EP 451: Stop Forcing Your Life to Work – Here’s Why You’re Stuck with Brett Baughman

What if the reason you’re exhausted, frustrated, and stuck isn’t because you’re not working hard enough, but because you’re forcing your life instead of flowing with it? In this transformative episode, nationally recognised executive coach Brett Baughman shares 25 years of wisdom about discovering the critical difference between forcing and flowing, and why most people are unknowingly hiring the wrong version of themselves for the life they’re trying to build.

Brett Baughman didn’t stumble into peak performance coaching. From a young age, he possessed an innate ability to see people for who they truly are, helping them feel seen, heard, and understood. This gift evolved into his life’s work: helping others discover their passion so they can live with purpose and make a meaningful impact.

“I have so much abundance in my life that not only is it a calling, but it pours out of me,” Brett shares. “I have to, right? It’s kind of like my responsibility for giving back for the blessings I’ve had in my life.”

One of Brett’s most powerful frameworks is recognising when you’re flowing versus when you’re forcing. When you’re in flow, doors open effortlessly. You wake up inspired. Good ideas come naturally. You meet the right people at the right time. Gratitude becomes your default state.

Forcing looks completely different. Frustration replaces gratitude. Time feels scarce. You’re pushing against closed doors repeatedly. Your mental, physical, and spiritual wellness starts declining.

“When something’s not going the way you want, stop and say, am I forcing things?” Brett advises. “You’re going to be putting too much energy into something and realise like, this is not what I should do. And you have to let go and flow. And as soon as you let go, you’ll start to get clarity and things will start to line up.”

Brett’s signature practice is “Take Five and Come Back Better.” Whether you’re arguing with your partner or spiralling in negative self-talk, this technique will change your life within days.

When you notice you’re not being the person you want to be, stop and excuse yourself. Take two to three minutes and do breathwork using the 4-2-6 technique: inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, slowly exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat for two minutes.

“If you really breathe and just slow the breathing down, you turn off that emotional thinking,” Brett explains. “The anger, the sadness, the fear, the guilt goes away. You become objective.”

Once calm, ask yourself two critical questions: “How is that emotion helping me?” and “What am I supposed to learn from this experience?” These questions transform emotional reactions into growth opportunities.

Every morning, Brett wants you to ask: Am I the right person for this job I’ve assigned myself today?

If you wake up in a terrible mood, lacking confidence, feeling defeated, then you’re not the person to do the job. That version of you will never produce the results you want.

“It doesn’t mean don’t do the job,” Brett clarifies. “It means go get aligned first.” Because as Brett powerfully states: “As you build it, so shall it live.”

Brett calls this philosophy “failing forward.” When something doesn’t work, ask what you learned and what you’ll do differently next time. This removes the fear of mistakes and replaces it with curiosity about growth.

Brett Baughman is a nationally recognised executive coach, voted Top Business Coach to Work With by Apple News. With over 25 years of experience guiding high-performing executives, CEOs, and leadership teams, Brett is a trusted expert in helping people break through to their next level of success. As the creator of The Ideal You framework, Action Mastery Retreats, and the immersive Breath House Experience, Brett has helped clients launch new ventures, scale companies, and achieve outstanding financial success while becoming healthier, happier, and more fulfilled humans.

You are designed for flow, not force. Real transformation happens when you recognise the difference between pushing against closed doors and riding the river of your calling. Stop fighting against your own nature and start aligning with it. Coming home to yourself means releasing the belief that success requires suffering and claiming your right to live in grateful, inspired flow.

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Website: https://www.brettbaughman.com/ Follow on Instagram: @bybrettbaughman Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brettbaughman YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/iempoweryou