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Let go in order to grow

In life, we accumulate lessons, stories, mindsets, and skill sets that once served us. We often believe we need to carry them with us indefinitely, just in case they prove useful again. This baggage - both mental and emotional - becomes a shield, keeping us guarded and blocking out new opportunities or perspectives. We tell ourselves, "It wasn’t true back then, so how can it be true now?" As a result, we hold onto outdated mindsets, strategies, and ideas that no longer serve our present or future selves. We cling to remnants like old worksheets or unnecessary packaging, thinking, "Maybe one day I’ll need this." Growth requires us to let go and by releasing what no longer matters, we make room for new experiences, insights, and opportunities to take root.

“In the end only three things matter. How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
— Buddha

Social constraints

Race may be a social construct, but racism is a very real system. If we think of racism as a system, it becomes clear that its operation doesn’t depend on who is in charge. Whether the hands steering it are Black, brown, or white, the system continues to function as designed. In the West, the individual successes of middle-class Black people are almost always deeply connected to the collective struggles and advances made by working-class Black communities. Yet, paradoxically, it is often the working-class Black individuals who see the least benefit from these advances.

“There is an understanding of diversity as the difference that brings no difference and the change that brings no change.”
— Angela Davis

Powerful reinforcements

Beliefs, whether based on fact or fiction, are human inventions that help us make sense of ourselves and the world. Neuroscience research demonstrates that training and positive reinforcement can change people’s minds and behaviours. When we tell people what to do, we engage only their short-term cognitive memory, and as a result, they often forget much of the information, and it rarely leads to meaningful behavioural change. For instance, consider how many things you know you should be doing but haven’t acted on. Knowledge alone doesn’t transform our perception of ourselves or the world. Coaching is different. It facilitates long-term behavioural change by helping the brain rewire. I think as a person’s neural pathways evolve, their self-image and worldview shift, which in turn drives new behaviours. This lasting transformation is something that simple instructions cannot achieve.

“It’s hard to learn when you already know.”
— Amy Edmondson

Flip it on its head

Can you take a concept that people think they understand very well and flip it on its head?

Yes, no problems!
A brand isn’t just a logo or a company name. I think a brand is a shorthand: it’s what people expect when they hire you, when you walk into the room, or when they see your name. If your approach is just "Tell us what you need, and we’ll make it," you risk losing any distinct identity. You won’t stand for anything unique. Many creatives struggle to set prices for their work, often feeling like a sell-out when they find commercial success.

Value comes from the story and the price. You can choose one of two paths: you can position yourself as an affordable, general option, someone who competes on price alone and gets a steady flow of business. Or you can position yourself as a premium choice, someone who charges more but delivers exceptional value. You may get fewer clients, but those who value quality over cost will seek you out. Who do you want to be?

“Don’t become a wandering generality. Be a meaningful specific.”
— Zig Ziglar

What's the challenge?

Image c/o LinkedIn

I have become both a sponge and a filter, absorbing everything while carefully choosing what to amplify. On one hand, I want to give voice to important topics, but on the other, I don’t want those topics to be solely associated with me. There’s a risk of losing myself or making it seem like the issue is about me, which could undermine the message. My challenge is finding ways to support these causes behind the scenes, without drawing too much attention to myself.

“What disturbs men’s minds is not events but their judgement on events.”
— Epictetus

What does a good coach deliver?

I think a good coach consistently delivers self-belief, self-motivation, choice, clarity, commitment, awareness, responsibility, and action, whilst also holding the client accountable. While many of us may be capable of providing these qualities to others occasionally, a skilled coach delivers them reliably, empowering most people most of the time. Contact me via email to discuss your coaching requirements.

A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.
— John Wooden

Mindset affects your resilience

Which mindset do you have?

In her book “Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential”, Carol Dweck (author and psychologist) challenges conventional thinking by exploring the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets and how they shape our attitudes, behaviours, and outcomes. I think it’s an oversimplification to think that we can only have one mindset. Most people believe they either have a growth or fixed mindset, but research shows we possess both. At times, we operate with a fixed mindset, and at other times, we adopt a growth mindset.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
— Bernard Baruch

Understanding kindness

We can restore humanity and dignity to the workplace by empowering people to take ownership of the process. With the right approach to continuous improvement, we can cultivate the humility, courage, and creativity needed to put things in their proper place. I think the key is to start by re-examining how we view humans, both in general and within the working context.

“I’m for the truth, no matter who tells it. 
I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. 
I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”
— Malcolm X

Attitude determines altitude

Our attitude towards both our professional and personal lives will determine how far we go in business and in life. Attitude is a choice, not a skillset. By adopting an attitude of gratitude, you'll achieve greater success in business and experience countless blessings in life. So, change your attitude and stop making excuses.

“It’s your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude.”
— Zig Ziglar

Explain rather than excuse

I'm focused on deliverables, not just activity, so during our knowledge work team meeting about objectives, I want to emphasise results over excuses. Few of us have had the privilege of working on high-performance teams where we're genuinely excited to go to work, and that's the kind of environment I want to foster. What about you?

Not managing your time and making excuses are two bad habits. Don’t put them both together by claiming you ‘don’t have the time’.”
— Robert Foster Bennett

Building a new team

In any team project, the journey to success often involves navigating through distinct stages:
1st Stage: Forming, when the team members come together and start to understand each other's roles and strengths.

2nd Stage: Storming, this phase is often marked by conflicts and challenges as different opinions and working styles clash.

3rd Stage: Norming, where the team begins to resolve differences, establish norms, and work more cohesively.

4th Stage: Performing, the final stage where the team operates at its highest potential, efficiently and effectively achieving its goals.
At what stage is your team? Contact me via email if you would like some guidance on your journey.

“The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills. Everything else will become obsolete over time.”
— Peter Drucker

Fine-tuning our minds

The words you use to frame your current situation will change your mindset and elevate your mood. A positive mindset allows you to stay open to new possibilities where others see barriers, and a positive mood will lift your spirits and attract people in your life who will help, support, or hire you. I think successful individuals in any field used positive words to frame an outcome. It's an imperfect world, and despite hours of practice and years of experience, the ball won't always bounce your way, you'll be dealt a bad hand, or an unprecedented pandemic will shift your plans. 

“We dance round in a ring and suppose,
But the secret sits in the middle and knows.”
— Robert Frost

Learning about yourself

Insights about yourself or the situation at hand lead to actions and behavior changes. Positive behavior changes create an impact, which in turn generates new insights and awareness, perpetuating the cycle. When coaching one has to park our ego and let our coachees' achievements shine, amplifying their successes. I think it’s important to find the right balance between helping others and helping yourself.

“A rising tide lifts all boats.”
— J.F. Kennedy

Tailor-made solutions

Our tailor-made coaching for performance solutions aim to foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, which effectively enhances teamwork, communication, and productivity. Research has shown that creating a positive work environment boosts productivity, promotes teamwork, reduces turnover rates, and improves employee satisfaction. By investing in coaching for performance, you can help your employees develop the skills they need to perform at their best and contribute to the overall success of your company. Contact me via email for a free 30-minute discovery call.

“Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you.”
— Viktor Frankl

Frames create focus

You will control your life when you learn how to control energy, and you will not control energy unless you control yourself and your emotions. I think the first steps to spiritual advancement and increasing your strength involve self-control.


Everything has a positive and a negative side. It’s impossible for anything to exist with only one side. For example, have you ever seen a one-sided coin, a one-sided piece of paper, or a one-sided piece of bread? If something exists and has a negative aspect, there must be something positive about it at the same time, and vice versa.

“When we are no longer able to change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Hope and positive energy can turn challenges into triumphs.”
— Viktor Frankl

Are you a risk taker?

I think entrepreneurship lies within everyone, though not all possess the discipline it requires. While anyone can become an entrepreneur, not everyone aspires to be one; some prefer to rely on others, thinking it means less effort. I believe true entrepreneurship demands leadership, and a genuine leader never delegates tasks they wouldn't undertake themselves. Contact me via email for short discovery meeting when you are ready to take the next step on your journey.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an entrepreneur is defined as "a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit."

“The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity.”
— George Carlin