The Priority Academy

As the Owner, Trainer and Coach at The Priority Academy, I run a varied business that helps individuals and businesses. Whether that be to train as a Coach or as a Mental & Emotional Health Coach for businesses who support their employees.

Founder, Trainer and Coach

ExecOnline

As a Leadership Coach with ExecOnline I coach executives and leaders of global businesses, supporting them to achieve their key personal and business goals.

ExecOnline Leadership Coach

Graham Nicholls Strategic Coaching & Training

Strategic Life Coach, Trainer, Author

Priority Intervention Coaching

Results & Success Coaching
Anxiety, Depression & Stress Recovery

Professional Coach - Results Coaching, Anxiety Conitions Recovery

Tayto Group Limited

Interim Technical Consultant assisting with preparation for Tesco PIU Audit, responsibilities included:
- Complete HACCP System re-write
- Redevelopment of the Internal Auditing System
- Allergen Risk Assessment development

Interim Technical Consultant

Adelie Food Holdings

Full Technical responsibility for a sandwich production site including 
- QA Team
- Technical Services Team
- Process Control Team
- Hygiene Team
- Customer Management on site

Interim Technical Manager

SFQC

Working with SFQC offering my services as:

- Food Safety / Technical Consultant 
- Audit Consultant 
- Red Tractor Assurance Scheme Auditor

Consultant / Red Tractor Assurance Scheme Auditor

2 Sisters Food Group

Full Technical responsibility for a Poultry cutting and packing site, including:
- Managing the restructure of the Technical Team to achieve business KPI's
- Ensure Green Tesco PIU Audit
- Ensure A Grade BRC Audit
- Manage multiple retail customer relationships on site
- Write and Impliment Quality Improvement Plan
- Team Management & Coaching

Freshcook (Bakkavor)

Interim QA Manager

Weetabix

•	Complete Technical Management for 2 factories producing wheat biscuit & flake products
•	Audit, review and improve Quality & Technical Systems
•	Complete overhaul of Hygiene systems during tender and transition process 
•	Management of complaint reduction programme
•	Drive improvement standards 
•	Preparation for unannounced BRC Audit

Interim Quality & Compliance Manager

Making Coaching Training Accessible. Founder - CoachHive & The Priority Academy. Over 150,000 people trained. Follow me for posts on Coaching, EQ, Mental Health, Mindset and more.

What the world won't tell you....

Is that training and personal development doesn't have to cost the earth!

Follow my Step-by-Step Coaching Newsletter for regular updates on how to improve your coaching and grow your business and get your free copy of my Coaching Session Success Strategy Cheat Sheet:

GO HERE -> www.coachhive.com/newsletter

I help people help other people! 

An international best-selling training provider in the areas of Coaching, Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence and Mindset.

Coaching Coaches:
Expert guidance from someone with 20 years experience as a coach. 
Coaches, if you need help please get in touch. I'll bring my 20+years knowledge and experience with me to help you thrive!

Training:
Over the last 7 years I have trained over 150,000 people in 190+ countries in the areas of mental health, mindset, strategic life coaching, NLP, CBT, meditation, mindfulness and more.

I help coaches master their skills and build their sustainable and ethical coaching business.

My portfolio:
=> I'm the founder, trainer and head coach at The Priority Academy & CoachHive
=> I have produced hundreds of hours of training content
=> I have thousands of hours of coaching experience under my belt
=> I have 7 training programs that are international best sellers in their field
=> I've coached leaders at all C-Suite levels of their business

My results:
=> Hudreds of hours of training material produced
=> 150,000 people have been trained or are training
=> A rating of 4.7 out of 5 across over 32000 reviews
=> A community of over 36,000 people
=> I have trained people in 190 countries around the world

GO HERE: https://www.coachhive.com/newsletter
To sign up for my newsletter and get your free copy of my Coaching Session Success System Cheat Sheet.

GO HERE: https://www.thepriorityacademy.com/courses-individual/
To check out my courses and super value course bundles

Wishing you success in all you do.
Graham

Good people achieve goals

Great people create impact

Achieving goals is a noble aim
Creating impact with others is game-changing

You make others feel appreciated
You ensure they are seen, heard and understood

The people who do that
Their character shines through.

7 signs of someone with good character

✅ You are kind to everyone
No matter the situation or circumstance

✅ You are honest
Even in tough conversations

✅ You stay humble
Even when you win huge

✅ You have integrity
And do the right thing, always.

✅ You keep your promises
Even when it’s doing things you don’t like

✅ You take responsibility
Instead of issuing blame

✅ You treat others with respect
Because everyone is human

It doesn’t take huge gestures
It takes small daily habits

Because, in the end
Having good character is just who you are.

📌 What other traits give someone good character?
Tell me in the comments 👇

♻️Repost if you embody these good character traits. 

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset and life

Graham Nicholls

Imposter syndrome was kicking my... 
I was wracked with self-doubt.

Seriously, I get it.

👉 You question every move you make
👉 You second guess every decision
👉 You pull away from people

And it hurts! 💔
But it doesn't have to be that way.

Self-doubt doesn't have to ruin your life.
I started kicking its ... 

You can too, here's how:

7 Stages of Self-Doubt 
and how to prevent each one
(there's more info in the carousel)

1️⃣ The Whisper of Comparison
 You start measuring yourself against others.
 → Practice gratitude: track all daily wins. 🙏

2️⃣ The Questioning of Ability
 You ask: "Am I really good enough?"
 → Keep a "strengths file" of achievements. 🗂️

3️⃣ The Fear of Failure
 You have paralysis before starting.
 → Reframe failure as data, not identity. 🔄

4️⃣ The Spiral of Overthinking
 Your analysis turns into avoidance.
 → Set time-boxed decisions: clarity over perfection. ⏳

5️⃣ The Withdrawal from Action
 You stop showing up.
 → Break the cycle with micro-steps forward. 🚶

6️⃣ The Isolation Loop
 You pull away from support.
 → Share doubts with a trusted peer or coach. 🤝

7️⃣ The Identity Hijack
 You start thinking that self-doubt is who you are.
 → Ask: "Who am I beyond this moment?" 🌱

It's time to reclaim your life. 
And kick self-doubt to the curb. 

It's your life.
Live it! 

💬 Which of these are you going to work on first?
Tell me in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to help others thrive.

♻️ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on helping you to thrive.

The 7 stages of self doubt & how to overcome them

73% of people struggle with decisions.
Most of us wing it.

You make 35,000 daily. Wow!

Here's the thing:
Great decision-makers use frameworks.

Not just leaders and executives.
Everyone.

7 frameworks that will upgrade your choices:

⚡ FOR QUICK DECISIONS

🎯 OODA Loop
→ Why: Speed kills indecision.
→ How: Observe → Orient → Decide → Act.

📈 Step Ladder 
→ Why: Stops groupthink dead.
→ How: Start with 2 people, add one at a time.

🎯 FOR BALANCED CHOICES

🧠 WRAP Method
→ Why: Fights your brain's traps.
→ How: 
Widen options 
Reality-test
Attain distance
Prepare to be wrong.

💰 Cost-Benefit Analysis
→ Why: Makes trade-offs visible.
→ How: List costs vs benefits, assign values.

📊 SWOT Analysis
→ Why: Forces complete awareness.
→ How: Map Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.

🔬 FOR COMPLEX PROBLEMS

⚙️ Rational Decision Model
→ Why: Systematic beats scattered.
→ How: Define → Identify criteria → Weight → Evaluate.

🐟 Fishbone Diagram
→ Why: Root causes before solutions.
→ How: Map causes and effects

The secret?
Match framework to situation:
→ Time available
→ Stakes involved
→ Information quality

Swipe through the carousel for detailed breakdowns.

Which framework resonates with you? 
What decision keeps you up at night?
Share in the comments.

♻️ Repost to help someone decide with confidence.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset and life

7 Decision making frameworks for life

Burnout does not come from effort alone.
A reminder for everyone on LinkedIn:

I know how it feels...

→ You're exhausted but can't switch off
→ You're present but not really there
→ You're losing yourself in the noise

Burnout comes from many directions.
Never just from one.

But there is another way.
Because prevention is better than cure.

7 Main Causes of Burnout 
and How to Stop Them Early:
(Swipe for detailed solutions in carousel)

✅ 1. Unclear Boundaries
→ Cause: 
Always "on," no off-switch between work and life.
→ Resolve: 
Protect non-work hours like a meeting.

✅ 2. Chronic Overload
→ Cause: 
Saying yes to everything.
→ Resolve: 
Build a "stop doing" list alongside your to-do list.

✅ 3. Lack of Recovery
→ Cause: 
Rest treated as optional.
→ Resolve: 
Schedule micro-recovery: breaks, walks, 10-minute resets.

✅ 4. Disconnected from Purpose
→ Cause: 
Work feels like endless tasks, not meaningful impact.
→ Resolve: 
Reconnect weekly to the "why" behind your role.

✅ 5. Low Autonomy
→ Cause: 
No control over schedule or decisions.
→ Resolve: 
Negotiate even small wins.

✅ 6. Isolation
→ Cause: 
Struggling alone, no support system.
→ Resolve: 
Find 2–3 "go-to" people you can connect with.

✅ 7. Perfectionism
→ Cause: 
Never enough, always chasing flawless.
→ Resolve: 
Set "good enough" standards for tasks, not 100%.

Burnout does not have to be your story.

But it takes making a decision today.
A decision to act before it happens.

💬 Which of these will you work on first?
Tell me in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to help others thrive before burnout hits.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more.

7 main causes of burnout & how to prevent them

I'm a recovering people pleaser
(49% of people are, apparently)

The dark side of emotional intelligence

I know, I know
EQ is the best thing ever, right?

But for every light, there is dark
And misusing EQ?

That can lead you down a dark path.
I know... I did!

Here are 7 ways EQ gets misused
and how to fix it:
(There's more info in the carousel!)

1. Over-empathy
❌ Why it hurts: 
Leads to exhaustion and blurred boundaries.

✅ Fix: 
Practice empathic limits: care, but don't carry.

2. People-pleasing
❌ Why it hurts: 
Diminishes your voice, erodes authenticity.

✅ Fix: 
Balance empathy carefully; your needs matter.

3. Emotional manipulation
❌ Why it hurts: 
Breaks trust and damages relationships long-term.

✅ Fix: 
Emotions are for connection, not control.

4. Tolerating toxicity
❌ Why it hurts: 
Excusing bad behaviour enables harm.

✅ Fix: 
Compassion needs accountability.

5. Self-neglect
❌ Why it hurts: 
Chronic self-sacrifice leads to burnout.

✅ Fix: 
Protect your own energy first.

6. Over-analysis
❌ Why it hurts: 
Creates paralysis and constant second-guessing.

✅ Fix: 
Notice patterns. Simplicity clarifies.

7. Avoiding hard truths
❌ Why it hurts: 
Prevents growth, builds resentment.

✅ Fix: 
Deliver honesty with kindness.

EQ starts with self-awareness
But self-awareness can get lost in the desire to help others.

Being mindful of your boundaries
Will keep you on the right side of EQ.

💭 Tell me:
Which of these do you recognise?

♻️ Repost to help tame the dark side of EQ.

✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for more.

The dark side of emotional intelligence

You're addicted to the comfort that's killing you.
(And you know it.)

Growth isn't about pushing through pain.
It's about destroying the person you used to be.

Most people claim they want transformation.
Their browser history tells a different story:

→ 3 hours scrolling social media
→ 47 minutes researching courses they'll never buy
→ 10 minutes actually doing the work

You're not growing.
You're consuming growth content.

There's a massive difference.

"Follow your passion" is a lie.
"No pain, no gain" is kindergarten thinking.

🔥 HERE'S THE REAL DEAL:

Growth happens when your old identity becomes unbearable.
→ When staying the same hurts more than changing
→ When your excuses start tasting like poison
→ When comfortable feels like the worst headache

You say you want success.
But you won't:

→ Have the conversation that could save your career
→ Leave the relationship that's draining your soul  
→ Stop eating garbage when you're stressed
→ Wake up at 5am when your competition is still sleeping

Your comfort zone isn't a cosy blanket.
It's a straightjacket with Wi-Fi.

💀 THE TRUTH YOU'RE AVOIDING:

Mediocrity is violent.
It kills dreams slowly.
With your full permission.

Every day you choose easy over necessary, 
you're sealing the fate of your potential.

Your future self is screaming at you.
But you can't hear them over Netflix.

⚡ STOP PRETENDING:

You don't have a motivation problem.
You have a comfort addiction problem.

You don't need another productivity hack.
Your old life needs to become unrecognisable.

That person who complains but never changes?
That person who dreams but never acts?
That person who starts but never finishes?

They have to leave.
Today.

🎯 AN UNCOMFORTABLE CHALLENGE:

Pick one thing you've been avoiding because it's hard.
Do it this week.

Or admit you prefer the pain of staying the same 
to the pain of changing.

Both choices reveal who you really are.

💬 What are you too comfortable to change?
Comment if you're ready to face it.

♻️ Share this if someone needs to stop lying to themselves.

✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for truths that sting but set you free

The coaching industry is imploding.
(and it's not because of AI.)

Every day, I watch talented coaches:

→ Drowning in certifications but lacking clients
→ Fighting to stand out in oversaturated niches
→ Burning out trying to be everything to everyone

Coaches are struggling to create real impact, 
despite their best intentions

It's not a lack of passion or dedication. 
It's deeper than that.

Here are 7 harsh truths
that nobody wants to talk about:

1. Certifications ≠ Transformation
❌ Harsh Truth: 
Paper doesn't equal impact.

✅ Resolution: 
Prioritise real client change over collecting badges.

2. The Niche Box Trap
❌ Harsh truth: 
Over-niching stifles growth.

✅ Resolution: 
Start focused, but let your practice expand naturally.

3. Marketing beats Mastery
❌ Harsh truth: 
Without clients, Mastery means nothing.

✅ Resolution: 
Share proof of client transformation.

4. Toxic Positivity
❌ Harsh truth: 
Not enough focus on hard conversations

✅ Resolution:
Embrace discomfort; ask the hard questions.

5. Coach Burnout
❌ Harsh truth: 
Trying to fix every client drains you.

✅ Resolution: 
Guide, don't rescue; empower ownership of results.

6. Comparison Culture
❌ Harsh truth: 
Coaches compete instead of contributing.

✅ Resolution: 
Stand firm in your story, your values, your pace.

7. Quick-Fix Promises
❌ Harsh truth: 
Quick-fix promises are killing credibility.

✅ Resolution: 
Sell the process, celebrate steady progress.

But here's the thing: 

Now more than ever.
The world needs authentic, impactful coaches.

We can save this industry. 
It starts with acknowledging these truths 
and committing to change.

💬 Which truth resonates most with you? 
Share below to start this crucial conversation. 👇 

♻️ Repost if you're committed to raising the bar in coaching

✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for more

And if you are coach who is ready to grow your business, get in touch!

7 harsh truths about the coaching industry

Excess stress kills
But not everything needs fixing. 

Some things just need a new perspective.

Having been diagnosed with stress
I know how it feels:

You're present, but not really there.
It feels like you're carrying everything alone.
Smiles feel forced, conversations feel draining.

But there is a way through
And it doesn't have to be big changes

Sometimes small shifts matter more
When taken daily

7 Stressful Thoughts to Reframe Instead of Fix
(there is more info in the carousel below)

⏰ I don't have enough time.
 → Reframe: I choose what matters most today.
 → Stress shifts to clarity when you decide priorities.

📍 I should be further ahead.
 → Reframe: I'm exactly where I need to learn what's next.
 → Growth has its own timeline.

🌊 I can't control this situation.
 → Reframe: I can choose my response.
 → Control returns when you focus on your influence.

✨ I have to be perfect.
 → Reframe: Done is progress. Perfect is pressure.
 → Progress compounds, perfection delays.

📘 I failed at this.
 → Reframe: I learned from this.
 → Failures become stepping stones.

👀 They're judging me.
 → Reframe: Most people are too busy with their own lives.
 → Free yourself from imagined spotlights.

🪜 This is overwhelming.
 → Reframe: I'll take one small step forward.
 → Overwhelm shrinks when you break it down.

Big changes seem scary
But small daily steps are achievable

You are in control of your stress levels
So choose differently today

💬 Which of these resonates most with you today?
Let me know in the comments.

♻️ If you found this useful, please repost it.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mental wellbeing

7 reframes to help reduce stress

82% of coaching businesses fail... Ouch!
Just when the world needs great coaches.

I don't tell you this to impress you.

I'll tell you it to impress upon you...
What is actually possible.

I built a thriving coaching business.
From the ground up.

It took time and effort.
But helping people was worth it all.

🙏 Seeing people thrive
🙏 Hearing their successes
🙏 The fulfilment that comes with it

Here are 7 key steps to take
(more info and a cheat sheet in the carousel)

✅ 1. Define Your Unique Value Zone (UVZ)
 → Market: Who do you serve?
 → Define: What problem do you solve?
 → UVZ: Problem + Demand = sustainable business.

✅ 2. Create a Client Acquisition Flywheel
 → Attract: Share organic, problem-solving content.
 → Convert: Guide leads into structured calls.
 → Deliver + Refer: Great service fuels repeat and referral growth.

✅ 3. Design a Weekly $10K Structure
 → Focus Areas: Client calls, lead gen, content, delivery.
 → Time Blocking: Ensure the work gets done.
 → System: Conversations create clients.

✅ 4. Build the Leverage Ladder
 → Start with 1:1 coaching 
 → Grow into group/cohort programs.
 → Online, on-demand courses create revenue.

✅ 5. The 3P Content Framework
 → Personal: Share your story to build trust.
 → Practical: Teach bite-sized solutions that solve problems.
 → Proof: Show client results and testimonials.

✅ 6. The 3C Personal Brand Framework
 → Clarity: Define your core message.
 → Character: Your values and personality shape your voice.
 → Credibility: Share expertise, wins, and lessons.

✅ 7. The ACE Growth Framework
 → Assets: Build resources that work when you're not 
 → Consistency: Show up regularly with content and client care.
 → Energy: Protect your wellbeing so you can sustain.

People think starting a coaching business is easy
It's not, it's hard work!

It takes drive, determination,
And consistency!

Imagine the impact you can have
When helping clients thrive

That is what keeps you going!

💬 What stage are you at with your coaching business?
Let me know in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to help other coaches thrive.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on coaching & mindset

How to build a thriving coaching business

I thought I was a high performer.
Until it nearly cost me everything.

I was working hard
Climbing the career ladder

I thought that long hours and hard work win
wrong!

I was diagnosed with stress, anxiety and depression
All at the same time!

Results. Recognition. Success.
Everyone celebrates the trophies of high performance.

But very few dare to face the dark side.
The part no one wants to admit.

Here are 10 dark truths
that nobody talks about:

❌ You tie your worth to your output
❌ You struggle to rest without guilt
❌ You normalise burnout and call it ambition
❌ You feel pressure to always outperform
❌ You hide your struggles to protect your image
❌ You feel disconnected from joy
❌ You chase external validation
❌ You fear slowing down will make you irrelevant
❌ You sacrifice relationships for results
❌ You forget who you are without your achievements

Sound familiar?
I thought so.

Because this is the reality for countless high performers 
But there's a better way.

Here's what sustainable high performance actually looks like:

✅ You value rest as much as action
✅ You lead with purpose, not pressure
✅ You perform with consistency, not chaos
✅ You seek impact, not just output
✅ You ask for help instead of hiding
✅ You protect your energy
✅ You grow without losing yourself
✅ You celebrate effort, not just outcomes
✅ You define success on your terms
✅ You know when to push and when to pause

High performance isn't the problem.
The way you pursue it is.

🔄 Time for reflection:
Which side of these do you recognise most?
Tell me below👇 

♻️ Repost if you are not turning to the dark side!

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on life & mindset

30 skills for 2025... not a chance!
Overwhelm shouldn't be one of them!

You've seen the posts
"30 skills to master in 2025"

Yeah, right!

→ You're already overwhelmed
→ You have no idea where to start
→ You're feeling the pressure to keep learning

But 30 new skills is crazy
So I broke them down 

Giving you the chance
To choose what you want to learn

7 Key Core Skills to Develop
One.... by.... one.
(there's more info in the carousel)

🧠 Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
→ Why: 
Builds trust and resilience in teams
→ How: 
Practice active listening and emotional regulation

🤖 AI Fluency
→ Why: 
AI is a partner, not a threat
→ How: 
Learn one AI tool deeply and apply it to your work

🎯 Coaching Mindset
→ Why: 
People don't need answers; they need better questions
→ How: 
Shift from giving advice to asking open questions

🌊 Adaptability
→ Why: 
Change is accelerating
→ How: 
Embrace experimentation and treat setbacks as data

🗺️ Strategic Thinking
→ Why: 
The future favours clarity over speed
→ How: 
Zoom out: connect today's choices to tomorrow's outcomes

🔥 Self-Leadership
→ Why: 
Burnout reduces impact and creativity
→ How: 
Prioritise energy rituals: sleep, movement, reflection

🗣️ Communication Mastery
→ Why: 
Influence comes through clarity
→ How: 
Practice storytelling and tailoring your message

Learning and development should be fun
Not filled with overwhelm and stress

So choose what you learn
When you want to learn it

And take the pressure off!

💬 Which of these will you choose first?
Tell me in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to relieve the pressure for others.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on learning mindset

7 skills to help you thrive

7 Mental Health Secrets Your Doctor Won't Tell You
(but may be hard to hear)

I've had stress, depression and anxiety
That's when I found out the truth about mental health.

Most mental health advice is backwards.
And it's about time you knew it.

It focuses on managing symptoms, not sources
But there are deeper truths nobody's talking about...

(there's more info in the carousel below)

🌑 Your Darkness is Your Teacher
→ Avoiding negative emotions makes them stronger
→ Face them head-on; they're showing you what needs healing

🚶‍➡️ Movement Beats Medication
→ Your body holds emotional memory
→ 10 minutes of movement releases more than an hour of therapy

⏰ Digital Detox is Non-Negotiable
→ Screen time is stealing your serenity
→ Your phone is either serving you or draining you

🛌 Sleep Isn't Self-Care, It's Self-Preservation
→ Without deep rest, everything else fails
→ Rest is a performance enhancer

🌲 Nature is Your Neural Reset
→ Humans aren't designed for concrete jungles
→ 20 minutes outside rewires your nervous system

💪 Community Over Competition
→ Loneliness is more dangerous than smoking
→ Your relationships are your psychological safety

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness is Mental Fitness
→ Your mind is like a muscle
→ Small daily practices beat grand gestures

The truth about mental wellness:

It's not about being fixed
It's about being whole

💬 Which of these resonates most right now?
Tell me below 👇

♻️ Repost if you're committed to real mental wellness

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset & mental health

7 secrets your doctor won't tell you about mental health

Your potential is about to crash and burn
Unless you do this...

Make self learning part of your mission.

There is nothing worse
Than ignoring your potential 

👉 Confidence erodes. Energy dims.
👉 That unspoken "what if?" follows you.
👉 You believe you are less than you truly are.

And you end up in a deep, dark hole!

The only ladder that can get you out?
The way to explode your potential?

7 ways to outlearn others and boost your potential
(there's more info in the carousel below)

🔎 Stay Curious
→ Why: Curiosity fuels motivation and retention.
→ How: Write 3 questions a day and discover the answers.

📢 Learn in Public
→ Why: Teaching locks in understanding.
→ How: Post insights weekly or explain to a colleague.

🎯 Take Responsibility
→ Why: Waiting keeps you stuck. Acting moves you forward.
→ How: Choose one self-directed project every quarter.

🔗 Connect Dots Across Fields
→ Why: New ideas emerge at intersections.
→ How: Read outside your industry.

⚒️ Practice Deliberately
→ Why: Targeted practice accelerates mastery.
→ How: Identify 1 weak spot and design learning around it.

⏳ Stay Consistent
→ Why: Compounding beats intensity.
→ How: Commit to 20 minutes daily instead of sporadic marathons.

🪞 Reflect & Adapt
→ Why: Reflection turns experience into wisdom.
→ How: Keep a weekly learning journal and adjust methods.

Learning doesn't stop at school
Self learning is a lifelong pursuit

And it's one of the greatest you can take on.

💬 What will you start learning this week?
Tell me below 👇 

♻️ If you found this useful, please repost.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset & coaching

7 core areas of self learning 

I had to set boundaries to protect my sanity...
Before I tipped over the edge.

Ok, I'm holding my hands up.
I was a people pleaser.

So I get it:

→ You make everyone happy but yourself
→ You say yes even when overwhelmed
→ You constantly feel the weight of it

I ended up down a very dark hole.
Setting boundaries was the only way out!

7 Boundaries You Must Set for a Better Life
(there's more info and a check sheet in the carousel)

⏰  Your Time
Why it works: 
Your calendar reflects your values.

How to set it: 
Block time for what matters before saying yes.

⚡ Your Energy
Why it works: 
Energy is a valuable currency.

How to set it: 
Say yes only to what aligns with your values.

🎇 Your Workload
Why it works: 
Overcommitment fuels burnout.

How to set it: 
Agree on clear deliverables, learn to delegate.

📱 Your Digital Space
Why it works: 
Your online world shapes your mental state.

How to set it: 
Create tech-free zones (bedroom, mealtimes, mornings).

🫶 Your Relationships
Why it works: 
Relationships define your mental landscape

How to set it: 
Schedule family time before anything else

🧠 Your Self-Talk
Why it works: 
The voice inside you shapes every choice.

How to set it: 
Label it as "Just a thought"

🛌 Your Rest
Why it works: 
Renewal creates resilience.

How to set it: 
Treat rest as a non-negotiable appointment.

Your boundaries will define your life.
What life you want is a choice.

Choose wisely. I had to!

💬 What did setting boundaries do for you?
Tell me in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to help others protect their life.

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on improving your life.

7 boundaries to improve your life

There's a kindness crisis in leadership
and it's time to make a change

I've been fortunate to have a kind leader.
I've also had a couple of unkind ones.

They both live on in my mind
But for very different reasons.

You don't get remembered for what you did
You get remembered for how you made people feel.

And kindness is one of the greatest gifts
So give your people that gift today.

7 Acts of Kindness Every Leader Should Practice

👂 Listen Intentionally
Why it works: 
Feeling heard reduces stress and builds trust.

How to implement: 
→ Put your phone down
→ Ask follow-up questions
→ Reflect back what you hear.

🌟 Give recognition
Why it works: 
Recognition validates effort and boosts motivation.

How to implement: 
→ Call out wins in team meetings
→ Send personal thank-you notes.
→ Say "Thank you" more often

🛑 Protect boundaries
Why it works: 
Boundaries prevent burnout and improve wellbeing.

How to implement: 
→ Avoid late-night emails
→ Encourage breaks 
→ Respect vacation time.

⏰ Offer flexibility
Why it works: 
Flexibility shows trust and creates loyalty.

How to implement: 
→ Provide options for remote work
→ Offer flexible hours
→ Or go for hybrid setups.

🔍 Lead with transparency
Why it works: 
Transparency reduces anxiety and builds credibility.

How to implement: 
→ Share updates regularly
→ Explain reasoning behind changes
→ Admit when you don't know.

📚 Invest in growth
Why it works: 
Growth opportunities signal belief in people's potential.

How to implement: 
→ Fund training
→ Offer mentorship
→ Give projects that stretch them

🙏 Express gratitude
Why it works: 
Gratitude builds belonging and morale.

How to implement: 
→ Start meetings with thank-yous
→ Explain why you are grateful
→ Say it often and mean it.

Kindness is the superpower we all have
But only a few choose to use it.

Let's grow kindness in leadership
Be the change you want to see in others.

💬 Will you share your experiences of kindness?
♻️ Repost if you're committed to being kind.
✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for more on leadership & life.

96% of the things you worried about last year never happened
(and you're doing it again!)

You spent 8,760 hours last year...
Living through disasters that existed only in your head.

I see you:

→ Worry about what others think 
→ Replaying conversations over and over
→ Planning for worst-case scenarios that never come

You're not protecting yourself.
You're torturing yourself.

Here's the truth about what's destroying your peace:

🚫 Outside of your control

→ Other people's demons
Their trauma, their baggage, their issues. 

→ Time's arrow
That moment you wish you could take back? It's gone. 

→ Others' feelings about you
They make you the villain in their story no matter what you do.

→ Life's ruthless timing
Illness. Loss. Betrayal. The universe doesn't read your calendar.

→ The past
It's written in ink. Stop trying to edit it with tears.

✅ In your control (The only things that matter):

→ Your response to pain
Choose: Victim or Warrior? Both paths are open.

→ Your inner dialogue
The voice in your head? You're its master. Make it serve you.

→ Your boundaries
Your heart isn't a hotel. Not everyone gets to check in.

→ Your energy allocation
Stop investing in situations where you can't collect a return.

→ Your healing journey
Wounds don't heal when you keep touching them. Let go.

You're standing at a crossroads:

Path 1: 
Keep burning yourself out trying to control the uncontrollable.

Path 2: 
Focus your energy on the thing you've ever truly owned: YOU.

Your soul is screaming for Path 2.
When will you finally listen?

🔥 What are you ready to stop controlling? 
Drop it below. 👇 

♻️ Repost if you are taking control

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset & life

10 life lessons from Matthew McConaughey 
Their simplicity blew my mind

I remember watching this for the first time
And I've watched it 100's of times since

Imagine the life you would have
If you just took on these 10 life lessons

University of Houston commencement speech (2015):

✅ Life is not easy 
Don't fall into the entitlement trap. 
Nothing worthwhile comes without effort.

✅ "Unbelievable" is the stupidest word 
Nothing we do should be considered unbelievable 
Expect people to act like people.

✅ Happiness vs. Joy 
Happiness depends on outcomes
Joy comes from doing what we are here to do

✅ Define success for yourself 
Decide what success means to you
Measure it daily.

✅ Process of elimination 
Knowing who you are often starts 
By eliminating who you are not.

✅ Don't leave crumbs 
Avoid decisions that create regret
Live clean.

✅ Dissect success through gratitude 
Appreciate what you have
Gratitude creates more to be grateful for.

✅ Make voluntary obligations 
Set personal standards for yourself
Then honour them.

✅ From "can" to "want" 
Don't do things just because you can
Choose them because you genuinely want them.

✅ Have immortal finish lines 
Don't live for external trophies or endpoints
Keep growing, learning, and playing like an underdog.

Mind-blowingly simple, right?
Make sure to watch the full video on YouTube!

💬 Which lesson hit you hardest?
Let me know below 👇 

♻️ Repost to share the joy.

✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for more on mindset & life

Emotional wellness isn't luck
It's small intentional habits...

Taken daily!

There is nothing more important.
Than your health and wellbeing

So why leave it to chance?

7 Free Ways to Create Emotional Wellness

✅ Daily Check-ins
 Pause 2 minutes each morning to ask, "How am I, really?"

🌬️ Deep Breathing
 Try 3 slow inhales/exhales 3 times a day

🚶‍♀️ Movement
 Take a 30-minute walk without your phone.

🖊️ Journaling
 Spend 10 minutes jotting down unfiltered thoughts.

📵 Digital Boundaries
 Set "no phone" times every single day

🌟 Gratitude Practice
 Write down 3 small wins and feel the gratitude

💬 Connection
 Call a friend or family member and chat

Emotional wellness isn't built on grand gestures
It's built on daily habits 

💬 What is a daily habit that brings you joy?
Let me know in the comments. 👇 

♻️ Repost to share the love with others

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on mindset and life

The 7 Powerful Life Paradoxes That Changed Everything
Success lies in the opposite direction.

Ever notice how life's truths often contradict themselves?

The moment I understood these paradoxes, 
everything shifted. 

They're not just ideas  
they're keys that unlock doors you didn't know existed.

Ready to challenge everything you think you know?

Here are the 7 paradoxes that will transform your perspective:

🎯 The More You Chase Happiness, the Further It Runs
Fulfilment comes from meaning, not pursuit.
Happiness is a by-product of alignment with values.

👉 Action Point:
Write down 3 values you want to live by daily and track them.

🌱 Success Grows Faster When You Stop Forcing It
Letting go opens doors you couldn't plan for.
Flow beats force every single time.

👉 Action Point:
Replace one forced goal with an experiment

📚 You Learn More From Failure Than Success
Mistakes carve wisdom deeper than wins.
Failure refines clarity about what truly works.

👉 Action Point:
Keep a "failure log" and note a lesson from each setback.

🌙 Rest Makes You More Productive
Burnout kills results; recovery fuels them.
Downtime is the engine of uptime.

👉 Action Point:
Schedule one non-negotiable rest block in your week.

🎁  The More You Give, the More You Receive
Contribution builds the trust money can't buy.
Serving others multiplies your own growth.

👉 Action Point:
Offer one act of help without expecting anything back.

💪 Vulnerability Creates Strength
Hiding weakness keeps you fragile.
Openness builds unshakable connections.

👉 Action Point:
Share 1 truth you usually hide with someone you trust.

🦋 Control Comes From Letting Go
Life bends for those who adapt, not those who resist.
Certainty is an illusion; flexibility is real power.

👉 Action Point:
Identify one thing you're clinging to; let it go.

The beauty of these paradoxes?
They work whether you believe in them or not.

💭 Which of these paradoxes resonates with you the most? 
Share your story below. 

♻️ Repost if you understand the paradox of life
(or don't if you don't)

✅ Follow me Graham Nicholls for more on life and mindset

I had someone believe in me and I'm so grateful
(time to pay it forward!)

I'm living proof that belief works.
And so are you!

Think about it.

→ Every risk that paid off.
→ Every breakthrough you've had.
→ Every moment you surprised yourself.

Behind it was someone who believed in you first.

→ The friend who said "apply anyway" 
→ The mentor who saw your potential
→ The teacher who didn't give up on you
→ The parent who invested in your dreams 

They didn't have a crystal ball.
They had faith... in YOU

🔥 What happens when someone believes:

Your internal dialogue shifts.
From "I'm not ready" to "I'll figure it out."

You stop asking for permission.
You start taking action.

But here's the brutal truth:

We're so focused on our own insecurities 
that we miss the person next to us who needs our belief.

💡 The belief breakthrough:

When you believe in someone, 
you don't just change their trajectory...

You change their identity.
You become the voice in their head that says:

"Try anyway."
"You've got this."
"You're capable of more."

✨ How to be that person:

👁️ Look for potential, not perfection
Diamonds start as coal under pressure.

🗣️ Speak their future, not their past
Your words become their internal soundtrack.

🎯 Push them beyond their comfort zone
Growth lives where fear meets possibility.

🤝 Show up when it's hard
Belief without consistency is just noise.

💎 Celebrate progress, not just results
Small wins build unstoppable momentum.

I believe in YOU
Whether I know you or not.

Someone in your world needs that from you.
Today. Right now.

💬 How did your life change when someone believed in you?
Let me know below 👇

♻️ Repost if you're ready to be someone's believer.

✅ Follow Graham Nicholls for more truths that transform lives

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