Presence, Purpose & Leadership with Paul Whyte

In this episode of Unlocking Human Potential, I sit down with transformational coach and leadership mentor Paul Whyte for a deeply reflective conversation on self-awareness, presence, leadership, and the hidden patterns that shape our lives.

So many people live in constant reaction mode — stuck in overthinking, distraction, pressure, and autopilot. But what if the key to unlocking more clarity, confidence, and peace isn’t doing more… but becoming more present?

Together, we explore:

• Leadership and emotional intelligence
• The power of mindfulness and presence
• Self-awareness and conscious decision-making
• Reflection and personal growth
• Psychological safety and human connection
• Coaching, perspective, and asking better questions
• Why many people feel disconnected from themselves

Paul shares powerful insights around:

• becoming aware of your thoughts rather than controlled by them
• learning to respond instead of react
• creating environments where people feel safe to think
• and how presence can transform leadership, relationships, and wellbeing

This episode is honest, practical, thoughtful, and deeply human.

If you’re a leader, founder, coach, healthcare professional, or someone trying to navigate pressure while staying connected to yourself, this conversation will resonate deeply.

🎧 Listen now and start unlocking your human potential.

About Paul 

Some people teach leadership from a textbook. Others teach it from scars, setbacks, experience… and actually living it.

Today’s guest is Paul Whyte , a transformational coach, and leader who’s built a reputation for helping people cut through noise, reconnect with what matters, and lead with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. 

What I love about Paul’s approach is that it’s deeply human. 

It’s not about pretending to have all the answers, it’s about self-awareness, intuition, perspective, and having the courage to think bigger than your current circumstances.

People around Paul talk about his wisdom, his ability to challenge thinking, and the way he helps others raise the ceiling on what they believe is possible for themselves. 

In this conversation, we explore leadership, mindset, growth, resilience, and what it really takes to create meaningful change, not just in business, but in yourself.

So if you’ve ever felt stuck between where you are… and what you know you’re capable of becoming, this conversation is going to resonate.”

Paul Whyte Linkedin

Paul Whyte IG 

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:11

Welcome to Unlocking Human Potential. With me and in Hospital, a show dedicated to exploring what it really takes psychologically, behaviourally practically to help humans provide, through conversations with leaders, founders, coaches, behavioural experts, people shaping how humans perform and grow. But if you're a leader, a founder, a business owner, or an ambitious professional, they want to do more than just perform. They want to grow, inspire, and bring the best out of themselves and their people, and keep listening. Because the mission is simple to explore how individuals and teams unlock the tense forin themselves, in others, and the organizations they shape. Every episode is a deep but relaxed conversation built around three core questions. How do you optimize yourself? How do you unlock potential in others? And the best advice for you, the listener. Now, over to the episode. Really hope you find it helpful and insightful. Just before we introduce our next guest, please make sure you press the follow button to keep updated with the latest episodes. Additionally, special thanks to 246 Photography and PixelMate Brands for making this podcast a reality. Now over to the episode. Paul? Andy. Lovely to see you. Likewise. Thank you very much for making the journey up to us today. So, some people teach leadership from a textbook, others teach it from scars, setbacks, and experience, and actually living it. Today's guest, Paul White, a transformational coach and leader who's built a reputation for helping people cut through the noise, reconnect with what matters, and lead with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. What I love about Paul's approach is it's deeply human. It's not just about pretending to have all the answers, it's about self-awareness, intuition, perspective, and having the courage to think bigger than your current circumstances. People around Paul talk about his wisdom, his ability to challenge thinking, and the way he helps others raise the ceiling and what they believe is possible for themselves. In this conversation, we explore leadership, mindset, growth, resilience, and what it takes to create meaningful change, not just in business, but in yourself. So if you're stuck between where you are and what you know you're capable of becoming, then this conversation is definitely gonna resonate with you. Paul, I'm gonna close that now so we can focus on you. So thanks very much for joining us. I have to tell the audience this is your fault, this podcast exists because between you and Nick, you know, this was you know, we've known each other 12, 18 months through the the training we both did together, and you know, you've been you've been really, really helpful on my journey. You've been you've added so much value to me as a human and the work I do. Yeah. Um and through conversations with you probably helped me really shape what the podcast was and is becoming. So it's been an absolute delight when I said, Why don't you get on this? And and you went, Yeah, alright me. So um, so thank you.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

Oh thanks Andy. It's uh it's nice to hear the kind words and um yeah, and I've really enjoyed the journey we've had together and um you know the energy you bring. Um yeah, so I'm I'm I'm glad to be here. It's first first podcast for me, so you know, a few little nerves and uh but yeah, no, it's it's good.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

And I think that's when when we do do things that are slightly unfamiliar and I'm sure we're gonna explore some of that stuff during this conversation. You know, I th I certainly think that you know people listening, you know, and I think that's the good thing about these conversations, isn't it? That you know, the honesty that we're gonna be having and the honesty surely the two of us share with each other. Yeah, hopefully that comes across in the conversation. Yeah, you know, there are gonna be things that we are nervous about, but you know, you are here.

SPEAKER_01 4:35

I just didn't know what face to pull when you're when you're telling me about my butt that bite hours like sitting here just so yeah, it's all good.

SPEAKER_02 4:43

That's alright, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:45

It sounds good, yeah. I love that.

SPEAKER_02 4:47

Do you know the reason why we do it is because a lot of people I think because generally I think people are quite humble. And so when they were coming back, it was like, so I just went, right, okay. Well, if I write it, yeah, then normally it kind of goes I think we're our better at that. So the big thing that runs, as you're aware, because I know you're also an avid listener of the pod, you know, one of the things that sits through the big conversation is around curiosity. So what's something you're curious about right now?

SPEAKER_01 5:15

Yeah, so I knew this question was coming. Um and yeah, I don't know. Um obviously curious about life, curious about people, curious um about you know what's possible. Um and I'm always trying lean in to be curious about you know inspiring stories, positive stories. You know, in today's world sometimes the bias can be quite negative, you know, and focused on the problems and you know, which I don't like to ignore and I like to be aware of, but I try and lean in and get curious about you know the solutions, the insp the inspiration. You know, I I I subscribe to Positive News Um magazine. Okay. And yeah, just uh you know, feed them a self-self stuff that's going to inspire me and motivate me and help me with you know that lens of you know what is possible, what can we do, you know, what can we create and what great good stories we can we can make, you know. Um so yeah, that's what I'm always curious about. Brilliant. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 6:21

And look forward to kind of exploring some of them because I know some of the topics that I think we'll end up delving into. Yeah. I think we'll see through that. So for new listeners, or just for Paul to put some context to what the the pod So the unlocking human potential podcast kind of has three main aspects how do we get the best out of ourselves, or how do we optimise ourselves in the best possible way, or unlock our own potential, and then I think it's important that we explore how we get the best out of others, yeah. You know, how do we lock potential in others? And then and then for me, then for the listeners, you know, if they've given up, you know, an hour of their time, I think it's helpful that we try and kind of add some context. So what these two at the end. So hopefully we're gonna just gonna wrap it up with just a few kind of you know, how do we kind of you know summarise the conversation in something that's gonna help the audience do take some action from day one? Yeah, okay. Yeah, yeah, sounds good. So unlocking our own potential. Yeah. Where does that land with you?

SPEAKER_01 7:36

I think we said a few times you know, there's a there's a lot you could delve into here. Um I think the biggest thing for me is um I think over the years my awareness has really grown.

SPEAKER_02 7:54

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 7:55

Um and um not getting lost in thoughts. Um and some you know, there's a lot of thoughts and that are conditioned from the past and emotions. So I think once one now I've you know that grown awareness of moot being, you know, not the thought but actually the awareness behind the thought. Um and yeah, it can be called various things, presence, mindfulness. But when you're really in that present awareness state, you know, that's when you you know you f you can find out and tap into the wisdom, you know, what do what's what's required of me in this situation? You know, what do I need to do? Um, how can I best serve this situation? Um you know, and then from there, I are you know, I sim, you know, asking myself questions is always very powerful for me. You know, what do I need right now? You know, how what do I need to nourish myself? What do I need to be optimal? Yeah, um, and when you just give yourself that space to be present and ask yourself these sort of questions and try and be have presence as your as my primary purpose. Yeah so even sitting here now, yeah, I'm trying to be aware of you know, just have the awareness and not get lost in like overthinking that that that that self-talk, that critic, that noise. Um so yeah, that that's really important for me. So and then from there I can then build in, you know, look if I look at my week or my day-to-day, so obviously, you know, you my basics from you know, balanced nutrition, you know, good sleep. Um I do quite a lot of um sort of mindfulness practice, 10-15 minutes a day, just as you know, to focus and try and create a bit more space, headspace, um, which is which is really important to me. Movement, physical movement, act exercise is really, you know, obviously really helpful and you know, really good for like blowing out the cobwebs and and that sense of reset and feeling fresh. Go out this morning, yeah, uh to a nice park and you know, a bit of a stretch, and and get that, you know, in that morning, get that water in, you get that daylight, yeah, um, that that sort of biorhythm. So, yeah, all of that sort of stuff's really important. Um what else um would I say about optimum and and what I do generally? I think the reflection part is really I think it's come out from a few people that I've heard on the podcast. And since I've been coaching for the last few years now, that reflection piece is you know it's been a bit of a game changer. Yeah. Um before I used to just like do stuff, and you might, you know, take a few things forward and learn, but when you get into the habit of reflecting, um, you know, what's gone well, I always, you know, I think again, you know, focusing on what's going well, dwell on that, and that builds that sort of resilience and that approach of you know, appreciation, and then you can shine that appreciation and that what's going well into some of the things that you know that you need to sort of work on and stuff. So um, so that's you know, that always that reflection part's really important. I try and do that, you know, two, three times a week. Okay. Um just for you know, ten minutes. Um and just you know what's gone well, what what what would I wish maybe could have done different and what what am I taking away, what am I learning from this? Oh nice. Um, you know, so I've got you know the it's like a lot there, isn't there? Yeah, yeah. So and then there's the flip side of you know, you could be doing an awful lot to keep yourself optimal, yeah. So I think it does come as well, where you you know, not taking life too serious, not taking your thoughts too serious, having a bit of playtime, yeah, trying to trying to put as much play time and joy into all of you doing, yeah. Um is key for me. And then I think one of the big things that's been important for me is it as well is that acceptance.

SPEAKER_02 12:02

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 12:04

Because as I said to you, like when we get lost in thought and maybe this ego, you know, and I don't know, you know, some people I think everyone's got a different like you know, what is ego and and what's this, but for me, like ego is um the it's like your unobserved mind, it's like um you know that voice that's you know all about me, yeah. Um and um yeah, so sorry I've forgotten my train of thought there. Um so yeah, just with that ego, um sorry I need to pause. No, it's good. Um yeah, so just just that reflection piece and and the ego. Um, it's cool.

SPEAKER_02 12:53

Well look, I we'll get it, we'll get it, and I think sometimes I think it's and I think where I'm but again that's a great example of when we've got so many things going on in our minds sometimes, yeah, that you know we can do that. If I could just kind of pull you back around a little bit and we'll we'll bring ego back into the conversation shortly. Yeah, because one of the things I think you've really helped me with, and I think I've learned a lot from you, and I think it's so important, so that's why I'm kind of bringing it back to your attention is that level of presence. Yeah, you know, I was always this always is probably a strong word, but I was certainly my dominant trait was to look forward, yeah. To try and look into the future to be in the future, probably with the sacrifice of not really enjoying the moment to be in present, and that's certainly something you've really supported me with, is kind of finding that you know those moments where you can go just be in present now, and I think for a lot of people that I speak to, yeah, they they are bringing stuff from the past, yeah, and that is that's kind of almost shaping who they are in today and who they view themselves as in the future, yeah, you know, or they are looking at the future and you know almost saying, Well, when I get to that I'm gonna be happy, yeah, rather than that analogy of going, I could be happy today if I choose to be.

SPEAKER_00 14:26

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:28

So I think there's a point here where if you if you're comfortable, just for people listening that can start to resonate with some of that, yeah, and going, how can people become more present? Because I know what you've helped me with, yeah, yeah. But I would it'd be interesting to say, you know, if people listening from your experience, what could you share that would help people?

SPEAKER_01 14:49

Yeah. I think that the danger of not being present is as you said, you're constantly thinking about what next in the future, yeah. So what can happen is you then bec you're conditioning yourself to be missing the present moment. Because a lot of times we're doing stuff that we have to do sometimes, and we'd rather be doing something else. Yeah. And that's where the danger comes in that if you get into that habit of um treating the present moment as just an obstacle, you then become uh you then become in condition to constantly think about the next thing or down or down the road. So then you're actually never really here, yeah. And the only time that ever happens is now is right now. So, you know, dare I say it, the future never comes because when the future arrives, it's in the present moment. And then going back to your question about um what can you do to be more present, yeah. Um I think it's it's great when you can s when you know I think you know when I used I don't play as much football now, but football is always my you know been a main passion. I used to be a PE teacher. Um so when you're doing something that ri that you really enjoy and it and it's really like you know that sense of flow and you're you're in the moment, you know, that that's that you could say that is like the ultimate of being of being present. Um so you know, and I think you know, without even telling someone whether they're present or not, a lot of people are when they're doing certain things that really grab their attention and their interest and their focus, you know, they are being present. Yeah. Um, but I guess it's um you know, those times when you know your your thoughts are taking your attention away and you're getting, you know, you you end up realizing you've been scrolling on social media for 10-15 minutes and like, oh, what am I doing? And you've you've got lost in a in a story or lost in a you know away from presence, and it's all just a concept and something that you've just got absorbed in. Um so in terms of how you can be more present, it's it's just a sort of for me what I do is generally uh anchor myself with maybe some breathing, um, just like one conscious breath just to bring yourself back. Yeah. Um, you know, you heard the saying, um, come to your senses. Yeah. I think that's a great, a great anchor. Yeah, okay. You know, tap into your senses. Yeah. You know, what are you hearing? What's around you, what you're hearing. Yeah. What you know, what what you know, feel the feel the feel the uh ground with your feet. Um, you know, the gravity pulling you, you know, bringing you down and um and just that sense of grounding yourself a bit more.

SPEAKER_02 17:40

Um I was gonna say leaning back onto what you were saying around your self-awareness, yeah. Does that play into it? So obviously becoming aware that you know, and we're all guilty, aren't we? You know, we're all guilty of you know, we can be focused, and then like you've said, sometimes I mind my go off thought, yeah. You know, I'll always use the example of I've you know, if people want to go back and check this out, they'll say a couple of times I've introduced a podcast with the wrong name. And a part of me is trying to go off going, oh, why have you done that? Yeah, but actually, you know, I've got to pull myself back from that moment because I'm then gonna be, and that's a normal kind of process that we all go through, isn't it? Yeah, we can all be in the moment we might say something might do something, something might flick of our awareness, or all of a sudden it might be, oh, I actually gotta go pick the kids up at three o'clock, or you know, the busy mind piece takes us away from the present sometimes. Yeah, so what I'm hearing you're saying is, and it'd be great if this kind of what you are, just to kind of cement it for for listeners, is if we're if we become aware, yeah, that we have drifted off, or we've you know, we're thinking about the future or we're worried about the past or whatever, is there a moment that is the the trigger, the moment where we go, okay, let's just pause, let's find our grounding, yeah, let's just take a moment through breath, yeah, through conscious thought, yeah, to bring that round of I and kind of and I think I think that's where I got lost there a little bit earlier, is that in that um acceptance piece, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:21

Um about you know, not judging yourself, not not um and a sense of sort of forgiving some of the stuff in the past or forgiving yourself um and really accepting you know, I made a commitment this year that yeah, I want to be aligned, more aligned with the present moment because when I'm resisting it or I'm doing or I'm you know treating it as an obstacle um I I'm actually causing myself suffering, okay. You know, because I'm and I'm res when you resist it persists, persists. So if you've got a thought that's coming in that you you know you don't necessarily like or want, you know, rather than not wanting it, you know, when in the past that's what I used to be, and it and then it's like a vicious cycle, you're sort of trying to push it away, but it's just coming back at you. It's that sense of just you know accepting it's that thoughts come in, um, you know, anchoring yourself a bit more, coming to your senses, and then just you know, if it's not you know easier said than done sometimes, but again, it's it's that it's that practice with presence, that mindfulness practice, you know, and it's just about bringing yourself back as many times as you can, so then it becomes your default, yeah. Um and not getting lost and get caught caught away with a thought, and then you know, you're gone for five minutes and you're and you're dwelling on it and and stuff. So it's that it's that being okay with thoughts that maybe are coming up from the past that aren't serving you and just letting them go.

SPEAKER_02 20:50

So two things come up for me, yeah. One, you know, when we when we uh had the podcast with Sarah Davis, one of the things that she said was you can notice stuff, yeah. So you can notice what's coming up, yeah, but you can choose to not interpret it. So you don't have to put any meaning to it, you can just acknowledge it and go it's there, yeah, and go, okay, cool, yeah. And go, but you don't have to kind of that think too much into it, it's just acknowledging it's there, and but if it if it's gonna come back up, I can deal with it another time, but yeah, it's fine. And then the second one is, and I know you talk about this a lot from our conversations, the lens of what we view the world, yeah. And what I'm hearing from you is that if we look at our lens, our own lens of through the lens of compassion, yeah, or the lens of acceptance, yeah, or the lens of self-care, whatever you choose to do, yeah, you know, then I think we can like you've said there's an element of I think this came up the other day, and and we were talking about it last night. Yeah, you know, I didn't realise I'd even posted a video and it was me going about how we're flawed, yeah. We're flawed and I'm comfortable with that. Yeah, yeah. But I'm I'm kind enough to myself with my own. Floors.

SPEAKER_00 22:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:01

So when we look at the lenses of the world, can you explore that for me?

SPEAKER_01 22:06

Because I know that's something that you yeah, and I think it does it does go back to the awareness thing as well. It's a you know, um, because once you become aware, it's about where where are you putting your attention, yeah. Um yeah, and where you put your attention is I think you know for me really important. Um so it's that sense of you know, before you rise up you need to wake up. Okay and yeah, so it's just yeah, it's just really important to um put your attention on what you know what's important to you. You know, and that go and so that's links to your values, yeah, your vision. I was gonna say that yeah. Um and and also when you when you've got a certain lenses on, it's amazing what the difference it can make in terms of your perspective. Okay. Um I think we did something in our coaching training where you you we put like a number of we tended to put on a number of different glasses. Yeah, yeah. You know, one is looking at someone who is being a difficult. Yeah. So then straight away I remember I remember feeling a bit cringe and a bit awkward and a bit like, oh, you know, this person and then you know you're putting a lens on where um you're looking for a lens of compassion and and this and you know, this person is you know wants to do good, wants to solve, you know, wants to um do well. Um so yeah, you know, putting that lens on, and you know, before I coach the session, I'll always um think about that, you know, that unconditional positive regard, non-judgment, yeah, you know, really shine a positive, you know, energy towards someone.

SPEAKER_03 23:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:57

Um so yeah, I think and it can it can make it can make such a difference um to how to how you to your interactions and your relationships.

SPEAKER_02 24:05

And I was gonna say, just curious there, if you're comfortable kind of just expanding on that, because I think you know, my experience, I think a lot of people are good, and I like that exercise, and I would certainly, you know, if any of the audience are listening, that that you know, even those imaginary glasses exercises of going, okay, so what is the lens you're gonna look through? What's the glass you're gonna look through? Yeah, and see how you interpret situation, I think it's really powerful. Yeah, the other bit that for me was, and I guess it's a curiosity question, yeah, which I'm you know I'm full of, yeah, is that I think we're dead good, not dead good, but I think some of us are dead good at doing that for others, so we we're compassionate with others, yeah, and we're good at looking at putting those lenses on to view others, yeah. How how do we do that for ourselves?

SPEAKER_01 24:58

Yeah, so it's a deep question, yeah. It's a good one, because I think you know, from conversations we've had, I think we're both in the past, you know, people pleasers. Yeah, 100%. Um I think growing up I was very much like you know, wanting everyone to be alright and you know, a bit of a yes man, yeah, which you know can catch up with you because you you can't do it all, and um you know, and I've come to realise that and I think it's you know the theme's come through a few times on your podcast is that sense of you know self self-care is care to others, yeah. Um so I think it's massively important to to be compassionate to yourself, um, you know, look after yourself, make time for yourself, give your time give yourself time to reflect and explore what what's really important to you. Um again, where are you putting your attention? You know, what are you doing that's serving you? You know, a while back I, you know, as as a coach as well, you know, I do some some stuff work on myself as well, and that sort of, you know, again, asking myself questions, you know, you know, what do I need to nourish myself on a week-to-week basis? You know, looking at that, what's what's what's energizing me? Um, you know, what's not serving me, you know, and and identifying, you know, not serving me is yes, as you know, in the past I might have had been caught on you know Facebook or social media for 20 minutes here and there, or you know, and you know, looking at what you're doing is what's serving me, what's not serving me, and then putting things in place to to basically look after yourself so you can be the best for uh for yourself and others.

SPEAKER_02 26:35

Yeah, which again comes back to looping it back to that values vision piece that you're talking about as well, isn't it? Because it is it's the identity of okay, what am I trying to achieve and is this helping me get there? And if not, okay, so why why am I holding on to this? Yeah, and asking yourselves those questions, yeah, but looking it through that lens of compassion rather than beating yourself up and going, Oh my god, this can help them to me. And this is going, okay, why am I holding on to this? And yeah, leaning into yourself with curiosity, isn't it? You know, and I think we are from the conversations we've had, and I'll I can only talk for me. Yeah, you know, I've certainly been guilty in the past of kind of things haven't gone right, and the first thing you do is go is kind of judge yourself with that, and then you know, I've always said I am my biggest critic, which makes me quite comfortable in most situations because there's nothing that most people can say that I haven't said to myself even worse. Yeah, so that which is gives you an air of confidence, but actually can be sometimes to actually doing that, but it comes back to what am I trying to do and what am I trying to achieve, and I think it's really important, and I'd be curious where this lands with you about how us taking our time and I like the reflection piece, I think it's something people don't do enough of. Yeah, you know, when you did it, if I could share something, when you did it, you almost there was a pause of saying, Oh, I I look after myself in this way, but it's almost like or you ask yourself these questions, yeah. It's almost like there's a hesitant of why you should do it. Whereas I think you then followed up with going, Well, it's important if I need to be optimal, you know, you've got young kids, you've got a wife, you've got a great business, you've got friends and family around, yeah. I think it's so important that we ask those questions, and that we are aligned because I think, and I can again I can only talk for me, but I feel better when I feel purposeful, yeah, and when things are aligned of what I'm actually doing and the person I'm attempting to be. Yeah, don't always get it right, mate. Yeah, get a lot wrong a lot of the time. You know, so where does where does kind of or how do people start to, or maybe how did you maybe start with that? How did you really understand what was important to you and then I think allows you to then come back to those things?

SPEAKER_01 28:46

Yeah, that's a good question. Um I think I said to you, I've said to you a couple of times, I think the game changer for me was a few years ago was um was realising I didn't have to be in my thoughts.

SPEAKER_03 28:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:01

Um I think I've said to you as well, like in my in my in my mid to late twenties, I I did have some sort of mental challenges, and I'd probably sort of say a bit of a breakdown. Right. Uh come back from travelling, um, and I was having sort of, you know, again that sort of yes man. So it was a bit of a like it was an imbalance. I was doing a lot of stuff, and then you know, living life to the max. It's in your 20s and 30s as well, you know, you feel confident, and you know, you're young and you you wanna, you know, there's a you know, quite an adventurous person. Yeah, but um it was an imbalance, um, and and I really had like uh I sort of like had a good voice and a bad voice. Okay. And that inner voice was just and the danger is you just get lost, you you list you're completely identified with these voices and those thoughts. And when I realised, you know, from you know quite spiritual, right? Um when I realized that um I didn't have to buy into that thought. Yeah, and actually if I'm if those thoughts can come and go, I'm not I'm I'm not I'm not I'm not the thoughts, yeah. I'm the awareness behind the thoughts, and that was uh that's a game changer for me. Um so when I realize that you when you realise that and you've got that awareness, you've then got biggest thing you got then is a choice.

SPEAKER_02 30:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:27

It's a choice, how do I want to think? How do I want to live? How do I want to how do I want to respond to this situation? Yeah. Whereas if you're on autopilot and you're not and you're lost in thought, you're just reacting to things in life, uh, with no intention, and you're just going through and you're you are an autopilot to a certain extent, and also you're not you're not you're not here right now. And that's what I said earlier, you get you get into a trap of constantly treating the presence as an obstacle to get somewhere else. So yeah, so for me to find my purpose, I think um you know that spiritual path's been really important. Um and then once, you know, again when you've got that awareness and and that reflection and that and that space to move away from those thoughts, you can actually start thinking about you know what is important to me, you know, and see it with it. Ask yourself, you know, don't you know asking yourself these these questions when you've got a space to really just see what comes up. Um and I and what's been even in the last year or two, even for me as well, has been a game changer is tapping into that body intelligence, and I guess it's life intelligence, yeah. Of you know, we're sitting here right now, our bodies are digesting, yeah, our our heart, you know, we we are like you look every you know when you again that lens of when you think about all the miracles and the amazing things about life, that you know that intelligence is like miraculous. Yeah. And when you can tap into that lens, yeah and and feeling like that, uh, and having that, it's uh it's really powerful. Um and yeah, and I think I think it's come through again on your podcast. When you're when you're you know, I've all got unique skills with uh abilities, and I think when you're doing things that um interest you, yeah, that resonate, that you're passionate about, you're more likely to you know to have the motivation, but you're more you're also more likely to be consistent with it. Um so you know, I definitely feel like I'm on a path now where I'm doing more things that resonate, yeah, and I'm grateful for. Yeah. Um so yeah, it's that real sense of just you know creating the self-you creating the space for yourself to really sort of dig go deeper about what is important to you and trying to follow that, and but also remembering you've got a choice about how you respond, you know, where you put your attention, and and it is so so powerful.

SPEAKER_02 33:02

And it was interesting because the word powerful was resonating in my head, yeah. And when you used it, I went, okay, yeah, we're all under because that's what I it felt it, it felt it, I watched your body language, I watched the energy move and shift when you were talking about it, and I felt that from here. Yeah, and I think it is, isn't it? And it there was almost like, and I think that's where that whole self-acceptance bit comes in, and I guess where I the bit that was picked up for you, and I don't know where this lands with the audience, and I guess one of the things I would kind of in this moment pause and get people to maybe think about is when was the last time you stopped and thought, you know, you were saying, you know, that taking that time to reflect over what is it I want, yeah, where am I actually going with stuff, you know, what choices am I making? Yeah, are that you aligned? Yeah, how often do you actually do that? Yeah, um, I know the roles we both play as coaches, you know, that's kind of the space that we hold.

SPEAKER_00 34:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 34:12

Not to really put you on the spot, but I am. Um how could so people listening now who have gone, gosh, I can't even think when I'm gonna fit that into a day. Yeah, what would be kind of a little action point that we could just throw in the middle of here?

SPEAKER_01 34:29

Well, I think the biggest thing that's gonna mo motivate people is that the cost of not giving yourself not giving yourself the time. Yeah. Because um, you know, if you're constantly, you know, that constant doing, and I get it, you know, life uh can feel very busy at times and constant doing. Um but yeah, I think again, I think it does link back to that culture we've maybe got into of I guess individualistic uh what can life do for me? Yeah, what can I, you know, what what can I get out of life? Um you know, and this is something that was you know for me, you know, a few years back. Um so I guess it's about I think it is about, you know, you do have to slow down. And um, you know, so somet something's gotta give, you know. So whether it's the amount of wants you've got, yeah, uh the amount you're chasing, the amount you're doing, um, I've definitely slowed down and try and enjoy the more simple things because there is so much joy from just the simple things. I agree. And again, if we go back to that ego and that sort of like, you know, lost in thought, and you know, I think there is still quite a big human condition that is lost in thought, and it's that sense of um you know, wanting and craving things, but in the end, do these things, these material things and stuff really make you happy. Um and I think when you move away, when you come back a bit more to just the here and now and appre what what can I appreciate about life right now and all the beauty there is when we look through the the right lens, um yeah, I think that that is you know inspiring and just um it's it's a con it's still a journey for me. I still you know I've said to you last night, you know, I had a busy weekend and um I still have times where I you know have to I trying to bring you know my ego is heightened and um and I have and I can sometimes get triggered and it's just about you know the more you practice being present and mindful um it it when you're in the when you are here and now as well you're not you're not you're not fearing you're not worrying about the past, you're not fearing about the future. There's that there is a real sort of trust of you know um it the right response will come through if if I if I'm coming from a place of that you know tapping into that life intelligence I talked to you about. Um so yeah.

SPEAKER_02 37:20

But like you said, you know, the the I'll I you know I'll and it just it resonated, and so I'm gonna repeat it back just to make sure that I've understood it right. Yeah. There is no future because when we move to that future, we're actually in that present moment then. Yeah. So actually where you are in two weeks' time, when you get to that two weeks' time, you're in the present. So actually, yeah, it's the bit that you should be focusing on as a present in it, whereas you should and that's the that that's some when you said that in the way you said it, I went, ooh, that was powerful for me to hear.

SPEAKER_01 37:49

Life only ever happens in the in the in the in the here and now, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 37:52

Yeah, but I think that sometimes we forget that, don't we? Because of the hustle and bustle of it, and yeah, you know, people are gonna be listening to this, driving to work, walking the dog, yeah, wondering what they're gonna cook for the tea, or what time they have to come pick the kids up, or yeah, oh my god, I'd be remembered for that meeting, or I've got this meeting, or I've I'm I hope you hurry up and get to the point so I can finish the do you know what I mean? All of those things become life that we've got, yeah. And I think you know it's really nice that you you're mentioning it, and others have mentioned it, and I think it's really important, and that's hence why I've kind of brought it back to I think it's something which I feel we don't acknowledge enough, I think we don't act enough, we don't we forget that actually to enjoy this bit. I mean, when we were doing Tom Blackledge, he was talking around very much around he almost forgets forgot to his joy his journey to the UFC. Now, you know, injury made him stop fighting early, yeah. But part of that journey, which we you know you'd have thought would have been really enjoyful, because it was the what's next, what's next, what's next, piece. And I think a lot of people are I've certainly been guilty of that. It's people like yourself who've put the reins on me, which is great, you know, and I I value that massively, and I guess it's part of the probably one of the reasons why I'm stepping on this topic a bit longer because I think it's important, because of the power that it's been for me, and you know, and especially my thanks to you for kind of bringing my awareness to that a lot, and hence why I'm I'm kind of hanging around this point a bit.

SPEAKER_01 39:28

One other thing I would I would say that's is I guess it's like it's the the mind is a great tool, and the mind wants to help us out, yeah, you know, wants to s you know help us. Well, what are we gonna get for dinner tonight? What what are we gonna, you know, what is down the road, what what I need to organise? That it's such a great tool. Yeah, but how how are we using that tool?

SPEAKER_03 39:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:50

So the first thing, as I said to you, are you is the is your mind your master or or are you the master of your mind? And it's a bit like your phone. Is your phone the master of you or are you the master of your phone? So it's about you know, once you once you're aware of your thoughts and and you've got that awareness, you can ha you can make the choice about you know whether you let your thoughts run your life, yeah. Emotions or thoughts from the past run your life, or are you aware that you can step back from them and then make a conscious choice about you know what's important to you and what you do. Um so yeah, and also I just want to caveat on not caveat, but on the acceptance piece, yeah, that's not accepting that you know that when I say about accepting acceptance and being aligned with the present moment, so you might get something that you you don't, you know, you didn't really need or want, but you it's happy it's you're in the situation. So there's an element of acceptance and not resisting that situation, yeah. Doesn't mean you can't take action or or do something about it. Yeah, so um, but yeah, so I think it's that piece about acknowledging the mind is a great tool, and how can we best use it and not let not letting it control us, but remember we are the awareness behind it that we can we can use it in the best way possible.

SPEAKER_02 41:09

I think it's a really powerful message to be sharing, you know, and and and and I'm I'm glad that's come out of this conversation because I think it is I think it's really really powerful, and I think because people are led by the mind aren't they, and I think that is and and cut sometimes that actually that allows you to control. So I think that is I think that's really powerful that's that that's coming out of this.

SPEAKER_01 41:32

It's just an ongoing practice to not identify with the thoughts that keep coming up because we've been s because we're so conditioned, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 41:42

But again, that's I think that's the other part, isn't it? You know, w there's an assumption that this stuff's easy, and I think you know, I've used this quite a lot. So for listeners that listen this story a lot, then I apologise. But one of the things is you know, when people say to me, Oh, you you come across quite grounded or like you've got all your your ducks in a row, yeah. My response is always a laugh because it's like, no, not at all. Yeah, I've I've but I accept I'm a work in progress. Yeah, yeah. I accept the you know the I I'm in that constant battle daily. You know, I've even got to the point where I'm I've to keep myself accountable to stopping at the end of the day, yeah. I've started doing gratitude with my daughter, yeah. Where we just even if we just water the one thing we're grateful for today, yeah. Purely because and this is you know, that I know with me encouraging her to do it, she'll hold me out because at the end of the day she'll ask me the question because I've made her do it. Yeah. So it makes me stop.

SPEAKER_00 42:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 42:47

You know, and it it's by us turning it into an exercise, you know, my accountability also is, you know, she likes going to the gym. Yeah. And sometimes I just don't feel like going.

SPEAKER_00 42:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 42:59

But she's like, Are we going to the gym? And I look at her and go, uh, yeah. You know, and I think it's so for me also it's sharing that with others that are close to you.

SPEAKER_00 43:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 43:12

And sharing that power. Also helps you on that journey because they, you know, they understand you understand.

SPEAKER_00 43:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 43:20

And I think, but also it helps you other people, you accept other people, but I think other people accept you as, you know, we are or work in progresses.

SPEAKER_01 43:29

And I think that that gratefulness piece is yeah, that that's something that I think is really powerful as well. And again, about what you know, you know, that that that appreciation is can energize you and and and inspire you. No, definitely. And and again build on that, you know, that a lens you're looking through. Um yeah. That's good.

SPEAKER_02 43:52

So just thinking about what we've talked around now, and we've you know, it's been really nice, deep kind. Conversation and straight in it would be yeah, it was always gonna be the one it would never be there's never gonna be a fluffy conversation. So, how do we take what we've talked about ourselves and how do we start, you know, if we lean into maybe you as a coach and the roles that you've done, yeah. How do we then kind of imprint or help others find these skills or share these skills, or how do we help others unlock the potential out of themselves?

SPEAKER_01 44:30

Yeah, it's uh another big topic. Um but yeah, since definitely since being on the coaching journey, um moving away from um giving people trying to help people, you know, you you know, advising them or giving them trying to help them with you know come up with a a solution for them, you know, for me it I've really moved away and check moved towards you know that that listening to understand um and you know we've all got this innate potential in us to really come up with the solutions to to our to our own to our own problems and and and challenges. So I think it's about um you know really listening, um, giving a space to people, um, showing showing that they you know they matter, you know, that real attention and interest in what they're telling you. And um, you know, and then pe it it gives people the space and the courage to to think for themselves as opposed to you know others constant you know being on the flip side, you know, wanting to help, and then the other side that people naturally think someone's gonna help help help them and give them the solution. So, you know, the empowerment piece is is massive with coaching and it's and it's about creating the you know the I guess the behaviour to encourage that. Yeah. So again, you know, listening, attention, showing they matter, um, you know, asking them some some questions around the challenge and and what they could maybe do about it, opening their perspective, or is that true? You know, where where's you know where's this assumption coming from? Because a lot of us hold real, you know, if we're if we're not present, we are we are only um thinking from our our conditioned past and experience. Yeah, you know, it's good and bad in a real mix, but can you uh you know when you have that space to and you give someone that space, you know, open up that perspective, you know, what's what's the assumption you're holding here? Is you know, is that true? You know, I sometimes say to me, if a thought comes up, is this true? Yeah, um, and a lot of the time, you know, if you if you just give yourself this, you know, really listen and and have that wisdom and in the present moment to to to see what comes up, um, you know, you can you can find that wisdom and that and also that perspective that that really opens up your options and your choices and and in how best to respond. Um so I think that's really important as a leader that you have that, you know, so even like in some of the meetings I've been sharing, you know, recently, you know, giving everyone the opportunity to to speak, you know, knowing, you know, and so setting the ground rules and contracting at the start, you know, no interruptions, um, also start going around the room about um what's going what's going well. Yeah. So you sort of you change you're you're balancing the scales in terms of the bias, it's in terms of a lot of times we come to meet and right, what's the issues we need to sort out? What's the problem? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So by starting on what's going well, you're also you're up straight away, you're lifting the energy into an appreciative lens about you know the solutions and that focus. And then, you know, by giving it everyone around the room a chance to to speak about, you know, you maybe cover a few agendas, what we want to talk about, but giving, you know, making sure everyone's got designated time to say something because you know it can be otherwise it can be a case of like you know, people taking the limelight, wanting, you know, and and more people that you know a bit more confident talking. Yeah, yeah. So that you know, that's really powerful. And it's just it's just it's just I think it's just the culture and behaviour of how of what you're how you're interacting and what you're putting out there to allow people to think for themselves, okay, to have the courage t uh to say something, to be vulnerable, um, to that non-judgment piece, you know, again in those meetings by setting those that that that framework and that environment just allow it just allows people to to feel like they matter. Yeah. And then and they feel and then they've actually got the space to think with quality and um yeah, and I and then you know, anything's possible.

SPEAKER_02 49:03

Um and I think you know, I think sometimes we take for granted that how powerful just holding that space can be.

SPEAKER_01 49:10

Oh yeah, yeah, really powerful, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 49:12

You know, and just allowing people to and especially when they realise they're gonna get the opportunity to say what they need to say, because like you've said, you know, especially in group situations, and I think we've all experienced it, there's somebody that normally has a lot to say and they're really comfortable saying what they need to say, but may not always be right. Yeah, they have an opinion, yeah, which could be right, but it could also be, but also there's the bit of you know I think we t we talked about this last night, one of the things that how the all the different voices in our head and how they might all contradict each other, they might all lean to each other. Yeah, but I think when you're in a group situation, you could have, depending on size of the group or the team, lots of different opinions, and actually the power of that can actually strengthen it to become you know, we are greater of a sum. Yeah, but that only works, doesn't it, when you create that culture environment where we can all say what we need to say, yeah. And actually, how do we because you only need one person to come up with the best idea and go, yeah, let's all do that. Yeah, whereas if you if there's not an opportunity where people can say that, yeah, you know that and for me the concept of psychological safety kind of sits in and around that, and a lot of the work that Amy Evanson has done and stuff. So, just with that, if there's people listening, how would you, you know, and I'm not saying you have to give all your secrets about you uh how you give it away, but for people that maybe are leading with teams that would like to create a little bit more of an environment where their team are more comfortable to stand up. You talked about contracting.

SPEAKER_00 50:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 50:55

Do you want to share for listeners that may be unfamiliar with we're familiar because from a coaching world, it's kind of what we do all the time. Can you just explore what what contracting or group contracting might look like for those people that are unfamiliar with it?

SPEAKER_01 51:10

I think it it it's so if you've got a meeting or you're or in or even just the dynamics and the and the environment as a team you want to create, I think it's about it's like it's the ground rules really, yeah. And it's like an agreement.

SPEAKER_02 51:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 51:24

You know, how are we how are we gonna agree to behave and work together? Um so you know, so if we if we've got an example for a meeting, it's like you know, we're not we're gonna give each person a chance to s to speak, we're not gonna interrupt until they're finished. Um you know, how do we you know there's various things you could cover in in that agreement, and I think that the key thing as well is to make sure that everyone again has something to say about what they what what they want that agreement to look like and all contribute because again, you know, in terms of the coaching, it a lot of it's not about telling, it's about asking. Yeah. So when people are coming up with the solutions, coming up with the ideas, they're so much more empowered and motivated to to deli to act to act on it and and you know you know and and and do it.

SPEAKER_02 52:24

So I think um yes can I just interrupt sorry because the only thing a thing with that is, and one of the things that just was what came up for me, so and I'll forget it for Monica, so that's why was that's gonna come from you as a leader being trusting that they're gonna come up with the stuff. I think a lot of you know, and especially in my experience, a lot of leaders or people who you know sometimes may not trust all the people they work with to think well they might not have the answers, or I'm the leader, so therefore I should have all the answers. Yeah, it's having the belief, and I think you said it really nicely earlier on to say that trusting each person's got the all the answers within themselves, or the skills within themselves, or the understanding in themselves, and by creating an environment where allowing that to come out, yeah. I think it's sitting in that world of trust, isn't it? Where we we trust that listen, if we've got people in the view, they know what's good for them, yeah, and we're comfortable knowing that's good with them.

SPEAKER_01 53:21

So if we can create an environment where they can tell us, yeah, then we can together we can create an environment that suits everybody in the right way, but it's holding the trust that we know people have got that, which I think some people struggle with, and I think as a leader or a coach, you've got a you've got to lead on that, you've got to show that 100%, you've got to practice that, yeah. So they've got to see it in you, correct. Um yeah, so that that's that's really important. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_02 53:52

No, I really like it. Yeah. So when you've got maybe so talking around this unlocking in others, yeah. What other where else does that land with you or anything that you would kind of the leaders out there, any any ideas, anything that you've shared, anything that you think is helpful to support others from either your world as a leader or your world as a coach?

SPEAKER_01 54:15

Um we've covered a lot of BCP. Yeah, we have yeah. I think um I think there's definitely a a piece about um tapping into that embodied intelligence and getting your staff, you know, so getting team or leaders to really you know become more present and and also use that embodied in intelligence. Now what is embodied intelligence is it's that coming to your senses piece again. So it's you know, if you've got if you've got stressful, if you've got challenging and you've got stresses, yeah, or s you know, you take it sometimes we can take things on personally and by you know using some technology tech techniques and practices, it's really you know, it's about putting some of that I don't excuse my French, but like, you know, shit in the space. Yeah. You know, put it you don't don't take it on personally, you know, anchor yourself in that sense of um you know come into your senses and and just that again that trust and that you know innate potential of of of what we're all capable of. Um so I think that's really important. Um and that you know, again, when you've got that awareness, you've you've you've really got you're building your capacity to respond in a more helpful way rather than reacting based on you know old old thoughts and conditions. So I think that's that's a again, like I said to you before, that my primary purpose is to try and always remain present, it doesn't happen all the time, and it's a it's a practice, but I know when I'm in that space, I'm a lot less fearful, um, I've got a lot more trust and confidence. I've got that deeper knowing, that deeper even even though I don't know what the future holds, there's just that deeper knowing. So I think that's really important. Um and obviously I think that learning piece is really important as well for for everyone to to have, you know. So as a leader, are are you are you making the time to are you giving the person your attention and the space to really you know reflect and learn and and develop or is it all about you know the profit or and getting stuff done? Are you making the time to do are you making the time to develop people? Which is which is the thing that that's funny is if you get you know by give by by giving people the top the quality, time and space to think you're actually saving time.

SPEAKER_03 56:54

Yeah. Agreed.

SPEAKER_01 56:56

Because the quality of it will get you, will will cut out a lot of the unnecessary and you and you'll get somewhere quicker. But it is upfront um you know, demu quite, you know, putting in the in the time and investment, but it's you know it's it's so worth it, but and that's that's where you really tap into that compassion piece as a leader or as a coach, you know, the compassion to listen and not try and answer their problem uh to tell them what to do, um, to show them they they matter, to to show them they to believe in that to to really believe and show them that you know they've they can find a solution when when you're showing that lens on them, they feel so much more able and motivated, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 57:46

And then it's you staying in that place of trust, isn't it? Yeah, you know, trust in in them, yeah. And I think that shows over time. But I I agree, I think you know, I think a lot of people are very quick to jump to finding paid solutions where actually and invest in faster technology or better technology, where actually what we're saying is can we put our investment of just time, presence with a team member? Can actually be miles more valuable to a business organisation or anything, can't it?

SPEAKER_01 58:22

Yeah, I think there is there's a lot of good stuff going on and it it does happen and it is happening, but it can get lost to the busyness and and the chasing of you know, profit and I'm not saying profit's a bad thing, but I think when you can get that balance between people, profit and I guess planet, yeah, you know, and and tick all those uh I think that's Sir John Whitmore that that was his, you know, that's that's the the balance you're all we're trying to achieve. Um you know that's great, and that's where that wisdom comes from about you know, wisdom to not just make another problem and just solve this one, but how are we how can we look at the situation from a from a wider lens that's not going to create further problems, yeah, but also allow all of us to sort of for the for the betterment of of others and and as a team or a group to flourish. Um so I think it you know for me it's massive and it's so powerful, um it's a practice, um, and it it does take real compassion and time and investment, but uh what what you what it can create and and um you know make is can be you know amazing. No, I love it.

SPEAKER_02 59:44

Just before we kind of move into so what and we leave the listeners with some advice, yeah. We've covered a lot a lot of ground, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 59:53

Which we need to lie down on.

SPEAKER_02 59:54

Well, no, no, it's quoted, I love it. I'm I I knew this would be a really good conversation, so for me it's been great and there's lots to reflect on. But I'm staying present before I kind of move to that. Is there anything that we haven't covered that you feel would be helpful?

SPEAKER_01 1:00:12

Um I think we didn't mention I think we touched on it, but I think you know, what are you you know when you when you've got a chance and that space to really think about you know what are my values? Who do I want to be? Uh, what's my vision? And I think again, for me, I've moved away from little old me and a bit and what can life do for me to move a little bit more about how can I best serve. Okay, you know, that sound might sound a little bit like, oh you know, he's this do-gooder, but I think um you know being mindful of of what what your values are and what you really believe in and what resonates it is it gives you it keeps you focused. Like I think I've heard you say about it as well. I mean, I've got a a picture board on my phone of you know things that um are important to me and you know where I want to put my focus. So I've got you know family, pictures of family, and I've got um you know various pictures on there, and and like that started that about seven or eight years ago, and and a lot and a lot of stuff on there has come to fruition. So I think again it's that law of attraction, what you know what you what you put your focus on, yeah, where you put your attention, what is your intention. Um you know, and again, uh what's the saying? I think it's uh ask and you will receive, you know, is that sense of what you focus on is what you're gonna energy is gonna go. So for me that's important. So like a vision board, you know, get creative. What what do you want to create? You know, you you can be the the you know the writer of your own story, it's it's in your it's in your it's in our it's in our hands.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:04

So and I think what's quite nice about that as it brings it all back round is you you know you get what you focus on or you you know, and so be careful what you focus on. Yeah. If you focused on you know things that aren't helpful, yeah, then is there a surprise that we're probably gonna see less helpful things where actually if we if we become more self-aware, more present, more bring us back to the moment of going, is what we're doing today actually aligned with what I would like the world to give me?

SPEAKER_00 1:02:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:33

And if it's yes, then cool, let's stay in this moment. If not, what do we do about that? Or what do I need to ask myself? Yeah, I love that. What's three practical things that people could try today?

SPEAKER_01 1:02:46

Um so I think I mean there's lots lots we can all do, but I think for me, if if if they could practice becoming more present, yeah. So I think what how do I do that? I think it's a case of you could literally ask yourself a question to say, where's you know, where's my awareness right now? Where's my attention? Uh am I lost in thought? Or I or actually am I can I bring come to my senses and just bring myself, you know, what can I notice sounds, what what can I feel? Yeah, and just um and then and also again feel the aliveness in your body, yeah. And like that, how amazing things are, and then that can sort of ground you to then think about right, where do I need to now move to next? So I think you know, like I say, simple question about you know, where's my attention right now? Yeah, um, what am I aware of? Um, you know, lit recently on on LinkedIn I did a sort of uh practice in presence challenge, you know, from having an hourly reminder on your phone, just a little chime, yeah, just to remind you to maybe just take a pause.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:00

You know, is what I'm doing actually what I need to be doing right now? Yeah. Um, you know, what what's most important to me? Is this important? And just checking in, checking in with how you're feeling, what you're doing, and you know, again, maybe ask yourself a question, what do I need to do right now? What is this, you know? So yeah, I think that that can be powerful. I'd I'd recommend that. Um you say three.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:27

Well, but there was a lot there, so you don't have to, because there's quite a few things for people to do there. Yeah. I mean, if you had if you add another one you wanted to share, yeah. If you don't, then that's cool.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:37

We can I think another one I think we touched on it yesterday. I think once you've got that awareness and I guess that that choice, you know, I don't like to um put intention and it on everything, but like before I coach, I'll do I'll say to myself, imagine dot dot dot.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:58

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:58

You know, I think Einstein said creativity is everything, you know, and just that's that that line, imagine dot dot dot, and then I I think about what I want to create. And it goes back to that see it, say it, believe it, you know, and and you know, visualise it and how how powerful that can be to, you know, it's like you I think I I think there's they say that you know if you visualize it, it's like your body thinks it's already happened. Yeah, so I think um you know, once you've got that awareness, it you know, using that the power of intention to to be less reactive and more and respond um better. And you know, again, where you where are you putting your your attention, you know, and not and I think when you've got that intention, you're not then getting distracted as much. And you know, we live in a real a world that's constantly fighting for our attention.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:56

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:57

So having an intention about What you want to do is really important. So that imagine dot dot dot, but also also I sometimes use as well, you know, what what qualities do I want to bring to this coaching session? Yeah. So I'll yeah, so I think that'd be quite useful. You know, so for example, your week, imagine dot dot dot, or your day, imagine dot dot dot. Um but not being hard on yourself if if you don't if it doesn't all come off. But it's amazing the amount that does come off when you have got that that focus.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:31

Yeah, I th I I think that's a really nice point, and I I think that is just you know coming back to the start of where we kind of that compassionate lens of going if it doesn't come back, but maybe then bringing your attention to okay, so what have I learnt from this? Yeah, that feedback loop piece again. I think you talk around, yeah. You know, what can I take from this? What has gone well, what hasn't gone well, and then just go, is there an understanding of why it didn't go well and what would you do differently? Yeah, I think is a really powerful time, but again, I think you you've touched on a couple of times, it's just taking that time to reflect, yeah, you know, and taking the time for yourself, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:05

And I think and that's I think that's the biggest challenge for a lot of people, yeah. I agree, is making the time, yeah. Um, so I guess I I think you know, ask yourself the question how can I make time to do this?

SPEAKER_02 1:07:16

Definitely one principle you wish every leader understood.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:21

Um I think it's definitely around that empowerment piece, and I think it's about you know asking and not telling. I think that's really really powerful. Um and it even going when we talked about the feedback, you know, asking that person, you know, asking them to tell you what's going well, yeah, what's what would they wish, what what's the learning. Um you know, and then you can, you know, by asking them some questions around it, you they can go deeper and and really and then really have a more powerful um and then taking some ownership about how they want to move things forward. Yeah. Um so I think yeah, asking, not telling, is is works I find powerful, yeah. Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:08

So thinking about this conversation, yeah. Is there any insights that again that we've probably not covered that people could turn into action? There's been a lot of action points in this already.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:27

I'm just curious before we kind of wrap up insights into action. Um I think we covered, yeah, I think we covered some real good stuff. Okay. Um I think you know, I think I did mention it about you know, try and you know, try and smile more, try and be more playful, try not to take your you know life and your thoughts too seriously. Yeah, I like that. Um and you know that try and bring as much joy into what you're doing, yeah. Um you know, even if it you know you s you're drying up, uh, you know, doing the dishes, you know, rather than seeing it as a chore, can you you know, can you bring can you bring a little bit of presence to it? Yeah. Um and just um and just you know really feel the aliveness of of being present and and what what that can bring and and you know the possibilities from that.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:28

So yeah, love it. Yeah, love it. So for listeners, where can they find you?

SPEAKER_01 1:09:34

Um yeah, mainly on LinkedIn. Yeah. Um yeah, it's we'll be launching a website soon, Nature Peak Coaching. So it's about you know naturally empowering people to to rise and um and I think that nature thing as well is about trying to be our true nature and not and not the ego and the uh you know the the the thoughts that don't help us. Um yeah, and I think when when we're coming from that place as well, you know, we will we will be at our peak. Yeah, we are performing better, we are in more align to you know what what's important to. So yeah, so yeah, LinkedIn.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:18

And and the website will be launched soon, so yeah we'll put all the links and everything for that below. That's great. Any final challenge you want to set our audience before we call it a day? Final challenge.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:30

Um good question. I don't want to keep banging on about the same thing, but um but it must be really important if we do. So challenge. Hold on, just have a sip of water. Yeah I think I think just be kind to yourself and try and ask yourself more questions. Nice more questions about you know what what is it you need to be doing, what you know, how can I best respond to this, or you know, what's not so you know have a question question approach, like the leaders as well, you know. So I think that's that's powerful. Um so yeah, what questions can you be asking yourself more?

SPEAKER_03 1:11:31

Nice.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:32

Yeah, Paul, it's been wonderful. Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_00 1:11:35

Thanks, mate. Appreciate you a lot. It's been brilliant. Cheers, mate. Thank you.