The Power of Changing Tables

Ever noticed how some people only recognize your value when you’re no longer within their reach? It’s a hard truth, but it happens often. We bring ideas, effort, and heart to a table, assuming it’s seen and appreciated. But sometimes, familiarity makes others blind to the brilliance you quietly bring every day.

Then one day, you move—maybe to a new role, a new circle, or a new opportunity—and suddenly, the same qualities they overlooked now seem extraordinary when viewed from the outside. Why? Because distance creates perspective.

Here’s the thing: your worth is not tied to the table you sit at. It’s in your skills, your integrity, your creativity, and the energy you bring wherever you go. If someone fails to see it now, that doesn’t diminish it. It just means the right table is still waiting.

So don’t shrink yourself to fit where you’re not valued. Don’t dim your light hoping someone will notice. Move with confidence, knowing that the right people—the ones who truly appreciate your presence—won’t need you to leave before they recognize your value.

Sometimes, the most empowering thing you can do is choose a different table!

7 Frameworks For A Growth Mindset

Growth doesn’t start with skill.

It starts with mindset.

Because the way you think shapes everything you do.

Here are 7 frameworks to help you develop a growth mindset:

1. GROW Model

Because action needs clarity:
→ Set specific Goals.
→ Get real about your Reality.
→ Explore your Options.
→ Commit with Willpower.

2. SMART Goals

Dreams are great – measurable outcomes are better.
→ Be Specific.
→ Track what’s Measurable.
→ Set Achievable targets.
→ Keep them Relevant.
→ Add a Time-bound deadline.

3. YET Framework

The mindset shift that changes everything:
→ You’re not there yet (but you will be).
→ Celebrate Effort, not just outcomes.
→ Progress comes one Step at a time.

4. LEARN Model

Growth demands curiosity and reflection:
→ Listen to feedback.
→ Evaluate what’s working (and what’s not).
→ Adapt as needed.
→ Refine constantly.
→ Nurture curiosity and passion.

5. POWER Framework

Because consistency wins:
→ Practise deliberately.
→ Take Ownership of your growth.
→ Leverage Willpower when it’s tough.
→ Honour the grind with Effort.
→ Reflect and repeat.

6. FAIL Framework

Failure’s not the end—it’s a stepping stone:
→ Accept the First stumble.
→ Attempt again with intention.
→ Improve with every setback.
→ Learn and level up.

7. ACT Framework

Keep moving forward:
→ Accept where you are.
→ Change what needs fixing.
→ Try new strategies, relentlessly.

Growth isn’t magic.

It’s effort, clarity, and learning from every stumble.

Which of these frameworks speaks to you?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Many believe a serial entrepreneur with multiple exits is a safe bet. 

But founder experience can often be overvalued in startup land.

Here’s why:

 • 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ≠ 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Overconfidence can lead to poor decisions.

 • 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲: Deep expertise can limit adaptability.

 • The “𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿” isn’t always the best bet: Charisma can mask red flags.

Want to level up your evaluation game? This cheat sheet covers:

1️⃣ The Berkus Method

2️⃣ Common Misconceptions About Founder Experience

3️⃣ Best Practices for Evaluating Founders

4️⃣ Balanced Founder Experience Valuation

5️⃣ “The Founder’s Dilemma” by Noam Wasserman

6️⃣ The Founder Experience Matrix

7️⃣ Red Flags in Founder Valuation

As Chris Tottman often advises, “It’s not just about past wins—it’s about adaptability, learning agility, and building the right team.”

Where Your Power Lives: The Art of Returning to Now

Anxiety has a way of pulling us into a place that doesn’t even exist yet—the future. We start imagining scenarios, predicting outcomes, and worrying about things that haven’t happened. Our minds race ahead, leaving our bodies behind, and suddenly we feel overwhelmed.

The truth is, anxiety often thrives when we live too far forward. It feeds on uncertainty, on the “what ifs” that spiral out of control. But here’s the good news: your strength isn’t in the future. It’s in this very moment.

Pause for a second. Feel your feet against the floor. Notice your breath moving in and out, steady and constant. This—right here—is where your power lives. Not in the worries of tomorrow or the regrets of yesterday, but in the simplicity of now.

When you bring yourself back to the present, you take away anxiety’s fuel. You remind yourself that this moment is manageable, and that’s all you truly need to handle.

So next time your thoughts start running ahead, gently call them back. Anchor yourself where your breath is. Where your feet are. That’s where peace begins—and where you find your power.

Success Focused Mindset

I used to think success was about

skills and strategy.

Then I watched brilliant people fail

while “average” ones soared.

The difference? Their mindset.

6 steps to build a success mindset that works:

1. Know yourself. Really know yourself.

What lights you up?

What drains your energy?

Where are you holding back?

2. Get crystal clear on your non-negotiables.

These aren’t just boundaries.

They’re your compass for every decision.

Most people stop here. But there’s more.

3. Master the 80/20 rule.

Focus on the few things that create real impact.

Cut the busywork that keeps you stuck.

4. Learn to say “no” without guilt.

Every “yes” to something unimportant

is a “no” to something that matters.

5. Choose your circle carefully.

The right people challenge you to grow.

The wrong ones keep you comfortable.

And here’s the real game-changer:

6. Show up. Especially when it’s hard.

When motivation fades (it will),

let discipline carry you forward.

Because success isn’t about feeling ready.

It’s about moving forward anyway.

Small steps on tough days build

the mindset that others envy.

Remember:

Your mindset isn’t just how you think.

It’s how you show up every day.

That’s how you build success that lasts.

How to Give Feedback

69% of employees say they want more feedback.

Steal this guide to become an exceptional leader:

Exceptional leaders give the best feedback.
They know it’s worth its weight in gold.

When feedback is given in the right way…
It can take your business to the next level.

Steal this cheat sheet to give better feedback.
Here’s a sneak peek at the content:

4 models for feedback and improvement

1. SBI model: Highly actionable and straightforward.
2. COIN model: Emphasises relationship-building in feedback.
3. GROW model: Consultative approach via coaching.
4. CEDAR model: A comprehensive deep-dive into complex topics.

Harvard’s top 5 tips to give effective feedback

👍 Lead with empathy
📋 Prepare, prepare, prepare
🎯 Be specific & impactful
🎙️ Encourage open dialogue
🧠 Embrace a forward-looking mindset

How to give feedback in meetings

👫 Make it their meeting, not yours
☑️ Build rapport before diving in
👤 Uncover their needs
🥪 Sandwich constructive criticism
🔇 Choose a distraction-free environment
👂 Listen with your full presence
💬 Provide specific, actionable feedback
🤝 Co-create meaningful goals

Stop letting poor communication be your bottleneck.
Use this sheet to give better feedback today.

9 Phrases That Make You Sound Desperate 

(and what to say instead)

Words don’t just inform. They signal.

Every message you send tells the buyer two things:

– What you’re offering

– How much leverage you think you have

The problem?

Most reps say the right thing,

 but sound like they have none.

And it shows up in tiny phrases that quietly kill your posture.

So I pulled 9 of the most common offenders- 

 and rewrote them to sound confident, clear, and in control:

– “Just bumping this to the top of your inbox.”

 ➡️ “Still relevant on your end?”

– “Any updates?”

 ➡️ “Is [X] still a focus for you?”

– “Following up on my last email…”

 ➡️ “Thought this might help with [problem].”

– “Any updates on your side?”

 ➡️ “Based on where we left off, is X still your top priority?”

– “We’d love to work with you.”

 ➡️ “If it’s a fit, here’s how we support you best.”

– “Any thoughts on the proposal?”

 ➡️ “Anything you’d tweak before next steps?”

– “Let me know if you’re interested.”

 ➡️ “Should we move forward or pause for now?”

– “Let me know either way.”

 ➡️ “Totally fine if it’s a no — just want to make sure we don’t leave it open-ended.”

– “Totally understand if now’s not the right time.”

 ➡️ “Want to revisit this next quarter?”

Sales isn’t just about what you say.

It’s about what your words signal.

The Power of the Pause

In a world that moves at lightning speed, our first instinct is often to react—quickly, emotionally, and without a second thought. Someone says something we don’t like? We fire back. A situation feels unfair? We make assumptions. But here’s the truth: those first impulses rarely lead to our best decisions.

That’s why practicing the pause is such a powerful habit. It’s that brief, intentional moment where you hit the brakes before your emotions hit the gas.

Pause before judging—because what you see may not be the whole story.

Pause before assuming—because assumptions often say more about us than about others.

Pause before accusing—because words, once spoken, can’t be taken back.

And most importantly, pause before reacting harshly. That split second can mean the difference between escalation and understanding, between regret and peace.

The pause doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise. It gives you control over what you say, how you act, and the energy you choose to put into the world.

So the next time you feel that rush to react, stop. Breathe. Count to three if you need to. That tiny pause could save you from a lifetime of “I wish I hadn’t.”

Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say… is nothing at all!

Your Team’s Happiness Isn’t Luck

7 signs you’ve built a healthy work culture:

1. Monday mornings don’t feel like punishment.
↳ People actually want to show up.

2. Ideas flow from every level.
↳ The intern’s voice matters as much as the VP’s.

3. Mistakes spark learning, not blame.
↳ Growth beats perfection every time.

4. People celebrate each other’s wins.
↳ Success isn’t a zero-sum game.

5. You can have a life outside of work.
↳ Because you’re treated as a person, not just a worker.

6. Tough conversations happen with respect.
↳ Honesty without brutality.

7. Your best people stay.
↳ And tell their friends to join.

Here’s the truth leaders need to hear:

Culture isn’t what you write on the wall.
It’s what happens when you’re not in the room.

It’s not about:
❌ Pizza parties
❌ Ping pong tables
❌ “We’re a family” speeches

It’s about:
✅ Real flexibility
✅ Genuine respect
✅ Actual growth opportunities

Your team knows the difference.

They can feel when it’s real.

Leaders, here’s your wake-up call:

You control the weather in your workplace.

Make it somewhere people thrive,
not just survive.

8 Japanese Philosophies that Will Change Your Life

Improve your life with 8 powerful Japanese concepts: 

Japanese people are known for living long, happy lives. It’s partly due to their unique philosophies. 

These simple yet powerful ways of living bring more: 

• Mindfulness 

• Happiness 

• Fulfillment 

• Resilience 

• Balance 

• Clarity 

• Peace 

• Joy 

💡Save my cheat sheet with 8 life-changing ideas. 

Here’s a tip to build each of them into your routine: 

1. Ikigai: Find your passion; what inspires & fulfills you. 

Tip: Think of activities that make you lose track of time. 

2. Gaman: Build resilience; face challenges with grace. 

When feeling stressed, take deep breaths to stay calm. 

3. Kintsugi: See beauty in flaws; they make you unique. 

Reflect on your past mistakes and the lessons learned. 

4. Oubaitori: Don’t compare; treasure your own journey. 

Jot down 1 personal win a week, no matter how small. 

5. Hara Hachi Bu: Eat mindfully; stop when at 80% full. 

Slow down & focus on your food [not the phone or TV]. 

6. Shinrin-yoku: Rejuvenate by connecting with nature. 

Plan a daily walk in a park or green space for 10 mins. 

7. Uketamo: Keep your heart open to embrace life fully. 

Journal about a tough time & how it strengthened you. 

8. Kaizen: Aim for small, continuous self-improvement. 

Choose 1 small habit to change or develop this week. 

Start weaving these concepts into your daily routine. 

You’ll gain a richer, more balanced life. 

Embrace the change and see your world transform.