The Journal #37
Leaders. TRT. Mud. Struggle.
01. LEADERSHIP - Joe Gaunt
Leaders
At The Hundred 2024 we launched our intention to create a leaders community to add to and impact our mission statement that better men make better fathers, partners, leaders and friends. No more than 30 leaders, with an application process to find leaders who want to be part of a community, help themselves and the other community leaders within this new network.
Speaking to a range of people within business it seems there are quite a few leaders groups becoming available and we will be analysing these as part of our market research strategy between now and when applications to join the group start later in the year (for a Jan 2025 start).
But before we do this, one thing I believe and know will set us apart is that most groups are focused on the symptoms not the cure. That is to say helping address and ‘fix’ business challenges without actually helping equip the leader to be at their best to lead! Physically, mentally, and having the social balance and financial stability to think and act at their best.
So our leaders group will be centred around our 4 pillars of health (mental, physical, social and financial health), personal development and inspiration, fun, networking all with the NXT45 standard we hope we are now known for with our other events to rubber stamp this.
I have had a very lucky career personally and worked with some exceptional leaders along many good and terrible ones too. I have worked for more billion pound (or dollar) valuation companies and personally mentored a range of CEO’s, MD’s and Directors, having done and continuing in all of these roles myself too. Mike has also had an exceptional career as a covert operations leader and together we hope to share our learning and support as part of the group.
We plan to have a once monthly meeting with optional dinner and overnight stay. Then focused support and a tight knit group to help be in touch as much or little as needed. We will also be doing one annual meeting as a retreat and hope to involve partners in this weekend, again, linked directly to our mission.
If you would be interested in joining the waitlist for our leaders group please register interest here.
03. MINDSET - Mike Bates
Mud
When it comes to business it often feels like I’m stuck in the mud.
I’m nearly 4 years in and the ambitious and excitable naivety of entrepreneurship means that one doesn’t really look past the getting off the start line bit. Or perhaps that was just me?!
That naivety and ambition is of course the thing one needs when they decide to resign from a secure MOD career and set up a new service business as the world plunges into lockdown and at the start of a global pandemic.
Naivety and ambition or perhaps a screw loose!
Like a lot of business owners I know exactly where I want to go with my businesses. I see the potential in all of them and I can visualise our future possibilities and successes.
I have less of an idea of how I’m going to get there, what I need to do and how long it will take.
There are so many things out of my control and so much a new and inexperienced entrepreneur like me is yet to learn that planning too far ahead is a pretty pointless exercise.
You just have to keep the faith and work harder than anyone if you really want to stand a chance.
But, it turns out, that’s not enough either.
You need also to give it time.
I’ve been blessed to have met so many people from a much richer slice of society since I plucked up the courage to risk it all and resign from the MOD.
A few of those people have become some of my closest friends.
I was sat next to one of those friends the other week. He’s about as successful as it gets in business and when he speaks about anything business related I shut up and listen.
We were in a room full of highly capable, successful and influential founders, CEOs and MDs, many of whom were sitting atop empires worth £MM (that’s the abbreviation for hundreds of millions apparently - I had to Google it).
My friend turned to me and said, ‘The thing is Mike, all of these lot have been at this game for 10 to 15 years, some even longer. Building a successful business takes time’.
And that’s why it feels like I’m stuck in the mud.
I don’t say it in a negative manner by the way, I’ve learned and accept that getting stuck up to your knees in mud is the price paid for finally making it to the promised land of success (whatever that looks like to you).
Truly good things of any note take hard graft and patience and it will often feel like you’re going nowhere fast. You have to be content being on the journey regardless of the outcome and you must stay the course.
Time and effort is the cost of taking anything new and turning it into something most other people may never experience - a successful business, a huge physical challenge, a lifestyle overhaul, a happy marriage or friendships with your grown up children.
10-15 years of patience, hard work and a little bit of luck…not to get it. Just to see.
That’s your investment in the possibility of your future happiness and future greatness.
Now pull on those wellington boots and wade into the mud.
04. QUOTE
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
08. TIP
If you’re struggling and feel like you’re stuck in the mud here’s a simple tip I use to help gain renewed focus and clarity on both my current struggle and my next move.
Ask yourself this question.
If my life was to continue on this path how would I feel in 3-5 years time (whether I make it or not)?
If your answer is that you accept this struggle and the path you’re walking is the one you’d still want to be on, regardless of outcome, then nothing ought to change.
If however your answer is that you simply can’t do this struggle for another 3-5 years, or you’d only be happy struggling if you succeeded in the end, then you need to jump ship now.
There has to be an acceptance of our current struggle regardless of outcome in order to be content.
Tickets for The Hundred 2025 go live in November.
Here about the release first and gain the biggest discounts by registering here.
We believe that when men live happier, healthier & more fulfilled lives…everyone wins! - NXT45
The Journal by NXT45