Day 23 – Improving Body, Mind & Pocket
Body
Today’s workout was a bit different, just a shorter power walk, plus a loooong session in the garden doing some proper hardcore work. Chopping wood, clearing out a massive overgrown mess, making space for some upcoming projects. Definitely a full-body session, and I’m pretty sure my arms are going to remind me of it tomorrow.
But there’s something really satisfying about this kind of work. You see instant progress, you’re moving your body, and you’re getting stuff done all at the same time. Win-win.
Mind
The phrase for this morning was:
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
It made me think about how much the people around us actually matter.
Take Einstein, for example. He was seen as slow, even stupid, because he didn’t learn the way the system expected him to. Turns out, the problem wasn’t him, it was that nobody understood him.
Then there’s the story about Thomas Edison. His school sent a letter home saying he was “mentally slow” and not fit for education. His mum read it, smiled, and told him it actually said he was too clever for their school and that she’d teach him herself. Years later, after she passed, he found the letter and realised the truth. It actually said:
“Your son is mentally deficient. We cannot let him attend our school anymore. He is expelled.”
But by then, it didn’t matter, because she’d given him a belief in himself that changed everything.
Pocket
I spent the morning learning about some legal stuff for my business. Not exactly my idea of fun reading, but it needs to be done. Almost there now, and honestly, just getting it sorted will be a weight off my mind.
Some things aren’t exciting, but they’re necessary. And once they’re out of the way, everything else runs smoother. 🤞
Another day, another step forward!
Birthday Month Challenge – Day 22 ✅
Body:
Today’s workout was a power walk/run through the beautiful hills of Taíde. The sun was shining, the views were incredible, and we really enjoyed the fresh air.
Mind:
I’d like to share a reminder I read this morning:
“Life gets easier when you stop fighting it.
The rain will fall whether you complain or not.
Traffic will exist whether you stress or not.
People will act how they want whether you worry or not.
Focus on what you can change. Let go of what you can’t.”
This was such a good reminder. It’s so easy to complain about things we can’t control, so I’m setting myself a mini challenge within the challenge, tomorrow, I’ll make every effort to go the entire day without complaining about anything. No negativity, no pointless frustration, just acceptance. Let’s see how it goes!
Have you ever tried having a complaint-free day? It’s harder than it sounds!
Pocket:
Most of my day was spent working on my own funnels and preparing for the official launch of my business. It was officially registered yesterday, which is a big milestone, but there’s still a lot to do, setting up a new bank account, translating content into Portuguese, refining graphic designs, and making sure everything is in place. It’s exciting to see it all coming together, and I’m looking forward to making it happen!
Day 14 – Birthday Month Challenge
Improving Body, Mind, and Pocket
Body
Tonight, we went for a gentle walk/jog in the woods, exploring a new trail in the dark just for fun. It reminded us of the night runs we used to enjoy in the UK, not about pushing limits, just about embracing the adventure. Runners will know what I mean, it’s not always about speed or distance; sometimes, it’s just about the joy of moving.
Mind
Happy Valentine’s Day! How do you know if someone is right for you?
There are many ways, but my favorite is simple: loving and being loved exactly as we are, no pretending, no need to change. The best relationships are built on mutual acceptance, support, and the freedom to be yourself.
Who else in the world would match my energy like this? Someone who’s always up for anything, who supports me in everything, and who has the patience to listen to my crazy ideas for over 20 years. And it goes both ways—I’m always here for him, cheering him on, laughing at his dad jokes and dance moves, and loving him for exactly who he is. I’m so grateful that we found each other!
No matter how you’re spending Valentine’s Day, remember that this is just a commercial date. The one person who will always be there for you is yourself, so take care of yourself first. The right people, the ones who truly match your energy, will naturally find their way into your life.
As for me, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince 😂
Pocket
Today was the second day working on my new project, and it’s really coming together! I can’t wait to share it with the client and see her reaction. I need a successful case here in Portugal to showcase my work and skills to future customers, and it’s such a pleasure to collaborate with someone who works so hard and truly deserves to reach more clients. Through funnels, she’ll be able to expand her real estate services and expertise to help even more people.
Have a great evening, everyone!
Day 13: bday month challenge Improving Body, Mind, and Pocket ✅
Body:
Once again, I left my workout too late, but it turned out to be a great walk with Magnus and Jessy in the dark. The sky looked incredibly beautiful tonight. There’s something special about walking at night, the lights, the quiet streets, and the moon. We climbed 240 steps up to the church and completed 5K. It felt good to move, proving once again that the hardest part is just getting started.
Mind:
Today, I was reminded more than once that when we help others, we also help ourselves.
I’ve been managing my frustration about missing the FHL event in Las Vegas, but I’ve been lucky to receive kindness from those who are attending. One person took the time to share some key takeaways, which I deeply appreciated. When I thanked him, he said that my gratitude encouraged him to do more. In helping me, he found motivation to push himself , an exchange that benefited us both.
Another example was my son. He’s feeling the weight of big decisions about university, and everything that comes with this transition. He had a conversation with a lady at a shop in Sweden where he went to buy food. She was having a rough day until she helped him by simply listening and talking things through. By offering him comfort, she felt better herself and she mentioned it to him so they both ended up feeling lighter
There’s so much power in small acts of kindness. They are contagious, and the good you put out into the world always finds its way back to you.
Pocket:
Today, I’ve been working on a new project, and it’s exciting to see ideas come to life
I help business owners find their ideal customers in ways they wouldn’t otherwise. Running a business means wearing many hats, but that doesn’t mean you have to be good at everything. As a funnel builder, I connect buyers and sellers who might never have found each other allowing the business owners to focus on what they do best, and when that connection
Day 8 of my challenge doing something every day to improve my body, mind, and pocket.
Body:
Magnus, Jessy, and I set out on a 22km power walk/run/jog from home, following a loop through the Carvalho de Calvos trail and back. Exploring the area was a treat, and we completed the course in 3 hours and 38 minutes with elevation gain of 491m, taking strategic stops for photos, churros, and, letting Jessy splash in the water.
We left home a little later than planned, but that turned out to be a blessing. As we made our way back through the forested hills, we were treated to the distant night lights.
Mind:
One of the highlights of the trail was the Carvalho de Calvos, a majestic oak tree that has stood for centuries. A sign by the tree reads:
“The imposing and luxuriant Carvalho de Calvos (Calvos Oak) is considered the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula and the second oldest in Europe.”
Standing beneath it, I couldn’t help but reflect on time. This tree has witnessed generations come and go, and long after we are gone, it will still be there, standing strong. What stories could it tell? What changes will it witness in the centuries to come?
For us, that brief moment under its canopy was meaningful, a moment to pause, appreciate, and connect with something far greater than ourselves. That whole trail has a special energy to it. There’s a certain magic in places like that where the beauty of nature doesn’t just impress you, it recharges you.
Pocket:
This morning I spent hours researching suppliers for some of the products I want to work with, narrowing down a list of companies that I want to contact and buy from so I can test their products. My goal is to ensure that every product I sell is something I would personally buy, so my customers can feel happy about their purchases.
Day 7 – Birthday Month Challenge: Improving Body, Mind, and Pocket
Body
Movement is a non-negotiable part of my day, especially since I spend so much time at my desk. I plan my runs either first thing in the morning, at lunchtime, or just before sunset—whatever works best with my schedule. But if I don’t plan ahead, things get in the way.
Today was one of those days. I got caught up in research, missed my usual running windows, and by the time I was ready, my phone battery was low (and I like it charged for safety). So, I swapped my outdoor run for a treadmill session. It was fine, but nothing compares to fresh air.
Having structure helps me keep movement a priority. If I left it to chance, it would be way too easy to let the day slip away without it.
Mind
I came across a phrase today that I really like:
“The prize isn’t the trophy.
The prize is who you become in the process of earning it.”
I never thought I’d be a runner. Even less, a runner who actually likes running. But here I am, loving it.
For me, running is more than just getting fitter. It’s proof that I can do hard things. It has changed the way I see myself. I like this version of me better than the old me, the one who never even tried to understand why people run.
My runner self is happier, healthier, and, honestly, a little annoyed that I didn’t start sooner.
Pocket
Working from home means I have to be extra intentional with my time. Distractions are everywhere. Every time I get up, I see something that needs tidying, my phone is within reach, my pets want attention… If I don’t stick to a plan, the day disappears, and my task list stays full.
That’s why I structure my workdays with “focus blocks.” My family knows not to interrupt me during these times, just like they wouldn’t if I were at an office. This helps me stay productive and avoid wasting time on half-finished tasks.
It works. Today, I got deep into a research task, which threw off my running schedule,
Day 5 - Bday Month Challenge ✅
Focusing on doing something every day to improve body, mind, and pocket (finances).
Body:
I went for a nice run with my BFF Jessy. We started along the canal, enjoying the views.
Mind:
Today, I chose to focus on water—how important it is for pretty much everything.
Where there’s water, there’s life. But clean, flowing water refreshes, while stagnant water is harmful.
Water makes the world go round in both big and small ways. On a large scale, it shapes landscapes and ecosystems, making the world more beautiful. On a smaller scale, it’s even more important, it keeps us alive.
My grandmother used to say, “Go have a shower and wash it off,” whenever I was sad or upset about something. Back then, it didn’t make sense to me, but now I understand.
Flowing water refreshes and brings clarity, think of how many ideas come to us in the shower. It’s like watering a plant. We are part of nature, and since we are made mostly of water, it’s important to flow rather than remain stagnant. It’s easy to forget to drink enough water, but when we remember that our bodies are over half water, we realise how essential it is to keep it flowing, circulating, and renewing us.
Pocket:
For this part of the challenge, I went out wearing these leggings that I want to sell in my online store. I’ve tried so many different ones, but I’m happy to say I’ve finally found the perfect fit!
They’re not see-through, have a deep pocket, and are made of stretchy yet firmly fitted material. The high waist provides comfortable support, checking all the boxes.
Now, I just need to get past the gatekeeper from that factory to become a reseller partner. Watch this space—more news coming soon!
Day 4 - Bday Month Challenge doing something to improve body, mind and pocket
Body: I went for a run and made a new friend along the way, a small dog decided to tag along for about 2 km, all the way to my door. He doesn’t have a collar, so I’m keeping him until we find his owner. He’s super happy and playful, and I almost wish we could keep him.
For the mind aspect of the challenge, I picked a key as a symbol for today’s mindful moment. Key people, have the power to either open doors or keep them locked.
Pocket (finances): I’ve been reaching out to different companies and suppliers to set up my business. After months of research, I finally found a company that seems like the perfect fit. Their values align with mine, and their products are exactly what I want to offer my customers. But I’m trying to get past the gatekeeper.
The frustrating part is that by keeping me out, everyone loses. The company loses a potential collaborator, I lose the chance to work with a supplier I truly believe in, and customers miss out on something that could have been valuable to them.
It makes me think about how businesses grow and change over time. Many successful companies start with a dream, a vision, and a founder who takes small steps to build something meaningful. But as they expand, the decision-making often shifts to others, people who may not have the same passion or perspective. This can lead to missed opportunities, not because the business itself isn’t open to them, but because someone along the way decided to shut the door too soon.
But if one door is locked, there are always other doors. And if the doors are all shut, there might be a window open somewhere.
If I can’t get through this time, it doesn’t mean I won’t ever. Maybe one day, I’ll be invited in through the main door when the timing is right. But even if that never happens, I know there are other doors out there, ones with better gatekeepers who recognise opportunity when it knocks.
My
I’ve started my birthday month with a personal challenge, one that focuses on mind, body, and pocket every single day. I’m calling it BMP because, I want to feel stronger, wiser, and more in control of my life as I step into another year. And somehow, it’s already February?!
To symbolise this challenge, I picked some long, steep stairs. Because it’s the perfect reminder of what growth really looks like. If you’re building something like your health, a business, a new mindset, you’ll get this. It’s never about reaching “the top” and being done. It’s about taking it one step at a time, focusing on where you are, and trusting that the view at the top will be worth it.
It’s easy to want the shortcut, to wish things were smoother. The right way isn’t always the hardest way but it does require full commitment. If it wasn’t for my entrepreneurial mind, it could be easier to get a “normal” job, but that would feel like clipping my own wings. Can you relate? The journey can be tough, but when you reach a milestone, you realise: I’d do it all over again.
And this isn’t just about business and fitness. The same goes for the mind. You don’t need to have it all figured out today. Just take the next step. Like Rumi, the poet said: “As you walk the path, the path will show.” Some days, you’ll only have 5% to give, but that 5% is actually your 100% for that day, and that’s what matters. The effort counts, even when it feels small.
For me, these stairs represent a lot more than just a workout. They’re a reminder that I get to decide how I show up for myself. Today, I climbed 88 steps, 10 times= 880 steps total, and then I looped around the church for the views. I finished feeling stronger, clearer, and more ready to take on the day (which, for me, means figuring out this whole “building a new business in Portugal” thing)
I’ll be sharing this challenge every day this month, not because I have it all figured out, but because I know I
Every February, I set myself a personal challenge as a fun way to grow, and build resilience. This year, the challenge is called BMP: Body, Mind, and Pocket. It’s a month-long challenge where I do something every day to benefit my body, mind, and finances.
Over the years, I’ve done things like giving up chocolate from February till Easter, running 6km daily with my dog no matter the weather, and many others. These challenges remind me how much effort, discipline, and commitment it takes to stick to something even when it’s raining, snowing, or I just don’t feel like it. But every time, the small wins lead to bigger wins!
For BMP, here’s the plan:
💪 Body: Mindful movement and exercises to stay strong and healthy.
🧠 Mind: Mindfulness techniques to stay focused and present.
💼 Pocket: Sharing tips I’ve learned over 20+ years of working online—simple, practical ways to make money online that anyone can try.
Right now, I’m mapping out the challenge area, and I’m excited to share bits of my own journey as I build a new business here in Portugal, where my family and I recently moved.
Stick around for helpful tips, beautiful views, or to cheer me on celebrating small wins that lead to big wins.
#PersonalChallenge #Rundust #MindfulMovement