![]()
Mary Farias & Mark A. Dulaney
Economy Creators
How many things do you already know you should be doing—but still aren't doing?
Mark Dulaney isn't interested in giving you more information.
He wants you to eliminate the excuses and execute.
In this episode of Economy Creators, Mary Reiss Farias sits down with Mark, author of Eliminating Excuses: Eliminate Your Excuses First, Then Model It for Those You Love and Lead, for an energetic conversation about decisions, discipline, self-imposed limitations, personal culture—and what it really takes to create the life you want.
At 65, Mark describes himself as “going on 23.”
Why?
Because when he looked back at his life, he recognized a striking difference. He had consistently applied discipline to his physical health—but hadn't applied those same principles to his career, finances and relationships.
Then came a major turning point.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and going through treatment, Mark made a declaration in April 2025 that changed how he saw himself and his future.
It wasn't simply a decision made in the moment.
It was a committed decision about his future.
That distinction sits at the heart of this conversation.
Mary and Mark explore:
• Why motivation alone is fleeting
• Inspiration, desperation and the forces that move us to act
• The difference between deciding and committing
• Why immediate consequences often overpower long-term desires
• Moving beyond the comfort zone and fear of rejection
• Turning knowledge into bold, consistent and effective execution
• Applying discipline from one area of life to another
• How parents can unintentionally pass their limitations to their children
• Protecting and encouraging children's dreams
• Choosing your own future instead of inheriting someone else's
• How our environment helps shape our personal culture
• Why the people around us matter
They also uncover a fascinating example of the Economy Creators principle that every book needs a job.
While writing Eliminating Excuses, Mark didn't simply sit behind his computer and wait until publication to find an audience. He recruited people to participate in case studies around the ideas in the book—allowing him to test his concepts, create accountability, generate income and begin putting the book to work before it was even published.
Now he's taking the idea further with his next project, Your Personal Culture.
Mark's premise is simple but powerful: much of our “personal” culture wasn't personally chosen at all.
Our thoughts, choices, actions, words and questions are influenced by our parents, experiences and the people around us.
But we can choose differently.
As Mark puts it, the goal is to decide your own future—and intentionally create the culture capable of producing it.
His final challenge?
Stop spending so much time thinking about what you could do.
Go do it.
🎙️ CONNECT WITH MARK DULANEY
Website: EliminateExcuses.com
Book: Eliminating Excuses
Book website: EliminatingExcuses.me
LinkedIn: Mark Dulaney
******************************
Continue Your Economy Creators Journey on Substack: https://economycreators.substack.com/
Join the Economy Creators Workshop
Discover where you are in your journey to Lead Yourself → Lead Your Economy → Lead Others, and identify your next steps toward building a YOU-shaped economy.
https://www.magnetminddevelopment.com/economy
Download The Economy Creators Framework
Learn how to build an economy around your unique interests, talents, experiences, and purpose.
https://www.economycreators.live/ec-framework-ebook
Take the Economy Creators Diagnostic Quiz
Identify the opportunities, strengths, and gaps in your personal economy.
https://www.economycreators.live/quiz
About Economy Creators™
Economy Creators™ is a podcast and radio show featuring entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, leaders, and visionaries who are building lives and businesses around who they are—not just what they do.
Because when you sto
