It’s natural to want to learn new things, to grow and improve in areas where you feel you’re lacking, and keep aiming towards becoming your ideal you. The thing is, it’s not always easy to figure out how to do it. Whether it’s advancing professionally, forming deeper relationships, or refining your skills at a particular hobby, it can be difficult to take the steps to do so, no matter how much you may want to.

But what exactly is holding you back? How did great public speakers, musicians, and athletes get to their level of expertise? What does it take?

The persons you see and admire right now, the ones who make everything look easy, spent months, if not years, trying to perfect their craft. They didn’t make a single big change and maintain it. They took small steps, and they took them frequently, and they kept going.

If you’ve ever tried to learn a new language, or play an instrument, then you know what I’m talking about. There’s no...

Transcript:

Hey, everyone. This is Shawn Buttner, Certified High Performance Coach, and today's video is going to continue talking about courage. And the theme for this month is, in a world of uncertainty, we need to step up and provide strength of character to help make the world better, right? Now I'm Shawn Buttner, Certified High Performance Coach, I help people become more awesomer so that they can live lives with more joy, growth, and happiness, and impact, and right now I just wanted to draw some things that are bugging me, right?

Have you ever felt a little overwhelmed with all the negativity in the news and the world abroad? You feel like you're just trying to make it through the day without trying to make any waves, or trying to feel like you're unable to say the things that you need to say to the people you need to say them to, such as your spouse, co-worker, boss? 

Do you ever just wonder how you can feel certain about the world again when everything seems...

Edited transcript:
Hey, everyone. It's Shawn Buttner, certified high performance coach, and today's video we're going to talk about something related to the fourth of July. Actually, this month’s topic is going to be courage, in honor of the fourth of July.

I help people figure out self development, career planning, and career development that they can live the lives that they really want, and get to that next level of awesome in your life.

Have you ever wondered how the quality, and values, and virtues of a citizen directly relate to their government? I always think about these questions around the fourth of July, because it's a chance to reflect on why I love my country, and it reminds me of family gatherings growing up.

It's humid in the mid-west, there's the smell of spent bottle rockets and other fireworks, and my dad and uncle are playing this very dangerous game of 'drink a lot of beer' and 'blow stuff up'.

Luckily no accidents actually happened. I remember my uncle's...

Hey everyone!

This is the last energy series video, all about moving around.

Have you ever...

• Burst of energy in the morning, then you run out of juice by the end of the day
• Sore back from sitting at your desk at home or at work too much?
• Difficulty staying focused on tasks, and you don't know why?
• Feel that no matter what you do, your are unable to get rid of stress?  Or you are always thinking about stressful things, and are not able to let things go?

Back in 2007, I was struggling with my student loans.  I was overwhelmed, and afraid I would always be in debt.  

Eventually, I got sick of the stress, and started training for a marathon.  So I got moving.

50 years ago, we worked a little less, and in jobs that required more physical movement.  Factory, sales.  We had a family life, and a work life.

Now, most jobs require computer time desk work.  We sit, and for longer hours at work.  And we lost natural movement during the...

Happy Fathers Day!

First, shout out to my Dad for teaching me how to work hard, do what is right, and follow my dreams.  I love you Dad!

In today's video, I'll show you a breathing technique that will help you feel more energetic.  If you ever have had brain fog, trouble concentrating, are easily distracted, or feel trapped with distractions, this exercise can help!

This started for me years ago because I am a professional programmer by day.  Sitting in-front of the "ultimate distraction machine" for my job and side business was really draining my energy.  I was having trouble concentrating and focusing, which are essential parts of my job!

It was getting so bad, I had finally had enough.

I noticed when I was taking voice lessons, that after singing I had more energy.  My voice teacher was showing me how to breath more efficiently so I could sing better.  A-ha!  Breathing better bring more energy.

So I started to focus on breathing.  Next, I...

Have you ever had any of these challenges... 

• Not know how to eat healthy?
• Not sure what’s up with all these crazy diets?
• Not sure what to believe?

In 2010, I was sick of making sandwiched and eating at restraints, so I started to explore how to cook.  So many different things to try, so many things that were healthy and not healthy it was a bit much.  Being overwhelmed, I started to experiment.

I saw a movie and got inspired, and tried a ‘no garbage diet’  I tried veggies, veganism, pasta-sim.  I tried all the diets - no carbs, and paleo. 

At the end, I took a look at my notes, and figured out some common themes you might find helpful.

More importantly, I :

• Lost 20 lbs by eliminating certain foods
• Slept way better
• had more energy
• skin cleared up
• ENJOYED MAKING FOOD!

So what did I learn?  Here are five common threads to fuel your body for maximum energy:

• Eat fresh organic veggies.
• Eat hormone /chemical free...

Video Summary:

Have you ever:

• Feel like you zombie-walk through the day, with life blurred between your cups of coffee, energy drinks, or sugar?
• Low energy at the end of the day that prevents you from spending time with family and friends, or the hobbies and projects you want to work on? Do you veg out to TV?
• Have a tough time influencing people because you are dry, quiet, or do not have the energy to get others excited?
• Spend your awake time dreaming of sleep?

In 2014 my mother passed away after a long struggle with heart disease.  My family was devastated, and I was struggling in every area of my life.  I wasn’t taking care of myself, I was constantly stressed out, and questioning everything I was doing with my life.  I spent months flying back and forth to Chicago to help my Dad and be there for my Mom before she passed, and I was exhausted.  And it did not seem like I would recover.  Have you ever had an event that threw your life...

Ever get worked up over an email from a coworker or someone close to you, only to find out later it was a mis-communication?

Well, today’s video will give you an idea on how to protect yourself from communication, and a frame work to help communicate better!

Why is Body Language Important?

• It's 80% of communication to other human beings.
• Can mean the difference between a successful group, or a dysfunctional group if you are the leader or facillitator. 
• May prevent fights with your significant other if you read them well.
• May help you build rapport with business associates or closeness with your close family and friends.

What is Body Language?

I see body language as three different parts:

1. Posture:  How people present themselves to you or a group of people, with their body.
2. "Tone":  How people talk, and the facial expressions they make when communicating.
3. Behavior:  Combination of Posture and "Tone" in a conversation or speach that reveals someone's inner state or thinking.

How this one ninja-trick with body language can help your personal relationships:

Mirroring.  Mirroring allows us to build trust with people by subtling mimmicing their posture and "tone".  When done correctly, we can...

Have you ever struggled with making a big life choice, follow a dream, or lead with your heart?  Or have you struggled with change in your life?

In 2012 I was feeling restless.  Comfortable, but restless.  I had a decent job, though did not feel very inspired by it.  I lived in a beautiful part of the country, though the town was small and I felt out of place. 

Things were good, and not amazing.

I had been studying personal development, and attended a seminar.  During that seminar I was asked the question, “Are you living your truth?”.  I nearly fell out of my chair, because I didn't like my answer to that question.  I had always wanted to start a business that helped people, and instead I was playing it safe in a corporate job where I did not immediately see the impact of my work.

I immediately decided to pursue a business helping people with their student debt.  So, in the parking lot of the hotel where the seminar...