I get it. You’re constantly bombarded with glossy gurus sitting in podcast studios, promising seven-figure freedom from a hammock in Bali - with nothing but an iPhone and a 'six-step to success' plan.
Affiliate Marketing, Dropshipping, E-books. Even $million uber-trendy coaching businesses. We've seen it all!
As impressive as they are, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll see the truth: Most of them have never built an actual business.
Never bootstrapped from zero, scaled a team, or risked it all on a product launch. They’ve never navigated the chaos of managing people, branding something bigger than themselves, or experienced the sleepless nights of investing their savings on an idea.
They’re not selling wisdom, they’re selling a course. And let’s be honest, no amount of PR, great styling or swaying palm trees can help you figure out how to align your life in a way that truly lights you up, and help you design the steps to get there.
Where do they stand on human rights? Capitalism? Have they worked in the Charity sector? Faced an insolvecy? Raised funding through grant bodies or worked on the boards of multiple companies? How do they deal with the tough moments? How do they reconcile the idealism of capitalism with custodianship of the natural world?
I know how appealing money and accolades can be; because that was me four years ago. Chasing awards and the next "big deal".
The small company I’d built as a single mum on a shoestring had grown beyond my wildest dreams, delivering buildings from the Outer Hebrides to the coasts of Cornwall.
It looked like I’d made it. But in reality? I was feeling trapped and exhausted.
My very small children barely saw me, I missed christmas pantomimes, school pick-ups and first words. When they did see me I overcompensated. Trips to theme parks and Aquaparks, expensive toys and grand adventures. I hired a cleaner and gardener to help me at home.
What became apparent was that I wasn't actually "free", anymore. And neither were my children. We were in a race to the top - at the expense of the "now".
I recognise now that success means nothing if it’s not nourishing your soul.
Today, I find much more fulfillment in advocating, writing, helping others build their futures and home educating my children.
I now cook from scratch, find solace in doing my own gardening, clean my own house and take more time to enjoy each minute with my children.
It's a liberating step forward in a world which screams for profit-at-all-costs!!
Because real wealth isn’t measured in revenue. It’s measured in peace, purpose, and alignment.
So I’ll leave you with this:
What is it your soul came here to do?
