So, this might sound a bit weird to say this, but I think I just fired, and I can honestly say, I am so happy about it. The reason that I am so pleased, and why I'm counting this as a win, is that for the first time in a long time, I stood my ground and refused to take the blame for something which was out of my control. ⛔️ As a video editor with nearly a decade of experience at the BBC and beyond, I know I'm good at my job, so when a contact had reached out a while ago and asked for my help, I agreed, even offering a reduced rate as an intro offer, knowing that they were a start-up. After a brief discussion, we all confirmed that the edit should only take a couple of days. ✌️ Unfortunately, missing elements, graphics, footage, links, and general hiccups meant I wasn't provided the info I needed, and even after asking for it and outlining why, it still took longer, and the days kept rolling. However, I still kept going, hoping to support them so that we could all grow together. Then today I got an email questioning why it wasn't finished, complaining that the project was dragging on. 😳 Before joining skool, and meeting amazing people in communities like this one, I probably would have apologised, but combined with projects that I have been completing in another school environment, I have rediscovered my confidence again. So I replied, outlining everything I had done. All of the elements that I had requested had not been provided. All of the additional hours that I had put in to support them, even when the issues were outside of my control. All of the suggestions that, as a professional TV, video and audio editor, I felt could improve their process, workflows and effectiveness to ensure a future streamlined delivery. As yet I haven't had a response, and tbh, I'm hoping that I don't get one either. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself that not all money is good money. Know your value, because the wins don't always have to come with a financial element, and sometimes, just finding a part of you which you thought you had lost is priceless.

Yes, it’s already Tuesday here in Japan! I live in the future!!🤣 Anyways, today I would like to discuss the ‘Law of Attraction.’ I imagine most of you have at least heard of it at some point. Regardless of how much you know, here is a great summary of it that I really recommend reading: What Is the Law of Attraction? Now, for a bit of a story… Back in my early 20s, I worked in the summer, between university semesters, for a friend I met at the chess club (chess has allowed me to meet so many interesting people, but that’s a topic for another post!). He is a very successful small-scale entrepreneur, who owns and runs a high-end woodworking shop just outside of my hometown. Next to his shop, he lives in a beautiful house right by the river, has some nice cars, plays golf most weekends in the summer, etc. You get the picture – a successful entrepreneurial boomer. I did landscaping for him, building rock walls, pouring cement, etc., with him mentoring me, and during our time working together, he would sometimes try to teach me things about life. One of the things he told me, referring to the Law of Attraction, was “you can have anything you want in life, but you must be patient, and you gotta work hard,” or something along those lines (he also had a CD about the Law of Attraction in his truck, which I would listen to while running errands in it). Naturally, as a ‘university educated,’ ‘rational’ person, with a background in psychology and a good understanding of research, statistics and probability, I objected: “But, but…Plenty of people who work hard don’t get anywhere! The system is against them! Bad things happen to plenty of good people! Simply thinking about a Porsche won’t magically bring it into your life!” were some of the things I said confidently, in retort. I wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I was missing the point… He wasn’t trying to tell me that for sure my dream car would appear one day if I thought about it hard enough, even though that’s what his words may have said on the surface level…

I’m sure everyone here is aware of this, so I’d like to send this as a “reminder”. Your environment is either building you up or breaking you down. It’s either pulling you forward or pulling you back. And most people don’t realize it’s happening until years later. Back then, I thought “environment” meant the people around you and the place you live. And it does. But today, our environment also includes something we carry in our pockets all day. Your phone. Your feeds. Your social platforms. Lucky us, we found a positive platform like this. You might not choose every thought you have (which I think you do), but you definitely DO choose what you consume daily. And what you consume becomes what you believe is normal and acceptable. Unfiltered inputs create unfocused outputs. Filter what you consume. 😉 When I started my previous career, I made a decision about social media that honestly changed everything for me. I cleaned it up. I got intentional. I started following people who raised my standard. I removed anything that made me weaker, distracted, or average. And over time, it helped me stay sharper, more focused, and hungrier. Because my environment kept pulling me in the right direction. So here’s your Monday challenge: 1️⃣ Take 5 minutes today and audit your environment. People, places, routines, and especially your feeds. If it’s not helping you become who you want to be, it’s probably helping you stay who you are. Is that what you want? 2️⃣ Quick exercise: I’d love it if we could learn and inspire each other. Post your favorite 1–3 quotes below. The kind of quotes you’d want on a wall, in your notes app, or on your mirror. A quote that INSPIRES you! And if you can, write them down and carry them with you, especially when your motivation goes down.

Quick heads-up before you read anything below: watch the video first 😅 Without it, this caption won’t make sense. In the video I share the a quick life update, what the last months have looked like, and why I’m genuinely fired up right now… because a new journey starts tomorrow. Now here’s the perspective I wanted to add. (after you watched the video...) On Friday, I called my supervisor, and we talked for 40 minutes before I even officially started. Why? Because I’ve never been the type to walk into an opportunity without first understanding what “greatness” looks like. I don’t want to guess. I don’t want to wing it. I want to know the standard, the expectations, and the best way to win. So today I’m reading and studying 15–20 documents to be even more ready for tomorrow. That’s the kind of leadership I respect. The kind of preparation I respect. The kind of effort that makes people want to work with you. And that’s also why I created this community. To remind each other that we can always give a little more than what’s expected, and we’ll usually receive more than we even imagined, because we’re becoming the type of person who earns it. Jim Rohn often cited the biblical principle: “You reap what you sow.” Whatever you’re reaping right now is what you’ve been sowing. And if you don’t like the crop, the answer is in the mirror. Sow bad, reap bad. Sow good, reap good. And here’s the kicker: you never reap what you sow; you reap more. It multiplies, positive or negative. So I’m choosing to sow preparation, discipline, and leadership. Because that’s the crop I want. For years, I’ve heard people complain that their boss is an asshole. My perspective: if you show up lazy, unprepared, and entitled, your boss will probably feel like an asshole to you. But if you show up sharp, proactive, and dependable, the whole relationship changes. Wish me luck in this next journey. We’re walking through it together. My question for you: Looking at your life right now, what’s ONE area where you could give just 1% more this week? This month? This year?

I saw this a few minutes ago and had to share with y'all. ↙️ Go on ChatGPT and ask: "Create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me.” It might ask you to upload a few photos (mine did), and honestly… it nailed it 😂 You can also guide it if you don’t use ChatGPT much, just tell it about your job, career, or what you’re building. This kind of image is actually super useful: social media, skool profile or about page, website, print it and keep it at home, or just for fun 😅 I’m sharing mine here because this is a great example of how AI can be used in a creative, positive way, not just for work. 👇 Drop yours below if you try it Let’s hype each other up and have some fun with it. ⏰ Reminder: We’ve got our usual 10:30 AM call today (open for everyone). No agenda, just chatting, connecting, and getting to know each other like always. Open space for any questions, ideas, or topics you want to bring up. I do have to take my cat to the vet at 11:30 AM (yearly check-up 🐾), but I’ll be fully present with you all for that hour 😎 See you soon 🙌