https://youtu.be/s4J_PLekG8I

After nearly 10 years of running Awesome Academy, I’ve seen the difference between those who make real progress in coaching programmes and those who don’t.

In this video, I share some very loose but important reflections on:

• Why tracking your habits, systems, and choices matters
• How the Wheel of Life can give you a powerful snapshot of where you are right now
• The danger of instant gratification vs. the rewards of consistent effort
• Why community and connection are essential for real growth

If you’ve ever joined a group, read a book, or attended a seminar and felt stuck afterward, this might help you rethink how you approach change.

👉 Journal prompts included at the end to help you reflect and take action.

TL;DR Abstract

This is a set of loose reflections on coaching, mentoring, and progress after nearly ten years of running Awesome Academy.

Three key takeaways:

1. Progress comes from systems, not scattered effort. Tracking your actions, habits, and states over time is critical to understanding and improving your life.
2. The Wheel of Life is a powerful snapshot tool. It breaks your life into measurable segments and makes it easier to see where you are right now.
3. Community and consistency matter. Change happens more effectively when supported by structure, persistence, and the right people around you.

Loose Thoughts on Coaching and Mentoring

Uh, hi. This is just some very loose thoughts I have regarding coaching and mentoring—especially as I approach the 10-year anniversary of Awesome Academy in February 2026.

I’m writing this up because I’ve got a new coaching programme starting on the 20th of September. Over the years, I’ve connected with hundreds of people, and I’ve seen clear differences between those who make progress and those who don’t.

Many people sign up to the WhatsApp or Facebook group but mostly just observe. Very rarely do they take part. That observation got me reflecting on what really makes the difference.

Every Person Is Unique

Every person is unique. Each individual’s DNA, physical body, attributes, traits, upbringing, and environment are completely different. Their opportunities, challenges, and struggles are their own.

So how can one person—like myself—help another? If we’re all so unique, what connects us?

The answer is that while everyone is unique, patterns exist. Problems that feel personal are often universal. Someone else has usually been through something similar. Underneath it all, our experiences are connected by common states of mind and emotions.

Living in the Past and Future

Most people are not living fully in the present. Their current existence is shaped by:

• Past events and traumas
• Present circumstances
• Future desires and fears

When people come into a coaching programme, they bring only their current snapshot of life. They rarely understand how they got there. Few keep records of where they’ve invested their time, money, attention, or energy.

The Photo Analogy

Imagine someone took a photo of themselves on the 1st of every month for three years. Looking at those photos, you’d see patterns—weight changes, health shifts, etc. You could ask meaningful questions like, What happened here?

But we rarely have the same kind of data for our mental states, finances, relationships, or living environments. Without this, it’s difficult to see what’s improving or deteriorating.

The Wheel of Life as a Snapshot

That’s why the Wheel of Life is such a powerful starting tool.

It asks people to rate satisfaction across eight areas of life. Breaking it down makes it easier to talk about than simply asking, How do you feel about life?

Like the photo analogy, the Wheel of Life gives a snapshot of where someone is right now.

From there, I ask:

• What systems do you have in place?
• What habits, processes, or structures are helping you?
• Which ones are harming you?

The goal is to find high-impact leverage points—small consistent changes that bring maximum rewards over time.

Short-Term Gratification vs Long-Term Growth

Here’s the challenge: the biggest rewards in life require consistent effort over time.

But the mind craves instant gratification. That’s why people join groups, read books, or attend seminars—they feel like they’re making progress, even if nothing changes long-term.

I’ve been guilty of this myself. But because I keep journals and records, I can measure whether I’m truly making progress across different areas of life.

Creating Your Life Consciously

If you want to take real ownership of your life, you must:

• Use tools and exercises like the Wheel of Life
• Journal and track your decisions
• Analyse your systems, habits, and environment

Your current life is a constant creation. Everything you do—who you spend time with, where you focus energy—reinforces the situation you’re in.

If you want change, you can’t just make random adjustments. You need to experiment deliberately, track the impact, and learn.

The Importance of Community

Support makes this process easier. A coach, a small group, or the right community provides accountability, reflection, and encouragement.

Community and connection can ease pain and trauma in areas like finances, relationships, or health. They keep you focused on improvement.

Final Thoughts

If you want to improve your life:

• Start collecting data on how you’re creating it.
• Use tools like the Wheel of Life.
• Track your changes deliberately.

It only takes ten minutes to start journaling or filling out a Wheel of Life. Ask yourself:

• How am I currently creating my life?
• What can I change to improve it?

That’s where transformation begins.

Journal Questions

1. Where in my life right now am I relying on instant gratification instead of consistent growth?
2. What habits or systems am I currently using that are helping me—and which ones are harming me?
3. If I took a “snapshot” of my life today (like the Wheel of Life), what would it reveal about where I’m truly satisfied and where I need change?