Alcohol-Free Advantage Podcast with Andy Ramage

Days Left On Earth: 17506“We can be knowledgable with other men’s knowledge, but we can’t be wise with other mens wisdom” Montaigne. Knowledge is easy, google it.Consistent use of knowledge is hard.Wisdom comes from the application of knowledge. Your challenge today is to turn your knowledge into action and, therefore, wisdom.Let me knowAndy  

By saying yes to one thing, you’re saying no to a thousand other things you could be doing.Saying yes to reading a book means saying no to a conversation with a friend, swimming, or cooking.If we agree that saying yes means saying a thousand no’s, then it makes sense to fully immerse ourselves in what we’re doing, right?You have chosen this activity from a thousand others. So rather than do it half-hearted while dreaming of something else, just do it. Go all in. Stay with the present moment and enjoy the challenge. It is all you have.

“The true self is what you have built from your nature, not just what your nature started out with”: David Brooks The Road To Character Your authentic self is not a static persona that sleeps beneath your actions. You chisel your authentic self from the raw material of your nature. You are the sculptor of your being. You don’t have to allow life to force you into a shape of its choosing, you can carve the person you want to be.Life will knock you into shape if you allow it, but life is a second-rate sculptor.You are the master.Who do you want to be?

Days Left On Earth: 17509Business has fallen into the same trap as psychology.For years psychology was so focused on healing the sick that it forget its origins, to help those in need AND nurture talent and boost well-being. Healing the sick is wonderful and vital.But so is creating thriving individuals.Fortunately, 20 years ago, the head of the American Psychology Association and the biggest role in psychology Martin Seligman, escaped the trap and enhanced traditional psychology by creating Positive Psychology, which is designed to use science as a way to develop well-being and performance.Currently business is doing much better at catering for those who are suffering. Mental health first aiders, better policies.But like psychology of 20 years ago, business is also missing a major point.Mental health is not just about healing those who need help.It is also about creating resilience and nurturing talent. Better mental health leads to better performance in business and life.Think about this.The science of positive psychology, Seligman pioneered has clearly demonstrated that those with higher well-being perform better and therefore improve business and generate more revenue. And they are happier whilst they do it!If life well-being were on a spectrum from -10 to +10.Business is starting to do good work helping those in minus numbers get back to zero.But what about helping a +5 become a +7?And how about providing the skills for a 7 to get to 9?Just imagine the difference this would make to the well-being of your staff and the performance of the business.If you want to know more drop me a direct message.

Days Left On Earth: 17510 Franz Kafka was one of the 20th century’s great novelists. His short story ‘Before the law’ gave me so much courage that I wanted to share it with you.For this episode, I will read this short story and then look at the reflection I wrote in my journal.What does Kafka's parable mean to me?The man wants to be handed the law on a plate. He is posturing to be let in but, deep down, does not have the spirit to make a move. To risk failure and open himself to bigger, meaner gatekeepers.  So he sits and waits - hoping for someone or something to gift him entry. All his attention is focused on the first challenge, and he can longer see the wood for the trees. He waits.When in truth - these obstacles in life are meant just for us. No one else. No one invites us in. There is never a perfect moment,They are our gatekeepers. And we must take action even when it scares us, or we will never know what's on the other side.My big gatekeeper was alcohol.For years I waited outside waiting to be welcomed in. I even wished a soft-rock bottom that did not hurt too much would force me past the gatekeeper.Back then, I did not have the courage to take action.Then after years of waiting, unlike the man, I forced my way past the gatekeeper and found my courage on the other side.Once inside, I found another bigger, scarier gatekeeper.I wanted to leave the broking world, but everyone thought it impossible. No one gets past the gatekeeper with the golden handcuffs.Until I did.The great insight is that your challenges are unique to you, but in taking action in the face of fear, you grow stronger and more resilient. Which builds the momentum to get past the next gatekeeper.One last thing.The gatekeepers are never-ending.Or, as Ryan Holiday says, “behind the mountains are more mountains.’Happiness is found trying to climb them.

Days left on earth: 17511We are so busy doing, getting stuff done, rushing, getting through it - for what? In the hope that one day life will slow down and we can experience its wonders?But this is to assume you only experience the wonder and beauty of life when you have your to-do list is done, financial freedom, promotion, retirement…Most people are living this way. Dreaming of a perfect tomorrow that might never arrive. Climate change, AI doomsday, war, and sickness are all possibilities.So why wait?Why push your happiness, joy and wonder off into an uncertain future?What about your bank wonder, joy and happiness right now?The raindrop, hot cup of coffee, hug, oak tree, bird song, children playing…Wonder is not in some far-off land, it is now. You just have to look for it.Here’s my glimpse of paradise on earth: Waking up my Ruby and her saying, ‘Love you dad’What’s yours?Check out my socials:linktr.ee/andyramage

Days Left On Earth: 17512A life without problems would be horrifically dull.  Yet no one welcomes obstacles.But what if your challenges are specifically designed to make you stronger? I like how Thomas Merton describes it, “Souls are like athletes that need opponents worthy of them. If they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers.” The universe is testing you. Do you want what resides on the other side of the obstacle?HappinessSuccessJoyRelief Peace LoveConnection…If so, the barricade is not a reason to give up, it is a sign to push on.Or as Marcus Aurelius, arguably the last great Roman Emperor, penned in his private journal, known as the meditations:“The impediment to action advances action.What stands in the way becomes the way”Today meet your obstacles with a smile.Thank you, Ryan Holiday, ‘The Obstacle Is The Way’ for the inspiration.

Days Left On Earth: 17513 You can meditate all you like.Exercise like a heroEat like a saint But if you’re still drinking too much you’re missing an essential ingredient of performance that almost everyone overlooks.In summary - You can’t out mediate, out exercise or eat your way out of the hole a few drinks creates.These are the facts. Even a few drinks destroys the quality your sleep. All the science suggests that poor sleep destroys performance. We all been there on a Friday morning after a few on a Thursday. Hows performance on these days?And what about the day after?As you age it takes longer to recover.For years I was drinking and under performing. I just never questioned it. Then 8.5 years ago I stopped and it transformed ny buisness, career, income, health and happiness.I also discovered that going alcohol-free is a superpower in a business world thats awash with booze. So why are we not talking about tactical breaks from alcohol as a superpower performance tool?The truth is that its a cultural blindspot. Most everyone is boozing therefore its a level playing field.Or is it.And the world of business is rapidly catching onto the idea of tactical breaks.All the athletes, and elite business performers I work with have now stopped drinking.The elite athletes and business professionals I work with are taking more and more time away from the booze. They too have unlocked a secret alcohol-free super power. So if we are going to talk performance surely its time that we also speak about tactical breaks from the booze.

Days Left On Earth: 17514You can't keep up with the Joneses because you will notice more Joneses living on a better street with better stuff as soon as you catch them.So it would help if you worked longer and harder to keep up with a moving target.You'll permanently adapt to the bigger house, better car. But you will never get the first school assembly, nativity play or netball match, sunrise or adventure back.All the cars in the world can't mend a broken relationship that runs fallow because you're too busy trying to earn money to pay for everything to be happy.What is important to you?What brings your joy?Equally, I love those who strive to achieve. I am one of them. The secret is to ground yourself in the essential things and use this as your non-negotiable foundation of success. Family first, health, gratitude for what you have rather than chasing a material moving target.You can wave the Joneses goodbye from this place of power because you are taking life to a place where they're not. Your foundation is not external; it's internal. AndyPS I have noticed that external economic success often follows from this internal foundation of success!

Days left on earth: 17516Earning £38 per week as a football apprentice was the wealthiest I ever felt. Living at home with no bills, with everything taken care of by my lovely mum and dad, all I had to do was play football and afford the odd night out.Driving a beat-up Ford Fiesta that you could start with a house key, with no heating, so I had to wear ski gloves in winter - I felt like a million dollars.Then a few years later, I earned a million dollars and felt trapped and overwhelmed by living expenses. I know this is ridiculous. But it's so many people's stories. The numbers will differ, but the sensation of feeling trapped by a desire for more is universal. But there is a skilful way out that takes a ton of courage.You stop to “actually” smell the roses. This does not mean you stop trying to be successful or earn money. I enjoy both. But you stop trying to find happiness in what you don’t have.And start feeling grateful for what you do have right now.A hug with a loved oneThe cup of tea made with love.Cuddles with a pet.Laughs with friends.These moments create happiness but are too often missed trying to earn more money to be happy!So today, focus on one thing that brings you joy in your life.Here’s mine - A cup of coffee while I write these words.Check out my socials:linktr.ee/andyramage