Podcast #14 — CLEAR Performance Coaching: Getting People Unstuck — The Desired Future State
In this episode of the CLEAR Performance Coaching podcast, hosts Sam Bracken, Rick Timlick, and Kent Vaughn dive deep into one of the most powerful coaching tools in the "Getting People Unstuck" toolkit: Card 40 — The Desired Future State. Building on last episode's conversation about assessing the current state, this episode explores how to help people paint a compelling, actionable vision of where they want to go — and why so many of us struggle to answer the simple question: "If you could do anything, what would it be?"
In this episode, we cover:
- Why understanding your current state is the prerequisite to defining a future state — and why most people skip this step and jump straight to "solutions"
- The blind spot most people share — they can list what they don't want in 10 seconds, but go silent when asked what they do want
- How to use facts, feelings, and emotions as "rocket fuel" to pull people toward their vision — not just push them with KPIs
- The power of declaring your intention out loud: turning private dreams into public commitments
- Plan A, Plan B, Plan C: helping at-risk youth (and anyone facing big gaps) build achievable visions grounded in reality
- The importance of writing down your goals and reviewing them daily
- Why coaches must never be the dream buster
Why this matters:
Whether you're a coach, a leader, or someone feeling stuck, this conversation offers a practical framework for moving from where you are to where you want to be. The hosts share deeply personal stories — from leaving a 24-year corporate career at 57 to overcome a traumatic childhood — and show that the path forward is always available, even when the gap seems impossible. As Kent says: "No one can go back and make a brand new start, but anyone can start now and make a brand new ending."
Meet the hosts:
Sam Bracken (Co-Founder, CLEAR Performance Coaching) is a bestselling author, speaker, and resilience expert. His book My Orange Duffle Bag chronicles his journey from a traumatic childhood to a life of purpose. He is the founder of the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of at-risk youth change the trajectory of their lives through coaching. His upcoming books include Harder Life, Better Life on resilience and a new book on getting unstuck. Sam brings 40 years of lived and learned resilience to every conversation.
Rick Timlick (Co-Founder, CLEAR Performance Coaching) is a seasoned leadership and performance coach with nearly 20 years of experience helping individuals and teams get unstuck. He specializes in bridging operational excellence principles with human behavior, applying tools like root cause analysis and mental contrasting to personal and professional growth.
Kent Vaughn (Co-Founder, CLEAR Performance Coaching) is a former corporate executive who spent 24 years leading organizations before becoming an entrepreneur at 57. He is an author and a passionate advocate for helping people pursue what they truly want — even when it means changing seats on the bus. His practical wisdom and storytelling make complex coaching concepts accessible and actionable.
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32 mins