You ever had one of those days where your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open and you have no idea where the music is coming from?
I was juggling multiple businesses, managing teams across different time zones, prepping for investor meetings, all while keeping up with the everyday chaos that comes with being a founder. Sounds like a typical Tuesday, right?
But here’s the kicker, what should’ve broken me actually became my turning point.
And it all started with a lesson from martial arts.
Specifically, a concept called "Mind Like Water."
Let’s break it down.
A few years ago, I fell into the trap that so many entrepreneurs do. More meetings. More apps. More hours. I thought I had to grind harder to win. But the harder I pushed, the less clarity I had. The more I forced myself, the worse the results.
I started reacting to everything. Every small setback felt like a big problem. Every challenge became a reason to panic. I wasn’t responding, I was flinching.
And then came the turning point.
One day, I literally walked out of my office. No phone. No agenda. Just five minutes of silence.
That pause hit harder than any productivity hack or motivational speech I’d ever read. It taught me this: Clarity doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from making space.
It’s not some new-age buzzword. It comes from Aikido, but David Allen turned it into a game-changer in his book Getting Things Done. Essentially, it’s about responding to challenges with the exact level of energy they deserve, no more, no less.
Think about this:
If you throw a small pebble into a calm pond, you’ll see a few gentle ripples.
If you throw a rock, the ripples are bigger, but still,
the water eventually returns to calm.
That’s your goal:
Stay reactive to the right degree.
No knee-jerk reactions.
No overthinking.
Just enough.
This isn't some recycled advice from a self-help book. This is the framework I developed in the trenches of entrepreneurship, during 18 hour workdays when burnout was knocking at my door. It was during these intense periods that I realised the importance of cultivating a 'Mind Like Water': a state where the mind remains calm, clear, and reactive to the right degree.
In the relentless pursuit of success, I found myself constantly accelerating, more meetings, more tasks, more everything. But speed without direction is futile. I learned to decelerate, to intentionally slow down. It's in these moments of pause that I could assess, reflect, and realign.
With a clearer mind, I began to deliberate. Not just reacting to situations, but thoughtfully considering my responses. This step is about intentionality, making choices that align with long-term goals rather than short-term fixes.
Finally, with a deliberate plan in place, I moved to deliver. Execution is where many falter, but with the groundwork laid in the previous steps, delivery becomes focused and effective. It's about taking decisive action with confidence and clarity.
Try this the next time your head feels foggy or everything’s on fire:
1. Set a timer for 2 minutes.
2. No phone, no distractions, sit somewhere quiet.
3. Close your eyes and breathe.
4. Let thoughts come and go, don’t chase them.
5. After the timer, open your eyes. Ask yourself: “What actually needs my energy right now?”
You’ll be surprised at how often the right answer floats to the surface once your mind is still.
by David Allen
Ever feel like your brain's running a marathon, but you’re stuck at the starting line. If this is you, then David Allen's "Getting Things Done" is your manual for hitting 'refresh'. This isn't about doing more, it's about doing better. Allen introduces the GTD method: a five-step system (Capture, Clarify, Organise, Reflect, and Engage), that helps you manage tasks efficiently and free up mental space.
By implementing GTD, you move from a state of overwhelm to one of clarity and control, a true embodiment of the 'Mind Like Water' philosophy.
One of the book's standout principles:
“If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.”
I'm excited to share that I'll be speaking at an exclusive webinar hosted by Lightyear on Thursday, May 22nd. This session is designed for founders and early-stage operators navigating the complexities of building a business in uncertain times. Alongside leaders from Wise, Google, and Robinhood, I’ll be diving into practical strategies for sustainable growth, financial resilience, and what it truly takes to scale in today’s world. Don’t miss it.
I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers, but hear me out: The calmest person in the room is always the one who wins.
It’s not the hustler. It’s not the loudest voice. It’s the person who knows how to sit with the chaos and respond with precision.
I’ve seen it in action time and time again. The founder who stays calm under pressure builds trust. The investor who keeps their head in a downturn makes smarter moves. The leader who stays composed makes better decisions.
That is why Mind Like Water isn’t just some idea, it’s a competitive edge.
We're diving into the mental health of a founder. How to stop running on fumes and start running on clarity. Because scaling a business shouldn't mean sacrificing your sanity. Let's fix that.
To your unstoppable success,
Writer, The Success Method
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