Welcome to this edition of the Friday Footnotes.
Half-term in the sunshine in Cornwall was amazing, not least because I got to take Ffion on a free-diving course and Bronwyn out for her first driving lessons. As packed as the days were, it was a reminder that slowing down often creates space for new perspectives.
Sometimes, you have to pause to pick up speed. Where might slowing down move you forward?
What I’ve Been Listening To
The Progress in Practice Podcast
From Human Robot to AI Pioneer: Cutting Through the Noise on Vertical AI with Chetan Joshi
Chetan Joshi dives into perhaps the most transformative frontier of AI today: vertical applications. While general AI often dominates headlines, this conversation highlights how tailored solutions within specific industries can unlock massive potential. From healthcare to finance to manufacturing, AI’s ability to streamline processes and enhance decision-making isn’t just theoretical anymore, it’s happening.
What grabbed me was Chetan’s clarity on cutting through the buzz. With the glut of AI hype, he emphasises the importance of focus: which problems are you solving, and for whom? This mindset could easily translate to other areas, whether that’s business strategy or personal goals. Narrowing your attention might just be the catalyst for significant breakthroughs.
What I’ve Been Reading
Zero to One
by Peter Thiel
Thiel’s central question in Zero to One gets straight to the heart of entrepreneurship: what valuable company is nobody building? It’s a refreshing reframing of growth, not as incremental improvement, but as originality.
Moving from 1 to n is adding more of the same; going from 0 to 1 sparks innovation and creates something entirely new.
What stood out to me was Thiel’s insistence that we don’t need to repeat previous successes — that copying existing models isn’t true progress. Instead, the most revolutionary breakthroughs often emerge when you diverge, not when you imitate. For any of us trying to scale a business or solve a particularly vexing challenge, this book delivers more than theory. It asks us to think deeper, bigger, and, ultimately, differently.
Buy it Now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-One-Notes-Start-Future-ebook/dp/B00KHX0II4/ref=sr_1_7
TED Talk I’ve Found Interesting
Eduardo Briceño:
The Power of Belief: Mindset and Success
Eduardo Briceño’s TED talk brilliantly contrasts two ways to approach challenges: a performance mindset versus a learning mindset. The former prioritises outcomes; the latter centres around growth and discovery. The kicker? While performance might yield faster short-term results, a learning mindset creates sustained success over time.
What resonated most was the idea of actively cultivating belief in continuous improvement. Growth isn’t just a result of effort; it’s a product of staying curious, trying strategies that might fail, and doubling down on what works. As entrepreneurs, rejecting perfection in favour of progression is how we move forward, one imperfect step at a time.
Watch It Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc
What I’ve Been Watching
Hacksaw Ridge
There’s a beautiful simplicity in the story of Desmond Doss in Hackshaw Ridge- a man who focuses unwaveringly on his strengths, regardless of critics or circumstance. It’s a brilliant example of how staying true to your values, dedicating yourself to what you excel at, and filtering out the noise can lead to extraordinary success.
Doss reminds us that success isn’t about conforming to others’ expectations, but about owning your unique approach, even when it’s unconventional. As entrepreneurs, that clarity of purpose is a superpower. This one’s equally moving and inspiring. Sometimes, breakthroughs come not from being the best at everything, but from being the best in that thing only you do.
Watch It Here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80108975
Tech I’ve Found Useful
As far as video editing tools go, Capcut has been a game-changer for content creators, especially those building visibility online. It’s intuitive yet powerful, making it both user-friendly for beginners and scalable for more sophisticated needs.
That said, what I find most interesting about Capcut today isn’t just its value, but its fate in an ever-evolving marketplace. As AI accelerates new solutions, tools like Capcut might already be on borrowed time. It’s a reminder that adaptability often trumps short-term success, whether that’s in how we strategise or how we implement. If you’re creating content fast and steady, this could still add an edge.
Try It Here: https://www.capcut.com/
Quote Of The Week
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Peter Thiel
The Trusted Team
The Trusted Growth Accelerator
Every piece this week circles back to one insight: true growth comes from rethinking how we create, learn, and lead, not just doing more of the same. This same principle underpins The Trusted Growth Accelerator, a full-day live in-person London event designed specifically for professionals and service-based business owners.
If you find yourself trapped: busy but unfulfilled, overworked yet under-scaling- this is about breaking out. Together, we’ll diagnose what’s holding you back and dive into five proven frameworks I’ve used with my businesses and those I coach to unlock sustainable growth. Starting with a powerful evaluation spotlight, we’ll uncover missed opportunities across your operations and client journey, before mapping out systems that free up your time, attract your ideal audience, and scale results without burning out.
Your investment is just £997 for readers of Friday Footnotes, a 50% discount. That includes a drinks reception afterwards to celebrate the day’s work and share ideas with like-minded leaders. This isn’t theory. It’s actionable strategy from someone who’s been there, built this, and tested it. Join me in London. Let’s create that next chapter together. Spaces are extremely limited, so act now to avoid disappointment.
Register Now: https://link.fastpaydirect.com/payment-link/6a1d887a03b17c94f5713e72
Final Thought
Slowing down over half-term brought me clarity. Whether that’s free-diving into new experiences or embracing different ways to create value, pausing for perspective leads to more thoughtful progress. I hope something in this week’s Footnotes gives you the reason, and opportunity, to rethink your next step forward.
