real reason our values shift throughout the different stages of life (1:10) This is the #1 thing that determines your perspective on ANYTHING (3:43) Beware these situations that can cause you to completely lose your perspective (3:52) The Apostle Paul’s advice on how to focus your thoughts (5:46) The perspective shattering mistake you’re probably making in the midst of crisis (8:47) Losing perspective can have a devastating effect on your life because you also lose this (10:20) The secret to maintaining your perspective, no matter how bad your situation seems (10:45)  Do you want to stop existing and start living your best life right now? Click here to get the first chapter of Dr. Rick’s best-selling book, Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout, for free.