Feeling Like a human post-it?
Being stuck is being in the stickiness of life. Embracing stickiness is really the first step and recognising where its stickiness shows up the next, is easy but not always the easiest to solve.
Ever feel like you’re running in circles? You’ve got ideas, ambition, and drive, yet something invisible is holding you back.
That’s stickiness—the mental or emotional glue keeping you stuck.
Stuck and sticky normally sit within the word change. Change is an instant defence mechanism that can trigger many into retracting and negative inner dialogue or I am not good enough, they don’t like me, I can’t do this or that, I should be this or that which then is self-fulfilling as we then go into the cycle of doom and sticky stuckness! Ever been there?
The good news? Stickiness isn’t permanent. It’s a signal, not a sentence.
Escape the survival trap
Seasonal Leadership: Escape the Survival Trap and Evolve Through Every Cycle
Seasonal leadership isn’t a whim or a feel-good exercise you pick up when the mood strikes. It’s not flippant, fleeting, or something to “try” on a quiet day. It’s a real, deliberate way of doing life and business, rooted in clarity and sustained action.
At and., we believe leadership should evolve, not react. Seasonal leadership challenges you to align your decisions and actions with the natural cycles of preparation, growth, and renewal. It’s about leading with intention, cutting through the noise of endless hustle, and creating lasting impact.
The question is: Are you ready to move from reactive survival to proactive evolution?
Don’t Be a Dickhead
The Real Meaning of Life
If you are easily offended, my potty mouth is alive. DO NOT READ! You have been warned. Step away if you don’t like swearing. My rant is ready to go live.
Okay here goes…
This may be slightly tongue in cheek, yet the truth is we are all a little bit of a di&^ at times, and the sooner we can get over that bit we can really make this world a better place together. I see so many saccharine posts of the end of the year, sharing how amazing they have been, or the now opposite: if you've survived, it's your achievement.
The sentiment is there I get it, I really do. It's getting lost in reality, and we “fit in” to what Old Happy is, the social gaze that tells us we should be this, we should be that you are not worthy, everyone is better than you vibe, blah blah.
Truths for us are: ( please recognise that you may agree or disagree, and we love that it’s great. We need differing perspectives in this world.)
Answer the goddamn question?!
Do you answer questions in the moment or from the echo of your past?
Answer the god damn question question
Here’s a thought: when someone asks you a question, are you truly answering their question—or are you defaulting to the script of your own experiences?
Think about it.
How often do you rely on what worked for you before instead of addressing what’s unfolding right now?
Being you- why is it so hard?
What does it really mean to "be you"?
We hear it all the time: "Be authentic[1]." But let’s get real—being authentic in leadership, communication, or even day-to-day life isn't always easy.
The pressure to fit in, conform, or even overperform can strip us of what makes us powerful: ourselves.
At our most recent and.story presenting workshop, this was the heart of the conversation.
We weren’t there to learn “techniques” in isolation; we were there to uncover what happens when you stop trying to fit into someone else’s mould and instead use your unique edge to influence, inspire, and lead.
"Just be yourself."
It’s advice we’ve all heard, but let’s face it—it’s not always helpful. In a world that expects us to meet countless expectations, how do we balance being ourselves with being effective, professional, or impactful?
Meet SoulFood
Whatever your reaction, it’s natural—because recognition is often misunderstood. At and., we believe recognition is more than a pat on the back. It’s fuel for growth, connection, and genuine impact. Let us introduce you to SoulFood, our way of saying, "I see you, and what you did made a difference."
Why SoulFood Matters
Feedback often comes loaded with agendas, hidden criticisms, or an expectation to change. Most of us are familiar with feedback that starts with "Can I give you some feedback?" and ends with us wondering what we did wrong and what we need to fix.
Stuck on a spin cycle?
Ultimately, we need to survive to thrive.
So, what keeps you going?
What survival loops do you find yourself in?
And more importantly, how do you thrive?
Is your BS radar turned on?
Self-awareness is key; we can hide, ignore, override, assume, and even lie to ourselves just to survive.
Own your mind and own your life;
you need to know how to fuel it.
Surviving is what our brains are wired for—biologically, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
You know what to do, how to do it, and why it matters… yet often, you don’t.
You stay in the same loops, repeating what you wish you’d leave behind. It’s simpler that way, isn’t it?
Familiar, validating, and safe. Your brain tells you, “I knew this would happen,” and boom—you feel justified, even if it’s in staying stuck.
This isn’t random.
Authenticity Isn't What You Think
Authenticity Isn't What You Think
Time to Get Real
And honestly? I found it really hard. The more I heard "be authentic," the more I felt it was just a load of guff
The Power of a Chicken Call
Lessons from Sir Clive Woodward
I smiled and shared something I've come to live by—what I call the chicken call principle.
The concept is straightforward: just pick up the phone, take action, and make the call, even if it scares you. After all, what's the worst that could happen? They say no? The world keeps turning, but you've made progress because you did something.
The Chicken Call
I decided to implement this principle in the most daring way possible.
I picked up the phone and called Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Yes, I called him out of the blue. Why?
Going through the motions?
Going through the motions?
Intentionality is the difference between going through the motions and living purposefully.
Understanding Why Your Choices Matter
But why does it matter?
Because intentionality is all about taking control, it’s how you choose to respond, act, and create balance in your life.
But here’s the thing: You can’t be intentional without knowing your why.
Your why gives your actions meaning. Without it, you’re just reacting, going through the motions, and stuck in a loop of habitual decisions.
Surviving or Thriving?
Do You Know Your Personal Thrive Conditions?
Many of us walk through life without realising the difference between surviving and thriving.
So, let's ask a simple question:
Do you know your personal thrive conditions?
Or are you, like many others, stuck in survival mode?
Most of us spend our time in survival mode without realising it.
Survival mode isn’t about life or death but how your brain reacts to stress and habits.
Leaky Language…..
Your words shape your leadership more than you realize. The way you speak can inspire, connect, and motivate—or it can lead to frustration, confusion, and missed opportunities. Take this quiz to discover if you're leading with clarity or stuck in leadershit.
Experiment #2
Why #2?
Well, we did Experiment #1 in 2021 with rlc global (our coach-to-coach business), which was about being more effective, satisfied, and connected. BIG ASK…..
Experiment #2 is all about thriving: owning time, life balance and getting shit done!
The Mental Health Industry: Untangling the Web of Commercial and Self-BS.
Let's start with the title—yes, it's clickbait worthy, although the fact that it has a mental health industry highlights the issue without saying anything else.
Mental health is the invisible (un)known where we mere mortals live. Thankfully, our awareness of it's growing. Yet our actual helping is, well, not unless it’s something you have experienced, and even then, we can be dismissive.
In short, be kind, be honest, stop BS’ing, take action, say what you say you will do, give a shit about others, help yourself and most of all. Be careful what words you use in your head and what you choose to share.
Busy..?
We all use time as an excuse at some point in our lives. The number of courses, books, and webinars on time management is overwhelming, and like most things, the real impact is that improving your time isn’t the issue. It’s the choices you make around time
Are you candid? Really?
Do you like me, sometimes find it harder to be candid than you might let on? We can all look back at crucial relationship moments at work or home where we did not quite say what we thought, felt, or meant to say.
When we get this wrong, the effect on others is confusing, to put it the politest way possible. They feel frustrated with us; worse, it can build up over time. you could leave others feeling-
and.stop the hustle
and. stop the hustle
FFS consider life balance
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written by Debbie halls-Evans Chief Changemaker at and. (views all her own)
I am writing this as a semi-rant, and through frustration, I have read so many insincere clickbait posts and blogs, listened to podcasts telling people to get up at 4 am, there’s even a 5 am club (why?),do more, hustle, work harder, stay later in the office and as a 21st-century society, we have many people that see this and believe it’s the only way.
the giraffe
pattern interrupt for better decisions, add value and raise a smile too
Read more…
we’ve been writing blogs for years and have oodles of them on our sister company Coach to Coach