One of my happy surprises from 2024?

My Mindset Workshops.

During the year, I ran 26 workshops for my esteemed banking colleagues on topics like stress, productivity, overthinking and communication.

Now these are under my belt, word is spreading. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was sounded out by the Chief of Staff for the Managing Director of a team of 200 colleagues, asking if I’d run the workshops for the team.

A few days after that, I was approached by another Chief of Staff asking if I’d run the workshops for a team of 800 colleagues.

I said yes of course.

And I’m cock-a-hoop that I’ll be running these bad boy workshops all over again in 2025. 

Only this time, I’ll be inviting 1,000 colleagues along.

1,000!

It’s all the more awesome given these workshops could easily not have happened. It took some hustle, some prodding and a sprinkle of Coach Tom’s cheeky charm to get the workshops up and running. 

It's a great example of a useful principle I've noticed recently. 

A principle which can be used to create momentum in a very natural way. 

I'm calling this the “go first” principle.

By “going first” I don’t just mean taking the initiative. This principle is much more subtle and nuanced than that.

Take the Mindset Workshops themselves.

I’m very open about my old work-related struggles on the workshops. I don’t hold back when I talk about how I used to lie awake in bed at 3am with my mind doing cartwheels, or the feeling that work was taking over my life, or even the apathy I had towards my job, my boss and the 9 to 5 system.

I’m also very open about how I overcame these struggles to find more fun and flow in the office.

And what I’ve found is that being open and taking the lead sends an unspoken signal to the eager participants that we’re not pussyfooting around in these workshops.

We’re cutting through the fluff and getting to the stuff that really counts.

So “going first” doesn’t just set the tone. It also creates the conditions for everyone else to share what’s on their mind, ask the questions that matter, explore possibilities and find new perspectives.

This is a key part of why the workshops aren’t the best kept secret in the office any more. 

And what's even better?

The “go first” principle can be applied to anything.

Want your boss to listen to you more? Want deeper conversations with your friends? Want other people to see the best in you? 

The answer is the same:

Go first.            

Something else I’m going first on?

Taking these workshops on the road, outside my current employer.

So let me ask you this:

Would your team like to work more collaboratively, with improved productivity and a greater sense of fun?

If so then hit reply, drop me an email and let’s chat.

I don’t think there’s a better time than right now, at the start of the year, for a morale booster or shot in the arm for your team. Especially with the gloomy weather, staff trudging back into the office and a whole bunch of 2025 targets to hit.

My Mindset Workshops are the perfect launchpad for a brand new year.

So don’t hang about. 

Hit reply, and we’ll take it from there.

p.s. here’s what a recent attendee said about my workshops:

***

The Mindset Workshops have been a transformative experience for me. 

One of the most valuable insights I gained was understanding that thoughts are just that — thoughts. They are not facts, nor are they a reflection of who I am. This simple but powerful realization has helped me let go of negative mental chatter and approach challenges with a clearer perspective.  

I also learned that I have the potential to achieve anything I set my mind to — it’s all about recognizing and embracing that potential within myself. The sessions helped me understand that stress is an internal response, and managing it effectively requires finding tools and techniques that work for me. 

Another key takeaway was the importance of active listening — truly being present and engaged without preconceptions or mental checklists, allowing for deeper, more meaningful communication. 

The host was absolutely amazing — knowledgeable, approachable, and exuding a warm, judgment-free energy that made it easy to open up. Their ability to create a safe and supportive space encouraged honest conversations about thoughts and feelings — something that often feels out of reach in a professional setting.  

Overall, the workshops were a much-needed reset for the week. They offered a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded colleagues, share experiences, and realize I’m not alone in navigating challenges. It was an incredible experience that left me feeling lighter, more focused, and more empowered.

***

I’m not saying everyone attending my Mindset Workshops will have a similarly spectacular experience.

But it does show you what’s possible.