The Tutor Podcast

Neil talks about the power of saying no in various aspects of life and business. Drawing from his own experiences and insights gained over 25 years in the industry, Neil emphasises the importance of prioritising one's own well-being and goals. He discusses the negative impact of energy vampires and the significance of surrounding oneself with positive influences. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to share their experiences of saying no and the positive impact it has had on their lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace the power of saying no to things that do not align with your goals or values. Prioritise taking care of yourself first before helping others, as it ensures you can be of better assistance. Surround yourself with positive and motivated individuals to avoid being influenced negatively. Recognise sunk costs and do not feel obligated to continue investing in something that is not beneficial. Walking away from a situation can be a sign of strength and can open up opportunities for better choices. BEST MOMENTS "I would always put across to you that you are not responsible for the rescue of someone else from the results of their indolence, ignorance and stupidity." "One of the rules I live by is DDWT. Don't deal with tossers." "Stay no to what doesn't help you." "Sometimes saying no is the only option, the only sane option, it's the only honest option." "Walking away isn't a weakness. It's the ultimate strength. It's your superpower." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil introduces the concept of Timelining, an NLP technique aimed at generating shifts in perspective and insight. Neil shares his personal experience with using Timelining in his own life and with his students and coaching clients. He guides listeners through the process of physically visualising their goals on a timeline, adjusting the timeline as needed, and creating a well-sequenced plan to achieve those goals. Neil emphasises the importance of engaging physically in the process to enhance the vividness of the visualisation. KEY TAKEAWAYS The timelining technique is a creative visioning tool that uses space and time concepts to generate shifts of perspective and insight. Timelining can be done mentally or physically, with the physical method being more effective as it involves moving the mind and body together. When using timelining, visualise your goals at the end of the timeline and then assess how the distance feels from the present moment. Adjust the position of goals on the timeline if they feel too far or too close, ensuring they are in a position that feels right. By physically engaging in the timelining process, individuals can gain insights, adjust the sequence of events, and create a well-sequenced plan to achieve their goals. BEST MOMENTS "Time learning is a creative visioning tool that uses space and time concepts to generate shifts of perspective and insight." "I'm constantly doing this everywhere I'm on the timeline. If it feels too long a time, too far away, I'll walk back along the timeline towards today to a point where the goal starts to feel about right." "I've done this countless times with students and clients and every time I've been struck by how people change their ideas as they're playing." "Typically, insights present themselves and people say things like, ooh, that feels too far away. I don't think I can get there." "It's incredibly useful if you're prepared to go and play and do it physically." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil explores the importance of setting goals and the impact they have on personal growth and success. Drawing from his own experiences and insights gained over 25 years in business, Neil emphasises the need for clear, challenging goals that push individuals beyond their comfort zones. He discusses the concept of SMART goals and contrasts them with the BHAG model (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). Neil provides practical advice on how to work towards goals by breaking them down into manageable steps and establishing daily habits that move individuals closer to their desired outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Setting clear goals is essential for success and personal excellence. Goals act as a rudder, compass, and lighthouse to guide progress towards the desired endpoint. It is crucial to focus on the process of achieving goals rather than just the outcome. Developing a habit of taking daily actions towards the goal can lead to long-term success. Timelining is a valuable technique that can help in achieving goals effectively. BEST MOMENTS "Life without goals, without targets, without direction. You might blunder into something, sometime, but frankly it's a bit of a long shot, isn't it?" "I set goals high for myself and for the people around me because I care. Something to live up to. Something worth going after." "100% at university probably isn't going to be possible. Not all the time and not in every circumstance." "The outcome is nothing without the process. So always focus on the process." "Habits are built in a simple three step model. Cue. Action. Reward." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares insights and experiences from a round table meeting with property entrepreneurs. Drawing parallels between success in different industries, Neil emphasises the importance of learning from successful individuals and being willing to invest in oneself. He discusses the concept of "hurting money" as a motivator for taking action and highlights the value of paying the price of admission in order to gain valuable knowledge and skills. Neil encourages listeners to embrace the idea of paying the price, both financially and through hard work, in order to achieve success in their tutoring, teaching, or coaching businesses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Success leaves clues, so it's important to surround yourself with successful and generous individuals who can provide valuable insights and wisdom. Investing in education and learning from various industries can lead to innovative ideas and disrupt conventional thinking within your own industry. Paying the price of admission, whether it be financial or through hard work, is essential for personal and professional growth. The concept of "hurting money" emphasises the importance of investing in oneself and being willing to take action to ensure the investment pays off. Continuous learning and skill development are crucial for personal and professional growth, and it's important to always be open to new ideas and opportunities for growth. BEST MOMENTS "Success leaves clues. And so does failure." "The disruption is unlikely to come from within the same industry. It usually arrives out of left field from somewhere else." "The money isn't really a spend you see, it's an investment in myself and my future." "No pain, no gain. That's what they say, right? It's the pain of wasting that hurting money that makes all the difference." "If it's expensive and it's terrifying, good. Hand over the price of admission and then get busy paying the price of action." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares his experience attending a business and finance seminar over the weekend, where he learned from successful millionaires and a billionaire. Neil discusses the value of investing in self-improvement events and training, highlighting the opportunity cost associated with not taking advantage of such opportunities.Neil encourages listeners to consider the cost of ignorance and shares insights on how investing in education and mentorship can lead to significant returns in the long run. KEY TAKEAWAYS Invest in Education: Attending seminars, courses, and events may come with a financial cost, but the knowledge and skills gained often far outweigh the initial investment. Opportunity Cost: Every decision has an opportunity cost associated with it. Consider what you could be doing instead of your current activities and evaluate if the potential outcome is greater. Value Your Time: Recognise the value of your time and expertise. Don't hesitate to let go of low-value tasks or difficult clients to make room for more fulfilling opportunities. Continuous Learning: Embrace continuous learning and growth. Education and mentorship may seem expensive, but the cost of ignorance and missed opportunities can be much higher. Share Knowledge: Be open to sharing your knowledge and learning from others. Collaboration and exchanging ideas can lead to mutual growth and success. BEST MOMENTS "The fact is that the great majority of people out there will never attend a business and finance event or any other kind of self-improvement event." "The seminar rooms I go to are full of weirdos, madmen who are crazy enough to think that they could do something new, learn something new, perhaps reinvent their lives and find their bliss and capture their fortune." "If the potential outcome is greater than the cost of the event, Go do the bloody event." "Someone can learn in a few hours with me something that they've struggled with for decades." "Remember guys, if you think education is expensive, consider the cost of ignorance." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil passionately discusses the importance of embracing failure in education. Drawing from his own experiences and interactions with students, Neil challenges the traditional mindset of avoiding failure at all costs. He emphasises the value of making mistakes, learning from them, and using failure as a stepping stone towards excellence. Neil shares anecdotes about disrupting the education system to encourage creativity and growth, advocating for a more holistic approach to teaching and mentoring. KEY TAKEAWAYS Encourage Failure: It is important to encourage students to fail without consequence, as failure is a necessary precursor to excellence. Subvert Failure-Based Mindset: As tutors and mentors, it is crucial to subvert the failure-based mindset imposed by systems focused on compliance and fear. Disrupt Fear of Failure: Disrupt and destroy the conditioned fear of failure in students to promote progress, achievement, and learning. Break the Rules: Breaking the rules and encouraging students to do things badly can lead to improvement and growth. Think Independently: Emphasise the importance of thinking independently and pursuing personal theories and opinions, rather than conforming to prescribed guidelines. BEST MOMENTS "The system wants our kids to become compliant little workers. Back in the day, compliant little factory workers. These days, compliant little office workers to keep their heads down, to be watchful and not to screw up ever." "I say nuts to that. I say that we as tutors and mentors have a duty to subvert that failure-based mindset." "Every master was once a disaster. Every winner was once a beginner." "If all that's taught is the test, the school is just a hoop-jumping factory." "We, you and I, my fellow free spirits and shooters, are duty bound to disrupt and destroy that conditioned fear of fucking up." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join host Neil as he passionately discusses the pitfalls of relying on AI to write books and the importance of genuine effort and passion in writing. He criticises the deceptive tactics of individuals selling shortcuts and secret algorithms for writing books, emphasising that true writing involves soulful expression and dedication. Neil encourages listeners to embrace the process of writing authentically, without seeking quick fixes or magic systems. KEY TAKEAWAYS Avoid shortcuts: Writing takes time, effort, passion, dedication, and diligence. It is a process that requires the essence of the writer to be reflected in the work. Beware of conmen: Be cautious of individuals selling quick-fix solutions or secret algorithms for success. True success in writing comes from genuine effort and authenticity. Write with soul: When writing, let your voice, passions, and even agonies shine through. It is through this authenticity that readers can connect with the essence of your work. Value the process: Good writing is a result of sweat, passion, and dedication. It is a reflection of the writer's commitment to their craft. Engage authentically: Instead of seeking magic systems or shortcuts, embrace the process of writing authentically. Let your words flow from your soul onto the page. BEST MOMENTS "If AI is writing your book, where's the passion in the book going to come from?" "Let's not talk to these idiots who want to sell you a loophole in the system, a secret algorithm, and a backdoor hack that nobody else knows about." "Writing takes time. Good stuff takes time. Good stuff takes effort." "When we write, we're putting blood and ink on the page. Something of the essence of us finds its way through the pen to the reader." "Grab a pen and spoil a blank page. Do the work and as for the 30-minute book guru, wave at him with one finger." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares insights and reflections on the importance of avoiding the comfort zone in life and business. Drawing from his own experiences and wisdom gained over 25 years in the industry, Neil emphasises the need to push boundaries, challenge oneself, and stay uncomfortable to continue growing and thriving. The episode serves as a motivational call to action for individuals in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching business to keep moving forward, stay hungry for growth, and never settle for a comfortable existence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Avoid the Comfort Zone: The comfort zone is where dreams are broken, passions are slain, and hope goes to die. It is important to push towards the edge and stay uncomfortable every single day. Keep Moving: It is essential to keep moving, pushing against perceived limits, and avoiding a slowdown or gradual decline. Rage Against Settling: Do not settle into a comfortable existence. Instead, embrace risk, adventure, and daring to avoid the slow goodnight into a comfortable but unfulfilling life. Stay Hungry: The hunger to grow and be more, to live an uncomfortable life, is crucial. It is important to stay hungry and continue to seek growth and improvement. Seek Growth and Adventure: Embrace life with a spirit of risk, adventure, and daring. Do not go gently into a comfortable existence but instead rage against settling and embrace the uncomfortable journey of growth and discovery. BEST MOMENTS "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much damn space." "The comfort zone is where dreams are broken, passions are slain, and where hope goes to die." "Old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage! Rage against the dying of the light." "Going gentle into that good night is Thomas's magnificent call to life, to risk, adventure and daring." "Stay uncomfortable every single day." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil emphasises the importance of taking action and actively pursuing one's goals, rather than waiting for success to come by chance. Neil uses the analogy of a man waiting for a roast duck to fly into his mouth to illustrate the concept of not leaving things to chance. He encourages listeners to define their goals clearly, know what they want, and take deliberate steps towards achieving them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Don't wait for success to happen by chance: The old Chinese saying mentioned in the podcast emphasises the importance of taking action and not relying on luck or chance to achieve your goals. Define your goals clearly: Many people lack well-defined and visualised goals, which hinders their progress. It's crucial to know exactly what you want to achieve in order to work towards it effectively. Effort is essential for success: Success requires effort, just like successful hunting demands effort. Those who are willing to put in the work are more likely to achieve their dreams compared to those who wait for things to happen by chance. Take daily steps towards your goals: Consistent effort and daily pursuit of your goals are key to achieving success. By actively working towards your goals every day, you increase your chances of success. Share your progress and seek help: The podcast encourages listeners to share their goals and progress. Seeking help and sharing knowledge can be beneficial in achieving your goals and overcoming obstacles. BEST MOMENTS "Don't leave it to chance ever... get out there, get after it and make it happen." "If you ask them what happiness looks like to them... they haven't got a clue." "Find out what your duck actually looks like... go get your duck, don't wait for it to happen by chance." "Success demands effort... successful hunting demands effort." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares valuable insights and advice for individuals in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching business. He emphasises the benefits and challenges of being your own boss, highlighting the freedom and responsibility that come with it. Neil discusses the importance of defining your ideal clients, setting pricing strategies, and diversifying income streams to ensure financial stability. KEY TAKEAWAYS The tutoring, teaching, and coaching business offers the freedom to decide how to spend your days, who to work with, and how much to earn. Responsibility in running your own business includes making decisions on pricing, scheduling, and client selection. Cultivating multiple streams of income is crucial to ensure financial stability and success in the tutoring business. It is important to continuously innovate and explore new ways to grow your tutoring business, such as creating products or offering additional services. Despite the challenges and responsibilities, running a tutoring business can be a fair trade-off for the freedom and control it provides. BEST MOMENTS "For me, especially, I'm probably unemployable after working for myself for a quarter of a century." "Remember don't deal with tossers and enjoy your life. Those two golden rules DDWT and don't do miserable making things." "There are no victims out there, guys. They're all awakening heroes. They're not who they've been told they are." "Remember guys when you work for yourself if you're not working you're probably not earning." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the topic of holidays and the unique perspective entrepreneurs may have towards them. Neil shares his personal experience of finding more joy in teaching and working than in traditional holiday activities. He discusses the guilt and conflicting emotions entrepreneurs may face when taking time off from their businesses. Neil reflects on his own struggles with the idea of holidays and invites listeners to share their thoughts and experiences on the matter. The episode offers a candid and relatable exploration of the complex relationship entrepreneurs may have with taking time away from their work. KEY TAKEAWAYS Holidays can be seen as hell for some individuals who are deeply passionate about their work and find fulfilment in their daily activities. Entrepreneurs, driven by their passion and purpose, may struggle to prioritise taking time off for holidays, feeling guilty about letting down students and betraying their mission. Anhedonia, a condition where individuals find their own work so pleasurable that they are reluctant to engage in activities of lower value, can make it challenging to enjoy traditional holiday experiences. Despite the reluctance towards holidays, there may be moments or experiences that are too valuable to pass up, such as creating memories with loved ones or exploring new cultures. Individuals need to reflect on their feelings towards holidays and time away from work, as everyone's perspective and priorities may differ. BEST MOMENTS "I know holidays are supposed to be all fun and special and all that stuff. It's something to look forward to, yada, yada, yada. But frankly, I don't get it." "Her bliss isn't posh frocks, cocktails and dancing the night away. Her happy is on her building site and her bliss is ripping out the guts of a tired old property and working her own magic." "We entrepreneurs can struggle to maintain our path and our social networks at the same time." "I remember once driving as far as the airport and going through the barrier onto the long stay car park to go and join a bunch of friends and my brothers in Spain and driving straight out the other end of the car park." "Holidays might be hell, but sometimes there are things you can't say no to." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the concept of anchoring in NLP and its profound impact on teaching and learning. Neil shares his personal experience of using anchors to access his optimal teaching state instantly. He explains the process of building anchors step by step and encourages listeners to try anchoring for themselves! KEY TAKEAWAYS The concept of state, as propounded by the founders of NLP, refers to the emotional, mental, and physiological condition of an individual at any given moment. Managing one's state and the state of students can be a game-changer in teaching business or any other setting. Building anchors can help in accessing desired qualities or skills at will by triggering a specific state. Anchors can be set on the body or even on physical objects or places, depending on individual preference. By using the right kind of anchor, individuals can enter a special state designed for themselves, leading to increased confidence and effectiveness in their work. BEST MOMENTS "Managing your state and the state of your students can be a game changer in your teaching business, or in pretty much any other setting from what I see." "I hit that button and it's like, boom! I feel absolutely unstoppable. I know I'm going to help my students. I know we're going to have fun." "I think this is one of the reasons I still get fired up to teach Even after 25 years." "I've learned to anchor myself into my own optimal teaching state in a matter of seconds on cue and completely at will." "Every time now, he needs the courage to be honest, he taps the tattoo and he triggers his own anchor." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the concept of "state" as defined by the founders of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). He discusses how understanding and managing states, which encompass emotional, mental, and physiological conditions, can be a game-changer in teaching and learning. Neil provides real-world examples of positive and negative states in students and explains how teachers can adapt their own state to create rapport and lead students in the right direction. Neil's engaging and informative discussion offers practical tips for tutors, teachers, and coaches to enhance their effectiveness and create a positive learning experience for their students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding and effectively managing states can be a game changer in teaching and learning. Positive states foster engagement, receptivity, and effective communication, while negative states can hinder learning. The environment, such as a well-lit, clean, and positive teaching room, can significantly impact the states of both the teacher and the student. Teachers can mirror and establish rapport with students in negative states to gradually lead them towards a more positive state without them being aware. Utilizing NLP techniques like anchoring can help teachers quickly transition into their optimal teaching state, influencing students positively. BEST MOMENTS "NLP is a neuro linguistic programming developed back in the 70s by a mathematician and a linguist. And it has profound implications for teaching and learning." "States are really, really important if we're trying to make that bridge between ourselves and the student." "If they get that, it's going to put them in a state where it's much easier for them to change and to become the sort of musician, player or even a person that they'd like to be." "But right now I just want you to be curious and excited and get into that state of mind about how you could use state transitions and anchoring to simply flip yourself into your own peak state." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil as he shares insights on how to effectively manage time in a no-nonsense, practical way. He emphasises the importance of tracking activities to increase productivity and happiness in both business and personal life. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your time and improve your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil talks about the importance of tracking daily activities to assess their effectiveness and impact on the business. Activities are categorised into plus one, zero, minus one, and minus two ratings based on their long-term benefits and immediate impact. Neil highlights the significance of focusing on plus one activities that contribute to business growth and profitability. Minus one and minus two activities, such as unnecessary meetings and toxic interactions, are identified as detrimental and should be avoided. Regularly evaluating and adjusting how time is spent can lead to increased productivity and success in the tutoring business. BEST MOMENTS "This is a really, really difficult thing to do, but it's totally worth it. It's a form of just activity tracking. Now, some of you will probably do this already, but there'll be a very, very small proportion of the audience." "So if you rate your activities every half an hour or so, just put a dot in the relevant column and a very brief comment to the left to say what you're doing, then you can whittle away the things that aren't good." "I, Neil Cowmeadow, hereby swear my solemn oath to insulate myself from other people's shrieking need for my attention, my time and my energy. I recognise that the crisis of their indolence and stupidity is not my problem." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the power of reframing and reversing perspectives to achieve success in the tutoring business. With his trademark positivity and no-nonsense approach, Neil challenges listeners to consider how they can guarantee failure in their recruitment efforts by flipping the question on its head. By providing examples of what not to do, Neil encourages tutors to rethink their strategies and identify areas for improvement. Neil emphasises the importance of adopting a positive mindset and taking proactive steps to attract and retain students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Positive reframing: The ability to turn situations around and see the positive side is a vital skill for a happy life. Reverse assumptions: By flipping questions and assumptions, new perspectives can be gained to refine goals and strategies. Specific goals: Instead of vague questions like "How do I find more students?", focus on specific details like age ranges, subjects, and ideal students. Unique recruitment approach: Consider how to guarantee not recruiting any students, which can lead to identifying actions that are not being taken. Feedback and engagement: Encourage listeners to provide feedback, suggestions, and questions to improve the podcast and share valuable insights. BEST MOMENTS "The ability to turn things on their head and reconsider what they might mean is a vital skill for a happy life, in my opinion." "So always flip the question. It's flipping marvellous." "Which one of those things are you not doing? Which ones of them are you doing?" "I think we should try to reverse everything, especially our own plans and assumptions." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil dives into the myth of being a lucky overnight success in the tutoring business. Neil challenges the notion of luck and emphasises the importance of hard work, dedication, and intelligent decision-making in achieving success. Drawing from his 25 years of experience in the industry, Neil shares insights and wisdom in a no-nonsense, relatable manner, encouraging listeners to define success on their own terms and put in the necessary effort to make it a reality! KEY TAKEAWAYS Success is defined as living life on your own terms, making the world a better place, and leaving a positive impact on others. Luck is often attributed to successful individuals, but it overlooks the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices they made behind the scenes. The "lucky mindset" involves expecting good things to happen, actively seeking opportunities, and putting in the effort to achieve success. Being an overnight success is a myth; true success requires time, effort, and continuous learning over weeks, months, or even years. Guard your hard-earned success and resources with care, as it is the result of your labour, not just luck. BEST MOMENTS "Success is living life the way you want to live it, in pursuit of something worthy of your attention and energy." "Luck is a nice way to explain things when you don't know what happened." "When people say you're lucky, they didn't see the 18-hour days you put in week after week." "The lucky mindset means you expect good things to happen and go out looking for them." "Life is not a roulette game. Put the odds in your favour by doing things likely to have a positive result." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil Cowmeadow in episode 312 of The Tutor Podcast as he celebrates six years of consistent podcasting without missing a show. Neil shares insights and ideas from his 25 years in the tutoring business, offering tips on starting, growing, and loving your own tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Tune in for no-nonsense advice on making your life run more smoothly, adding more fun, and increasing profitability in your business! KEY TAKEAWAYS It's been six years and Neil has never missed a show! from business fundamentals to why we have to have fun Neil has covered a vast amount of subjects. Neil encourages old and new listeners to always obey his golden rule, DDWT! Don't do shit that makes you miserable. Across episodes he has pondered taxation, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the nature of obsession and The Encyclopaedia of Applied Fantasticness! Neil talks about why now is the best time to start teaching and create your own business. Neil gets a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from producing his podcast including a sense of commitment. BEST MOMENTS "I'll be pulling ideas and extracts from the hundreds of books I've consumed over the years, and to just give it to you in a no-nonsense, no-BS kind of way." "We've pondered taxation, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the nature of obsession and drive." "I gain the structure and the discipline of meeting my deadlines and always having something to say, even when I'm tired." "I'm here to listen as well as to talk. I know I don't have all the answers, so maybe you have one or two that'll be useful to me. Let me know." "Stay healthy, stay useful. Have fun." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of not going "round the bend" as tutors, teachers, and coaches in the business. He emphasises the limitations of being a sole trader and the necessity of scaling and scalability in the tutoring business. Neil shares personal experiences of being overwhelmed by day-to-day work and the realisation that hiring others to handle lower-value tasks can actually save time and increase profitability. He highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with the right people on the bus, such as assistants, partners, and service providers, to drive the business forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS Scale and Scalability: It's important to consider the limitations of being a sole trader in the tutoring business and the impact it has on earning potential. Importance of Delegating: Hiring people to handle lower-value tasks can free up time for high-value activities, ultimately benefiting the business. Recognising the Need for Support: Acknowledging the impact of overworking and the importance of having a support system in place to avoid burnout. Strategic Time Management: Prioritising high-value tasks over lower-value ones can lead to more significant opportunities and growth for the business. Continuous Learning and Improvement: Being open to feedback and seeking wisdom from others can help in developing and evolving the tutoring business effectively. BEST MOMENTS "The problem with this business model is that we're human. Well, some more than human." "Being human means that there's a limit on how much time you can actually spend teaching and helping people." "At some point, you'll have to stop teaching... What's your endgame?" "Hiring people in to do work for me is a saving to the business." "Get the right people on the bus and then drive the bus. Or better still, get someone else to drive the bus for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil discusses the concept of the "inner moron" that resides within all of us. He shares his personal experiences and insights gained from his 25 years in the tutoring business, discussing how the inner moron often leads us to make choices that are not in our best interests. Neil provides practical strategies for managing and outwitting the inner moron, such as planning ahead, pausing to evaluate decisions, and putting obstacles in its way. He emphasises the importance of reducing friction and making it easier for our better selves to prevail. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone has an inner moron that tempts them to do things that are not in their best interest. It is important to have a plan for each day to make the most of limited time. When faced with an impulse to do something stupid, take a pause and ask if it aligns with your goals. Put obstacles in the way of your inner moron, such as hiding things that enable bad habits. Make life easier for your better self by reducing friction and taking actions that support positive behaviours. BEST MOMENTS "My inner moron wants me to watch hours of YouTube videos that add nothing to my life." "He wants me to lie in bed and press the snooze button on the alarm when I've got appointments to take care of." "Your inner moron is strong in this one." "When the urge to do something truly stupid wells up inside you, again, take a pause, ask yourself one simple question." "Put as many barriers between yourself and your unwanted behaviors as you can." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of incorporating fun into teaching and tutoring. He shares his belief that learning occurs more quickly and effectively in a fun environment, where students feel comfortable making mistakes and taking risks. Neil challenges listeners to assess how much fun they are having in their teaching and to explore ways to add more enjoyment to their work. Overall, this episode encourages tutors and teachers to prioritise fun and playfulness in their practice to create a positive and engaging learning experience for their students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fun is important in teaching: It's important to incorporate fun into teaching. A fun environment enables students to learn faster and be more willing to take risks. Playfulness and creativity: Neil encourages teachers to be playful and creative in their approach to teaching. It suggests experimenting with new patterns, language, body posture, tonalities, and beliefs to make the learning experience more engaging. Embrace mistakes: It's essential to put work into creating a safe space for students to make mistakes. Encouraging students to intentionally do things badly at first can be one way, as it allows for learning and improvement. Continuous learning and adaptation: Teachers have to constantly learn and adapt to their students' needs. Teachers should be open to learning from their students and reverse engineering their mistakes to find solutions. Enjoyment in teaching: So much joy and fulfillment can come from teaching. Reflect on how much time you spend being happy, funny, and silly during your working hours and find ways to add more fun to your teaching practice. BEST MOMENTS "Not everybody gets this. Certainly, people look at you strangely if you say I'm off to have some fun, hang out, play guitar with my friends and get paid money for it." "Being too serious shuts down students because they come intimidated by the perceived risk of failure and here's the thing the real risk of failure in guitar teaching and tutoring is actually zero they screw up nobody dies deal with it." "Their blockages are my opportunities. They're my opportunities to play, to be creative. And I truly believe that playfulness is something we should all aim for and fill our days with." "I'll usually show them one or two ways to do it then ask them to do it really badly at first and I'll do that with a big smile because it's not serious it's just rock and roll baby." "If we're going to be spending the next God knows how many years doing something, wouldn't it be wonderful if that thing was the most fun thing that you knew how to do? And if you happen to get paid a load of money for it. Wonderful. Bravo for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil as he explores the power of clothing and how it can shape our perception of ourselves and others. Drawing on historical examples and personal experiences, Neil discusses how clothing can influence our inner game and impact our interactions with others. He talks about the importance of developing a strong inner game and using clothing strategically to project authority, credibility, and professionalism. Neil encourages listeners to pay attention to how different clothing choices make them feel and to experiment with their wardrobe to enhance their performance and success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clothing plays a significant role in shaping our perception of ourselves and how others perceive us. Different clothing choices can affect our behaviour, confidence, and how we are treated by others. Dressing appropriately for different occasions, such as casual attire for teaching or formal attire for business events, can enhance credibility and influence. Paying attention to how we feel whilst wearing different clothing items can help us understand what makes us feel powerful, efficient, and effective. Developing our own "Superman costume" or clothing choices that make us feel empowered can positively impact our performance and interactions with others. BEST MOMENTS "I figured that if I can give you some of what I found useful in my own restless search for ideas, for techniques and processes to make my own life run more easily and more smoothly, to cut down the effort, add a ton more fun, and make business more profitable and more enjoyable at the same time." "We all know that business means are different if you're the best-dressed person at the table. If you are, you're going to exert more influence due to how you're perceived." "I want to show up like someone who knows what they're doing. And it's the same with business and networking events. I want to show up looking credible." "I know that we're all told not to judge a book by its cover, but the fact is we all do it. So why not develop a cover that helps you rather than hinders you?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of consistency in achieving success in tutoring, teaching, and coaching businesses. Drawing from his 25 years of experience, Neil emphasises the significance of establishing a daily routine and implementing it consistently. He explains how consistency at both the daily routine level and the implementation level can lead to improved performance and efficiency. Neil shares his own experiences and insights, highlighting the benefits of practising the same techniques and patterns repeatedly to develop a solid system. He encourages listeners to focus on mastering one thing at a time and gradually building upon it to create a robust and effective approach. KEY TAKEAWAYS Consistency is key: Whether it's establishing a daily routine or implementing specific practices, consistency is crucial for building a solid foundation. Establish a daily routine: By setting aside dedicated time for important activities, such as practising or learning, individuals can ensure that they make consistent progress towards their goals. Implement with precision: By consistently performing tasks in the same way, individuals can develop habits and behaviours that lead to improved performance and efficiency. Groove in the behavior: Neil talks about the concept of "grooving in" behaviours and habits through repetition. By consistently practising and performing tasks in the same way, individuals can develop instinctive and automatic responses, making the process easier and more enjoyable. Manage exceptions: While consistency is important, Neil also acknowledges the need to manage exceptions and explore creative possibilities. By establishing a solid foundation through consistent practices, individuals can then experiment and push boundaries within that framework. Managing exceptions allows for growth and creativity while maintaining a strong system. BEST MOMENTS "I've got one particular student, he's played all his life. He's intelligent, smart, driven but he's frustrated." "Consistency means doing it over and over regularly and exactly the same way every time." "Your body thinks for itself once it's been trained." "Those notes are always in the same place. I use patterns in which I'm competent and I play those patterns with exactly the same finger movements all the time." "Ultimately it all comes down to practice, even though that is a word I loathe because of its semantic loadings of being grey, dull, endless, boring." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the concept of being a jack-of-all-trades. He shares his own experiences of being involved in various pursuits and challenges throughout his 24 years in business, including teaching guitar, renovating properties, earning a degree, training in NLP and hypnosis, and even piloting powered aircraft. Neil argues that being a polymath, or a jack-of-all-trades, is a great thing as it allows for a rich and varied life, filled with endless curiosity and exploration. He highlights historical figures such as Nikola Tesla, Leonardo da Vinci, and Isaac Newton as examples of polymaths who have made significant contributions to various fields. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being a jack-of-all-trades or a polymath is a great thing, as it allows for a rich and varied life with multiple pursuits and challenges. Specialising in just one thing can get boring and limit personal growth and exploration. History is filled with polymaths who have made significant contributions to various fields and changed the world. Embracing a diverse range of interests and skills can lead to a more interesting and fulfilling life. It's important to follow one's curiosity and quest for knowledge, as it can lead to new discoveries and opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "Is there anything you can't do? She asked" "To me it's a great thing. You see, the other name for a jack-of-all-trades is a polymath, from the Greek word polymathes, meaning having learned much. So this jack-of-all-trades master of none, I don't buy it." "I've come to believe over the years that it's in the nature of mankind to explore. To possess endless curiosity and to quest for knowledge." "What if she'd stayed in her lane? What if she'd stuck to her knitting and just did the normal stuff that deaf and blind people were expected to do in the day?" "Ask yourself, what would have happened if these jacks of all trades had specialised and stayed in their own lanes and just focused in on that one thing?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

This episode explores the concept that environment is superior to willpower. Neil shares his own experiences of avoiding temptations by staying away from certain environments and emphasises the importance of surrounding oneself with the right environment for success. Neil also discusses the productivity habits of renowned writer Neil Gaiman, who attributes his success to the power of boredom and creating a distraction-free writing space. Neil encourages listeners to try implementing these strategies in their own lives and shares his personal approach to writing. KEY TAKEAWAYS The environment is superior to will: The idea that the environment plays a significant role in our actions and decisions, creating a conducive environment can be more effective than relying solely on willpower. Learn from top performers: By observing principles, beliefs, language, behaviours, and processes of successful people you can improve your skills and achieve similar results. Embrace boredom: Neil Gaiman's approach to writing creates a space free from distractions and allows him to either write or do nothing. Embracing boredom can lead to increased focus and productivity. Time blocking: This helps create a routine and ensures dedicated time for the activity. Give yourself permission: Give yourself permission to either write or not write, this can alleviate the pressure of writer's block. By removing the expectation to produce, it can then be easier to start and engage in the writing process. BEST MOMENTS "Environment is superior to will for the vast majority of people. And unless you're a superhuman with iron will and balls of steel, that probably includes you and me." "Neil's superpower is actually boredom. He has a gazebo where he writes. And while he's there, he obeys one simple rule. Neil says, well you can sit here and write, or you can sit here and do nothing, but you can't do anything else." "I tell myself it's okay not to write it's okay but it's bloody boring. I don't permit myself to watch YouTube or listen to any podcasts or audiobooks. I may have a quiet soundscape or some background ambient noise playing in my own noise-canceling headphones just to block out distracting sounds. But that's about it. Boring." "So guys, clear the decks, turn off the phone, turn off the TV, the radio, turn off all notifications, close any windows other than the one you're actually working in. Block out anything and anyone remotely interesting and apply your bum to the seat." "I don't get writer's block anymore. I just choose to do nothing or to give myself permission to write and do one thing and notice that it's ever so slightly more interesting than doing absolutely nothing at all." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil Cowmeadow explores the idea of expanding our perspective as tutors, teachers, and coaches. He encourages listeners to see themselves as business people who happen to teach, rather than being confined to a narrow definition of their profession. Neil shares his own journey of branching out into various fields, such as writing books, collaborating on music, and mentoring others in property investment. He emphasises the importance of thinking beyond the boundaries of teaching and considering how one's skills and expertise can fit into a broader business ecosystem. By doing so, Neil believes that individuals can unlock new opportunities and live up to a bigger, broader definition of themselves and their businesses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace a broader definition of your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business as part of a larger business ecosystem. Consider how your unique teaching method can be turned into a product, such as a book or course, to reach a wider audience and generate additional income. Think like a publisher or marketer to explore new business opportunities and expand your offerings beyond teaching. Sketch out your business ecosystem, identifying connections and barriers between different businesses and opportunities. Avoid limiting yourself to a narrow definition of your role and instead strive for a bigger, broader definition that gives you something to aspire to. BEST MOMENTS "We're, in my opinion, business people who happen to teach. That's our primary service." "Your business doesn't need to exist in isolation and it shouldn't exist in isolation. All around it, there are other businesses and other opportunities." "What if you could turn that into a product, into a book or a course that could be sold worldwide and could help more people? What would that do for your business and for you?" "A limited definition like that or a self-statement is a prophecy you'll live down to. A bigger, broader definition of who and what you are gives you something else. It gives you something to live up to." "Think about your ecosystem. Put it out on paper. Have a look at it. Scratch your head. Dream a little bit. Have a bash at it. It's worked for me, and it might work for you too." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil Cowmeadow discusses the importance of taking care of our health and well-being on a daily basis. He emphasises that our health is the foundation upon which everything we do is built, and neglecting it can have consequences in our personal and professional lives. Neil challenges the notion that it is normal to experience a gradual decline in health as we age, and instead advocates for investing in our health every day to delay and minimise the impact of chronic diseases. He shares his own experiences with different diets and fasting and encourages listeners to do their own research and find what works best for them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Taking care of our health and well-being is essential not just during the post-Christmas period, but every single day. Our health is the foundation upon which everything we do is built, and neglecting it can hinder our ability to deliver our best to our students, customers, clients, and family. Historically, humans were healthy and robust deep into old age, and it is possible to maintain good health and well-being throughout our lives. The toxicity of industrially produced processed food and the sedentary lifestyle of the modern world contribute to long-term ill health. Fixing our diet, incorporating fasting, and prioritising movement and exercise are key steps to getting and staying healthy. BEST MOMENTS "The point I want to make today is that we really have to look after ourselves, not just in the post-Christmas period, but every single day." "Your health is the foundation upon which everything you do is built." "Walking is one of the most beneficial activities a human being can engage in." "There is no amount of exercise you can do that can compensate for a bad diet." "The NHS is really good, ish, at managing sickness. It's piss poor at health because it's not set up to manage health." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Join Neil as he explores the power of words and how they can be used as magic spells to transform our interactions and shape our reality. Neil shares his teaching superpower of using magic words to uplift and inspire his students, starting with a simple question about how fabulous they are today. He discusses the impact of precise language and how it can control the outcome of any conversation or negotiation. Neil also shares personal anecdotes of using magic words in various settings, from the supermarket to the gaming industry, and encourages listeners to discover their own magic words and spells. KEY TAKEAWAYS Magic words have the power to change minds and distort realities. They can be used to shape outcomes in teaching, coaching, negotiating, and everyday interactions. Precision language is important in effectively using magic words. Carefully considered and crafted utterances can pivot a person's entire day and have a transformative effect on their life. By using magic words, such as asking someone how fabulous they are instead of asking how they are doing, you can help shift their mood and create a more positive atmosphere. Silly and playful language can be used to manipulate or influence others in a positive way. Choosing the right words, such as using "plug your guitar in and make a ton of joyful noise" instead of "practice," can have a significant impact on motivation and engagement. The power of words can be seen in personal experiences, such as a gaming manager using a few words to transform the speaker's perspective on their job and turn it into a source of enjoyment and entertainment. Magic words can have a profound effect on individuals and their perception of reality. BEST MOMENTS "Magic words are words that change minds and distort realities." "Your words, your carefully considered, honed and crafted utterances can pivot the whole day for a person." "I'm not going to permit them to track their black mood into the teaching room and stink up the place like they had dog poo on their shoes." "I'm using humor and language to manipulate them. Ooh, you don't like the word manipulation, do you? I could tell. So let's try the word influence instead." "Tony waved his hands at the whole gaming floor out there and said look at all these people they've all made a special effort to get dressed up washed and spruced up cleaned up to look good just to come here and see you wow." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares a technique that he finds enormously helpful when he has a lot on his mind. Drawing inspiration from various authors and researchers, Neil explains a simple and effective method that only takes 10 minutes. He suggests finding a quiet space, turning off distractions, and using a timer. With pen and paper, Neil encourages listeners to write freely and playfully, capturing any thoughts or ideas that come to mind. The goal is to generate ideas, gain clarity, and uncover solutions to challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS The technique of writing for 10 minutes without stopping can be helpful in generating ideas and finding solutions to challenges. It is important to create a quiet and distraction-free environment for this writing exercise. Using quality stationery, such as a nice pen and colored paper, can make the writing process more enjoyable and playful. Handwriting has been shown to be beneficial for cognitive processes and learning, as it allows for a more direct flow of thoughts compared to typing on a keyboard. The process of writing without self-editing or self-critiquing can lead to surprising insights and solutions that were already present in the mind. BEST MOMENTS "I've stumbled on similar ideas in the works of many authors and researchers." "Long handwriting forces one to reprocess the subject matter and the flow through a nice pen is much more direct than through a keyboard." "There's always something useful in there. There's a solution or an idea that helps me to overcome my challenge." "I call it slaying dragons. It's not that I've got anything against dragons, as I've said before. You see, it's the unicorns I really despise. Those smug, sparkly little bastards." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil discusses the importance of taking time to review and plan for the upcoming year in your tutoring business. He emphasises the need to step away from the day-to-day operations and dedicate a few days to reflect on the successes and lessons learned from the past year. Neil provides a structured approach to the review process, including evaluating strengths and weaknesses within the business, considering external factors such as the economy and competition, and setting specific goals for the next year. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil suggests setting aside 2-3 days in a quiet location to focus on this task. Neil emphasises the need to review the past year and identify both successes and lessons learned. This includes reflecting on personal satisfaction, impact on clients or students, and areas of pride or dissatisfaction in the business. It's important to understand the purpose and mission of your tutoring business. You need to define your values and integrate them into every aspect of your business too. Neil suggests examining internal factors of the business, such as staff, products/services, systems, marketing, sales, purchases, and financials. Tutors should identify strengths to leverage and weaknesses to improve upon. It is also important to consider external factors, such as the domestic and global economy, legislation, the employment market, new products/ideas, competition, and marketing. Tutors should identify opportunities to take advantage of and threats to address in their business planning. BEST MOMENTS "Money is the byproduct of excellence." "What's the business's mission? What are we striving to achieve here, guys?" "Look at your competition. If they're good, they will give you great lessons on how you can do better." "Get the word out there. As the phrase goes, make it, then tell everyone." "Remember, you're just figuring out how to make you and your business even more awesome, aren't you?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil shares some key points from a recent conversation he had with one of his bass guitar students. Beyond music, they talk about the impact of traditional teaching methods on students' perception of learning. Neil emphasises the importance of simplifying concepts, using plain language, and empowering students to be curious. He advocates for going off the syllabus, finding material that interests students, and making the learning process fun. Neil's passion for teaching shines through as he encourages educators to create an enjoyable and engaging environment for their students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Simplify everything: As teachers, it is important to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that is easy for students to understand. By using plain and simple language, we can make learning more accessible and enjoyable for our students. Empower curiosity: Encourage students to ask questions and be curious about the subject matter. Answering their questions and sparking their imagination can lead to deeper understanding and engagement with the material. Go off the syllabus: Instead of strictly adhering to a syllabus, ask students what they want to learn and find music or material that interests them. This helps to personalise the learning experience and make it more enjoyable for the student. Make it fun: Learning should be a playful process. Teachers should strive to make their lessons enjoyable and engaging for both themselves and their students. By creating a fun and positive learning environment, students will be more motivated to continue learning. Avoid using fancy language: Cut out the use of unnecessary jargon and fancy words that can create a barrier between the student and the material. Using plain and simple language helps to make the subject more accessible and relatable to the student. BEST MOMENTS "She's a very smart lady... She's funny, energetic, vivacious, million questions and just a bundle of energy." "Most of her old thinking about music and about herself as a player have been absolutely destroyed... she realises music is much simpler and much easier than she thought." "She told me that because I break things down and explain why we do something as musicians, she can make sense of it and she can accept it." "She likes it when I use simple words to explain something... she thinks it's because they're trying to mask something simple behind a wall of fancy words." "We should be making it fun for our students... if it's not fun for them they won't want to come back and if it's not fun for you to teach every single day is going to be miserable for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil Cowmeadow discusses the danger of falling into the comfort trap. He highlights how success can lead to complacency and a loss of drive, energy, and ambition. Neil emphasizes the importance of staying motivated and avoiding the temptation to relax when things are going well. He shares personal experiences and offers practical advice, such as setting bigger goals and embracing discomfort to maintain growth and success. Neil's no-nonsense approach and insights provide valuable guidance for tutors, teachers, and coaches looking to avoid the pitfalls of comfort and continue thriving in their businesses. KEY TAKEAWAYS The comfort trap can be a blindside problem that affects individuals who are experiencing a moderate degree of success. It can lead to a loss of drive, energy, and ambition. Comfort can blind individuals to potential problems and opportunities. When people become comfortable, they may take their foot off the gas and become complacent, which can lead to missed opportunities and a decline in their work. It is important to continuously challenge oneself and set bigger goals. By pushing oneself out of their comfort zone and embracing discomfort, individuals can maintain their drive and avoid stagnation. Deliberately creating pressure and discomfort can be powerful in compelling individuals to do better work and achieve more. By avoiding comfort and embracing challenges, individuals can become stronger and more resilient. Society often encourages comfort and complacency, but it is important to resist this and strive for personal growth and success. By avoiding the comfort trap and continuously pushing oneself, individuals can avoid decline and achieve their goals. BEST MOMENTS"Comfort kills you, it kills you like just like a disease...when you get comfortable, when you're doing all right, when you're making enough money, you strangely figure that you can take your foot off the gas and cruise along a little bit." "Comfort can blind you to so many things...you might resist the temptation to let go of the one student who's unreliable and hogs a schedule slot that could go to someone who's a better fit, who's more reliable, who doesn't mess you about." "Taking that comfortable, easily attainable goal to a higher level creates pressure and that will restore your drive and your activity levels." "Deliberately pressurizing myself into an uncomfortable workload is going to be powerful in compelling me to do better work with more people. That's the whole damn point, isn't it?" "Do hard things. Set bigger goals...Don't give a toss what society expects. Go out there and slay your dragons, banish your demons and fight to your last day to avoid the slow creeping decline which always accompanies getting comfortable." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of selling in the tutoring and coaching business. He acknowledges that many people feel uncomfortable with the idea of being salespeople, but talks about why selling is a skill used by everyone in various aspects of life. Neil shares his own experience of initially being reluctant to sell himself as a guitar teacher, but realising the necessity of selling to grow his business. He explains that selling is not about manipulation, but rather about offering a solution to a customer's problem at a fair price. Neil encourages tutors to overcome any reservations they may have about selling and highlights the importance of effectively communicating the benefits of their services to reach those who need them most. KEY TAKEAWAYS Selling is a skill used by everyone: Selling is not limited to salespeople but is a skill used by everyone in various aspects of life, including teaching, tutoring, and coaching. Selling is about solving problems: Selling is not about manipulating or pushing products or services onto people but rather about presenting a solution to their problems at a fair price and removing their resistance to acquiring that solution. Selling is a moral obligation: If you have the knowledge or expertise to help someone, it is your duty to offer them the solution to their problem. You're doing people a disservice but not offering your solution. Selling requires listening and understanding: It's important to listen to the customer, eliciting and understanding their problem, and determining if what you offer can help them. This approach ensures that you only offer solutions that fit the customer well. Selling builds credibility and goodwill: Being honest and transparent in your selling approach can generate immense goodwill with both prospective customers and competitors. By recommending competitors when you are not the right fit for a customer, you position yourself as an honest broker and gain credibility in the process. BEST MOMENTS "The Americans are way better at it than us." "Selling the right way isn't the slippery spiel of the shiny suited weasel." "I fell in love with selling and it's a wonderful transferable skill that I use day in day out." "If you can't help them, explain that you're not the right person, or your product isn't a good fit for them." "You can be the best bloody teacher in the world, but if nobody knows you're there or you can't communicate the benefits to them of you, then you might as well not exist." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil explores the concept of success and how it differs for each individual. He shares a conversation he had with a friend about their contrasting definitions of success, highlighting the importance of personal fulfilment and happiness. Neil discusses his own vision of a successful life, which involves teaching, helping others, and building his property businesses. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own definition of success and offers practical advice on how to align their current actions with their desired outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Success is subjective: Neil highlights that everyone has their own unique definition of success. What may be considered successful for one person may not be the same for another. It emphasises the importance of understanding and defining success on a personal level. Write down your vision of success: Neil suggests writing down your vision of a perfect day and how you would spend it. This exercise helps to clarify your goals and aspirations, making it easier to identify if you are currently living your ideal life or if changes need to be made. Be aware of your own standards: By having a clear understanding of your own idea of success, you can better evaluate if you are on the right track or not. This allows you to make course corrections and take actions that align with your personal vision. Make it personal and present tense: Neil talks about the importance of making your vision of success personal and stating it in the present tense. By doing so, you create a stronger connection to your goals and increase your motivation to achieve them. Take action towards your perfect day: Once you have identified your vision of success, Neil encourages taking specific actions that will move you closer to your ideal life. This proactive approach helps to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. BEST MOMENTS "My idea of a happy and successful life is to teach what I love to people I adore, to help them make faster progress than I ever did, to fill them with a sense of their own possibilities." "Everybody's got their own unique definition of success... Matey Boy's is golf, holidays, and cruising. Mine's being useful, being playful, helping people, building a legacy, and making a fat pile of dosh at the same time." "No two people will share the same definition of what success means to them. So screw what anybody else thinks, let's talk about your vision of success." "If the answer to the first part is no, I'm not living my perfect life. That's a cue to change trajectory. You have to change something." "I'm having fun searching out the next property to add to my portfolio. I'll solve other people's property problems, help myself by helping them, by giving them a great deal. And this will all add to my legacy." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil reflects on his recent realisation that he had become a "busy fool." He confesses that he had allowed himself to get too comfortable and busy with day-to-day tasks, neglecting the bigger picture and strategic thinking. Neil discusses the importance of outsourcing certain tasks and investing in ongoing education to grow your business and build a legacy. KEY TAKEAWAYS The speaker confesses to getting comfortable and becoming a "busy fool" by focusing too much on small tasks and neglecting strategic thinking and bigger opportunities. The speaker realizes the importance of ongoing education and investing in oneself, and acknowledges the missed opportunities and costs of not doing so. The speaker plans to outsource property maintenance and management, as well as hire a bookkeeper and virtual assistant, in order to free up time for more productive and high-level work. The speaker emphasizes the value of time and money, stating that having more money allows for the purchase of more time, which can be used for strategic work and building a future or empire. The speaker encourages listeners to reflect on whether they are simply doing tasks that get done today or if they are actively building a legacy or empire, and invites them to share their thoughts and connect with him for further discussion. BEST MOMENTS "I got comfortable... I drifted into being a busy fool." "I'd let the things which matter most fall at the mercy of the things which matter least." "I just recognized that I'd missed so many opportunities because I'd been too operational, too small scale, too bloody busy to think bigger and grow the business." "The most important work for the next quarter is to get off the tools and free myself to work on the business and not in the business." "The more money you have, the more time you can buy back... And you can use that time to go and do high level work." VALUABLE RESOURCESwww.Neilcowmeadow.comCONTACT [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil Cameron delves into the topic of money and explores its true nature and the beliefs surrounding it. He emphasizes that money is a neutral tool, a means of exchange that amplifies who we are. Neil challenges the common misconceptions about money and encourages listeners to change their beliefs and mindset about wealth. He shares personal experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of financial education and surrounding oneself with successful, wealthy individuals. Ultimately, Neil aims to empower listeners to take control of their financial lives and make money work for them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Money is a neutral tool: Money is not inherently good or evil, but rather a means to make transactions and exchange value between people. It is like a knife that can be used for good or bad purposes depending on how it is wielded. Money amplifies who you are: If you are a kind and generous person, having more money allows you to do more good and help others. Conversely, if you are selfish or irresponsible, having more money will only amplify those negative traits. Beliefs about money shape your relationship with it: Your beliefs about money, whether positive or negative, greatly influence your financial success. If you believe that money is evil or hard to come by, you will struggle to acquire and keep it. It is important to change negative beliefs and adopt a positive mindset towards money. Learn from successful wealthy people: Seek advice and insights from successful and wealthy individuals who have achieved financial success. Read books, listen to podcasts, and surround yourself with people who have a positive relationship with money. Avoid taking money advice from those who are not financially successful. Education and action are key: Take the initiative to educate yourself about money, investing, and building wealth. Invest in your own financial education and take action every day to improve your financial situation. Money is a tool that can empower you to make better choices and help others, so it is important to actively work towards financial success. BEST MOMENTS "Money is neutral. It's not good, it's not bad, it's like a knife that cuts bread or stabs someone. How you use it, or how you get used by it, that's the interesting part to me." "Money isn't good. It isn't evil. It's just neutral. What it actually is, is kind of an amplifier. As I said before, it just amplifies who you are." "Don't take money advice from poor people." "People who talk about money in that kind of way, people who tell you that money isn't important, don't have any money." "Get yourself a financial education. I spend thousands of pounds every single year on my own education because education is way cheaper than ignorance." ABOUT THE HOST www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares his two golden rules for a happy and successful life, both at work and outside of it. The first rule is to avoid doing things that make you miserable, while the second rule is to not deal with "tossers" or difficult people. Neil discusses the importance of removing unsatisfactory people from your schedule and surrounding yourself with more positive and enjoyable individuals, encouraging listeners to identify and eliminate one "tosser" from their own lives! KEY TAKEAWAYS Rule one for a happy and joyous life is to not do things that make you miserable. This applies to both work and personal life. Rule two is to not deal with "tossers" or unsatisfactory people. It is important to avoid working with individuals who make you unhappy or drain your energy. Identifying and eliminating tossers from your schedule is crucial for maximizing your time and working with more satisfying and enjoyable individuals. It is not necessary to feel guilty about removing tossers from your life. By doing so, you are creating space for better fits and more positive experiences. The mission is to locate and fire one tosser from your schedule, freeing up time to work with nicer, happier people and enhancing your teaching experience. BEST MOMENTS "Don't deal with tossers or DDWT for short." "Having something like that on your schedule darkens your day. It's like a cloud on the horizon." "He immediately got the grump and asked me if I knew who he was and how big his company was… he would have been a total pain to deal with." "The whole organisation failed the DDWT test." "Look at your schedule right now and play spot the tosser… every hour they fill up on your schedule is an hour you can't spend with better students, with nicer people, with happier people." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil takes a closer look at two ways to get stuff done: erosion and explosion. He talks about how erosion is like chipping away at a task bit by bit, kinda like a stream slowly carving a path in a rock. On the flip side, explosion is all about going all-in and tackling a task with a big burst of energy in a short time. Neil spills the beans on his own experiences, like teaching, growing his property stash, and staying fit. He really drives home the idea that it's super important to make a plan, set some deadlines, and carve out time to get things done, no matter which way you choose. He's all about trying out both methods, but he's got a soft spot for the slow and steady approach, where you grind away at things over time. So, give it a whirl and see which one floats your boat! KEY TAKEAWAYS There are two approaches to getting tasks done: eroding the task over time and exploding the task in a short period of time. Both approaches can be effective depending on the situation. Eroding the task involves consistently working on it day after day, week after week, gradually wearing it down over a long period of time. This approach is sustainable and can lead to significant results over time. Exploding the task involves taking massive action and total focus on the task in a short period of time. This approach is useful for dealing with crises or when a task requires intense concentration and effort. It is important to be aware of the task at hand and create a plan to achieve it, regardless of the approach chosen. This includes setting deadlines, blocking out time for the work, and working from a schedule rather than a to-do list. While both approaches can be effective, the erosive approach (consistently working on the task over time) may be more sustainable and less stressful in the long run. It allows for flexibility and the ability to say yes to other activities and people. BEST MOMENTS "There are two extremes of behavior when it comes to taking care of tasks and goals we set ourselves." "Eroding the task means wearing it down day after day, week after week over a very long period of time." "Explosive approaches like this do work, but they tend to be a one and done sort of thing." "By scheduling those task-eroding activities into my weekly and daily plans, I find that I can reap the benefits of constant, frequent repetition." "I'll grind the task or the problem into dust. That's frankly where most of my best results have come from." ABOUT THE HOST www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

This is part two of Neil sharing his organisational strategies and insights for running a successful tutoring business as well as his love for a Filofax! Neil emphasises the importance of doing a brain dump to get all thoughts and tasks out of your head and onto paper. He then explains his process of sorting tasks based on importance, urgency, and consequence. Neil also highlights the significance of setting long-term goals and breaking them down into smaller, manageable chunks. He encourages listeners to schedule their tasks and activities in a diary, allowing for better time management and control over their daily lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Writing everything down on paper can greatly reduce the chances of missing important information or forgetting tasks. Using a physical planner, like a Filofax, allows for easy visibility and quick reference. Setting goals is crucial for success. By having clear goals and constantly thinking about them, our brains become more attuned to opportunities that will help us achieve those goals. Break down long-term goals into smaller, more manageable chunks. This helps to create milestones and progress along the way. Setting one-year goals that align with the larger goals can provide a sense of direction and focus. Use a monthly planning session to set specific goals for the upcoming month. Break these goals down into weekly tasks and allocate time in your schedule to work on them. This helps to ensure that important tasks are prioritized and completed. Delegate tasks that you don't want to do, can't do, or are not the best use of your time. Learning to delegate effectively can free up time for more important and strategic activities. BEST MOMENTS "I call myself an organized idiot. So let's look inside the file of facts and see how I get organised because that's really not my nature." "If it's written down on paper right in front of you and you see it at a glance… the chances of me and you missing something or forgetting a vital piece of information is hugely reduced." "Set your goals big… Write them down. Get some detail on it. Describe where you want to be, who you want to be with, what you're doing. Think about what it tastes, smells like, feels like." "If you start every day with no semblance of a plan, the chances of you achieving success are basically the zip." "This system works for me… It keeps my inner idiot in order and takes care of the most important things first by just setting blocks of time aside so I can actually get those things done." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the value of writing things down and the power of having a plan. He shares his personal experience of using a Filofax, a physical planner, to organise his life and stay productive. Neil emphasises the benefits of writing longhand and how it activates the brain, aids memory retention, and accelerates learning. He questions the trend of relying on laptops in education when research shows the effectiveness of pen and paper. Neil encourages listeners to design their lives through planning and shares his own process of visualising and writing down what constitutes a good day for him. KEY TAKEAWAYS The use of a physical planner, such as a Filofax, can be beneficial for organization and productivity. Despite the prevalence of digital calendars, having a tangible planner allows for easier access and avoids technological issues. Writing things down by hand activates more of the brain and aids in learning, idea generation, and memory retention. This is supported by research and suggests that using pen and paper is more effective than relying solely on laptops or digital devices. Planning ahead and creating a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule can reduce stress and increase productivity. By visualizing and writing down what a successful day would look like, individuals can better prioritize tasks and focus on what is most important. Luck is not simply a matter of chance, but rather the result of preparation meeting opportunity. By designing and following a plan, individuals can create their own luck and increase their chances of success. The act of writing, reviewing, and acting on what is written can have a transformative effect on one's life. By consistently following a plan and taking action, individuals can see their goals and aspirations come to fruition. BEST MOMENTS "I love working on paper, it keeps me sane, it keeps me grounded, stops me forgetting things." "The act of writing longhand, with a pen no less, activates more of the brain and accelerates learning." "Memorisation is not education. Not by a long chalk." "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." "The magic isn't in the branding or that lovely leather binder. It's in the act of writing, longhand, then reviewing and acting on what you've written day after day." VALUABLE RESOURCESwww.Neilcowmeadow.comCONTACT [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil explores the concept of the reticular activating system (RAS) and how it can be harnessed to achieve goals more effectively. Neil explains that the RAS is a filtering mechanism in the brain that determines what information is important and worthy of attention. By setting clear goals and affirming them daily, individuals can activate their RAS to seek out and notice opportunities and evidence that align with their goals. Neil also introduces the idea of confirmations, which involve actively observing and documenting instances that support one's goals. By implementing this feedback loop of goal-setting, affirmation, and confirmation, listeners can enhance their belief systems and manifest their desired outcomes. Neil encourages listeners to try this approach and shares his own experiences of its effectiveness. The reticular activating system (RAS) is a small network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in attention, focus, and motivation. The RAS acts as a filtering mechanism, allowing only information that it considers important to pass through to the brain. When we have a specific belief or goal, the RAS becomes more attuned to noticing information and sensory data that align with that belief or goal. Setting clear outcome goals and process goals is essential for achieving success in a tutoring business. Using affirmations and confirmations can help strengthen beliefs and reinforce the RAS's focus on bringing more of what is considered important into one's life. The Process Set Goals: Specific – eg hours taught per week Written down Present tense What I want – not what I think someone else want for me See yourself doing the things which produce progress toward the outcome goals Have quantifiable results – eg the number of new students recruited per month Visualise taking the call from a new student and adding them to your tribe Design the perfect execution of the activity Outcome goals – e.g., to have a full roster of guitar students and a waiting list to study with me Process goals – the activities which will bring me the outcome goals Read and/or re-write your outcome goals every day – the well-known idea of affirmations. Add emotion of any kind to those affirmations and kindle the interest of the RAS: if you’re excited, fearful, anxious or whatever, the emotion you use will goose the RAS and prompt it to allow what we want to be noticed. This is all well and groovy – and it works, to a point CONFIRMATIONS Take note of information and sensory data which relate to your process and outcome goals Write them down, either immediately or as part of your day-end review and shutdown routine This simple act loops back to the RAS and encourages it to gather more of that good stuff Tomorrow the RAS will be even better at bringing you more of what you believe – strengthening your belief in whatever you’ve decided is significant to you Refine your goals: in light of all this confirmatory data, recalibrate your goals and update your affirmations BEST MOMENTS "And if we can figure that out, how do we use it to get more of what we want, to get it faster and to get it with less effort?" - Neil Cameron "The RAS actually rejects vast amounts of sensory information, prevents it from reaching the brain. It only allows information that it considers important to pass." - Neil Cameron "I think it's really important to read and probably rewrite your outcome goals every day. I do mine every day. This is the well-known idea of affirmations." - Neil Cameron "If affirmations work, confirmations turn up the turbo boost. A confirmation is really taking note of information and sensory data which relate to the process and outcome goals." - Neil Cameron "Once you've given it a go, drop me a line. I always love to hear from you guys, because I'm here to learn from you. I'm here to help, to share what I've learned so far on my journey." - Neil Cameron VALUABLE RESOURCESThe Tutor Podcastwww.Neilcowmeadow.com CONTACT [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, I'm excited to share two heartwarming stories of the impact my teaching has had on my students. One of my former students credits me with changing his life through guitar lessons, which ultimately led him to pursue a successful career as a professional musician. Another student, who visited from the US, commends me for simplifying the complexities of playing the guitar, making it easy to understand and master.I firmly believe in the power of minimalism, striving for maximum return on investment for my students.KEY TAKEAWAYS The power of simplicity: The podcast emphasises the importance of simplifying teaching methods and language to make it easier for students to understand and learn. The host believes in stripping away unnecessary complexity and focusing on the core principles. Impactful teaching: The podcast shares a story of a former student whose life was profoundly changed by the host's teaching of guitar. The student went on to become a professional musician and credits the host for his success. Making it easy: The host believes that the role of a teacher is to make learning easy for students. They aim to simplify the learning process and provide tools that enable students to play the music they want to play with less effort. Rejecting pretentiousness: The host expresses a disregard for academic and pretentious language in teaching. They prioritise plain and simple language over fancy words and esoteric concepts. The focus is on practicality and effectiveness. Continuous improvement: The host emphasises the importance of constantly refining and improving teaching methods. They strive to make their system leaner, slicker, and more useful, always seeking maximum return on investment for their students. BEST MOMENTS"He verified my identity and then said, I just want to say thank you to you. He said, the way you changed my life through your teaching of guitar has been profound." "That's the sign of a really great teacher. They take something complicated and difficult and make it simple.""I know that approach will upset many academics and it will really annoy the dyed in the wall old fashioned traditional types. But frankly, I couldn't give a monkey's.""Her job and my job as teachers is to make it easy. Period.""The writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry put it beautifully when he said, perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to take away." VALUABLE RESOURCESwww.Neilcowmeadow.comCONTACT [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil Cameron tackles the topic of perfectionism and its impact on students. Neil shares his own perspective on embracing imperfection and highlights the fear that many students have of being anything less than perfect. He emphasises the importance of playfulness as a superpower for teachers, explaining how it can help students overcome their fear of imperfection and create a more enjoyable learning experience. Encouraging tutors, teachers, and coaches to have fun with their subjects, be silly, and not take themselves too seriously, as this can help students feel more at ease and open to learning. By fostering a playful environment, Neil believes that both teachers and students can thrive and experience the joy of learning.KEY TAKEAWAYS Perfectionism is a common struggle for students, causing them to fear being imperfect and preventing them from trying new things. The norm of learning less and less is becoming prevalent due to the fear of imperfection and the overwhelming prospect of beginning something new. Playfulness is a powerful tool for teachers to help students overcome perfectionism and fear of imperfection. By being silly, playful, and having fun with subjects, teachers can create a lighter atmosphere for students and encourage them to be more open and less critical of themselves. When both the teacher and the student are having fun during lessons, learning becomes more enjoyable and effective, leading to peak moments of flow and better overall outcomes. BEST MOMENTS"I'm totally well adjusted to being imperfect, to being gloriously bad at stuff to begin with and progressively less bad over time.""Even Japanese kids are lousy at speaking Japanese to begin with, aren't they? Doesn't stop them trying though.""And here's the paradox as far as I see it. We've all learned this perfectionism paradigm, but we weren't perfect at perfectionism to begin with.""Because if you take that deal, it's pretty much guaranteeing failure to even start. Because the prospect of beginning the new thing and being imperfect at it, well actually being bloody awful at it to begin with, overwhelms most people to the point that they don't even try.""And that's why fewer and fewer people are trying new things. And the norm now seems to be to learn less and less."VALUABLE RESOURCESwww.Neilcowmeadow.comCONTACT [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the often overlooked aspect of self-care for driven entrepreneurial individuals. He emphasises the importance of prioritising oneself and taking care of personal health and well-being. Neil shares his own experiences and insights, highlighting the detrimental effects of neglecting self-care on both personal and professional aspects of life. He encourages listeners to schedule downtime, engage in physical activity, cook nutritious meals, and spend quality time with loved ones. Neil also emphasises the need to detach from negative influences such as media and politics for mental well-being. Ultimately, he emphasises that self-care is not selfish but rather a necessary foundation for success in business and life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Taking care of ourselves should be a top priority as tutors, teachers, or coaches. Neglecting our own health and well-being can have negative consequences for our business and relationships. It is essential to schedule downtime and allocate resources for self-care. This includes activities like exercising, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying personal hobbies. Avoid letting your business mission take over and encroach on your self-care time. Set boundaries and prioritise your own well-being. Cook your own food and prioritise healthy eating. Avoid fast food and make a shopping list of nutritious ingredients. Detach yourself from fear-mongering media and negative influences. Take care of your mental health by removing negative sources and focusing on the positive aspects of life. BEST MOMENTS "Making ourselves top of the list and the most important thing we must do every single day." "If you're messed up, how can you be good for your business or for your customers?" "If someone else is more important than you, you don't really have a life." "Whatever else is happening in your life and your business, there's one common component central to everything that you do. And that's you." "Looking after number one is the priority one. Everything else relies on it. Because everything begins with you." www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into his unique perspective on the renowned book "The 5AM Club" by Robin Sharma. Neil charmingly categorizes individuals as larks, night owls, or even daring vampires, all while emphasizing the significance of personal rhythms over rigid routines. He underscores that success thrives not solely in the crack of dawn, but in one's ability to shape their environment, concentrate deeply, and manage tasks and engagements. Neil warmly invites listeners to explore diverse approaches and exchange their stories. Ultimately, Neil offers a down-to-earth stance on tailoring the perfect formula for success within the realm of tutoring entrepreneurship. KEY TAKEAWAYS The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma promotes the idea of waking up early and following a structured morning routine before the rest of the world gets busy. While this approach may work for some, it is not the only morally correct way to start the day. It is important to work with your own natural predisposition towards being a morning lark, a late night owl, or somewhere in between. Whether you are a lark or a vampire (night owl), you can still achieve success by taking time for yourself, isolating yourself, and focusing on activities of high value when there are no distractions. The core truth of the 5am Club is not about the specific time you wake up, but rather about isolation, focus, and control. Having routines and systems in place to take care of business while nobody else is looking is what truly matters. The book may have a tacit attitude towards non-5am Club members, making it seem like there is something wrong with them. However, it is important to remember that everyone has their own natural rhythms and ways of working that can lead to success. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to find what works best for them and their own unique circumstances. Experimenting with different waking and working schedules, and finding a routine that allows for isolation, focus, and control, can lead to personal and professional growth. BEST MOMENTS "Getting up at 5AM and immediately running your same structured morning routine before the rest of the world gets busy and starts making demands on you will change your life." "These people are the larks and the wannabe larks. Those annoying gits who wake up early with a big smile on their face, ready to go and seize the day." "Maybe I should write the 3am Club. The nocturnal antidote to Robin Sharma's smug larkery." "Larks do get things done before the world's up. They're five miles down the road before the world has got its boots on. But the vampires, that's us, we work deep into the small hours when everybody else is lost in their dreams." "It's not the time of day you wake up that matters. It's your ability to isolate yourself, to focus and control your activities and your interactions. That's the 5am club's core truth." ABOUT THE HOST www.Neilcowmeadow.com [email protected] Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

People are by far the most complex conundrum for anyone to ever face. People are invariably the root of any problem that challenges and vexes us. Neil takes a look at the eternal walking mystery that is other people. KEY TAKEAWAYS Take away the humans from almost any situation and most of the problems go away. People bring problems, but our ability to help them is a possible rich opportunity. If you find yourself in the presence of a control freak, narcissist or gaslighter, do yourself a favour and extricate yourself promptly. There is no amount of money worth being made completely miserable by another toxic human being. BEST MOMENTS ‘People are without doubt the most complex, baffling, vile, beautiful, perfect, flawed, adorable, intriguing, savage, noble, mendacious and honest organisms in the cosmos.’ ‘Some people are not good opportunities. The person may be just an opportunity to spend time with someone you don’t like.’ ‘Don’t waste your life on a person who is a fixer-upper.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Tutor Podcast www.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOST Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT METHOD [email protected]

Almost everyone worries. From niggling concerns to full-on, sleep-crippling, progress-crushing hand-wringing, we are all sidetracked and stymied by possible disastrous outcomes that may happen or may not happen. Neil gives his take on worry and the futility of constantly considering future catastrophes and some alternatives to this drain on your time. KEY TAKEAWAYS If we are fixated on future events we rob ourselves of the joy of the present moment. Worrying is a habit that gains us nothing. While we are worrying, we cannot deal with current problems and make long-term plans. You may begin to expect things to go wrong. Worry solidifies the expectation of failure. BEST MOMENTS‘That dismal, catastrophic future burns all our time and energy that we have right now that we could be better using to create different future outcomes.’‘Very often the flip side of worrying is that we can become so over-awed by what we’ve worried into existence in our own mind that we become paralysed by it.’‘Write down your current assessment of the reality that you’re dealing with. Take a little time and write down your worst-case outcome, the very thing you’ve worried into existence.’ ‘Block some time in and mark it ‘worry hour’. If you know that you must sit and worry about a problem for an hour, or two hours or more, you’ll immediately get total clarity on whether that’s a good use of your time.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESThe Tutor Podcastwww.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT [email protected]

Neil tackles the difficult decision of when to quit work and retire. This is often not only influenced by finances but also societal pressures, family, health and your own love for your job. He shares his thoughts on this landmark point in most of our lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS What we do is part of our identity. Retirement can be the start of a mental and physical decline. Work can provide an active brain and a sense of achievement. If we choose to continue to work we can continue to pass on our skills, insight and knowledge. Say no to golf!! BEST MOMENTS‘I believe there are significant downsides to retirement as envisaged by my parent’s generations.’‘The state pension system is bankrupt now and has been bankrupt for decades.’‘Over the working life that we all have we tend to accrue a vast body of knowledge, a wealth of insight and understanding. If we retire, all of that knowledge, insight and understanding is removed from circulation.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESThe Tutor Podcastwww.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT [email protected]

The key question you should ask yourself is ‘What are the 100 stupid things that I’m doing that really muck things up?’ Neil encourages you to take the time to give real thought to the truth. KEY TAKEAWAYS Honesty is important to find your worst stupid things. Do not stop until you have at least 100. The counterpart question is ‘What are the 100 smart things that I’m not doing?’ BEST MOMENTS ‘I want you to charge at it!’ ‘This is going to be an uncomfortable process if you do it right.’ ‘Objectivity is tough because we all rationalise a lot of the stupid things we do.’ ‘Just trade one bad thing that you are doing for one good thing that you can start doing.” VALUABLE RESOURCES The Tutor Podcast www.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOST Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT METHOD [email protected]

Neil explains the concept of scripts, the simple and powerful tool for defining all things that you would like to have and be, and that are particularly good when used by people with poor self-image, low motivation or lack of direction. KEY TAKEAWAYS A script should be properly written down and consistent and should be read aloud at least twice a day. We tend to manifest the things we say. Begin with the idea of anything you want to come true for yourself. Write in the present tense, ‘I am..’ to reinforce the statement. You will naturally in your actions begin to assume the virtue that you aspire to. Incorporate your goals and target date them. BEST MOMENTS‘I’ll ask them to read it aloud at least twice a day. First thing in the morning to prime the mind for the day. Almost like giving them a prod and saying, remember this? Then last thing at night is to program the unconscious mind for integration of those ideas whilst sleeping.’ ’How will you know you’re failing if there’s no parameter for success or failure?’‘Try it on yourself guys. Write yourself a script if you feel that you are lacking in purpose or if you fear making mistakes or you don’t really have your direction sorted out.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESThe Tutor Podcastwww.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT [email protected]

Neil explains the absolute importance of sticking to your word especially when it comes to your work and the advantages you can gain if people know they can rely on you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reliability is the foundation of everything a tutor does. If we have to make sacrifices to be reliable, so be it. Unreliability is a crippling reputation to have. BEST MOMENTS‘This got me thinking about reliability and the role it plays for us as tutors, teachers, coaches and all the other areas of our lives, both business and personal.’’We have to be completely reliable to be useful to our students. We have to be there for them, deliver our very best to them every single time we say we are going to be there.’‘Who is best for the student? A really great teacher who isn’t there, or an adequately good teacher who is there?’ VALUABLE RESOURCESThe Tutor Podcastwww.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOSTNeil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT [email protected]