Podcast Summary: Shed and Shine

Episode 83: One Step Closer to Freedom—Using the True Self Assessment with Intention

Hosts: Gino Wickman and Rob Dube
Date: October 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In Episode 83, Gino and Rob dive deep into the True Self Assessment—both its philosophy and practical application—as a recurring tool to aid driven entrepreneurs in freeing their true selves and unlocking authentic entrepreneurial freedom. They share personal anecdotes, community stories, and actionable advice for integrating the assessment into a regular self-development cadence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

What is the True Self Assessment?

• A tool of personal reflection:

  • 20 questions: 10 focused on the “10 disciplines”; 10 probe deeper, philosophical aspects of freeing one’s true self.
  • Simple and quick to take—about five minutes.
  • Designed to shine a “flashlight” on areas needing attention (00:36).

• Regularity drives results:

  • The assessment is most effective when done every 90 days, acting as a quarterly check-in and progress marker.
  • Both hosts advocate for integrating it into regular routines, such as quarterly planning.

Why the Assessment Matters

• Objective & subjective balance:

  • Gino describes its duality: it measures both tangible behaviors and deeper, intangible qualities on a 0–100% scale (01:47, 06:55).
  • Offers “a beautiful tap on the shoulder reminder” to reflect and recalibrate on what truly matters (02:48).

• Measuring movement, not perfection:

  • The focus is on “moving the needle” and progress—not achieving a perfect score (01:47, 09:58).
  • It is normal and productive for scores to fluctuate, prompting continuous self-improvement.

Personal and Community Examples

• Hosts’ personal experiences:

  • Gino: Shares about slipping on the “prepare every night” discipline despite years of consistency, highlighting the tool’s power to catch drift before it spirals (03:21).
    • “All of a sudden, things just got a little loose with it… it was just a great little tap on the shoulder, and I recommitted.” (03:21)
  • Rob: Talks about his ongoing journey with being comfortable in all settings and healing past wounds, noting how different questions are deeply interconnected (08:10).

• Mastermind group anecdotes:

  • Member 1: Low score on organization led to practical changes—now always keeps his “one place” system for commitments (05:00).
  • Member 2: Low scores in boundary setting and presence made her realize impact on relationships; she recalibrated and planned time to reconnect with her husband (05:52).

Tactics for Ongoing Application

• Setting reminders and accountability:

  • Suggestions include:
    • Calendar reminders (07:28, 11:24)
    • Integrating with quarterly business or team planning
    • Having an executive assistant schedule and track results (11:24)
    • Maintaining a spreadsheet of scores for visualizing progress

• Community and sharing best practices:

  • Send the assessment to friends who might benefit, particularly those “whose souls are being pinged” or who may be struggling visibly or internally (07:28).

• Celebrating progress, not perfection:

  • Regardless of the score (even if it’s a 35 or a 92), the important thing is to celebrate small improvements (09:58).
  • Both hosts echo the sentiment that shedding pain and trauma is “an ever-expanding progress,” and there is no endpoint—just deeper awareness (10:27).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gino Wickman (01:47):

  "Take the true self assessment to find out how free your true self really is… gives you a checkup, a starting point, a baseline."

• Rob Dube (00:36):

  "You take the true self assessment every 90 days... your scores act like a flashlight. In about five minutes, the light is shined on areas of your life that are needing attention."

• Rob Dube (08:10):

  "I always thought I was comfortable, but then I realized that as I go deeper and deeper into this, I’m actually becoming more aware, and this awareness is allowing greater confidence for me in every situation."

• Gino Wickman (09:58):

  "Whatever you score, you know, scale of 1 to 100, let’s pretend you score a 35. There’s nothing wrong with that. Or if you score a 92. So it’s a baseline. And the idea is just to simply move the needle, celebrate where you are, whatever that is."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:36] – Intro to the True Self Assessment & how it works
• [01:47] – Gino on setting a baseline and tracking progress
• [02:48] – Gino shares his own quarterly application and fluctuating score
• [03:21] – Gino’s personal “prepare every night” discipline story
• [05:00] – Rob’s mastermind stories: organization and “one place”
• [05:52] – Mastermind story: boundaries, presence, and relationships
• [06:55] – Gino: The balance of tangible and intangible progress
• [07:28] – Encouraging listeners to share the assessment with others
• [08:10] – Rob on interconnectedness of assessment questions and personal growth
• [09:58] – Celebrating movement and progress, not perfection
• [11:24] – Integrating the assessment into routines (planning, EAs, spreadsheets)

Takeaways & Actionable Advice

• Commit to a cadence: Take the True Self Assessment every 90 days.
• Measure & celebrate progress: Don’t focus on perfection; celebrate small milestones and shifts in awareness.
• Leverage support systems: Use tools (calendars, assistants, community accountability) to maintain consistency.
• Share the journey: Invite others to join, whether by sending the assessment to a peer or joining a mastermind group.
• Keep the ten disciplines visible: Physical reminders like stickers can help keep commitments top of mind.

Final Words

The hosts wrap up with encouragement to take immediate action:

"Go do your true self assessment and do it right now while it’s fresh on your mind… The more light you shine on these areas, the clearer your path to freeing your true self becomes." (12:18)
And a gentle reminder: progress is an ongoing journey—stay focused, and let your true self shine.