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Hi, 👋 I’m Clay,

writer of the Coach’s Notes. I’m a long time learning and development specialist: leadership, self-development, self-management, and emotional intelligence are my passions. Best self; Best team is how I serve.

I host the Wisdom Experience Radio Show and Podcast and share my stream of consciousness thoughts on the soulcruzer diaries.

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Most recently at:

Southam Tyres - Team Protyre, Southam, United Kingdom

I WRITE WEEKLY AT:

THE WISDOM EXPERIENCE

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Newsletter
Clay

There’s a beauty in doing absolutely nothing

In which I reflect on the importance of carving out time in our busy lives to do nothing except rest and relax, preferably away from your normal environment. Issue #110 of The Coach’s Notes newsletter. There’s a profound wisdom to be discovered in the leisurely turn of a page or the rhythmic lapping of ocean waves against the shore. It’s in these tranquil moments, void of rush and deadlines, that you can truly tune in to the deeper, more evocative harmonies of existence. I had the good fortune to unplug from the chaos last week on the sun-drenched shores of

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July 3, 2023 5:32 am No Comments
Newsletter
Clay

Weaving reality and stories through social construction

In which I explore the notion that our reality and stories are socially constructed. Issue #109 of The Coach’s Notes Newsletter Happy summer solstice to you! Did you do anything special to celebrate the changing of the seasons? I was in Woking for the solstice, sitting through a two-day training course. I was on the other side of the table this time—learning, not teaching! I’ve been reading David Drake’s book on narrative coaching, in which he explores how people change. Based on his twenty years of experience, he shows you how to get to the crux of people’s issues and help them

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June 23, 2023 10:17 am No Comments
Blog
Clay

Pascal’s Wager: a dialogue

Pascal’s Wager is a philosophical argument put forward by the 17th century French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist Blaise Pascal. The argument is a pragmatic reasoning in favor of belief in God and is found in his posthumously published work Pensées. Clay: Monsieur Pascal, you are known for your philosophical wager on the existence of God. Can you elucidate on this? Pascal: Ah, yes, Clay, the wager. Let’s imagine a game of chance. It’s a wager, you see. On one side, you have the option to believe in God, and on the other, to not believe. Clay: And the stakes, Monsieur

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June 18, 2023 11:04 am No Comments
Newsletter
Clay

Angles, possibilities, and paths

In which I journey down to London and ponder how to be an active participant in life without being consumed by it? Issue #108 of The Coach’s Notes Newsletter. In the cool, rumbling interior of a train making its way down to London, I find myself absorbed in introspection. The ambient sounds of coughs punctuating the quiet carriage space and the staccato rhythm of fingers pounding mercilessly on a nearby keyboard strike a somewhat discordant note, sparking reflections about life and human behaviour. Our world is overburdened with angles, possibilities, and paths — a vast labyrinth of experiences, each one

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June 15, 2023 2:41 pm No Comments
Blog
Clay

Soul Surfing

You stare at your reflection in the mirror, searching for answers to the age-old question: “Who am I?” The face that stares back at you is familiar, yet somehow foreign. You study the lines etched into your skin, the colour of your eyes, the shape of your nose, as if these physical attributes hold the key to your identity. But as you continue to gaze, you realise that there is so much more to you than what meets the eye. Your thoughts, your emotions, your experiences – all of these make up the complex and unique individual that you are.

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June 9, 2023 2:53 pm No Comments
Newsletter
Clay

Making a living

In which I take a walk and contemplate what it means to make a living in issue #107 of The Coach’s Notes newsletter. Henry David Thoreau, the celebrated American philosopher and transcendentalist, once inquired, “What, precisely, do people ‘make’ when they ‘make a living?’” This seemingly simple query presents a profound existential riddle. What, indeed, do we make? Are we speaking of physical objects, intellectual contributions, emotional footprints, or something entirely abstract? Let’s explore.

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June 8, 2023 11:58 am No Comments
Blog
Clay

The pleasures of doing nothing

The modern world, with its dizzying array of gizmos and gadgets, promises to make us more efficient than ever before. We have smart devices designed to expedite our chores, applications to manage our time, and a constant clamor for productivity. This rhetoric of efficiency is deeply ingrained in our societal DNA, relentlessly pushing us to achieve more, faster, and with greater precision. In the end, our value, it seems, is equated with our output. However, this perspective neglects a significant facet of our human experience: the importance of leisure and the pleasures of doing nothing in particular. At first glance,

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June 4, 2023 7:43 pm No Comments
Blog
Clay

Gifts and Wounds

The human condition is an intricate tapestry, spun with threads of paradox. It is a saga that unfolds, amidst joys and despairs, a play where light coexists with shadows, and creation often originates from the womb of destruction. This grand theatre of existence beautifully brings to light an exquisite dichotomy, a dance of yin and yang, where gifts and wounds intertwine. It mirrors a truth, seldom acknowledged, that one’s unique talents often accompany a form of scar. Consider, for instance, the enigmatic allure of the creative genius – a figure draped in awe and mystery, whose mind soars through landscapes

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May 26, 2023 9:48 am No Comments
Blog
Clay

The Path to Excellence

Excellence is not just a goal to be pursued; it’s a way of life that we can cultivate in everything we do. It’s a promise to hold ourselves to the highest standards, to try to reach our full potential, and to keep improving our skills, abilities, and character. The path to excellence begins with a deep sense of purpose, a clear understanding of what we hope to achieve, and a relentless focus on the things that matter most. It takes discipline, hard work, and a willingness to deal with the problems and setbacks that will come up along the way.

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March 14, 2023 2:49 pm No Comments
Video
Clay

We have a natural bias toward doing nothing

While the bias for inaction can help keep things stable and consistent in some situations, it can also get in the way of progress and change when they are needed. If you are aware of this bias and actively challenge it, you can look at possible changes more objectively and make better decisions. By doing this, you can give yourself the confidence to try new things and make positive changes in your personal and professional lives.

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March 14, 2023 8:38 am No Comments

Morning Routine: Stillness – Movement – Stillness

In our fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find moments of stillness and calm. However, I believe that it’s essential to carve out time in our lives for moments of reflection and introspection. One of the best ways to do this is by establishing a solid morning routine.

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February 28, 2023 10:19 pm No Comments

Raising the Bar

Excellence is not just a goal to be pursued; it is a way of life that we can cultivate in everything we do. It is a commitment to the highest standards, to the pursuit of our full potential, and to the continual refinement of our skills, abilities, and character. If you LOVE the coach’s notes, then consider subscribing to the podcast directly.

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February 22, 2023 3:08 pm No Comments
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