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Economic Challenges

Unlocking Success Through Deliberate Action with Douglas Vermeeren

In this inspiring episode of The Joy of Living Podcast, host Barry Shore is joined by the incredible Douglas Vermeeren, a renowned personal development expert who has interviewed over 400 of the world’s top achievers. Together, they dive deep into the power of deliberate action, service, and mindset in creating a life of success and fulfillment. Douglas shares his transformational journey from reading Think and Grow Rich to unlocking the key to achieving personal and professional goals through clarity, focus, and responsibility.

Barry and Douglas discuss the importance of expanding who you are to expand what you have, the difference between busyness and productivity, and how living a life of service can lead to greater happiness, wealth, and impact. They also explore the profound impact of thoughts on shaping our reality and how making small shifts in perspective can create lasting changes.

Tune in to this episode for powerful insights on how to take responsibility for your life, align your actions with your purpose, and expand your potential. Whether you’re looking for personal growth or actionable strategies to succeed in your endeavors, this episode will inspire you to take deliberate action and live with purpose.

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Show Notes:

[7.00] The Power of Positive Words and Miracles

  • Life is a gift and should be lived with purpose and meaning.
  • The acronym “MAD” stands for “Make a Difference,” which reflects living a purposeful life.
  • Everyday words can hold powerful meanings, such as “WWW” meaning “What a Wonderful World.”
  • SMILE stands for “Seeing Miracles in Life Everyday,” encouraging a focus on positivity.
  • The host shares personal experiences of overcoming challenges to demonstrate resilience and gratitude.
  • Thankfulness and kindness are key to creating a positive environment.
  • The concept of “To Thank You” stands for “To Harmonize and Network Kindness.”
  • Focusing on gratitude can transform the way you view the world and encourage others to do the same.

[10.22] The Key to Achieving Success

  • Success is defined by clarity in both goals and the emotional experience upon reaching them.
  • The concept of success should not only focus on the destination but also the journey and how it feels along the way.
  • A goal that is specific and clear becomes attainable and near, helping to define your path.
  • Most people struggle because they don’t know what they truly want, which leads to living on autopilot.
  • Being clear about your goals allows you to make better choices and recognize when you’re on or off track.
  • Understanding that clarity is the first step towards achieving what you desire can make all the difference.
  • Embracing the idea that “a problem well-defined is already half-solved” can help you set a focused direction.
  • When you’re clear about your goals, you’re better able to understand what steps are necessary to achieve them.

[22.51] How Thoughts Shape Reality

  • Our thoughts play a crucial role in shaping our destiny, and they always arrive in pairs—one positive and one negative.
  • It’s important to recognize that our thoughts are influenced by our programming and beliefs about what’s possible.
  • Surrounding yourself with positive influences and nurturing constructive thoughts can help shape your life.
  • The people you spend time with have a profound impact on your thoughts and, by extension, your destiny.
  • Thoughts are more than just fleeting ideas—they are the foundation upon which our reality is built.
  • Personal development can help shift your thinking from doubt to confidence and from negativity to positivity.
  • Understanding how thoughts can become things is the key to achieving your desires and dreams.
  • By focusing on personal growth, you open doors to opportunities that align with your goals and aspirations.

[31.00] The Power of Service and Deliberate Action

  • Service is the greatest business, and when you offer benefit to others, you become a B.O.B. (Be of Benefit).
  • Being of service is central to creating a successful, fulfilling life and career.
  • It’s essential to recognize that not all action is the same; deliberate action is key to achieving your goals.
  • Taking deliberate action means being conscious and strategic in the steps you take toward success.
  • Simply being busy is not productive; it’s important to focus on actions that lead to meaningful outcomes.
  • The key to efficiency and success lies in creating systems that automate tasks or delegate them to others.
  • High achievers know the value of a team; success is rarely the result of individual effort alone.
  • Shifting from selfish questions like “How can I succeed?” to inclusive ones like “Who can help me?” leads to more powerful results.
  • Focusing on service and leveraging the power of a team enables you to achieve your goals faster, better, and more efficiently.

[38.02] Expanding Yourself for Greater Service

  • Success is not just about achieving personal goals, but how those goals benefit others.
  • The shift from focusing on “I” to focusing on service is crucial for real success.
  • The greater the service, the greater the benefit and the greater the results, whether those results are money, awards, or personal fulfillment.
  • Focusing on service allows you to achieve more because you are working for the greater good of everyone.
  • Deliberate action, rather than just busyness, is essential in making a meaningful impact.
  • There are two types of self: the lower self, which seeks excitement and loses focus, and the higher self, which recognizes life as a full experience.
  • Moving from the lower self to the higher self brings more joy, achievement, and fulfillment.
  • True success involves aligning your actions with the greater good, not just personal gain, which leads to deeper, more sustainable achievements.
  • Expanding who you are at the core is essential for expanding what you have in life.

[41.41] The Power of Ownership and Deliberate Action

  • The “aha” moment often comes when you realize that you have the power to change your circumstances.
  • If you own your situation, you have the ability to change or keep it, empowering you to take responsibility for your life.
  • Expanding your life begins with expanding who you are, which means embracing personal growth and taking responsibility.
  • The more choices you discover, the more power you gain, expanding both your potential and your life.
  • Life doesn’t need to be perfect to start; you can begin right where you are and take deliberate action toward your goals.
  • Deliberate action is key to achieving your desires—it’s about making focused, conscious choices that align with your purpose.
  • Positive thinking and the power of thought can transform your life, but it’s important to let negativity pass and refocus on positivity.
  • The universe responds to your energy; when you show up with confidence and enthusiasm, it echoes back to you.
  • Expanding who you are at your core is the first step to attracting the abundance and success you desire.

Insider Tips:

Nicole Iny is the Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education at FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. FAIR Health possesses the nation’s largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 47 billion claim records. It is dedicated to bringing transparency and integrity to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support.

Topics:

  • What is FAIR Health?
  • What types of tools and resources are offered on FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org?
  • What obstacles do older adults and family caregivers face when navigating the healthcare system, and what strategies can they use to find the services and support they need?
  • Have you received any feedback from patients and/or their caregivers about the shared decision-making resources available on the FAIR Health consumer website?
  • Where can patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers find more information?