The Tutor Podcast

Join host Neil as he passionately discusses the pitfalls of relying on AI to write books and the importance of genuine effort and passion in writing. He criticises the deceptive tactics of individuals selling shortcuts and secret algorithms for writing books, emphasising that true writing involves soulful expression and dedication. Neil encourages listeners to embrace the process of writing authentically, without seeking quick fixes or magic systems. KEY TAKEAWAYS Avoid shortcuts: Writing takes time, effort, passion, dedication, and diligence. It is a process that requires the essence of the writer to be reflected in the work. Beware of conmen: Be cautious of individuals selling quick-fix solutions or secret algorithms for success. True success in writing comes from genuine effort and authenticity. Write with soul: When writing, let your voice, passions, and even agonies shine through. It is through this authenticity that readers can connect with the essence of your work. Value the process: Good writing is a result of sweat, passion, and dedication. It is a reflection of the writer's commitment to their craft. Engage authentically: Instead of seeking magic systems or shortcuts, embrace the process of writing authentically. Let your words flow from your soul onto the page. BEST MOMENTS "If AI is writing your book, where's the passion in the book going to come from?" "Let's not talk to these idiots who want to sell you a loophole in the system, a secret algorithm, and a backdoor hack that nobody else knows about." "Writing takes time. Good stuff takes time. Good stuff takes effort." "When we write, we're putting blood and ink on the page. Something of the essence of us finds its way through the pen to the reader." "Grab a pen and spoil a blank page. Do the work and as for the 30-minute book guru, wave at him with one finger." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares insights and reflections on the importance of avoiding the comfort zone in life and business. Drawing from his own experiences and wisdom gained over 25 years in the industry, Neil emphasises the need to push boundaries, challenge oneself, and stay uncomfortable to continue growing and thriving. The episode serves as a motivational call to action for individuals in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching business to keep moving forward, stay hungry for growth, and never settle for a comfortable existence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Avoid the Comfort Zone: The comfort zone is where dreams are broken, passions are slain, and hope goes to die. It is important to push towards the edge and stay uncomfortable every single day. Keep Moving: It is essential to keep moving, pushing against perceived limits, and avoiding a slowdown or gradual decline. Rage Against Settling: Do not settle into a comfortable existence. Instead, embrace risk, adventure, and daring to avoid the slow goodnight into a comfortable but unfulfilling life. Stay Hungry: The hunger to grow and be more, to live an uncomfortable life, is crucial. It is important to stay hungry and continue to seek growth and improvement. Seek Growth and Adventure: Embrace life with a spirit of risk, adventure, and daring. Do not go gently into a comfortable existence but instead rage against settling and embrace the uncomfortable journey of growth and discovery. BEST MOMENTS "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much damn space." "The comfort zone is where dreams are broken, passions are slain, and where hope goes to die." "Old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage! Rage against the dying of the light." "Going gentle into that good night is Thomas's magnificent call to life, to risk, adventure and daring." "Stay uncomfortable every single day." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil emphasises the importance of taking action and actively pursuing one's goals, rather than waiting for success to come by chance. Neil uses the analogy of a man waiting for a roast duck to fly into his mouth to illustrate the concept of not leaving things to chance. He encourages listeners to define their goals clearly, know what they want, and take deliberate steps towards achieving them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Don't wait for success to happen by chance: The old Chinese saying mentioned in the podcast emphasises the importance of taking action and not relying on luck or chance to achieve your goals. Define your goals clearly: Many people lack well-defined and visualised goals, which hinders their progress. It's crucial to know exactly what you want to achieve in order to work towards it effectively. Effort is essential for success: Success requires effort, just like successful hunting demands effort. Those who are willing to put in the work are more likely to achieve their dreams compared to those who wait for things to happen by chance. Take daily steps towards your goals: Consistent effort and daily pursuit of your goals are key to achieving success. By actively working towards your goals every day, you increase your chances of success. Share your progress and seek help: The podcast encourages listeners to share their goals and progress. Seeking help and sharing knowledge can be beneficial in achieving your goals and overcoming obstacles. BEST MOMENTS "Don't leave it to chance ever... get out there, get after it and make it happen." "If you ask them what happiness looks like to them... they haven't got a clue." "Find out what your duck actually looks like... go get your duck, don't wait for it to happen by chance." "Success demands effort... successful hunting demands effort." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares valuable insights and advice for individuals in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching business. He emphasises the benefits and challenges of being your own boss, highlighting the freedom and responsibility that come with it. Neil discusses the importance of defining your ideal clients, setting pricing strategies, and diversifying income streams to ensure financial stability. KEY TAKEAWAYS The tutoring, teaching, and coaching business offers the freedom to decide how to spend your days, who to work with, and how much to earn. Responsibility in running your own business includes making decisions on pricing, scheduling, and client selection. Cultivating multiple streams of income is crucial to ensure financial stability and success in the tutoring business. It is important to continuously innovate and explore new ways to grow your tutoring business, such as creating products or offering additional services. Despite the challenges and responsibilities, running a tutoring business can be a fair trade-off for the freedom and control it provides. BEST MOMENTS "For me, especially, I'm probably unemployable after working for myself for a quarter of a century." "Remember don't deal with tossers and enjoy your life. Those two golden rules DDWT and don't do miserable making things." "There are no victims out there, guys. They're all awakening heroes. They're not who they've been told they are." "Remember guys when you work for yourself if you're not working you're probably not earning." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the topic of holidays and the unique perspective entrepreneurs may have towards them. Neil shares his personal experience of finding more joy in teaching and working than in traditional holiday activities. He discusses the guilt and conflicting emotions entrepreneurs may face when taking time off from their businesses. Neil reflects on his own struggles with the idea of holidays and invites listeners to share their thoughts and experiences on the matter. The episode offers a candid and relatable exploration of the complex relationship entrepreneurs may have with taking time away from their work. KEY TAKEAWAYS Holidays can be seen as hell for some individuals who are deeply passionate about their work and find fulfilment in their daily activities. Entrepreneurs, driven by their passion and purpose, may struggle to prioritise taking time off for holidays, feeling guilty about letting down students and betraying their mission. Anhedonia, a condition where individuals find their own work so pleasurable that they are reluctant to engage in activities of lower value, can make it challenging to enjoy traditional holiday experiences. Despite the reluctance towards holidays, there may be moments or experiences that are too valuable to pass up, such as creating memories with loved ones or exploring new cultures. Individuals need to reflect on their feelings towards holidays and time away from work, as everyone's perspective and priorities may differ. BEST MOMENTS "I know holidays are supposed to be all fun and special and all that stuff. It's something to look forward to, yada, yada, yada. But frankly, I don't get it." "Her bliss isn't posh frocks, cocktails and dancing the night away. Her happy is on her building site and her bliss is ripping out the guts of a tired old property and working her own magic." "We entrepreneurs can struggle to maintain our path and our social networks at the same time." "I remember once driving as far as the airport and going through the barrier onto the long stay car park to go and join a bunch of friends and my brothers in Spain and driving straight out the other end of the car park." "Holidays might be hell, but sometimes there are things you can't say no to." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the concept of anchoring in NLP and its profound impact on teaching and learning. Neil shares his personal experience of using anchors to access his optimal teaching state instantly. He explains the process of building anchors step by step and encourages listeners to try anchoring for themselves! KEY TAKEAWAYS The concept of state, as propounded by the founders of NLP, refers to the emotional, mental, and physiological condition of an individual at any given moment. Managing one's state and the state of students can be a game-changer in teaching business or any other setting. Building anchors can help in accessing desired qualities or skills at will by triggering a specific state. Anchors can be set on the body or even on physical objects or places, depending on individual preference. By using the right kind of anchor, individuals can enter a special state designed for themselves, leading to increased confidence and effectiveness in their work. BEST MOMENTS "Managing your state and the state of your students can be a game changer in your teaching business, or in pretty much any other setting from what I see." "I hit that button and it's like, boom! I feel absolutely unstoppable. I know I'm going to help my students. I know we're going to have fun." "I think this is one of the reasons I still get fired up to teach Even after 25 years." "I've learned to anchor myself into my own optimal teaching state in a matter of seconds on cue and completely at will." "Every time now, he needs the courage to be honest, he taps the tattoo and he triggers his own anchor." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the concept of "state" as defined by the founders of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). He discusses how understanding and managing states, which encompass emotional, mental, and physiological conditions, can be a game-changer in teaching and learning. Neil provides real-world examples of positive and negative states in students and explains how teachers can adapt their own state to create rapport and lead students in the right direction. Neil's engaging and informative discussion offers practical tips for tutors, teachers, and coaches to enhance their effectiveness and create a positive learning experience for their students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding and effectively managing states can be a game changer in teaching and learning. Positive states foster engagement, receptivity, and effective communication, while negative states can hinder learning. The environment, such as a well-lit, clean, and positive teaching room, can significantly impact the states of both the teacher and the student. Teachers can mirror and establish rapport with students in negative states to gradually lead them towards a more positive state without them being aware. Utilizing NLP techniques like anchoring can help teachers quickly transition into their optimal teaching state, influencing students positively. BEST MOMENTS "NLP is a neuro linguistic programming developed back in the 70s by a mathematician and a linguist. And it has profound implications for teaching and learning." "States are really, really important if we're trying to make that bridge between ourselves and the student." "If they get that, it's going to put them in a state where it's much easier for them to change and to become the sort of musician, player or even a person that they'd like to be." "But right now I just want you to be curious and excited and get into that state of mind about how you could use state transitions and anchoring to simply flip yourself into your own peak state." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil as he shares insights on how to effectively manage time in a no-nonsense, practical way. He emphasises the importance of tracking activities to increase productivity and happiness in both business and personal life. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your time and improve your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil talks about the importance of tracking daily activities to assess their effectiveness and impact on the business. Activities are categorised into plus one, zero, minus one, and minus two ratings based on their long-term benefits and immediate impact. Neil highlights the significance of focusing on plus one activities that contribute to business growth and profitability. Minus one and minus two activities, such as unnecessary meetings and toxic interactions, are identified as detrimental and should be avoided. Regularly evaluating and adjusting how time is spent can lead to increased productivity and success in the tutoring business. BEST MOMENTS "This is a really, really difficult thing to do, but it's totally worth it. It's a form of just activity tracking. Now, some of you will probably do this already, but there'll be a very, very small proportion of the audience." "So if you rate your activities every half an hour or so, just put a dot in the relevant column and a very brief comment to the left to say what you're doing, then you can whittle away the things that aren't good." "I, Neil Cowmeadow, hereby swear my solemn oath to insulate myself from other people's shrieking need for my attention, my time and my energy. I recognise that the crisis of their indolence and stupidity is not my problem." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the power of reframing and reversing perspectives to achieve success in the tutoring business. With his trademark positivity and no-nonsense approach, Neil challenges listeners to consider how they can guarantee failure in their recruitment efforts by flipping the question on its head. By providing examples of what not to do, Neil encourages tutors to rethink their strategies and identify areas for improvement. Neil emphasises the importance of adopting a positive mindset and taking proactive steps to attract and retain students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Positive reframing: The ability to turn situations around and see the positive side is a vital skill for a happy life. Reverse assumptions: By flipping questions and assumptions, new perspectives can be gained to refine goals and strategies. Specific goals: Instead of vague questions like "How do I find more students?", focus on specific details like age ranges, subjects, and ideal students. Unique recruitment approach: Consider how to guarantee not recruiting any students, which can lead to identifying actions that are not being taken. Feedback and engagement: Encourage listeners to provide feedback, suggestions, and questions to improve the podcast and share valuable insights. BEST MOMENTS "The ability to turn things on their head and reconsider what they might mean is a vital skill for a happy life, in my opinion." "So always flip the question. It's flipping marvellous." "Which one of those things are you not doing? Which ones of them are you doing?" "I think we should try to reverse everything, especially our own plans and assumptions." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil dives into the myth of being a lucky overnight success in the tutoring business. Neil challenges the notion of luck and emphasises the importance of hard work, dedication, and intelligent decision-making in achieving success. Drawing from his 25 years of experience in the industry, Neil shares insights and wisdom in a no-nonsense, relatable manner, encouraging listeners to define success on their own terms and put in the necessary effort to make it a reality! KEY TAKEAWAYS Success is defined as living life on your own terms, making the world a better place, and leaving a positive impact on others. Luck is often attributed to successful individuals, but it overlooks the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices they made behind the scenes. The "lucky mindset" involves expecting good things to happen, actively seeking opportunities, and putting in the effort to achieve success. Being an overnight success is a myth; true success requires time, effort, and continuous learning over weeks, months, or even years. Guard your hard-earned success and resources with care, as it is the result of your labour, not just luck. BEST MOMENTS "Success is living life the way you want to live it, in pursuit of something worthy of your attention and energy." "Luck is a nice way to explain things when you don't know what happened." "When people say you're lucky, they didn't see the 18-hour days you put in week after week." "The lucky mindset means you expect good things to happen and go out looking for them." "Life is not a roulette game. Put the odds in your favour by doing things likely to have a positive result." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil Cowmeadow in episode 312 of The Tutor Podcast as he celebrates six years of consistent podcasting without missing a show. Neil shares insights and ideas from his 25 years in the tutoring business, offering tips on starting, growing, and loving your own tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Tune in for no-nonsense advice on making your life run more smoothly, adding more fun, and increasing profitability in your business! KEY TAKEAWAYS BEST MOMENTS "I'll be pulling ideas and extracts from the hundreds of books I've consumed over the years, and to just give it to you in a no-nonsense, no-BS kind of way." "We've pondered taxation, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the nature of obsession and drive." "I gain the structure and the discipline of meeting my deadlines and always having something to say, even when I'm tired." "I'm here to listen as well as to talk. I know I don't have all the answers, so maybe you have one or two that'll be useful to me. Let me know." "Stay healthy, stay useful. Have fun." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of not going "round the bend" as tutors, teachers, and coaches in the business. He emphasises the limitations of being a sole trader and the necessity of scaling and scalability in the tutoring business. Neil shares personal experiences of being overwhelmed by day-to-day work and the realisation that hiring others to handle lower-value tasks can actually save time and increase profitability. He highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with the right people on the bus, such as assistants, partners, and service providers, to drive the business forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS Scale and Scalability: It's important to consider the limitations of being a sole trader in the tutoring business and the impact it has on earning potential. Importance of Delegating: Hiring people to handle lower-value tasks can free up time for high-value activities, ultimately benefiting the business. Recognising the Need for Support: Acknowledging the impact of overworking and the importance of having a support system in place to avoid burnout. Strategic Time Management: Prioritising high-value tasks over lower-value ones can lead to more significant opportunities and growth for the business. Continuous Learning and Improvement: Being open to feedback and seeking wisdom from others can help in developing and evolving the tutoring business effectively. BEST MOMENTS "The problem with this business model is that we're human. Well, some more than human." "Being human means that there's a limit on how much time you can actually spend teaching and helping people." "At some point, you'll have to stop teaching... What's your endgame?" "Hiring people in to do work for me is a saving to the business." "Get the right people on the bus and then drive the bus. Or better still, get someone else to drive the bus for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil discusses the concept of the "inner moron" that resides within all of us. He shares his personal experiences and insights gained from his 25 years in the tutoring business, discussing how the inner moron often leads us to make choices that are not in our best interests. Neil provides practical strategies for managing and outwitting the inner moron, such as planning ahead, pausing to evaluate decisions, and putting obstacles in its way. He emphasises the importance of reducing friction and making it easier for our better selves to prevail. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone has an inner moron that tempts them to do things that are not in their best interest. It is important to have a plan for each day to make the most of limited time. When faced with an impulse to do something stupid, take a pause and ask if it aligns with your goals. Put obstacles in the way of your inner moron, such as hiding things that enable bad habits. Make life easier for your better self by reducing friction and taking actions that support positive behaviours. BEST MOMENTS "My inner moron wants me to watch hours of YouTube videos that add nothing to my life." "He wants me to lie in bed and press the snooze button on the alarm when I've got appointments to take care of." "Your inner moron is strong in this one." "When the urge to do something truly stupid wells up inside you, again, take a pause, ask yourself one simple question." "Put as many barriers between yourself and your unwanted behaviors as you can." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of incorporating fun into teaching and tutoring. He shares his belief that learning occurs more quickly and effectively in a fun environment, where students feel comfortable making mistakes and taking risks. Neil challenges listeners to assess how much fun they are having in their teaching and to explore ways to add more enjoyment to their work. Overall, this episode encourages tutors and teachers to prioritise fun and playfulness in their practice to create a positive and engaging learning experience for their students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fun is important in teaching: It's important to incorporate fun into teaching. A fun environment enables students to learn faster and be more willing to take risks. Playfulness and creativity: Neil encourages teachers to be playful and creative in their approach to teaching. It suggests experimenting with new patterns, language, body posture, tonalities, and beliefs to make the learning experience more engaging. Embrace mistakes: It's essential to put work into creating a safe space for students to make mistakes. Encouraging students to intentionally do things badly at first can be one way, as it allows for learning and improvement. Continuous learning and adaptation: Teachers have to constantly learn and adapt to their students' needs. Teachers should be open to learning from their students and reverse engineering their mistakes to find solutions. Enjoyment in teaching: So much joy and fulfillment can come from teaching. Reflect on how much time you spend being happy, funny, and silly during your working hours and find ways to add more fun to your teaching practice. BEST MOMENTS "Not everybody gets this. Certainly, people look at you strangely if you say I'm off to have some fun, hang out, play guitar with my friends and get paid money for it." "Being too serious shuts down students because they come intimidated by the perceived risk of failure and here's the thing the real risk of failure in guitar teaching and tutoring is actually zero they screw up nobody dies deal with it." "Their blockages are my opportunities. They're my opportunities to play, to be creative. And I truly believe that playfulness is something we should all aim for and fill our days with." "I'll usually show them one or two ways to do it then ask them to do it really badly at first and I'll do that with a big smile because it's not serious it's just rock and roll baby." "If we're going to be spending the next God knows how many years doing something, wouldn't it be wonderful if that thing was the most fun thing that you knew how to do? And if you happen to get paid a load of money for it. Wonderful. Bravo for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil as he explores the power of clothing and how it can shape our perception of ourselves and others. Drawing on historical examples and personal experiences, Neil discusses how clothing can influence our inner game and impact our interactions with others. He talks about the importance of developing a strong inner game and using clothing strategically to project authority, credibility, and professionalism. Neil encourages listeners to pay attention to how different clothing choices make them feel and to experiment with their wardrobe to enhance their performance and success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clothing plays a significant role in shaping our perception of ourselves and how others perceive us. Different clothing choices can affect our behaviour, confidence, and how we are treated by others. Dressing appropriately for different occasions, such as casual attire for teaching or formal attire for business events, can enhance credibility and influence. Paying attention to how we feel whilst wearing different clothing items can help us understand what makes us feel powerful, efficient, and effective. Developing our own "Superman costume" or clothing choices that make us feel empowered can positively impact our performance and interactions with others. BEST MOMENTS "I figured that if I can give you some of what I found useful in my own restless search for ideas, for techniques and processes to make my own life run more easily and more smoothly, to cut down the effort, add a ton more fun, and make business more profitable and more enjoyable at the same time." "We all know that business means are different if you're the best-dressed person at the table. If you are, you're going to exert more influence due to how you're perceived." "I want to show up like someone who knows what they're doing. And it's the same with business and networking events. I want to show up looking credible." "I know that we're all told not to judge a book by its cover, but the fact is we all do it. So why not develop a cover that helps you rather than hinders you?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of consistency in achieving success in tutoring, teaching, and coaching businesses. Drawing from his 25 years of experience, Neil emphasises the significance of establishing a daily routine and implementing it consistently. He explains how consistency at both the daily routine level and the implementation level can lead to improved performance and efficiency. Neil shares his own experiences and insights, highlighting the benefits of practising the same techniques and patterns repeatedly to develop a solid system. He encourages listeners to focus on mastering one thing at a time and gradually building upon it to create a robust and effective approach. KEY TAKEAWAYS Consistency is key: Whether it's establishing a daily routine or implementing specific practices, consistency is crucial for building a solid foundation. Establish a daily routine: By setting aside dedicated time for important activities, such as practising or learning, individuals can ensure that they make consistent progress towards their goals. Implement with precision: By consistently performing tasks in the same way, individuals can develop habits and behaviours that lead to improved performance and efficiency. Groove in the behavior: Neil talks about the concept of "grooving in" behaviours and habits through repetition. By consistently practising and performing tasks in the same way, individuals can develop instinctive and automatic responses, making the process easier and more enjoyable. Manage exceptions: While consistency is important, Neil also acknowledges the need to manage exceptions and explore creative possibilities. By establishing a solid foundation through consistent practices, individuals can then experiment and push boundaries within that framework. Managing exceptions allows for growth and creativity while maintaining a strong system. BEST MOMENTS "I've got one particular student, he's played all his life. He's intelligent, smart, driven but he's frustrated." "Consistency means doing it over and over regularly and exactly the same way every time." "Your body thinks for itself once it's been trained." "Those notes are always in the same place. I use patterns in which I'm competent and I play those patterns with exactly the same finger movements all the time." "Ultimately it all comes down to practice, even though that is a word I loathe because of its semantic loadings of being grey, dull, endless, boring." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the concept of being a jack-of-all-trades. He shares his own experiences of being involved in various pursuits and challenges throughout his 24 years in business, including teaching guitar, renovating properties, earning a degree, training in NLP and hypnosis, and even piloting powered aircraft. Neil argues that being a polymath, or a jack-of-all-trades, is a great thing as it allows for a rich and varied life, filled with endless curiosity and exploration. He highlights historical figures such as Nikola Tesla, Leonardo da Vinci, and Isaac Newton as examples of polymaths who have made significant contributions to various fields. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being a jack-of-all-trades or a polymath is a great thing, as it allows for a rich and varied life with multiple pursuits and challenges. Specialising in just one thing can get boring and limit personal growth and exploration. History is filled with polymaths who have made significant contributions to various fields and changed the world. Embracing a diverse range of interests and skills can lead to a more interesting and fulfilling life. It's important to follow one's curiosity and quest for knowledge, as it can lead to new discoveries and opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "Is there anything you can't do? She asked" "To me it's a great thing. You see, the other name for a jack-of-all-trades is a polymath, from the Greek word polymathes, meaning having learned much. So this jack-of-all-trades master of none, I don't buy it." "I've come to believe over the years that it's in the nature of mankind to explore. To possess endless curiosity and to quest for knowledge." "What if she'd stayed in her lane? What if she'd stuck to her knitting and just did the normal stuff that deaf and blind people were expected to do in the day?" "Ask yourself, what would have happened if these jacks of all trades had specialised and stayed in their own lanes and just focused in on that one thing?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

This episode explores the concept that environment is superior to willpower. Neil shares his own experiences of avoiding temptations by staying away from certain environments and emphasises the importance of surrounding oneself with the right environment for success. Neil also discusses the productivity habits of renowned writer Neil Gaiman, who attributes his success to the power of boredom and creating a distraction-free writing space. Neil encourages listeners to try implementing these strategies in their own lives and shares his personal approach to writing. KEY TAKEAWAYS The environment is superior to will: The idea that the environment plays a significant role in our actions and decisions, creating a conducive environment can be more effective than relying solely on willpower. Learn from top performers: By observing principles, beliefs, language, behaviours, and processes of successful people you can improve your skills and achieve similar results. Embrace boredom: Neil Gaiman's approach to writing creates a space free from distractions and allows him to either write or do nothing. Embracing boredom can lead to increased focus and productivity. Time blocking: This helps create a routine and ensures dedicated time for the activity. Give yourself permission: Give yourself permission to either write or not write, this can alleviate the pressure of writer's block. By removing the expectation to produce, it can then be easier to start and engage in the writing process. BEST MOMENTS "Environment is superior to will for the vast majority of people. And unless you're a superhuman with iron will and balls of steel, that probably includes you and me." "Neil's superpower is actually boredom. He has a gazebo where he writes. And while he's there, he obeys one simple rule. Neil says, well you can sit here and write, or you can sit here and do nothing, but you can't do anything else." "I tell myself it's okay not to write it's okay but it's bloody boring. I don't permit myself to watch YouTube or listen to any podcasts or audiobooks. I may have a quiet soundscape or some background ambient noise playing in my own noise-canceling headphones just to block out distracting sounds. But that's about it. Boring." "So guys, clear the decks, turn off the phone, turn off the TV, the radio, turn off all notifications, close any windows other than the one you're actually working in. Block out anything and anyone remotely interesting and apply your bum to the seat." "I don't get writer's block anymore. I just choose to do nothing or to give myself permission to write and do one thing and notice that it's ever so slightly more interesting than doing absolutely nothing at all." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil Cowmeadow explores the idea of expanding our perspective as tutors, teachers, and coaches. He encourages listeners to see themselves as business people who happen to teach, rather than being confined to a narrow definition of their profession. Neil shares his own journey of branching out into various fields, such as writing books, collaborating on music, and mentoring others in property investment. He emphasises the importance of thinking beyond the boundaries of teaching and considering how one's skills and expertise can fit into a broader business ecosystem. By doing so, Neil believes that individuals can unlock new opportunities and live up to a bigger, broader definition of themselves and their businesses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace a broader definition of your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business as part of a larger business ecosystem. Consider how your unique teaching method can be turned into a product, such as a book or course, to reach a wider audience and generate additional income. Think like a publisher or marketer to explore new business opportunities and expand your offerings beyond teaching. Sketch out your business ecosystem, identifying connections and barriers between different businesses and opportunities. Avoid limiting yourself to a narrow definition of your role and instead strive for a bigger, broader definition that gives you something to aspire to. BEST MOMENTS "We're, in my opinion, business people who happen to teach. That's our primary service." "Your business doesn't need to exist in isolation and it shouldn't exist in isolation. All around it, there are other businesses and other opportunities." "What if you could turn that into a product, into a book or a course that could be sold worldwide and could help more people? What would that do for your business and for you?" "A limited definition like that or a self-statement is a prophecy you'll live down to. A bigger, broader definition of who and what you are gives you something else. It gives you something to live up to." "Think about your ecosystem. Put it out on paper. Have a look at it. Scratch your head. Dream a little bit. Have a bash at it. It's worked for me, and it might work for you too." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil Cowmeadow discusses the importance of taking care of our health and well-being on a daily basis. He emphasises that our health is the foundation upon which everything we do is built, and neglecting it can have consequences in our personal and professional lives. Neil challenges the notion that it is normal to experience a gradual decline in health as we age, and instead advocates for investing in our health every day to delay and minimise the impact of chronic diseases. He shares his own experiences with different diets and fasting and encourages listeners to do their own research and find what works best for them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Taking care of our health and well-being is essential not just during the post-Christmas period, but every single day. Our health is the foundation upon which everything we do is built, and neglecting it can hinder our ability to deliver our best to our students, customers, clients, and family. Historically, humans were healthy and robust deep into old age, and it is possible to maintain good health and well-being throughout our lives. The toxicity of industrially produced processed food and the sedentary lifestyle of the modern world contribute to long-term ill health. Fixing our diet, incorporating fasting, and prioritising movement and exercise are key steps to getting and staying healthy. BEST MOMENTS "The point I want to make today is that we really have to look after ourselves, not just in the post-Christmas period, but every single day." "Your health is the foundation upon which everything you do is built." "Walking is one of the most beneficial activities a human being can engage in." "There is no amount of exercise you can do that can compensate for a bad diet." "The NHS is really good, ish, at managing sickness. It's piss poor at health because it's not set up to manage health." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!