The smartest people I know are those who grow from the people around them. Sure individual talent is really important, but I'd say to that again that the knowledge and ablities (talent) that I've picked up along the way have been through the drive and support of the people around me. I've always tried to watch others, get along side them as soon as possible so they rub off on me. As soon as I got into business I was keen to be along side others, I was consulting into a customer who had a great team, but I knew I needed to be part of a team of our own creation.

Journeys to other sides of the world

Its talked about all the time, its not what you know that will hurt you, its what you don't know. And we've all got our own filters stopping us seeing something that might help us out, we're all tuned into different things. While I've had an up and down life in business for myself in the last few years, the biggest positive influence has been partnering up with someone, Nat, who sees the other side of the world and is strong, caring and patient enough to bring me around to see it when I just don't. 

There's probably plenty of people like me, I'm not an easy person to deal with at times, I say things I dont mean when I get heated (I still create too much heat), I over-focus on certain areas and let others of massive importance slip, I come up with 'big ideas' but struggle to bring them back down to earth and make them simple, I get things started and moving, but battle to finish… Ok I'm going to stop, too many issues to cover : ). Fortunately for me most people I've worked with figure me out at some point and know how to get the best out of me, sort me out and help me change, but no-one has to put up with your difficult side more than your partner and business partners.

On a day where I've made some of my usual old mistakes (damn), I feel I have to let people reading this know the advice I need to hear myself. Whatever happens, you have to trust your partner, know they're doing the best thing, and probably trying to do something for you at a level you're just not aware of. These are the best people you could ever have in your life, they will help you on your journey to being better and more yourself, they will push you through the things you just don't seem to get through on your own. I don't think its any coincidence that your worst side gets exposed by the people who care about you, as while they dont really want to take the hit and deal with your issues, they can't help but care for you enough to challenge you to get past them, and this deserves the greatest respect of all.

Remember what you're fighting for

I've been called passionate and full of energy, and thats something I'm happy with, the good side, but I've also been called an idiot, and thats equally fitting too and something I've come to accept as me… work in progress. I can quickly move from being excited about something, to getting over excited and controlling of it. I haven't quite figured out how to let all the goodness out without there being some baggage that comes along. This only pushes good people away, and when you're left with only your own ideas and energy together with no-one elses, things don't feel so good anymore and you realise, it's the people, their energy, passion and ideas that make things so good.

Words of wisdom from someone who needs to hear them

If you want to be happy and have your dreams come to life, then put the people you care about and respect first, the rest will happen naturally.