by admin | 18 Oct, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity, Mindset
Many things have expiry dates. We obviously know not to eat food after its use by date, however, there are many things we may have or do in our lives that have possibly gone well beyond their expiry date. So, this week, I want to encourage you, if anything has gone beyond its expiry date or past it’s used by date, to take it ‘behind the barn’.
I don’t watch a lot of television, but one show I really enjoy is Shark Tank. On the American version, one of the sharks is a man by the name of Kevin O’Leary, a.k.a Mr. Wonderful. He’s very direct, doesn’t mince his words, and at times can come across as insensitive, but I love his honest approach. He has a saying that he uses in most episodes directed at one or more of the entrepreneurs seeking investment. If he believes that the product or service being presented won’t succeed, he suggests to the person that they ‘take it behind the barn and shoot it’.
Yes, that is pretty tough, and insensitive. However, in some cases it’s exactly what needs to happen. For all of us. I have a client, who is also a friend, and we were talking the other day about aspects of her business. There’s one part of her business that, for a long time, she has put time and energy into which hasn’t translated into tangible results. So, in my wisdom, and I use that term loosely, I told her about Mr. Wonderful’s suggestion. I said to her, in a caring and sharing kind of way, maybe it’s time to take it ‘behind the barn’. She seemed to respond positively to the suggestion. By positively I mean she didn’t hang up on me! I honestly believed there were better things, more aligned to her mission, she could be spending time on.
As I reflected on that conversation throughout the day, it occurred to me that possibly this client may not have taken my suggestion in the spirit that I had intended it. In fact, it may have come across as offensive and insulting. So, I called her. I explained my regret and apologised if I had been insensitive in any way. She told me not to worry. In fact, she had had some serious thoughts about this part of her business, and while she wasn’t ready to take it ‘behind the barn’, she did agree she needed to change the way she was doing things. Phew!
After I hung up with her, I smiled, and then I immediately felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of my gut. Why? Because I started thinking about the things in my life that I needed to take ‘behind the barn’. As life happens, mine has become incredibly full of a lot of things. Not all of them are moving me towards the vision of the life I want to live. In fact, they are just taking time and energy and are a distraction to things I could be doing to move me towards creating my dream life.
Tragically, the first thing that came to me was this blog. You may not know it, but I have been writing a blog every week for over 20 years. I never miss a week. That’s over 1000 blogs. I’ve really enjoyed writing these, and in my heart I hope they’re making a difference. However, I really don’t know. And if I’m being honest, the time I spend coming up with an idea, writing it, editing it, uploading it, and posting it, I could use to do things that are more meaningful and purposeful. So, with a heavy heart, I want to let you know that I’m taking this blog ‘behind the barn’. This will be my last blog.
Enough about me. The reality is that the only reason you and I may not be living our dream life is because of the things we need to take ‘behind the barn’ and shoot! As you’re reading this final blog, is anything coming into your heart and mind, you know you should take ‘behind the barn’? Is it limiting beliefs and negative self-talk? Is it something you’re doing that you really don’t know why you’re doing anymore? Is it a job that’s stealing your joy? Is it something you are using as a distraction to what you know you should be doing? Is it a relationship that has gone beyond its use by date? You know what it is? Don’t you?
Let me tell you that it’s a liberating feeling when you make a decision to let something go. Because it creates space for something new, exciting, and purposeful. So, if you are ready for this courageous step, then here is what you can do. Firstly, get very clear on the life you want to live. Secondly, assess all the things in your life to decide if they are or are not contributing to the fulfilment of that life. Thirdly, anything that is not, one at a time, take it ‘behind the barn’ and shoot it. Finally, use that newly available time to do the things that will help you live your best life.
I just want to finish this blog by saying thank you. I am grateful that you read this, and I am grateful if you have commented on how it has helped you. I will never stop sharing my thoughts, stories, and messages with a deep desire to help people live their best life. However, for now, I am taking this blog ‘behind the barn’. Thanks. Love you.
by admin | 29 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Have you noticed the impact words have on your life? Have you ever felt inspired, encouraged, and empowered to take action and do something great? On the flipside, have you ever felt discouraged, anxious, angry, or hopeless? I think it would be fair to say we all experience all of these emotions, and many others. It’s these emotions that move us into action or inaction, and all emotions are triggered by words. Make no mistake about it, whether empowering or destructive, words always work.
I know this stuff, I practice this stuff, yet I’m still impacted by words. I think, as humans, all of us are, no matter how developed we are in this space and how much we think we know. Words still and will always have an impact on us. I had a recent experience that reminded me of this powerful message. I was out training the other morning. It was leg day and leg day hurts. I was doing some high step ups out of the sand down at the beach. It’s actually quite impressive, if I do say so myself.
As always, whilst training, people jog, walk, and ride past. I enjoy the social aspect of my morning exercise as I often get to say hello to some people as they pass. Every now and then someone will make a positive comment that is very encouraging. Something like, wow that’s really impressive, good on you, or you are so dedicated. Those comments, whilst they seem very simple, really help me. The leg workout is not an easy one, and any word of encouragement makes a difference and supports me to get through it.
The other morning, I did get a couple of positive and encouraging comments which were very helpful. At one point, a lady jogged past. She was not young. In fact, if I’m honest, I’d probably put her in the elderly category. In my estimation she was probably in her late 70s or early 80s, which is incredibly impressive. She ran past once, I smiled and said good morning to her. I got no recognition or response. I just kept on squatting, lunging, and stepping. About 30 minutes later, she jogged past again from the other direction. I was in the middle of doing my impressive steps out of the sand, she looked at me, no smile, and instructed, keep your back straight, and she kept running.
As I said earlier, I totally understand this space. I understand the power of words, and I also understand that other people‘s opinion shouldn’t affect me. However, her words stung a little bit. Even though, I’m sure, in her mind she was trying to help me, the tone of her voice and the dismissive manner in which she spoke to me was actually quite abrupt, and if I’m being truthful and a little vulnerable, it was a bit hurtful. I pondered on it for a while and thankfully got over it quite quickly.
What it did reinforce, was the power of words. They always work. They work to lift, heal, encourage, and empower. They also work to hurt, harm, discourage, and destroy. Many people who speak to themselves, or others, don’t really think about the impact of their words. A throw-away comment to yourself like, I’m such an idiot or to someone else such as, you always get it wrong. Will have a very destructive impact on yourself, and the person you’re speaking to. Words always work.
On the flipside, when you lift yourself and speak highly of yourself, you will empower yourself to great things. When you can support, encourage, and compliment other people you help them have the courage to initiate positive action. Again, I want to say this so that you hear it, words always work. I know you will remember a time, even many years ago, when words had a powerful impact on and in your life. In fact, those words may still be affecting your life today, in a great way or a devastating way. I have spoken about the teachers who said to me as a child, over 50 years ago, I wish you were more like your brother. Thisaffected my life and how I felt about myself for decades. I also remember, very clearly, the words my parents said to me as a child, that I could do anything I wanted in life.
All I want to ask of you this week is to monitor the words you say to yourself and to other people. They are working to build or to destroy. If you catch yourself being critical, insulting, abusive, or discouraging, please stop, reflect, and recalibrate. You know how words have been and are working in your life, so now is the time to make sure they are working to build, encourage, and empower yourself and others. Don’t miss my wonderful podcast this week with Lisa Johnson, called Getting you back. Her words are impactful, your words are impactful, so never forget that words always work.
by admin | 15 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
There are times in my life when I have felt incredibly stuck. Times, when I was in a situation and I wanted to get out, but I just didn’t know how. In business, financially, in relationships, and in many other areas. I just felt stuck. What I didn’t realise at the time was that the actual escape vehicle was already there to take me to freedom.
I’m sure you’ve heard this story before, but it’s worth repeating. Because the message is valuable, and I hope it prompts you to realise the fact that your escape vehicle is already there, waiting for you to get on.
The story is about the guy who was stuck on his roof as storm waters were rising. He was a Christian man, and as he sat on the roof, the rain waters rising, he prayed to God to be saved. He had total faith his God would rescue him. The water kept rising and rising, and as it was touching his feet, a boat came past. The guy in the boat said to him, quickly, jump in and I’ll save you. The man on the roof said, no thank you, it’s okay I know my God will save me.
The rain kept coming, the water kept rising, and as it was climbing past his belly and up to his chest a helicopter flew and hovered just above him. The door opened, a rope ladder dropped, and instructions came to jump on to be lifted out. Again, the man said, no thank you, my God will save me. He refused to climb the ladder, so the helicopter flew off to save other people. The water kept rising eventually reaching his neck, then rose over his head, and the man drowned.
He went up to Heaven, and he was cranky. He started knock knock knocking on Heaven‘s door, and when he entered, he found God to confront him. He said, I waited and waited for you to save me, and you didn’t come, and now I’m dead. God replied, I sent you a boat and a helicopter, what else did you want?
As I said, it’s an oldie but a goodie, and it has a very valid and important message I encourage you to ponder on. Are there any areas of your life where you feel stuck, yet the escape vehicle is right in front of your nose? It may not be as obvious as the boat and the helicopter, but it is there nevertheless, as long as you open your eyes and look for it.
It’s a little bit like a term that I know as domestic blindness. I have it! I look in the fridge and ask, where is the yoghurt? I look and I look but just can’t see it. However, if someone else opens the fridge they’ll see it sitting right there. It was right in front of my nose, but for some reason I missed it. Maybe because it was so obvious. What are you missing because maybe it’s too obvious?
What if the answer to you getting unstuck and free from your health concerns is just opening the front door and going out for a walk? What if the escape from your financial challenges is waiting for you to open your mind to other options that you can do outside your normal work hours? What if the solution to your relationship issues is simply having an open and honest conversation with your partner?
Have you ever been offered something by someone and, without really considering it, said no? What if that was an escape option? Have you ever said to yourself, you need to start doing something or stop doing something, and then talk yourself out of it? What if that was the escape option? What if changing your life was as simple as opening your heart and your mind, and getting out of your own way, to take advantage of the amazing people, resources, and options that are available to you right now?
Honestly, it’s that simple. Just open your eyes and see what’s all around you. I promise, the solution to help you escape and get unstuck is right in front of your nose. To help with this journey, my two podcasts this week are awesome. I speak with Laura Bratton in a podcast called, Grief, grit, and gratitude. I also speak with Michael Hession in a podcast called The two superpowers.
We make life way more complicated than it needs to be. We get so caught up in our challenges, problems, and stresses, that we are blinded to and miss the obvious answers and solutions that are right there waiting for us. This week, please look up, look around, and you’ll see that your escape vehicle is already there waiting for you.
by admin | 9 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Let me tell you what is you. You are incredible. You are good enough. You have amazing potential. You have endless capacity. You have an abundance of love to give. You are incredibly loveable. You are capable. You are resilient. You are passionate. You have been created for greatness. Whatever you believe in conflict with any of these things, is not you.
I have some fantastic people in my life who I love dearly. I’m so grateful to have all of them in my life. I’m sure you feel the same as me, when I say, I wish some of them believed about themselves the same way I believe about them. In the same way, I know, at times, I may be lacking in self-belief, when I know other people have incredible belief in me. At times, more than I have in myself. With all the things I could focus on, and all the things you could focus on, why do we choose to focus on the things that are really not us?
The other day I was sitting with an incredibly important person in my life who is going through a serious health challenge. Whilst the condition was having a significant impact on her physical health, I knew as we spoke, it was her mindset and belief system that needed most attention. I’ve quoted many times from Craig Groeschel’s book, The Power to Change. In it he says, you do what you do because of what you think of you. This is such a powerful concept, playing out in every single person’s life, and the outcomes experienced depend on one thing. That is, what you think of you.
As I was talking to this beautiful human, I could hear the fear in her voice, the doubt about herself, lack of self-worth, anger towards her family and even God. As the words were coming out of her mouth, all I could say to her is, ‘this is not you’. I know this person to be a positive, passionate, empathetic, loving, compassionate, holistic, healthy, and very spiritual human. However, with everything happening in her life, she had been overcome by negative thoughts, damaging self-talk, and lies.
All I could do was remind her of the amazing person she is, the love and support she has around her, and a God who loves her and can heal. She knows this stuff, however, she had let the lies start to take over her thinking, and her life. Don’t we all do that at times? Don’t we all spiral into doubt, fear, and insecurity at times? I know I certainly do. What I now know is, whenever I’m thinking poorly of myself, doubting myself, or questioning whether I’m good enough, I know enough to stop myself. I know that’s not me.
What is me, is a loving, caring, empathetic, compassionate, resilient, resourceful, creative, purposeful, and passionate human being. I am a child of God, and I am loved beyond measure. That is my truth and all the stuff that contradicts that is 100% lies. I know that now. I know who I am, and I know who I am not, and I choose to focus on who I am. I encourage you to do the same.
Remember, you do what you do because of what you think of you. That means, if you think you’re good enough, think you’re worthy, think you are created for great things, then you will do what you need to do to create an incredible life for yourself and others. However, the flipside is also true. If you doubt yourself, if you think you’re not good enough, if you think you can’t do it, or that people won’t accept you or love you for who you are, then you will act in a way that supports those lies. The result of this is a life that you’ll end up regretting. That’s not what you want, that’s not what I want, so focus on who you are and know when to say, that’s not me.
In my podcasts this week, I have amazing conversations with two wonderful humans. I speak with Nate Turner in a podcast called Lawnmower, rake, and shovel. I also talk with Jodi Gonzales in a podcast called Creativity is your Compass. Both will help you focus on who you really are; someone who is wonderful, worthy, and always welcome. This week, I urge you to spend some time reflecting on what actually is you, and what definitely isn’t?
by admin | 12 Jul, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
I really surprised myself this week. For much of my life, I have reacted poorly to things that have happened. Often, things in the big picture which are not that big a deal, but in the moment seem earth shattering. However, there is an incredible thing called perspective, which has helped me enormously. So, what I’ve discovered this week, despite the things I don’t have, I’m incredibly grateful for what I do.
The best way to describe the week I’ve just had, is a personal growth week. That’s a polite way of putting it. I won’t bother you with all the things that happened; however, there’s one experience I want to talk about, because there’s a powerful lesson. Every Wednesday afternoon and evening I volunteer to spend time with, feed, and connect with homeless people around the city of Melbourne. They come into a venue in the city, to connect, to eat, to be warm, and to feel normal for a short amount of time. It is something that I love to do and is an incredibly fulfilling part of my life.
On Wednesday just gone, I made a rookie error. I put down my mobile phone and turned my back away from it for a moment. I was playing music from my phone via Bluetooth through a large speaker and put my phone on top of the speaker. I then got distracted. As I was talking with someone, I noticed the music had stopped playing. I turned around and my phone was gone. I’m not sure how you would respond to that, however as for many people, everything – and I mean everything – is on my phone. In times past, I would’ve spiralled into victim mode. I would’ve gotten angry, been stressed and anxious, and I would’ve been incredibly angry that someone had stolen my property. However, this time, for some reason, I was surprisingly calm.
I’m not sure why, as my life was on my phone, and tragically, I knew I hadn’t backed everything up. Therefore, I knew I was going to lose a fair bit of stuff. So, not only did I lose my phone, but I lost a whole heap of photos, many messages, and a lot of other things that are important to me. I thought, incredibly, yes, someone has taken my phone, and really, I should be angry, but I’m not. Why? Because, at the end of the night, I just walked out of that building without my phone, and most of the homeless people walked out that night without a home to go to or a bed to sleep in. I got to walk out of the building with a great life, a partner who loves me, with friends and family I am grateful for, a home to go to, and purpose in my life. I didn’t have the phone, but I did have a cause for celebration.
As I thought about the person who stole my phone, I reflected on the reason why they would’ve done that. I thought about the life they must be living, the struggles they must be having, and the fear that must be in their life. I then again thought about my life, the love, the security, the resources, and the joy that I have. And I realised I’m not the victim here, I am absolutely the blessed one.
Isn’t it easy to focus on the things we don’t have? The problem with that, is the more we focus on what we don’t have, the less chance we will ever have those things. So, my greatest encouragement for you this week is to focus on what you do have, because when you do, you’ll realise you’ve got so much to be grateful for. And, what you focus on, you will attract into your life. So, please focus on the amazing things you already have. You may want more money, but I am sure you have enough now. You may want more friends, but I am sure you have some great ones already. You may want more energy, but don’t forget to celebrate the wellbeing you already have. Are you getting my drift?
This week I have published two cracking podcasts that will help you in this area. I talk with Justin Grifford in a podcast called Start poorly, and Mort Orman in a podcast called Embrace wrongness. Just remember, every day and every situation provides an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to find joy and purpose in life. It is my greatest encouragement this week, that you spend more time focussing on what you have.
by admin | 26 Jun, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
So, I was driving along earlier in the week and thinking about what I could possibly write about for my next blog. This blog, in fact. Then I thought to myself, something is going to happen in this moment that will trigger a topic. It might be something I’m listening to, something that I see, something that prompts an idea or a thought. Guess what happened? My focus on the magic in the moment is the reason I’m writing this blog.
Ironically, I was listening to an audio at the time. The speaker was talking about a moment that changed his life. In that moment, it was a sign that he saw that simply stated, ‘today is the first day of the rest of your life’. In that very moment, he said, he stopped focusing on the past and his previous mistakes and started focusing on what he could do in that moment to create a better future.
Would you agree, that’s pretty incredible? As I was thinking about finding something in the moment to trigger an idea for a blog, a speaker was talking about something that happened in a moment that changed his life forever? Wow. The power of our mind and what we can attract when we focus on the right thoughts and the magic that’s in every single moment.
Tragically, I have missed so many of the moments in my life. Too busy stressing, putting out fires, worried about what I should’ve done, what I need to do, what I don’t like, what I wish was different, and all the other rubbish I was allowing to occupy my mind at that time of my life. What I didn’t realise was that the answer to all of my challenges lay in the magic of the very moment I was in.
All the things that I was stressing about could’ve been solved in an instant by changing my perspective. All the fires I was trying to put out could’ve been resolved in a heartbeat, by focusing on a simple solution. All the things I was worried I should’ve done, could’ve been answered in that moment by starting to do them. All the things I was thinking that I needed to do, could’ve been transformed in that moment by thinking that I got to do them. All the things I was focused on that I didn’t like, could’ve very quickly been changed in the magic of the moment by focusing on what I do like. All the things that I wished were different in my life, could’ve been changed in a heartbeat by focusing on exactly what I was able to do in that very moment.
The moment is the only time you and I have. It’s the only time you and I will ever have. It’s the only time when things can change. It’s the only time when we can use our past as a blessing and as a teacher. It’s the only time when we can take action to predictably ensure a future that we love. It’s the only time to be grateful. It’s the only time to show love and care for others. It’s the only time to take action. It’s the only time that will make any difference. It’s the time when magic happens. In this moment.
What are you focused on? What are you worried about? What do you wish was different? No matter what the challenge, the struggle, the adversity, or the situation, it can be solved in a place where magic happens. That is, in the moment.
In my wonderful podcast conversations this week, my guests and I talk about this very kind of magic that happens in the moment. I speak with Dr. Glenn Toby in a podcast called The story, not the glory, and with Gretchen Schoser, in a podcast called Laugh, love, and live. The conversations are full of ideas and tips to help make the most of the magic that is in every moment.
Life can be so complicated if we let it. On the other hand, it can be incredibly simple, meaningful, and enjoyable. The secret is to focus on the magic of the moment.
