- The Prime Movement
- Posts
- Playing it safe? That's the riskiest move you can make
Playing it safe? That's the riskiest move you can make
Your 6-minute investment to get 1% better at life each week
If you are a midlife man in a leadership role, I’ve created The Prime Movement for you. As a coach and former global C-suite executive, I understand the unique challenges you face. In a world where your struggles can feel unnoticed, I see you. I get it, because I’ve lived it.
The Prime Movement is a community for those of us who aren’t ready to ‘quiet quit’ life. This is for those of us who believe in the power of progress - mentally, physically and spiritually.
It’s for those who not only dare to know.
It’s for those who dare to grow.
WHAT'S COMING UP:
PRIME PERFORMANCE: THIS WEEK’S BEST NEWS, VIEWS & LIFE-HACKS
[READ] Old Friends Hit New Heights
Here's a story that obliterates every "I'm too old for that" excuse you've ever made. Last month, British climbers Mick Fowler (68) and Vic Saunders (74) became the first humans ever to conquer Pakistan's 20,531ft (6,258m) Sersank Peak. But wait - it gets even more remarkable. Mick climbed with a colostomy bag, a permanent reminder of his battle with cancer.
The full story is the most life-affirming thing I’ve read this year. More than just a climbing feat, it's a masterclass in resilience, male friendship and bonding, and refusing to let age or adversity define your limits. I’ll be digging into this more in a future Prime Perspective, but for now just read, enjoy and get inspired.
If you are one of the many leaders who have trouble ‘switching off’ from work, you need to watch this powerful video by Dr David Maloney, a psychologist and therapist. It’s just 7 minutes long, but has more knowledge bombs in there than most self-help books.
What I love about it isn't just the science behind it, but the immediately actionable strategies you can implement tonight. No fluffy advice here - just practical steps to help you disconnect and recharge.
[LISTEN] How to Cultivate a Positive Mindset
If you're sensing yourself becoming more cynical with each passing year, you need to hear this Huberman Lab episode. Dr. Jamil Zaki, author of Hope for Cynics, reveals the hidden toll of cynicism on everything from your physical health to your relationships - and more importantly, shows you how to reverse it.
Dr. Zaki provides science-backed tools for shifting from a defensive mindset to one of measured optimism and growth, which ties in perfectly with this week's Prime Perspective, where I focus on the dangers of playing it safe.
    |
THE PRIME PERSPECTIVE: PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH
The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe: Why Midlife Leaders Can't Afford to Retreat
A recent study in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry has confirmed what I've long suspected: losing your sense of purpose in midlife doesn't just impact your career trajectory - it can literally affect your brain health.
I already felt strongly about the dangers of leaders choosing safety over growth (in life, not just in role) and now the hard evidence supports that view.
We know the midlife period comes with its own unique set of challenges and I’ve seen a lot of leaders gradually switching from offense to defense as a coping mechanism - the problem is that it’s a route built on the illusion of security and a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of change.
Abandoning the pioneer spirit that made you successful in the first place, and instead seeking to circle the wagons involves a risky adoption of a ‘playing not to lose’ mindset versus ‘playing to win’.
This shows up in many different forms, such as:
❌ Focusing on holding on to your job rather than excelling in role: for example, avoiding ‘big decisions’ because you’re worried about the implications
❌ Avoiding anything that makes you feel ‘uncomfortable: for example, finding excuses not to learn a new skill
❌ Lacking curiosity: for example, not wishing to understand different perspectives
I get it. I’ve been there. When you've done the hard yards to reach what your younger self thought was the finish line it’s completely natural that at times your thoughts turn to preservation rather than progress. But I want to challenge you to rethink this.
Progress is ALWAYS possible - it may not be linear, but there’s always a way, it just requires that mindset shift to get back to focusing on potential opportunities rather than only seeing threats.
Even more importantly, you need to grasp that not doing anything in this situation is ultimately far more risky than doing something. This quote by the English philosopher Alan Watts captures your situation perfectly:
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
As uncomfortable as change can be, it’s also inevitable, so are you going to ride its wave or do nothing and risk getting washed away? What does that look like? Here are some hypothetical examples as thought-starters for you:
✅ Dive into understanding how AI will affect your business - At minimum, you'll gain knowledge that keeps you relevant. At best, you'll emerge as a thought leader and propel yourself to new heights.
✅ Start learning that musical instrument you've always wanted to play - At minimum, you'll banish the dreaded 'what if?' At best, you'll create a new space for flow and soul-filling wellbeing.
✅ Spend time with a 'Gen Z'er' - At minimum, you'll gain fresh perspective. At best, you'll forge a connection that enriches your world.
All of these involve an investment of time and effort, but tell me the most satisfying achievements in your life and I’ll guarantee you that there’s a direct correlation between sacrifice and reward.
So now’s the time to draw a line in the proverbial sand. Stop playing it safe and go recapture that pioneer spirit - just start with that one thing and build from there… and remember that you don’t have to do it alone.
| |
The Prime Movement Program, developed in association with Dr Brendon Stubbs, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists, is launching in January 2025.
LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES: REAL LIFE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES
How to Overcome Decision Paralysis
Every week, I address real challenges faced by leaders like you. These insights come from both TPM readers and anonymized coaching experiences. Because when one of us faces a challenge, we can all learn from it.
Challenge:
I run a successful business in the healthcare sector, but I’m finding myself increasingly nervous when it comes to making the big calls - the pace of change, especially with AI, makes our long-term planning feel increasingly irrelevant. Add in challenges with recruitment and legislation, and I’m increasingly paranoid about making the wrong call, so I’m not making any. However, I know that’s not a sustainable strategy, so how do I break this sense of paralysis?
My take:
This year, this question - in various forms - has been the most common challenge I've encountered. The unprecedented pace of change is creating a sense of turbulence that triggers a very human response: the instinct to protect rather than progress, to cling on rather than lean in.
As a coach and someone who was until recently in a global C-suite role, I completely understand the immense pressure you face. One of the most effective tools I've found for overcoming decision paralysis is focusing on what are known as 'proximate objectives'. Let's dive in:
👉 Think of these as clear, short-term, achievable goals that break down complex decisions into manageable parts
👉 This approach reduces the overwhelming nature of big decisions while providing immediate focus and direction
👉 Each small win subsequently builds confidence and creates momentum, making larger decisions feel less daunting and more achievable
I'll share one of my core mantras here: progress not perfection. This isn't about getting everything right - it's about making the best possible decision with the information and resources available to you.
Want to learn more about proximate objectives? I’d urge you to read the superb Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt.
If you’ve got a situation you want guidance on, message me at [email protected].
| |
1-on-1 coaching with TPM Founder Jason Leavy, under his Guide not Guru integrated coaching brand. Dare to Know, Dare to Grow. 👇
HELP A BROTHER OUT: SEND THIS TO A FRIEND
The Prime Movement has been created for midlife men like us. Those who are in the arena of life, fighting and struggling to do their best. So if you have a friend who you think will benefit from reading this and from becoming part of The Prime Movement community, please forward it on so they can sign up. We are stronger together.
You currently have 0 referrals.
Or copy & paste this link: https://news.theprimemovement.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER
BE A PRIME MOVER: 1 QUOTE TO SPARK CHANGE
“A strategy isn’t a map, it’s a compass. Strategy is a better plan.
It’s the hard work of doing today what makes tomorrow better.”
My take:
So this quote hit different given this is launch week for me and The Prime Movement. It’s taken from Seth’s new book This Is Strategy and as a long-time fan of his work, I’m looking forward to reading it in full, but in the meantime I’m reflecting on this powerful excerpt.
For me it’s about the fact that as midlife leaders, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of reverting to pre-drawn maps to navigate our challenges, whether those maps are ours or those shared by others. However, using the internal ‘compass’ you’ve developed is a more meaningful path to progress - leveraging your knowledge and experience, but remaining agile and being willing to embrace the unknown.
Combine that with the resolve and commitment to work on yourself, mentally and physically, and you’ll be a Prime Mover.
| |
YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR VOICE
I created The Prime Movement for you, so the more I can hear from you about what you want to see, hear and learn, the more I can shape this for you. The Prime Movement is a community created for you and your thoughts are the fuel that keeps us moving forward, so I can promise I will personally read and respond to any email you send me. Message me at [email protected].