The Cost of Being Lukewarm

Have you ever taken a sip of lukewarm water?
It’s unpleasant, not refreshing, just bland.
Sometimes our lives can feel the same way.
“Fire” or “heat” often serve as symbols of power, knowledge, enthusiasm, vigour and yet can also represent destruction and judgement.
Consider the following:
– She’s set the world on fire.
– He has got a fire in his belly.
– She is a ball of fire.
– He is burning with ambition.
Over the years I have worked with many leaders who have some “fire in their belly”.
Others I’ve met who may be in that undesirable place midway between hot and cold, or even more strikingly “lukewarm”.
I’m reminded of the scripture in Revelation 3:15 – 16 which says “I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
In this context the scripture represents a lack of spiritual passion or commitment.
This idea of someone being lukewarm could be described as follows:
– She’s just going through the motions.
– He’s just coasting along.
– She’s half-hearted about it.
– He’s blowing hot and cold.
It has been my experience that if we want to be successful in our personal or professional lives, we need to ignite that inner fire.
Don’t settle for lukewarm!

Lukewarm: the enemy of progress

Passion, drive, and commitment fuel progress, innovation, and meaningful change.
Without them, we risk stagnation, simply drifting along without direction or impact.
When you are lukewarm about something, the results are frequently the same.
That’s not to say enthusiasm alone guarantees success, but when combined with purpose and perseverance, it becomes a powerful force.
The most effective leaders I’ve met are those who bring warmth, energy, and conviction to their work.
Their hearts can inspire other hearts with their fire.
Their secret? It’s quite simple really, they do something they love to do!
They go to work but never “work” a day in their life!
So, where do you find yourself?
Are you on fire, lukewarm, or simply going through the motions?

Speaking Up for Faith

Last week, I spent a couple of days in London on business, attending a book launch, and I also spent some time with a new friend, Celine Brown.

Celine is interning with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Foundation (FoRB), which acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the same topic in Westminster.

Just before Christmas, I joined FoRB as a trustee and have been finding out about projects all around the world where the basic human right of Freedom of Religion or Belief is being challenged, restricted, or actively defended.

Freedom of Religion or Belief is a fundamental human right that protects the conscience of all individuals.

It allows us to think, express, and act upon our deeply held beliefs, whether in private or public settings.

This freedom encompasses the right to change one’s religion or belief and to manifest it through teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

However, globally, this right faces numerous challenges, including governmental restrictions, societal pressures, and acts of intolerance.

International Religious Freedom Summit

A few of my FoRB colleagues attended the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C. this week, where Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasised the importance of compassion in religious freedom advocacy.

He stated, “Protecting religious freedom is a key to peace and stability around the world.”

Elder Soares highlighted that fostering understanding and respect among diverse religious communities is essential for building peaceful societies.

My personal commitment to FoRB stems from a heartfelt belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and the conviction that freedom of belief is essential for human flourishing.

In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul said: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

This scripture highlights the principle that our freedoms are not just for personal benefit but are opportunities to serve and uplift others.

In my role as a trustee, I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote religious freedom, understanding, and mutual respect among all people.

By doing so, we can contribute to a more just and harmonious world where everyone’s right to believe, or not to believe, is upheld.

How can you and me, in our daily lives, promote a culture of respect and understanding for religious freedom in our communities and our workplaces?

 

Bee-Inspired

Last night, I had the chance to meet up with some dear friends and fellow coaches, Philip Atkinson and Dave Kesby.
I joined with many other guests for the launch of Philip’s leadership book “Bee Wise” at the Royal Over-Seas League in London.
Philip is not only a remarkable Organisational Coach, but he is also a beekeeper and an accomplished one at that.
In his book he “lifts the lid on what happens inside a hard-working hive and uses this as a refreshing metaphor to examine working life.”
In essence, “the beehive is the ultimate business case of complex organisations and working life today.”
Philip gifted me a limited-edition hard copy of his book around Christmas time, and I’ve loved perusing it ever since.
The book considers twelve key topics relevant for leadership in organisations today, including change, communication, continuous learning, decision making, diversity, purpose, productivity, teamwork and many more, all through the fascinating metaphor of an industrious beehive.
I’ve discovered a few favourite chapters and understand a little more about the life of bees, and the lessons they can teach us.
Dave was one of 12 guest writers who Philip partnered with to share additional or alternative views, helping to create a community of shared thinking or in other words some hive-logic!
Last night was not just about celebrating the launch of a book; it was about celebrating friendship, shared learning, and the power of collaboration.
Spending time with Philip, Dave, and so many like-minded professionals reminded me of the importance of community and the strength we find in exchanging ideas.
Philip’s ability to weave wisdom and leadership lessons from the natural world into our working lives is truly inspiring.
I wish you every success Philip with “Bee Wise” – may it continue to spark meaningful conversations and insightful reflections in organisations far and wide!
And to all those who have yet to pick up a copy, I wholeheartedly encourage you to dive in and discover the buzz for yourselves! 🐝
Bees thrive on teamwork; just as great leaders foster collaboration – I have a free limited edition signed hard copy to give away!
Tag a colleague, mentor, or friend who embodies the spirit of teamwork and share why they inspire you below.
I’ll pick a winner and send the signed copy to one lucky participant!

The keyboard cat

Since returning home a few months ago, we’ve inherited our daughter Cristi’s cat, while she completes her university studies in Edinburgh.
It’s been quite an adjustment for me, as I am definitely not much of a cat lover.
This week, the cat (Blue) has taken an extra special liking to my office for some reason.
A couple of days ago, he decided to perch himself – quite disruptively, right in front of me on my keyboard!
Admittedly, I became annoyed, and a little frustrated by Blue, as I had things to do!
Reflecting upon that moment, I realised that there was a lesson to be had from this persistent feline, about personal development: how we respond to disruption, can shape our growth.
And since coming home – we have experienced a lot of disruption!
In coaching, I encourage clients to reframe their challenges and look at things from a different perspective.
Disruptions, just like Blue sprawled across my keyboard, can seem like an obstacle.
Yet, they present an unexpected opportunity to pause, reassess, and refocus.
Instead of getting annoyed, I asked myself: What’s the lesson here?
Blue reminded me (again) that life rarely goes as planned, and sometimes the best response is to simply adapt with patience and creativity.
Blue, indifferent to my to-do list, brought me back to the moment.
He reminded me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the present, even if it wasn’t the one I had planned.
Life often brings unexpected interruptions.
When we embrace them, stay present, and set healthy boundaries, we can create space for growth.
So, when life places a “cat” on your keyboard, pause, reflect, and adapt.
You might discover a lesson you didn’t know you needed.
What unexpected “disruption” in your life has taught you a valuable lesson?

Turning to the Light

Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating a couple of learning workshops with young adults (18-35 years old) from across Scotland and Ireland.
They had gathered for a three-day weekend conference at the Preston Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chorley.
The theme of the weekend was Light the Temple, and I was invited to share experiences from our time serving as Mission Leaders in Belgium and the Netherlands.
For the workshops, I chose the title: Turning Toward the Light – How Missionary Service Changes Us.
And it truly does!
The two one-hour sessions were experiential learning feasts, filled with hands-on activities, meaningful discussions, and plenty of laughter.
From role-playing missionary experiences to heartfelt personal stories, the room was alive with energy, enthusiasm, and faith.
There was something special about being together, learning, sharing, and even laughing about the unique and often humorous moments that come through missionary service.
As missionaries, we strive to follow the Saviour’s example in Acts 10:38 – going about “doing good.”
And in doing so, we are changed.
There were four key learning takeaways:
We become…
• Changed for Good
• Fluent in Discipleship
• Closer to Him
• Builders of His Kingdom
It was an absolute joy to spend time with these incredible young people.
Their testimonies, their light, and their laughter filled the room with a spirit of unity and purpose.
Being with them reminded me of how turning toward Christ shapes not just our missions, but our entire lives.
How has turning to Him changed you?

Treading Water?

Returning home a few months ago has been an opportunity for lots of deep reflection, causing me to review a couple of key questions.
What do the next ten years look like?
Where am I really heading before retirement?
Recently, I was in a deep conversation with a dear friend.
He mentioned a phrase that really resonated with me.
He said “It sounds like you are just 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫…”
I discovered the phrase has a couple of meanings.
Firstly, it means “to float vertically in the water by moving the legs and the arms up and down.”
It’s a survival skill and it’s definitely not sustainable for too long.
Secondly, “not to be advancing in any way” suggesting lots of continuous effort, yet with little forward momentum.
In essence, its lots of hard work, expending energy, yet, remaining static and I could relate to that.
Have you found yourself in this sort of space before, hoping that you are doing all the right things, but not feeling any progress?
Does it look like this?
• 𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 – Feeling like every day is similar to the last, with no real forward movement.
• 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 – Working hard but unsure whether it’s leading anywhere meaningful.
• 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 – Engaged in things, yet wondering if the time and energy is truly well spent.
So, what can you do when you sense you’re treading water?
1. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 – Instead of just keeping things going, consider new ways of thinking, working, or living.
2. 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – It’s hard to measure progress, if you don’t have a clear direction. So, what does real movement look like for you?
3. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Sometimes, we need to dive deeper rather than push harder. Learning, reflection, and seeking inspiration can unlock new paths.
4. 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 – Not all movement is visible, I’ve learned to be patient. Some seasons prepare us quietly for what’s next.
If you feel like you’re treading water, ask yourself: 𝑰𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏?
The answer might just change everything…

Scheduling with Heart

I enjoy a large network of people, including coaching & business clients, colleagues, and many friends all around the world.
Subsequently, my calendar is always buzzing with something!
Scheduling, it seems, is a constant daily ritual for me.
I’m always Juggling time zones, priorities, and opportunities to maintain my meaningful and important connections.
Yet, there’s one thing I’m determined to keep old-school: 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓!
While automated scheduling tools are all the rage these days, I prefer a much more personal touch.
I always seem to have competing priorities, yet for me, every meeting is unique, and I like the flexibility to decide when and where I meet someone.
Plus, I am constantly aware of Monic’s calendar too.
It’s not about efficiency, it’s more about intention.
Here are a few of my own tips for managing your schedule with heart:
1. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: I try hard never to pack my day back-to-back. Allowing breathing spaces between calls are golden and absolutely essential.
2. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: Connecting across the globe requires some care. A little planning can turn a logistical headache into a pleasant experience.
3. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 “𝐲𝐞𝐬” 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲: It’s often tempting to say yes to every meeting, but clarity on priorities helps me keep my calendar purposeful.
4. 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 “𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡-𝐮𝐩” 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬: I block out times specifically for reconnecting with friends and colleagues, which really helps to keep key relationships thriving!
Scheduling isn’t just logistics; for me it’s also about relationships.
Whether it’s a coaching session or a catch-up call, each meeting represents an opportunity to connect.
How do you manage your calendar?
Are you a fan of online schedulers, or do you prefer a more hands-on approach?
I’d love to hear your stories, tips, or even some of those scheduling mishaps!

Revisiting the Vineyard

Family and business matters took Monic and me back to Belgium and the Netherlands this week.
It’s been over six months since we were last there together, and it felt like coming home – even more so for Monic!
With the kind permission of the new mission leaders, we were able to spend a little time visiting some of our former missionaries who are still serving in the countries.
What a reunion it was!
The air was filled with laughter, the sharing of stories, a few tears of joy, and, of course, countless warm hugs.
It was a moment to cherish and one that reminded us of the deep bonds of friendship and love, formed through our shared service.
Seeing everyone again was more than just a pleasant visit, it was a time to reflect and reminisce.
We recounted the countless memories we had shared: spiritual milestones, hard-fought lessons, and small victories that had brought us all closer to each other and the Saviour.
These young people taught us so much about resilience, faith, and the joy of missionary work.

Growth

It was a privilege to see how much they had grown and to be reminded of the lasting impact of the gospel.
As I reflected on the special relationships formed during those years, Paul’s words in Philippians came to mind: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).
How fitting this scripture is to capture the joy and gratitude of reconnecting with those who have been a huge part of such a meaningful chapter in our lives.
Special times like these are extremely rare and very precious.
They remind us of the eternal nature of the relationships we build through service and the joy that comes from working together in the vineyard of the Lord.
What memories or connections have brought you the greatest joy recently?
How have they strengthened your faith or reminded you of the Lord’s hand in your life?

Weathering Life’s Storms

Storm Éowyn swept across Scotland and Ireland yesterday.
Walking through Dunfermline’s Public Park this morning, I saw lots of evidence of fallen trees.
Some uprooted trees had shallow roots, lacking depth.
I wondered if they’d have withstood the storm had their roots been deeper.
Similarly, each of us faces life’s winds and storms.
When adversity strikes, are you prepared to endure?
Seedlings fall, but only some flourish and grow into mighty trees.
Growth requires time, effort, perseverance, setbacks and adaptation.
“But unlike trees, we can choose to deliberately develop the spiritual root structure for our lives. We decide where to set our roots and how deeply to sink them into the soil. Daily decisions make tiny, almost imperceptible differences in the roots of our faith, the effect of which becomes foundational,” says L. Whitney Clayton.
In the Book of Mormon, Alma likened the word of God to a seed and spoke of nourishing its growth into a tree:
“And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.” (Alma 32:37-38.)
I testify that as we weather life’s storms, we are strengthened by learning of Jesus Christ.
Rooting ourselves deeply in His gospel and exercising faith in Him will fortify us against life’s winds and storms.
What steps can you take today to deepen your spiritual roots and prepare for the storms ahead?

Lines that define

Recently whilst working with a business client, we explored the concept of personal boundaries or the red lines we draw for ourselves and are unwilling to cross, even in the most difficult of situations.
The values that define our boundaries protect our well-being and even guide our decisions.
Boundaries can often reflect our deepest principles and non-negotiables.
They shape how we interact with others and help us navigate the challenges we face.
To bring this to life, we engaged in a few activities about boundaries.
We’d already created a psychologically safe space for everyone to share in our learning session.
Participants were asked to visualise a scenario where their boundaries had been tested, a moment when they felt uneasy, conflicted, or even compromised.
They were then invited to reflect: where did they draw the line?
Many chose to share their experiences openly with the group.
Did they stand firm, or did they allow others to cross that line?
The conversations that followed were eye-opening.
People shared how recognising and honouring their boundaries had empowered them, strengthened relationships, and brought clarity in difficult situations.
Others admitted how, at times, they had failed to assert their limits, leading to regret or frustration.
Understanding your own boundaries requires courage, self-awareness, and sometimes, a willingness to say “no.”
So, where do you draw the line?
How do your boundaries reflect who you are and what you stand for?
And, most importantly, how do you ensure those boundaries are respected?
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