E46 The Success Habit of Persistence – Mastering Your Thoughts & Eliminating Excuses
- S2E46
- 13:00
- January 15th 2025
Fear tries to stop us at every turn, but regret is always waiting on the other side if we give in. If you’ve ever wondered why your good intentions keep getting hijacked by excuses, this episode gives you the science and strategy to break the pattern—for good.
What you need to know
Most of us think we control our mind, only to find ourselves stuck in habits we swore we’d move past. Donna and Londina dig into the real challenge: controlling your thoughts isn’t about force, it’s about creating new habits and rewiring your brain.
Scientific research shows it takes more than a few weeks—it’s more like 61 days—to build new, positive pathways in your brain. Excuses?
There are 55 common ones (according to Napoleon Hill) that keep us stuck, but most are just patterns your mind runs on autopilot. And behind every judgment you pass on others lies a hidden self-judgment within.
What you need to do
Start by paying attention to your automatic excuses—especially the “always” and “never” statements.
When a familiar excuse pops up, ask yourself: Is it really true? Is there evidence?
This simple question interrupts the old brain pattern. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to focused, intentional thinking about your goals or the habits you want to build (as Londina suggests from her own experience and experts like Dr. Caroline Leaf).
And remember, lasting change comes from small, consistent actions, not just quick bursts of willpower.
Your Next Step
Track your most common excuses this week. Every time you catch yourself using one, stop and question it—write down what you discover.
Commit to one positive habit for the next 61 days and carve out daily time for focused thought.
Listen to this episode to hear the full list of excuses and learn how to rewire your thinking for unstoppable persistence.
Want more insights on persistence and success habits?
👉 Connect with Londina Cruz at Londina.com for resilience coaching and daily motivation.
👉 Work with Donna Kunde at DonnaKunde.com to shift your mindset and grow your business with confidence.
👉 📥 Download this season’s resources to deepen your understanding of persistence and eliminate excuses from your success journey.
⭐ Loved this episode? Share it with someone who needs a mindset shift!
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:01 The Power of Controlling Your Thoughts
03:11 The Challenge of Changing Habits
04:55 Scientific Insights on Habit Formation
08:15 Common Excuses and Self-Judgment
11:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Building Success Habits
“The more tranquil a person becomes, the greater is their success, their influence, their power for good.” James Allen
"Building Success Habits" is a podcast hosted by Donna Kunde (Business Coach) and Londina Cruz (Life Strategist). The show is all about sharing practical tips, strategies, and insights for building success habits in all areas of life.
This show was originally produced as hour-long radio content, later adapted into 4-episode Signature Season themes for podcast listeners.
The podcast explores a variety of success habits, including goal-setting, resilience, focus, and productivity. Each episode provides insights into how these habits can be developed and maintained, along with tips for staying motivated and on track.
In addition to success habits, the show covers personal development and mindset topics, such as overcoming limiting beliefs and cultivating a growth mindset. Donna and Londina share their own experiences and challenges in these areas, providing listeners with relatable examples and actionable advice.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone who wants to achieve more success in your personal and professional life, "Building Success Habits" offers inspiration and tools to help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
Join Donna and Londina on this journey of self-discovery and growth, and learn how to build the success habits that will transform your life.
"When we begin to see the world from the inside out, life will happen through us instead of to us."
Donna Kunde is one of IBGR's founders and started her career in radio at WNTW on it's Sales 2020 Show. In her role as EVP Supply Management she is responsible for day-to-day station operations and the quality of programming - both show topics and OnAir Talent.
She is an internationally recognized Business Coach and Trainer bringing 20+ years’ experience in military leadership. Donna has been a serial entrepreneur for the last 25 years owning a range of businesses experiencing the unique challenges solopreneurs face with small business growth.
In addition to her entrepreneurial background, Donna brings 35 years of academic and applied cognitive and behavioral science experience to the IBGR Network. Her specialty is helping organizations navigate through change, challenge and tragedy. The combination of her intensive study of the mind, plus practical applications in human potential, Donna provides a unique perspective on leadership, personal growth, sales, communication, and team building.
A high point of Donna's training career happened when she accompanied Dr. John C. Maxwell and his team on a country transformation mission. At the request of the Costa Rican government, the Maxwell team successfully trained 15,000 Round Table facilitators in three days, resulting in a 2% transformation of that nation and projected to reach another 60,000 Costa Ricans the following week. Her trademark energetic communication style and teaching skills have earned her a reputation as a highly effective speaker and respected facilitator.
Londina Cruz is an International Trainer, Executive Coach, and Keynote Speaker with the John Maxwell Team and a Strategic Coach with Anthony Robbins. Londina is a part of Global Transformation with the John Maxwell Foundation, training thousands of leaders in Paraguay and Costa Rica to help transform the values and culture of these nations.
She has spent more than 25 years studying, coaching and consulting in personal mastery and human performance techniques. These techniques include emotional and social intelligence trainings that elevate individuals, leaders and their organizations to excel well beyond current standards – offering a dynamic competitive advantage.
Londina has taken a situation that would devastate most individuals, being hit by a drunk driver, and has turned it into her life force. In this accident, Londina sustained a traumatic head injury, broken back and broken neck. The doctors gave her little hope of a normal life. She has now turned this challenge into an extraordinary life of empowering others to turn their fears into freedom and reach their potential.
Mastering her limiting beliefs and overcoming all that doctors had told her, Londina has thrived physically as well.
She has become a Triathlete (competing in a Half-Ironman and medaling in numerous other triathlons), a two-time marathon runner (Nike Women’s in San Francisco and the Marine Corps in Washington), and a cyclist.
She has released 100 lbs. by taking control of her thoughts instead of allowing thoughts to control her.
She knows what it takes to take you and your team from where you are to where you want to be.
As a Certified Coach, Teacher and Speaker, I can offer you workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, and coaching, aiding your personal and professional growth through study and practical application of John’s proven leadership methods. Working together, I will move you and/or your team or organization in the desired direction to reach your goals.
Contact me. I am looking forward to assisting you on your journey to becoming a success in your life and/or business.