The Optimistic Outlook with John Eades

Welcome to The Optimistic Outlook, a daily podcast with one idea to help you train your most important muscle — your brain — and apply it in real life. I’m John Eades, sharing insights from real leaders, modern psychology, and daily experiences to help you grow and lead with purpose.

Start Overestimating the Upside 02/04/2026

Start Overestimating the Upside Humans tend to overestimate the downside and underestimate the upside. In this episode, John explores why uncertainty is where opportunity actually lives and how shifting your perspective makes action easier. Inspired by an insight from Alex Hormozi, this is a reminder that the reward you want often sits just beyond hesitation. Quote of the Day: All the upside lives on the other side of uncertainty. Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39957970

Get Really Good at What Happens a Lot 02/03/2026

Get Really Good at What Happens a Lot You don’t have to be great at everything, but you do have to be great at the right things. In this episode, John shares an idea reinforced by college basketball coach Travis Steele and why sustained success comes from mastering the basics that show up every day. A reminder that progress accelerates when you stop chasing everything and start getting better at what actually matters most. Quote of the Day: Get really good at things that happen a lot. Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39957955

You’re Further Up the Mountain Than You Think 02/02/2026

You’re Further Up the Mountain Than You Think Progress is easy to miss when you’re focused on what’s next. In this episode, John reflects on the one-year mark of The Optimistic Outlook and why looking back at how far you’ve come is not complacency, it’s fuel. A quiet reminder to pause, appreciate the climb, and then keep moving forward. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Sometimes the progress is only visible when you turn around. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39957680

It’s a New Day 01/30/2026

It’s a New Day Yesterday doesn’t get to define today. Inspired by a timeless quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, this episode is a reflection on finishing the day, taking the lesson, and leaving the weight behind. A quiet reminder that progress begins when you’re willing to run the next play with a clear mind. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Learn from yesterday, but don’t live there. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39870325

The Beliefs You Allow (The Four Agreements) 01/29/2026

The Beliefs You Allow (The Four Agreements) Most limiting beliefs aren’t forced on us, they’re accepted. In this episode, John reflects on insights from The Four Agreements and why the beliefs we tolerate quietly shape our confidence, behavior, and future. A reminder that change often begins by questioning the stories we’ve agreed to repeat. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Beliefs stay because they’re familiar, not because they’re true. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39870320

You're Full of Excuses 01/28/2026

You're Full of Excuses Everyone makes excuses, but no one gets better because of them. In this episode, John shares a personal story from early in his career that reshaped the way he thinks about responsibility, results, and ownership. You’ll learn the critical difference between a real reason and an excuse, and why excuses quietly prevent progress while sounding reasonable at the same time. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Excuses explain failure. Reasons invite improvement. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39870300

Push vs. Pull Motivation 01/27/2026

Push vs. Pull Motivation Most people don’t lack motivation, they lack something worth being pulled toward. In this episode, John explores the difference between push motivation, driven by pressure and obligation, and pull motivation, fueled by purpose and meaning. Drawing on insights from Tony Robbins, this episode challenges the way we think about energy, discipline, and why some goals drain us while others energize us. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Push motivation consumes energy. Pull motivation creates it. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39870250

Making Hard Work Look Like Light Work 01/26/2026

Making Hard Work Look Like Light Work Watching Alex Honnold climb Taipei 101 made one thing clear: when hard work looks like light work, it’s never accidental. In this episode, John breaks down the three factors that make extraordinary effort appear effortless, uncommon preparation, a trained mindset, and long-term patience. A reminder that the weight is always carried long before anyone is watching. 🟩 Quote of the Day: If hard work ever looks like light work, it’s because the weight was carried early. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39870230

Prime Your Mind 01/23/2026

Prime Your Mind Our minds have a tendency to fill in the gaps, often assuming the worst before anything has actually happened. In this episode, John explores how expectation shapes experience and why learning to “prime your mind” can change the way you see people, situations, and opportunities. A thoughtful reminder that mindset isn’t about ignoring reality, but about choosing the lens you carry into each day. 🟩 Quote of the Day: The lens you look through shapes the life you experience. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39848515

Burn the Boats 01/21/2026

Burn the Boats Most people never fully commit because they keep a quiet exit plan. In this episode, John shares a simple conversation that led to an ancient lesson from Hernán Cortés about commitment, courage, and why progress often requires removing the option to retreat. A reminder that growth usually begins when we stop planning our escape and move forward with conviction. 🟩 Quote of the Day: You rarely discover how good something can be until you stop planning your exit. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39782040

The Action Flywheel 01/20/2026

The Action Flywheel Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes because of it. In this episode, John introduces a simple model called The Action Flywheel to explain how inspiration turns into belief through movement, not motivation. A practical framework for anyone who feels stuck waiting for clarity, confidence, or certainty before taking the next step. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Inspiration creates action. Action produces outcomes. Outcomes build belief. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39782025

The First Step of Faith 01/19/2026

The First Step of Faith Faith is often misunderstood as certainty, but real faith looks more like movement without guarantees. In this episode, John reflects on a moment early in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life when the path forward was unclear and the cost was real. A powerful reminder that faith isn’t seeing the whole staircase, it’s choosing to take the next step anyway. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Faith is choosing to move forward when the outcome is unclear and the cost is real. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39782010

You Must Ask Eagerly 01/16/2026

You Must Ask Eagerly Closed mouths don’t get fed. In this episode, John shares a story that highlights why how you ask and how often you ask matters. Eagerness isn’t pressure or entitlement. It’s positive anticipation paired with a willingness to act. A reminder that asking well can change outcomes. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Eagerness is positive anticipation paired with a willingness to act. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39714860

The Conversation Is Difficult and You Make It Worse 01/15/2026

The Conversation Is Difficult and You Make It Worse Difficult conversations are uncomfortable by nature, but avoiding them often makes things worse. In this episode, John shares a coaching moment that highlights why confronting issues early beats carrying resentment long-term. A practical reminder to approach hard conversations with curiosity, clarity, and a desire to improve. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Confronting someone in the short term beats resenting them in the long term. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39714840

Start with Something Positive 01/14/2026

Start with Something Positive It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong. It’s harder to look for what’s right. In this episode, John explains why our brains default to the negative and shares a simple mindset shift he calls an Initial Positive Attitude. A small change that can reshape how you experience your day, your relationships, and your challenges. 🟩 Quote of the Day: When you start with what’s good, the negative loses its power. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39714830

Do What Others Choose Not To 01/13/2026

Do What Others Choose Not To Uncommon results don’t come from common choices. In this episode, John shares a personal story about commitment, sacrifice, and the quiet decisions that separate those who grow from those who stay the same. A reminder that most people are capable of more, but a different level requires different choices, often when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. 🟩 Quote of the Day: If you want what other people don’t have, you must do what others don’t do. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39710735

Get to the Front Row 01/12/2026

Get to the Front Row Where you choose to sit often shapes how you show up. In this episode, John shares a lesson that was modeled for him early in life and reinforced through years of teaching workshops and coaching teams. While you can technically learn from anywhere in the room, focus forms in the front and distraction forms in the back. A simple reminder to choose presence, engagement, and intention in the moments that matter. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Focus forms in the front. Distraction forms in the back. 🔗 Get The Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39696680

The Potential for Restoration 01/09/2026

The Potential for Restoration Some things are written off too soon. In this episode, John reflects on a visit to the historic Vinoy Hotel and the powerful idea of restoration. Rather than tearing something down and starting over, restoration preserves what matters while strengthening what’s been neglected. This is a hopeful reminder that if you’re still standing, you still have potential for restoration, without losing the integrity of what got you here. 🟩 Quote of the Day: If you’re still standing, you still have potential for restoration. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39618905

The 100 Hour Rule 01/08/2026

The 100 Hour Rule Your future isn’t shaped by the dreams you have, but by the habits you practice consistently. In this episode, John introduces the 100 Hour Rule, the idea that just 18 minutes a day, done consistently, can put you ahead of most people in any skill that matters. This is a reminder that progress doesn’t require perfection or massive effort, just simple habits repeated over time. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Dreams don’t shape your future. Habits do. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39618870

Would They Know You Were There? 01/07/2026

Would They Know You Were There? It’s easy to move through life without making much of an impression. In this episode, John shares a small moment from a gathering at his home that sparked a bigger reflection on visibility, presence, and impact. This is an invitation to consider whether your presence is being felt in the places that matter most and what it means to leave a positive mark rather than blending into the background. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Would anyone know you were there? 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39618855

Get Light 01/06/2026

Get Light Most people are carrying more than they need to. Extra weight, unfinished conversations, lingering resentment, or commitments that no longer serve them. In this episode, John reflects on a simple but challenging idea he heard from Jesse Itzler: it’s hard to go far or fast if you’re too heavy. This is a reminder to take an honest look at what you’re holding onto and consider what needs to be removed so you can move forward with more freedom and energy. 🟩 Quote of the Day: It’s taxing to go far or fast if you’re too heavy. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39618850

Do You Have a Misogi? 01/05/2026

Do You Have a Misogi? Every January, it’s tempting to set big goals and ambitious resolutions. But what if one hard commitment mattered more than all of them combined? In this episode, John reflects on a goal he didn’t finish, a project he didn’t plan, and the concept of a Misogi, one defining challenge with a real chance of failure that changes who you become in the process. This is a reminder that progress isn’t always about completing the goal you set, but about becoming the person capable of carrying it. 🟩 Quote of the Day: It’s not about finishing the goal. It’s about becoming the kind of person who can carry it. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39610155

The Day After Day One 01/02/2026

The Day After Day One Most resolutions are decided the day after New Year’s Day. In this episode, John explains why starting matters, but continuing matters more. Progress doesn’t come from one strong beginning, it comes from waking up and doing the work again. 🟩 Quote of the Day: The rock breaks only for those who keep swinging. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39543100

New Year, New Aim, New Appetite 01/01/2026

New Year, New Aim, New Appetite There’s nothing magical about the calendar changing, yet New Year’s Day gives us something powerful: direction. In this episode, John explains why New Year’s resolutions matter and why a new dream always requires a new appetite and a new level of action. 🟩 Quote of the Day: A new dream requires a new appetite. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39543070

Insecurity Is Loud. Confidence Is Quiet. 12/31/2025

Insecurity Is Loud. Confidence Is Quiet. Insecurity has a language, and it often shows up through comparison and criticism. Confidence has a language too, but it works quietly on the inside. In this episode, John shares why confidence isn’t something you declare, but something you earn through consistent action and repetition. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Insecurity fades through action, not affirmation. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39543090

Better a Diamond With a Flaw 12/30/2025

Better a Diamond With a Flaw Perfectionism feels productive, but it often stalls progress. In this episode, John reflects on a timeless quote from Confucius and a lesson learned on the golf course about why chasing flawlessness slows you down. Progress happens when you accept imperfection and keep moving forward. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39543080

Responsibility vs. Ownership 12/29/2025

Responsibility vs. Ownership Responsibility and ownership are often used interchangeably, but they lead to very different outcomes. In this episode, John explains why responsibility is assigned, but ownership must be taken. The shift from doing what you have to do to doing what you must do changes how consistently you show up and follow through. 🟩 Quote of the Day: Ownership is doing what must be done, even when you don’t feel like it. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39543050

Your Exposure Shapes Your Dreams 12/26/2025

Your Exposure Shapes Your Dreams What you are exposed to influences what you believe is possible. In this episode, John explains why your dreams often grow only as large as your exposure allows and how intentionally seeking better experiences expands your vision. Bigger dreams begin with broader exposure. 🟩 Quote of the Day: The fastest way to expand your vision is to experience something more excellent. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39496530

Your Actions Today Become Traditions 12/25/2025

Your Actions Today Become Traditions The actions you take today often last far longer than the day itself. In this episode, John shares a Christmas Day reflection on how small, consistent actions quietly turn into traditions that shape memories and meaning for others. What feels ordinary to you may be unforgettable to someone else. 🟩 Quote of the Day: What you do today becomes a tradition tomorrow. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39496585

The Moment Before the Moment 12/24/2025

The Moment Before the Moment As meaningful moments approach, pressure and doubt often show up first. In this episode, John reflects on the space that exists just before life’s biggest moments arrive. The reminder is simple. What matters most isn’t perfection or preparation. It’s presence. 🟩 Quote of the Day: The moment doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs you present. 🔗 Get the Optimistic Outlook book on Amazon: /episode/index/show/29116daf-fe60-4410-971d-1c36dce5aef1/id/39496685

The Optimistic Outlook with John Eades

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