The BIGG Success Show

Hosted by BIGG Success

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1210

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Oct 2026

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About the show

You are the entrepreneur of your life. BIGG Success is about taking charge of your future by thinking like an entrepreneur—even if you never start a business. We call it personal entrepreneurship: a mindset that empowers you to take control, make better decisions, and reach your goals faster. We help you create the life you want. One that aligns with your vision, mission, and values. A life that’s fulfilling in all three key areas: personal, professional, and financial. Short-term wins. Long-term success. Holistic and intentional. Your co-hosts, George Krueger and Mary-Lynn Foster, combine business smarts with heart. George, “The Professor,” is a serial entrepreneur and teaches Entrepreneurial Finance at the University of Illinois. Mary-Lynn, a veteran radio host turned entrepreneur, brings warmth and wisdom to every episode. Join us for straight talk, smart strategies, and uplifting stories to help you focus, move forward, and create the life you truly want. That’s BIGG Success!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 20, 20268 min

When Fear Sounds Like Good Judgment

What if the voice telling you to be careful is actually fear talking? Fear doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes it sounds perfectly reasonable: "The timing isn't right." "We need more information." "Let's be realistic." In episode #1212 of The BIGG Success Show, George and Mary-Lynn explore how fear can disguise itself as good judgment, especially when you're facing an important career, business, or life decision. Discover why fear can distort your perception of risk, how to recognize when preparation becomes avoidance, and how to make courageous decisions without being reckless. Plus, The Professor shares a practical exercise to help you separate what you know from what you fear. BIGG Takeaways: Why fear can make risks appear greater than they really are. The hidden costs of staying with what's familiar. How to recognize when preparation becomes avoidance. Why moving the goalposts may signal fear. How to reduce risk without waiting for complete certainty. A practical exercise to help you decide whether to move, modify, or decline an opportunity. Until next time: Here's to Your BIGG success. George & Mary-Lynn P.S. Know someone who's struggling with an important decision? Share this episode with them. It might help them see their choices from a different perspective. ---- Links referenced in this episode: Life Map Course BIGG Success Newsletter Read the Blog: How to Tell the Difference Between Fear and Good Judgment

October 6, 20269 min

When Persistence Becomes the Problem

Persistence is one of the qualities we’re taught leads to success. But what happens when your determination to keep going keeps you investing in something that no longer makes sense? In episode #1211 of The BIGG Success Show, George and Mary-Lynn explore how sunk costs can influence our decisions and why the time, money, and effort you’ve already invested shouldn’t automatically determine what you do next. You’ll discover three moves: Reassess, Release, and Reallocate, to help you evaluate long-standing commitments based on where you want to go, not simply how much you’ve already invested. You’ll also learn how to separate the goal from the route you’ve chosen to reach it, consider what your persistence may be preventing, and use the 12-Month Trade Test to compare what continuing versus changing course could create in your life. BIGG Takeaways: Why past investments can make it harder to objectively evaluate what comes next A simple question that can reveal when a long-standing commitment deserves a fresh look How to change your route without giving up on the bigger goal Why walking away doesn’t erase the value, experience, or skills you’ve already gained BIGG Chapters: [00:14] - When Persistence Becomes the Problem [01:43] - Roadmap: Reassess, Release, Reallocate — three moves to decide what to persist with [03:32] - Deciding What Deserves Your Continued Persistence [05:38] - The Hidden Cost of Persistence [07:28] - 12-Month Trade Test — Evaluate Whether to Continue a Commitment Links referenced in this episode: Life Map Course Episode 1202: How to Know What Opportunities to Say No To BIGG Success Newsletter

September 22, 202610 min

The Confidence to Be a Beginner Again

You’ve worked hard to become good at what you do. But what happens when something you want next requires you to be bad at something again? Success brings something valuable: competence. You build expertise, earn trust, and get comfortable knowing what you’re doing. But what happens when the life you want next requires you to become a beginner again? In Episode #1210, George and Mary-Lynn explore why stepping into the learning zone can feel especially uncomfortable once you’re accomplished, and how to do it without making a huge commitment. You’ll learn a four-step process—Choose, Experiment, Learn, Expand—to help you confidently explore new possibilities without abandoning the experience and expertise you’ve already built. BIGG Takeaways: Why competence can sometimes make becoming a beginner harder How to decide which new skills are worth learning Why small experiments reduce the risk of trying something new How to stop turning an imperfect result into a judgment about yourself A more useful way to think about confidence How new skills can expand the value of your existing expertise BIGG Chapters: [01:40] Are You Willing to Be a Beginner? [02:29] Step One — Choose. Make sure it's worth learning. [03:46] Step Two — Experiment: Make the First Step Smaller [05:23] Step Three — Learn. Stop turning results into identity. [06:42] Step Four — Expand: Becoming a Beginner with Confidence [07:35] BIGG Assignment: Your Beginner's Permission Slip Links referenced in this episode: Book: The Performance Paradox Episode #1202: How to Know What Opportunities to Say No To Course: Life Map by BIGG Success Newsletter: Join us

September 8, 202612 min

Stop Being the Go-To Person

Being the person everyone counts on can feel rewarding. But when every question, problem, and decision keeps coming back to you, your dependability can start limiting your success. In episode #1209, George and Mary-Lynn explore why capable people often become indispensable—and why breaking that pattern can create more freedom for everyone involved. You’ll discover how to stop rescuing and start developing others, why delegating outcomes works better than simply handing off tasks, and how a simple Go-To Audit can reveal where your time is really going. BIGG Takeaways: It's crucial to shift from being indispensable to enabling others to solve their own problems. Delegating outcomes rather than tasks fosters growth in those around you and promotes independence. Recognizing the difference between being valuable and being necessary can transform your approach to helping others. The path to true success involves creating capacity in yourself and others, not just solving immediate issues. Links referenced in this episode: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Life Map Course BIGG Success Newsletter

August 25, 20269 min

Don't Just Restart Your Routine

What if getting “back to normal” means returning to a routine that no longer fits your life? Before you fall back into familiar patterns this season, it may be time to reconsider which ones still deserve a place in your life. In episode #1208 , George and Mary-Lynn explore how familiar routines can lead to default living. You’ll learn how to decide what still deserves your time, use the “fresh start effect” to rethink your priorities, and make one small change instead of overhauling everything at once. They also share a simple Routine Reset: Resume, Reevaluate, Redesign - a practical way to make sure your schedule reflects the life you’re trying to create. BIGG Takeaways: As summer ends, it's crucial to not just fall back into old routines without reconsideration. We often mistake familiarity for alignment; just because it was once part of our life doesn't mean it still fits. Before resuming your routine, ask yourself what truly supports the life you're creating today. Taking advantage of a fresh start doesn't just happen in January; every season offers a chance for renewal. One small change can re-energize your routine; focus on removing one commitment and adding something supportive. BIGG Chapters [00:14] Welcome to Champaign: A College Town [01:29] Reevaluating Routines and Familiarity [04:04] Embracing New Beginnings [06:10] Rethinking Your Routine [08:29] Transitioning to New Priorities Links referenced in this episode: BIGG Success Newsletter BIGG Success Life Map Course Research: The fresh start effect

August 11, 20269 min

Is Your Money Creating Options?

If someone handed you $1 million, what would you do with it? Quit your job? Travel the world? Spend more time with family and friends? Start a business? Notice something? None of those answers are really about the money. They’re about the options the money creates —options you can use to create the life you want. What do you really want your money to make possible? In episode #1207, George and Mary-Lynn explore a different way to think about wealth: not by how much you earn, but by the choices your money creates. They discuss: Why a bigger income doesn’t automatically bring more freedom, Why designing your life should come before designing your finances, How intentional financial decisions can create greater flexibility over time. You’ll also discover a simple framework for earning, allocating, and creating options, plus an “Options Portfolio” exercise to connect today’s financial decisions with the choices you want tomorrow. BIGG Takeaways: Money should be viewed as a tool that creates options for your life, not just an end goal. Wealth is ultimately about the freedom to make choices that enhance your quality of life. Asking how a purchase creates more options can drastically change your financial decision-making process. Consider building an 'options portfolio' to focus on choices that align with your future goals. BIGG Chapters [00:14] Exploring Financial Options [01:00] Rethinking Money and Freedom [03:31] The True Purpose of Money [06:00] Designing Your Life and Finances [07:56] Creating Freedom through Financial Choices Links referenced in this episode: Life Map Course BIGG Success Newsletter

July 28, 20268 min

The Mid-Year Reset Every Achiever Needs

What if the goal you’re struggling to reach isn’t a motivation problem? Maybe it simply doesn’t fit anymore. In episode #1206, George and Mary-Lynn explore why changing direction doesn’t mean giving up and how a thoughtful mid-year reset can help you make the second half of the year count. In This Episode We'll Explore: One of the biggest mistakes achievers make Why resetting your goals often trumps just pushing harder How to finish the year strong BIGG Takeaways: The mid-year reset is an opportunity to reassess your goals and align them with your current life situation. Successful people know that changing a goal doesn't mean failure; it shows adaptability and wisdom in navigating life. As you reflect on the past six months, focus on lessons learned rather than what you didn't achieve. Instead of pushing harder, take a step back to ensure your goals still serve the life you want to build. BIGG Chapters [00:01] The Mid Year Reset [01:17] Reevaluating Our Goals [01:47] Embracing Change: The Importance of Goal Adjustment [04:50] Reflecting on Goals and Life Alignment [05:47] Setting Goals for the Second Half of the Year Links referenced in this episode: BIGG Success Life Map Course Join our Newsletter

July 14, 202611 min

Protect Your Attention Before It's Too Late

Your attention isn't just something you use—it shapes the life you're creating. Every day, countless people, platforms, and notifications compete for your attention. Every time you say "yes" to one thing, you're saying "no" to something else. The question isn't whether your attention is valuable. The question is whether you're investing it intentionally. In this episode, George and Mary-Lynn discuss: Why attention may be even more valuable than time. The hidden cost of constant distraction. How your attention determines the direction of your life. Five practical ways to reclaim your attention. Why protecting your focus helps you create the life you truly want. BIGG Takeaways: Every distraction has a cost, even when the interruptions seem small. Technology isn't just competing for your time, it's competing for your mind. Your attention shapes your life; the more focused you are, the more you'll achieve your dreams. To reclaim your focus, start your day intentionally by controlling your morning routine effectively. BIGG Chapters [00:14] The Neighborhood Bar Experience [01:32] The Value of Attention [03:25] The Importance of Attention in a Distracted World [04:56] Reclaiming Your Attention: 5 Practical Steps [08:32] Building Stronger Connections Through Attentive Conversations Links referenced in this episode: BIGGSuccess.com BIGG Success Newsletter BIGG Success Life Map

June 30, 20268 min

Why Success Can Feel Lonely

Success often brings opportunity, achievement, and recognition, but it doesn't automatically create meaningful connection. In episode #1204 , George & Mary-Lynn explore one of the hidden costs of achievement: how the very qualities that help us succeed can gradually pull us away from the relationships that matter most. We discuss why networking isn't the same as friendship, why relationships require intentional investment, and how small, consistent actions can strengthen the people who enrich our lives. We also share a simple relationship audit that can help you reconnect with those who matter most. BIGG Takeaways: Success often brings a sense of loneliness because it's not just about having people around you; it's about feeling deeply connected to them. Many successful individuals realize that networking is not a replacement for genuine friendships, as they often lack meaningful connections despite having numerous acquaintances. To combat loneliness, it's essential to invest consistently in relationships, as meaningful connections require intentional effort over time. The Harvard Study of Adult Development highlights that strong relationships are crucial for happiness and well-being, overshadowing mere accomplishments or financial success. Building a life that feels connected and meaningful involves planning for relationships just as you would for your career or finances. Recognizing the hidden relationship costs of achievement can help us prioritize the connections that truly matter in our lives. BIGG Chapters [00:13] The Loneliness of Success [00:56] The Hidden Costs of Success and Loneliness [02:28] The Hidden Costs of Achievement [04:50] The Importance of Intentional Relationships [05:46] Creating Connections: The Importance of Relationships [07:31] The Importance of Relationships in Success Links referenced in this episode: Life Map Course BIGG success Newsletter Harvard Study of Adult Development

June 12, 20269 min

Micro-Retirements: Don't Spend Your Life Preparing to Live

Micro retirements are the focus of our conversation today, challenging the traditional work-now-live-later mindset that many of us have followed for decades. We dive into why it’s crucial not to postpone living and how taking intentional breaks can lead to a more fulfilling life. With stories about our youthful dreams—like being a Disney tour guide or the “check guy” for rock stars—we illustrate how exploring what truly matters now can enhance your journey. We’ll explore how micro retirements can be tailored to fit your life, emphasizing that it’s not about running away from responsibilities, but rather about moving toward what excites you. Join us as we unpack the hidden costs of delaying your dreams and provide actionable steps to start living more fully today. BIGG Takeaways: Micro retirements are designed to help you intentionally focus on meaningful experiences instead of waiting for traditional retirement. The concept of micro retirement challenges the outdated work now, live later mindset by promoting life experiences now. Don't let life drift you away; instead, design your life intentionally to achieve big success. Asking yourself what you're postponing can help you identify what truly matters to you right now. Micro retirements offer deeper renewal and growth, which can be more fulfilling than regular vacations. Creating a life map helps ensure you don't drift through life but instead land where you want to be. BIGG Chapters: [00:00] Embracing Micro Retirements [01:10] Understanding Micro Retirement [04:47] The Hidden Cost of Delayed Living [05:47] The Concept of Micro Retirements and Intentional Living [09:15] Exploring the Side Effects of Success Links referenced in this episode: LifeMapCourse.com 5 Ways to Find Fulfillment and Achieve Success BIGGsuccess.com/Join

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