486: The Problem Solvers Playbook

When you miss a goal, it's easy to label it a character flaw. You tell yourself, "I'm just a lazy person," or "I'm just not wired for success." On this episode of the Achieve Results NOW! Podcast , Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt challenge you to stop taking your failures personally and start looking at them like a faulty machine. Welcome to The Problem Solver's Playbook . This episode is about moving from self-criticism to system audits. Whether you're struggling with fitness, finances, or the dojo, your results are a product of your systems. If a printer stops working, you don't call the engineer "trash"—you fix the printer. It's time to apply that same logic to your life. The Problem Solver's Playbook: 3 Action Steps 1. Identify the Root, Not the Symptom Stop chasing the surface-level problem and start digging for the source code of your failure. Perform a "Deep Audit": Look past the obvious result (e.g., "I missed my workout") and find the environmental trigger (e.g., "My desk was a mess, and I wasted my gym time cleaning it"). Track Repeatable Glitches: Identify patterns in your energy or environment that consistently derail you. Are you setting yourself up for success the night before? Solve for the Input: Focus on fixing the habits that lead to the problem (like overspending) rather than just stressing about the outcome (like a low bank balance). 2. Swap Judgment for Feedback Successful people view mistakes as data, not as a reflection of their worth. Kill Limiting Labels: Stop saying "I'm just that way." These labels are brakes on your progress that keep you stuck in a "mental death" where growth isn't possible. Adopt the "Feedback Loop": Reframe failure as essential data. If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't putting yourself on the line or growing to the next level. De-mystify the Obstacle: Stop assigning a "difficulty score" to your problems. Every obstacle you face has likely been overcome by someone else; look for their blueprint instead of fearing the challenge. 3. Pivot the System, Never the Goal Keep your destination locked in but be infinitely flexible with how you get there. Keep the Destination: If you're struggling to reach your "black belt," adjust your training routine or your timeframe, but don't abandon the goal itself. Leverage Micro-Versions: When momentum stalls, pivot to the smallest possible version of your goal to get a "win" back on the board and rebuild your confidence. Ask Momentum Questions: After every slip-up, ask yourself one question: "What is one small adjustment I can make to make this easier or more fluent next time?" Key Takeaway: Experience "inspirational dissatisfaction." It's okay to be frustrated with where you are, as long as that frustration fuels a system upgrade rather than a descent into procrastination. ARN Suggested Reading : Blessings In the Bullshit: A Guided Journal for Finding the BEST In Every Day – by Mark Cardone & Theron Feidt Full List of Recommended Books: Questions? 1. Do you have a question you want answered in a future podcast? 2. Go to to submit. Connect with Us: Get access to some of the great resources that we use at: Thank you for listening to the Achieve Results NOW! Podcast. The podcast that gives you immediate actions you can take to start seeing life shifting results NOW!

You can listen to 486: The Problem Solvers Playbook online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

486: The Problem Solvers Playbook is an episode from Achieve Results NOW! Podcast by Theron Feidt.

This episode is 16:15 long.

This episode was published on Jan 27, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Achieve Results NOW! Podcast when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.