We’ve all heard that we should surround ourselves with people who believe in our goals. But that’s never as easy as it sounds. Sometimes even the people who should be your biggest, boldest supporters try to talk you out of your most important dreams. 

There’s actually a better way to set up your goal to get your family and friends on board right from the start. 

Having fun with a task not only increases the likelihood that you’ll try it, but also your chances at succeeding. That’s right, having fun isn’t just enjoyable, it helps us reach our goals. 

The best news is, it’s actually pretty easy to invite fun back into the things you do every day—even the hard things. And your way-too-serious push to get things done will be more successful after you do. This episode is all about the ways you can intentionally use fun to increase innovation and productivity as you work toward your goals.

Of course you should spend a little time thinking about a new idea before you begin. But when overthinking and over-planning drags on for so long that your project isn’t going anywhere, you’ve sunk deep into analysis paralysis and you need a little push out of the muck. Cara lays out some easy ways to recognize when you’re stuck in this planning state and offers strategies to get you up and moving. 

Diving in and doing some hands-on work will change not only how valuable you believe something is, but how happy you are. And you don’t have to be particularly skilled at something to get these results. This is called the IKEA effect, even though it’s actually been around a lot longer than the giant IKEA stores have. Cara shares how to use this effect to improve your personal and team commitment to your project.  

After you go through any really hard time, you need a plan. The path forward will be a lot smoother after you have a clear understanding of what just happened in our minds and bodies. With a simple adjustment in how you plan for the next few months, your new normal can be better than ever. 

Motivation isn’t some rare butterfly that we have to capture in a net, it’s a thing we can create inside ourselves. And because motivation builds motivation, you can start by creating just a little bit and it will keep growing until it adds up to all the motivation you need to do something big. I know the hardest step is the first one, so this episode is all about how to begin.

When we’re faced with a big problem we have no idea how to solve, we tend to drill down to very specific skills we already have that might solve it. But more often than not, we come up empty and give up. A better way to approach problems that are way outside your knowledge zone is to go broad. I have a simple tip that will very quickly get you a list of options. Because every problem is solvable when you use the right brainstorm strategy. 

When you start to fall so far behind on your goals and deadlines that it feels too late for you to ever catch up, it’s time to take a closer look at where you’re selecting your heroes. We’re going to adjust your examples so you can let go of the stuff that’s outside your control and establish full focus to hit your targets. Whether you’re 8 or 89, it’s never too late to build the life you want, and I can help redirect your goals so you can get back on track.

How do you keep a big goal alive, when you realize that there is absolutely no way you can pull together the time, money or resources to do it right now? Most project like this fade away for good. But I have a strategy to not only keep the goal alive and well, but to move it up on your timeline. You have what it takes to keep your idea fires alive and burning so you can reach your biggest goals.

All the little tasks that pile up in our space drain us physically and mentally. And eventually they can overwhelm us to the point that there’s no room left in our head to work toward a big life-changing goal. But there’s an easy way to get back on track when things get out of hand.

Somedays you just feel restless. Filled with a fidgety energy and no clear idea what to do with it. That uncomfortable, restless feeling is actually a good thing. It’s a sign that you’ve outgrown the spot you’re in and it’s time to move on to bigger and better goals. Your mind is sending your body the message that it’s time to get up and moving. I have tips today for how to recognize restlessness and take advantage of this unique energy surge so you can put it to good use.

Along with outdoor toilets and riding to town by horse and buggy, one thing modern society has pretty much eliminated is boredom. And it may surprise you to learn that this is actually a bad thing. Because being bored sets up a special condition in our minds to be our most creative selves. Today, I have tips for how and why to spend more time alone inside your own head.

Our brains have a hard time letting go of things. This is why we have trouble parting with money for a risky investment, and it even affects how we change jobs and relationships. But once we understand the principles behind how our brain sees loss, we can use them to drive our life decisions directly toward our biggest goals and dreams.

Most big projects die on the planning table because we’re overwhelmed by how difficult they’ll be. But there’s a really simple way to shift your approach so you can jump right in and begin even the most complex and difficult projects. Today I’m going to add one three letter word to the end of your “I can’t” sentences, and it will forever change your approach to projects.

Welcome to the first episode of the Cara Brookins Show! In this episode you’ll hear how building a house with my four kids by watching YouTube videos forever changed my approach to life. I now apply the strategies I learned with mud and 2x4s to every project and every major life decision. And I’ll share how this new approach can forever change your life, too.