Introduction
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
– Gautama Buddha
2021. The world stands at a crossroads, gripped by chaos born of collective fear and disconnection. Amid narratives of division and distrust, an opportunity emerges—a call for profound personal responsibility and transformation.
As I listen closely, I hear two distinct voices. One a barely audible narrative of hope, of unity, of a renewed appreciation of diversity and a deeper connection to the Universe, God, Source (whichever term resonates for you) than ever before. The louder voice drives home concepts of inequality, segregation, gender wars, disease, war, lockdowns, distrust, mindless consumption, disempowerment, hate speech.
Yet within this turbulence lies the potential to reclaim agency and weave a new story grounded in love, truth, and collective healing.
Before you think this book is going to be all doom and gloom, take heart my mighty companion. I’m simply keeping things very real right from the outset. No spiritual bypassing here. We cannot get to where we want to be until we’re willing to see where we are, and appreciate what is for all that it is. For every problem holds the key to its solution, and by acknowledging what is, we instantly create better.
Those who have taken the time to break free of the spell claiming separation from each other, have come to understand that right now, we are in the trenches with the Collective Shadow Unconsciousness built on the frequency of fear, survival, and victimhood leading to suffering, constant doubt, mental disease, toxic codependency, instant gratification, addiction, escapism and people literally working themselves to death.
The good news is, the time for change is upon us and we, the people, get to retrieve wisdom from the outcomes of previous choices, and do it better. What is called for is radical self-responsibility, truth and a compassionate stance in which everything that is within another, is within ourselves and vice versa. To identify patterns, and without blame or shame or wanting to rectify the past, start weaving new patterns into the universal fabric of creation by telling a new story. To remember who we are. The power of our words and thoughts. The beauty and value of our emotions. To stop living purely from the mind, and start living through the heart.
The only way to heal patterns of generational suffering moving forward, is for us as individuals to remember who we are, reclaiming ourselves in the fullness as spiritual and human beings, thereby stopping the trauma from spilling over to the next generation, and then engage in a conversation from the point of where we want to get to.
Our shared mission is to break free from fear-based patterns and ascend to what I have termed the Alpha frequency—a creative energetic frequency of love, trust, and authentic self-leadership. This journey demands courage, honesty, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
This might not be the easiest mission for many who have been raised to believe growth is uncomfortable, or to embrace the ever popular “pain for gain” approach to life. I want to bring awareness to the fact that your belief will ultimately create your experience. What I have witnessed in many of my clients - high achieving entrepreneurs and executives who love to push their boundaries and enjoy the thrill of the challenge - is that the most uncomfortable part is the sacrifice of the ego-identity which believes there has to be some form of hardship to prove worth and deserving of your ultimate desires.
Intentional Self-Leadership is not about what you’re doing but rather a state of being.
Where every choice you make, every action you take, is a declaration to the Universe of who you choose to be and the legacy you live.
Which brings me to another important discussion and that is the evolution from a high achiever to an elite performer.
Gen X baby? Then you know that we were raised to strive for the embodiment of the high achiever. The accolades, the certifications, the medals. We were praised for our willingness to sacrifice it all for the achievement of our goals - and we sacrificed greatly. Forever striving for the next summit, believing once we crest the final rock-face we would feel worthy, feel enough, feel as though we have arrived. But the applause is always fleeting, and once everyone goes home and the lights go out, we have to face the sense of disillusionment in the dark once more. Setting the new goal in the hope that this time around…
It is an externally driven existence which was and is perfect for the evolution into the internal focus of an elite performer.
Elite performance, a transformation I support many clients with, focusses on the journey inside. No longer needing to prove yourself, you remember your worth and bring the power of your focus to the manifestation of your desires. The only sacrifice is that which is no longer resonant with your evolved identity and the vibration of your creation. It is no longer about what you look like, but what you feel like that matters. It’s an all-dimensional game (see my book “The Little Book of Big Principles for Greatness”) in which every project / goal / intention is an enhancement of yourself and your life in an ever-evolving spiral upwards.
One of the most fun and effective tools I've enjoyed using for both my personal transformation as well as guiding clients as they traverse their rite of passage, is the Jungian approach to archetypes. It was when I read "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine" By Robert Moore and Doug Gillette (that it hit me straight in the heart - THIS was the key to the intentional Artist Archetype residing on the Alpha frequency of emotional and spiritual maturity, whether it be Masculine or Feminine. Each archetype represents a vital aspect of your inner world and the parts at play in the manifestation of your life experience.
These archetypes are not abstract ideas but tangible energies you can embody to navigate challenges, manifest desires, and lead from a place of wholeness. By understanding and integrating their energies, you'll gain clarity on your desires, your truth, and the transformation required to embody your highest self. In the pages to follow you will discover how together, they form a blueprint for authentic, empowered living.
As you read the chapter on the archetypes, consider which resonates most with your current journey and which shadows may still linger, awaiting transformation
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The seven keys shared in this book form a combination lock, in other words, all seven have to be unlocked for you to fully step into self-leadership. As long as one remains closed, due to:
an unwillingness to do the work,
an unwillingness to sacrifice slothful thinking or ways,
an unwillingness to release shame and blame or demanding retribution for the past,
an unwillingness to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long term gains, or
an attachment to a story that is simply not useful for your thrive,
you remain in shadow consciousness.
Way too often I hear people say they’re 99% in and 1% out. Respectfully, this is a lie told unconsciously for the self-preservation of your current ego state - you’re either all in or you’re out. Commitment does not allow for any back-doors.
My suggestion for those serious about their personal sense of fulfilment and well-being, understanding this is what sets the tone for all in your sphere of influence, is that you remain open and curious, willing to let go of everything you’ve ever thought or believed, and use the same question I used in writing this book which is : “Is this useful in creating ultimate thrive?”
Be willing to feel your triggers, do the inquiry to understand the splintering from your spirit so you may receive remembrance, reintegrating yourself into your wholeness, and let go of the suffering. Dial up your compassion for self, don’t try to make sense of it all but rather learn by following the footsteps in the sands of time.
Thrive - to grow vigorously - is the ultimate goal in life. It’s a return to our natural state, and everything that takes us away from this, is based in an illusion filled with the dense energy of fear. Therefore, awakening is the process of piercing the veil, remembering truth, inviting in more compassion, and releasing all the interferences of untrue stories we’ve been conditioned to tell.
What you will discover is that self leadership is the most extraordinary release from suffering through radical love, acceptance and appreciation of yourself, of everyone else, of our world, of life. The need to motivate others is replaced by naturally occurring inspiration simply by being your true self. Conversations become rich and inquisitive. Relationships deepen to levels of tremendous worth and value.
This book offers a transformative journey through the lens of self-leadership, structured around seven powerful keys. Each key delves into a fundamental principle of personal growth, illustrated with relatable stories and practical insights. Accompanying journaling prompts invite you to deepen your exploration, fostering self-awareness and actionable change. This combination creates a roadmap for you to uncover your potential, align with your truth, and take meaningful steps toward thriving in all aspects of life.
Also, anything shared within these pages received but not actioned, is useless as the mind will hold on to the fantasy of what could be, whereas execution is required for transformation.
With this said, let’s turn the first key.
