571: Why We Procrastinate (And How to Stop Procrastinating)

In 2022, a study published in Psychology Today found that 88% of people feel worse after procrastinating. Procrastination is undoubtedly one of the most common barriers to success—but what if you could break free from it starting today? In this episode, I’m launching a brand-new series, Why We Do What We Do, where we’ll explore the psychological and emotional patterns that shape our actions. There’s no denying the fact that we get an immediate sense of relief when we procrastinate. But the downside is we sabotage ourselves and create additional stress in the process. Today, I’m sharing five strategies to help you draw a line in the sand and make a conscious decision to stop doing the things that don’t move the needle in your life. You’ll walk away with practical tools to shift your mindset, take action, and finally break the habits that prevent you from clearing your to-do list and achieving your goals.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about emotional avoidance Short-term relief often creates long-term discomfort Accountability accelerates progress by creating external motivation Progress, not perfection, is the key to success Taking small steps creates momentum which compounds and reduces overwhelm The longer you put off and avoid something, the harder it gets Five (5) proven strategies to stop procrastinating  Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/571 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2025 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I’ve always believed in the power of affirmations to transform lives, and this episode will reinforce why they’re such a game-changer. You’ll hear how two simple words, “I am,” helped one of my favorite people go from a broke 19-year-old to a millionaire in just three years. Dan McCormick is a keynote speaker, business coach, entrepreneur, and author of Awakening Who “I Am”: Two Words to Ignite Your Transformation. He shares how his personal development journey was inspired by reading books by Zig Ziglar and Og Mandino and how he used affirmations to rebuild his self-worth and self-esteem to transform his life. In our conversation, we’ll explore the nuances of affirmations. You’ll hear why Dan believes starting your mornings on social media impedes your success and how applying simple yet profound daily practices can help you overcome limiting beliefs and unlock your potential for transformational success and happiness. KEY TAKEAWAYS Compassion and empathy are the foundation of true success Your success is capped by your personal growth You attract success by becoming the person who deserves it Start your day with intention and clarity before engaging in distractions Your affirmations define your reality so choose them wisely Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/570 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2025 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

It's a new year, and I wanted to focus on something that I believe most people want: to be happier in 2025. Not just short-term happiness or brief moments of joy but a sustained sense of peace and fulfillment.  According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the biggest predictor of happiness is the quality of our relationships. So, I'll explore the science of happiness and practice daily gratitude, specifically gratitude journaling.  I'll also introduce you to a concept I call "consciousness conditioning," which is the practice of training your mind and nurturing your emotional well-being to elevate your experience of life. Ultimately, happiness isn't something that happens to us—it's something you create. By focusing on relationships, gratitude, and purpose-driven living, you can make 2025 your happiest year yet. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sustained happiness comes from contentment and nurturing meaningful relationships The quality of your relationships is the single biggest factor in long-term happiness How a daily gratitude practice can significantly improve your well-being by focusing on what’s good in life. Living with a clear purpose gives meaning to your life and enhances happiness. How consciousness conditioning, like daily meditation and journaling, helps to maintain a positive mindset. How the S.A.V.E.R.S. helps to condition your consciousness, just like building a muscle Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/569 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2025 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

Setting big goals can be overwhelming, which is why many people fall short and eventually give up on them. But by breaking your bigger goals into smaller goals, you create momentum, which leads to daily dopamine releases (the “feel good” chemical) that generate perpetual feelings of motivation.  In today’s episode, I’m sharing four (4) proven strategies that will help you rewire your brain and stay on track to make it easier to achieve whatever goals you’ve set for yourself. You’ll learn how being aware of your brain’s neuroplasticity can help you close the gap between your desires and reality. So whether your biggest goals are to earn more money, get healthier, or level up your relationships with friends and family, putting these steps into action will help keep you motivated, overcome mental blocks that get in your way, and visualize what it will feel like to accomplish your goals by creating daily habits that create small wins to keep you motivated. KEY TAKEAWAYS The psychology of setting goals and triggering dopamine releases by achieving them Setting and visualizing specific goals helps rewire your brain with neuroplasticity How visualization helps close the gap between a vision and reality The power of focusing on tiny wins to create momentum Overcome mental blocks like procrastination or fear of failure with implementation intentions Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/568 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

Over the past few weeks in the Miracle Year Series, we've been laying the foundation to make 2025 your best year ever. If you missed the first 3 episodes, I highly recommend you check those out first because we're tying it all together in today's 4th and final part of the series: Turning Resolutions into Results.  I used to think success was all about dreaming and achieving the most significant goals I could. While that's great in theory, it often left me stuck and feeling anxious. What I've learned is that it's not about reaching for the sky and achieving life-changing goals. It's about the small, consistent steps that actually move the needle. Today, I'll share three simple but powerful steps to help you follow through on your goals, even on those days when you're struggling to motivate yourself. By focusing on habits, routines, and the accountability you need to stay on track, these steps will make achieving your goals feel effortless and almost automatic.  As a reminder, this series culminates with the Miracle Year Live Event on January 8th. This event brings everything we've covered full circle, so grab your spot by visiting MiracleYearLive.com KEY TAKEAWAYS Huge goals often feel exciting at first, but they quickly get overwhelming Don’t focus on the finish line, focus on what you can do today Take action first, and the motivation will follow Not following through builds frustration, but even the tiniest win builds momentum How accountability partners are great ways to keep you committed and consistent Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/567 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

In last week's episode, I talked about how clarifying your vision and values will help set the stage for a Miracle Year in 2025. Today, we're focusing on the following critical piece of that foundation: Optimizing Your Morning Routine. Whether you're new to morning routines or a veteran who's practiced with SAVERS for years, today's episode will help anyone create or refine your routine so that you stay motivated and committed to achieving your goals. I'll walk you through the process I used to create my ideal morning routine—a routine that's helped me achieve so much, including running an ultramarathon, doubling my income, and transforming my health and relationships.  You'll learn why morning routines are the launchpad for a successful day and the steps for designing a routine that aligns with your vision and goals. When you start your mornings with a few minutes of exercise, you create the energy, momentum, and clarity needed to be the best version of yourself. KEY TAKEAWAYS Starting your day with intention helps to focus on your goals Moving for 5-10 minutes each day increases mental clarity & focus Exercise is nature’s best longevity and energy booster Striving for consistency is better than striving for perfection Silence is the starting point of a purposeful morning Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/566 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

Last week, we kicked off our 4-part “Your Miracle Year 2025” series with Episode #1: Reflecting Strategically on Your 2024.  Today, we’re focusing on your next crucial step: Connecting Your Vision to Your Values for 2025.  For most of us, setting new goals creates optimism and excitement—in the beginning. But as the days or weeks go by, that excitement often starts to fade. Life happens, priorities shift, and the goals feel less urgent and are set aside. So, how do we keep the fire burning and stay on track?  Today, I’ll share the strategy that’s been a game-changer for me for over 20 years in every area of life by elevating my goals from nice-to-haves to musts. And it all starts with identifying your foundational values and then clarifying a vision for your future that aligns with your values.  I’ll walk you through the exact process of creating a vision that is deeply meaningful to you, one that feels so real and exciting you can’t help but take action. Then, I’ll break down how you can turn that vision into achievable goals designed to help you stay motivated.  These steps will help you wake up each day ready to crush your goals with confidence and focus on bigger and better things waiting for you in 2025. KEY TAKEAWAYS If it’s not on your schedule, it’s not getting done A vision without action is only a dream Accountability is the secret weapon that helps you stay on track The purpose of a goal is not to reach the goal, it’s to give you direction and purpose  you’re clear on what you want, momentum naturally follows Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/565 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

As each year comes to a close, many people will take some time to look back and reflect. And for a lot of us, we end up feeling that we didn’t accomplish as much as we wanted. That’s how every year would end for me, looking back with a glass half empty with all the missed goals, where I fell short, or where life got in the way. Sound familiar?  Today’s episode kicks off a special four-part Miracle Year Series, in which I share my strategies and tools for reflecting on 2024 and creating a vision for 2025. This will all lead up to the Miracle Year Live Event on January 8th, when we’ll bring everything together. Today, I’ll walk you through four simple steps to help you recognize your progress this year and celebrate your wins, no matter how small they seem. Because when you take the time to reflect, you gain clarity about what’s working, what you’ve learned, and what you’re capable of. And that clarity is the foundation for creating an incredible 2025.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Moving forward starts with understanding where you’ve been Progress isn’t linear, ups and downs are to be expected Celebrate every small victory because they matter Every experience, good or bad, is an asset if you choose to learn from it Falling short of a goal isn’t failure. It’s feedback. Gratitude reveals the abundance you already have Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/564 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

In a world where we feel pressure to do more, be more, work harder, and have it all – it’s no wonder so many of us are tired of trying to hustle our way into the perfect life. But what if the secret to finally achieving freedom, financial success, and an overall life of abundance was right here, hidden in plain sight? That’s what we’re discussing with today’s guest, the incredibly inspiring Cathy Heller. Cathy is a teacher, author, and host of the Abundant Ever After podcast, which has over 50 million downloads.  In today’s episode, based on her newest book, Abundant Ever After: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease, Cathy reveals that abundance is not something to be chased—it’s something to be accessed from within. She breaks down how to tap into gratitude and abundance, even when life is hard.  You’ll learn simple, practical tools to shift your mindset and rewire those sneaky scarcity beliefs that hold you back. In a world filled with constant noise, pressure, and comparison, Heller reminds us that life’s richness goes far beyond material possessions and that our deepest desires—love, joy, peace—are always (and already) within reach. KEY TAKEAWAYS Abundance isn’t something you work for, it’s something you tap into The first step to waking up is realizing how often we’re running on autopilot Get out of your head and into your body - that’s where clarity begins We don’t see the world as it is. We see the world as we are Your thoughts shape your life, so choose them as carefully as your actions Want more abundance? Start by giving it, what you put out is what you get back Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/563 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC

I'm sure you’ve probably heard the phrase, "It's not how you start; it's how you finish that counts." In today's episode, I'll be inviting you to make December the best month of your life and telling you WHY and HOW to do it. As the holiday season approaches, many people create resolutions and personal goals for the new year. What I'd like you to consider is that how you finish the year will impact how you start off in the new year. One reason why most New Year's resolutions fail is because of the unproductive habits that we create (or fail to create) in December. Whether you have financial or health goals, today’s show will help keep you on track to start the new year with momentum. If you challenge yourself to make December your best month ever, you'll be able to pursue and achieve every meaningful goal that you set for yourself with confidence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your achievements matter, but so do the moments with the people you care about You can’t control every result, but you can control the habits and processes that lead to success Small wins now build big momentum later The real win isn’t hitting the goal - it’s becoming the kind of person who achieves  Goals are great but never forget WHY you want to accomplish them Get The Full Show Notes To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/562 Subscribe, Rate & Review I would love if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage other people to listen and allow us to grow as a community. The bigger we get as a community, the bigger the impact we can have on the world. To subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, visit HalElrod.com/iTunes. Connect with Hal Elrod Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Copyright © 2024 Miracle Morning, LP and International Literary Properties LLC