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Success Advice

This is it. 12 Critical Mistakes To Avoid This Year

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Is your year not going well? Feel like giving up? Me too (sometimes).

Before you give up, do yourself a favor and try and avoid these critical mistakes first. You’ve come this far so why not? Another rhetorical question for the hell of it? You bet.

Failure can get you down until you realize that it’s all you. Don’t give up because there is so much you have to offer. The failure has clouded your judgment and that’s why you feel dreadful. We can clear the skies again though. We have the power to do anything we want. Your dreams are possible.

But first, you must avoid these critical mistakes:

1. Always being right

Most of the time you’re wrong and so am I. Stop pretending otherwise. Admitting when you are wrong is sexy and people dig it.

“The aim is not to be right all the time, it’s to grow”

2. Never making a decision

In the corporate world, indecision is like a virus. Nobody wants to make a decision because having another strategy session and delaying the inevitable is easier. Then, a new senior leader comes in and the process starts all over again. This is why many corporates die in the long run.

“We don’t need more innovation; we need decision-making ability to be faster and more agile”

3. Putting no time into your passion

Your passion is bloody important and every time you avoid putting the effort in, you become pissed at yourself. You develop a bad attitude without even realizing it because deep down you want to do something that you love. What’s your passion look like?

“Whatever you’re happy to do without being paid, that’s likely your passion.”

4. Talking down to yourself

The conversation you have with yourself is the only one that matters. Stop telling yourself that you are stupid, unlucky in love, not rich enough, aren’t good at business or need cosmetic surgery. You’ll be surprised how the conversation you have with yourself can be empowering if you keep it positive.

Tell yourself that your goal is hard, but that you’ve got this. You’ve gone through way tougher things in your life and only you know what they are. Reference those when your negative mind tries to butt into the conversation. Show your mind that positivity is going to be the dominating force.

5. Not believing in yourself

If you don’t think you can do it, then no one else will either. Forget the mumbo jumbo advice that you saw on some picture quote and start believing in yourself even when there is no reason to. That’s how simple believing in yourself can be. No super powers are needed.

6. Doing everything by yourself

Achieving greatness by yourself is very challenging. Trying to do every little task towards your goals by yourself is lonely and likely going to fail. Outsource the stuff you hate. Bring other people along the journey with you who have a similar passion. Grow your mind and your passion with people. It feels a lot better trust me.

7. Forgetting to count your wins

Our minds concentrate on the negative for our survival, but rarely remind us of all of our wins. That’s why you need to remind yourself. Count your wins! Write them down in a journal or on your phone like I do. When you punch that ugly fear you have always had in the face, sit back, and hi-five yourself.

You’re achieving a lot more than you think, but you have to take note. Believe in yourself!

8. Comparing yourself to others

Joe that sits next to you has a better BMW than you. The problem is that there’s always someone that has a better BMW than you. And then there’s the guy or girl that has the Lambo which is ten times better than any BMW you could own. What are you going to do?

My advice is simple: stop comparing yourself to others. Compare yourself to who you were exactly twelve months ago. If you’ve come a long way, then you’re on the right track. If you are way behind where you were twelve months ago then hustle your way back again and work five times harder!!!

9. Pretending to be something you’re not

We’ve all met these people. They hang out in fancy bars and tell you about their amazing wine collection and home. They then roll out their iPhone and show you their Instagram with their two and a half perfect kids, brand new Mercedes 4WD, holiday house by the water and all the exotic locations they’ve been to that you haven’t.

What they don’t tell you is how unhappy they really are and how life sucks but they can’t admit it and would rather pretend to be something they’re not. See the previous point: stop comparing yourself to others.

“The person you are right now is beautiful. If you can’t see it, then no one else will”

10. Settling for second best

This girl said to me the other night, “Tim if I don’t find the right man for me, then I’m going to settle for whoever comes my way because I’m tired of being single.”

Don’t do it, it’s a trap. Settling for second best will make you have regrets about how your life could have been.

Success is about not accepting second best and having the belief, courage and hustle to keep going until you get what you want. Second best in the business world equals bankruptcy. Second best in life equals never ending suffering.

11. Having a Swiss Army Knife of excuses

What excuse is it today? You’ve got so many. You might be:

– Too tired
– Not knowledgeable enough
– Not have enough experience
– Going through a bad relationship
– Running out of money

Here’s the thing though: every problem you have and every excuse you try and use as an antidote, is the same as everyone else’s. Do you think your problems are unique? Do you think the universe invented a special flavor of milkshake that is named after you and that nobody else get’s to drink? No way Jose.

Your excuses are like a Swiss Army Knife; you seem to have one for every type of problem. Bin the excuses along with the bad language that goes with them. I know life is tough, but we’re all playing the same game. You didn’t get access to a different game that has more problems than the rest of us.

Getting rid of your excuses is so freeing. Try it some time and I promise you that life will get better.

12. Always looking at the future

Learn to love right now, otherwise, when the future comes you won’t be grateful for it anyway, so what’s the point? Life is not a race so slow down amigo. You’ll have parts of your life that will charge ahead at a million miles an hour and other parts of your life will take longer to cultivate.

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If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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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.

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how to build self-confidence through action
Image Credit: Midjourney

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:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • 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.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • 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.

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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.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

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…)

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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

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leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

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…)

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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.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
Image Credit: Midjourney

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:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • 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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