Episode 035: You’ve Got One Life. Don’t Play Small.

In this episode of Leadership in 5, James reads directly from his personal journal — written five months before he resigned as Chief Culture Officer. It’s a reminder to himself of who he really is, and the calling he couldn’t ignore.

You’ll hear the backstory of a small business conference in Decorah, Iowa, where a chance moment of encouragement turned into a mirror of what was possible. And you’ll hear the words James wrote as a lifeline: “No one—not even myself—is going to put limitations on me.”

This is a message for every founder and leader wrestling with identity, calling, and the ceilings you set for yourself and your team.

Who This Episode Is For

Founders, owners, and leaders who feel trapped by expectations—whether from others or from themselves—and who need a reminder that faith is about moving forward without certainty.

Key Takeaways

• Faith isn’t about certainty — it’s about moving forward without guarantees.
• The heaviest limitations often come from within, not from others.
• The limits you accept today set the ceiling for your team tomorrow.
• The encouragement you speak into others can also reveal what’s possible for you.
• You’ve got one story, one life; don’t settle for less than the life you were designed for.

Reflection Questions

• What limitations are you quietly accepting right now—ones that don’t just shape your life, but the future of your business?
• Which ones came from other people’s expectations—and which ones did you create yourself?
• When your story is told ten years from now, what do you want it to say?

Links and Resources

• The Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com
• LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew
• Website → JamesMayhew.com