Life. Purpose. Leadership

The simple truth we already know but don't see, is we habitually overlay our direct experience of reality with thoughts, beliefs, values, and opinions. There are two types of knowledge. Intellectual conceptual understanding and direct experience. We use our thoughts, beliefs, values, and opinions to create a conceptual reality rather than the truth of the moment; direct experience. We pile our thoughts, beliefs, values and opinions into our conceptual frame, not recognising the consequences of what we're doing; causing stress, anxiety and overwhelm. True Knowledge is seeing this moment as it is. Not as we think it is.

In this episode my guest Ian Sherwin and I discuss what makes a relationship? I have known Ian for near on 35 years. Ian and I have been friends since we were 14. On the show today we explore what makes a healthy relationship? What's involved? I'd say we look beyond the obvious like honesty, trust, respect and open communication. We certainly suggest relationships take effort and compromise from both people, but in what form? We look at the balance of power. And consider, respect, each other's independence, the making of our own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and what it means to truly love.

In this episode Marina Pearson and I talk about how to slow down. We explore how to design the life you want now, whilst still living.

Mandela said he learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. In this episode Caroline Flannigan and I discuss how we practically overcome with courage and compassion.

In this episode Michelle and I discuss acceptance. We all know we have to accept the moment, life...as is...it is what it is. But we judge, compare. Push away from emotions. We want to control things. And all the rest of the unhelpful thoughts and doings we do. We just don't want to accept things as they are. Ekhart Tolle suggest when we notice we are not present, then we have presence. Then we really ARE present. So how? Well listen further and maybe we can help you with your feelings of helplessness.

In this episode Martin, Heidi and I explore the fluidness of who are. We discuss the statement I am not what I think, I am not what I do, I am not what I feel. And seek to clarify our transient nature.

There's no doubt about it, uncertainty can be uncomfortable. We humans are wired to want to control our environment. We like to feel that we are masters of our own ship, in control of our fate. In this episode Vandy Massey and I explore how we might dance with the unknown in art and in life, and embrace the only certainity...uncertainty. Perhaps reaping the greatest rewards.

In this episode Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and Content College and I discuss what it takes to break the patterns in our lives? We create our own story. And our story is our interpretation of past and present events and experiences. We can tell ourselves all the negative things, and believe it. So what is stopping us doing the opposite. What makes us break the patterns?

Our resources are limited, so we have to use them wisely. Effective altruism is a philosophy and social movement focused on answering one question: How can we best help others? In this Part 1 of 2 episodes Sandy Forbes Taylor and I explore what effective altruism is. And consider two principles of altruism: Using evidence and reason to find the most promising causes to work on. Taking action, by using our time and money to do the most good we can.

A state of flow is technically defined as an “optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best." The term flow state takes its name from the sensation it confers. In flow, every action, every decision, arises seamlessly from the last. In this state, we are so focused on the task at hand that all else falls away. Action and awareness merge. Our sense of self vanishes. Our sense of time distorts. And performance goes through the roof. But how do we get into a state of flow? In this episode Kate Fletcher and I explore the pinciples, dimensions and practical steps needed to get into a state of flow to reach peak performance levels.

Things are not always black and white, or just so...or even yen and yang. Sometimes life isn't what it seems. There is power in embracing the whole of you, by listening to our own solutions. In this episode Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I discuss the good bits and the bad of life. The ups and the downs. And suggest letting go of "the bits of life" and "seeing the bigger picture" brings peace and fulfilment.

Effective leaders need their team's trust. But how do you get that trust? How do you get it back if you've lost it? In this episode Kate Fletcher and I explore these very questions. And expand on three behaviours which are suggested as essential. Namely, positive relationships, expertise and judgement and finally consistency. We argue you don't need to be perfect at the behaviours to be a trusted leader. But you do need to be good at them.

We offer (or don't) an explanation of our choices for a variety of reasons. We can be motivated by fear, guilt or self-doubt. Or we can also be honouring ourselves and others. I've realised I put a lot of energy into explaining my decisions. Why I've made the choice I have. Or bigger still; justify why we are here at all. What about not justifying yourself. In this episode June Whiteman and I ask why do we need to know why? Can things, can we, not just be so.

We attend more meetings, send more emails and work significantly longer days than pre-pandemic. Constant expectation, with no time to think. Many of us are surrounded by our partners, family members, children and other housemates 24/7. A quiet commute, solitary lunchtime break, or end-of-day silent office seem a thing of the past. For many of us, time alone in stillness to think is more important yet more difficult to find than ever. In this episode Kate Fletcher and I consider how we can, even under today's conditions, make time for thinking? How can we use the power of slow deep thinking to create value?

Intent is the heart of living a life of purpose, of meaning. We seem to spend our lives doing and having. Driven by lists to achieve, in order to feel like a success. It's the life of accumulation, of stuff. What if there was a different starting point? What if there is an alternative way "to have it all? In this episode Michelle Chynne of Instinctive Living and I discuss "the alternative starting point." And consider the merts of improv'ing our lives.

Let's be honest: things are changing rapdily. The world is chaotic right now, and struggling entrepreneurs (and the rest of us) are scrabling to maintain any sense of control during these tough times. But perhaps that's the thing; we need to let go of our need for control. Perhaps we ought not to power through. But then what? In this episode Nicole Bremner of East Eight and I talk at length about our personal struggles with mental health challenges. Losing money and position. And consider our need to balance a healthy mindset and lifestyle with striving for that proverbial entrepreneur success.

We spend a great deal of our lives doing. Doing the housework, doing the job. Building the career. Taking the kids to football. Doing the ironing. Having the meetings. Giving the presentation. Making dinner. So what I am, is it what I do? Am I the sum of all that I do? Or am I not just what I do? In this episode Sam Pearce of Swatt Books and I discuss what makes us who we are.

Do you put the brakes on when doing something you love? We all seem to get stuck on "what I should be doing" or "who I should be." What if you stopped rescheduling your life...your joy. And lived now. In this episode Cheryl Laidlaw of Reyl Design Group and I explore how we can stop rescheduling our joy.

What is it that makes us want to be remembered? What if we lived life, and not sort to "portray life." What is success? What is achievement? Leaving a legacy, is this it? In this episode (Part 2 of 2) Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I discuss what it means to be remembered. We explore Descartes' famous dualism philiosphy. And we try to unpick his..."I think therefore I am" ...hypothesis.

What is it that makes us want to be remembered? What if we lived life, and not sought to "portray life." What is success? What is achievement? Leaving a legacy; is this it? In this episode (Part 1 of 2) Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I discuss what it means to be remembered. We explore Descartes' famous dualism philiosophy. And try to unpick his..."I think therefore I am"...hypothesis.

Striving to improve is a very everyday human thing. Driving forward and growing is how we are built? Self-improvement is the name of the game. Isn't it? What if being "normal" was the new extraordinary? In this episode Kate Fletcher and I explore our motivations for self-improvement, and consider whether being "normal" is enough.

In this episode I talk about how our brain is telling us to do something about our anxiety immediately to keep us safe. I suggest the problem with doing something about the anxiety is that it creates more anxiety later. And I propose when we stop attending to our anxiety, we train our brain that the situation is not important.

Is it possible to let go of the boxes we think we must be in? Life seems to be filled with expectation, after expectation. But what do we really want? The career? The house. The annual holiday abroad? The money? Or something else entirely? In this episode Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I explore: how do we unsubscribe to the life we think we want? And sign-up for the life we know we want.

Your perception may not be my reality. In this episode Annalea Doyle and I explore what it means to truly have what we want. We seek to explore our perception of the world around us, and how this perception may not necessaily be our reality.

We are all exhausted at times. Pulled from pillar to post. We place some much expectation on ourselves. How can we see our true capability? How do we realize our potential? In this episode Kirsty Duck of Face2Face HR and I explore how to use our natural born curiosity; to understand ourselves better. And better realize our potential.

Why are we fixated on the accumulation of stuff? What is it that drives us to measure success by what we have? The career. The house. Money. The 15 minutes of fame. There is so much more to life than the aquisition of things. We talk endlessly about valuing experience and life itself. Yet we are fixated on material possessions. In this episode Lianne Weaver and I ask: how can we let go of our fixation, and value the journey within?

In this episode (Part 2) Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I explore what is the gold within us? What is our true essence? Our bliss. Our real nature and potential. Our purpose. How do we merge the power of mind with the essence of our heart? Understanding the value of conciousness. This is part 2 of 2.

In this episode (Part 1) Michelle Cheyne of Instinctive Living and I explore what is the gold within us? In practical terms we unpick our true essence. Our bliss. Our real nature and potential. Our purpose. How do we merge the power of the mind with the essence of our heart? This is Part 1 of 2. Download Part 2 where we take the discussion further into conciousness.

We hear so much nowadays about: telling your story, using your truth to connect. And that stories say something about who you are...and so much more besides. Figuring out your stories and re-telling them in the present, helps you identify what is important to you. Stories are action for happiness. In this episode I explore the value of your stories, and how to use them presently to connect with yourself and others...in other words action for happiness. Here is the exercise referred to in the podcast.

Our intentions create our beliefs, our beliefs affect the way we think, our thoughts influence how we feel, how we feel (is an energy) drives our actions in an situation. Imagine being able to control your actions? Imagine being able to control your behaviours? We can, by setting intentions for how we want to show up. Use these 3-Steps to living more purposefully.

"Our words and deeds are the very nets we throw around ourselves." So said Deepack Chopra. Our language shapes how we communicate. Our language influences our opinions of self and others. So then, what is real? What is the truth? In this episode Michelle Chynne (of Instinctive Living) and I explore the power of language. And if we could let go of our attachment to the meaning of words we may truly connect with ourselves and others. Discover your Why and join a select group of happy individuals who live a meaningful life.

Our story now, shapes our identity. Who we are is determined by how we show-up in the world. Present, with presence. In this episode Hannah Stainer and I explore what it means to see our true self. How do we create the person we want to be, now? Discover your WHY score and be part of a select group of happy individuals who live a meaningful life.

We know success requires self-belief and action. Winston Churchill said, "success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." In this episode we explore what it means to have belief in ourselves. And what we need to do to make it work for us. Find your purpose and meaning in life, and build you self-belief.

Life's rich tapestry is only available when we open our hearts to experience. When we access every aspect of life - the fun and the sorrow - we can make friends with ourselves and connect more meaningfully with others. Business and life is just making friends. My Game: The Formula For Everyday Leadership

Sometimes we are our own worst critic. But our inner critic can be useful. How do we distinguish between the useful thoughts in our heads and the "not so helpful ones"? When we write we process our thought and emotions, giving ourselves the space to choose the right thought or emotion to act on. We are able to let it happen and live more purposefully. My Game: The Formula for Everyday Leadership

We all want to live life to the full. We want adventure, love, success and everything else besides. But how? How do we maximise life? In this episode I talk to Ben Holden of Compass Courses an online learning platform for the financial industry. We explore how best to live life to the max by playing life with intensity. My Game: The Formula for Everyday Leadership

In this episode I suggest everyone has vulnerabilities, emotions and personality components for good or bad. By hiding those vulnerabilities, we are essentially denying a major part of our personalities. My Game: The Formula for Everyday Leadership is available on Amazon

Why do we worry so much? What makes us anxious? How do we find peace and fulfillment? Is it about achievement and success? Or something else more simple and yet complicated to do? In this episode I talk with Michelle Cheyne (of Instinctive Living) about Eckharte Tolle's concept that time is an illision, and what happens when we live without presence. Time creates an illusion and leaves us anxious.

We are all capable of the extraordinary. Caroline Sage of Kea Consultants and I discuss what makes some people remarkable. Is it filling up with some golden liquid? Fulfilment? Purpose? You can also connect with Caroline on LinkedIn

The ability to be curious, open and accepting drives useful concious choices. It drives open the heart into a freedom no prison can contain. And it starts with a simple "yes and..." attitude. My Game: The Formula for Everyday Leadership is available on amazon.

I felt isolated as a teenager and I was keen to go to a drama boarding school. My father said I should be a teacher so I became the reluctant performer. My Game - the Formula for Everyday Leadership is available on Amazon

Ever felt not good enough? I found my 'present moment-ness' when I was performing on stage and it is how I 'discovered' Gina String. And realised my need for approval has killed my freedom. Have you thought about discovering your freedom and joy? Do this QUIZ to explore more of these concepts. My Game - The Formula for Everyday Leadership is available on Amazon

How should I BE to continue to be the success I am or ought to be? What if I am enough? I can use this to guide me to LIVE now and BE now. Living with purpose is what it's all about to connect with SELF. My Game - The Formula for Everyday Leadership is available on Amazon

Immovable, change (or not), flux, uncertainty, hope, technology, fear, challenges - a need for change - making that choice.

Art, pandemic, toiletpaper, truth and so much more in this chat with Vandy Massey - company director, investor and artist. Vandy's art is inspired by growing up in Africa and has been descibed as being filled with 'joy, energy and colour'.

Today my guest is Martin Hurworth - CEO, scale-up leader, a Pathfinder, Motivator and Engineer. He is a time-served business leader who brings experience of growing multimillion pound businesses to deliver successful business owners In this episode Martin gives us a mini training session on squats - I know!

In this first of the series of chats in the Meaning 4 Life Facebook group, I am joined by Tania Verdonk, Michelle Cheyne and Dawn Denton to chat about thoughts, feelings, and separating the two. Please join the Facebook group to get involved in future chats about 'Meaning4Life'

Be Believe Breathe: these 3 words underpin the philosophy of Claire and Sue. This is how they want to live and support others without being prescriptive, but to create the environment for people to find their own course. http://3bcoaching.org/

Michelle Cheyne from Instinctive Living has a background in psychometrics education and law. Michelle has a great interest in human behaviour and the human psyche. She uses her business website as a platform for collecting inspiring ideas and alternatives to the mundane ‘9 to 5' aspects of life and work. In this podcast we find out who Michelle is and what she stands for: To be, or not to be.

Sandy Forbes Taylor has found happiness in the world around her. “Not because my life has been easy, but because it's been hard.” She has done a lot of self-examination as a result of grief. Dealing with tragic personal loss while trying to keep a family together that had been plunged into a financially difficult situation, taught Sandy to be introspective.

Being Useful; Gaining New Perspectives: Rachel Woods, Coach in Nature, has partnered with Nature and has never felt more aligned with her usefulness than she does right now. The holy grail in this life is contentment, being okay and connected to oneself, being satisfied with where you're at, and being alive in who you are. But it is also about slowing down.