Newsletter archive: The Spark

2026

  • A white plate holding a small pile of colourful jigsaw pieces

    The Spark | Is today a 1,000-piece day or a 250-piece day? September 2026

    In this edition:

    • Sizing the day to your energy - and why not finishing might be a sizing problem

    • Do one thing: size the day before you start it

    • News: two missing milestones - ‘the goal is grey’ and ‘the number was two’

    • Plus a TED conversation on the cure for burnout and article on What to do when life gets in the way…

  • A man playing electric guitar in a bright loft room

    The Spark | Not a battery. A generator. August 2026

    In this edition:

    • What’s actually charging you - why some things cost energy and leave you with more

    • Do one thing: make it require zero decisions

    • News: a touch rugby tournament, micro celebrations, and MADE for Moving Forward 2026 wraps up

    • Plus How to get good shit done... and article on ‘Now class, we’re going to do downwards dog’

  • Black and white photograph of a person running, blurred with motion

    The Spark | A stabbed hand and a broken washing machine July 2026

    In this edition:

    • The cost of the rush - and how much of it is self-inflicted

    • Do one thing: ask who actually needs this, and by when

    • News: refuel first - when the plan and the exhaustion are one problem

    • Plus Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act and article on ‘If it isn’t diarised it isn’t realised’

  • Three hand-drawn bars on paper, each showing how much is gone and how much is still to come

    The Spark | You’ve still got 57% of the year left... June 2026

    In this edition:

    • The halfway point - and what you want to do with the second half

    • Do one thing: draw a perspective bar

    • News: what a proper reset can look like (sofas included)

    • Plus the Values-Aligned Decision Compass and article on ‘Always in beta...’, the first piece from the Iteration book project

  • Twelve pages of abstract sketchbook work taped in two rows on a white studio wall

    The Spark | What’s actually exciting you right now? May 2026

    In this edition:

    • Connect and care - why excitement is a signal worth paying attention to

    • Do one thing: schedule the thing that fills your batteries

    • News: MADE for Moving Forward midpoint reflections

    • Plus introducing the Wheel of Impact and article on Diving into something new...

2025

  • Footprints in sand along the water's edge with waves washing over them

    The Spark | Maintaining momentum (even when it's messy) November 2025

    In this edition:

    • Understanding momentum: how to maintain it, what kills it, and how to restart when it stops

    • Do one thing: build a Hemingway Bridge to maintain momentum

    • News: when marketing momentum runs dry - finding doors instead of beating on walls

    • Plus The Values-Aligned Decision Compass and article on When the Rug Gets Pulled Out from Under You

  • Feet on the edge of a pavement scattered with Autumn leaves

    The Spark | Which grass will you water this quarter? October 2025

    In this edition:

    • Q4 planning: what grass do you want to water in these final three months?

    • Do one thing: break state to break through

    • News: reflections from M:ADE for Moving Forward programme

    • Plus The 30-Minute Business Plan and article on The Productivity Paradox

  • Hand holding a glass sphere up to a sunset scene, which shows upside down in the ball

    The Spark | Your future self wants to thank you August 2025

    In this edition:

    • Doing things now for your future self - the motivation that keeps purpose-driven founders going

    • Do one thing: the future-self filter

    • News: how was your break? Holding both stories at once

    • Plus a letter to your future self with FutureMe and article on Your breath is your most accessible business tool

  • A founder writing in a notebook

    The Spark | Finding clarity at the halfway point July 2025

    In this edition:

    • Mid-year check-in: reflecting on your word for 2025 and adding 'connection'

    • Do one thing: the energy mapping exercise

    • News: client spotlight on trusting your instincts

    • Plus The Founder's Breath Toolkit and article on Building Resilience: When Passion Meets Purpose

  • An entreprenur celebrating with her hands in the air at a desk

    The Spark | What matters most to you? June 2025

    In this edition:

    • Exploring your core values and using them as your North Star

    • Do one thing: create a 'progress portfolio'

    • News: attending the Good Ripple Experience in London

    • Plus The Founder's Resilience Toolkit Part 4 (Purpose & Meaning) and article on Building Resilience: The Relationship Dimension

  • A little fabric flag on a cocktail stick saying 'help'

    The Spark | Stepping back to move forward May 2025

    In this edition:

    • Breaking free from reactive work to create space for strategic thinking

    • Do one thing: the 15-minute rule for asking for help

    • News: workshop insights on three key entrepreneurial challenges

    • Plus The Founder's Resilience Toolkit Part 3 (Relationship & Connection) and article on Building Resilience: The Emotional Dimension

  • a sign in a shop window saying closed

    The Spark | Building founder resilience: the emotional dimension April 2025

    In this edition:

    • Why 'no' might be your most powerful word

    • Do one thing: create a 5-minute shutdown ritual

    • News: workshop insights on what entrepreneurs need help with

    • Plus The Founder's Resilience Toolkit Part 2 (Emotional Wellbeing) and article on Building Resilience

  • Hand holding a polaroid photo saying 'and breath' in neon

    The Spark | Building founder resilience: starting with the basics March 2025

    In this edition:

    • Three founders struggling with authentic marketing

    • Do one thing: the 2-minute reset technique

    • News: client spotlight on finding calm through small steps

    • Plus The Founder's Resilience Toolkit Part 1 (Physical Wellbeing) and article on Casting Your Votes

  • A laptop showing the time as 5 minutes to 4pm

    The Spark | Launch edition February 2025

    In this edition:

    • Why 4pm on Mondays matters for your energy

    • Do one thing: protect your peak focus window

    • News: Moving Forward programme returns

    • Plus the Founder's Stress Check and an article on Entrepreneurial Overwhelm