We learn from everything we do in life.
If we fail or make a mistake, we learn.
We’ve got some interns at work, and one of them asked me, what’s one of the biggest learnings I’ve had in my career. And then answer was, it was from a mistake I made.
Remember, Life is a Game.
You can’t undo what you’ve done.
But the next move can be better.
Today’s quote reminds me so much of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I remember reading about he was so frustrated on how certain things were being done in California, that he decided he’d run for Governor of California and do a better job!
You see, you have choices.
You can either sit and complain.
Or do something about it.
I’d always say… do something about it.
I promise I won’t do this that often. Moan on a Monday.
But this one, I really do have to moan about!
So recently, I thought I’d sign up for one of these insurance packs from the bank. You know the ones, where they offer you travel insurance and road side assistance all in one package. It’s like £14 per month. So I did my maths, and it works out cheaper than me having my AA (which is around £150/year) and then my family travel insurance (which is around £180/year).
So, I enroll via the bank app. But then I pause half way through the process. It asks me about additional medical needs and sends me somewhere else, where I complete that and have to pay an additional £30. That’s fine, still working out cheaper.
Pay that. And then, I thought that’s it. Process done. All complete. I have a letter come through saying I’ve paid my additional £30 and I’m insured to travel!
Woohoo!
But….
I actually wasn’t.
You see, in the process, this was another step, parallel step, that needed to be completed and I wasn’t brought back to complete the registration.
So on Friday, I rang them. Now, let me tell you – that’s not easy. Because, I spoke to 4 people. Pushed from pillar to post. One lady asking me to restart! (I did laugh, because I know in IT… we tell people with their laptops to turn it off and then on!)
Finally, got through to someone at the insurance company (not the bank), they said, you’ve paid but not completed the process. So she kindly refund my £30 and said do it all over again and make sure you do this, that and that, and wait for the green tick.
Why wasn’t I provided with this information at the start?!!
Over an hour wasted for something that should’ve been 5 minutes.
I thought in this day and age, we’d have slicker processes, identified areas where failures could occur and addressed them. Even speaking to people – help me, don’t pass me around!
And yes. It did cross my mind to put it all into chat GPT and ask it to figure out what’s happened and what I need to do.
Maybe, this could be my first and last Monday Moan… Chat GPT/AI to the rescue next time!
In life, don’t take it all so seriously. You got to have fun.
I try to instill this in everything I do. Either be it the football side of things, or work. Most of the time, you might have to be serious, have to concentrate, or really be focused on the task. And that’s absolutely fine.
But don’t forget, to have a little fun.
You’ll remember the smiles.
It can’t be helped.
Sometimes in life, we have to accept, what is going to happen, is going to happen.
Yes there are things in our control – but then there is a lot that is not in our control.
Let the things not in our control continue…
Back to one of my favourite books… Atomic Habits!
We’re nearly in the middle of the year. I’ve been looking at my habits for the year. For most of them, I’ve been consistent… like, going to the gym, drinking plenty of water and reading! (current book is Nudge).
Now, I feel weird if I miss the gym. It’s strange if I don’t pick up the book. These have well and truly become habits!
And it’s doing them repeatedly. The more we do. The more we repeat. The better we get.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all had hard times at some point in our life.
The question is, how did we learn from them?
I love the quote below – because it’s those tough times, that make us who we are. Don’t be afraid of the rough seas…
You probably heard in today’s news, that Poundland was officially transferred for £1 to Gordon Brothers, with Pepco (current owners) financing much of the deal and pivoting back to Pepco retail.
I wrote several years ago, about the decline of the High Street. How shops in small towns, high streets, etc… were closing and it was difficult for them to stay open.
Poundland, which has a store on nearly every high street has struggled.
How has this happened?
Well, in March 2025, Pepco Group (Poundland’s Warsaw-listed owner since 2016) enlisted advisors to explore options for the chain—amid falling sales (down ~6.5% over six months) and surging costs such as national insurance and wage hikes.
Pepco had also tried realigning Poundland’s merchandise with its continental operations—a move that backfired and accelerated the decline.
The turnaround possibilities were so bleak that reputable restructuring specialists like Hilco and Modella Capital reportedly passed; Gordon Brothers (a US investment firm known for reviving distressed assets like Laura Ashley) took the plunge
But why am I writing about this again?
Because it’s important.
Why?
Shopping habits have changed a lot. And I mean, a lot.
Unfortunately, a lot of high street stores, shops and chains are not keeping up with either technology, understanding their customers and/or knowing how to remain flexible and pivot when required.
Personally, with the economic pressures that a number of businesses face, I think it’s going to be difficult for a number of shops. They have to adapt They have to change. They have to be more flexible in how they operate and how they sell.
When was the last time you went into a Poundland?
And did you actually buy anything for a pound?
Today’s Friday Thought is all about thinking outside of the box.
Now for a moment, let’s say you have an asset. How do you make that asset work for you when normal avenues have been explored and exhausted?
Think outside the box.
It’s easier to say it than do it. But… you really have to think hard about what you have.
Take a local pub. Most customers come in the evening, after work.. has a few pints then leaves. Maybe come in for some food on the odd occasion.
You’ve got wifi. You’ve got tables. You’ve got power. You’ve got food.
Why not entice those who need all that.
That’s right. Pub Desking!
So my u13’s football team has been promoted. We finished 2nd in the league.
As a coach, I’m always trying Learn, Evolve, Adapt and Deliver.
But my players are getting better, so how do I challenge them further?
Not just the players, but how do we encounter the opposition? By remaining adaptable during the match and make the changes we need.
LEAD….
