👋🏾 Hi friends!

And I’m finally back on home turf having landed back in the UK earlier today. I won’t spend another moment dwelling on how amazing the trip was in case I get lynched the next time one of you sees me on the street - but one last cherry to top off the whole experience was being bumped to business class on our flight from Abu Dhabi to London last night.

Let’s put it this way, without that level of (unexpected) comfort, I doubt I would be in any shape to have gotten this edition out!

Here’s to some amazing memories under the sun :)

In this weeks Off Balance, I’ll be chatting about:

⌛️ 8 Lessons from 8 days away
🧮 Financial modelling Part II

Check out this weeks Primer where I get to know Nathaniel Harding who went from building in the oil and gas industry to raising Oklahoma’s largest VC fund at Cortado Ventures, serving the less explored mid continent 🤠 

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Now let’s get into it.

How can did I add value?

Well having been away for over two weeks, I’ve been focussed on me internally more than I have on external factors but, one of the questions that came up in a chat with some of my CFOs was what would be the ideal corporate structure to scale what I’m building at EmergeOne.

Now this is a pretty big topic so I’ll cover corporate structures and when and why they’re the right choice in a given situation in a separate fuller Off Balance episode because it’s clearly a question that is not always clear cut to everyone.

In the meantime, here are 8 thoughts from 8 days in the Maldives that could only really come from having the time for a bit of introspection - which I fortunately had plenty of time for especially when it decided to rain heavily.

Always verify, don't believe marketing brochures.

We booked another resort initially, excited by the offer. Was tired, old and barely 3*.

Should have researched more.

You can work when you're on holiday, but you can't holiday if you're working.

I am the only person running my 7 figure business. I'd be anxious if I didn't check my mails sporadically. But don't bother with holidays if you're spending all your time working.

Just because it's all inclusive, doesn't mean you have to include it all.

You shouldn't feel the pressure to take advantage of everything on offer. Do what works for you, or do nothing. It's your time.

Don't pile your plate high, moderation leads to more enjoyment.

I find it quite depressing seeing folk taking things to excess. There is gratification in scarcity. Learning how to have a scarce mindset helps you to enjoy things more.

You never know when it's going to rain, so enjoy the sun whilst it's out.

Don't put things off. Circumstances will always change. Take advantage today, don't wait for tomorrow cos it never comes.

Touch the land lightly, don't leave a mark.

Whatever you're doing in life, it pays to tread lightly and leave the world a better place. If you want to leave a mark, leave it in peoples' minds.

Find enjoyment in the things you wouldn't normally do.

Exercise your body and your brain, get used to doing different things. It'll only help you to get better at the things you normally do as a result.

Live each moment fully, you're always a minute closer to leaving.

Sadly, time is both the opportunity and the enemy. Don't leave with regrets. Ever.