by admin | 14 Jun, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
I have resisted it for a long time, but now I love ChatGPT. I’m using it at every opportunity and it’s really helping me do a lot of things quicker, more efficiently, and is saving me time. However, I’m becoming more and more aware that every time I use artificial intelligence, I’m neglecting the other AI that is far more powerful. That is my actual intelligence.
You may have heard of a term called ‘atrophy’. The definition is; partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. For example, when someone breaks a leg, is in plaster, and doesn’t use certain muscles for a period of time, those muscles start to waste away. Atrophy doesn’t just occur in muscles that are unused. When you rely on eyeglasses for your sight, your natural vision will deteriorate. Any relationships you don’t pay attention to will waste away, a business that’s not focused on will start to fail, and most importantly actual intelligence that’s not used will erode.
I am totally in awe of my brain. Yes, there are times it tells me lies, times it leads me down the wrong path, and times I wish I could turn it off. However, it does incredible things. How it could possibly envision that I could become an author at a time when it seems so unlikely and then actually go on to do it is a miracle. How it helps me solve problems, create opportunities, negotiate with people, write blogs, and all the other amazing stuff it does, leaves me in awe.
However, the more I am getting into ChatGPT and artificial intelligence, the less I’m using my actual intelligence, and it is starting to atrophy. When I think about the reasons I use AI, the number one reason is to save time. Wrong reason. Why? Because the time I may be saving by using ChatGPT, I am using to do something that I really don’t need to be doing. So, I just need to get better at prioritising my time so I can use my actual intelligence instead of farming it out.
The other reason I use it is because I can’t be bothered thinking for myself about what to do. Again, wrong reason and I think it’s pretty obvious why. Really, what ChatGPT does is use other people’s brains to do something I’m fully capable of doing myself. And as I use it, and become dependent on it, I’m diminishing my own actual intelligence, my own problem-solving mind, and my own creativity.
We have been created with the most incredible body, and the most powerful mind that can help us solve, create, imagine, and live any possibility that we’re willing to conceive, believe, and then act on. Using chat GPT is like putting our brain in the cast. The longer it stays in the cast, the more it will waste away. I’m certainly not suggesting that you stop using AI, as I’m not intending to. However, I am very conscious of not wanting to get to the point that I’m destroying my actual intelligence.
For me, there’s something so wonderfully satisfying about solving a problem. There’s something so fabulously fulfilling about writing a chapter in my book that sounds great. There’s something incredible about knowing that the person reading this blog will be moved in a way that will help them in their life. There’s something very comforting, knowing that I can create any outcome in my life I choose. There’s something very special about knowing that my actual intelligence is exactly what I need to make a difference in this world. May I say, the same is exactly true for you.
Please, focus on your actual intelligence. Understand that you are incredible, just as you’ve been created. Understand that you don’t need ChatGPT or artificial intelligence to live a fulfilling, meaningful, abundant, and joyful life. Use it as a tool, but don’t rely on it to do your thinking for you. The brain you have relies on being used and will keep doing incredible things the more you use it and pay attention to your actual intelligence.
My podcasts this week are with Kate Watson, called The gift of giving, and Mark Hicks, called Love is the answer. In both podcasts, I encourage you to pay attention to the power of the human mind, and what it can manifest in our lives, specifically around love, giving, and becoming the best human you can be. I don’t believe artificial intelligence can do that for you.
If you’ve read this blog, thank you and well done. You have engaged your actual intelligence. Now, I hope you’ll take that incredible intelligence, apply it, and use it to transform your life into a beautiful reality. AI is incredible. Just make sure the vast majority of the AI you use is actual intelligence.
by admin | 7 Jun, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
We all like to think we can get away with stuff, don’t we? Eating food we know we shouldn’t, watching stuff we know is inappropriate, saying things we hope no-one hears, or acting in a way we are sure nobody is seeing. Can I tell you this, and I hope you get it? Someone is always watching, even if you are sure you are alone. In fact, even if you are alone, someone is watching. That someone is you. The life we live and the outcomes we experience are the end result of the things we do. That being the case, I want to urge you to pay very close attention to what you do when you think no-one is watching.
I firmly believe, after many years of getting it wrong, that what is most important in my life is who I become, not what I accumulate or accomplish. I used to put on this very impressive front that people would see, but behind closed doors, I was far from the portrayal of the man I wanted people to observe. What I didn’t know at that time was, even though I was behind closed doors, people knew the truth. You can’t hide your character, you can’t cover your flaws, and you can’t mask the truth. So, the end result of my deception was debt, divorce, and darkness. This is my story, and I know it is the same for many people. Unless, of course, we can pay attention to what we do when we think no-one is watching.
For me, character is the most important thing. Who I am when I think nobody is watching is something I have become very focused on. Does that mean I am flawless and get it right all the time? Ha!! No, but at least I am more aware of it now than ever before. In fact, only this week I got it wrong, and was told in no uncertain terms. I have a very specific and scheduled LinkedIn Strategy I use each day to find; connections, people to collaborate with, possible speaking gigs, and people I could encourage and help to write a book. There are occasional times when I am a little careless and don’t do proper research before sending a message.
Last week, I gained a connection and sent a message to a guy, who seemed to have a positive influence in the lives of others, about the possibility of writing a book. What I failed to notice was that he was already an author. I have made this mistake a couple of times before and received a polite and respectful message from these people letting me know they were already authors. Well, this experience was very different. Stop, Andrew, stop!
Before I go any further with this story, I am going to stop. Why? Because what I realised, as I was about to share it, was going to be a total contradiction to the message I want to communicate with you in this post. I was about to make a judgment and hope a particular person wouldn’t see it. Wow!! I am so glad that I stopped myself and changed tact. Even though, on one hand, the continuation of the story would have reinforced the point, on the other it would have shown me to be an absolute hypocrite. Can you see how easy it is to slip into an action without really understand the full impact of that action and, who may be watching that action that we don’t know about?
I learned this lesson mid-blog, and it reinforced to me that without a very deliberate attitude, I can slide into judgement and hypocrisy. I am actually glad you were able to witness this process I just went through, because it proves we are all human and make poor choices. It also proves that we can stop and change direction at any time. Like me, if what you do and say when you think no-one is watching is different to when they are watching, then no matter how hard you try to hide it, your true character will be exposed.
In my podcast this week with Alain Salas, called Freedom is within, we discuss the power that is within every human to become the very best they can be, despite their circumstances. When you can develop this inner strength and self-love, you will be the same person whether you believe people are or are not watching. I want to encourage you from this moment, because your life is at stake, be very deliberate about what you say and do when you think no-one is watching.
by admin | 31 May, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
As humans, we are very much affected by how we feel. In many cases, our emotions lead us down the wrong path. Why does that happen? Because, whilst we all feel emotions, and are compelled by them, we don’t always take the time to understand what they mean and why they are there. I often feel a resistance to do certain things. When we feel resistance, we often avoid that which we resist. However, I want to explain to you in this blog why resistance may actually be a green light.
It was cold outside this morning when my alarm went off at 4:52am. I woke with a start out of a deep sleep and, whilst I was snuggled up warm and cozy in my bed, I felt immediate resistance. To what? To what I was planning to do in that moment. I was resisting getting up, I was resisting going outside, and I was resisting the training session I chose to do. The great news is that despite my resistance, I got up anyway, faced the chilly weather, completed my training session, and now I feel great and glad I did it.
What else do I resist? Lots of things, like; jogging on the spot to get my steps up, my morning affirmations, prayer, making phone calls which may lead to rejection, having difficult conversations, eating salad when I feel like pasta, drinking water rather than something flavoured, writing, editing podcasts, and the list goes on. So, with all the things I resist, what don’t I resist? Also, many things, like; watching TV, sitting on the couch, chocolate, nanna naps, avoiding uncomfortable things, cheese, making excuses, and again, the list goes on.
As I study those two lists, and I would encourage you to do the same, I notice something significant. Do you see it too? If not, have another look, because when you see it, you can’t unsee it. It could be the thing that changes everything in your life, as it has in mine. So, what is it? All the things I resist are the things I get to do to be better in my life. Do you notice that also, when you look at the things you tend to resist? Okay, what about the things we don’t resist? Mmm, seems like a pattern appearing to me. You too? Most of the things I don’t resist are the things that are not enhancing my life or helping me become the best I can be.
So then, if the things I feel resistance towards are the things I choose to do that will help me be healthier, happier, more purposeful, better with people, and move me forward in all areas of life, then I should see that resistance as a sign. In fact, the feeling of resistance I feel should be the green light to take action on the very thing I am resisting. I should get excited when I feel resistance. I should get started when I feel resistance. I should use resistance as my guide to exactly what I should be doing. And, guess what? The same applies to you.
As you get into your day, I am sure there are things you resist. You can either let resistance win and avoid those things you are resisting. Or, if your life is important enough and the influence you have on the people you care about is a priority, then let resistance be the green light. When the light changes to green, we put our foot on the accelerator, and we go. Right? So, as soon as you feel any resistance to doing something you know will enhance your life or the life of someone you care about, then put your foot on the accelerator and go.
It sounds easy, but we all know it’s not. However, it’s simply a mindset, and over time, with the right focus, it will get easier and easier. In fact, in time, those things that you are currently resisting will become things you will embrace. To help you on the journey, listen to my two podcasts this week, Keeping your cool, with Saara Jamieson, and The sounds of silence, with Rich Lewis.
If you resisted reading this blog, but did it anyway, well done. How do you feel? Are you proud of yourself? We are always proud of ourselves for doing the things we resist, so I want to encourage you to really embrace this idea. If the things you resist are the things that will enhance your life and help you have a more positive impact on others, then I want to encourage you to allow resistance to be your green light.
by admin | 24 May, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Many times, over the years, rockets have been unsuccessfully launched into space. When it happens, a team of experts will assess to work out why it malfunctioned, adjust, and then re-launch. How many times will they re-launch? Until they get it right. The question I have asked myself and now am asking you is, if your life is malfunctioning in some way, is it time to re-launch?
It was such a pleasure to not only help Tory Trewhitt write his book Blokes Inc, but to be the MC at the launch of his first book. As we sat in front of a group of more than 100 people, I asked him questions, and he shared about his life in the wellness industry and the challenges he had experienced over the previous few years. As he spoke with passion about his journey and his purpose to help men, and as he moved the audience with his vulnerability, I knew this moment was the next re-launch in his life.
Tory was a successful coach and business owner in the corporate health space, when he saw an opportunity to re-launch. With that, he packed up his home in Melbourne, and moved his wife, three children, and his life to Byron Bay to start in the hospitality industry. He was excited, optimistic, and ready for this re-launch. What he didn’t expect was that in a few short years, he would lose all his money, cut off three of his fingers, seriously compromise his family dynamic, and spiral into a deep dark place. He disconnected himself from family and friends, he started drinking, he almost lost all hope, and he was on the verge of total destruction, when he realized it was time to assess, adjust, and re-launch again.
Tory is an incredible inspiration. He re-focused on the one thing he knew would help him most, and that was his wellbeing. He started exercising, eating better, and looking after his mental health. Day by day, he lifted himself out of the mud and the muck, and he found light and hope again. At that point, he re-connected with me to help him finally finish the book that we had started together 15 years earlier. Now he was ready to finish. Now he had the experiences and the content that could really help people. As we sat together talking at his launch, I could see the determination in his eyes, hear the passion in his voice, and see the visceral impact he was having on the crowd. I knew this was his next re-launch.
I know Tory will do great things, my question is always, what about you? How are you tracking in all areas of your life? I am sure some areas are flying with joy and abundance. Is there any part of your life that requires a re-launch? Be honest here, because you only get one shot at this life, don’t waste it. Please pay attention and if there are parts of your life that are malfunctioning, why not stop, assess, adjust, and then re-launch? How is your health and energy? If it is lagging, why not assess, adjust, and then re-launch? What is happening in your relationships? If there is conflict and disharmony, why not assess, adjust, and then re-launch? How is your bank account looking? If it depresses you when you think about it, why not assess, adjust, and then re-launch? You can re-launch at any time, so why not now?
If you have recognised that a malfunction is occurring and a re-launch is necessary, then please don’t wait, start now. To help you, I am here. You can start by listening to my two podcasts from the previous week, Looking for love, with Steve Gallegos and Life happens for you, with Michael Ostrolenk. Both will give you some ideas and some confidence to help you re-launch.
Many amazing achievements by many wonderful people have become reality over many thousands of years. Do you know why? Not because of luck. Not because of knowledge. Not because of talent. Not because of education. Not because of resources. Not because of circumstances. They have happened for one simple reason; re-launch. With every aspiration, there will be malfunctions. Those they get the outcome they want simply keep assessing, adjusting, and re-launching until they become the person and have the life they want. So, again I ask, is it time to re-launch.
by admin | 17 May, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
I recently had a wonderful conversation on podcast with Jonah Primo called Your philosophy, and as the names suggests, was wonderfully philosophical. The conversation started with Jonah talking about a funeral he had to attend, and we very quickly dived into this philosophical and reflective conversation. We both agreed it is not morbid or depressing to talk about death, in fact, the more we’re aware of our certain demise, the more likely we are to focus on the life we have.
I surprised myself when I came out with the statement as we were discussing how many people can find talking about death a negative and depressing topic. They even worry about when they may die. So, I said, the question is not when will we die, but when are we going to live? The reality is that every day we live is one which gets closer to our last, and I’ve spent too much of my life drifting through, watching the days pass without really focusing on living every single moment. So, in this week’s blog, I want to encourage you to ask yourself the question, if it’s not happening now, when am I going to really start living?
So, what does that mean?
That depends on what your definition of truly living a joyful life is, and what that life looks like. It also relies on you honestly evaluating the time you are spending right now, and whether you would consider it actually living, or just existing. For me, I know when I’m just existing because I feel more anxiety, I experience more stress, and things annoy me more than they normally would. For me, that means I don’t have a positive purpose or focus, and so I allow situations and circumstances to affect my moods and behaviors.
I know when I’m really living, and it has nothing to do with what I’m actually doing, but everything to do with how I’m feeling. I was asked in a podcast recently, with Steve Hodgson, what my definition of success is these days. For much of my life, that definition would be reliant on the achievement of some external goal. Whether that be, selection in the senior team, publishing a book, money in the bank, lifting a certain weight or running under a certain time, a business level attained, or some other external accomplishment. That is no longer what I aspire to.
Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy all those things. I am proud of my sporting, writing, health, and business achievements. And, I am still aspiring to create more in my life, however, it is no longer how I define success. These days for me, my definition of success is a feeling. When I have that feeling, I know I’m truly living. So, what is that feeling? When my eyes open in the morning, and it’s very early by the way, I know I’m living when my initial feeling is excitement, gratitude, and anticipation of a wonderful day. To me, that means I have exciting, purposeful, joyful, and wonderful things I’m working on. Whether that’s business related, in my personal life, or connected with contributing to the community in some way.
If I wake up with anxiety, stress, uncertainty, confusion, or other associated feelings, then I know I’m just existing and it’s an immediate trigger for me to reflect, reevaluate where I’m at, refocus and get back into purposeful living. If I am honest, this ebbs and flows, however these days I am much more aware and can get back to living very quickly. My question now is for you. Do you feel like you are living or just existing? Please take the time to reflect on and answer this question honestly. How do you feel when you wake up? Excited, grateful, and purposeful, or stressed, anxious, and tired? If it is the former, then keep living, and keep doing what you are doing. If it is the latter, then my next question is; are you ready to change it? Are you ready to start really living? What does that look and feel like for you? What do you need to stop doing and what do you get to start doing? Please take the time to answer these questions. We get one shot at life, so why not make it a cracker!
If you feel you need help in this area, please listen to my podcast with Jonah, and my other podcast this week with Mark Firehammer, called Who you think you are. If you still need more help, please reach out to me. Death is inevitable, existing is temporary, and living is a choice. Please make the choice to live every moment with joy, gratitude, and meaning, starting right now.
by admin | 10 May, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
There’s you, and then there’s the real you. What’s the difference? I dare say it’s that you don’t really know or believe in the truly amazing you who exists underneath the fears, insecurities, and doubts that may be currently ruling your life. My mission with this blog is to introduce or reintroduce you to the real you.
In my last blog called Beneath the surface, I talked about the fact that the things showing up in our lives are often the result of what is bubbling away beneath the surface. Do you know what I also believe is residing beneath the surface for most people? The real and authentic person they were created to be. The reality is that the quality of our lives and the outcomes we experience in life are based on the beliefs we have and the words we speak about ourselves. My question is, do these beliefs and words reflect the real and incredible you?
Last week, I was grateful for the opportunity to talk to two groups of incredible people. These were employees of a company that makes the big trailers that trucks pull around the country to deliver stuff where it is needed. This was a group of hard-working humans who put those trailers together. There were people who welded, painted, assembled, and performed many other vital trades. There were people who looked after the wonderful tradespeople and did many of the administrative roles. Every one of these people is critical in the process of putting those trailers on the back of trucks, so they can deliver essentials all around the country, to make lives better. As important and valuable as these people are, I dare say, they may not believe in their true worth. Hence, I titled my talk, The Real You.
The real you may be buried deep under layers of doubt, fear, trauma, and other people’s crappy opinions. The real you may be hiding for fear of mistakes, failures, or worries about other people’s crappy opinions. The real you is potentially far more amazing and capable than you may currently believe. The real you is kicking, screaming, and scratching to be uncovered so you can live the life that you are destined to live. My question to you right now is, if this message is appropriate for you, are you ready to set the real you free?
At the start of my talk last week, I said, there are two things I know about myself for sure. The first is that I am better than I think. The second is that everything I experience in my life is based on how I think. As I reflect back on all the outcomes I have experienced over the years, from the highs of playing professional sport, authoring eight books, success in business, great relationships, optimal wellbeing, to the lows of being sacked, losing money, getting divorced, conflict in my life, self-doubt, and fear, I know one thing for sure. It was my thinking that led to every one of these experiences, from the highest of highs, to the deepest of lows.
If it is true that I am capable of creating both incredible experiences and horrendous outcomes as a result of the thoughts I choose, then it means that the real me, who is often buried under the surface, can be uncovered and shine at any time I choose. All I need to do is direct my thoughts towards how incredible I am. And I am incredible. As are you. How do I know the real you and I are incredible? For one reason, and one reason only. Because we are here. It is our existence which is evidence of our worth. I often joke, as I was born in September, 9 months after New Years, that I was the outcome of drunken New Years Eve amour. That would seem to indicate I may have been an accident. I am no accident, nor are you. Your creation was planned, and you are meant to be here for one reason, and one reason only. To be proud of the real you and be unashamedly the best you can be.
The great artist Pablo Picasso said it this way; the meaning of life is to find your gift, and the purpose of life is to give it away. What that means is that we all have a gift. The real you has a gift, and when you give it away, you will bless lives every day of your life. You are not meant to hide. You are not meant to shrink in fear of what others may think. You are not meant to keep your gift to yourself. The real you is alive to shine, to use your individual gift, whatever that may be, and to give it away. That gift may be your smile. That gift may be your compassion. That gift may be your courage. It may be your artistic ability, your resourcefulness, your physical prowess, or your emotional intelligence. Whatever it is, it is the real you and you have the responsibility to live authentically and be you, the real you, for the rest of your life.
As always, the guest of my podcasts this week will help you in this area. Take less, do more is with Glen Van Peski, and Play a bigger game is with Tory Trewhitt. Both will help you explore and uncover the real you. Life is short, and you are needed. Please don’t spend one more second of your life hiding the real you.
