Back in 2017 I was made redundant as an Area Manager from a large UK bank. I had been there for 15 years; I was very institutionalized. I loved the bank, and it was all I really knew but that chapter closed.

I had to move forward, and I decided to move forward with what I was good at …. Helping people, and more specifically what I was qualified in, mortgage advice.

When I attended my interview at First Mortgage, Ian and Antony asked me “why are you not applying for the Regional Manager position?”

Maybe there was a bit of self-doubt or impostor syndrome with my confidence taking a knock with my exit from my previous role but truthfully, the real reason I was applying for a mortgage adviser position was the exact response I gave “I want to learn the role of being a mortgage adviser in this broker firm and fully understand it before I lead and develop others in that role”

So, it was set, I would join First Mortgage as a Mortgage and Protection adviser.

No...

I have always been reluctant to talk about my accident, I have never wanted anyone to see me as a victim, I have always been the strong one – the one you turn to for help. And here I was unable to move lying in a hospital bed.

I do not remember my accident, I remember waking up in hospital not knowing I had been in intensive care for 1 week, no one knew I did not remember, they were all used to coming to sit with me every day, unaware that I had no idea what had happened – for me for a while it was like ground hog day. – every day being told I was in an accident, every day asking someone to tell my boss I would not be able to come into work.

The stoma nurse was unaware of my memory loss, she came in to assist me, not knowing, following on from our previous conversation. Busy doing what she needed to do, she did not notice I did not recognise her – I guess as I tend to great everyone with a bright smile, even when the ambulance took me into the emergency ward...

This is Jim Thorpe. Look closely at the photo, you can see that he's wearing different socks and shoes. This wasn't a fashion statement. It was the 1912 Olympics, and Jim, represented the U.S. in track and field. On the morning of his competitions, his shoes were stolen.

Luckily, Jim ended up finding two shoes in a garbage can. That's the pair that he's wearing in the photo. But one of the shoes was too big, so he had to wear an extra sock. Wearing these shoes, Jim won two gold medals that day.

This is a perfect reminder that even when life isn't fair the question is what are you going to do about it today?
Whatever you woke up with this morning; stolen shoes, ill health, failed relationships, failed business, don't let it stop you from running your race.

You've got an impact to make so get on with living. You can have reasons not to or you can have results...but you can't have both.

Imposter syndrome is a fascinating subject to me.

Something I hadn’t had defined until a few years ago, and almost imperceivable in anyone that isn’t you. Someone will tell you they suffer from it, and the immediate and natural response is to try to wonder out how on earth they came to this conclusion. Of course, they can do the job! They do it every day, and they do it well. How could they possibly think they’re an imposter?

Flip it around and I carry it with me every day. I run a franchise business with 9 members of staff, starting off with 2, then 3, then 6, then a second office. It’s successful because it is a franchise. The parent company did all the work, and I’m just carrying the torch. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time to give me a shot as I’m competent, but a leader?

 I’ve been asked to write a blog for Andy Fell. He’s been an inspiration these last couple of years, I read the blogs every week....

6 Steps for preventing burnout: 

• Be aware of how you are feeling. 
  Check-in with yourself. If you saw your best friend struggling, would you ask them, 'Hey, how are you coping? How are you going with your day?' Now ask yourself the questions. 
  
  Awareness is the first step and the key to making changes to support your energy and health. 
  
  

• Make time for active rest and recharge time in your day. 
  Resting and recharging doesn't mean sitting still and thinking about the myriad of tasks needing to be completed. Instead, it is about doing something that helps you feel good and helps turn off the stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol. Maybe your activity is going for a walk, meditation, reading a book, gardening, or creating craftwork. 
  
  Whatever it is that you desire and will recharge you Because, let's face it, you recharge your phone, right? Why wouldn't you recharge your body by giving it recharge and rest time? Make sure to schedule the time rather...

#Player Mindset 

Back in October last year I was privileged to be introduced to Andy through my colleague Amanda Reid at #Firstmortgage. Having been surrounded by all the challenges and negativity being thrown out into the world. This couldn’t have come at a better time.

The last few years had got me thinking about my own personal journey in terms of where I am now and where I want to be, and I suppose as your children begin to grow up and you get older you question what the next chapter in life is. What I do know is that I feel there is still plenty in the locker to give and if anything, I’ve got a few more gears to go through.

I’ve always known that I have a certain set of qualities, values and behaviours that are engrained into my DNA, but to bring that together you need a Vision, Purpose, set of systems, routine and people in your life that bring the best out of you.

My own affirmation is to be committed to living a life of positivity and fulfilment...

                                 Bill McFarlan: The language of leadership

Great leaders as well as great sales/service professionals are great communicators who speak in positives and use strong, committed language. They tell stories, use examples and ‘paint pictures’ to bring their communication to life. They speak with CLARITY and listen to understand.

• Be seen, be heard, be understood!

• Given the hybrid nature of the workforce and frequent use of video technology invest time to get your lighting, backdrop and position of your computer ‘right’.
• Look at the camera! (Smile please ).
• Work on your volume, pace and tone.
• Project energy and enthusiasm.
• Be a slow talker to avoid speaking so fast you leave people behind. Think Sir David Attenborough 

• The 6 language of leadership principles:

• The pyramid of communication
• Talk in pictures and avoid jargon
• ...

This week I wanted to share a passage I found about the damaging impact of cynics and cynicism. 

Whilst I do not agree with every word, I have left the passage as it is written as it is definitely a good thought prompter.

A few points to note:

• I do believe you can be young and wise.
• I have met many people with 'one years experience repeated 20+ years.' These people struggle to adapt to change. They are older but by no means wiser!
• The internet enables you to fast-track your learning, skills development, business ideas and networks in new way that avoid reliance on your immediate environment (family, friends, boss, employer).
• You can create and promote your own business or side hustle in so many ways without relying upon big budgets and years of experience.
• Fail and fail fast to accelerate learning and 'become wise.'

'Don't be afraid to be a fool. Remember you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics....