Because why not?

Originally sent exclusively to The Letter subscribers on March 2nd. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every Monday at 7am? Subscribe for free here.

A few things have rustled up my thoughts this week from the journey of life as an entrepreneur.

I’ve had some punches and some wins. Standard stuff really.

The bipolar-like internal emotions that come with this gig are undeniable.

I’ll admit, the last six months have been a real challenge. I’ve shared that more honestly here than anywhere else in my content, more than I would tell friends and family.

You see, I know that in these words, and with you, the readers who gather here, there’s an understanding that only people like us get. It’s like a cuppa in your favourite mug, sitting in a familiar comfy spot.

You guys get it.

It’s been exhausting this week. The bills, the taxes, the payroll, the capex, putting a brave face on when punches pound on you.

The accident and surgery still play havoc with my day-to-day life as I hobble around like Blackbeard minus the parrot, yet I still find the strength to think with long-term vision and excitement when the short term can feel so painful.

I keep reminding myself not to spend all my time making a living while denying myself a life.

The trouble is, this is my life, and without it I’d be miserable. I live for it.

Here’s the real reality. I’m responsible for many livelihoods. People rely on me to create opportunities, generate ideas, and ultimately pay their wages.

Calm moments are rare. It’s go, go, go.

The trade-off for success is responsibility on a scale most people never see.

Those thoughts are always sitting in the back of my mind.

But let me share three things this week that genuinely excited me. Consider them ideas you can swipe and deploy.

First, how much lumpy mail can grow your business.

One of the most undervalued ways to get someone’s attention is still the post. And I don’t mean letters. I mean parcels.

If you want a prospect’s attention, send them a letter inside a box filled with helium balloons. When they open it, the balloons float up and stay around the office for weeks, sparking conversations about where they came from. It becomes a billboard for your business inside their business.

I’ve personally used this strategy to win a £500,000 contract in the last year alone, and I still use it regularly today.

You can even order pre-prepared balloon boxes and customise what goes inside, making it simple to execute.

Second, how much ChatGPT continues to amaze me.

This week I was designing plans for one of our theme parks. I sketched a rough map and concept, then used ChatGPT to bring the vision to life.

The speed at which ideas can now move from imagination to execution is incredible, and it will save me countless hours and pennies going forward.

And lastly, the level of sacrifice required to build a smaller business compared to a bigger one.

I touched on this earlier, but something I keep rediscovering is how rare the ability to think bigger really is.

Ironically, big thinking is often easier than small thinking. Thinking bigger gives you a distinct advantage because it forces better decisions, stronger vision, and braver action with far better results.

Small thinking in business usually comes with far more competition.

If you’re under pressure right now, find the strength to keep going.

Diamonds are made under pressure. When you come through the other side, and you will, think about the person you are becoming in the process.

People will ask you why you’re doing this.

Just reply: why not?

Why not see how far you can go? Why not become the person who thinks bigger, does bigger things, creates opportunities for others, and contributes more to the world and your community?

Pressure passes. And after the pressure, you may realise you’ve built something the younger version of you could only dream about.

I’ve got some exciting news to share with you over the next few weeks about a few deals I’ve completed. I’ve learned a huge amount from them, and I look forward to sharing those lessons with you.

To your continues success

James

PS. PS. I’m hosting an evening with Revolut Business at their offices in London. You’re invited: details here.