Success Advice
How To Overcome The Circumstances Preventing You From Success

It’s no secret we all have circumstances we believe are stopping us from reaching the level of success we deserve. Those circumstances are different for everyone, I for example, have to battle the belief I can’t do big things because I live in a small town or I can’t have the same success men in my industry do only because I’m a young woman. This may only be my head trash and first world problems to have compared to the situations so many other individuals have to go through, however, our unfavorable circumstances are those things we believe are the ceilings keeping us small or the blade that keeps cutting us at the knees as soon as we gain speed.
In order to figure out how to overcome the challenges stopping myself and everyone else from reaching the goals and the vision we have for our life, I went on a mission to find someone who has overcome the worst of the worst and become a beacon of inspiration.
Meet Andrew Griffiths, bestselling author, entrepreneur and global presenter. Andrew has 12 best selling books, published in over 65 countries around the world. He travels globally, presenting to tens of thousands of business owners annually, he was worked one on one with some pretty big names including CBS, every major bank in Australia, Telstra, the Stockland group and he even writes for Inc. (the worlds largest entrepreneurial website).
I had a chat with Andrew and asked him a few question about the challenges he has faced and how he has dealt with them.
1. What challenges did you encounter growing up?
“I grew up as an orphan, my parents abandoned my sister and I when I was six months old. My childhood was very violent, moving in and out of foster care and different institutions, my everyday life was filled with uncertainty and fear.
As I grew older, I become attracted to the more unsavory temptations in life like petty crime, drugs, alcohol and so on – the type of predictable behavior you expect from an individual growing up in difficult circumstances. I didn’t know any different at the time so for me I thought this was normal.”
2. What was the pivotal moment that changed the course of your life?
“Over the years I have had many pivotal moments, however, one of the main ones would be when I was 17 years old and found myself in a situation I knew wouldn’t end well. I was standing at the end of a driveway waiting to go out with some friends and run a muck.
I heard the little voice in my head telling me that I knew what was going to happen that night and I’m at a crossroads. Do I turn right, get in the car with these people and potentially end up in juvenile detention or worse. Or do I turn left, walk back inside and start my life fresh?
It’s during these moments that you get to decide in what direction you want your life to head in. I chose to turn left, go back inside and I started packing my bags. I decided this life was not the life I wanted to live, so I left town and moved to Sydney.”
3. Are you glad you didn’t have an ideal childhood?
“Absolutely! I met my biological father when I was 22 years old. It was not the warm family reunion I had hoped for. This man was an alcoholic and all he wanted from me was money. I thought about that disappointing event and actually became grateful – I realized my childhood wouldn’t have been any better with him in it.
I’m a firm believer in all the unfavorable circumstances I have been through in my childhood has lead me to become the successful man I am today. And to be honest, I am really happy with who I am.”
“Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him.” – Wayne Dwyer
4. Even with your success in business and writing, do you still encounter challenges or unfavorable circumstances in life? How do you deal with these?
“Definitely – everyday in-fact! I think if you’re involved in business or you’re constantly bettering yourself, you will always go through ups and downs – it’s how it works. What I have learnt is to be resilient.
After losing thousands of dollars, having to deal with difficult clients and going through almost every business challenge known to man – resilience has always kept me in the game, coming back stronger and wiser than before.
I can cope with the good times and I can cope with the bad times. It doesn’t matter how successful someone is, everyone has challenges and setbacks rest assured.”
5. What advice would you give to someone who believes their circumstances are holding them back in life?
“To me when someone says that, I believe it’s just a copout. It’s an excuse so many use. When people lead a statement with, “if only I had this or I never got that or my situation is different etc” I stop listening. From my experience, their excuse is rarely the cause for their lack of success.
I have very good friends of mine who grew up with tons of money and every opportunity you could ask for but lead very average and far from perfect lives. The best way to face the circumstances you believe are holding you back is to change your mindset towards them.
You’re in a tough situation? Use that as motivation. Life gives us two choices when it comes to adversity – become bitter or become better.”
6. What steps would you recommend someone take to overcome the circumstances holding them back in life?
“Change! Change! Change! Change the people who are around you. If you’re spending your time with a bunch of ‘no-hopes’ then you’ll become exactly like them – as simple as that.
Change your mindset and change your state. Buy some motivational material and begin studying it. Find mentors who you admire and start mimicking them – what good habits do they have, what habits don’t they have more importantly.
You have to change something. If you want a radical change in your life and your circumstances you need to take radical action. Whatever that looks like for you – identify what it is that’s holding you back from the life you want and start taking radical steps to create change.”
Andrew is an individual who has overcome such adversity and who has become a person not only successful in business and financially but an individual who makes a positive impact in the lives of many daily.
Hopefully you have learnt a few tips to help you overcome your challenges and your setbacks from hearing Andrew’s story.
What would you say is your top takeaways? Leave a comment below.
Here are my key takeaways:
- It doesn’t matter how successful someone is, everyone has challenges and setbacks
- Learn to become resilient
- Blaming your circumstances for not achieving success is just a copout
- Life gives us two choices when it comes to adversity – become bitter or become better
- If you want a radical change in your life and your circumstances you need to take radical action
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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