This week we caught up with Phil & Pauline Sanderson who hold a number of world records in the Mountaineering world including:
• The World’s longest climb – The Dead Sea (lowest point) to Everest (highest point)
• The 1st British married couple to summit Everest – Only 2 couples have ever done this
• And the the world record for…well I explain more in the video below…
There are so many parallels between planing and executing an expedition to starting an online business. I would suggest the most important parallel is ‘mindset’, and both Phil & Pauline admit the key success factor for them has always been taking control of the conversation that happens in their head.
They both experience doubt, they both experience ‘imposter syndrome’ (I’m not good enough to be here) and they both feel like giving up when things go wrong. Have you ever felt like that?
So why don’t they give up where others have?
Because of the conversation they have in their heads. They take control of the negative thoughts they hear.
What we also love about Phil & Pauline is how they have used their achievements to help a number of charities including:
SOS Childrens Villages ( The world’s largest orphan charity)
And Practical Action – a charity using technological solutions to help tackle poverty around the world.
And probably the most important take away message from Phil & Pauline is, no matter what journey you are on, TAKE TIME TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
Stephen
I find so many in business are unsatisfied with simply selling ‘stuff’.
Sure, we need to sell ‘stuff’ to keep the bread on the table, but what if there was more to business, more to life, than just selling ‘stuff’?
What if our business, what if our life, was about living out our values so as to make a difference in this world while at the same time providing for those we are responsible for?
One of the reasons we sign post people to the business start up programmes at SFM is because, having been through the system ourselves, and having met with the founders and lead team, we’ve seen it’s not about getting people to sell stuff.
Sure, there are some ready made resources for newbies starting out with to sell if they choose to, and as newbies we found that really helpful as we had nothing to sell, but it’s not about that.
The core of the SFM programme is about helping people understand their Vision, Mission, Purpose and Values, so they can become the best version of themselves in business and in life whether they choose to sell SFM stuff or not.
There’s very few programmes that offer that support.
Take SFM student, Rob Sewell as an example. I shared something of Rob’s transformation from Drug & Alcohol abuse to six figure business owner here:
In going through the SFM programme Rob now appreciates:
1. The impact of speaking truth & empowering others
2. The hardships he’s overcome and how they’ve helped him find his true purpose
3. How the experiences you go through forge your values
4. How he’s stepped into his purpose and launched his own coaching business
Rob now seeks to serve others by acting as a guiding light that shows people a space where they feel safe and understood.
Rob’s Vision, Mission, Purpose & Values
And while no income is guaranteed by any programme, after pinpointing his purpose with SFM, Rob’s income through his online business is such that it allows him the financial freedom to take each Friday off to volunteer with those who are struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, and given him the time freedom he so longed for with his family that his corporate job never gave him.
So, in the week ahead, perhaps you can reflect on what your business is about and whether it’s aligned to your true purpose?
If you’re interested in learning how to create a sustainable business based on your values, then click here to get started with our complimentary video training series delivered straight to your inbox.
You know, many people talk about ‘thinking big’ in business and in life to succeed, and I get that, but this week I want to encourage you to simply think small, in both your business and personal life.
In the video below I share two examples of people who are making a big difference in this world not by thinking big, but by thinking small, one of whom is a 16 year old girl who through small acts is making a huge difference…
Finally, as we all think about ways to generate wealth to make a difference in this world, I want to leave you with some of the last words Steve Jobs shared before he passed away at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer:
“At this moment, lying on the bed, sick and remembering all my life, I realize that all my recognition and wealth that I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death.
You can hire someone to drive a car for you, make money for you – but you cannot hire someone to carry the disease for you.
One can find material things, but there is one thing that can not be found when it is lost – “LIFE”. So, love the people God sent you, one day he’ll need them back…”
May we all make a big difference in the week ahead by thinking small.
She was a 5 year old refugee in the Netherlands from Iraq, yet a simple act of kindness shown to her caused her to take action over 25 years later.
Please click here to watch this message.
Having worked with refugees in the past, it reminded me of a similar personal experience when, thanks to the internet, and a desire and tenacity on the part of the other party, I was contacted by a very special individual who I never thought I would ever hear from again.
It happened one Christmas, and for me, that reconnection was the best Christmas gift I received.
There’s a lot of talk in our world about how to invest our finances, and that’s fine, but let’s not forget that by investing in each other with simple acts of kindness we can create a dividend for others and our ourselves that unlike money, can’t be devalued.
If like me, you grew up before the internet age, can see its amazing benefits and potential and would like to learn how to use this tool to create a profitable business aligned to your values which you’re genuinely passionate about, but don’t know where to start, then click here to claim our complimentary video series which explains more.
Stephen
So as you consider your options around which path to take on your online business journey, we’d like to share another inspiring online business start up story with you, that of Holly Barras, from here in the UK.
After dealing with the death of one child, Holly, as a single working Mum, had to contend with the issues around supporting her remaining son who had been diagnosed with cancer.
In the short video below Holly shares how she managed to quit her job to battle her son’s cancer and how her inspiring brand was born and developed from this period of personal struggle:
- What does it take to create a strong brand identity?
- What challenges did she have to overcome?
- What investment did she have to make to create her own business?
- What is the most important thing while creating your own inspiring brand?
- And, what are Holly’s vision and future plans?
Holly discusses these important questions in the inspiring interview below:
Click here to be redirected to youtube to watch this inspiring video
You know, you don’t have to hold a formal qualification to be able to educate another, in fact, my interaction with children and babes have given me many a great lesson that you can’t learn from a lecture theatre.
Specifically, it was the experience of holding abandoned dying babies that made me realise that for some people, life is just a day. Though newly born, they are fully human just like you, just like me, it’s just they never had the chance to grow old in this world like you or me. The lesson if you will, or question that remains with me from this experience is this:
If for some people, their lifetime is but a day, does that mean if I waste a day, I’m actually guilty of wasting a lifetime?
We all need to number our days, and apply ourselves to that which has lasting value, so why not create a business to add value to others based on our core values?
If you are interested creating a brand identity from your life lessons, if you’re interested in starting an online business based on your core values, if you’re interested in a no risk free trial of the very same educational and mentoring system that and Holly & I started out with with, then why not set up your own FREE TRIAL account by clicking here.
You’ll be able to explore the system at your own time and pace, have a FREE 1-2-1 with a system consultant over the phone at a time convenient to yourself, and if you feel it’s not for you, then you can cancel at any time without any additional cost to yourself.
Here’s to you being yourself, and here’s to your online success!
Stephen
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The events brings folk together from around the country who want to show solidarity in making a difference in this world, people who simply want to be a light.
Andrew Galloway Photography
And this week was no exception as the north west facing ridge of Fleetwith Pike, Buttermere, was illuminated by the head torches of those who braved the cold to raise funds for Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA).
Nick Landels Photography
CYA believe with a passion that all young people have potential but that some simply need a helping hand to realise that potential. Their mission is to “Work with and for young people in Cumbria to help them reach their full potential”, particularly those who may be disadvantaged.
This week’s light festival was the third and final event of the team’s year, raising over £1,200 for CYA’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and bringing the 2018 total to more than £13,000 for various good causes.
To find out more about the Lakeland Festival of Light series, you can click here
Stephen & Grace on Fleetwith Pike
Of course, you don’t have to put a head torch on and climb a hill at night to be a light in the community where you live. Through words of encouragement; even just a quick phone call to someone who’s on your mind, and simple acts of kindness; even offering to make a cup of tea for a busy colleague, we can easily look out for one another and be there for one another to make a difference, to be a light in their world, and cumulatively, wow, what illumination we can bring. That’s what true community is about.