by admin | 22 Feb, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity, Mindset
Have you ever thought about or stated that your greatest dream in life is to be miserable? Me neither. Yet, there have been many times when misery was my jam, and as I look around at the places I frequent, I don’t see lots of people putting fun first. So, with that in mind, this week is all about how we can put fun into everything we do and, put it first.
We live in a serious world, with lots of challenges, and if we are not very careful, we can let life flush us down the misery drain-pipe. So, we have to be very deliberate about finding fun, and then inserting it into everything. Yes, everything. Even cleaning? Yep. Even work? Yep. Even tough conversations? Yep. Even spreadsheets? Yep. Even exercise? Yep. Trust me, you can make anything fun, if you approach it with the right attitude and look at it with the right perspective.
I remember as a teenager, my dream and greatest desire at that time was to be a professional footballer. When I got my chance and was invited to come and try out at the St Kilda Football Club, it didn’t take too long before I was questioning my dream and desire. In my mind I could see and feel the wonderful experience of making it as a professional athlete. What I hadn’t considered was the pain, sweat, and relentlessness it would take to get to that point. I thought I was fit; I was wrong. I thought I was prepared; I was wrong. I believed I could do it; I began to doubt.
Each training session was more lung-busting, muscle-tearing, and brutal than the one before. There were times I felt faint, there were times I vomited, and there were times I passed out. There were moments when I just didn’t think I could take one more step. It was not fun, and the thought of giving up was a regular one in those early days. In fact, I do believe I would have given up if I was not able to find the fun and put it first. So, the question I hear you asking is, how do you possibly find fun in pain? That is a great question.
The simple answer, I stopped focusing on the pain, and I started focusing on where I was heading and who I was becoming. With each pounding session, I felt stronger, I felt mentally tougher, and I felt more equipped to make it at the highest level of the sport. Whilst the training was tough, the fun part was knowing it was helping me become better. Being a member of a team and going through the journey with your teammates is definitely a fun part of the process. The banter, the laughter, and the sharing of discomfort made the whole experience more joyful. Without finding the fun, I know I would never have stuck with it, as it took many years before I finally made it as a regular senior player. The fun kept me in.
These days, the pain and discomfort of being a professional athlete are a distant memory. I do, however, train every day, and I do use the same strategy to make every morning that I get up at 5am to exercise a fun part of my day. In addition to exercise, I have many parts of my business which I can easily describe as fun. I love writing because I am creating something that will change lives. I love speaking to groups because I know someone will get the message I am communicating and it will help them in their life. I love mentoring aspiring authors and people with their wellbeing because I know they will be an example and create a ripple effect of positive change in the world. I even love the preparation of all these things, because without it I can’t do what I do. It is all fun.
Another part of my business involves helping people diversify utilizing an e-commerce platform. The other evening, we did a training session focused on skin care. My goal, in addition to imparting information and ideas, was first and foremost for it to be fun. There was lots of laughter, there was fun to be had with the virtual app which analysed skin, and all in all it was a fun and powerful 45 minutes for everyone who attended. Seeing that I have a skin age of 38 years old, when I am over 20 years beyond that age was definitely fun!
So, my question to you is, how can you put fun first in everything you are doing, no matter how unfun it may appear? Could you get together with people you have fun with to do tedious things? Could you give yourself a cool reward for completing a challenging task? Could you change your environment and make it more fun? Could you focus on who you are becoming and what you are creating as you do what you need to do? Could you give yourself fun little breaks on a regular basis? Could you simply choose to enjoy what you are doing? Yes, you can choose to have fun, no matter what.
My podcast this week is with Mish Cogley and is called What if?. Mish went through a very challenging time during COVID and experienced many trauma-causing events over a very short period of time. She constantly said to herself, what if I could find a way? What if I could get better? What if I could find fun. I want to encourage you to find a way, no matter how challenging it may be, to put fun first with everything you do.
by admin | 26 Jan, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
As a professional footballer, at a very young age playing my first senior level game, I was knocked out and carried off on a stretcher. I played football at a competitive level for the next 18 years after that incident. I think it would be fair to say, I got hit in the head, to some degree or another, at least 10 times. Have I killed some brain cells? Probably. Has it affected my cognitive function? Possibly. Whatever the outcome of these hits, all I know is this, I need to keep things simple if I am to enjoy my life and achieve what I want. So, I want to encourage you to do all you can to simplify everything.
I am not suggesting you go out and hit your head repeatedly against a brick wall to kill brain cells and affect your cognitive function to help you simplify things. I am suggesting you do it deliberately with everything you do. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of ‘Simplify’ is, to make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand. Doesn’t that sound better than to make something more complicated and therefore harder to do or understand? Right? So, why is it so many of us complicate things?
I used to complicate my training to the nth degree. I needed to know which energy systems were being used, which muscles strengthened, what was the optimal time and duration to train, and what training gear was best. Now I simply get up and move each day and vary it on a regular basis. OMG, I used to complicate my eating! I would weigh, measure, count, avoid, and worry. I would make eating out needlessly stressful because I would try to change everything on the menu to suit my extreme and paranoid eating habits. It was exhausting and didn’t give me the results I wanted. Now, I simply eat the whole range of natural foods, enjoy variety, and indulge in moderation. I am far happier and healthier.
I used to complicate my relationships ten-fold by trying always to be liked, worrying about what others thought, and trying to have all the answers. It kept me feeling stuck and insecure. Now, I simply strive to treat every person with respect and value, and it has made all the difference. When I started in business, I complicated selling my product or service by needing to explain all the features and benefits and having all the smooth sales lines. It was a horrible and ineffective experience. Now, I simply focus on building relationships and finding out what is important to people, and everything changed.
I hope you are getting my message here. We live in a world that tries to complicate everything, and I mean everything. If we buy into it, we will be stressed, confused, and far away from what we want. The moment you can simplify things, the moment you make it easier to do and understand, therefore there is more chance you will get the results you want. When you stop and realise that strengthening your financial situation simply requires you to spend less and earn more, then you get into action creating that outcome. You don’t need to understand business, shares, interest rates, or investment strategies. You just need to earn more than you spend.
Make this day, this week, and this year, the one you decide to simplify all the things that are causing confusion and stress. Rather than look at achievement, or material things as the catalyst for your joy, why not go for a walk outside and look around at the incredible world we live in? Just be grateful that you are here to enjoy it. If you have kids, they are going to do things that annoy you, that is a fact, so why not simply love them for who they are and what they add to your life. Do me a favour and stop right now and think about 3 things you love, three things you are grateful for, and three things you are excited about. How does that feel? Pretty simple, right?
In my podcast this week with Madonna Santa called, Wonder words, we discuss the power that the words we use will have on our life. I think we can all agree, it is pretty simple to change the words we use. I didn’t say easy, but it is simple, as is everything in life. The difference between making something beautifully simple and horrendously complicated is deliberate thought. So, as you finish reading this blog and get on with your day, be deliberate about your choice to simplify everything.
by admin | 13 Jan, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
Deb and I recently had a wonderful weekend in Sydney, enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes, and also some precious time with my amazing mentor, Glenda. As we sat with her for breakfast on Monday morning last week, she shared with us some incredible insights. None more profound than when the words came out of her mouth, referring to becoming the best we can be, Fear drives, but faith leads.
As I listened to Glenda and thought about this statement, it started making sense. For much of my life I have been driven, and I think many people could relate to that also. When I reflect on my own drive, and the foundation of it, one word comes to my mind. That word is FEAR. I was driven to be a professional athlete in fear that if I didn’t achieve something big, I would not be accepted or respected. As a personal trainer, I was driven to create a body that people would admire in fear of being rejected and unloved. In business I drove myself to the brink of disaster for the fear of failure. Can you relate to any of these?
The question that needs to be asked, and it’s an important one, is, did the outcome of the things I was driven to achieve alleviate the fear? I can tell you, in no uncertain terms, it did not! In fact, if anything it compounded the fear. I remember when I made it at the top level of sport, the fear simply changed. Instead of a fear of being accepted and respected, it became a fear of whether I could maintain it or actually even deserved it. When I achieved a body that was strong, fit, and athletic, the fear turned to one as a result of comparison. I was scared that I wasn’t as ‘ripped and rockhard’ as other people and that, again, I would be found out as an imposter. In my business, the harder I worked, the greater the fear of loss or failure became. It was a horrible cycle that I could not escape. Until I found faith.
My first experience with being led by faith, that I can actually identify, was before I really had any idea of the power of faith. I have told the story many times about my decision to write my first book. There is no doubt in my mind that it was faith-based. How do I know that? Firstly, it made no logical sense, therefore it required total faith to actually believe it could be done. Secondly, and I think most significantly, unlike my other aspirations, I was led to write my first book, not driven. I was led by a vision, I was led by curiosity, and I was led by a feeling that this was the path I needed to follow to have the impact and create the life I wanted. The fact that becoming an author started me on the path to find my purpose in life, when writing a book was never something I thought I could do or wanted to do, is absolute evidence of the power of faith in my life.
Looking back now, as a Christian, I know that the voice I heard to write the book was God’s voice. Since becoming a Christian, and slowly and reluctantly giving up the need to be in control of every situation and the need to be driven by fear, I have been led more and more each day by the wonderful power of faith. Faith is a feeling that pulls you in a direction, even one that may not seem logical and probably totally flies in the face of what mainstream society would accept. In Hebrews 11:1 it says, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thing not seen. In other words, it leads us based on an understanding that if we just dare to follow the feeling, we will end up exactly where we need to be, even if we have no idea where that is or how to get there.
I think we can all share experiences of when we just followed a gut feeling without any idea or answers and ended up just where we needed and wanted to be. Even if we didn’t know that’s what we wanted until we got there. This my friend is faith. To be led by faith, you simply have to let go. Let go of what? Let go of the need to have all the answers. Let go of the need to be in control. Let go of the feeling that your value is wrapped up in your achievement. Let go of the drive to do something because of fear. When you believe in a higher power, in my case God, you know you are loved, protected, and led to exactly where you need to be to live a life of meaning, joy, and love.
In my podcast this week with Linn Rivers called Vibrant Wellness, we discuss her being led by faith to overcome many health challenges and traumatic situations from a young age, to be living her own life of joy, wellness, and meaning. This is a challenging thing to do if, like me, you have believed your whole life that, “If it is to be, it is up to me”. You and I can’t do it alone, and the more we try, the more we stay stuck in the cycle of fear. It is my greatest encouragement this week that you allow yourself to be led by faith.
by admin | 15 Dec, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
I love this time of the year. Smiling faces, generous hearts, sun (or snow), friends and family, time for fun and festivities, plans for the future, and most importantly I believe, time to reflect. My message over the last few weeks has been to make the most of the moment, slay the day, and finish the year strong. I believe it wholeheartedly, and part of that, I believe, is to find at least one thing, and smile.
As I have already mentioned, I speak to and see many posts on social media from many people suggesting that 2023 has been a year to forget, and they can’t wait for 2024 to come. I believe these people make two very understandable but devastating errors in judgment. The first one is thinking that somehow, as a new year arrives, things will magically get better. They won’t! We create change in the only moment we have, now, and then the future will get better. It is not a random fingers-crossed and when-I-get-there kind of deal. The second mistake is actually allowing yourself to miss the joy, beauty, accomplishments, lessons, and/or opportunities that occurred in 2023. Trust me, if you are open to it, look for it, and reflect on it, you will find at least one thing, and smile.
As I reflect on my 2023, it was definitely a mixed bag. I think that is probably what it’s like every year, isn’t it? When I say mixed bag, I want to clarify. It doesn’t mean some great things and some terrible things. It means some things that went as I hoped, and some incredible lessons I learned when they didn’t. There were some joyous moments, and there were some challenging but glorious opportunities for personal growth. I guess what I am trying to say, without wanting to come across as too Pollyanna or insensitive, is that I can look back at everything that happened this year and smile. Smile for the achievement, smile for the joy, smile for the connection, smile for the significance, smile for the lesson, or smile for the opportunity to grow as a person. What about you?
What I want to encourage you to do, before you relegate 2023 to the past and move into 2024 with hope and anticipation, is find, reflect on, and bask in at least one thing that happened in 2023 that is cause for a smile. Was in an achievement, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant? It is significant, and you should be proud. Was it an experience that moved you in a positive way? Was it a connection with another human that warmed your heart? Was it the completion of something you have been working on for a while? Was it letting go of something that you recognised was no longer serving you? Was it a lesson learned from something that didn’t go the way you wanted? Was it a perspective you gained regarding something that has been holding you back? Was it the kick up the butt you really needed? What is it? Embrace it, enjoy it, be grateful for it, and smile.
In my podcast this week called Learn to be lucky with the fabulous Andy Lingfield, we have an incredible conversation about creating more ‘luck’ in your life. When Andy was seven years old, a trip to the musical theatre with his dad to see the Sound of Music, and then a kind gesture by the lady behind the merchandise counter sparked a dream in him that many would consider lucky that he actually achieved. The memory of that visit to the theatre still makes him smile, many decades later.
You never know, the thing that you reflect on that makes you smile, may actually be the thing that is the catalyst for great change in your life and the fulfillment of a dream. So, don’t waste it. There are more moments of significance that happened this year than you or I will probably ever recognise or remember, but all I am encouraging you to do is just find and focus on one. Please don’t let this year pass without realising that without everything that happened, you would not be the wonderful human being you are today. So, find that one thing, and smile.
by admin | 7 Dec, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity, Mindset
I am going to stick with the theme I have had going for the last couple of weeks, because God keeps reminding me of the importance of it. Of what? Of today. Of making the most of the moment we are in and not wasting a second of the precious life we have been gifted. As you read this, it is today. What a genius I am! My question is, what are you doing today to make it count? What will bring you joy, move you towards a dream, or make a difference in someone else’s life? Do it now and ‘slay the day’.
As I was walking home after my training session the other day, there was the sign, on the path in front of me, written in big and bold letters, Slay the Day. Now, let’s get this clear, and in the context of this blog and the modern day meaning of the word, I am not referring to the dictionary definition of the word ‘slay’ which says, to put to death with a weapon, or by violence; hence, to kill; to put an end to; to destroy. For the sake of this blog, we need to look at the origin of the modern-day interpretation of this word.
The slang use of the word ‘slay’ emerged from the innovative LGBTQ+ community. Specifically, it originated in the underground ballroom scene of 1970s-80s New York City. This subculture featured voguing dance battles, runway walks, and fashion competitions among houses formed by Black and Latino LGBTQ youth. To “slay a ball” meant to completely dominate the competition. So, that is what I am talking about when using the word ‘slay’; to dominate, to win, to overcome, to create, to influence, to help, to inspire, and to make a difference. So, now, when I say to you, Slay the day, I hope you get what I mean.
I guess, even in mystical and mythical medieval times, slaying a dragon was really a metaphor for achieving a dream, overcoming an obstacle, or exploring human potential and capacity. So, it really has a similar application in the context of this message. What I am saying is, in a very convoluted way, make the most of this day. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog called, It is still 2023, because I could see, hear, and feel people switching off and missing the rest of this amazing year. Last week, my blog was called, There is always something you can do, because I want you to know that, in this moment, there are great options available, even if things seem hopeless. This week, in the same vain, I want to reinforce winning the day, or even better, slaying the day.
It simply means, whatever you are doing today, do it with every morsel of enthusiasm, passion, and focus you have. As I am writing this blog, let me tell you, sparks are flying off the keyboard. I have several Zoom meetings today, and the people who I speak to are going to get the best of me. I am cooking dinner for someone very special in my life this evening, and I am going to prepare and cook it with love. You see, slaying the day is not limited to killing a dragon, to amassing a fortune, to breaking a trauma-bond, or anything else that seems overwhelming and intimidating. In the context of this blog, Slaying the day, means giving everything you have to everything you do.
Are you doing any cleaning today? Do it with gusto, knowing that when it’s done you will have a clean home. Are you going to the gym or doing some exercise today? Do it with zest, knowing that it is increasing your mental and physical wellbeing and inspiring someone else who may be watching. Do you have to spend time with challenging people today? Do it with delight knowing that your presence will help them in their lives. Do you have to complete a difficult or tedious task today? Do it with relish knowing that when it is done, other people’s lives are going to be enhanced. In fact, do everything you have to do today with spice and sparkle, and slay the day.
When you slay the day and do everything with passion, you will love your life, inspire others, and attract more amazingness to you. In my podcast this week called, Show up as you, I speak with Chris Walker about this exact idea. How do you transition from Alcoholism, depression, and stroke, to joy, abundance, and purpose? Simple; get good at slaying the day. This is an awesome conversation with Chris.
Today is here and now, and there is no other time you will ever have. It won’t magically get better in the future. It won’t suddenly change when the new year arrives. It won’t just mystically appear when you wake up in the morning. There is only one way to get what you want, be who you want, and do what you want, and that is, focus on the only time you will ever have and, slay the day.
by admin | 16 Nov, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
One of my favourite songs is Firework, by Katy Perry. Not just because it is a great high-energy song, but mainly because of the message it is communicating. It is a call out to every person on the planet to see the beauty and worth they already have and, as she says in the chorus, to ‘Let your colours burst’.
I have watched the video-clip for this song many times, and it is very inspiring. I would encourage you to not just listen to the words, but also watch the video-clip that goes with it. In the chorus, she sings:
Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth
Make ’em go, “Ah, ah, ah”
As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make ’em go, “Ah, ah, ah”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe
If you don’t know the song, these lyrics may seem a little weird, but trust me it is a wonderful song with a powerful message. That message is simple; you are wonderful, amazing, valuable, and important, just as you are, so let your power and colours shine through. The biggest job you and I will ever have during our time on this planet is to recognise our worth and to allow our light to shine, no matter what others may be saying or doing. You see, we are here for a mission, a purpose, and a plan. That plan is different for each one of us and we have all been gifted, through our creation, unique physical traits, character traits, and personality traits to allow us to fulfill our individual purpose on this planet.
Do you know what that means? It means you are just as you need to be and are meant to be. It means your quirks, strengths, and unique traits are exactly what was planned for you. It means you just need to learn how to use what you have to live the life of significance that is destined for you. It means you don’t need to change or be something that you are not. It means you are perfect, just the way you are. Isn’t that amazing news?
For much of my life I pretended to be an extrovert. I pretended to be full of confidence and bravado because I erroneously believed that is how I needed to be to get anywhere in life. I judged, condemned, and berated myself for being too insecure, too sensitive, and too emotional. I believed that real men are tough, don’t show weakness, and don’t need to ask for help. This flawed thinking led me into an inauthentic existence which I hated and took me into the pit of despair more than once. It was only a few short years ago I finally realised that God created me to be exactly who I am, and in his eyes, I am just as I need to be. The moment I started letting my own light shine, without worrying about how I looked or what others thought, I started to find the meaning and purpose that was there waiting for me all along.
In my weaknesses, I found strength. Through my insecurity, I found answers. In my sensitivity, I found connections. Through my vulnerability, I found significance and meaning. These days I am proud to be me, with all of my flaws and imperfections. I know I am unique and one of a kind, and so I want to let my colours burst. Just like me, you are flawed, imperfect, and the unique winner you were created to be. So, my greatest encouragement right now is to be proud of who you are and let your uniqueness shine and your colours burst through.
What about yourself is unique and different to others? What is it about yourself you keep judging, condemning, and wishing you could change? I would encourage you to think about these things as strengths and superpowers. Ask yourself this question; How can I use my uniqueness, my challenges, and my experiences to impact lives and find meaning in my own? Spend some time with this question and see what comes up for you, then, do something about it.
My podcast this week is called Adversity or adventure? In it I speak with Alice Readman about a time in her life when everything was taken from her, and since that time how she has been able to re-invent herself and now is absolutely letting her colours burst.
You, my friend, are full of life, love, and potential. Again, I am borrowing lyrics from Katy Perry’s song, because she says it so well. Do you know that there’s still a chance for you, cause there’s a spark in you? You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine. Just own the night like the 4th of July. Choose to make today the day you let your fireworks off and show your worth. Let your biggest vulnerability be your greatest strength and let your colours burst.
