It’s that time of year again when many of us will make a list of those areas of our lives we’d like to see change for the better in 2014. However, as we well know, more than a few of us will fail to achieve any of the lifestyle changes on our list.

The reason for this, according to today’s guest Dr. Bill Dyment – author of the book Fire Your Excuses– is that we too often make “trying harder” and “getting more disciplined” the goal. These strategies, says Dr. Dyment, are almost always ineffective. Simple solutions will not eliminate behaviors that have persisted in our lives for years.

Dr. Dyment demonstrates that the process of changing permanently is won and lost at a much deeper level.

Hear Our Conversation Now

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His new book promises to help you discover the “secrets” of the unique 8 – 10% who are able to achieve lasting, permanent changes to destructive habits and behaviors.

In our conversation, Dr. Dyment shares:

• Why the US as a nation has grown fond of making excuses
• The 8 Life Areas where our excuses tend to do the most damage
• Why understanding Blind Spots and Weaknesses is foundational to the other areas
• Why so many of us grossly overestimate how long we are likely to live
• What we can do to ensure we maintain key social connections as we grow older
• Some of the most common excuses related to Finances
• The techniques Drs. Dyment and Dayhoff recommend to help you permanently fire your excuses

Have You Heard About Podcaster Academy?

Podcaster Academy, a new online course taught by Read to Lead Podcast creator and host Jeff Brown, launches in February 2014. It has been especially created to enable you to learn the key insights, techniques and habits Jeff has spent the last 25-plus years mastering. Weekly modules will include:

• Crafting an Effective Open and Close for your Podcast
• Interviewing the Pros like a Pro
• Taking your Listener from “Fly on the Wall” to Conversation Participant
•  Monetizing Your Podcast: The Pretty Good, The Good and The Really Good

Plus, each student will participate in up to four, 30-minute one-on-one coaching sessions with Jeff. These sessions alone are worth the cost of the course ($497), but when you’re one of the first 25 students to register, you get all this and more for just $297.

You must act fast though, as we have no idea how long these 25 spots will be available. Just visit the Podcaster Academy website to learn more and to register now.

Resources from Dr. Bill Dyment

Pick up a copy of Fire Your Excuses today (affiliate link). If you just can’t wait to get it, it’s available for the Kindle as well.

Take the Fire Your Excuses self-assessment. It only takes about 15 minutes.

Books Dr. Dyment Recommends

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results is one of Dr. Dyment’s favorites.

Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to 00 Million in No Time Flat (Agora Series)by Michael Masterson is another he highly recommends.

Connecting with Dr. Dyment

If you enjoyed this episode, let Bill know by sending him a tweet to @DrDyment.

You can find Bill on the web at FireYourExcuses.com. You can also find out everything you need to know about the new book here.

Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. I am mentioning the names of all who rate the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.

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Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

Hear Our Conversation Now

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