Finding self-motivation can be incredibly difficult. There’s always a reason to not do something. Having circumstances beyond our control is understandable because, well, try telling an actual force of nature, “Sorry, I actually have a deadline to do. Could you not turn my power off? Thanks.” And then there are scheduling errors or delays. You try to do your best for those, but you’re not responsible for the other party, and things, once again, fall out of your control. (Scheduling is perhaps an even greater show of force than nature itself.)
But after that? Not wanting to, procrastination, poor time management, lack of self-discipline, and other smaller things become convenient reasons to not do the things we should or even really want to do. Maybe there’s an underlying fear that stops us. Maybe it’s just the hypnotic pull of doomscrolling or binging TikTok videos that pulls our attention away. Whatever it is, we should all look introspectively and figure out how we can capitalize on “Excuse-Free Living”.
Excuse-free living, or EFL, is a way of life that James Radford, also known as JW Radford, passionately speaks on. As an author and motivational speaker, JW Radford has helped individuals and entrepreneurs figure out what they need to do to live more true to themselves, overcome their struggles, and start on the path of excuse-free living. We had a chance to speak with him about his entrepreneurial spirit, success, and the power of self-discipline.
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James, thank you for being here with us today.
You’re an accomplished business person with many ventures under your belt. Having an entrepreneurial spirit comes with its own trials and tribulations. Because of this, there’s also a lot of lessons to learn. How would you personally define success? It’s a word that gets thrown around by a lot of people, so it can have a lot of different meanings.
JW RADFORD: Well, thank you for having me. I define success as identifying, accepting, and living in purpose and destiny; success is never a destination! I believe that’s where many people miss the mark. They think that once you arrive at some specific point in their lives, they’ve made it, and now it’s time to relax and reap the benefits. A year later, they become anxious, unsettled, and disappointed because they feel like they have unfinished business. It’s a state of being, not a destination.
One of your professional pursuits has been in the realm of motivational speaking, and you have something called the JW Experience. Can you tell us more about that?
RADFORD: The JW Radford Experience is the process of “self-emptying” or contemplation to identify the experiences in our lives that we now use as excuses not to fulfill our dreams. Once we recognize those excuses, we remove them one by one until we realize what I call Excuse Free Living (EFL).
How does the JW Experience teach people to separate “perfectionism” and “success”? How do you help remove “perfect” from their vocabulary?
RADFORD: Perfectionism is a trap. It’s the belief that everything has to be done perfectly, or else it’s not worth doing. But this is a lie. Perfection is impossible. There will always be things that could be better. So if you’re waiting for everything to be perfect before you start, you’ll never start.
The truth is success is about progress, not perfection. It’s about taking action and moving forward, even if you make mistakes. So if you want to be successful, stop striving for perfection.
Outside of your public speaking, you’re also CEO of a business called Trust Consulting Services. How did you come up with this company? It seems like an incredibly difficult undertaking.
RADFORD: So, I was trained as a Contracting Officer in the Air Force and served for many years. But then, I got diagnosed with a debilitating illness and was forced to retire. I didn’t know what I was going to do with myself. I felt lost. I started thinking about what I could do to help people. I wanted to use my training and experience to make a difference.
And then it hit me: I could start a consulting firm that would help businesses improve their operations. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was determined to make it work. I spent months planning and gaining business knowledge. Then in 2015, I launched Trust Consulting Services.
It hasn’t been easy. There have been times when I wanted to give up. But I kept going, because I knew that I was doing something important. I knew that I was making a difference. Today, Trust Consulting Services is a successful business. We’ve helped dozens of businesses improve their operations, and we’re continuing to grow.
Everyone seems to be starting their own business, but it’s definitely not as easy as it seems. How have you managed stress as an entrepreneur and CEO? What advice would you give other people?
RADFORD: Starting a business can be an incredibly stressful experience. There are countless things to think about, and it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed. However, I’m here to share some valuable insights I’ve gathered over the years that can help you effectively manage stress and stay on track.
First and foremost, it’s essential to set realistic expectations. Building a successful business takes time and hard work. It’s crucial to set achievable goals, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t achieve immediate success. Remember, progress is a gradual process, and each step forward counts.
Taking breaks is equally important. Amidst the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, it’s vital to give yourself moments of respite. Take the time to step away from work, move around or engage in activities you enjoy, even if it’s just a few minutes. These breaks will refresh your mind and help you maintain focus when you return.
As your business grows, delegation becomes crucial. Learning to delegate tasks to capable individuals is essential for freeing up your time to concentrate on the most important aspects of your business. Surround yourself with a reliable team that shares your vision and can shoulder some of the workload.
Don’t forget to prioritize self-care. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for managing stress and staying productive. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, nourishing your body with healthy foods, and engaging in regular exercise. By prioritizing your health, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of entrepreneurship.
And remember to be passionate about your business. Building a successful venture requires genuine enthusiasm and dedication. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, it will be challenging to overcome the inevitable obstacles that come your way.
What are your next steps for the Trust Consulting Services?
RADFORD: We’re really excited about the future of our company. We have a lot of great things in the works. Like we’re currently looking at expanding into several new markets, including Europe and the Middle East. We believe that there is a great demand for our services there, and we’re excited to reach new clients and grow our business.
Other than that, we’re always looking for new ways to help our clients. We’re currently developing several new services, including AI and machine learning. We’re investing in software, hardware, and data storage to make our operations more efficient and effective.
We really believe that these new services and investments will help us to grow our business and provide better service to our clients.
When it comes to your own life, you’ve faced your own adversities and hardships—your own struggles. How did you find the strength to keep going? How did you find or build a support system?
RADFORD: I’ve been through a lot in my life. I’ve been divorced, I’ve been sick, and I’ve lost loved ones. But through it all, I’ve found the strength to keep going. I found my strength in my faith. I believe that God has a plan for my life, and that even when things are tough, He is with me. My faith has given me the strength to keep going, even when I wanted to give up.
I also found strength in my support system. Building a support system is invaluable. Having a network of friends, family, or fellow entrepreneurs who understand the challenges you face can provide immense comfort and guidance. It also allows you to openly discuss your concerns, seek advice, and ask for help when needed. I have a group of friends and family who love and support me. They have been there for me through thick and thin, and they have helped me to get through some of the toughest times in my life.
If you’re facing adversity in your life, I want you to know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how hard it can be. But I also know that you can get through this.
What lessons did you learn that you would like to share with others?
RADFORD: I learned so much along the way, and I am always ready to share my knowledge with everyone who needs guidance. I believe the main thing I learned throughout my journey was the importance of effort. Yes, we should all be smart and try to find smarter and more efficient ways to do things. But all the effort we save should go into developing something else, something that will further improve on what we do.
This is where Excuse-Free living (EFL) comes in. I want to live a life without excuses, and this is what I want to preach as well. I don’t want to make excuses for being late to work or for not finishing a task. And I want to teach people who are stuck in a rut how to get rid of all the excuses holding them back and help them move forward.
Do you have any haters that became your motivators, haha.
RADFORD: I love my haters. They supply the fuel I need to push through the tough times, I am not afraid of them! My haters are those who tried to convince me that destiny was too much, unrealistic, or an unhealthy passion for wealth. These people say these things because they fear the price you must pay for success. Fearful people are scared of people who are not afraid because they just end up questioning themselves.
Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your past self? Would you say anything at all?
RADFORD: My past self was as tough a nut to crack as I am now. Of course, I have grown a lot so there are still things my past self will learn from me.
Firstly, I want to tell Little James to be patient and hang in there. In the past, I just wanted to get things done. Patience is a very important virtue, and sometimes you just have to put in the effort and just wait. The result will come to you.
Other than that, I want to tell him to hang in there. There are so many times when I just wanted to give up, where I just lost faith in everything and became hopeless. And yes, I kept pushing myself to be a little better every day. But I was always on the verge of giving up. SO I would go and reassure my past self to hang in there and have faith that things will get better.
What’s something that you’re looking forward to?
RADFORD: I am absolutely fired up about my journey as a motivational speaker! The hurdles I’ve faced and conquered in my life have shaped me into the resilient individual I am today, and now I’m ready to ignite the spark of perseverance in others. My story is a testament to the power of unwavering determination, and I am determined to share that strength with the world. Every challenge I’ve faced has been a stepping stone towards this very moment, and I am fully prepared to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I encounter.
This new path I’m embarking upon as a motivational speaker will undoubtedly be filled with challenges, but I embrace them wholeheartedly. I know that the road ahead will demand my absolute best, but the rewards will be immeasurable. I am confident that my unique story can serve as a guiding light for others, empowering them to conquer their own obstacles and realize their wildest dreams. I eagerly anticipate the transformation that will occur as I help others unlock their potential and achieve the extraordinary.
My purpose as a motivational speaker is crystal clear: to make an indelible mark on the world. By sharing my message of hope and resilience, I aim to create a ripple effect of positive change that transcends boundaries and reaches every corner of this planet. Each person I touch with my words will have the power to ignite their own flame, to rise above adversity and rewrite their narrative.
Do you have any words you’d like to leave the readers with?
RADFORD: I want my readers to remember the phrase Excuse-Free Living. Excuse-free living means embracing the mindset of a go-getter. It’s about replacing “I can’t” with “I can” and “I will.” It’s understanding that setbacks and obstacles are just stepping stones to growth and learning. By searching for solutions and alternatives, you become resourceful, adaptable, and unstoppable.
By living excuse-free, you take ownership of your choices and actions. You hold yourself accountable for the outcomes you desire. Excuse-free living empowers you to shatter the self-imposed limitations that have held you back. It pushes you to break free from the chains of complacency and mediocrity.
You unleash your true potential and embark on a journey of growth, resilience, and personal transformation. You become the driving force behind your own success. You become a beacon of inspiration for others, showing them what’s possible when excuses are replaced with action.
