For now… we’ve come to the final chapter of this series.

If you missed the first four episodes, start here. But if you’d rather skip ahead, I’ll begin with a quick recap:

“…The minute I began to apply the laws of thought, unknowingly, was the same minute that things began to move, and circumstances began to gather to see my dreams turn into reality.

Tune in next time to find out what happens when the “Young and the Thought-less” begin to get “Older and more Thought-full! in other words–when we finally started to live in harmony with the Laws of Thought! You’ll see that once we understood the Laws, we were finally able to change directions in our roller-coaster life. Life is full of ups and downs no matter what… but what a difference it made when we purposely applied our new understanding of the laws. It is my hope that you’ll do the same, and see dramatic changes in your life as well.

Your job, and mine, is to think right. It is not to manage the creative process: WE DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW HOW THINGS WILL COME TOGETHER. That’s God’s job. For us, it is simply our job to think right, and trust God.”

– The Young and the Thoughtless | Episode 4 – The Reality of Polarity

After getting married and stepping into motherhood, I often reflected on the way my mom showed up during my formative years.

She was there in the moments that mattered most. While her love showed up in countless ways, I especially remember the little things—staying up late with me, laughing at my jokes, encouraging me through long homework nights (always with snacks). Her support meant the world to me.

I wanted to be that kind of mom, too—to be present for my kids the way she was for me. But for years, the demands of survival—the pressure of unpaid bills, the looming financial stress—felt bigger than my desire for quality time. I often wondered how I could possibly give more to my family when it felt like we were barely keeping our lives from caving in.

Most days, all I had left to offer was a worn-out smile. For seven years, Trevan and I scrambled—juggling jobs, negotiating with banks over overdraft fees, apologizing to creditors.

We believed there had to be a way to meet our financial responsibilities and be the kind of parents we wanted to be… but that simple dream often felt impossibly out of reach.

We read all the books. We attended dozens of seminars (nearly a hundred, if we’re being honest). But as Einstein is said to have quipped:

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

We knew we had to change… but what we thought needed fixing, and what actually needed to change, turned out to be two very different things.

The seminars taught us that having a positive mindset was essential for success—financial or otherwise. But knowing the principle and living it out are two different things. Staying hopeful in the thick of hardship was harder than we expected.

I remember one particularly low point.

We had moved to Arizona to grow Trevan’s window-cleaning business, but what worked in Utah didn’t translate in the new market. Eventually, he let the business go and picked up two jobs just to make ends meet. I stayed home with our two preschoolers… but I wasn’t exactly the nurturing, patient mom I hoped to be.

I was bitter. Snappy. Tired. One day I even called the police on a neighborhood boy who snapped my broom in half. Why? Because I didn’t have $7 to replace it. The thought of wanting to clean my floors but not being able to was enough to unravel me.

I spiraled. I withdrew. I laid in bed and didn’t care if I got up again.

And to make it worse, I began beating myself up for feeling that way. The motivational slogans I’d heard so often—“Dream big, Leslie!” “Picture what you want!”—felt like cruel jokes now. What once inspired me now triggered resentment. I was furious at the speakers we’d trusted. Their catchy mantras now felt like hollow clichés.

I remember lying there, fuming, and thinking, Fine. I will dream. If I can’t live the life I want, I’ll just escape into it in my imagination.

So I closed my eyes and imagined the life I longed for. A real home. A yard. A sense of peace. I felt guilty for retreating into fantasy, but it was the only place I could feel joy. The only place I could breathe.

Eventually, I began to stabilize. But about a year later, something interesting happened: we were in a starter home… with a yard. Exactly as I had pictured.

We were still in debt, still stressed—but things were slightly better. Trevan had a job with benefits. And after dragging ourselves to a few more seminars, it clicked: that mental escape I had “lived” in my imagination… had quietly, subtly become our reality.

We began to experiment with this idea. We practiced it deliberately. And within four months, we tripled our monthly income.
(Just imagine for a moment—what would three times your income feel like?)

It was like blinders had been removed. We realized: we don’t have to control the how. We just have to think right. Our thoughts were shaping our lives. The phrase “have a positive attitude” had never felt real to me—until I finally saw the whole picture.

So why does it work? And what exactly had I done?

There are thousands of books out there that explain it. Believe me, I own most of them. But none helped me create lasting change… until I experienced it for myself.

That’s when I knew I needed to share what I learned. Not as an expert. Not as a guru. But as a regular person—a wife and mother of six—who lived it, figured it out, and finally got it to work.

That’s how The Jackrabbit Factor: Why You Can was born.

Is it any good?

Hyrum Smith, co-founder of Franklin Covey and CEO of Galileo Initiative, thought so.
Bob Proctor, best-selling author and founder of LifeSuccess Productions, did too.

You’ll find their comments on another page, but here’s what everyday readers have said:

“I just devoured your book… I am sitting here in tears because you cannot understand what a blessing and inspiration you have been… I was really moved by the story of Richard and his family and you don’t know how many times I have asked the same questions that Richard asks himself… and tried to lever myself out of the hole that I have been in. I have always believed that positive thought and faith have helped me to stay strong and persevere but after reading your book I realize that maybe it is time that I can do more than just get by.”
— Wendy Valentine, single mother of three

“I am actually at a loss for words after reading your manuscript. Kind of almost shook a little bit if that makes sense…”
— Fred Schofield, Independent IT Consultant

In many ways, this story is our story. The details might be different, but the underlying truths are the same.

I want this message to reach others—couples like us, families like yours—who are ready for change. I want to help give kids their parents back. I want you to know what we now know.

You can read the full book for free here.

I hope this blog series has sparked something in you—questions to ponder, hope to hold, and clarity as you consider whether you’re ready to put these principles into practice.

The concepts I’ve shared in The Jackrabbit Factor and Hidden Treasures have changed countless lives—mine included. They can change yours too. All it takes is the willingness to learn, the patience to practice, and the faith to keep going.

You can do this. And now, you know… I speak from experience.

For more insight and inspiration, and to go deeper with the principles taught in our books and the Rare Faith School of Life Mastery, follow or subscribe to the blog.

Until next time!

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•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.