Category: Perspective

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Choice consciousness Feeling Perspective

Thriving In A World Gone Bonkers

I wrote the first draft of this Newsletter as I waited at the Brisbane airport.   

And before I sat down, I was not entirely sure what I was going to write about. 

But I figured I would write about what might be at the forefront of people’s minds right about now.

And not just about the specifics of the shenanigans going on right now – whether that is a USA / Israel / Iran thing, or a Russian / Ukraine thing, or a Israel / Palestine thing, or a Jeffrey Epstein thing.

Or whatever it is – of the many things to choose from – that is trying to pull a lot of our attention now. 

 My primary interest is not in the state of affairs or even the (real “why”, I am a lot more interested in how we become the type of person who is not affected, or less affected, by WHATEVER the apparent crisis might be, regardless of how close we are or aren’t to the epicentre of the issue. 

I am most interested in how we can become a powerful enough person, so we can maintain a sense of calm, clarity, stability and with a luminous mind shining brightly; REGARDLESS of the flavour of the world or local issues going on.

And even how we can get and remain in love with life, regardless of the veracity of the storms we weather.  

Rather than trying to “logically” figure out why things are happening, or how they will unfold, or who is telling the truth and who is telling ‘porky pies’, which will just send us all nuts. 

And is not that useful for us in our day-to-day. 

Continue reading “Thriving In A World Gone Bonkers”
Categories
Belief Choice Growth Perspective Success

What I Learned from Gordon Ramsay

And right from the get go, let me make it clear what I did not learn. 

I did not learn how to cook. 

So, sorry, but there will be no kitchen hacks or fab recipes in this article. 

You see, I do know my place (it is not in the kitchen). 

Ferry is the foodie, who LOVES cooking, and even loves cooking for me. 

So, why would I waste time and energy on something, which someone else loves, and also makes them happy? 

Instead, I put my energy into trying to understand the psychology and “why” of things. 

Why does A + B = G? 

In this article, I decided to share my psychoanalyzing of Gordon Ramsay, from his Netflix show “Being Gordon Ramsay“. 

It was not only entertaining, but deeply informative for me, as I asked myself the question, “I wonder why he does that?“.

So, let me share with you what I learned.

But, before I go on, I am going to assume that you know who Gordon Ramsay is. 

But, just in case you are a hermit, he is one of the most prolific and successful chefs on the planet with multiple restaurants (over 90), a bunch of Michelin Stars along the way, numerous successful television series and documentaries, a prolific impact and following on Social Media platforms, and a worldwide recognizable and impactful brand identity. 

I am also VERY clear that Gordon Ramsay is no saint, has had a very colorful and checkered life and career, is obnoxious and abrasive at times, swears like a trooper, and rubs a lot of people up the wrong way.

This is not about promoting him, but trying to understand what drove him, and also what stabilized him, so he did not take a wrecking ball to his whole life (as many others on the pursuit of fame and fortune have). 

Continue reading “What I Learned from Gordon Ramsay”
Categories
Choice Confidence Decision Making Growth Perspective Self Esteem Success

The Power of Strategic and Mindful Transitioning  

I recently got off a Podcast interview (Sandcast), with a client of mine who is transitioning out of a professional Beach Volleyball career. 

The conversation was extremely insightful. 

(I will share it with you once he posts it) 

We talked about him transitioning out of elite sport into “what’s next?“. 

However, when it comes to “transitioning” (and doing it well), it applies to us all. 

Some transitions are more monumental. 

And some transitions are at the very basic daily level. 

For instance, I have worked with a lot of clients over the years who have been REALLY BAD at switching off from work when they get home. 

Essentially transitioning from “work mode” to “family mode“. 

Often it just doesn’t happen at all. 

Actually, you need to actively and consciously do something (let’s call it a mindful transition), to adapt most effectively to a new environment. 

How are you at “switching off” after work? 

The more monumental transitions might be – using a personal example – transitioning from being an Olympic Games bomb management expert and security consultant (working for the man, literally ;-)); to being a Life Coach in Bali, working for myself, and not really having much of an idea how to go about it. 

Regardless of the size or complexity of the transition, the way you do it matters. 

Even in yoga, there is conscious attention given to how you transition from one pose to another, because the yogis realised its importance.  

Which takes me to the key point of this conversation. 

Continue reading “The Power of Strategic and Mindful Transitioning  “
Categories
Choice Perspective Success

How to Set Yourself Up to WIN Big in 2026

Once a month I will record a short 3-5 min video with a practical Tip, Tool, or Strategy. Today is the first edition, and is one of the most important (and simple) STRATEGIES that I teach all my private Coaching clients. It will improve your decision-making “RESULTS” by about 200%!

Enjoy. 

Continue reading “How to Set Yourself Up to WIN Big in 2026”
Categories
Choice Life Lessons Perspective

Doing This Drains Your Energy and Equanimity

Once a month I will record a short 3-5 min video with a practical Tip, Tool, or Strategy. Today is the first edition, and is one of the most important (and simple) STRATEGIES that I teach all my private Coaching clients. It will improve your decision-making “RESULTS” by about 200%!

Enjoy. 

Continue reading “Doing This Drains Your Energy and Equanimity”
Categories
Belief Choice Perspective

How We Mess With Reality, And Not In A Good Way

Since a “picture tells 1000 words” I figured I only need to write a handful of words today. 

Which is good for all of us. 

The other evening, I observed this “phenomenon“. 

As you know, I live in a Bali village (not in a straw hut, but an actual house). 

And in said village there are LOTS of ceremonies, celebrations (weddings, births, funerals, etc.), band practice (preparing for celebrations), roosters, dogs, and most recently a gaggle of ducks. 

So, at times it can be a wee bit noisy. 

The other night I was observing mine, and my partners REACTION to “loud noise”. 

This time it was band practice, and it started about 8:30pm, when I am generally winding down for the day. 

I felt myself getting a bit worked up. 

I also noticed Ferry going up a few more notches higher than me. 

But then I reminded myself of something I already know. 

It is the STORIES we tell about the reality of an experience, which determines the MEANING of the experience, and therefore our body’s ultimate response. 

The lightbulb went on, and my level of bothersomeness went down.  

Continue reading “How We Mess With Reality, And Not In A Good Way”
Categories
Belief Choice Perspective Stress Success

Is Your Mindset Bias Leaning The Right Way?

Once a month I will record a short 3-5 min video with a practical Tip, Tool, or Strategy. Today is the first edition, and is one of the most important (and simple) STRATEGIES that I teach all my private Coaching clients. It will improve your decision-making “RESULTS” by about 200%!

Enjoy. 

Continue reading “Is Your Mindset Bias Leaning The Right Way?”
Categories
Choice Decision Making Growth Perspective Success

Creating A Solid Foundation In Order To Build “Greatness”

Having stable, solid, well-defined and deep foundations is ESSENTIAL to build anything GREAT from.

I am sure that concept is not news to you. 

We need to have great foundations in order to build anything great. 

Whether it is a skyscraper or an outstanding relationship.

Whether it is a great game of tennis, or a great business. 

The fundamental foundations matter a lot. 

But when it comes to us, as people, what EXACTLY do me mean (practically) when we talk about building a ‘solid foundation’? 

I use the term a LOT with my clients. 

So, I thought given I say it a lot, what exactly constitutes what I am calling a solid foundation? 

Hence, today’s topic.  

Continue reading “Creating A Solid Foundation In Order To Build “Greatness””
Categories
consciousness Decision Making Growth Life Lessons Overwhelm Perspective Stress Success

Mental Pushing And Pulling – Thanks To Our Biology

Where to start?

How about with the name of the book I just finished reading, which shared pretty interesting insights. The book was called: ‘Why You’re Unhappy’ by Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD.

I didn’t agree with everything she presented, but because she has a background in anthropology as well as psychology, it brought a nice perspective to her discussion on biology.

And the influence on our feelings and behaviours.

She spoke a lot about the individual roles of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins and cortisol; and how they are primarily used for survival (and reproduction of genes), as with all mammals.

I have talked before about the ‘mid’ brain, also called the limbic brain or mammalian brain.

It has a number of functions including regulation and generation of our emotions, which obviously affects us moment-to-moment and day-to-day.

I found a few things in this book especially fascinating.

Particularly the author’s overarching message.

We are not – biologically – designed to be ‘happy’ all the time.

It is not only okay, but “normal” to feel our emotions go up and go down throughout our day and life in general.

I think that is a great point.

If we EXPECT to be happy, all the time, or think there is something “wrong” with us if we aren’t, then we may be fighting reality.

What I also found fascinating was…

Continue reading “Mental Pushing And Pulling – Thanks To Our Biology”
Categories
Choice Decision Making Perspective Success

The Bigger The ‘Gap’, The Bigger The Frustration & Disappointment

Let’s jump straight in.

Have you ever heard the following statement or philosophy?

The size of the GAP between the REALITY and your EXPECTATIONS, determines the amount of discomfort (frustration, anger, disappointment, etc.) you will experience.

As shown in my diagram further down.

Small GAP = small discomfort.

BIG GAP = BIG (emotional) PAIN. So today I want to look at the biggest EXPECTATION Boo-Boo’s (aka: mistakes) many people erroneously make.

Continue reading “The Bigger The ‘Gap’, The Bigger The Frustration & Disappointment”

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