We Almost Said No: The Lesson AI Taught Us About Retirement And Life

As we walked across the golf course here on Desert Springs in Almería one evening recently, we found ourselves talking about something we never expected to be discussing. In many ways, the conversation reminded us why we created the Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle and why staying curious matters so much as we get older

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you had told us a few years ago that we’d be using AI in our business and writing a blog post about it, we’d probably have laughed

Not because we were afraid of it

Not because we didn’t understand it

But because we genuinely believed it wasn’t for us.

And that’s the lesson.

Because sometimes the biggest barrier isn’t the technology, the opportunity or even the circumstances.

Sometimes the biggest barrier is the story we tell ourselves

“We’re too old”

“I’m not technical”

“That’s for younger people”

“It’s probably too complicated”

We know those stories because we’ve told ourselves some of them too

The funny thing is that this lesson applies to so much more than AI

It applies to retirement

It applies to moving abroad

It applies to starting a business

It applies to learning new skills

And it applies to creating a life by design rather than by default

The biggest barrier is often not the thing itself

It’s our belief about the thing

Why We Resisted AI For So Long

We’ve been online for more than sixteen years

During that time we’ve seen countless trends come and go

We’ve watched people jump from one shiny object to another

We’ve seen businesses rise and disappear

We’ve learned that not everything new is worth pursuing

So when AI began appearing everywhere, we did what we’ve always done

We watched

We waited

We questioned

Truthfully, what we initially saw on social media didn’t inspire us

Much of it felt robotic

Impersonal

Disconnected from the very thing we value most

Human relationships

Stories matter

Experience matters

People matter

And we worried AI might take away the very things that make us who we are

The Biggest Barrier Isn’t Technology

Then something interesting happened

We started spending time with people we trust

Friends whose opinions we respect

People building businesses and lifestyles we admire

And slowly we began to understand something

AI isn’t at its best when it replaces people

It’s at its best when it helps people

It doesn’t replace your story

It helps you tell it

It doesn’t replace your experience

It helps you share it

It doesn’t replace your voice

It helps amplify it

It doesn’t replace your voice.

It helps amplify it

That was the moment our thinking began to shift

And it reminded us that the biggest barrier wasn’t the technology

The biggest barrier was believing it wasn’t for us

What A Hybrid Retirement Looks Like Today

Retirement is changing

For our parents and grandparents, retirement often meant stopping work altogether

Today it’s different

Many people want to continue contributing

Many need to continue earning

But most don’t want another full-time job

They want flexibility

Choice

Purpose

Financial security

They want a life where work supports life rather than life revolving around work

That’s why we created the concept of the Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

Work a little

Live a lot

Not because work is everything

But because meaningful work can add purpose, connection and financial freedom to our lives

Why Staying Curious Matters After 50

One of the reasons we believe so strongly in the Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle is that it encourages people to keep learning, growing and exploring new opportunities

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves as we get older is curiosity

Learning keeps us engaged

It keeps us connected

It keeps us growing

Whether it’s learning a new technology, starting a business, improving our health or exploring a new country, the willingness to learn creates opportunities that would otherwise pass us by

We’ve met people in their fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond who are embracing new ideas and creating exciting new chapters

We’ve also met people who decided they were too old to learn something new

The difference isn’t age

The difference is mindset

The Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

When people ask what a typical day looks like for us here in Almería, it’s usually a mixture of simple things

A little work

A little learning

Creating content

Helping people

Planning the future

Walking in the sunshine

Enjoying time together

That’s what the Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle means to us

Not stopping

Not slowing down

Simply creating a life where work fits around life

The tools may change

Technology will continue to evolve

But the goal remains the same

More freedom

More choice

More experiences

More life

We Almost Missed Something Special

As we watched the sun disappear behind the mountains that evening in Almería, we realised something

The lesson wasn’t really about AI at all

It was about staying open to possibilities

Because every meaningful change in our lives began the same way

Moving to Spain

Starting an online business

Writing books

Speaking on stages

Creating our Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

Each one began with a decision to stay curious rather than comfortable

To explore rather than dismiss

To ask “What if?” instead of saying “No”

We almost said no to AI

We’re glad we didn’t

And perhaps the next opportunity that changes your life is waiting on the other side of a simple decision to keep an open mind

After all…

it’s never too late to learn something new

It’s never too late to change direction

It’s never too late to create more financial security

And it’s never too late to build a life you genuinely love living

Looking back, embracing AI became another chapter in our Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle journey

 

Thank You

Thanks for reading today’s blog

We Almost Said No: The Lesson AI Taught Us About Retirement And Life

And would love you to share your thoughts and feedback or any questions you have

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next because nothing would give us more pleasure than seeing you succeed

Why Sir David Attenborough’s Message Matters At Any Age

Watching the 100th birthday celebration of David Attenborough this week reminded us of the importance of living with purpose and dedicating your life to something bigger than yourself

How one man dedicated his entire life to something far bigger than himself

Protecting the planet

Helping people see the beauty of the natural world

Encouraging generations to care a little more deeply about what surrounds us

And it sparked a really interesting conversation during our coaching call with our online business community the following day

Because truthfully…

As entrepreneurs we should also be thinking about impact

Not just income

Legacy

Contribution

What we leave behind when we’re no longer here

Why Purpose Becomes More Important As We Get Older

It made us reflect on the books we’ve written

The podcasts we’ve recorded

The videos we’ve created

The articles and newsletters we’ve written

And how perhaps the real value in all of it isn’t simply building a business

But helping even one person

• think differently about retirement
• improve their health
• create more freedom
• or realise life doesn’t stop after 50

Because small things add up

One conversation

One email, one idea, one story

Sometimes that’s all it takes to change the direction of someone’s life

And honestly?

We think that matters more than ever today

It’s the reason we created what we call our hybrid retirement blueprint

Our version of retirement where we not only help others secure their desired financial security but also have a life

We wrote about it here if you haven’t heard about it or read about it before

With a traditional retirement pretty much a thing of the past today (and certainly will be by the time our children and grandchildren come to “retire”) we like to think we’ve started a trend that will become the legacy we leave behind

If nothing else the idea that work in later life can and should be a choice

The Legacy We Leave Through Our Stories

One of the beautiful things about the world we live in today is that ordinary people now have the ability to leave behind something meaningful

Years ago if you wanted your voice heard you needed

• a publishing company
• a television channel
• a newspaper column
• or a radio station

Today?

You can sit at your kitchen table with a laptop and a life story and potentially help people all over the world

That still amazes us if we’re honest

Every blog post
Every podcast
Every video
Every social media post
Every email newsletter

Can becomes part of the legacy we leave behind

Not because we’re trying to become famous

But because stories connect people

Sometimes hearing how someone else:

• overcame fear
• rebuilt financially
• improved their health
• moved country
• started over
• or found purpose again after 50

Is exactly what gives another person hope

We know this because people tell us all the time

Messages arrive saying:

• “Your story gave me courage.”
• “I thought I was too old until I found you.”
• “I realised retirement could look different.”

And honestly?

That means far more to us than likes or followers ever could

If you’ve not seen or heard our story right here

Stories matter because they remind people they are not alone

And perhaps that’s one of the greatest legacies any of us can leave behind

Why Small Acts Create Big Impact

It’s easy sometimes to think we’re not doing enough

That unless we change millions of lives we somehow haven’t made a difference

But life rarely works like that

Most impact happens quietly

One conversation
One encouraging word
One helpful email
One shared experience
One recommendation

One idea that shifts someone’s thinking forever

Small things add up

A perfect example of this is Sir David Attenborough himself

Over decades he simply kept showing up

• telling stories
• educating people
• helping the world see nature differently

And slowly his message influenced generations

Not overnight but consistently

And he’s still doing it at 100 years of age and working on another series for television making sure we get his message!

That’s something we think entrepreneurs and content creators often forget

You may never fully know the impact you have on someone else’s life

A single podcast episode may inspire someone to improve their health

A blog article may encourage someone to finally start the business they’ve dreamed about

A simple social media post may arrive on exactly the day someone needed hope

Never underestimate the ripple effect of small acts done consistently over time

 

What Will You Be Remembered For?

It’s an interesting question isn’t it

Because at some point all of us leave behind something.

The question is what will that be?

Will it simply be possessions and paperwork

Or will it be

• kindness
• encouragement
• wisdom
• stories
• experiences
• contribution
• and the lives we touched along the way?

As we get older we’ve come to realise success means something very different than it once did

Yes financial security matters

Of course it does

But so does:

• health
• freedom
• purpose
• relationships
• and knowing your life meant something

Perhaps that’s why we feel so passionately about helping people create what we call a Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

Not a life of endlessly waiting for “someday”

But a life where you:

• keep learning
• keep contributing
• keep growing
• keep experiencing
• and keep becoming

Because none of us truly know how much time we have

And maybe that’s exactly why living with purpose matters so much

We sincerely hope our children and grandchildren and even generations after that will benefit from all we’ve said and done

 

Thank You

Thanks for reading today’s blog Sir David Attenborough And The Importance Of Living With Purpose and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next because nothing would give us more pleasure than seeing you succeed

The Old Story vs The New Story – Which One Is Shaping Your 2026?

As the year winds down and the noise of daily life softens, something interesting happens

We get space to think and in that space, a familiar voice often shows up

It sounds sensible, it sounds protective and it sounds like us

But here’s what we’ve learned through personal experience – that voice isn’t always telling the truth

We now think of it as The Old Story

 

What is “The Old Story”?

The “Old Story” is the internal narrative shaped by past experiences, disappointments, fear, and well-meaning conditioning

It says things like:

• “Now isn’t the right time”

• “You should be grateful – don’t rock the boat”

• “What if you fail again?”

• “You’ve left it too late”

It doesn’t shout – it whispers

And because it feels familiar, it often goes unquestioned

In a training we’re going to share, Dean Graziosi refers to this voice as the inner villain

We like that language but honestly, “The Old Story” feels like a better description from our experience

Because the Old Story once had a job to do – to keep us safe

But left unchallenged, it also keeps life small

Why this matters more than ever right now

As 2026 approaches, many people are already telling themselves:

“I’ll think about it in January”

But the truth is this:

Your future isn’t shaped by what you plan in January – it’s shaped by the story you believe today

The Old Story delays decisions, avoids discomfort, and keeps you exactly where you are

And here’s the part we want to be very clear about before you say it (and people do)

We are no different from you

Chris and I had our own Old Story running our lives for years

Had we not learned how to recognise it, question it, and consciously replace it, we simply would not be living the life we have today

This is why this training matters to us so deeply

We’ve listened to it more than once and each time it reinforces something we know to be true

Confidence isn’t something you wait for…

It’s something you choose

Give yourself time to watch it here because we promise it will help you take the next step whatever it is for you

As we say The Voice That’s Been Holding You Back Isn’t Yours!

The New Story doesn’t arrive – it’s written

One of the most powerful parts of this training is the invitation to rewrite the narrative

Not by pretending fear doesn’t exist or forcing positivity

But by asking yourself better questions

• Where did this story come from?

• What has it already cost me?

• And what will it cost me if nothing changes?

This is where The New Story begins

The New Story is not reckless or unrealistic…

It’s informed, intentional, and rooted in who you are now – not who you were when the Old Story was formed

The worksheet that accompanies the training is designed to help you do this quietly, honestly, and powerfully especially over the holidays when there’s finally room to think.

And if you come across this post after the holidays it’s just as valid so do use the worksheet

It’s going to become something we will use with our clients all year round to be honest

 

Borrowing belief until yours catches up

Another key insight from the training is this

When doubt feels loud, borrow belief

Look at the stories of people who’ve done what you’re considering not to compare yourself, but to disprove the Old Story!

Because if someone else can do it…

…then the story that says you can’t is already flawed

As you step toward 2026, ask yourself this

Which story am I living from right now?

The Old Story – familiar, safe, but limiting?

Or the New Story – uncertain, but expansive and honest?

You don’t need all the answers today

You just need to stop letting an outdated story decide for you

Your next step

We invite you to

• Watch the training

• Use the worksheet

• And listen carefully to the narrative running quietly in the background of your decisions

Because once you recognise The Old Story you get to choose The New Story

Watch the training and download the worksheet here

Thanks for reading today’s blog The Old Story vs The New Story and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next

Rebuilding Trust for 2026

This isn’t a ‘how to’ article, it’s a values piece

Because before tools, tactics, or technology trust has to come first

There’s been a lot of change – and not a little confusion – in the world of online business this past year

Platforms have shifted, tools have evolved and trust can feel harder to come by

That’s why, as we head toward 2026, we want to talk about something that has always mattered to us and always will

Trust

Whether you’re already in business and looking here for education, or you’re quietly checking us out to see if we’re the kind of people you’d want to work with, this matters…

Really matters!

Because trust isn’t a marketing tactic, it’s the foundation of every sustainable business and every meaningful relationship (just like marriage for example)

Let’s explain…

Trust Comes From the Heart, Not the Head

Yesterday, I shared this quote on social media

“Trust grows not from reason, but from the heart.  How people feel has more binding power than how they think.  Besides, life is so much fun when you’re trusted and worthy of trust” – Warren Buffet

It’s a quote we first shared on our social media back in 2017 and it feels even more relevant now

In a world overflowing with information, people don’t struggle to find facts to be honest they struggle to decide who to believe

And that decision is almost always emotional before it’s logical

Honesty Builds Trust Especially When Things Aren’t Perfect

We don’t live in a perfect world

Businesses don’t run flawlessly

Mistakes happen

Things go wrong sometimes

And when they do, honesty becomes non-negotiable

This came up recently in a conversation with one of our team, and it felt important to say out loud  particularly in an online space where it’s easy to curate perfection or quietly move on when something doesn’t work

Trust isn’t built by pretending everything is smooth, it’s built by being transparent when it isn’t

A Real Conversation About AI

AI is everywhere right now and rather than pretending it isn’t, we believe the most responsible thing we can do is talk about it openly

We want to be very clear about our position

We absolutely love using AI in our business

We use it daily – we teach it

This is why, inside both our health & wellness business Amare Global and our online education and training business – The Home Business Academy, we don’t just allow AI – we actively educate our partners on how to use it ethically, transparently, and in a way that supports real human connection

Used well, AI doesn’t replace trust, it reinforces it

(If you’re curious, we share the same AI tools and frameworks we use ourselves inside The Home Business Academy — designed to support, not replace, you)

Our AI tools which include PromptWrite AI and Image Generator are found inside Premium Academy  

For us, AI isn’t about shortcuts or pretending to be someone you’re not

It’s about support, efficiency, and freeing up time while staying authentic, visible, and human

And here’s the part that really matters

If you’re using an AI version of you just tell people

Transparency builds trust

Context builds understanding

Story builds connection

People don’t lose trust because AI is used

They lose trust when it’s hidden, misrepresented, or disconnected from a real human story

Don’t Just Communicate – Connect

Warren Buffett once said his advice for success had nothing to do with investments

He writes handwritten notes most days, words of gratitude, simple acknowledgements

His former pilot, Mike Flint, shared that Buffett was far more interested in your childhood, what makes you laugh, what makes you happy, what makes you angry, what makes you cry far more than money!

Because whether it’s business or life everything is personal

And the people and businesses that endure are the ones that truly connect

 

Why We Felt the Need to Say This

For us, trust shows up in simple, consistent ways

Things like saying what we believe, even when it’s quieter than the noise, being transparent about the tools we use (including AI), teaching what works and what doesn’t and focusing on long-term sustainability, not short-term wins

Trust isn’t built with a single post or promise, it’s built over time through consistency, honesty, and care

Hence don’t often write blog posts like this or social media posts like this

We prefer to stay low-key, no drama, no noise

Just quietly getting on with running our business and living our life

But as educators in the online business space, particularly for people planning the next chapter of their lives, this felt fundamental to say

Trust, communication, connection

These aren’t “nice to haves” anymore they are the foundation

As 2025 Closes, a Quiet Moment of Decision

As the year draws to a close, many people are quietly taking stock

What’s working, what isn’t, and who they want beside them in the next chapter

We believe those decisions shouldn’t be rushed or emotional that they should be built on trust, clarity, and alignment

Because choosing the right direction matters far more than choosing the fastest one

As Dean Graziosi puts it

“Every life has a turning point. It’s the moment you stop choosing what feels good right now and start choosing what actually builds the life you want”

For us, rebuilding trust – in ourselves, in our businesses, and in how we show up online is part of that choice

For us, rebuilding trust in ourselves, in our businesses, and in how we show up online  is part of choosing better for the future…

Staying human, being transparent, using powerful tools wisely and remembering that behind every screen is a real person making real decisions about their life

Let’s make 2026 the year we stay human, transparent, and connected while still using the powerful tools available to us wisely and ethically

Real talk from the heart always

Thanks for reading today’s blog Rebuilding Trust for 2026 and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next

Your Future Self Is Watching & Why Now Is the Time to Change, Decide, and Set Your Goals

Every year around this time, the same pattern repeats

People start saying things like:

“I’ll get serious in January…”
“When life slows down…”
“When I’ve got time…”

We first heard these words back in 2015

Ten years later, they’re still the #1 dream-killer on the planet

Seriously!

Because “I’ll start when…” almost always turns into “Why didn’t I start sooner?”

Here’s the truth we’ve learned after mentoring thousands of people, building a location-free business, and creating a lifestyle we absolutely love in Spain

Success begins the moment you decide

Not the moment conditions look perfect

And that’s why today – not January – is the most important moment you’ll have all year

Change Always Begins With a Choice

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 30+ years of business and life experience, it’s this:

Nothing changes until you do

• Not your health
• Not your finances
• Not your opportunities
• Not your retirement plans
• Not your happiness

And certainly not your future

That’s why the quote from Vince Lombardi has been a guiding phrase

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

You don’t accidentally wake up fit, financially free, or fulfilled.

You climb into that life one intentional step at a time

And the view at the top makes every step worth it

Why You Must Set Your Goals Before January

This surprises people, but it’s true

The people who win in 2026 are already building momentum in 2025

Every year we watch the same pattern unfold

• Those who wait for January get a burst of excitement, then lose steam by February

• Those who begin now hit January with clarity, confidence, and momentum already working in their favour

Think about it…

If you start today, you’re not beginning from standstill on January 1st, you’re already moving

And momentum is the most powerful force you can create

 

What Helped Us Build Our Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

When we moved to Spain, it didn’t happen by accident

We wrote the goal, broke it into steps, created a plan, and took the first action long before the conditions were “perfect”

The same applied to:

• Building residual income online

• Improving our health in our 60s

• Growing a business that works from anywhere

• Travelling freely and working with incredible people

Every result was rooted in clarity + action + consistency

The same formula we now teach every single day

Where Do You Start?

With a Goal

And a Decision

Not a vague dream
Not a wish
Not a “maybe next year”

A clear, structured, measurable goal backed by a daily process

And that’s exactly why we love and recommend the HBA Let’sGoal system

Why Let’sGoal Works (And Why We Use It Too)

Let’sGoal is more than a planner.
More than a tool.
More than a checklist.

It’s a framework for turning intention into reality using:

• Behavioural psychology

• Micro-actions

• Accountability

• Progress tracking

• Clear achievement structure

We’ve personally used it for:

• Our move to Spain

• Scaling our online business

• Health transformations

• Daily habits that stuck

• Maintaining momentum through busy seasons

It works for us, our students, and thousands of people worldwide

And with the newest upgrade and fresh testimonials (including ours) it’s even better

If you need a reliable system to set your goals and actually achieve them, Let’sGoal is the tool we’d recommend every time

But here’s the part many people miss…

Let’sGoal Isn’t Just a Tool — It’s Also an Opportunity

One of the greatest gifts of the digital world is that you can turn something that helps you into something that helps others…

And earns income at the same time

For many people over 50 especially those heading into retirement or wanting financial security  Let’sGoal creates two wins:

1. A system to transform your own life

2. An ethical, simple opportunity to help others do the same

If you share Let’sGoal with others and they buy through your referral, you create residual income and for many in our community, that income has supported

• Debt reduction
• Holiday travel
• Savings for emergencies
• Retirement planning
• And even full-time lifestyle freedom

Helping others reach their goals while you reach yours as we do is very fulfilling and what we call Hybrid Retirement at its best

Your Future Self Is Watching

What will they say about the decision you make today?

Will they thank you?
Will they be proud?
Will they look back and recognise this moment as the turning point?

We hope so.

Because one small decision today can change everything in 2026.

And you don’t need a perfect plan

You just need the first step

Start now – Get your Let’sGoal

Use it. Share it. Build something meaningful with it

Your future self and the view from your mountain will thank you

 

Thanks for reading today’s blog Your Future Self Is Watching & Why Now Is the Time to Change, Decide, and Set Your Goals and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next

Belief Changes Everything -The Moulin Story That Changed Our Lives Forever

Back in March 2005, Chris and I walked into a tiny village in the French Alps called Moulin

Snow on the ground
Sun shining
Silence so thick you could hear your own breath

We weren’t looking for a lesson
We weren’t looking for a life-defining experience
We were just looking for a dream.

But what we found was a belief story – one that changed us forever and is the reason we teach what we teach today

Before we take you into the photos, the drama, the roof-off moment (yes, the entire roof)…

We want to share what we wrote when we reposted the video of this story on Facebook

“Our beliefs matter…
People often say to us, ‘You don’t understand what it’s like for me’
Trust us — we do
That’s why we’re sharing our story of our renovation in France, and how our belief and mindset changed forever
‘What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve’
So YES… we do know what it’s like for you”

This is not a story about a house

It’s a story about belief, and how belief is the invisible engine behind every transformation – whether it’s renovating a falling-down barn or rebuilding your financial future in midlife

The Day We Fell in Love With a Dilapidated Barn

Let’s start with what we saw that day…

 

 

This was it
A run-down four-bedroom house and a stone barn (a grange) attached to the side
Cracked
Dark
Sagging
Unheated
Unloved

Most people would have walked away

But we saw possibility
We saw life
We saw our future hybrid retirement – long before we even created the phrase

We wanted to ski all season
We wanted to wake up to mountain air
We wanted a place we could pour love into

But more than anything, we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could bring a dream into reality –  even if we didn’t know how yet

 

 

The Simple Plan… That Wasn’t Simple at All

In our minds it seemed so easy…

“Oh, we’ll take the roof off”
“We’ll convert the barn into beautiful living space”
“We’ll turn the old house into a chalet”
“We’ll build an apartment for ourselves”

That was the plan
And believe it or not – we did it.

But the reality between Point A and Point B was a rollercoaster that only belief could have carried us through

We had:

no renovation experience
no idea how French building regulations worked
no understanding of traditional alpine architecture
no guarantee anything would go according to plan

All we had was

a dream
a vision
and belief – shaky at times, but present

And that belief was the reason this story didn’t stop halfway through

The Roof-Off Moment (Where Belief Was Tested)

At one point during the renovation, we flew from London to check on progress.

What we expected:
A tidy, professional, organised building site.

What we found:

No roof.
At all.
Just sky.

 

 

It was one of those moments where your stomach drops into your boots and your mind whispers

“What have we done?”

This is where most people abandon their dreams – not because they can’t finish, but because belief cracks under fear

And that’s exactly why this story matters

Standing in the cold, staring at our roofless future home, the only thing we had left was belief

Belief that we’d figure it out
Belief that we’d get through the unknowns
Belief that the dream was still worth it
Belief that we were capable of more than we realised

And that belief carried us through

 

The Transformation (Outside & Inside)

Here’s what that once-forgotten building became…

 

Warm wood

Hand-built stonework

A mountain chalet full of life, light, and love

And here’s the part that means the most to us

This chapter – now closed, as we live in Spain – still shapes everything we teach about hybrid retirement, online business, and midlife reinvention

Because once you’ve proved to yourself that you can turn a broken barn into a dream home…
you realise you can rebuild any part of your life

You can actually see inside as we’ve retained the website that tells the story

Because the story didn’t end there

Nor will yours

What This Means for You (Whether You’re 50, 60, 70 or Beyond)

Every week, people tell us

“I don’t think I can do this”
“I’m too old to start something new”
“My circumstances are different”

And we say this with love

Your belief matters more than your circumstances
Your mindset sets the limits or removes them

You are not too old
You are not too late
You are not stuck
You are not without options

You simply need belief

The same belief that carried us through this renovation, through reinvention after 50, and through every chapter since

 

Watch the Video: Our Belief Story Recorded in 2017

Here’s the original video, recorded right outside the chalet, where Susan shared this story on camera

Watch It Here

It will give you the emotion behind the pictures and the truth behind what belief really looks like in action

 

 

 

Free Gift: Download The Mindset Shift

(because belief is the foundation of everything)

If this story resonated with you…

If you’re standing at the start of your own “renovation” (of life, income, purpose, health, retirement)…

Then this book is for you

Download The Mindset Shift (Free)

A short, powerful guide to strengthening the belief muscle so your next chapter becomes possible

 

 

Thanks for reading today’s blog Belief Changes Everything – The Moulin Story That Changed Our Lives Forever and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback

Just reach out to us here

And if you prefer to talk to us personally you can book a call here or chat with us on WhatsApp

It’s Fr.ee to talk and we’re not going to “sell you” just answer your questions and give you some clarity on what’s next

 

Our Top Free Resources For Home Business Entrepreneurs

These Are A Few Of Our Favourite Things

No we’re not about to burst into song aka The Sound Of Music

These are some of our favourite tools and resources we recommend (FREEBIES!)

The main ones paid and free are on our website along with books etc but what do we use everyday in our business that won’t cost you a bean

That’s a question we get asked a lot

Let’s start with my absolute favourite for graphic and video creation…including book covers, TikTok and YouTube promos and so much more…

Canva

Yes, we know it’s been around for a while but it continues to evolve all the time and now you can do just about anything with it that’s related to image/graphic needs including creating mockups and presentations as well as everything

You can happily start with the no cost version and go pro when you want to. I can’t say enough about this brilliant resource and if you haven’t used it in a while, go and see what great innovations they’ve added!

Canva : https://canva.com/

Canva now has an excellent integration with Pixabay (because they bought it!).

That brings me on to my go-to sites for stock images and videos…

You guessed it:

Pixabay : https://pixabay.com/

Another one that’s been around for ages and yes, we’ve tried all the others but we keep going back to Pixabay because it has such a huge variety of stock images and videos, is incredibly user-friendly and has a generous licence which allows you to do just about anything with its content

Another one we love is also probably familiar to you and that’s Unsplash

Unsplash : https://unsplash.com/

Want to host the courses/products you create with all of the above and more but not ready to find a course program due to the cost

No worries…

We love Systeme.io which will get you started and, again, you can upgrade when you’re ready…or stay with the basic version

Systeme io : https://chrisandsusan.app/systeme

We especially love this as we can create resources to share with our clients to help them build their business

Need to livestream as part of those courses or simply to raise your profile?

We recommend Streamyard

Streamyard : https://streamyard.com/

As far as AI goes, you’ve probably guessed we’re a fan of ChatGPT

AI : https://chat.openai.com/

As well as Grammarly

https://www.grammarly.com/

And the wonderful selection of tools available at Google Cloud

https://cloud.google.com/use-cases/free-ai-tools

While if it’s an unzipping tool you need, 7-zip is great

https://www.7-zip.org/

Keyword research?

Try Semrush:

https://www.semrush.com/…/what-can-i-do-with-a-free…/

Tool to showcase your business assets on social media, emails etc

Linktree : https://linktr.ee/

New favourite :

Milkshake : https://milkshake.app/

And one more for luck

You can have all the tools in the world but if you don’t use them, you’ll achieve nothing.

Need a dose of motivation to help you get started?

Fav TED talk this week will give you just that:

https://www.ted.com/…/ted_ed_how_to_get_motivated_even…

For more visit our website for free and paid for resources to build your home business enterprise

https://chrisandsusanbeesley.con/resources

And if you’ve got and favourite free tools let us know and share the love

 

 

Thanks for reading today’s blog Our Top Free Resources For Home Business Entrepreneurs and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback.  Just contact us

And if you want to talk to us you can book a free call here

Our Top Free Resources For Home Business Entrepreneurs

6 Reasons why Finding Your Purpose Matters

At first glance, it might not seem important to live your life with purpose. After all, so long as you get through the day and are reasonably happy or content, it’s all good, right?

Not really.

Without purpose you’re missing out.

What happens when you try to live your life without purpose?

You pretty much drift along and never achieve your dreams and goals.

That could so easily have happened to us when we saw our retirement on the horizon and realised we would never be able to achieve our dreams and goals unless we made a significant change…

And it all began by a session with our mentor where we went through what we saw our purpose in life going forward was.

The rest is history as they say so let’s look now at what you can do about it and the 6 reasons why finding your purpose matters.

 

Purpose Gives Drive

Purpose gets us going and makes us eager to start the day. Without purpose, you might feel your day is aimless to the point where there’s no reason to try setting goals. Left unchecked, this can affect mood and even lead to depression. It’s no wonder purpose is one of the most important things to drive us forward.

Purpose Builds Relationships

Purpose is one of those things which really bring people together. Having common interests and goals creates strong bonds. Without purpose, you might find it harder to connect to others, especially on a deeper level.

Purpose Gives Direction

Decisions can seem difficult sometimes when you have no purpose. When you are not working toward a goal or interest, it’s easy to waver or let others lead the way. But purpose means you weigh decisions against what’s important to you, meaning you honor yourself. More important, you keep to your own set of values every time you’re faced with a choice.

Purpose Gives Value

Without purpose, you might wonder whether you’re making a difference. In contrast, purpose tells you you’re making a difference and adding something to the world with every action that honors this purpose.

Purpose Reduces the Need to Keep Up with Others

If you worry about what others are accomplishing, it’s probably because you’re unsure of your own purpose. With purpose, it becomes less important what those around you are doing because you’re more interested in your own personal journey.

Purpose Reduces Stress

We experience stress most when things around us feel out of control. With purpose, you know your direction and have a pretty solid idea of what you need to do to get where you want to go. Even more important is how purpose helps you get back on track if you’re sidelined for a crisis, giving you firm direction and control when things around you feel like they’re out of your hands. This all reduces stress and helps you deal with challenges calmly and reasonably.

With purpose, your life changes for the better. It’s no wonder taking the time to figure out what you’re all about is crucial to a healthy and happy life.

Take the time for yourself.

You won’t regret it.

Why not get a copy of our brand new book Rescue Your Retirement where we take you through a journey and help you find a new way to create a secure retirement income online and live your true life passion

 

Thanks for reading today’s blog 6 Reasons Why Finding Your Purpose Matters and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback.  Just contact us

And if you want to talk to us you can book a free call here

 

6 Reasons Why Finding Your Purpose Matters

How to Get From Fear To Freedom

Back in 2014 we were speaking at an event in Orlando on how to get from fear to freedom drawing on our own experience and from our book The Mindset Shift.

Seriously, the “F” Word plagues us all – FEAR that is.

Our daughter (who was 28 at the time of writing) is seriously scared of spiders and this image alone would completely freak her out if she saw it. In her mind she sees even the smallest insignificant spider as an enormous killer spider.

The fear is absolutely real to her

 

For you as an entrepreneur starting on your journey or contemplating starting it is likely you have fears too … and will want to know how to get from fear to freedom or fear to fortune even!

Fears like …

• Does this work
• Will it work for me
• Will you help me

These fears are actually what we call common misconceptions or limiting beliefs and we have all encountered them at some time or other. Specifically though in this instance things like …

• It’s too hard, I’m not techie
• I can’t do it
• The time’s not right yet
• It won’t work for me
• It’s not for people like me
• I can’t be successful
• I’m too old!

Look we totally understand because we’ve been there ourselves. Like all fears they are deeply seated in the unconscious. Unlike the more tangible things like the fear of death, public speaking and spiders, we are often unaware of their origins and often even their existence.

The good news is that these fears really are monsters of your own creation – the voice inside your head is the mother and father of your fears until you make it change its tune!

If we had not made a scarey decision in an instant 13 years ago we would not be here today writing this article and showing you how to get from fear to freedom and become an entrepreneur in control of your own future, income and destiny.

Let’s explain by sharing our story just as we did in Orlando back in 2014…

 

How to Get From Fear To Freedom – Our Story

It was 2009 and a cold,  wet blustery night we were driving home from a client (we had our own accountancy and management consultancy business) and had just been told that a project had been bought forward to coincide with our first two week holiday skiing in France over Christmas and the New Year.

Now that might not seem a good reason to do what we did in that moment but we had been wresting for some time about our future and wanting to have our time and freedom to travel before we got too old!

It was in that moment that we knew we had to face the fear of the unknown and break free from our business and begin a new journey.

One that we had been researching but not made the decision to do…

You know that feeling we are sure as you read this story…

Suddenly all those irrational fears came flying at us as we gave notice to our clients and began to work on our new business part time whilst still working the day job (the 6o hour a week business we owned and managed)

Were we fearful?

Of course we were

Did we have the same thoughts that you might be having as you read this?

Of course we did

The difference is that we knew the majority of our fears would never ever actually happen.

They were just figments of our imagination.

We could easily have given them life by thinking about them just like you are doing right now.

It’s just the way your mind works.

We could go into this in detail here but to help you we have already written a book on it.

 

 

It’s called The Mindset Shift From Employee to Home Business Entrepreneur and because we want to show you how to get from fear to freedom we’re going to give you the chapter called “Get The F*** Out of Here”

It explains exactly how you can train your unconscious brain and get over those irrational fears.

Here’s a couple of examples just to explain

Imagine that when you were young, you were frightened by a dog.  You may well create an unconscious belief as a result, that all dogs are dangerous.  This would happen to protect you – a very common reason for beliefs to be created – and you would likely grow up being afraid of dogs.  This doesn’t mean that all dogs are really dangerous does it?

Another example (especially prevalent in people of our age group and generation) is around money.

Hearing your parents talk very disparagingly about rich people during your childhood saying things like “they’re all greedy and make their money by ripping people off”. 

You would construct a belief that all rich people were unpleasant and greedy.

Not only would it make you less likely to become rich (because your unconscious would want to avoid you becoming like these people) but because of your internal filtering system, you wouldn’t spot those things that would prove that wrong either!

Here’s the biggest surprise of all …

They say fear of public speaking is higher of the list even than fear of dying.

Who would have thought on that day 14 years ago that we would be sharing our story on stage and showing other people just like you how they can get from fear to freedom

And even though we are “no spring chickens” as they say, we have taken our message on to the virtual stage of Tik Tok where we talk on living the retirement lifetyle, online entrepreneurship and personal development.

Here’s a video we recorded yesterday “Achieving Your Dreams”

 

We would love to see you there

We’ll leave you with this thought as you think about that ONE powerful motivation that will empower you to live your dream ….

“When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all … we all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation – it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams“

~ Les Brown

 

Thanks for reading today’s blog How To Get From Fear To Freedom and would love you to share your thoughts and feedback.  Just contact us

And if you want to talk to us you can book a free call here

How To Get From Fear To Freedom