Gerrit McGowan - Neuroentrepreneurship & Flow-Based Business Coaching

20/08/2024

19/08/2024

This is one of the fiercest enemies of an entrepreneur’s performance (and well-being).

It’s task switching - your daily habit of jumping from one important task to the next. And it’s sabotaging your focus, draining your energy, and creating a heavy cognitive load that both hinders your productivity and makes you more prone to mistakes.

22/07/2024

Every morning, I ride my motorbike through verdant rice paddies from our villa to a co-working space (while on a summer "workation" in Vietnam). Each day as I return to meet my family for lunch, I pass the same farmer, a man who, in my estimation, embodies a lesson we in the Western world often overlook.

There, in the midst of the lush green paddies, he takes his midday respite, sprawled leisurely atop his buffalo, unfazed by the demands of the day - a stark contrast to the frenetic energy that defines much of the work culture I know.

In the West, we’re conditioned to equate busyness with productivity, wearing the grind like a badge of honor. We cling to our desks, guilt-ridden at the thought of a break, and brainwashed by a pervading belief that constant activity paves the pathway to success. Yet here is this man, in his simple act of resting, reminding me of a profound truth - effectiveness comes from knowing when to conserve energy and when to expend it.

“Work smarter, not harder,” goes the adage, yet how often do we heed its wisdom? Seeing this man each day, I’m reminded that productivity is not about the relentless grind but about mindful engagement. He, unlike so many of my peers back home, understands the rhythm of his work and the necessity of pausing to replenish his strength.

There is undoubtedly much we can learn from this daily tableau. As entrepreneurs and business leaders, we should learn to embrace the wisdom of balance, recognizing that our greatest contributions arise not from our busiest moments, but from those in which we’re most deliberate and refreshed.

So I’m left to ponder whether, in the stillness of a sweltering Vietnamese rice paddy, there lies more wisdom than one will find in the fanciest of offices and boardrooms around the world.

05/06/2024

Being an entrepreneur is hard.

There's so much to do, so many decisions to make, and so much to learn that it can feel truly overwhelming at times. That’s why getting help from others who have done it before can make such a big difference.

But what should founders get help with?

Through my work as a coach, I’ve learned that what most founders initially ask for is not actually what they need most.

They think they want help with their business, but soon discover what they really need help with is the emotion that comes along with it.

03/06/2024

** Want to boost your sales skills? **

Science can help.

In the late 1970, marketing professor Robert Cialdini spent three years working in telemarketing, fundraising, and car sales to learn what influences consumer purchase decisions.

From these experiences, he formulated his 7 Principles of Persuasion.

31/05/2024

** Are you building wealth or abundance? **

For years, I didn’t know the difference. But after founding four businesses, having one big, bad burnout, and experiencing the recent birth of my daughter, I've learned that for everything we desire there are always trade-offs.

That’s why, almost everyday, I check in with myself, reaffirm my vision and goals, and make sure to look up to make sure what I am doing is still aligned with where I want to go.

I've chosen abundance.

30/05/2024

** PSA for Founders + Product Designers **

Are you familiar with the field of neuroaesthetics?
If not, you probably should be.

By understanding how our brains perceive and appreciate beauty, you can build products with deeper user engagement, greater customer satisfaction, and better overall marketability.

Here are 8 Laws that highlight the scientific basis behind the creation of visually and emotionally-compelling designs.

Want to learn more? Read the full article at startupneuroscience.gerritmcgowan.com

15/05/2024

🕰️ I've been an entrepreneur longer than I haven't been.

As I just turned 50, I realized that I have now spent exactly half of my life as an entrepreneur. And as a neuroscience nerd at heart, I’ve been reflecting on how my entrepreneurial skills and cognitive capabilities have changed over time.

While my processing speed may have slightly declined, I've also noticed improvements in recognizing patterns, predicting changes, and the ease at which I can transition between detailed analysis and big-picture thinking.

These changes sparked an even deeper curiosity about how the brain evolves with age and how understanding these changes can help entrepreneurs like me perform their best throughout a long and fruitful career.

Here are a few things that I discovered.

13/05/2024

50 IS NOT THE NEW 30!
It’s much better.

A few friends have told me this week that "50 is the new 30". While I appreciate the intention, I profoundly disagree. Here are a few lessons I've learned that make me feel this way. 

Optionality:
Choosing flexibility over single-minded pursuit has allowed me to seize diverse, exciting opportunities as they arise, enriching my life as I've aged.

Quality Over Quantity:
I prefer a few high-quality items over many average ones, much like I do relationships. A small circle of deep, meaningful connections has brought me more joy and support than any large network of acquaintances could.

Health is Wealth:
As cliché as it sounds, maintaining a commitment to my health enhances life’s quality. I am healthier at 50 than at 30, which makes aging all the more enjoyable.

Define Your Enough:
Many chase wealth and status without considering what is enough. I’ve decided what "enough" means for me, choosing time over wealth, which I invest in my health, family, wisdom, adventures, laughter, and love.

Family First:
Instead of "F*ck You Money," I embrace "F*ck You Family" - a wealth of love and contentment unmatched by material gains. The sacrifices I make to be with my family are trivial compared to the joy and fulfillment it brings.

Stay Present:
In our future-focused world, being present is crucial. It allows for deeper connections and appreciation for life’s fleeting joys, like my daughter’s discoveries and laughter with loved ones.

Practice Non-Attachment:
Embracing the principle of non-attachment has transformed my view on ambition by reducing stress and disappointment, helping me enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Work-Life Integration:
Work-life balance is bu****it. Striving for integration and aligning work with personal values creates a more fulfilling existence without the complexity of balancing everything.

Life as an Entrepreneur:
Entrepreneurship is glorified for its outcomes rather than its journey. Remembering why I chose this path - flexibility, autonomy, purpose - is the key.

*More insights coming on May 13, 2034. 😉