Force vs Flow: finding the sweet spot

How do you do great work? The answer is pretty straightforward:

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." — Steve Jobs

Since slowing down a bit, I’ve had time to think about what I really loved about my work. And while I’m enjoying life now, there are definitely parts of my old work life that I miss.

I was at my best when I had a clear goal, when life was buzzing—both at home and in the office. At home it was a renovation project, having friends over, doing things with our daughter. I also loved diving into big, challenging projects, working with people who were just as passionate and driven as I was. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of reviewing a report for a client and being genuinely impressed by how everything has come together—the insights, the advice, the results for your client. That’s when you know you’re making a real impact.

I didn’t mind the long hours or the juggling act of managing multiple projects, teams and clients —especially when everything was flowing smoothly. That sense of flow was something I chased throughout my career. It’s that exhilarating feeling of getting big things done, sometimes against the odds, and delivering results that surpass expectations.

Was it stressful and tough at times - definitely - but that was part of the challenge. There’s something satisfying about seeing a clear path forward, bringing a team together, and achieving something that at first seems almost out of reach.

Managing all those moving parts takes a lot of planning, communication, and discipline. I took pride in hitting deadlines time after time. But let’s be real—sometimes that meant pushing through obstacles, whether it was people dragging their feet, very complex problems to solve or pushing myself further than I thought possible. When the team was on the same page and we shared the load, it was such a great feeling – part of something bigger and that we were working side-by-side, supporting each other. But when there was resistance, especially within the team, it seemed like pushing a boulder up a never ending hill.

So, what’s the takeaway here? If your heart’s not in it—if you’re just grinding away to pay the bills, fund a holiday, or keep up a certain lifestyle—life can start to feel like a constant uphill battle.

Maybe it’s worth asking yourself if what you’re doing really lines up with what you want. When your work clicks with your values and passions, things just seem to flow easier. Sometimes, you even end up in a better place than you ever expected.

For me, it all comes down to purpose. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why might you feel stuck, unappreciated, or just plain bored? A lot of people get caught up in - buying things to make themselves or their families happy, just trying to cope with a stressful job.

But imagine doing something that genuinely excites you, something that gives you energy rather than diminishing it. That’s when you’re likely to do your best work and find real satisfaction and joy.

As the saying goes: "Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life."

Yes, I know, that’s much easier to say than to do!  It’s something that has been at the back of my mind for years, probably decades.  But the important thing is to recognise your situation and what’s working and what’s not.  Setting some clear intentions and  putting a few actions in train can make a big difference to you life long-term.

That’s why I decided to start this business - to do something that helps others through big milestones in their life. Work that I genuinely love and that fills me with energy to do more, learn more.

I also think having a broad direction in life really helps - having a life plan and aligning your finances, moves you closer to where you want to be - to help you buy a home, change careers, travel for extended periods etc etc etc. See my online courses.