by admin | 12 Apr, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
When you look at the image, what do you see, apart from two very handsome men that is? The words I mean. Read it to yourself. Say it out aloud. Did you get it right? Are you sure? Look again. Read it again. Say it out aloud again. Got it?
If you got it, you would have realised that ‘and’ is written twice. Maybe you’re like me and didn’t see it until it was pointed out. It is such an obvious thing isn’t it? Why did you miss it? Why did I continually miss it? This is a very important question that I want to discuss this week.
My friend Ossie and I caught up after almost two years of no contact. We went for a walk on a stunning day, sat by the Yarra River, enjoyed the wonderful views, and caught up on the previous two years in each other’s lives. It would be fair to say we have both been through some challenges in that time. What I loved about our conversation, and what I love about Ossie, is that we were both able to see more in the situations we had experienced than the challenge. Initially it seemed overwhelming and undesirable, but when we looked again, from another perspective, it looked very different. That is the reason why it is so important to look again, so you don’t miss the truth and the opportunity.
My greatest desire this week, after you finish reading the blog is to look again at many situations that you believe are adverse. In fact, I would encourage you to read this blog again, as you never know what you may pick up the second time. So many times, I have looked at a situation in my life that seemed bad and reacted immediately, based on the first look. In most cases, it was the wrong way to look at the circumstance, and led to an undesirable outcome. Reacting to an initial emotion will often lead to regret. All you have to do, before responding, is look again and you will see the truth.
Why do we often miss the truth when we first look at something? Great question and I am not sure if I have the answer. Maybe because we live in a fast-paced world, and we don’t allow ourselves the time to look and reflect on what is really going on. Maybe it’s because we are looking at things from our own selfish viewpoint and how it immediately affects us. Maybe it’s because we are looking through a victim-mindset perspective and not how the situation can actually be a positive thing in our lives. Whatever the reason, I want to urge you, whenever you feel frustrated, angry, anxious, fearful, resentful, or offended, to take the time to look again more carefully. If you do, the truth will appear to you.
That health challenge you are looking at can be a cause for fear and anxiety, unless you look again. If you do, you will see areas to improve and the opportunity to become optimally healthy and inspire others. When looking at conflict, it can very easily lead to anger, frustration and resentment, unless you look again. If you do, with a desire to see the other person’s viewpoint, you will find empathy and compassion. When you look at a situation that is out of your control, you can feel helpless and fearful, unless you look again. If you look at what you can do and what you are in control of, you will see amazing possibilities that will lead to feelings of empowerment and excitement. Can you see why it is so important, in certain scenarios, to look again?
It was actually in my podcast with Pericles Rellas, called Financial thermostat, that I heard the Bird in the the hand’ metaphor, andhis own story of looking again. In my other podcast this week called, A values driven life, I talk with Carly Pepin about looking again at things through the lens of what is most important to you. Both podcasts have powerful conversations, and I encourage you to listen to them.
The life we live is very dependent on what we see, how we respond, and what we do as a result. As humans, we are very impacted by how we feel and driven to act as a consequence. Once you act, it can’t be undone or taken back. The words you speak, and the actions you take will always have an impact on your life and the life of others. So, it is my strongest recommendation that before you speak or act, you take the time to look again with a desire to see the truth.
by admin | 5 Apr, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
I love how things work. When everything is in place, things flow with ease. When all the components are operating in your TV, you get a clear image. When you put all the pieces into a puzzle, you get a complete picture. When your car is serviced regularly and all parts are where they should be, it runs smoothly. When things are not running as you would like, in any area of life, no need to panic. It simply means there is a missing link, and for most of us that missing link is the most obvious thing.
We live in a world where people are looking for answers and ways to live a better life and become the best version of themselves. I applaud every single person who makes personal development a regular daily choice. I have worked on myself for many years, and it has transformed my life. I will continue to make personal development an essential part of my life. There is no shortage of ways to develop personally. There are millions of podcasts, blogs, books, audios, seminars, webinars, workshops, and retreats. So, really, anyone who wants to change their life has immediate and ongoing ways to learn how to do just that.
That being the case, why do so many people participate in personal development of some kind, yet so few move very far beyond the circumstances they are trying to change? It’s the missing link. I know for me, in the early days of my personal development journey, I was the same. I read, I listened, I attended, I learned, I knew all the stuff, and I even tried some things, yet I was still stuck in the life I wanted to change? Why? Again, the missing link. Do you relate? Are you wondering, even though you read my blogs, listen to podcasts, and attend seminars, why nothing is really changing for you? Then get ready, because I am going to share with you the missing link.
Over the weekend just gone, I ran a webinar for aspiring authors called The Submission Process. During that session, we discussed everything required to do to get a book published. Over the last 20 years I have spoken to, presented to, written to, and delivered programs to thousands and thousands of people about how to get a book written, published, and out into the world. Why is it that so many people have the information, yet so few get their books written, published, and out into the world? It’s the missing link. You know what it is, don’t you?
If you think it’s action, you are partly right. Many people act and still don’t get the results they want. The missing link is; continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. In other words, it is doing the stuff, even when you don’t want to, don’t feel like it, or don’t think it’s working. Getting published very rarely comes about from a submission to one publisher. It comes after many submissions, many non-responses, many rejections, and many times overcoming the feeling of giving up. Creating a healthy body doesn’t happen getting up once when you feel motivated to go for a run. It happens every morning, even when you would rather hit the snooze button. Building your business, making sales, getting clients, and getting speaking gigs will not occur just on the day you feel inspired. It comes about after persisting through the times when nothing seems to be working and getting knock back after knock back is a common occurrence.
Magic is happening through continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. When nothing seems to be happening, trust me, it really is. You are getting stronger and more resilient. Someone is reading your submission or proposal. Someone is being inspired by what you are doing. Your body is actually getting healthier with every step you take. Your action will always lead you somewhere abundant and amazing, with one simple condition; you keep going when you most feel like giving up. There is an awesome book called; The Magic is in the Extra Mile. Not a truer word has been spoken.
Don’t believe me? Then listen to my two podcasts this week to get some other incredible perspectives on this message. I spoke with Robert Foster in a podcast called Shut up and grind. I spoke with Bobbi Barrington in a podcast called The sculpture within. Both will reinforce the message I have shared in this blog.
I know you want a better life, or to change something, otherwise you would not be reading this blog. Reading this is just the first step, but all the reading, all the listening, and all the attending in the world will not create change. The only thing that will create the change you want is, continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. This, my friend, is for most people, except you, the missing link.
by admin | 14 Mar, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
What a mind-blowing statement it is, not. We are all different. I don’t think there is a person on the planet who would disagree with that statement. However, in our actions, reactions, and relationships with other people, I believe there are times we forget it. So, this week, I want to remind you again that we are all different. The other thing that goes with that is, it is okay. People are allowed to think what they like, react as they choose, and behave as they will. Because we are all different.
This fact was made glaringly obvious to me this week. As I do, I get up every morning before 5am and spend the next couple of hours building my mind and exercising my body. My wellbeing is a priority to me, and what I was reminded of again, on this particular morning, it is not for everyone. I have to remember that this is okay, as people are as they are, and it does not require my judgement or opinion.
I was down at the beach training in front of a beachside kiosk. I was doing my exercise routine and noticed a man asleep on the ground under the cover of the kiosk roof. He looked like he just had a big night out and anywhere was good enough for him to sleep. After about an hour, my training had finished and I was stretching. This man finally staggered to his feet and stumbled in my direction. He slurred his words as he astonishingly asked me if I had a cigarette he could have. It was astonishing to me, as I had just been exercising just a few metres from him for 90 minutes. To him, it was clearly a reasonable question. We are all different.
I replied to him, “I am sorry, I don’t smoke, I try to live a healthy life”. Which, even as I was saying, I realised may have come out a little judgmentally. I clearly still have the capacity for more personal growth! He then looked at me, with a spiteful look in his eyes, and declared, “People who exercise are toxic!” He threw some expletives at me and stumbled off just as another man, out for a morning walk, approached. He asked the gentleman for a cigarette, and when he got another rejection, he started swearing at this man and continued swearing as he staggered off into the distance. I chuckled, as I was again reminded that we are all different.
This is a critical realization for all of us as we go about our lives and interactions with many people. For so long, I would become frustrated when others didn’t agree with me, didn’t understand me, or didn’t seem to be listening to me. The reality was, they weren’t trying to frustrate me, nor I them, but we were coming from different perspectives, different experiences, different personalities, and different character traits. We are all different. These days, instead of getting frustrated, I get fascinated. I want to understand someone’s perspective so I can connect with them and identify with where they are coming from. It has made such a difference.
I am not perfect at this, I still miss the mark, and there are times I allow myself to get frustrated, but my awareness is getting better each and every day. I do have to admit that I think I failed with my friend this week, and didn’t get the chance to try understanding his point of view and why people who exercise are toxic. With him, I just had to accept that we are different, and that is okay. I am sure he found a cigarette and is happy.
In my podcast this week, called Choosing you, I speak with Judith M. Costa. She is all about building strong self-worth and developing unconditional love for ourselves and others. The only way we can love unconditionally is by accepting our differences and uniqueness, and those of others. The thing that will often cause the greatest challenges in life is misunderstanding, conflict, and disagreement with others. It happens simply because we are all different but don’t accept that as being okay. So, this week, as you connect with people just remember they are coming from a different place than you are. It’s not good or bad, it just is at it is. To be much happier and more peaceful in life, understand and accept we are all different.
by admin | 28 Feb, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
One of the things that has kept me stuck in different areas of my life, over the years, is focusing on things that are out of my control and, if I am being honest with myself, are also irrelevant. It’s like the genetic debate. People like to blame genetics as why things happen in their life, and why they can’t achieve certain things. They talk as if they are stuck. We are actually not stuck at all, we just need to understand we get to put on our own genetic make-up.
I don’t want to get into a genetic debate here, I want to make a point. However, there is now much evidence to support the thought that we can change our genetics by changing our thinking, our emotions, our environment, and our actions. In other words, we can no longer blame our gene pool. We all know that make-up doesn’t put itself on, you have to apply it yourself. I hope that by the end of this blog you will also believe that you can and are responsible for putting on your own genetic make-up.
As I am writing this, it is Saturday morning. Every Saturday for me is ‘Muscle up Saturday’. I get up in the wee hours of the AM, jog to my wonderful outdoor gym with chin-up bar, and do at least 100 muscle-ups as I look out over the water. If you do not know what a muscle up is, it is quite a challenging movement, and takes lots of practice and patience. I have devoted many years to getting good at them. When I started, I struggled to do one, now, with breaks, I can comfortably do 100 or more. People are always impressed, but it really isn’t impressive, it’s just consistency.
This morning, three men jogged to where I was doing my muscle-ups and stopped for a drink. I had seen them and said ‘hi’ to them before. They asked me how many muscle-ups I was doing. When I said 100, they seemed impressed. One of them then asked me how old I was. When I explained I was 60, he said, ‘Wow! How do I get your genes?’ In other words, what he was really saying, as I translate, was, ‘you are so lucky that you have good genes. I am unlucky because I don’t have those genes, so I could never look like you and do what you can do’. He just believed that I was naturally able to look the way I look and do 100 muscle-ups. For some reason, I don’t think he considered that to be able to do what I do, at the age of 60, has nothing to do with genes and everything to do with my attitude and my consistent action.
Asking the question, ‘how do I get your genes?’, is like asking, ‘where do I find buried treasure?’ or, ‘how do I find a partner who agrees with me totally?’ or, ‘I have been with this company for 10 years, why don’t I just get a promotion?’ These questions basically indicate that the person asking them is not willing to take any responsibility for their role in becoming healthier, creating wealth, developing an amazing relationship, or getting a promotion. These questions are asked by people who are not buying into the idea that we are responsible for the results we get in our lives, and we get to put on our own genetic make-up.
So, my friend, are you ready to start applying your own genetic make-up? No matter what result you want, and no matter how challenging it may seem, it is available and predictable if you simply take basic, appropriate, and consistent steps every single day. It’s amazing how things can go from impossible to inevitable, one day and one step at a time. The great Australian 1500m swimmer Kieren Perkins was not genetically gifted or naturally talented as a swimmer. One day he set the seemingly impossible task of breaking the 15-minute barrier for 1500m. He explained that each day he trained for that goal it became possible, then probable, and on the day he stood on the blocks to swim, he knew he would do it. He did, one stroke and one swim at a time. He put on his own genetic make-up, because of his effort.
In my podcasts this week, I speak with two superstars, both providing ample evidence that we are not stuck, not unlucky, or genetically challenged, but that we can change whenever we choose to. I speak with Laura Lynn Morrissey on my podcast called Becoming ageless, and Jason Blyth on my podcast called Power to change. Both are inspiring conversations which I hope will empower you to start doing the things that will help you become the person you want and live the life you desire. Just remember, there is no luck in life, you get to put on your genetic make-up.
by admin | 21 Feb, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Ever been on a roller coaster? It’s fun, terrifying, exciting, heart-pumping, and exhilarating all at the same time. Like life, the roller coaster has valleys and peaks. The difference is that on a roller coaster, the valley only lasts a few seconds before you are back at the top of a peak enjoying the incredible view. In life, it’s not always quite as easy to get back to the top after you hit a valley. So, with that in mind, I want to encourage you this week to master the fast turnaround.
Children and animals have got this skill mastered. We adults, could learn something from them. A child can overcome a rejection very quickly and be back asking for an ice-cream within seconds, often winning out and enjoying that iced magic. Dogs can bounce back from running into a door, and be ready for a pat, ball-chasing, or some food in a heartbeat. Why is it that we, supposedly more evolved human adults, at times have so much trouble bouncing back after a setback?
I was listening to a great audio the other day, and the speaker put it this way: a setback is a set up for a comeback. I love that idea. When we can look at a setback and believe that it is a set up for a comeback, then our minds go into creative solution mode to find ways to use the challenge as a platform to master a fast turnaround. I am sure we can all think of a time when we got battered by a setback. Did you wallow in it, or think about how you could master the fast turnaround? This is a skill it has taken me many years to develop. I am not sure if I would call myself a master, but I am getting better, for sure.
I often wake up feeling anxious. It has been something I have experienced for much of my life. During the week, I woke up one morning with a more heightened feeling than normal. The day before a couple of undesitrable things had happened, I didn’t get a job I was hoping to secure and I had a unsettling incident with someone, Both knocked me around for a short time. I started questioning myself, and wondering if I really am the man I thought I was, and whether I was good enough professionally. Isn’t it crazy how our minds can so quickly take us down into the worst case scenario? Nevertheless, if I am being honest, I woke up the next day feeling pretty useless.
Thankfully I have mastered the fast turnaround. The first thing I did was pray to God for his truth. The second thing I did was exercise to clear my mind. The third thing I did was reflect on the job I missed and my interactions with this person to assure myself I had acted with integrity and did things for the right reasons. The fourth thing I did was talk about it with my mentor to get a fresh perspective. In no time at all, I realised it was not the job job for me, I felt empathy for this person and what they were going through, and immediately I felt better. I felt strong and in control again.
The final thing I did, to make sure my turnaround was complete, was to go out that afternoon and help Pentecost Care feed, connect with, and give clothes to the homeless and marginalised people in Melbourne. There is something about doing for others that brings clarity and perspective into every situation.
When we believe that things happen for us and not to us, then mastering the fast turnaround is a much easier thing to do. I believe that the events of the day before happened for me, to help me stay focused on compassion, empathy, persepctive, and being the best I can be. So, my question to you is, what is hampering you at the moment? What is happening that is holding you back from living the life of joy that you deserve? What if you could believe it is happening for you and not to you? If so, what could you do, right now, to create a fast turnaround? Could you exercise? Could you pray? Could you talk to someone? Could you help another person? Could you focus on what you are grateful for? It is such a simple thing to do. I said simple, not easy, but it will make such a difference in your life.
My podcast this week with A.J. Otjen, and Dan Steffensen, is called Embrace trauma. Wow, talk about a fast turnaround! A.J. wrote a book called Burned Over, about Dan and his experience of getting severely burned in fires. Dan is a master of the fast turnaround after an experience that could have taken him out. Now, just a few short years after the trauma and burns on 65% of his body, he is inspiring people all around the world. It is my greatest encouragement that today and forevermore, no matter what you are going through, master the fast turnaround.
by admin | 31 Jan, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Learning more and becoming the best version of ourselves is a great thing. Where it can be a barrier in life, is when we get to the point we believe we have made it. When we think we know enough, can’t or choose not to learn anymore, or have all the answers, things can start to go pear-shaped. So, with that in mind, I want to encourage you to develop and maintain an apprentice mindset.
There are things about being young, raw, and inexperienced that are awesome. There are also things that are frustrating, tedious, and tiresome. I think back to being a student, having to do all the dreary learning, and uncomfortable developing to become a successful, qualified, and experienced adult, and just wanting to fast-track the process. I remember being a rookie athlete, struggling to fit in and develop myself, and just wishing and wanting to magically become an established senior footballer. My greatest desire, as I was fumbling my way around learning how to write a book, was to skip ahead to the place where I was a successful author.
What I will say at this moment is; be careful what you wish for.
As it does, life moves on, and time transports all of us from the apprentice phase of life to a more established member of society. It happened to me also. I got what I wished for, but certainly not what I wanted. After some time, I was qualified and working and had got myself to a very proficient level as an experienced personal trainer. So, I stopped learning, I stopped developing, and it wasn’t long before I was stuck, miserable, and stressed. After a few years, I had established myself as a senior professional footballer, and erroneously believed I was good enough. Again, I stopped aspiring to be better, and thought I could survive on my track-record. I was wrong. Soon after that error of judgement, I found myself sacked.
Thankfully, I learned these tough lessons and have and will continue to be a lifelong learner since that time. Last week, it was reinforced to me yet again, when I got to speak to an inspired and inspiring group of apprentices about being the best they can be. They started coming into the room, and there was a spark in their eyes as they were launching into an exciting career and future. Throughout the session, they seemed engaged, they were eager to learn, and I know many of them walked out with more belief in themselves, some ideas of how to navigate the journey of life, and the mindset to find joy along the way. I left the session feeling inspired myself, and even more committed to adopting and sustaining an apprentice mindset for the rest of my life.
Have you ever heard the saying, you are either green and growing or ripe and rotting? It provides a strong visual, doesn’t it? Think of a green banana transitioning into a beautiful, delicious, and healthy piece of fruit, versus a squishy, moldy, and ripe one. It also prompts my sense of smell, as I imagine the beautifully fresh scent of a green and growing piece of fruit versus the stale and stinky stench of a rotting piece. I always want to be fresh and aromatic rather than squishy and stinky. Are you with me? That means that we need to adopt and maintain an apprentice mindset.
No matter what you are doing and where you are in life, I want to encourage you to desire to learn more and be better. Then take positive action. An apprentice mindset means you will always be evolving, learning, and inspired. It will keep you feeling young and relevant, and connected to the world around you. That’s how I feel, and, at the age of 60, I recognise there is so much more I want to learn, do, and become. What about you? Are you ready to step out of know-it-all-and-have-all-the-answers mindset, and embrace an apprentice mindset?
If you’re at the top of your field, there is still more to learn. If you think you can’t get any better, trust me, there are more skills to develop. If you have hit a ceiling in your job or career, put yourself in a new situation and head in another direction. If your relationships are stagnant, get inquisitive about how to make them more dynamic and joyful. If your health is waning, for goodness sake, get excited about what you can learn, how you can develop, and what you can do to become optimally healthy. Please, for your sake, stay green and growing and avoid, with all your might, getting ripe and rotten.
I was so energised after my podcast this week with Andrew Matthews called Joyful persistence. It is Andrew’s passion and joyful persistence to develop himself each day that has led him to become a prolific global author and speaker. Anything is possible for every single person on the planet. No matter where you are in life, no matter what you know or think you know, you can have, do, or become whatever you want. All you need to do is simply commit to developing and maintaining an apprentice mindset.
