What have you already decided you could never do—before you’ve even explored what might be possible?

In this episode of the podcast, Tony Miltenberger welcomes back bestselling author, podcaster, entrepreneur, and longtime friend Annie F. Downs for a conversation about vision, leadership, risk, relationships, and what happens when we stop allowing “no” to be our first answer.

As Annie prepares to release her new book, Don’t Let That Hold You Back, she shares why hearing people repeatedly say, “I could never do that,” made her start questioning the limits we place on our own lives. Sometimes the door you thought you were heading toward will close—but taking the next step may reveal doors you couldn’t see from where you started.

Tony and Annie also get candid about leading through major life change, protecting a God-given vision without softening it to keep everyone happy, surrounding yourself with people who expand your thinking, knowing when to end something that’s still successful, and learning to hold the things you build with open hands.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why softening your vision can actually make alignment harder.

What Annie has learned about leading a company while preparing for marriage.

How to build a personal “board of directors” that expands your thinking.

Why the people you need around you may change as your life changes.

How Annie knew it was time to sunset something that was still successful.

Why “no” usually shouldn’t be your answer before you’ve explored what’s possible.

What Seth Godin taught Annie about leadership, learning, and expanding an idea.

How Don’t Let That Hold You Back challenges the stories keeping us from taking the next step.

Coaching Question

Where have you already told yourself “I could never” without first asking, “Could I?”

Connect with Annie F. Downs

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author, podcaster, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of the That Sounds Fun Network. Her new book, Don’t Let That Hold You Back, releases September 15 and challenges readers to examine what has kept them from becoming who God created them to be.

Website: anniefdowns.com

Don’t Let That Hold You Back: dontletthatholdyouback.com

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