Teaching a skill isn’t easy—or is it? Have you ever tried to teach a skill to someone? A skill that you find easy, only to find out it’s as comprehensible to your trainee as quantum physics to a toddler (or even a grown up!)? If this is you, you may be possessed by… cue spooky music, the Curse of Talent! ? Why would being a whiz at something be a curse? When you’re learning new things, you become aware of and try to remember, each key point and step along the way. As you practice or repeat a new technique, you make mistakes. Every mistake gives you feedback on what doesn’t work. You respond by ..read more

Unravelling the mysterious workings of our inner cosmos Today, we’re delving deep into the inner workings of our minds, exploring the fascinating realms of time coding and mental space. So buckle up and prepare for a mind-bending adventure! Below this short blog post, you can find the podcast/interview I did with Aaron at Raglan Radio. I’ve included some approximate timestamps so you can find the juicy bits of particular interest to you. Time Coding Ever wondered why some folks are always fashionably (or annoyingly) late, while others arrive with military precision? Time: an ever-present illus ..read more

Why systems thinking questions? I bet that, like me, you’ve made some reactive decisions which turned out to be—shall we say—less than useful? Okay then, what about ‘pretty disastrous?’ (Glad to know it isn’t just me!) Decision-making mistakes knock our confidence, leaving us feeling tentative about future choices. What if there was a way to consider all the choices and their repercussions, and that left you feeling confident about your decision? Ta da! Introducing Systems Thinking Questions Systems thinking questions could well be the alternative to choosing based solely on some lightweight a ..read more

How to apply systems thinking to your life decisions In a previous post, Systems Decoded: Unravelling The Surprising Forces That Bind Us, I gave an overview of what systems are, and how different parts of systems are interconnected. I promised some practical examples of systems thinking so you can solve problems, make successful decisions and create a life you want. Brace yourself—this is that post. Too often people try to solve their problems in a linear, procedural manner, usually by whipping up a list or following typical A leads to B, leads to C thinking.  Let’s examine some more usef ..read more

Systems: A beginner’s guide to life’s invisible networks Hey there fellow earthling! Today, we’re off on an enlightening journey to unravel the mystery of systems—a concept as pervasive in our lives as the air we breathe, and often just as unnoticed. In this post we’ll uncover how these invisible threads intricately weave the tapestry of our existence and interconnected world. I’ll lay the groundwork for how systems work in this post. In future posts, I’ll explain how you can navigate systems to work for thinking, relating to others, solving problems and achieving the best outcomes possible. S ..read more

Welcome to a dog’s tail tale! Strap in, for a tale sprinkled with paws, laughter, and a dollop of doggy love. This isn’t my usual mind-bending, skill-enhancing post. Today, it’s all about Ragz, my Tibetan terrier; my ‘Ragamuffin Dog’. Born on a day when love is celebrated worldwide (Feb 14 for the non-romantically inclined!) Ragz has been a constant presence in both my life and my work. As many of you who’ve crossed paths with us know, Ragz was more than a dog—he was a character, a companion, and a source of countless smiles and endless love. Today, I’d like to share with you not just the stor ..read more

It can strike the best of us, this pesky ‘fear of failure.’ One minute you’re dreaming big—like Elon-Musk-on-a-space-odyssey big—and the next, you’re shrinking back into the cozy but oh-so-limiting cocoon of your comfort zone. Imagine you’re teetering on the brink of starting something fabulous; a giant leap of a goal, a brain-tinglingly exciting new hobby, finally sorting out that jungle you call a garden. Then, like a bad movie cliché, in swoops the fear fiend, hissing doubts in your ear. “How in blazes will I do this?” “What if it’s a cataclysmic flop?” “Who do I think I am?” “People wil ..read more

Conflict Resolution is rarely easy — or simple For successful conflict resolution, you need guts, tenacity, compassion, and a willingness to see different viewpoints. You also need resilience, good emotional intelligence, and sometimes, a thick skin. It’s very useful to have a proven process. The process, along with the other skills and personal traits, can all be learned. This post contains a conflict resolution strategy, which will be demonstrated through a relatable scenario. You’ll also find other articles on the website that deal with complementary traits. So, if you’re ready to dive into ..read more

Conflicts often evoke negative connotations, from altercations to avoidance, but reframing our perceptions can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and resolution. In this guide, we’ll explore strategies to avoid a potential conflict and maintain peace in various situations. Rethinking potential conflict Your thoughts about conflict may conflict with the truth! When I ask people to think of conflict, they often conjure up negative images and sounds; Altercations and shouting Sulking Crying Avoidance Abusive language Even physical fighting and war! Thinking about conflict in any ..read more

From Caravan Chaos to Tiny House Triumph This blog post is an update and follow-on from my Out Of The Loop post a year ago. Please read that post first, otherwise this post won’t make much sense — and you’ll think I’m even crazier than I really am! With the assumption that you’ve read that post, I’ll carry on from where I left off. Apologies It’s been a genuine struggle to get this information into just one post! Once I’d crossed the 8,000 word threshold (don’t worry it’s not that long!), I decided to turn the blog into an eBook instead! Thing is, there’s an entire year to cover. However, I st ..read more