*Power Moves for Personal and Professional Growth*

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, constantly striving for success while overlooking the wisdom of the past. 

But what if I told you that some of the most powerful lessons for success lie in ancient civilizations like Ancient Egypt?

Today, we'll be delving into the timeless wisdom of the pharaohs and uncovering how their strategies and practices can be applied to our modern lives and businesses. 

From productivity hacks to self-care rituals, this newsletter is packed with insights and power moves inspired by the ancient world.

Now, let's delve into our first topic:

Power Depleting Behavior #1: Acting like Rome was built in a day

When you know it wasn’t.

Neither were the pyramids.

Nor the Great Wall of China.

So why then, do you insist on acting like your business empire should be built in a day?  

Why the unnecessary overwhelm?

It’s easy to look at other entrepreneurs who have had so-called “overnight success”...

And, you're wondering why it's taking you so much longer.

But, if you looked closer, you'd realize that you're seeing the podium results...

And none of the actual blood sweat and tears that got them there.

It’s kind of like looking at an Olympic swimmer receiving a gold medal.

You’re not seeing the work that went in behind the glorious feat...

The training in the pool for an average of three hours a day (or longer), since they were ten years old.

You're not seeing that swimmer in the pool at 5am, every day for their daily practice.

Daily practice that spans six days a week, year in and year out.

If you want something to last and go the distance, then it will take time and dedication to build.

It will take time and dedication to hone your craft.

The marvels of ancient history were created by visionaries who knew this secret.

They knew the importance of building stuff that will go the distance.

They knew the importance of, and focus required, for mastery.

That's why we can still see their great works today.

This applies to pyramids as much as it relates to business empires.

Power Move #1:

Ramses II, renowned for his grand architectural projects such as the temple complex at Abu Simbel, exemplified the ancient Egyptian approach to monumental construction endeavors. 

According to historical accounts, ancient Egyptians, including those involved in building the pyramids, operated in structured intervals, with laborers rotating on three-month cycles to maintain high productivity.

Drawing inspiration from ancient wisdom, consider applying a similar approach to your own endeavors. 

Break down your ambitious projects or empire-building efforts into manageable intervals, such as three-month sprints. 

By focusing intensely on specific objectives within these defined periods, you can achieve significant progress towards your ultimate goals.

☆ ☆ ☆

To implement this strategy effectively:

1. Define your overarching objectives and long-term goals.

2. Reverse engineer your goals to identify the necessary steps and milestones.

3. Break down your plan into actionable tasks that can be completed within three-month intervals.

4. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency, focusing on those that align with the current sprint.

5. Maintain unwavering focus and dedication throughout each sprint, maximizing productivity and progress.

By adopting this structured approach, you can systematically advance towards realizing your vision, brick by brick, day by day.

Power Depleting Behaviour #2: Not taking enough time out or off

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 52% of American employees reported feeling obligated to check their work email during non-work hours, such as evenings and weekends, contributing to a lack of true time off.

The United States is often associated with a culture of overwork or workaholism.

The same can be said for the UK, NZ, Australia, and Canada.

Not taking enough time off from work can have negative consequences on mental and physical health.

Research has shown that chronic overwork and lack of breaks can increase stress, contribute to burnout, and elevate the risk of various health problems, including cardiovascular issues and mental health disorders.

And, if you are an entrepreneur, in some ways it is even easier to fall into the trap of being "on" all the time.

If you work from home, is it is easy to erode your personal boundaries without even realizing it.

Taking extra calls, sending extra emails, spending extra time on social media to drum up business can start cutting into your personal time.

Feeling frustrated for not getting everything done like you planned, can push you into working harder...

And feeling guilty for taking breaks.

If you're single, it is easy to overwork, because nothing is interrupting your work cycles.

But, if you don’t allow your body and mind to relax and recharge, you will hit a wall.

This does not serve you.  This does not serve your business.

Power Move #2:

In Ancient Egypt, leisure and recreation were integral parts of daily life, especially for the ruling class. 

Activities such as banquets, hunting, boating, and music were commonly enjoyed by royalty and nobility.

Cleopatra was a leader who understood the importance of strategic rest and relaxation.

In times of peace, she used leisure as a way to rejuvenate herself and maintain her mental and physical well-being, allowing her to govern more effectively.

She would often indulge in luxurious banquets, feasting on exotic foods and fine wines while surrounded by her closest companions. 

Cleopatra was also known for her love of the arts, frequently attending performances of music, dance, and theater. 

Additionally, she enjoyed leisurely outings on the Nile River, sailing in ornate barges adorned with lavish decorations. 

These leisure activities not only provided Cleopatra with much-needed respite from her duties but also allowed her to foster relationships and maintain her mental and emotional well-being.

So, take a leaf out of Cleopatra’s book and master the art of enjoying more leisure time.

Time off can vary from taking a holiday to a scheduling a simple weekend away, or even taking a random day off.

Even a half day is better than nothing.

The way you spend your time off is the most important thing.

Are you relaxing and recharging or are you still hustling and doing?

Cramming your time off with things to do is not resting.

If you are struggling to rest without feeling guilty, then you might want to explore why that is a challenge for you.

Time off allows you to reconnect back to who you are and to what brings you joy.

Time out is simpler, shorter, and helpful if you are time-pressed or unable to schedule time off.

Think of it as an opportunity for a quick reset to get you back into the game with renewed energy.

☆ ☆ ☆

How do you reset your energy?

Anything easy and fast.

• Move your body and get fresh air into your lungs

• Do some stretches every hour

• Go for a walk at the beach or in the park

• Set a reminder on your phone to have more breaks

• An impromptu office dance party - maybe more suitable to an entrepreneur... ;)

• Doing a simple 5-10 minute meditation during a break

• Stare at the sky and watch the clouds go by

• Doing some breath work or taking a few minutes to take longer, slower breaths

• Observing nature and birds (the sound of birdsong soothes your nervous system)

Mix these up or choose a couple to implement into your work life and you'll quickly see the tangible benefits.

Power Depleting Behaviour #3: Not celebrating your wins enough

This is a common issue I see.

Leaders, high achievers, and entrepreneurs struggle with this as they tend to set extremely high standards for themselves...

And can be perfectionistic in their pursuits.

How do you know if you're not celebrating your wins enough?

Instead of taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments...

You may immediately shift your focus to the next challenge or goal. 

Your relentless drive for improvement and progress can make it difficult for you to pause and appreciate your successes.

You fear that celebrating your wins will lead to complacency or a loss of motivation.

You may worry that taking time to savor your achievements will distract you from continuing to push yourself forward.

You feel pressure to constantly outperform others and meet ever-increasing expectations.

You are so focused on achieving your goals that you neglect to engage in meaningful self-reflection.

Even in the face of significant accomplishments, you may experience imposter syndrome.

You doubt your abilities and feel like you don't truly deserve your success.

If you recognised yourself in that list, you're not alone.

Here’s the main point I want you to take away from this:

If you’re not celebrating your business wins, big or small...

I can guarantee you also aren't appreciating your personal wins.

Power Move #3:

Pharaohs knew a thing or two about celebrating their victories and not in a small way.

Public holidays, grand festivals, and the construction of monumental buildings were not only about reveling in success...

But also served as strategic propaganda, showcasing achievements to the wider population.

Pharaohs like Akhenaten understood the significance of celebrating victories and accomplishments. 

Despite his controversial reign and radical religious reforms, Akhenaten recognized the importance of commemorating achievements in grand and public ways. 

His reign saw the construction of impressive temples and monuments dedicated to his new religious beliefs. 

These structures served not only as places of worship but also as symbols of Akhenaten's triumphs and successes. 

By embracing Akhenaten's legacy, you can follow in the footsteps of ancient rulers and learn to celebrate your wins in meaningful and memorable ways, just as they did thousands of years ago.

Good news, you don’t need to build any monuments (unless you really want to!)

☆ ☆ ☆

How are you going to this?

Create two separate boxes for your wins: one for small victories and another for big achievements. 

Fill each box with pieces of paper, each containing a celebratory activity to acknowledge a win.

Small wins could include pampering sessions like mini beauty treatments or massages, fun outings with friends, dining at a favorite restaurant with your partner, taking your kid to a sports game or theater, or visiting an art exhibition or concert.

Big wins, on the other hand, might involve an extended weekend with an extra day off, traveling to a tropical island for a getaway, visiting close friends or family in another city or state, indulging in a full-day retreat at a beauty spa, or enjoying a weekday golf outing with friends.

Include the activities you've been longing to do, the ones you truly enjoy but often neglect because you feel too busy or somehow undeserving.

Then every time you have a win, whether big or small, you can go to the relevant box, close your eyes and pull out your celebratory reward.  

And take action on it.

Power Depleting Behaviour #4: Not getting out of your own way

Humans love to overcomplicate things.

We also have the knack of getting in our own way - especially when it counts!

That's because we are often too close to our project/business/goals to be objective enough.

Ahh yes, it can be quite confronting to realize that you’re actually the one blocking your own success.

But with awareness, comes clarity.

Because, if you can name it, you know what you need to fix.

As a leader, you must have people who are willing to call you on your stuff.

People who will tell you to get out of your own way.

People who are willing to cut through the bullshit and tell you like it is.

And if they do, please be brave enough to listen.

They are serving you.

They are trying to wake you up.

No matter how hard the truth might be to hear.

It can make a huge difference.

And, drastically reduce unnecessary wheel-spinning situations.

Isn't your energy better spent in a state of expansion?

Power Move #4:

In the ancient times, pharaohs employed viziers.

The vizier acted as a trusted advisor, confidant and a sounding board.

They helped the pharaoh see their potential blind spots, whilst managing parts of the empire.

The pharaohs understood the value of a different perspective from a respected advisor.

An advisor who served in their best interests.

☆ ☆ ☆

How does this apply to you?

Ask someone to act as your personal vizier.

Much like the renowned pharaoh Hatshepsut, who defied convention and ascended to the throne as one of Egypt's few female rulers, you too can benefit from seeking guidance and support.

Hatshepsut's reign was marked by prosperity and innovation, largely due to her willingness to listen to the counsel of her advisors and trust in their expertise.

Emulate her example by enlisting the help of someone you can trust and rely on to provide honest feedback and perspective.

• Choose someone you can trust, who understands you and what you’re trying to achieve.

• Ask them to serve as your personal advisor, guiding you in identifying and overcoming the obstacles that may be hindering your progress.

• Be open to their insights and suggestions, and be willing to take action to implement necessary changes.

By following in the footsteps of Hatshepsut and seeking wise counsel, you can navigate challenges more effectively and achieve greater success in your endeavors.

Remember that building your empire, whether it's a business venture or personal development, takes time, dedication, and strategic planning.

By adopting ancient wisdom and power moves, you can overcome common power-depleting behaviors and set yourself on a path to greater success.

As you continue on your journey, remember the four pharaohs:

Ramses II: Break down ambitious goals into manageable intervals, mirroring the structured approach of ancient builders.

Cleopatra: Prioritize leisure time for rejuvenation, inspired by Cleopatra's indulgence in leisure activities.

Akhenaten: Celebrate victories grandly, following the tradition of Akhenaten's epic commemorations.

Hatshepsut: Seek guidance from trusted advisors to overcome obstacles, echoing Hatshepsut's reliance on wise counsel.

By integrating these principles into your life and business, you'll be better equipped to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build the empire you've always envisioned.

Here's to your continued growth and success!

𓋹 Dani⁣