Today’s thought is very much about being strong.
I remember saying to some of my u14’s during a football coaching session when they were finding it difficult to break down the opposition. I said to them, ‘calm waters never make a good sailor’.
Two things.
Firstly, my good friend sent me the below today, which I thought has to be a Friday Thought! The first 6 months of 2026 have been a rollercoaster of a ride to say the least!
Secondly, I saw on LinkedIn last night, someone who I know said in a post, they were in their dream job at their dream company until one day they walked into an office, and when walking out there was no job. Everything fell apart in her world from the moment she’d walked into that office, due to ‘restructuring’ of her role. It took her a while to figure things out, and fast forward she’s now a coach and helps people find their true north. With the recent testimonial being, a client of hers, who she’s been working with for a few months landed their favourite job!
Sometimes, it may seem failure at the time but it’s all part and parcel of success.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at Nottingham Trent University. My topic was, The Art of Collaboration.
Whilst I won’t go into the details of what the Art of Collaboration is, I will share that it was a great evening. Thank you to NTU for the invite and letting me part of the Business Leaders Lectures.
Now, you might be thinking, ‘well Bal, tell us a little about the Art of Collaboration’.
Ok, ok… it’s basically broken down into 4 pillars.
I spoke about a couple of sub-points under each one, for example how important Trust is when you are collaborating.
I spoke about how you build relationships and then how you must build psychological safety. An area or space for people to connect, talk and openly share their ideas.
If you’d like to learn more about collaboration, then feel free to get in touch with me. I’m all over social media!
And I’ll be doing some more talks in the near future! So look out for posters and information. Best thing, if you’re not already, is connect with me on social media channels as I’ll be posting on there where and when I’m talking.
In addition, just a reminder, if you’re looking for some professional coaching – I’m doing that too! Well, to be honest, I’ve been doing it for a while… years and years, and recent feedback encouraged me to go open with it and help mentor and coach more folk. Again, reach out to me if you’d like the opportunity to talk!
With so much going on in the world right now, big ego’s & leaders fighting, there’s one thing many of us who are not at that level or involved should be…
Being kind is the only way we should be. Everyone is fighting their own individual battles. And where we can, we should support.
Oil prices are going higher and higher. We know this will have a knock on effect to all prices, such as food, clothing.. literally everything. And we should be prepared. It doesn’t mean we start stockpiling, but really thinking about the impact on those who it could effect the most.
Be kind.
Some Monday Motivation for you – Consistency is Key.
The key to success. In the book, Atomic Habits, it’s all about consistently doing what you enjoy doing. I’ve got a post it note on my wall..
It’s the ‘little bit every day’ that will ultimately help you achieve your goals. I love to read (as most of you know) and I try to aim for 20-30 minutes of reading every day. The book I’m currently on is called ‘Influence’ by Robert B. Cialdini. Great book,. Only on Chapter 2, but already, it’s giving me ideas on what we can do and how to influence key stakeholders.
It’s a big ol’ book! And I know it’ll take me a while to read, but if I’m consistent with the book, for example, read for about 30 minutes a day (and then make some notes – which I like to do), I’ll have it finished in no time. Sometimes, a big book or a huge task/goal can seem daunting. But when broken down, can be managed.
We all have hobbies and activities we enjoy doing. For example, on the weekends we might enjoy washing the car or playing football. Whatever it is, you could really excel at it if you are consistent.
An element of this is the learning part. You will keep learning. Sometimes from mistakes you make. Sometimes from others you are surrounded by. Sometimes from what you’re picking up and understanding from more experienced people.
Take my football journey for example. Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of football training videos on youtube. Then I was asked by the local grass roots football club Under 12’s to help coach their team. Their form wasn’t the greatest recently. The coaches shared with me that they don’t pass and move enough. A bit static. And some other concerns. So I made a plan, and held a training session. It went really well. Caught up with the coaches after and they said that the kids played really well on the weekend! Took in everything that I had shared with them. I only shared what I’d been watching, learning and taking in on a daily basis around football.
Football is my example.
What is your example?
If you don’t have one, become consistent with an activity or hobby, then share with me in a month or two.
Today’s thought is a little different from the usual quotes I share.
Students from Eindhoven University of Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences and Summa College formed a team and built an electric car you can literally repair in your driveway!
🔧 Modular battery? Six 12‑kg packs you lift out by hand
🔩 Body panel scratched? Click it off and swap it in minutes
🧰 Built‑in toolbox + an app that shows the car’s full status
⏱️ Timeline: 12 months … that’s it!
Meanwhile, today’s major EV makers are sealing batteries into the chassis, locking diagnostics behind software, and driving repair costs up 30–35%. Cars get scrapped long before they should … pretty ironic for something that’s supposed to be “sustainable”!
If a bunch of students can build a repairable EV in a year, what’s everyone else’s excuse?!
Is time limited for some of the manufacturers in the current motor industry?
I recently read a great book called, ‘Don’t leave anything for later’.
I’m sure we all have many regrets. And as you grow older, you start to think more an particular decisions compared to when you are young.
There’s different factors in life. Cost of doing/purchasing. The time it’ll take and any dependencies associated to it. Then there’s the quality element (good things come to those who wait).
The mindset shift from when you’re young and you can do anything you want to when you get a little older and wiser, you start to question a few things and then start to ask yourself, do I really need it?
One thing this book made me realise was, if you really want something – then get it. Don’t leave it for another time. It might not be there. You may have missed that opportunity. This also applies to those who are young and second guess everything.
When I was younger, I loved my cars. So much so, at one point, saw a great deal on a BMW 730i V8. I said to my dad, let’s go and see it. It was at a great price. So we went. To Chesterfield. To a pub. And at the back of the pub was the car parked up. The owner said, it’s been parked a for a while and the battery is flat, but we can jump start it. Also, the passenger door for some reason doesn’t open. Other than that, good car. So I checked it out. And yes, it was a good clean car (no dents, etc… ) Full service history. The owner had all the right paperwork. And I bought it.
Some could say you’re mad. In my head, all it needed was a new battery and the door fixing. And it was a good price!
First things when I got home, went and got a new battery. Then, pulled the door card and fixed the passenger door.
Motivation to get it done, maybe?
I don’t know if it’s just me, as I’ve got older, I have more factors and analysis going on when in similar situations. I know, if it was today, I probably wouldn’t buy the car thinking the passenger door could have more sinister gremlins which could end up costing up more money!
It’s about the mind. How it operates. How it’s influenced. How it enables you to make decisions. The thing is, as you grow older, the more experience you have. And it’s this experience that then enables you to add more factors when making a decision.
Take getting married for example. When you’re younger, you’re more likely to have less ‘requirements’ and have more understanding/adaptability. As you grow older, there’ll be things you get accustomed to and the list of what you want in a partner (the non-negotiable) grows.
So, when you find the right person and are debating if you should make a move/say something or you see that BMW v8 you really want, don’t leave it for later.
Anything you wish you hadn’t left for later and then it was gone?
A few weeks ago, I shared the Storm Theory on my Friday Thought.
This week, I wanted to share the ‘Noticing Theory’.
It’s those small gestures that really count. I’ve been watching clips of Ted Lasso recently, and it’s been great (can’t wait for next season!). And within Ted Lasso, he provides so many small gestures, that mean a lot to people (It could be the biscuits that he gives Rebecca at the start of the day that he’s baked or when Coach Beard wants to take revenge on Nate but shares with him the quote about being judged).
Today’s thought can be translated and interpreted for both personal and business.
It’s all about the art of paying attention.
I’ve been coaching football (soccer for my friends across the pond) for a fair few years.
It started accidently! A local community football group were intaking the next year group. Some of the parents were invited to the local pub to hear what the older groups had to say. So I’m sat there, next to a few other parents, and to what I’m thinking is, ‘who wants a drink?’ and I put my hand up, the actual question was ‘who wants to coach next year?’. Thanks Bal, was a reply I heard.
It’s been about eight years now. Coaching the same group of boys. Some have left, some new ones joined, but there is a core group that have remained committed.
And oh boy, have the coaches remained committed! From training in the rain & snow to organizing the matches for the weekends, last minute cancellations and then parents saying their kid has been sick and can’t play 30 minutes before kick off.
One thing during this process that I’ve learnt is, there are so many similarities with business.
Let me break it down for you on some of the key topics,
1. Preparation is key. We have exercises planned out for training. We have warm up exercises. We have tactics. We have player performance. We have tables. We have position numbers. We have it all. A bit similar to a business. Preparation is key in everything that is done in business. Prepare and then execute.
2. Team commitment. Not to talk too much here but one of my favorite coaches, Coach John Wooden, has a great framework for success. This is vital in both football and business. From friendship to loyalty and team spirit to confidence, it all matters how you work together and how you all can be successful.
3. Coaches and Mentors. I’ve said it before and say it again, it’s so important to have a coach and/or mentor at work. Someone who’ll support you, guide you and provide you advice when you need it. This differs slightly from a sponsor (which I’ll talk about in another post). I’ve been blessed to have some great mentors, and my current coach who is half way around the world is always available when I need to talk.
4. Learning & Development. You have to be continuously learning and practicing in football. Different ways to kick the ball (inside of the foot, outside, etc..) there’s different ways to defend your goal, different ways to attack (counter attack, possession based, etc..). With all of this, it’s very much similar at work. You have to learn the trade in detail but to really stand out, apply and enhance it.
Why do some of these footballers really stand out? Messi, Ronaldo, Beckham….
Because they all did the above. They all prepared like no one else.
When Ronaldo first joined Manchester United, someone asked why the lights were on in the morning… only for someone to say, Ronaldo was in at 5am exercising. Similar to Beckham for when he was at Real Madrid, for some comments he made, he was frozen out of the first team — yet carried on training and was always there for the team, and it was his team members that went to the coach to have Beckham play for the first team again.
In business, are you winning?
Are you measuring your success as person in business?
We all have dreams.
What’s stopping you from achieving them?
List those reasons out.
And then step back and think… anything you can do to navigate your way around them or eliminate those reasons?
Usually, it could be money, time or lack of knowledge. But there are ways around it. Just never stop….
