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 | 1 Dec, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
We have just entered into the last month of the year, and as I spoke about in last week’s blog called, It is still 2023, there is time left this year to do something that could impact your life now and into 2024 and beyond. It is so easy to switch off at this time of the year and just go with the festive season flow. However, I want to encourage you to make today count by simply remembering, there is always something you can do.
It is supposed to be summer in Melbourne, Australia, but the last week here was anything but. It hasn’t stopped me from my morning regimen of exercise. Yes, I am one of those crazy people who gets up and out to training, rain, hail, or shine. Actually, come to think of it, you can cross off the hail from that list. There has been wind and light rain pretty much all week, and the temperature has been mild, so it has been bearable.
The other morning, I was training by the beach, and it was a very windy morning. The water was quite rough and certainly not looking that inviting, so I stayed on dry land. Well, dryish land, that is. As I was training, a guy stepped onto the beach, walked towards the water, got undressed, and headed out into the water for a swim. I was thinking, I am glad I am me and not him right now. He started swimming and I got on with my training and didn’t think too much more about him, until about 20-30 minutes later. I had finished my workout and was about to head home when I saw his stuff on the beach. It prompted me to look out into the water and try to see him.
I scanned the water, but there was no sign of a swimmer anywhere. I tried to convince myself that he was fine, and I started walking home. But I didn’t get very far as in my mind I was concerned. I looked to the water again, with more focus this time, and still there was no sign of him. I was playing worst case scenario situations in my mind. Is he lost, did he drown, or did something else happen to him? I couldn’t leave. There had to be something I could do. It was 7am, windy and a little rainy, so not many people around. The lifesaving club was right there but seemed closed. I walked around, knocked on doors, all to no avail. So, again, I resigned myself that there was nothing I could do, so I started walking home again.
However, that same voice spoke to me, there is always something you can do. Yeah, but what? I thought. I didn’t have my phone with me, so I couldn’t call anyone, but I looked and saw a guy in a sweeper vehicle, so I walked over to him. I explained to him the situation, and he called his supervisor, but there was no answer. Just as this was happening, a guy in bathers and a swimming cap was running down the beach towards the clothes that were laying there. Could this be him? I thought. I waited to see if he stopped at the pile of clothes on the beach, but alas, he ran straight past. Again, believing there was nothing more I could do, I started heading home, and again, I stopped myself.
I watched the guy running, he got to the end of the beach and turned back. Maybe he is the guy, I thought. I started walking towards him, onto the beach, and up to him, and asked, Is that your stuff laying there? He said it was, and a great weight lifted off my shoulders. I explained to him what I was thinking, and he was incredibly grateful that I had noticed, and cared enough to actually do something. I walked home, feeling proud of myself. What did I really do? Not much actually, but I did something.
I think what I did was more for my own peace-of-mind than anything else, because this guy was fine and in no danger at all and totally oblivious to the angst I was experiencing. It just reinforced to me, that no matter what, there is always something we can do. So, as you think about this day, this week, and the rest of this year, I want you to ask yourself, what can I do? When you feel like leaving things till 2024, stop and know, there is always something you can do. When you see someone struggling in some way, there is always something you can do. When you think about relationships you have, there is always something you can do. When you think about your job, career, or business, there is always something you can do. When you think about your wellbeing, there is always something you can do. When you think about something you are trying to finish, learn, or change, there is always something you can do. So, just do it!
In my podcast this week called Let your heart be broken, with musician and composer, Tina Davidson, we discussed the things she did and is doing to create beautiful music, overcome traumas in her life, and have a positive impact on the world. Thinking about stuff, putting things off, and just talking gets nothing changed or created. You actually need to do something and, trust me, there is always something you can do.
by admin | 24 Nov, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
It is definitely getting there, but the year is not over yet. I keep seeing posts on social media including, Bring on 2024, and having conversations with people who are saying, I can’t wait till this year is over. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is smart to start planning and preparing for a new year, but I want to remind you that it is still 2023.
I used to be that person who thought, when I achieve a certain thing then I will be happy. I used to say, I can’t wait for training to be over, then I will feel accomplished. I have been known to utter the illogical words, it will all be better tomorrow, next week or next year. I have even thought, whilst writing my blog, when I have finished this, I will feel great. What I have missed, with this very flawed mindset is… everything! When I just wanted to be somewhere in the future where I believed things would magically be better, I missed the amazing joy, meaning, and purpose that exists there in every single moment.
Can I be honest with you? That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? We think we want the truth until we realise that it shines a light on us to expose the flawed thinking we may have and the poor decisions we may be making. I am going to be honest with you anyway, and if it causes you to stop reading this blog, then that’s a chance I am willing to take. When I was a bring on the new year, or I can’t wait till the year is over or when I have this then I will be happy kind of person, nothing changed. I stayed stuck, frustrated, and in a cycle of ‘suckiness’. Inevitably, when that time in the future became the present, I was no happier, no clearer, and no closer to what I wanted. I just pushed it out further into that mystical and non-existent future.
Why do I say the future is non-existent? Have you ever experienced tomorrow? Have you ever existed in next week? Have you ever lived in next year? No, you haven’t, nor have I, nor will we ever. Because, in every case, when that time comes, guess what we have? Yes, you guessed it, we have today, and we only ever have today. That being the case, my attitude now is, let’s make the most of the only time we have. That time is right now.
I think it is great to set goals for a future achievement, and I am a firm believer in creating a vision for a life I want that I don’t yet have. What I now know is that what happens in 2024 for me is determined by what I do today. I have had a great year in 2023, and whilst it would be easy for me to take my foot off the pedal and just cruise into 2024, I know that there is still lots of magic left in 2023. Maybe you have had a year in 2023 that you would like to forget to this point, then forget it. But please don’t wait for the new year and think everything will magically be okay when the clock strikes midnight on December 31.
Why not make the last month or so of 2023 count. You never know, even after 11 crappy months, the last month of 2023 could be the one that makes you reflect on the year as your best one yet. What can you change? What could you start doing? What could you stop doing? Who could you speak to and ask for help? Who can you help? The things you could do every moment of every day leading all the way to the last minute of 2023 are actually mind-blowing. The outcomes they could help you create now, and in the future, are limitless. Malcolm X, human rights activist, said, The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
In my podcast this week called Direction can change, I talk with Jacob Smith about his transformation from a turbulent upbringing, gang life, and on the verge of prison to totally changing his stars. He knew that he could not put off living a better life for one more second, and his immediate actions started him on the path to joy, purpose, and abundance.
Life is so short, and each time we put something off or wish for a time in the future to arrive when we hope things will be better, we are effectively flushing our precious time down the toilet. Please for your own sake, cancel your membership to the Thank God it’s Friday Club, remove yourself from the Things Will Be Better When Club, and join the Today is the Only Day I have and so I am Going to Make it Count Club. Maybe we should just shorten that to the Do it Now Club. If you are reading this part of the blog, then you have courage. I applaud you. Now, I urge you to take that courage, turn it into immediate action, and do everything you can while it is still 2023.
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.
by admin | 11 Nov, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Life is a wonderful adventure, if you view it that way. Life is jammed packed full of experiences of every variety, and all of which, with the proper perspective, can improve it immeasurably. The greatest mistake I have made in my life is trying to avoid failing, when failing is the only way to experience the greatest joys in life. So, are you ready to start failing successfully?
Wow, that sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? How can you fail successfully? That all depends how you define failure. For the sake of this blog, I will define failure as; things not working out the way you would have hoped. Have you ever noticed that when you try and avoid failure, as I just defined it, you either do nothing or try something very carefully and fail anyway? The problem with the perfectionism mindset, of which I am grateful not to have, is that the best way to avoid failure is by not trying it at all. Hence, many people give up, or never start in the pursuit of something uncertain because of this fear of failure.
What I would like to suggest is that you actually re-imagine failure as a successful step on the journey to creating any outcome you desire. That being said, and based on many years of spectacular failure, I would like to share some thoughts about how to successfully fail. As you may know, I am now a best-selling author of eight published books with number nine and ten on the way. There is no doubt that my greatest claim to fame was the impressive failure that started me on the journey.
At the time, I was working seven days per week, with two businesses, including a massively failing café that was losing money every day to the point of $100,000 debt. Then, out of desperation and looking for a solution to my circumstances, I made the illogical decision to write my first book. That $100,000 debt seems like a massive failure, however, with the perspective I have now, I know that it was actually a very small investment in the life of joy and abundance I currently live. That being the case, I deeply believe failure is actually a very good thing and can be the catalyst for incredible transformation. It all depends on how you look at it. Life is full of failure; losing money, rejection, other people’s opinion, missed opportunities, low scores, and losing stuff. Is it really bad? Is it devastating? Is it failure? Or, is it the only way to success?
The reality is that everything you want is on the other side of failure. Have you ever attempted something significant and got it exactly right on the first go? If so, it probably wasn’t that challenging or meaningful. Getting a date with that person you want is often littered with rejections and refusals until you get the date, and even then, you may have to work hard to create a relationship. I know that getting a book published doesn’t happen on the first submission, or the fifth, or the tenth, or even the twentieth. Selling your service, your idea, or your product will require massive failure before you achieve any real success. The truth is that the more you fail, the more you will eventually gain in return.
Probably the most important thing you will gain, even beyond finally achieving your desired result, is experience, lessons, and perspective. These are invaluable if you want to live your best life, and they only come through failure. So, get excited about failing, and do it more often. When you try something and it doesn’t work, you can review, modify, improve, and try again. When you get rejected, you can learn better ways to deal with people to get the desired outcome next time. When the worst-case scenario happens, you realise you will survive and even get stronger in many ways. These are all invaluable assets that you can only acquire through failure. So, fail fast and fail often.
Learning to love failing is just a decision. We all start with the ability to fail, and we all have failed at least once to this point in our life. The next stage is to start to develop a willingness to fail. Only 20% of people ever get to this stage. It is, however, the final stage, which only 5% of people get to, that will help you create abundance. That is a wantingness to fail. If you truly believed the faster you fail, the faster you will get where you want to be, then wanting to fail would simply become a natural position.
In my podcast this week with Dana S. Diaz, called Words always win, we discuss the power of words to determine the life we ultimately want. When we change the words we use around failure, then we will start to believe that failing forward is the only way to achieve the greatest life we can live. Make today the day you decide to start failing successfully.
