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Building, Coaching, Playing

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Today was all about building, not just in the literal sense of construction, but also building knowledge, relationships, and momentum. From wrapping up a long home project to guiding someone in their finances, to teaming up in a sport, each activity had something to teach.

Finishing a 16-Month Home Refurbishment

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After 16 months of dust, design decisions, and constant coordination, our home refurbishment project finally wrapped up today.  We had a bit of a break in the middle, but overall, it has been a long journey working with an array of skilled tradespeople to bring our vision to life. Our project included, amongst others, working with:

• Damp proofers
• Decorators
• Bricklayers
• Roofers
• Carpet and soft furnishing suppliers
• Landscapers
• Window specialists

Managing this cast of characters taught me a lot about project management in real life. I had to draw on all my budgeting, costing, negotiating, and scheduling skills to keep the refurbishment on track.

Each trade had its schedule and quirks, so flexibility and clear communication were key.  There were days when progress was slow and others when everything happened at once, but we kept pushing forward with Momentum.

I drew on experience to look beyond price when choosing each contractor or supplier. I vetted everyone based on expertise, track record, and recommendations, and whether our personalities fit well. Some quotes came in very low, and some were so high they were clearly “extracting the Michael” (my polite way of saying they were taking the mickey with an outrageous price). Instead of getting bogged down in those extremes, I stayed focused on the big picture: the quality of the work and the end goal of a safe, beautiful home fit for us for now and many years in the future. Now that it’s finished, I feel delighted seeing our plans become a reality.

In the end, it was not about new bricks or fresh paint. It was about creating a space that feels like us, a home aligned with our needs and values. That sense of Meaning made all the effort worthwhile.

Coaching: Beyond the Numbers

Later, I switched from building to coaching and delivered a financial coaching session to a long-standing client. As usual, the conversation ended up being about much more than money. We delved into my client’s life priorities and what their finances truly meant. In this case, security for family, freedom to pursue a passion, and peace of mind for the future. It reinforced that financial coaching is not just about pounds and pence; it’s about aligning money with values and purpose. Behind every spreadsheet number or bank statement is a human goal or ambition.

We talked less about the details and more about what keeps them up at night and the dreams they want to bring to life. By the end of the session, they felt clearer not only about their budget but also about their mindset .It was rewarding to see them connect Money and what matters most in life, linking finances to Meaning and Mind.

Moments like this remind me why I enjoy coaching: it’s as much about coaching someone’s confidence and perspective as it is about helping them build a stronger emotional understanding of their relationship with money.

Playing: Teaming Up on the Padel Court

My wife and I teamed up for a padel league match in the evening. Padel has become our newest shared hobby; we learn as we go. We played one of our scheduled league matches (we make up a mixed doubles team) and bookended it with a few social games on either side for extra fun. It was a great workout and a mental challenge, too. We had to think on our feet, plan our shots, and communicate well as partners on the court.

I’m enjoying the process of learning this sport together with my wife. We pick up new tactics in each game and discover more about each other’s styles under pressure. There is something special about starting from scratch in a new sport as a team: it requires patience, humour, and plenty of mutual encouragement. We celebrated our small wins (a well-placed shot here, a good serve there) and laughed off the missteps (well, mostly!).

In the process, I can feel our partnership strengthening. We’re not just getting Movement and exercise; we’re also building trust and Membership in a little community of fellow padel enthusiasts who cheer each other on.

Lesson of the Day

Each part of today highlighted a different facet of a well-rounded, intentional life. The home build tested our patience and resourcefulness, was a real exercise in money management and mental resilience, and sustained momentum over many months. The coaching session underscored the Meaning behind financial goals and how aligning money with life purpose can bring peace of mind. Our time on the padel court combined movement and membership, which means staying active while bonding with others. In their way, these experiences touched on all of the “six M’s” that align life: Meaning, Money, Mind, Membership, Movement, and Momentum.

Please take my free ALIGN Scorecard to understand your alignment better. It is a structured self-assessment across six key pillars of life and leadership. It only takes five minutes to complete, and when you finish, you will be sent a personalised report that sets your baseline alignment.

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Take the Scorecard here.

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Photo by Oskar Hagberg on Unsplash