Bullsh*t & The Most Important Thing That I Nearly Forgot

June wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic. It didn’t crash in like March or force a pause like May. But it was revealing. Uncomfortably so.

Because somewhere between finalising client P&Ls, running back-to-back mentoring sessions, and trying to have a conversation with our defiant teenager, I found myself saying the one phrase I hate most:

“I’m just glad I got through it.”

That line. That resigned little shoulder shrug of survival. It made me stop. Because “getting through it” isn’t what I signed up for. And it’s certainly not what I preach.

But the truth is, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Health? Abandoned. Joy? Rationed. Time for myself? Some, but not as much as I’d promised myself. And when I sat down to reflect on my own 10 ‘magic moments’ from the quarter, I struggled to name them. Not because they weren’t there but because I was too busy to notice.

And that’s a problem.

Because if I can forget to prioritise the things that matter, what hope do my clients have?

That’s not to say the work hasn’t been brilliant, it has. The conversations this month have been next level. From cash flow strategy to complete business rethinks, the depth of honesty people are bringing is something else.

We’ve talked about real profitability, we’ve tackled the silent profit leaks that are costing people thousands, and we’ve faced the uncomfortable truth that being busy isn’t the same as being effective.

We’ve challenged people who say they don’t have time, when it’s really just that they haven’t prioritised. We’ve looked at the value in doing less but better. And we’ve started tracking what success looks like (beyond just the bank balance)

I also called someone out for playing it safe. Their goals were neat, tidy, and totally underwhelming. So I asked: “What’s next? What’s the bigger picture? Where are we heading?”

There was a long pause… and then a spark. A new fire lit. The kind that makes you sit up straighter and go, “Yep. We’ve got lift-off.”

I’m looking forward to seeing that one unfold.

There were plenty of moments like that this month. The kind that make me grateful all over again that this is the work I get to do.

Before I forget...…energy-sucking vampires! And this may ruffle feathers but it may also enlighten some...

I had two conversations this month about subcontractors who are, frankly, taking the piss. No tools. No transport. Taking “my goldfish died” sabbaticals. Rocking up at 10am, disappearing by 2pm, still demanding top dollar and giving bare minimum in return.

One client nailed it: “Why am I letting them call the shots when they don’t even own a tool bag?”

Exactly.

They don’t carry the overheads, the client stress, or the financial risk. They’re not answering phone calls at 9pm or waking up at 4am wondering if that agreement got signed. But some business owners are so afraid of rocking the boat that they hand over the whole rudder.

I get it. It’s hard to find good people. But enabling bad ones isn’t a solution, it’s a slow leak that drains profit and patience.

Set your stall out. Be clear. Pay above the "average" in my opinion, but demand the same in return. Because if someone’s not adding energy, they’re taking it. And your business is not a blood bank.

Meanwhile, on the home front…

I’ve spent most of June chasing builders to actually give me a quote that makes sense and chasing electricians to resolve a fault that they were already paid for. Four builders. All chased. All of them apart from one omitted basic stuff. And the pricing swing? Anywhere from £60k to £190k — for the shell. I wish I was exaggerating. But I’m not.

What is going on?

The level of inconsistency, the refusal to just communicate properly, the “I’ll get back to you next week” that turns into radio silence; it’s enough to make you scream. And when you’re already stretched with work, kids, life, and zero margin for error, it’s rage-inducing. Especially for someone in the early stage of menopause! If you know, you know!

I don’t need a quote to recreate the Taj Mahal. I need someone who turns up, tells the truth, and doesn’t forget the bloody roof! Not kidding, a real life omission.

And this stuff bleeds in, doesn’t it? It zaps your mental load. It clutters your focus. It steals your energy from the very things you want to give your energy to.

We wrapped up June with the Q2 Quarterly, a full day with the Alliance crew. Not a ‘how-to’ session, but a ‘who are you becoming’ kind of weekend. The kind that forces you to zoom out, see what’s working, and call yourself out when it’s not.

We walked. We reflected. We traumatised some members with a 20 metre freefall. We talked about the guilt of growing a business when family feels sidelined. We shared the wins that no one claps for. We named the fear behind every delay and every piece of procrastination. And we ended the weekend with not another to-do list, but with clarity on what we actually want from the next quarter.

That’s the work. And that’s what makes this community different.

June wasn’t fireworks and fanfare.

But it was honest.

It was scrappy.

It was full of real work, real people, and real growth.

And maybe that’s exactly what it needed to be.

Over and out!