Alcohol-Free Advantage Podcast with Andy Ramage

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

Days Left On Earth: 17516 ' It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.' - Seneca.As I read these words from one of my heroes, Seneca, the roman philosopher,  all I could think about was death. Even writing the word 'death' feels uncomfortable. To be clear, my thoughts were happy ones. I suddenly realised that no one has the right to a long life. Fait could take it away at any moment. There are no guarantees: Saints, heroes and villains all pass at some point. Just because you are a 'good' person does not mean you will live until a ripe old age passes serenely in your sleep. In this moment of reflection, I feel strong and confident that I am making the most of this beautiful life. Equally, I understand that this is easy to say as I write these words feeling fit as a fiddle. But what of fate? The drunk driver, cancer, heart disease or sickness. Present-day health has nothing to say about such events. Life is so fragile. It takes the slightest slip, and it's over. Please understand me. This is not meant to sound morbid, and it did not feel like my mind was wandering toward my demise. It was strangely liberating. To know if I left the building of life, I could do so safe in the knowledge I have lived it.What now? Do I start to walk across roads with my eyes closed? Why should I care about living well in the present if I am fearless of the future?This mind exercise produced a simple answer: I am more determined than ever to enjoy every second of this beautiful life. I will eat well and exercise to nourish my body with the elements required to thrive. It gave me the energy to extract every last drop from this beautiful life. I will look after my mind as though it were a precious gem that should never be lost. And I will never let a hangover rob me of another minute. It is time to lift my head and smile at the stranger, for I am not scared of life anymore. No one or nothing can take it away from me before it's time. I am ready, born ready. There is nothing to take, only extra to add. I will not sit around and wait for it to decide my ending. I will write my script from this day on. If my play last's for another 20 minutes or 70 years, I will enjoy every second as best I can.What will your story say?

Days left on earth: 17517“This space that has been granted to us rushes by so speedily and so swiftly that all save a very few find life at an end, just when they are getting ready to live.” Seneca The majority have it wrong. They are waiting under the illusion at some point in the future, everything will be perfect, and they can live happily ever after.But it rarely works out this way.So they wait until it’s too late and only start to live as they can see the end. The regrets of the dying are all around us.So here’s an idea. Start living now. Really living. Breathe life into your bones. Stop to smell the roses. Smile through adversity. Hug your loved ones like it's the last time. Connect with old friends, catch a sunrise, not tomorrow or at a later date - today.

Days Left On Earth: 17519We live like we're immortal under the assumption that there will be enough' time when we might not wake up tomorrow.The brutal reality is all around us, yet we often choose to ignore it until it's too late.A top regret of the dying, according to Bronnie Ware, is, "I wish I had not worked so hard."Ware's words are not pessimistic. They are joyous.Living under a false assumption of a guaranteed tomorrow means we miss the bliss in the present.These are not throw-away platitudes; our happiness lives in our ability to pause to smell the coffee.Here is a radical idea.What if every day was a lifetime? How would you live it?Would you hug your loved ones and breath the feeling into your bones?Perhaps you would savour a moment in nature or stop to smell the roses?A conversation with a loved one might take on a whole new dimension if it were your last.Or the small talk with a stranger might be enthused with loving energy that leaves a glow.If today is your lifetime, how will you live it?