Jon Acuff's Blog

Building a business and building a family both require one thing: being brave enough to be bad at something new. In this episode, Jenny and I talk about the soundtracks that have helped us stay sane through marriage, parenting, and every learning curve in between. From why the honeymoon should come six months in, to how we’ve learned to “not buy tickets” for each other’s anxious train rides, to the soundtrack that reminds us we’re raising adults, not just kids. We also unpack the logic trap of arguing with toddlers (spoiler: snacks solve more than you think) and why drawing hard lines out of frustration never works. These mindsets have kept our home peaceful, our marriage strong, and our family grounded – even in airport meltdowns.

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Building a 7-figure business while staying married for 25 years doesn’t happen by accident. In this follow-up episode, I’m sharing four more marriage secrets that have helped Jenny and me not just survive but thrive together. You’ll discover why “I wouldn’t bet against us” became our rallying cry when people doubted our dreams, how playing to our strengths means I handle parking while she handles money (and why we always go to bed at the same time), and what “hit the squirrel” really means when you’re trying to see the big picture. Plus, I’ll tell you why the best way to learn about someone isn’t dinner—it’s card games. These aren’t just relationship tips; they’re the soundtracks that helped us build a business, raise kids, and create a life we never thought possible.

The post Hit the Squirrel: 4 More Marriage Secrets That Built Our 7-Figure Life appeared first on Jon Acuff.

After almost 25 years of marriage, my wife Jenny and I have learned a few things that actually work—not just the clichés you hear everywhere. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical “soundtracks” we use in our marriage and parenting that have made all the difference. From knowing when to pause an argument (hint: we do better with coffee) to understanding that winners actually quit all the time—just the wrong things—these aren’t your typical relationship tips. You’ll also discover why “everything is always working out for us” isn’t toxic positivity but a powerful mindset shift, and how “family shows up” became our guide for being present when it matters most. These secrets work so well, our kids have started saying them too.

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Feeling overwhelmed by all your goals? You’re not alone—and that’s exactly why we’re starting with something different. Instead of brainstorming more things to do, let’s celebrate what you’ve already accomplished. In this episode, I’m sharing the opening lesson from my Greatest Year Ever program, including the simple “I Did That!” exercise that builds the confidence you need for your biggest goals. You’ve already done hard things—you just haven’t given yourself enough credit. Whether you graduated from school, traveled somewhere new, survived a challenge, or helped someone else, it all counts. Let’s fill up your encouragement tank before we tackle what’s next.

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I recently told someone they should print out these 8 words and carry them in their wallet (which makes me sound ancient because who has a printer anymore?) But seriously, if you only remember 8 words from me in 2025, let it be these: “Big life, small worries. Small life, big worries.” Here’s the thing—if you want small worries, live a life so big you don’t have time to stress over the little stuff. Stress grows in the big open chunks of unclaimed time. When I’m writing a book or planning an event, I don’t have mental energy for social media drama or one-star Amazon reviews. But when I don’t have a mission? That’s when I can camp out on stress for days. Your retired uncle watching political news 12 hours a day? He chose a small life and now has bandwidth for big worries. The solution isn’t pulling back from big opportunities—it’s going all in on your big life and watching your worries shrink.

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What if the formula for a remarkable life was so simple you could write it on a sticky note? In this episode, I share the exact mindset shift that took me from stuck in Atlanta traffic to building a life I love. You’ll hear the story of how I stopped blaming my commute, my boss, and my circumstances, and discovered that the cavalry I’d been waiting for was actually myself.

The truth? Your thoughts create your actions, and your actions create your results. Remarkable or average… it’s your choice.

Plus, I invite you to the Mindset Reboot, a free two-day event where you’ll learn how to take control of your thoughts so you can finally create the life you want.

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Apparently, hope is controversial now. Who knew? I’ve been posting about hope lately, and people have been telling me I’m tone deaf because the supply chain is broken and the economy is terrible. One of my friends literally can’t be happy until the supply chain is fixed (even though he doesn’t work in supply chain). When did we start tying our personal lives to global numbers we don’t control?

I spent nearly 20 years as an excuse factory—blaming my parents, my boss, the economy, my background—and it got me nowhere. Then I discovered something radical called personal responsibility. In this episode, I’m sharing my simple philosophy: hope hard, work hard. Start where you are with what you have. Because here’s the truth—you can’t wait for the world to be perfect to change your own life. The only way to change the world is to change you first. I’ll share how getting up early to pay off a car loan eventually led to building two kindergartens in Vietnam. Small changes spread.

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There are only two words standing between you and the book you’ve always wanted to write, the business you want to start, and yes, even millions of dollars. Just two words. According to the University of Scranton, 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail—and it’s because nobody knows about these two powerful words.

Here’s the thing: nothing is successful on the first attempt. Nothing. Fear isn’t afraid of your first try (we’re a single-serve culture), but it’s terrified you’ll take that second step. In this episode, I’ll break down the four main reasons people don’t try again—from the hurt of the last attempt to mentally rehearsing failure until it becomes a tattoo instead of henna. Plus, I’ll share how trying again got me through writing my 11th book after throwing away three half-finished drafts. Because here’s what I need you to know: trying again isn’t failure or embarrassing—it’s the first gigantic leap toward mastery.

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I’m going old school today—70s and 80s motivational guru style. You know those thick plastic binders with cassette tapes that made you want to run through walls? That’s the energy I’m bringing. This episode is different. It’s a short, highly motivational boost designed to be replayed whenever you’re discouraged and need that little bit of juice. Because today isn’t just another average Monday—there’s no such thing as average days when we’re guaranteed none and given this one. Today is an adventure, an invitation to edge country where anything is possible. We can plan and predict, but the day speaks in dares, not formulas. So download this one, save it for a rainy day, and remember: killing your dreams because you’re afraid they might get bruised is a trade-off you should never make. Today is much like you—one of one.

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Let’s end this series with one of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve learned:

Throw shorter pity parties.

In the final episode of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m sharing why it’s okay to feel the sting of failure—but not okay to camp out in it forever. I’ll unpack the difference between processing and pity, and challenge you to stop RSVPing to every pity party you throw for yourself. Let’s talk about what it looks like to feel it, process it, and then move forward.

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