A year of alignment over targets and achievement

I didn’t write this because I’ve mastered balance. I wrote it because I spent years getting it wrong. I’ve now spent several years working hard to pursue a Life-First working life. ‍I'm now helping people build careers and businesses that support a meaningful life, not consume it.

Clarity is power.

This is the heart of it all.

Setbacks happen. What matters is the response.

Progress is a powerful motivator

Course correction is not failure; it is feedback and an opportunity to learn and start again from a position of strength

Big goals can feel exciting, or they can feel overwhelming.

Self-trust is built in the follow-through.

Focus is your force multiplier.

Direction fuels momentum.

Clarity without action is just daydreaming.

Your body is the only home you get.

Confidence is built not bought.

Burnout does not just come from overwork; it also comes from under-recovery.

Alignment is not always about doing more. Sometimes, it is about knowing when to stop.

Energy is your edge.

Your body speaks, but are you listening?

We make time for what we prioritise.

Movement is not punishment but freedom and longevity.

The best relationships do not just support us; they energise us.

Feeling valued is not about ego but rather about humanity.

Contribution creates connection.

Communication is the lifeblood of strong relationships, and it starts with safety.

Belonging is not about fitting in but about being seen and accepted as yourself.

Time is your most valuable asset, and relationships are one of your most impactful investments.

Meaningful relationships do not happen by accident. They are cultivated through presence, honesty, and mutual respect.

Success can feel hollow if you are doing it in isolation.

Balance does not mean never feeling low or anxious. It means having a steady baseline and a sense of grounding even when things fluctuate.

Boundaries are not about keeping others out. They are about protecting what matters most to you.

Self-reliance is a strength, but when overused, it becomes a liability.

When life gets noisy, reflection is often the first thing we drop. I think it should be the first thing we protect.

Thoughts become patterns. Patterns become behaviour. Behaviour shapes reality.

Resilience is not just bouncing back but growing through challenges and setbacks.

Emotional wellbeing is not just a nice-to-have. It is foundational.

Stress is part of life, but chronic, unmanaged stress is a signal.

Whether you are at a career crossroads, rethinking money, or just curious where a tax guy turned coach ends up, you will find something in there worth hearing on my Hodcast episode

Delighted to have appeared on Chris Daems fabulous What Happens Next LinkedIn Live this morning. Take a look at the recording here.

When I speak with people about coaching and about their Life Beyond Success, I often finish by saying “Your next 10 years start today”. It’s an acknowledgement that action is important.‍ Well, on 30 September 2025, I marked ten years since leaving the corporate world. A decade of doing my own thing, of learning, adapting, and building a life and business on my own terms. ‍My next 10 years certainly began that day.

Where great conversations flow as smoothly as the wine!

For the current generation in their 40’s and 50’s, there is something between work and retiring to the golf course or cruise ship. A chance to try other things, live life first and fulfilled and with a sense of purpose.

Ever found yourself wondering how money became more stress than support? ‍Or, how a career can take twists from DJ decks to tax returns to something far more human?

There is a common misconception that coaching is reserved for CEOs, high-flying entrepreneurs, or people generally perceived to be at or near the top of their game. The truth? Most of the people who benefit from coaching do not fit that description. They are often mid-career, building their business or aspiring to be the best they can be.

The weather was glorious this morning, so I grabbed the chance for a long walk along the seafront. Warm sun, sea air, and a quiet coffee stop. It is one of life’s simplest pleasures and on my doorstep.

Business Uncorked continues to draw great interest, which is a sign it’s resonating.

Today was event day, delivering my Financial Mastery for Southend Small Businesses programme, run in collaboration with the local authority.

Today marked an important family milestone. It was our wedding anniversary.

Back to work. After a brilliant time away, the last couple of days have felt full on. A good reminder that even with a life-first philosophy, getting back to work can be a challenge.

There is something to be said for living close to an airport. It took so much stress out of the start of this trip. No crack of dawn chaos, just a calm and relatively late departure. It set the tone.

Today was a good reminder of how the best days often blend simplicity with substance.

Today brought a mix of learning, life planning, and a little competitive sweat.

Today was all about building, not just in the literal sense of construction, but also building knowledge, relationships, and momentum.

Day Four was a lazy one, and very welcome too.

Today was all about the launch of Business Uncorked. What a fantastic launch it was!

Some days, everything feels connected, even when the tasks seem miles apart.

Today felt like one of those days with a bit of everything.

Life has a way of surprising us, often at the most inopportune moments.

Planning for the future is not just about spreadsheets, apps, and pension pots. It is about peace of mind.

Every financial decision is a values decision. The trouble is, we do not always realise it.

Money is strangely taboo for something that affects every area of life.

What role does money play in your life? Does it play the role of fuel or friction?

Financial wellbeing is not just about what you earn. It is about what you do with it.

Money is rarely just about numbers. It is about stories, emotions, reactions, and often, avoidance.

Setting financial goals can be relatively straightforward. Setting the right goals that reflect what you care about is where the real work is.

Money is one of the biggest sources of stress and one of the greatest tools for freedom. The difference lies in control.

We all get the same number of hours in a day. How many of those hours feel fulfilling for you?

Knowing your values is one thing. Expressing them clearly, confidently, and without hesitation is another.

We all have busy days. But busy does not always mean meaningful.

Legacy is not just for after we are gone, whether that is gone from a job, a business, a relationship, or a life. It is something we are building every day, consciously or not.

There is nothing wrong with ambition. There is nothing wrong with wanting success or financial stability.

Clarity rarely arrives uninvited. It comes when we make space to reflect.

We spend much of our lives at work, whether thinking about it, preparing for it, or recovering from it. If what we do daily is misaligned with our values, it will create tension.

"Purpose" is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, especially in leadership, coaching, and personal development circles. But when we strip it back, it comes down to one question:

What you reflect on now, what you realign now, and what you choose now will shape the life and work you will be living in a decade.

What happens when your passion project starts draining you, financially, emotionally, and energetically?

Are you happy with how your business is set up? With how you work, with what you want to offer, and with what you need to shift to support your growth.

Sometimes progress starts with clearing your workspace.

Life can change in an instant. One day, everything is going well, plans are in place, financial goals are achievable, and the future looks bright. Then, suddenly, it isn’t.

Money is not just about numbers. It is about meaning. It shapes how we see the world, influences our choices, and, perhaps most importantly, is something we pass on to the next generation, intentionally or not.

Money means different things to different people. For some, it’s a tool for growth. For others, it’s a source of stress. For many, it’s a constant balancing act between meeting responsibilities today and planning for an uncertain future.

For many, money is more than just a financial tool. It’s emotional.

There’s a common fear surrounding lifestyle creep; the gradual increase in spending as earnings rise.

Some people are natural givers. They share what they have, support others, and never hesitate to offer help. However, when it comes to managing their financial wellbeing, they struggle.

Money can be a tool for freedom, security, and opportunity. However, for some, it has been used for something entirely different - as a means of control.

Many people grow up without a clear understanding of money; what it represents, how to manage it, and, most importantly, how our emotions are tied to it. For some, money is a source of confidence and opportunity. For others, it carries a deep-seated fear of scarcity.

Do you love chasing invoices and making sure every single penny you invoice is collected on time? Do you see invoicing as a valuable business activity or as something else?

What should you do next if you have a strained business relationship? In this article, I explore how you might move from a place of fear and frustration to one of realignment and renewed optimism.

We recently had the wonderful experience of taking a three-night journey on the Oriental & Eastern Express from Singapore to Malaysia. To say the service blew our minds is an understatement. Whilst this was undoubtedly a very special, luxury experience, I took away some important lessons in what makes quality service precisely that. Read on for my musings on the subject.

As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect on a journey full of personal and professional growth.

The average person in the UK has approximately £10,000 in savings, so imagine having £100,000 at your disposal.

Life is moving along successfully and you’re happy. Your career is solid, finances stable, health and relationships good, and on the surface, things look great. But there’s a quiet, lingering sense that something is off....