The question for session 3 was released an hour before the session:
What is the biggest transformation that you have gone through so far? What caused it? What are the lasting effects?
Here are the headlines:
- Jonathan Bradley | Jonathan shares a personal story of transformation during a hot tub experience, where he learned to detach from thoughts, abandoned rigid notions of success, embraced new opportunities, adopted a more relaxed approach to life, and found fulfilment by going with the flow and not taking oneself too seriously.
- Andrew Rimmington | Andrew shares his ongoing transformation as a parent, adapting to challenges, balancing personal goals with his child’s needs, and valuing positive relationships for personal well-being and success.
- Jonathan Nichols | Jonathan Nichols’ business venture transformed his perspective, increased his confidence, and strengthened his commitment to his core values.
- Bryan Chung | Bryan’s transformative journey involves quitting alcohol, experiencing increased clarity and confidence, weighing the pros and cons of drinking, overcoming a lack of confidence, and finding support from friends as he remains committed to his decision.
- Declan Armour | Declan’s journey in the construction industry led to transformative experiences, including learning the importance of business strategy, continuous learning, and shifting perspectives to adapt to change and achieve greater success.
Jonathan, shares a personal story of transformation that occurred during a hot tub experience while on holiday. Despite being in a supposed relaxing environment, Jonathan found himself unable to stop thinking about work and felt a lack of control over his thoughts. Seeking a solution, he searched online for ways to stop overthinking and began reading about detaching from one’s thoughts. This marked the beginning of his transformation.
Over a period of several months, Jonathan decided to abandon his preconceived notions of success and stopped trying to fit every opportunity into his existing model. Instead, he started accepting opportunities as they came, leading to unexpected positive changes. He started saying yes to fair and profitable ventures, even outside of work, which opened up new paths for him.
The lasting effects of this transformation include a shift in perspective and a more relaxed approach to life. Jonathan realized the importance of not taking oneself too seriously and learned to detach from thoughts rather than being consumed by them. He began listening to the wisdom of others and embraced a more open and flexible mindset. As a result, life became less stressful, and he was able to enjoy moments of relaxation without constant worry.
The key learnings from this experience include not being too rigid in thinking, going with the flow of external circumstances, and being open to new opportunities. By putting less pressure on himself and allowing things to unfold naturally, Jonathan found that life became easier to navigate. Although it requires constant practice, this mindset shift has led to a more fulfilling and less stressful existence for him.
This is Andrew’s ongoing transformation as a parent and how he continues to adapt to the challenges of parenthood. He expresses that nobody can fully prepare you for the experience of being a parent, even though you have been a child yourself. Parenthood is a constant process of shaping and adapting to the challenges that arise. Andrew explains that parenting has presented unique difficulties that couldn’t be fully addressed through parenting classes or books. He reflects on the soul-searching and frustration that came from trying to make strategies and techniques work for their specific situation.
Andrew acknowledges that the worry and feeling of inadequacy as a parent never truly goes away, even as his children grow older. He mentions that he has had to transform from being somewhat self-centered to considering someone else’s needs and adjusting his expectations accordingly. While he still has personal goals and ambitions, he recognizes the importance of factoring in his child’s needs as well.
Andrew discusses the nature versus nurture debate and how he has observed differences between his children and those of a friend who have similar paths. He ponders which approach is more effective, as his older children seem more independent and responsible, while the younger ones tend to push boundaries and challenge rules. It’s a constant learning process for him as a parent.
He also shares an anecdote about a situation where his youngest child surprised him and his wife by taking an initiative and spending the day with a friend without informing them. Andrew describes the mixed emotions of being an angry parent who feels disrespected and a proud parent who sees their child’s independence and resourcefulness.
Andrew recalls the difficult process of starting his own business, which was initially motivated by work-related factors and the need for more freedom and flexibility. However, the demands of the business often took precedence, causing some strain in the family dynamics. He mentions the struggle to find a balance between prioritizing the business and giving attention to his family. Over time, he learned to reassess his priorities and not let work overshadow his familial responsibilities.
Reflecting on his journey as a parent and entrepreneur, Andrew emphasizes the importance of choosing the right people to work with and not compromising personal well-being for the sake of success. He mentions the lessons he learned from older mentors and the value of working with individuals who align with his values and foster a positive working environment.
This is Jonathan Nichols, sharing another transformational experience related to starting his own business. Despite the challenging circumstances of being the sole earner in his family with financial responsibilities, Jonathan felt compelled to take the plunge and pursue this opportunity. This decision transformed his thinking and perception of value. It sharpened his focus on productivity while also teaching him to appreciate the value of time and its impact on outcomes.
Jonathan acknowledged the shift from promoting other people’s products to becoming the product himself, which posed a challenge as he had to step out of his comfort zone and practice self-promotion. However, this experience has caused him to become more focused and driven, particularly in aligning his work with his core values. He expressed a genuine passion for helping others and a desire for more freedom with his time, which has shaped his approach to business opportunities.
The lasting effects of this transformation include a different perspective when engaging with both business owners and employees. Jonathan’s journey has given him a deeper understanding and appreciation for the values and challenges of others in the business world. He has also gained more confidence in himself, trusting in his abilities and the genuine reasons driving his choices. He emphasized the importance of staying true to his core values, even if it means making sacrifices at times.
While it is still early in his business journey, Jonathan hopes to continue adhering to his values and believes it is essential for his long-term success. He recognizes the significance of his genuine desire to make a positive impact, even if financial gains are not always immediate. Overall, this transformation has brought about a shift in perspective, increased confidence, and a deeper commitment to his core values.
This is Bryan’s story of transformation, specifically related to his decision to stop drinking alcohol. He explains that the biggest transformation in his life occurred when he set up his own business. Quitting alcohol made him feel more clear-headed and confident. Bryan no longer relies on alcohol to manage his emotions and can experience happiness and sadness without the need for a drink. While he never reached the point of addiction, he used to go out drinking several times a week during his university days.
When considering the pros and cons of drinking versus not drinking, Bryan weighed the fun and enjoyment he experienced from drinking against the negative effects on his health and finances. Initially, he was concerned about the social aspect of not drinking, as it seemed different from what his friends were doing. However, he soon realized that his closest friends were supportive and had no issue with his choice. Going out less frequently did not diminish his social life, and he realized that moderation was a valid option for others, although he personally decided to abstain entirely.
Bryan reflects on a dark phase he went through toward the end of university when he lacked confidence and used drinking as an escape. He would drink to the point of getting drunk because it allowed him to be someone other than himself. However, as time passed, he gained the confidence to be who he wanted to be without relying on alcohol. He mentions that it has been around a year and a half since he quit drinking, and while he occasionally faces temptations on sunny days or social gatherings, he stands by his decision.
Declan’s story is about his journey in the construction industry and the challenges he faced. In 2002, he and his friend started Shanco Construction and experienced success, becoming preferred suppliers for major contractors. However, in 2014, due to the recession, their business went into liquidation. They faced dropping margins, aggressive payment terms, and tough decisions. They decided to regroup and explore a different business model, focusing on the modular sector and finding clients who could add value.
During this time, Declan had a conversation with Dave, their former bank manager, who asked him about their long-term strategy and exit plan. This conversation made Declan realize that while they excelled in the operational side of their business, they lacked knowledge in business strategy and structure. This realization prompted Declan to embark on a journey of learning and self-improvement.
Declan joined the Challenging Leaders Group, where he underwent a seismic shift in mindset. He was regularly put in the hot seat, facing challenging questions and coming out of the sessions with a renewed perspective. Through this process, Declan learned the importance of continuous learning, reading, connecting with others, and asking questions. He realized that challenging his beliefs and seeking new approaches was crucial for growth and success.
Declan also mentioned a transformational moment when they started looking at their market position rather than comparing themselves to the previous year’s performance. They shifted their perspective and recognized that they had more potential to achieve greater success.
Declan’s story highlights the challenges and transformations he experienced in his business journey, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, adapting to change, and re-evaluating one’s strategies and market position.