Investing in Personal Growth: It's Time to DJ Your Mental Soundtracks

As I sit here in Franklin, TN, eagerly awaiting Jon Acuff’s Remarkable You event, I am reminded of his book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. In this transformative work, Acuff teaches us how to identify and replace the negative thoughts—or “broken soundtracks”—that often hold us back. He explains that overthinking isn’t a personality trait; it’s the sneakiest form of fear, stealing our time, creativity, and goals.

This idea feels especially relevant when paired with AJR’s song "Bang" and its opening lines:

"I get up, I get down and I'm jumping around And the rumpus and ruckus are comfortable now Been a hell of a ride but I'm thinking it's time to grow."

These lyrics perfectly encapsulate the journey of personal growth. They remind us that while life may be full of ups and downs, comfort zones—especially chaotic ones—can become traps. Growth begins when we decide it’s time to move forward with intention. For real estate agents, this realization is particularly important because the chaos of daily hustle can often masquerade as productivity.

Recognizing the Chaos in Your Comfort Zone

Let’s break down these lyrics and connect them to the transformative process of investing in yourself:

"I get up, I get down and I'm jumping around": This reflects the rollercoaster of life—its highs and lows. For real estate agents, this might mean navigating fluctuating markets, handling challenging clients, or dealing with inconsistent income from commissions. Growth starts with acknowledging these cycles and committing to improvement.
"And the rumpus and ruckus are comfortable now": Chaos can become comfortable if we’re not intentional. The constant hustle of answering calls, chasing leads, and managing transactions can feel productive but often limits our capacity for deep work—the kind that leads to massive breakthroughs. As Jon Acuff emphasizes in Soundtracks, replacing broken thought patterns with empowering ones is key to breaking free from stagnation. Without intentionality, this chaotic comfort zone can take over, leaving us with a business that controls our lives instead of one that supports the life we truly want.
"Been a hell of a ride but I'm thinking it’s time to grow": This is the pivotal moment—the decision to embrace change. Jim Rohn famously said, “The major key to your better future is you.” Growth begins when we recognize that our future hinges on our willingness to evolve.

Retire, Replace, Repeat: A Framework for Growth

Jon Acuff offers a simple yet powerful three-step process for transforming overthinking into a superpower:

Retire your broken soundtracks: Identify negative thought patterns holding you back and challenge their validity.
Replace them with new ones: Create empowering soundtracks that align with your goals and values.
Repeat them until they’re automatic: Consistently reinforce positive thoughts until they become second nature.

To retire a broken soundtrack effectively, ask yourself three questions:

Is it true? Often, our overthinking involves assumptions that lack evidence. Challenge these thoughts by seeking clarity or feedback from trusted sources.
Is it helpful? Even if a thought contains some truth, does it contribute positively to your growth or keep you stuck?
Is it kind? Would you say this thought repeatedly to a friend? If not, it’s likely not kind to yourself either.

Flip Your Thoughts: Turning Negativity into Positivity

Another powerful technique Acuff suggests is flipping your broken soundtracks into their opposites. For example:

Instead of thinking “Change is scary,” flip it to “Curiosity beats criticism.”
Instead of “I’m not good enough,” flip it to “I’m learning every day.”

By intentionally identifying and embracing the opposite of your negative thoughts, you can create new mental narratives that empower rather than hinder you.

Designing Your Business Around Your Life

For real estate agents especially, chaos often masquerades as progress—the constant “rumpus and ruckus” of emails, phone calls, showings, and negotiations can feel productive but rarely leads to breakthroughs or sustainable success. If we’re not intentional about stepping out of this chaotic comfort zone, we risk letting our business control our lives instead of designing a business that supports the life we truly want.

Massive breakthroughs require clarity and focus—something chaos rarely provides. To shift from reactive chaos into proactive strategies:

Build systems that streamline repetitive tasks so you can focus on high-impact activities like nurturing relationships or strategizing for long-term growth.
Create boundaries around your time so you can carve out space for deep work—the kind that leads to innovation in your business.

Winning the Week: Taking Action and Building Momentum

Ultimately, you don’t think your way out of overthinking—you act your way out. To foster personal growth:

Identify one specific goal—a “win for the week.”
Choose a new empowering soundtrack that aligns with this goal (e.g., “I’m capable of solving big challenges”).
Define concrete actions you’ll take to achieve this win (e.g., scheduling uninterrupted time for planning or reaching out to five new leads).

This process creates momentum—a powerful antidote to stagnation—and helps you build confidence as you move forward.

Conclusion: Step Out of Chaos and Into Growth

Investing in personal growth by mastering your mental soundtracks is an ongoing journey—one that requires patience, intention, and action. Whether you're stepping out of a chaotic comfort zone or flipping broken thoughts into empowering ones, remember that every small step forward creates momentum.

As Jon Acuff teaches in Soundtracks, you have the power to DJ your way into a life of clarity and success by retiring negative thought patterns and replacing them with empowering anthems. And as Jim Rohn wisely said: “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.”

So what’s your next step? Identify one broken soundtrack holding you back today and replace it with an empowering anthem. Then take one concrete action this week toward building the business—and life—you truly want.

Step out of chaos intentionally, invest in yourself boldly, and embrace the remarkable journey ahead!