Success Advice
How A Pierce Brosnan Booty Call Woke Me Up From My Madness

Alright keep your pants on I’m straight as an arrow and I obviously didn’t personally hook up with Pierce. I do like his accent though. I’ve never been near the guy and probably never will.
I was sitting in a pub with a few people I’d just met. Now I don’t drink so that may sound strange but who really cares right? You came here for Pierce’s booty baby.
At this pub with me was a Snap Chat influencer, a woman who has crushed Instagram and started multiple million dollar businesses from it, and a woman who’s business has done more than a billion dollars in revenue, and a few other interesting peeps.
One of the people sitting at the table then told us all how they had been hit on by young Pierce Brosnan and I’m guessing this was when he was single. Apparently, he had left a voicemail wanting a booty call. Like any concerned gentlemen, I asked if the voicemail still existed and it did.
I put the phone up to my ear, and sure enough, it was him. My favorite James Bond character when I was growing up as a young buck was now etched in my memory for good.
At this moment, I woke up from my madness. This bizarre story made me realize the delusion I was living. We’re all messed up and doing dumb stuff even Pierce Brosnan. We do it because we haven’t found meaning in our life and we’re still searching.
My search for meaning
I thought I had it all and had this game of life sh*t figured out. After this life changing moment featuring Pierce’s booty call, I woke up from the madness of my reality: I don’t. I’ve realized that as hard as it is, we can’t let this reality delude and depress us.
The majority of us haven’t figured out the meaning of life and we may never figure it out. I’m of the belief that if we keep searching with an optimistic mindset, we can find it. From what many have described as my “hellish” twelve months, I realized the other night at that pub that I’m calm.
I’m not going to let all the negative thoughts take over from the major successes I’ve had over the last twelve months.
“I’m not going to let the darkness drown out the light”
We all want to be loved. We all want to be appreciated. We all want to inspire the world with our gift. What I figured out the other night is that all of us have the power to achieve these human goals. Nothing is impossible but it can be if you give up.
It’s how you perform in the dark times
Through my own struggle, I figured out that it’s how you perform in the dark times that determines your success. We all watch these pump up videos on social media that tell us never to give up, but then when the struggle comes around we forget.
The quickest way to get out of this way of thinking is to avoid selfishness at all times. Do things for others and do it more often, the worse you feel.
When you haven’t figured out the meaning of your life, choose gratitude and giving as your default way of being present when there is a lack of clarity around your meaning of life.
Find yours
Maybe the meaning of your life is less complicated than you believe. Like me, you’re probably over-thinking it. The delusion is that we look at other people’s success and then try and derive our own meaning for life based on their story.
I’ve figured out that we do this unconsciously. You’ve got to come up with your own meaning for your life and be happy not to have all the answers right now. As I write these words, I find myself saying, “Easier said than done Mr. Tim.”
Even in our moments of inspiration, our mind wants to derail us. You won’t find the meaning of your life unless you increase your level of discipline.
Your mantra to break up with negative thoughts
I’ve started doing 10km walks every day to get back to the top again. I’ve combined that with listening to Tony Robbin’s audiotapes. For those who know me well, this is going back in time to a previous success strategy and it’s a reflection of where I’m at (lost).
By coincidence, Tony said we have to have a mantra when we lack meaning. Whenever our thoughts get over-taken with negative emotions, we need to break the pattern. I’ve used the mantra “You’ve dodged a bullet, Tim,” as a way to interrupt my mind.
If you are finding yourself lacking meaning in your life and your mind is taking over, interrupt the cycle of troublesome thoughts with a mantra.
Definition of success
The other big realization I got at the pub the other night was that success still doesn’t give us a meaning for our life. I sat there and listened to these women who were making more money than any of us could dream of, and who had built massive audiences who hang on to their every word.
They were quote “successful, ” yet they seemed to be lacking meaning. Instead, they were fascinated with me because I appeared to have more meaning than them. I spoke with a sense of purpose and I clearly was not interested in money.
Unlike everyone else, I had no interest in being a groupie and riding off their success. I had no problem paying for my own food even though others expected the “young rich” to foot the bill. It’s bloody phenomenal how misleading almost everything we come into contact with is.
“Our eyes have taught us to see and want things that lack no meaning. We’re easily conned into believing that success is more important than meaning – it’s not”
Being on the path to finding meaning is better than being lost
While I may feel like I lack a meaning for my life right now, some meaning, combined with a foggy vision for the future is better than nothing. Finding meaning is like a jigsaw puzzle; you first find the pieces and then you gradually start piecing them together.
Have hope that you will find meaning. Know that a lack of meaning in your life is where most of your pain is derived from so it needs focus. When you focus on finding meaning, you’ll begin to find it. Don’t chase success. Instead, chase a meaning for your life.
Meaning will give you the energy to push through the dark times and come out on top. It takes a lot of damn patience to find meaning, but the people I’ve met that have found it have shown me it’s all worth it.
People who have meaning don’t need to pick up the phone for a booty call with someone that they shouldn’t be indulging in because they’re busy changing the world in a positive way.
Have you found meaning in your life?
If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
Success Advice
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)
Success Advice
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)
Entrepreneurs
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”
While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.
Why This Gap Exists
Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.
What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.
Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap
Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.
1. Practice Mutual Empathy
Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.
2. Maintain Professional Boundaries
Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.
3. Follow the Golden Rule
Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.
4. Avoid Micromanagement
Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.
5. Empower Employees to Grow
Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.
6. Communicate in All Directions
Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.
7. Overcome Insecurities
Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.
8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship
True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.
9. Eliminate Favoritism
Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.
10. Recognize Efforts Promptly
Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.
11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews
When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.
12. Provide Leadership Development
Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.
13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles
Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.
The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role
Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:
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Build diverse talent pipelines
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Embrace flexible work models
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Design compelling career paths
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Simplify HR processes
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Redefine the value HR brings
The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.
Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff
When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.
Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.
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