Dear valued clients and friends,
I was thinking recently about something oddly simple. Milk has a best-before date. But we don’t.
That’s not to say we’re immune to time or that we don’t change. We do. But we don’t wake up one morning “expired”. What we do have are good days and great days. Days where things feel easier and days where everything requires a bit more effort.
The difference, I’m learning, often comes down to preparation.
After a recent conversation with Richard Wright on the Living and Investing podcast, I accepted his challenge to train for a half marathon this year. Not with bravado or grand announcements, but quietly. Honestly. Starting from where I am.
I’ll be honest - it is a mammoth task. So I’m not trying to conquer it all at once. I’m taking it one day at a time. Building stamina. Building capability. Approaching it the same way the old proverb suggests you eat an elephant - one bite at a time.
As part of that training last week, I had a 13km hilly run scheduled. The night before, I knew exactly what was coming. I prepared mentally, laid out what I needed. I didn’t overthink it, but I didn’t ignore it either. When the run came, it was tough - but far less daunting than it might have been.
Owning the Days That Don’t Feel Easy
I also know there will be mornings when I wake up not feeling great. A scratchy throat. Low energy. Or simply not much enthusiasm for what’s planned. On those days, I can own it and give myself a bit of grace.
More often than not, Harvey - our ever-enthusiastic Golden Doodle, whom many of you will recognise from previous newsletters - has other ideas. Long before I’ve finished negotiating with myself, he’s already at the side of the bed, tail going utterly convinced that today is a walk or running day. There’s something disarming about that kind of eagerness. No judgement. No pressure. Just a gentle nudge that reminds me I said I would.
That’s the kind of accountability that stuck with me after my conversation with Richard Wright. Not something heavy or punitive, but something shared. Letting a few trusted people - or in my case, a very determined dog - know what you’re aiming for. Allowing others to walk alongside you when motivation dips and momentum wavers.
Preparation helps, but companionship carries you further. It removes some of the resistance before you even begin. When I know what lies ahead and I’m not facing it alone, I’m better equipped to meet it - whether that’s a training run, a business decision or a life change.
That idea of shared responsibility extends far beyond personal goals.
It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about through my involvement in Transforming Neighbourhoods. At its heart, the initiative is about people choosing to care. Not waiting for someone else to step in, but contributing time, energy or resources to improve the spaces we all share. Small consistent actions done together. With accountability built into community, not obligation.
Clean streets. Maintain verges. Public spaces that feel looked after. These things affect far more than appearances. They shape how safe people feel. How connected communities become. How property values are protected and enhanced over time.
Transforming Neighbourhoods is still in its early stages, focused initially on Johannesburg North, but the intention is simple and practical. Establish momentum. Show what’s possible when communities work together.
If this resonates with you and you’d like to understand a bit more about what we’re doing, I’d encourage you to follow the Transforming Neighbourhoods Facebook page. It’s the easiest way to see how the initiative is taking shape and where the work is happening. To access, click here.
And if you feel moved to get involved - whether through time, resources or support - there’s a simple form you can complete to raise your hand. No pressure, just an open door for those who feel this is something they’d like to be part of. To access the form click here.
Preparing for What Matters
Whether you’re training for something physical, making decisions about your life or deciding how to best position that important issue in your next meeting, preparation changes the experience.
It doesn’t guarantee perfect outcomes. It does, however, reduce fear. It replaces urgency with intention. It allows good days to become great days more often than not.
As February settles in, perhaps the question isn’t how much you can take on - but what you can prepare for properly. And who you might invite along the way.
If you’d like to talk through property decisions, future plans or simply need a sounding board, I’m always happy to have a conversation.
Warm regards,
