EP 126: The Messy Middle, Where Dreams Thrive or Die

EP 126: The Messy Middle, Where Dreams Thrive or Die

Every journey has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning is exciting. It's where dreams are born. Energy is high. Hope is overflowing. You can't stop talking about where you're going because you can already see it in your mind. The end is exciting too. It's where victories are celebrated, sacrifices finally make sense, and people suddenly notice all the work they never saw. But almost no one talks about the place in between. The messy middle. The place where the excitement fades, the finish line is nowhere in sight, and every step feels heavier than the last. It's the place where motivation goes silent. Where doubt gets loud. Where progress feels invisible. Where quitting starts sounding reasonable. It's the halfway point. Too far to go back... but not close enough to see the finish. This is where most dreams are abandoned—not because people weren't talented enough, smart enough, or capable enough. They simply got stuck in the middle. Every dreamer will arrive here. Every entrepreneur. Every student. Every parent. Every creator. Every person chasing something bigger than themselves. The question isn't whether you'll face the messy middle. The question is... Who will you become when you get there? Today, I want to be your dream realization partner. Not someone who simply cheers from the sidelines, but someone who reminds you why you started, helps you keep your perspective, and walks beside you through the hardest part of the journey. Because your dream deserves more than a passionate beginning. It deserves a powerful ending. Today I'm going to share fifteen ways to push through the messy middle so your dream has every opportunity to cross the finish line. After all... You've already come this far. Why would you stop now? • Quote of the week: "The middle is messy, but it's also where the magic happens. If we believe in ourselves, if we reach out together, and if we lean into a little bit of that grace... we can get through this." — Brené Brown Fifteen ways to push through the messy middle: 1. Remember Your "Why" More Than Your "How": When the road gets difficult, people obsess over how they're going to make it instead of remembering why they started. 2. Stop Measuring Distance and Start Measuring Progress: The messy middle feels exhausting because you're focused on how much is left instead of how far you've already come. 3. Fall in Love With Consistency Instead of Motivation: Motivation is emotional. Discipline is dependable. Don't wait until you feel inspired—show up because that's who you've decided to become. 4. Break the Mountain Into Pebbles: Looking at the whole journey can feel overwhelming. Instead of climbing the entire mountain today, simply take the next step. 5. Stop Comparing Your Chapter Five to Someone Else's Chapter Twenty: Comparison steals energy you'll never get back. You don't know what battles others fought to get where they are. 6. Let Failure Become Your Teacher: Every setback contains information. Instead of asking, "Why did this happen to me?" ask, "What is this trying to teach me?" 7. Protect Your Mind: Not every opinion deserves access to your dream. Guard what you watch, what you listen to, and who speaks into your life. 8. Borrow Belief Until Yours Returns: There will be days when your confidence disappears. That's why mentors, friends, books, podcasts, and faith matter. 9. Give Yourself Permission to Rest Without Quitting: Rest is not surrender. Recovery prepares you to continue the race. Don't confuse slowing down with giving up—they are completely different decisions. 10. Visualize the Finish Line: Spend a few minutes every day imagining what life will feel like when your dream becomes reality. 11. Become the Person Your Dream Requires: Sometimes the dream isn't waiting on better circumstances. It's waiting on a better version of you. 12. Expect Resistance: Every meaningful dream attracts obstacles. Resistance isn't evidence you're on the wrong path; it's often confirmation you're pursuing something worthwhile. 13. Keep Showing Up When Nobody Is Watching: The middle is lonely because applause usually comes at the end. Learn to work without recognition. 14. Remember That Feelings Are Temporary: Some mornings you'll feel unstoppable. Other mornings you'll question everything. Don't let temporary emotions make permanent decisions. 15. Refuse to Leave Your Dream Half Built: Imagine reaching the end of your life wondering, "What if I had just kept going?" That question is far heavier than today's struggle. The messy middle isn't your punishment. It's your proving ground. It's where dreams stop being exciting ideas and become lifelong realities. It's where passion matures into perseverance. Where wishing becomes working. Where potential becomes purpose. Most people will never experience the life they imagined because they stopped in the middle. Don't let that be your story. Your future is waiting on the other side of the season you're tempted to quit. Keep taking the next step. Keep believing when the evidence is small. Keep moving when the progress feels invisible. And if no one has told you lately... I'm proud of you. Not because you've finished. But because you're still fighting. Your dream is worth it. You are worth it. Now get back up. The finish line isn't coming to find you. It's waiting for you to come claim it. If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat. [https://next-level-dream-chat.youcanbook.me/] It's only about 30 minutes to get started and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. To find it faster, simply go to edwinsoler.com/book [https://edwinsoler.com/book]. That will take you to the book page where you can click on the Amazon logo and order your copy right away. It's available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

EP 125: Every Piece Matters- What Chess Can Teach You About Realizing Your Dreams

There is something fascinating about a chessboard. Sixty-four squares. Thirty-two pieces. Endless possibilities. Most people only notice the king when the game is over. They celebrate the queen because she's powerful. They admire the knights because they make impossible moves. But very few people stop to appreciate the pawn. That's exactly how people treat themselves. They compare their journey to someone else's highlight reel. They believe they don't matter because they don't feel important yet. They underestimate what they bring to the board simply because they haven't reached the other side of it. As your Dream Realization Partner, I've discovered something that changes everything. Dreams don't collapse because people lack talent. Dreams collapse because people underestimate their value. Every piece on the board has a purpose. Every move matters. Every sacrifice has meaning. Every position contributes to victory. And maybe... Just maybe... You've been trying to become someone else when all along your greatest strength has been becoming exactly who you were designed to be. Let's play. • Quote of the week: "Life is like a game of chess, in which there are an infinite number of complex moves possible. The choice is open, but the move made contains within it all future moves." — Shelley Smith The pieces on the chess board and how they can speak to your journey to your dream path: The Pawn – The Power of Small Beginnings The pawn is considered the weakest piece on the board, and because of that, it is often overlooked. People see its limitations before they recognize its possibilities. Isn't that exactly what happens to so many dreamers? We convince ourselves that because our first step is small, it must not matter. Yet nearly every meaningful journey begins with one humble move. The Knight – The Courage to Think Differently The knight is fascinating because it refuses to move like everyone else. While every other piece follows predictable paths, the knight surprises everyone by moving in an entirely different pattern. It teaches us that breakthroughs often come from unconventional thinking instead of conventional behavior. Sometimes your greatest advantage is that you don't fit the mold. The Bishop – The Power of Vision The bishop travels diagonally, seeing opportunities others often miss. It reminds us that vision isn't just about seeing what's directly ahead; it's about recognizing possibilities hidden beneath the surface. Vision allows us to connect today's decisions with tomorrow's destination. The Rook – The Strength of Stability The rook is powerful because it is dependable. It doesn't rely on flashy movements or emotional decisions. It moves with confidence, direction, and purpose. It reminds us that sustainable success is built on consistency rather than excitement. The Queen – Maximizing Your Gifts The queen is the most powerful piece because she has incredible freedom. She can move in multiple directions and influence nearly every area of the board. But her power isn't random—it is purposeful. She represents fully developed potential operating with confidence. The King – Protect What Matters Most Ironically, the king is not the strongest piece on the board. He moves slowly. He possesses limited mobility. Yet the entire game revolves around protecting him because without the king, everything else becomes meaningless. Life works the same way. Maybe today you feel like a pawn. Maybe you're learning to think like a knight. Maybe you're rediscovering your vision like a bishop. Maybe you're becoming dependable like a rook. Maybe you're finally stepping into your queen-level potential. Or maybe life is reminding you to protect your king. Whatever piece best describes you today, remember this... You are not on the board by accident. Every season has purpose. Every move carries meaning. Every setback teaches strategy. Every sacrifice prepares victory. And every dream worth pursuing requires every piece working together. I'm not here to play your game for you. I'm here to walk beside you as your Dream Realization Partner, helping you close the eighteen-inch gap between your head and your heart so you can stop admiring the life you were meant to live and finally start living it. Your next move is waiting. The only question is... Will you make it? If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat. It's only about 30 minutes to get started and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. To find it faster, simply go to edwinsoler.com/book. That will take you to the book page where you can click on the Amazon logo and order your copy right away. It's available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

EP 124: The Man That Sang To No One- A True Story

Last week I sent an email out about a memory that resurfaced after many years. After I sent the email, the message still stuck with me and will not leave me so I decided to expand on this in this podcast episode and dive deeper into this message. A memory I have carried a long time resurfaced again this week. I thought about this man many times before but this time it was different. When I met my wife, and before we became engaged, I was invited to go with her and her family to her birthplace in Ciudad Juárez in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It was a beautiful place at that time. This was long before the notorious cartel wars broke out. This place is literally just a stone's throw away from El Paso, Texas in the US. There are parts of a highway that you drive down where the country of Mexico is separated by simply a very tall fence. You're so close you could have a conversation with someone on their side if you wanted to, or at least if you were allowed. Back then the city was very vibrant, beautiful and active. There were many restaurants because what better thing to bring people together than food. One night we had dinner at a very famous restaurant not knowing that three years later we would be at the same restaurant where we would celebrate our rehearsal dinner, the day before our wedding. What struck me on this particular night as I was having dinner with my future wife and all of her family was a man on a stage. There were a few musicians and him singing his heart out. What struck me was what he would say at the end of every single song: "thank you, thank you everyone for all your applauses". But here's the thing, absolutely no one was applauding! Not. One. Single. Person. The only reason I even paid attention to him was because of what he kept saying about people applauding. I thought he was crazy. But what he was doing was teaching me a lesson that would take a long time to understand. That was over 25 years ago! Yet that memory stayed with me and then it clicked this weekend. Let me explain, because there's a lesson in this. That man kept singing and singing no matter whether anyone was applauding or not. He still showed up even if no one listened, he didn't care that he was rejected, or anything else. He still took the stage and sang. What about you? What stage are you avoiding? What is keeping you from making your dreams come true? Are you waiting for applause, approval, permission? Will you be willing to sing on stage even when no one applauds you? The truth of the matter is that: • No one will applaud you • No one will notice you • No one will listen to you • No one will care I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth. It's the reality. But here's the one thing you have to remember. If you stay on the stage long enough and keep singing or doing what it is that you dream so much about and push through, then it's just a matter of time before: • People will start applauding you • They will start noticing you • They will listen to you, and they will care But you have to be willing to get on stage and do it first! You have to be willing to pay the price of persistence, isolation, frustration, and much more. That's all part of the growth process. Too often people seek stages for approval and give up way, way too early. I'm talking about months or something just even weeks of trying. But let me tell you today that anyone you see succeed has been at it for years, perhaps even decades. There is no such thing as an overnight success. Any overnight success you're seeing is the fruit of someone working hard for years and years suddenly reached the top and became notice. But behind that success is tremendous amount of work, paying, overcoming many beliefs and so much more. What's your stage? Who are you trying to reach? What are your dreams, where are they? While I cannot answer this question for you, the stage is waiting for you. What stage is that? Whatever you decide that to be! It could be speaking, podcasting, writing a book, creating music, standing up for a worthy cause you believe in and so many more things. But the stage is yours. Jump on it and sing your heart out! It doesn't matter that no one notices, cares, or even applauds you. Because at the end of the day, no one ever will if you don't get on the stage to begin with. I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast. "I help professionals uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." So, let's dive into The Man That Sang To No One- A True Story More on the other side. • Quote of the week: "A person of vision sees 'something' in the nothing that everyone else ignored because they were convinced of its nothingness." ― Craig D. Lounsbrough Points covered: Here are some valuable lessons I don't want you to miss: 1. Detach Your Worth from Applause A lack of recognition does not mean a lack of value. People often confuse visibility with significance. Focus on becoming excellent rather than becoming noticed. Recognition usually follows consistent excellence. 2. Remember Why You Started When you feel ignored, reconnect with the original reason you began. Your purpose existed before the audience arrived. Write down your "why" and revisit it regularly. Purpose can sustain you when encouragement is absent. 3. Measure Progress, Not Attention Attention can fluctuate, but progress is measurable. Track the actions you control instead of the responses you receive. Small wins build confidence and momentum. Progress is often happening long before recognition appears. 4. Focus on the Next Step Overwhelm often comes from looking too far ahead. Instead of worrying about the entire journey, focus on the next action. One step completed is better than a thousand steps imagined. Momentum is created through movement. 5. Become Your Own Encourager There will be seasons when nobody is cheering for you. Learn to speak life into yourself during those moments. Replace negative self-talk with truth and possibility. Self-encouragement is a critical skill for every dreamer. 6. Understand That Growth Is Often Invisible Seeds grow underground before anyone sees evidence of life. Your growth may be happening in ways others cannot yet recognize. Trust the process even when results are hidden. Hidden growth often creates visible breakthroughs later. 7. Build Discipline Instead of Motivation Motivation comes and goes, but discipline remains. Create habits that move you forward regardless of how you feel. Show up consistently even when excitement fades. Discipline carries you through the days motivation cannot. 8. Learn from Rejection Rejection is painful, but it often contains valuable lessons. Instead of seeing rejection as a verdict, view it as feedback. Ask yourself what can be improved. Growth often hides inside disappointment. 9. Develop Emotional Resilience Your emotions are real, but they should not control your decisions. Learn to feel disappointment without surrendering to it. Resilience grows every time you keep going despite setbacks. Emotional strength is built through practice. 10. Stop Looking for Instant Results We live in a culture that celebrates overnight success stories. Most breakthroughs are actually years in the making. Commit to the long game. Patience allows your efforts enough time to bear fruit. 11. Stay Consistent When Nobody Is Watching Character is revealed by what you do in private. Continue working on your dream even when no one notices. Consistency creates trust in yourself. The habits built in obscurity often support future success. 12. Improve One Percent Every Day Massive change rarely happens overnight. Small improvements compounded over time create remarkable results. Focus on becoming slightly better each day. Consistency in improvement eventually becomes transformation. 13. Separate Feelings from Facts Feeling ignored does not necessarily mean you are being ignored. Emotions can distort reality during difficult seasons. Examine the facts objectively. Clarity often reduces discouragement. 14. Keep Showing Up Persistence is one of the greatest competitive advantages available. Many people quit right before momentum begins. Continue showing up day after day. Consistency often outlasts talent. 15. Focus on Service When attention becomes your primary goal, discouragement grows quickly. Shift your focus toward helping others. Ask how you can add value. Service creates purpose beyond personal recognition. 16. Reframe Silence Silence is not always rejection. Sometimes people are watching, learning, and processing. Not every impact is immediately visible. Continue planting seeds even when feedback is absent. 17. Remember That Most Success Is Delayed The world often sees the breakthrough but misses the preparation. What appears sudden is usually the result of years of unseen effort. Trust that your work matters. Delayed results are still results. 18. Trust the Compounding Effect Many efforts seem insignificant in isolation. However, consistent actions accumulate over time. The results you desire may be forming beneath the surface. Trust that today's effort contributes to tomorrow's breakthrough. 19. Become Comfortable with Obscurity Every dreamer spends time in seasons where few people notice their work. Obscurity is often preparation, not punishment. Use this season to refine your skills and strengthen your character. Preparation creates readiness for future opportunities. 20. Keep Taking the Stage Whether your stage is a podcast, a business, a ministry, a dream, or a personal goal, keep showing up. Do not let silence convince you to stop speaking, serving, or creating. Some of the people who need your message have not found you yet. Your responsibility is not to control the audience—it is to faithfully take the stage and give your best every single time. "The world may not notice your effort today. They may not applaud your growth tomorrow. But if you continue to show up, continue to improve, and continue to believe in the value of what you've been called to do, eventually your consistency will become impossible to ignore. The dream belongs to those who keep taking the stage long after everyone else has left it." Let me ask you again: What's your stage? Who are you trying to reach? What are your dreams, where are they? While I cannot answer this question for you, the stage is waiting for you. What stage is that? Whatever you decide that to be! It could be speaking, podcasting, writing a book, creating music, standing up for a worthy cause you believe in and so many more things. But the stage is yours. Jump on it and sing your heart out! It doesn't matter that no one notices, cares, or even applauds you. Because at the end of the day, no one ever will if you don't get on the stage to begin with. If this resonated with you then please reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat [https://next-level-dream-chat.youcanbook.me/]. It's only about 30 minutes to get started and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. To find it faster, simply go to edwinsoler.com/book. [https://edwinsoler.com/book] That will take you to the book page where you can click on the Amazon logo and order your copy right away. It's available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

EP 123: Dos and Don'ts For Dreamers Communicating with Confidence

Last week I released an episode with my amazing guests and Donna Ricardo were we spoke about…. well about speaking. This week I decided to continue the topic. Today's topic is dos and don'ts about communicating with confidence. It's important to be able to communicate confidently what you want. If you want to go from dreaming to doing, you need to be very clear about what it is that you want for yourself. Now this conversation can be developed with others around you as you express your desires to make your amazing dreams come true. I am a true believer that what you communicate comes from deep within. And the more you practice on communicating effectively not just to others but also to yourself as you hear yourself communicating these thoughts you have, it will also make your dream realization path much easier, at least not harder. Not been able to communicate effectively will certainly also hinder your progress moving forward. So today I want to bring you 15 dos and don'ts of communication skills that will help you not only communicate better with others, but also in the process help you shape and communicate what exactly do you want to do so that your dreams can come true. This communication is crucial to closing your 18-inch Gap. Those crucial 18 inches between your heart and your mind text so often can be in conflict with the communication they are telling each other. I'm Edwin Soler, your dream realization partner and this is the closing the 18-inch gap podcast. "I help professionals uncover the beliefs keeping them trapped in unfulfilling lives, so they can finally take courageous action toward the dreams they've put on hold and finally live a life of their choosing." • Quote of the week: "Your success or failure... will depend on your programming—what you accept from others, and what you say when you talk to yourself." — Shad Helmstetter Points covered in this episode: Listen first- Do: hear others fully before you respond Don't: interrupt or assume you know the point Be clear and concise- Do: use simple words to share your message Don't: overcomplicate or ramble unnecessarily Ask clarifying questions- Do: confirm understanding with thoughtful open questions Don't: assume you've understood without checking Focus on tone- Do: speak calmly and respectfully in every situation Don't: use aggressive or dismissive tone Maintain eye contact- Do: show engagement with appropriate eye contact Don't: stare or avoid looking at people altogether Adapt to your audience- Do: tailor your style to suit the listener Don't: use the same approach for every person Stay open-minded- Do: be receptive to ideas, even if unexpected Don't: shut down perspectives different from yours Being active listener- Do: show interest with nods and verbal cues Don't: zone out or look distracted when listening Watch body language- Do: use open gestures to build trust Don't: cross arms or look unapproachable Choose your words wisely- Do: be mindful of how words may impact others Don't: use harsh or careless language Be respectful in disagreements- Do: share your opinion calmly and professionally Don't: raise your voice or become dismissive Focus on nonverbal cues- Do: notice posture, gestures, and facial expressions Don't: ignore signs of discomfort or misunderstanding Avoid jargon- Do: use language that everyone can understand Don't: overuse technical terms without explanation Respond thoughtfully- Do: take time to think before you reply Don't: react emotionally or without consideration Follow-up on conversations- Do: summarize points and agree on next steps Don't: leave discussions without clear conclusions Do you want to explore what may be keeping you from speaking more confidently to make your dreams come true? I invite you to reach out to me for a complementary Next-Level Dream Chat [https://next-level-dream-chat.youcanbook.me/]. It's only about 30 minutes to get started and get momentum working in your favor to get your breakthrough. If you want to take me up on this special offer, then simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com It's that easy. I'll be in touch with you shortly afterwards. I can't wait to hear from you! This episode was sponsored by my book Closing the 18-inch Gap and is available on Amazon. To find it faster, simply go to edwinsoler.com/book [https://edwinsoler.com/book]. That will take you to the book page where you can click on the Amazon logo and order your copy right away. It's available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible. Thank you for listening, in the meantime, keep closing that 18- inch gap!

EP122: Speaking with Confidence- An Interview with Donna Riccardo

Today is a special episode titled Speaking with Confidence- An Interview with Donna Riccardo. She is an expert speaker and speaking coach that helps others break into speaking the right way. She has a vast resource of knowledge and today she shares some of this with you. In this episode Donna shares: How she started as a hairstylist which led her to speaking- a story you do not want to miss Expert tips on the speaking industry She also shares how she did not getting distracted during a practice speech she once gave Also why you do not have to fear being judged when speaking and so much more! Make sure you get her gift just for you titled: Top 10 Speaking Tips to Keep Your Audience Hanging onto Every Word! Simply click here: https://showupspeakup.com [https://showupspeakup.com] You can also find Donna at the following sites: https://www.facebook.com/donna.riccardo.96/ [https://www.facebook.com/donna.riccardo.96/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnariccardo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnariccardo/] https://www.donnariccardo.com/ [https://www.donnariccardo.com/] Here you will find so much more information as well like the S.P.E.A.K. your way to the bank as well as Five Public Speaking Tips to Empower You. Get her book on Amazon: Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs: How to show up, speak up and get what you want for your business and your life: https://tinyurl.com/4wsyax82 [https://tinyurl.com/4wsyax82] Listen to this powerful episode and discover how Donna can help you close your 18-inch gap and Speak with Confidence!