The right place for logic

by admin | 29 Jun, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset

Everything we have, use, and enjoy in our lives at one time was someone’s idea. I mean everything, from the bed you slept in, to the shower you had, to the clothes you are wearing, to the house you live in, to the appliances in that house, to the phone you are scrolling, the car you are driving, the job you are going to, and everything else that helps make your life better, more enjoyable, and fulfilling. Logically, everything that is now in existence makes sense, however there was a time when none of them made any sense at all. So, the question I want to pose and explore this week is, where is the right place for logic?

This is a key question, and an important message that could change your experience of life, forever. That’s a big statement I know. I truly believe when you apply logic at the right time, in the right place, you are set for abundance, joy, and meaning in your life. Have you ever made a decision based solely on logic? If so, what was the decision you ultimately made? Please think very carefully about the answer to this question because it holds the key to my message in this blog. Did you, perchance, talk yourself out of making the decision to follow a certain path because it seemed illogical? Many people have. The biggest mistake they made, I have made, and you may have possibly made is using logic in the wrong place.

I am going to go back to two decisions I have made in my past, I speak about often, that really emphasise the point I am making here. You may know I call myself an unlikely athlete and accidental author. Why? Because in both cases, the decision I made to follow the path of becoming a professional athlete and then a published author both seemed illogical at the time of the decision. If they seemed illogical at the time, why did I make the decision? Great question. The answer is simple, I wanted the outcome, even though I didn’t know how I would get it.

As a young person, filled with insecurity and a belief that I wasn’t good enough, I was driven to prove myself and make it as a professional Australian footballer. The logical fact that I was skinny, sickly, and not that talented did not dissuade me from my path. I am grateful and proud that I played seven years as a professional athlete. Just over 20 years ago, as I write this, I decided to write a book to help others and transform my life which, at the time, was in the toilet. I made this illogical decision despite the fact I had no time, no experience, no skills, no qualifications, and no idea of the process or whether I could do it. I am proud, excited, and grateful for this crazy decision because, as a consequence, I live a life of joy and meaning today.

In both cases, logic played no part in the decisions I ultimately made. In fact, had logic played a part, I would not have done either. Why? Because from a logical pros and cons standpoint, the evidence was overwhelmingly against either eventuality. So, if logic doesn’t play a part in the decision-making process, where does it fit. Make no mistake, logic is a critical part of success, achievement, joy, fulfilment, and abundance, just not at the decision-making stage. Once the seemingly illogical decision was made, I used logic to help me create the outcome I was after.

Logically to be a professional athlete, I needed to get fitter, stronger, more skilled, and mentally tough. So, I started and adhered to a logical program to make that happen. To become a successful bestselling author, I needed to logically learn the process, plan effectively, and write consistently. Both of which I did, and so logically I got the results I wanted as an athlete and an author. That being the case, calling myself an unlikely athlete and accidental author is incorrect. I deliberately and logically did what was required to remove any doubt that the outcome would happen.

I hope you are getting my point. Logic is a critical component of success, but NOT in the decision-making process. If you try to apply logic to a decision to do something new, the chances are you will logically come up with all the reasons why it is not a good idea, then decide against it. Instead, you want to use intuition, emotion, and faith to help make the right decision. Once the decision is made, that’s the time to apply logic to develop a plan to get the result you are after. One definition of faith is; believing in advance, that which only makes sense in reverse. Make the crazy and illogical decision with faith, then once you have achieved it, you will see how logical it was.

In my podcast this week called Leap of faith, with Ilea Worsfold, we discuss this exact topic. The greatest things that have been achieved in this world, started with a crazy and illogical idea that was then acted upon with logic to create a successful reality. The incredible destiny that is waiting for you will rely on you making decisions and taking actions that seem illogical. Just know, after the intuitive and faith-filled decision is made, that is where the place for logic appears. Logic is there to help bring your crazy idea to reality.

Ask, and you will receive

by admin | 24 Jun, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset

I think it would be fair to say we all want more of something in our lives. Whether that be more time, more health, more money, more opportunities, more connection, more love, more peace, or more of just about anything you can think of. I know I do. Often, we think, if we want more, we have to work harder, sleep less, and sacrifice more. There is an easier way, simply ask the people who can help you get more of what you want. If we know we would get more by just asking, why do we resist doing it? From my point of view, it has been fear of rejection, and I think that probably applies to many people. What if I told you, if you ask for something, you can never lose? What if I told you, if you ask for something you will receive?

I am currently reading the book Rejection Proof, by Jia Jiang. An awesome book. In it, he talks about research showing that the body responds in the same way to getting a social rejection as it does to receiving a physical trauma. When physical pain is experienced, the brain releases natural painkilling chemicals called opioids. Incredibly, the same chemicals are released when social rejection is experienced. This is how serious and traumatic we, as humans, consider rejection. So, how then do we remove the pain of rejection? Simple, by just understanding and believing that whenever we ask for something we will receive a positive response, no matter what that response is.

My friend Eva and I are organising a tribute and celebration for an incredible lady. Brenda has just turned 85 and has lived in the same house in the suburb of St Kilda, where I also live, for more than 60 years. She is part of the fabric of St Kilda, has overcome more than most, has done so much for this community, and is a lady full of spunk and moxie (as I wrote about in my blog Bringing moxie back). This event on July 16 is an open invitation, as we just want lots of people to be there (including you, if you are in the area). We decided to run a raffle to cover costs and donate any surplus to a charity of Brenda’s choice.

All we need are donations for the raffle. I am happy to give some books, but that alone won’t do it. So, Eva and I decided we needed to go an ask local businesses if they would be willing and open to donate goods and/or services for our raffle. Immediately, I was terrified. Why? Rejection. What if they said no? What if they laughed at us? What if they told us to ‘F’ off? I could feel the opioids starting to be produced to protect me from the pain I was expecting to feel. The good news was, Eva was with me, so we would go down together. We went to the first place, a restaurant-bar, and asked, and we got a $30 voucher. Yahoo! We asked and we received. The second place we went to was Zoma Beauty Salon, and the lovely owner Shazia gave us a $50 voucher. Yippee! We asked and we received. We went to another shop, asked, and got some products for a hamper. Hooray! We asked and we received.

We were on fire and feeling unstoppable. However, we did face some rejection, and even though we didn’t receive a donation, we did receive valuable gifts. At one place we received a connection with a person we had never met before. At another place, I was told in no uncertain terms they would not donate. So, what did I receive then? I received knowledge of the fact I could survive a tough rejection. It also helped me refine my approach for the next attempt. So, I received feedback, awareness, and a better way to go about this task. That is invaluable, and almost more precious than a donation. So, what I discovered on this adventure, no matter what I ask for, and no matter what the response I get is, I will always receive something great.

In my podcast this week with Dr Ryan Peebles called, Healed on day one, we discuss how people are receiving healing from back pain, when they ask, and then when they follow a simple movement plan. This is a wonderful conversation, as we talk more about the mindset of back pain and how to focus that mindset to recover from it than anything else. When you apply your mind and believe that no matter what you ask for you will receive, amazing things will come into your life.

Moving forward this week, I want to encourage you to look for an easier and better way to do the things you are doing to create whatever it is you are aspiring to. The best way I know to do that is to ask others for something that will help. When you ask, knowing deep in your heart, you will receive a response, no matter what it is, that will enhance your life, you will ask with abandon and receive in abundance. Ask and receive today.

Tapping into creativity

by admin | 17 Jun, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset

I have not really considered myself a creative person, for much of my life. In my mind, creative people have some natural ability that allows them to paint, draw, write, play, perform, invent, or any other activity we believe creativity is limited to. What I have learned, especially since becoming an author, is that creativity is not just for the talented, it’s not just for the artistic, and it’s not just for the special few. Creativity is available to all of us if we just know how to tap into it.

Already today I have slept in a bed, put on clothes, eaten food, taken supplements, used training equipment, turned on my heater, used products, used technology, and done many things that at one point in history did not exist. Why do they exist now? They are not like plants that just grow. They are ideas that were percolating in a brain, and then were creatively and courageously developed into the reality of the wonderful things we get to experience every day to help us in our lives. So, my question then, is, what is creativity, really?

I am in awe of magnificent art, I am moved by wonderful music, I am delighted by stunning singing voices, but I have to say, I am more inspired on a daily basis by the key foundation of creativity. That is simply, solving a problem. I am guessing, like me, many people would not consider themselves creative, yet solve problems they are facing every day. That, people, is creativity. The parent who wants to find a way to stop a baby from crying is being creative. The person who needs to find a new way to work because of roadworks is being creative. The family looking for a way to enjoy a holiday on a shoestring is being creative. Are you getting my point? You are a creative person because every day you solve problems.

I believe my greatest creativity was not the first book that I wrote. I believe it was the idea to write the book as a way to impact more lives and solve my financial problems. Then my creativity shone through as I had to find ways to write this book when I was working over 100 hours per week in two businesses. Of course, the book itself displayed creativity, but if it wasn’t for the more practical application of creativity the book would never have happened.

I feel very grateful to have met an amazing man, Todd Brodie, who epitomises creativity and courage. He lives in Sydney, but was recently in Melbourne, so we caught up and I was inspired by what he has done and is doing. He has a health and fitness background and whilst travelling and staying in hotels noticed a big gap. He started thinking about how to get people to be more active whilst travelling, particularly those who are self-conscious and don’t want to go to public places to exercise. This thought led to an idea, this idea, with creativity and courage, led to his company ‘Wellness Concierge’ which is a 360 degrees wellness offering meeting hotel members and guests where they are. It is a concept in the early stages, and one which will help many people.

It would be very easy to look at someone like Todd and believe that he is extra special and what he has done is not possible for most. Wrong. All Todd did was tap into his creativity – we all have, by-the-way – to find a solution to a problem he saw. The question you may be asking is, assuming I have it, how do I tap into my creativity? It is actually incredibly simple. I will share one more experience I had, where I tapped into my own creativity, to Illustrate what I mean.

As COVID started in early 2020, the world discovered things were on the verge of great change. One of the things I did, do, and will always do, is speaking to groups. At the start of 2020, I had many speaking gigs arranged, representing tens of thousands of dollars. All within the space of a day or so, they evaporated, and with them, tens of thousands of dollars. In that moment, fear gripped me, as I slid down the wall and dissolved into an almighty tantrum. After a few minutes, I got up, dusted myself off, and asked a very telling question. One that helped me tap into my creativity. I asked, okay, I can’t speak face-to-face in a room with people, so, what can I do? That question unlocked my creativity, as my mind went to work to find an answer, and it did. Within a short period of time, I was speaking all around the world from my home on Zoom, Teams, Webex, and many other video platforms.

The simple answer to tapping into my creativity was my desire to solve a problem and my willingness to ask the right question to myself. You can do that. What are you trying to solve or create at the moment. Simply start by believing there is a way, and ask yourself the question, how can I make it happen? Then, simply let your mind go to work to come up with the answer. When the answer comes, and it will, the only thing left to do is take action, without overthinking. Simple, right?

In my podcast this week called Heaven on earth, my guest, Susan Gold talks about how she creatively transformed her life from childhood trauma to adult freedom. It is an amazing conversation. The bottom-line is this; you are a creative being. Everything you are experiencing in your life right now is the result of your creative mind. You have it, you just need to believe it, tap into it, and act on it. Enjoy the amazingness that comes into your life when you start tapping into creativity.

Meaning in life

by admin | 10 Jun, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset

I believe you and I are here for a reason. Where? Here, alive, on this planet, and in existence. It’s a big statement, and I know it scares and overwhelms some people, however, our creation is designed to mean something significant. Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” This week, I want to help you identify if you have in fact discovered your meaning, or, help you find it, if you haven’t.

Are you ready for the acid test to see if you are already living a life of meaning? This is my acid test, and you may have another way to test it, as may other people. For me, this is a very simple way to identify if I am living on purpose with a life of meaning, or not. It is a two-part test and there are just two questions to answer honestly. The first question; what is your emotional state and response when your alarm goes off in the morning? The second question; are you in the TGIF club?

Let me unpack these questions for you, starting with the first one. When your alarm goes off in the morning – maybe you even wake up before or don’t need an alarm – are you excited about a new day, ready to bounce out of bed, and have a positive impact on the world, or, do you hit snooze multiple times, stick your head under the pillow, and wish you could stay in bed all day? Guess which one of these responses indicates a life of meaning? They are two extremes, and you may find yourself sitting somewhere on the spectrum in between the two. I want to encourage you to reflect for a moment right now to identify where that is. Your life depends on this.

Question two. Are you in the Thank God it’s Friday club? If you are, you are clearly not loving your life from Monday to Friday and you are wishing your life away. Possibly, on a Sunday afternoon your anxiety levels start to rise as you think about having to do it all over again in the upcoming week. This is no way to live and is an obvious indicator that meaning and purpose are not getting much action in your life. So, if you are identifying to this, or know someone who is, I want to encourage you to pay attention and take action. You are worth it, and the world needs what you offer.

I remember clearly two very distinct times in my life when I was hating my alarm going off and was a founding member of the TGIF club. I can also remember how my life seemed tedious, stressful, and meaningless. In both cases I was doing what I thought I needed to do, not what was in my heart or driven by my values. The first happened not long out of college. I had accidentally and inadvertently become a schoolteacher. I won’t get into the full story, but I was doing it more because I was told I needed a job than because my meaning in life was teaching mathematics and physical education. Every day my alarm went off, I felt anxiety fill my body. I didn’t want to go, I didn’t want to discipline teenagers, and I didn’t want to teach mathematics. I couldn’t wait for Friday to come, and then I would drown my misery. Then on Sunday afternoon, those feelings of anxiety would start rising again.

The second instance was after about 10 years of personal training. My alarm would consistently go off at 5am and I would not get home again till after 9pm. I was sick of it. I was exhausted. I had lost my passion and it had been replaced by pain. Every morning, after hitting the snooze button repeatedly, I would drag myself out of bed, and every Sunday the whole anxiety driven routine would start again. I felt lost, I felt alone, and my life felt meaningless. Let me tell you when it all changed. It was the moment I stopped worrying about what everyone else expected of me and started following my own gut feeling, which was driven by my values. That is when I made the seemingly illogical idea to write my first book. It was not illogical at all, it was my intuition telling me what was the right path for me.

I want to offer you two thoughts, if finding your meaning in life is a challenge and you are currently wishing your life away. The first is, listen to and act on your gut feelings. They are driven by your values, and they are never wrong. We often ignore our intuition, and I know from painful experience, it always ends badly when we do. The second is to stop and really think about what you do and how it is impacting lives. Often, we focus on the tedious tasks we perform on a daily basis without really understanding the powerful ripple effect that we are creating by doing them.

When I was teaching, I was focussed on the discomfort, the annoying behaviour of teenagers, and the tedious work I was doing. Had I focused on developing healthy, balanced, confident, and well-educated young people who would go on to do great things in this world, I know I would have approached it differently. No matter what you do, when you really examine it, I think you’ll find it is part of the process to improve people’s lives. Focus on that. If what you do doesn’t have a positive impact on lives, I would challenge you to consider changing it and finding something that can bring more meaning into your life.

In my podcast this week called Finding fun, musician, songwriter, and children’s entertainer Jemma Armstrong and I talk all about finding the fun and meaning in life. The bottom-line is that we are here for a purpose. There is meaning to be found in your life, and until you find it, life will be a struggle. When you do, every day becomes an amazing adventure that you can’t wait to get out of bed and bounce into. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? What are you waiting for? Get out there and create a life of meaning.

Toddler in a tiara

by admin | 27 May, 2023 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset

I am going to make an admission here, and I hope you don’t judge me for it. I love the movie franchise, Pitch Perfect. What can I say? I am a feel-good kinda guy. I am not going into the reasons why I love all three movies; I just do. In Pitch Perfect 2, there is a scene where Becca is interning at a music production company, where the boss is a frantic and controlling type of guy. At one stage he is corralling the team to help with a dilemma he has. As he is trying to get everyone to ‘the table’ he says, hurry up, time is like a toddler in a tiara, precious and short.

I have watched these movies many times, and the last time I watched it, these words affected me. The first few times I watched this scene, I laughed as the words came out of his mouth, because the visual of a toddler in a tiara is a cute and funny one. The most recent time I watched it, I stopped and reflected on what I was doing with my time, as it is really quite a profound statement. Was watching Pitch Perfect 2, for the umpteenth occasion really the best way to spend my time, when time is precious and short?

Time is the one resource we have that once gone, is gone, forever. We can’t get it back, we can’t change the past, and we can’t undo, unsay, or unthink things we have done, said, or thought. I have lost money but thankfully was able to make it back. I have had conflict but gratefully been able to restore harmony. I have had clothes and shoes that have worn out and gladly have been able to buy new ones. My greatest regrets in life are not from losing money, occasional conflict, or things wearing out, instead time I have not utilised that I can never get back again.

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, and was playing professional football, I remember getting told many times by different coaches and veterans of the sport, to make the most of the time playing. They explained that it goes so quickly and will be over before I know it, and I don’t want to ever look back with regret. I didn’t pay any attention, because I was a clueless kid who thought I knew everything, but really knew nothing. I thought to myself, what do they know? I am young and at the beginning of my amazingly long and successful professional sporting career. I didn’t heed their advice and I didn’t make the most of what I had. Little did I know at that time, as a result of my crappy attitude, my professional sporting career would be over when I was just 23 and would leave me with regret for not giving it a better shot.

We often look into our future and either naively expect everything will just work out the way we want, or we worry about whether it actually will work out the way we want. Both are poor strategies because they disregard the ‘toddler in a tiara’ concept. When we believe that time is truly precious and short, we make the most of the only time we have available to us, that is right now. When we really accept that time is precious and short, we will start to focus on the most important things. We will resolve the conflict with important people in our lives, we will turn off the TV to get started and focused on our wellbeing, we will improve the communication with people we love, we will start working on our financial strength, and will make living with purpose, meaning, and joy a priority. When we start thinking about a ‘toddler in a tiara’, we will start to really live our life.

When my mother was sick with cancer, I spent much of my time with my head in the sand hoping it would just go away and thinking it would all just be okay. I lost so much precious time I could have been with her. I am just grateful the penny dropped before she passed, so I could make the most of the precious and short time I had left with her. What about you? Where are you spending your time? Where is your most valuable resource, the one you can never get back, being invested? Will you be grateful, or will you be regretful when it is gone, in all of the areas of your life? Please spend some time, now, to assess your ‘toddler in a tiara’.

In my podcast this week called Money mindset, Paula Day talks about the period of her life she was spending working crazy hours and missing that unrecoverable time with her family. She made a decision to refocus her precious and short time in building a business that would give her time and money, and now she helps others do the same.

I hope I have made you feel a little uncomfortable this week. Just as uncomfortable as I started feeling the last time I watched Pitch Perfect 2, and heard the ‘toddler in a tiara’ line. We all only get one shot at life on earth, and as we head, at a rapid rate, towards the halfway point of 2023, isn’t it time to make sure we prioritise the greatest and most vulnerable resource we have? This week, look at ‘the toddler in a tiara’ and make the decision to live your life with the attitude that your time on this planet truly is precious and short.