Life is short.

Originally sent exclusively to The Letter subscribers on September 22nd. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every Monday at 7am? Subscribe for free here.

No Days Off for Responsible People.

I’ve often pondered the notion that if you're a “grand fromage,” there are no days off. Death, of course, is your day off.

This week, I have gathered some concrete evidence to support this theory.

My dear stepmother, Jill, who brought me up from the age of five because my mum was too poorly, sadly passed away on Tuesday night.

Utterly devastating. She fought valiantly against pancreatic cancer; she was a true fighter and never moaned.

Resilience was Jill’s middle name. No days off!

If you were ill, you cracked on. Pocket money? No way. If you wanted something, you earned it.

Jill instilled in me a sense of work ethic and high standards that have carried me through my years – and in good fashion.

Jill is also guilty of introducing me to Marks and Spencer’s food from a young age, which in later life led me to invest in larger trousers and then a Personal Trainer.

My second mum helped shape the person I am today.

This mental toughness, this work ethic, and this 'get on with it' attitude have been invaluable tools for me.

On Tuesday, I hosted my big seminar, the “Business Masterclass”. Hundreds of entrepreneurs drove, trained, and flew in to see me, some all the way from Chicago.

As I stepped off stage on day one, my PA hurried me out to make my way back to Essex – time was running out.

I managed to get to Jill, say thank you, and hold her hand as she slipped away.

I was heartbroken. Back in London, 300 people were waiting for me to deliver day two.

After she passed, I jumped on the train and made it back to my hotel room. Red-eyed and exhausted, I rose early the next day to deliver day two.

Jill owned her own hairdressing business and understood the sacrifices that us business owners make.

She was frugal so she could be generous with her investments and loved quality treats.

All the lights would be turned off when you left a room, and usually, the heating didn’t come on until the depths of winter.

There are never really any days off for us folk; people rely on us to deliver.

I was there for day two. Jill worked no matter the situation, and I was determined to do the same.

Speaking at a conference was also a welcome distraction - that kind of work requires full concentration.

My team hosted the networking evening and held the fort during my short absence.

Thanks, guys - I appreciate you so much.

This brings me to a story I heard from a chap called Wilfred at an event.

Wilfred said that in life, guardian angels appear to us now and then. They open doors, lend you some money, take risks on you, see something special in you that no one else does.

They believe in you. They give you a chance when the odds are stacked against you.

Many of us don’t take that chance; we stay safe. 

Life is so short - take those risks, work hard, and help as many people as you can along the way.

Jill and countless others have helped me, opened doors for me, or told me I can. I am forever grateful. No one is self-made.

It’s the environment we’re in and the people we meet that shape us.

Make sure to seek out the good ones.

As I write this, I look up and nod - a nod that says thank you to Jill and loved ones that have passed.

Next time a door opens, walk through it.

To your continued success.

No joke this week, just this...

"Grief is the price we pay for love"

To your continued success,

James