Absolute nightmare!

Mark Franklin
12 minutes ago
2 min read

I've had to have a word with my mum.

Recently she has been describing everything as an "absolute nightmare!" It's almost become a meme in our house:

Calling the doctors dead on 8am to get an appointment
Over an hour on the phone to the bank to go through security details
Making arrangements with friends to pick each other up (or not) for coffee

All "absolute nightmares!"

Two things to be mindful of...

It's not about 'the things' (the doctors, the security checks, the driving arrangements), it's about the reaction to the things
What is actually causing that reaction

If you've been following my story this year you'll know I lost my dad back in June. My mum, therefore, lost her partner and best friend of 62 years. They had never left each other's sides.

She's understandably in the middle of the grief curve right now and it is THAT, rather than 'the things' that is her nightmare.

Andy Cope's 'Mood Hoovers'

Doctor of Happiness and Art of Brilliance founder Andy Cope, and his team, have a name for those people who brighten up a room by leaving it – mood hoovers. It might be said that mum has been a bit of a mood hoover recently.

Except that is not the case. That is simply my reaction to the case.

If someone you know is suddenly looking for the negative in every positive, maybe there is something else going on. Give them some time. Give them a hug...

In other news...

Just a couple of quick updates I wanted to share:

Bravery & Brilliant Business Owner Survey 2025 – I'm repeating my annual research into how mindset has impacted business owners and their journeys this past 12 months. Have your say via the link above (or click on the image). The results will be shared for free at start of December. You can enter yourself into a prize draw as part of your contribution/submission and hopefully win a half-day coaching session with me worth £540
Long-lasting Authority Summit – My former coach and business mentor, the sensational Susanna Reay, is hosting a week-long think tank summit for business owners who are looking to grow their authority and reputation. 14 experts (including me) will be sharing insights and contributing to sessions on a variety of topics (AI, speaking with confidence, writing your book, sales and lead generation, mindset etc). The summit takes place online 10-14th November and is free to attend (I should mention that there is a £97 VIP pass which contains a huge amount of extra value – bonus sessions, masterminds, exclusive offers etc)
Coach of the Month – In October I was recognised by my peers in the Paseda360 coaching community as "Coach of the Month". A real honour on my part and an additional skip in my step as I sit with all the amazing clients I have worked with so far this autumn. Thank you to you all for your trust and support.