I've been sitting here with my topic for this week’s newsletter ready to start to write it up, but I am plagued by all kinds of things that are going on right now. One of the things that I have been reflecting on is what a rollercoaster this year has been – a year that I probably won’t forget in a hurry.
Challenges will always come at us from all directions. Some we see on the horizon and can prepare for, others sneak up like a thief in the in the night and are completely unexpected. As entrepreneurs, it's part of our job to respond to challenges in the best possible way - to learn from them, move forward, and where possible, put strategies in place to avoid similar situations in the future.
I'm writing this week's newsletter in the midst of my own challenges. There are an enormous amount of personal challenges affecting my family life and my own health right now. I'm sharing this not for sympathy, but because balancing these challenges - with my calling to serve you my readers, my community, my private clients, and my mastermind members - has taught me something valuable.
Whether we like it or not, entrepreneurship is never going to be a straight line from where we are today to the success, goals or the achievement of our personal ambitions that we have for our self and our business.
As we approach the end of 2024 and look toward 2025, many see a new dawn and new opportunities. But the reality is, challenges don't disappear with the turning of a calendar page. What can change, however, is how we prepare to face them.
What I would like to do this week is unpack what I believe to be the cornerstones for my success in business over the decades. I haven’t named them anything sexy as a framework, I simply refer to them as The Four Foundations.
The Power of Strong Foundations
If you think of your business like a house, you can have the most beautiful interior design, the most expensive fixtures, and the grandest plans - but without solid foundations, it's all at risk. As I share these four key foundations that I hold close to my heart, I want you to know that these aren't just theoretical concepts - they're battle-tested areas that I spend time focussing on that have helped me navigate both success and setbacks.
Foundation 1: Maintenance
It’s All About Self-Care
Your business can only grow as far as you can sustain it
Let me share a personal story that taught me this lesson the hard way...
When I left employment for full-time entrepreneurship, I had this romantic idea that I'd work less and earn more. "We can earn more in less time," I told my business partner back then. Oh, how wrong I was! The reality was more work, more stress, and eventually, during the 2008-2009 recession, complete business collapse and burnout.
This experience taught me something invaluable - success without sustainability is just delayed failure. Today, I carve out time and energy to focus on three elements to ensure I do look afer myself first.
1. Health
- Regular exercise slots blocked in my calendar
- Join a team sporting activity (I have joined the Swindon Storm Americal Football Team)
- A better sleep schedule – that is improving all the time now I have my Whoop! (click here to get yours and a month free)
- Proper nutrition (yes, even during busy time and travel!)
2. Rest
- Scheduled downtime
- Regular breaks between client calls
- Complete disconnect days (harder than it sounds!)
3. Productivity Levers
- Organised calendar blocking
- Clear client boundaries
- Efficient triage systems for enquiries
- Structured admin time
Here’s something you can do this week to make a start on getting this foundation in place in your business:
Look at your calendar for the past month. How many slots were dedicated to your self-care and personal maintenance? If it's less than 20% of your time, start to time block and make space for it moving forward – you’ll thank me later.
Foundation 2: Mindset
It’s Beyond Positive Thinking
Scaling requires a growth mindset and resilience.
In the coaching space, we spend a lot of time working on mindset. So many coaching sessions that I have sat in on or led were addressing those pesky limiting beliefs.
- "I don't have time"
- "Who's going to listen to me?"
- "I'm not ready yet"
- "The market is too crowded"
And believe me, those voices have been in my head too.
What I have observed though is that most coaches that have a huge focus on helping you to change your mindset, fail to tell you that positive thinking alone won't build a successful business.
It’s often just about practicing gratitude and trying to flip the voices to say something different. Your mindset like a muscle - it needs both training AND practical application.
During the pandemic, I watched countless entrepreneurs pivot and reinvent themselves. They struggled so much that they gave in too soon in my opinion. The most successful people who road that storm in the business world were the ones that didn't just pivot - they persevered.
Remember that story from Think and Grow Rich about the gold mine? The one where the prospector gives up just yards away from striking gold? I've seen this play out countless times in business. Sometimes, instead of pivoting or reinventing, we just need to push through.
Changing the stories that mind is telling us is one thing, but once we have done that, we need to take responsible action and push through.
Foundation 3: Mentorship
The Power of Guided Experience
The fastest way to succeed is to follow someone who's walked the path before you.
Here's something I've learned after years of both when receiving and providing mentorship - there's a huge difference between having a coach and having a true mentor.
Think about climbing Mount Everest.
You could…
- Read books, watch YouTube videos and listen to people talking about climbing (Education)
- Join a climbing gym (Training)
- Hire someone to create a workout plan (Coaching)
But what really increases your chances of success if you wanted to climb Everest and summit it?
The answer - having a Sherpa who's made the climb multiple times and will walk the path with you.
This year, I've been incredibly fortunate to find my business Sherpa in the form of one Mr Chris Ducker. True mentorship isn't about someone standing at the summit with a megaphone, shouting instructions. It's about someone walking beside you, sharing their experiences, and helping you navigate the specific challenges of your journey. That’s what I have found in Chris – thank you my friend 🫶🏻
The Mentor Checklist...
If you are looking for a mentor, here’s a quick checklist of what I would urge you to consider when looking…
- Combined value alignment (crucial!)
- A demonstratable (if that is even a word) and proven success path that goes in the direction you want to go in.
- Accessibility and genuine interest in your growth, not just a “Join my programme” type of guru that you never get to spend any time with after you join.
- A willingness to share both successes AND failures with you.
- Someone who challenges your thinking, yet is there to encourage you also.
And can I give some tough love? Those who are coaches, mentors, trainers and consultants – if you offer your clients any kind of mentorship, yet you are not investing in it yourself, let me ask you… “Why don’t you believe in it enough to invest in it for yourself?” A tough question but want to challenge those who might be reading this and that don’t have that mentor alongside them.
My own journey to find the RIGHT mentor has been a long one. I have kissed a few frogs in my journey to say the least, but I pressed on as I knew I needed to find the right person. Your journey might take you all over the place too, but persevere, you will find that perfect mentor.
Foundation 4: Mastermind
The Multiplication Effect
Success leaves clues, and collaboration accelerates growth.
You've probably heard the saying, "You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with." In business, this couldn't be more true.
Being in a room (virtual or physical) with other successful people provides something invaluable - a living, breathing success library for you to tap into when you need to. In a great mastermind, each person brings their own experiences, challenges, and solutions. It's like having multiple mentors and thinking partners all at once.
Let me share something personal...
(I am writing this on Wednesday and scheduling it for Sunday, before it takes place…) This weekend, I've been meeting with my own mastermind group for our year-end session. Quite frankly I LOVE the people I have been able to serve this year - some are renwing for next year too.
“The collective wisdom in that room is worth more than any course or program I could buy.” Was something that the newest member to join shared with me a few months ago. Why? Because the mastermind I facilitate is NOT a high-priced training programme with a hundred people in a room, it's a select few that come together and are not spending their time just sharing theories – the room is a place where people are we're sharing real-world experiences, challenges, and solutions.
A mastermind should be a place where the power of collective wisdom is on display…
- Different perspectives on common challenges
- Shared resources and connections
- Accountability and support
- Real-time problem solving
- Collaborative opportunities
Putting It All Together
Your 2025 Foundation Blueprint
These four foundations - Maintenance, Mindset, Mentorship, and Mastermind - aren't just nice-to-haves. They're essential building blocks for sustainable success.
Here's how to start laying these foundations…
- Maintenance Audit
- Block out health and rest time in your calendar FIRST
- Review and streamline your systems
- Set clear boundaries for work hours and client access
- Mindset Development
- Write down your limiting beliefs
- Create an action plan to challenge each one
- Build your resilience through small, consistent challenges
- Mentorship Search
- Identify 3-5 people who've achieved what you want
- Follow their content
- Look for alignment in values and approach
- Reach out authentically to see if they offer mentoring in a group or one to one if it’s not obvious (no spammy copy-paste messages though please!)
- Mastermind Commitment
- Find, join and make a commitment to a group of like-minded entrepreneurs
- Prioritise the regular meetings the mastermind offers (they should become non-negotiables in your calendar)
- Be prepared to both give and receive at every meeting
The challenges won't stop coming. But with these foundations in place, you'll be better equipped to face them and turn them into springboards for growth. This week ask yourself these questions…
- Which foundation needs the most work in your business?
- What's one action step you'll take this week to strengthen it?
- How could a community support you best, and what does that community look like?
If you're ready to make 2025 your tipping point year, I have two invitations for you:
Join My Mastermind – Click here for all the information – There are Limited spots available, you get direct access to me and a selected group of success-minded entrepreneurs with regular calls and two, multi-day, in person meetings during 2025.
Join My Community – Click here to join with 2024 prices before they increase in 2025 – I give support and encouragement with weekly live Q&A sessions, constant resource sharing and encourage collaboration in the community.
Whether you're ready for the investment in mastermind or looking to start with a supportive community, there's a place for you.
I would be honoured to serve you.
Remember… success does not have to be solo journey. Let's build these foundations together and forget about Alonepreneurship!
Here's to your success in 2025,
P.S. I'd love to know which foundation resonates most with you right now. Drop a comment on the newsletter or join tomorrow's live Q&A in the community and bring your questions there.
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