Neil dives into the essential role of marketing for anyone looking to start or grow their tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Drawing from a recent conversation with a friend contemplating entrepreneurship as an electrician, Neil emphasises that operations can only begin once you have customers, making marketing the crucial first step. He addresses the common discomfort many feel about self-promotion, encouraging listeners to overcome their fears and recognise that marketing is not a dirty word, but rather a vital means of connecting with those who need their unique skills and insights. With a blend of personal anecdotes and practical advice, Neil inspires his audience to step out of their comfort zones, share their expertise, and ultimately serve their communities better.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Marketing is Essential: Before any operations can take place in a business, marketing must happen first. It's crucial to let potential customers know you exist, as without awareness, your skills and services cannot be utilised.

2. Overcoming Discomfort: Many people feel uncomfortable promoting themselves due to fears of being perceived as arrogant. However, embracing this discomfort is necessary to connect with those who need your help and to avoid remaining invisible in your field.

3. Understanding Your Tribe: Identify and engage with your "tribe"—the people who need your unique skills and insights. By showing up for them and sharing your expertise, you can make a significant impact on their lives.

4. The Value of Your Work: Recognise that the money you earn is a reward for the value you provide. If you enjoy your work and help others, it's not only acceptable but essential to market yourself and your services.

5. Consistency is Key: Regularly communicate what you do and how you can help others. Make it a habit to promote your services daily, whether through social media, ads, or personal outreach, to ensure that those who need your help can find you.

BEST MOMENTS

"Marketing is what happens first. Always. There's no point in being a reliable and excellent electrician if nobody knows you exist."

"If you're too cowardly to trust in your own skills and your own integrity, what will the next 10 years be like for you?"

"The money is the silent reward for a job well done."

"If marketing yourself and your business makes you uncomfortable, you have a choice. You can cower in the face of that discomfort, or step up."

"For heaven's sake, go out and tell someone what you do today, and then do it again tomorrow."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares  insights from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching business. He emphasises the power of lists as essential tools for organisation and clarity, introducing his unique "what works" list, which helps him evaluate his life and business periodically. By categorising what works and what doesn't, Neil encourages listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and make necessary changes to enhance their productivity and well-being. With practical examples and a no-nonsense approach, this episode aims to inspire tutors, teachers, and coaches to streamline their processes and ultimately love their businesses even more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The Power of Lists: Creating various lists, such as to-do lists, shopping lists, and a "don't do" list, can help streamline tasks, reduce indecision, and enhance productivity in both personal and business contexts.

2. What Works vs. What Doesn't: Maintaining a "what works" list can clarify effective behaviours and strategies, while a "what doesn't work" list helps identify and eliminate negative influences and habits that hinder progress.

3. Self-Review Process: Conducting periodic self-reviews, ideally quarterly, allows for reflection on personal and business growth, helping to assess whether goals are being met and areas for improvement are identified.

4. Honesty in Reflection: When creating lists, it's important to be brutally honest about what works and what doesn't, as this honesty can lead to valuable insights and necessary changes in behaviour or environment.

5. Daily Practices for Well-Being: Incorporating daily gratitude and reflection practices can significantly enhance mood and sense of purpose, while neglecting these practices can lead to negative feelings and decreased motivation.

BEST MOMENTS

"A to-do list is, for me, a parking space for everything that needs to be done. It's also where I outsource my worrying to."

"Don't overthink it, just whazz down the list, go from your guts, don't censor yourself, you're looking to gain clarity and insight."

"This can be uncomfortable. And that's the very reason I think you should do it. Because you may confront uncomfortable truths about yourself."

"The left column is what works for me. The right column is what doesn't work for me."

"Grab yourself a pen and paper. Make yourself a nice cup of tea. And get scribbling."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the complexities of work ethic and its impact on adult learners, particularly in the context of guitar playing. He discusses how a strong work ethic can hinder individuals from engaging in enjoyable activities, leading to feelings of guilt and paralysis. Neil shares practical strategies for overcoming these mental barriers, such as reframing practice as an opportunity for exploration and creativity, silencing negative inner voices, and normalizing music within families. He emphasises the importance of fostering a sense of possibility and joy in learning, encouraging students to embrace their passions and share them with their loved ones.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Recognising the Problem: It's essential to identify and acknowledge the mental barriers that prevent students from engaging in activities they enjoy, such as playing guitar. These barriers often stem from guilt associated with taking time for personal pleasure.

2. Reframing Practice: Instead of using the term "practice," which can feel like a chore, encourage students to view their time with the guitar as an opportunity for exploration and fun. This shift in language can help reduce resistance and foster a more positive experience.

3. Silencing Negative Voices: Many adult learners carry the weight of past criticisms from teachers or peers that discourage them from pursuing their interests. Techniques such as visualisation and reframing can help students disempower these negative voices and build their confidence.

4. Modelling Behaviour for Children: Parents who engage in music or creative activities normalise these pursuits for their children. By playing and sharing their passion, parents provide silent permission for their kids to explore music, making it a natural part of family life.

5. Fostering a Sense of Possibility: The ultimate goal of teaching is to help students leave feeling like better versions of themselves. Engaging in music can spark a sense of hope and aspiration, encouraging individuals to express their true selves and share that joy with others.

BEST MOMENTS

"Recognise the problem is in their head, it's an imaginary problem. We have to hold their beliefs to light and say, is this realistic? Is this rational?"

"I reckon I've spent 80% of my time rummaging around with people's belief systems and their psyche, trying to figure out how they got messed up and then spoil it for them."

"As part of that, I get to rebrand the idea of practice. Stop it. Tell them to pick up their guitar, grin like a maniac, make a load of noise."

"When the parents don't play, music is special. If parents play... it normalises music for the kids."

"My fervent hope is that students leave the teaching room every time as slightly better versions of themselves."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil reflects on the intersection of work ethic and creativity, particularly in the context of adult learners who struggle to engage with their passion for playing guitar. As he prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday, Neil shares his personal journey of transforming work from a burdensome obligation into a joyful pursuit. He discusses the challenges faced by high-achieving individuals who feel guilty about taking time for themselves to play music, viewing it as a frivolous activity. By creating a unique and supportive environment for his students, Neil aims to help them overcome their internal conflicts and embrace the joy of learning and playing music. He invites listeners to share their experiences and strategies for navigating similar challenges, promising to delve deeper into this topic in the next episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Work Ethic vs. Play: A strong work ethic can hinder personal enjoyment and creativity, particularly in adult learners who may feel guilty about engaging in activities like playing guitar, which they perceive as non-productive.

2. Creating a Special Learning Environment: Establishing a unique and supportive space for learning can help students disconnect from their everyday responsibilities and pressures, allowing them to focus on their passion for music without guilt.

3. Addressing Guilt in Learning: Many adult learners struggle with the guilt of taking time for themselves to pursue hobbies. It's essential to help them understand that engaging in these activities is not selfish but can be a valuable part of their personal growth.

4. Mindset Shift: Encouraging students to view guitar playing as a productive and fulfilling activity can help them overcome their internal conflicts and make it easier for them to practice and enjoy their learning journey.

5. Continuous Learning and Sharing: The importance of sharing experiences and techniques with others in the teaching community is emphasised, as it can lead to better strategies for helping students navigate their challenges related to work ethic and personal enjoyment.

BEST MOMENTS

"What I would observe about myself is this isn't a drive anymore. It's as though I'm being drawn to it."

"For my high-achieving adult learners, reality is all about the hustle. It's about the grind, it's about the business, it's about the family."

"When it does get in the way, it stops them. Mostly because guitar playing is essentially a frivolous and non-productive thing to do."

"It's not a lack of practice, but the guilt of doing something which they think is just for themselves and produces nothing of value."

"If we don't confront this with our adults, we won't be able to serve them well."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil explores the often overlooked value of embracing the "boring" aspects of tutoring, teaching, and coaching. Neil emphasises that consistency and repetition can lead to mastery and improvement. He discusses how refining and perfecting familiar routines can yield better results, whether in teaching, gym workouts, or property investing. By advocating for a mindset that welcomes the mundane, Neil encourages listeners to focus on incremental improvements rather than chasing the next shiny opportunity. This episode serves as a reminder that excellence often stems from doing the same things better each day, ultimately leading to greater success in their tutoring businesses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Embrace Boring: Boring tasks can indicate mastery and competence. By focusing on improving the same routines and processes, one can achieve better results over time.

2. Continuous Improvement: Strive to do the same things better each day. Whether in teaching, exercising, or investing, the goal should be to refine and enhance your approach consistently.

3. Avoid Distractions: Resist the urge to chase new opportunities before perfecting existing ones. The "bright, shiny penny syndrome" can lead to neglecting what is already working well.

4. Learning from Failure: Failure is a crucial part of the learning process. Each failure provides valuable feedback that can be used to improve future efforts.

5. Practice Makes Perfect: Just like learning to walk, skills become second nature through repetition and practice. Start by doing things imperfectly, then gradually improve until they become effortless.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think we need to talk about the joy of being boring. I love boring... If you can make it even better every day, that boring things become very, very interesting."

"The secret of excellence... is to reiterate and refine your winning formula to become the very best at what you do."

"Failure is the precursor of excellence. The more you fail, the more feedback and data you'll gather and the better you'll do next time around." 

"Boring is consistent. It's predictable, it's reliable and it's replicable. So I don't have a problem with boring." 

"If I can get my students to do it badly at first, that's great because they'll do better over time." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil dives into the crucial topic of health and fitness for tutors, teachers, and coaches. He emphasises the sedentary nature of tutoring and how it can lead to poor dietary choices, ultimately affecting both personal well-being and business performance. Neil discusses the negative impacts of consuming fast food and high-carb snacks, which can lead to energy crashes and long-term health issues like obesity and diabetes. He offers practical advice on meal planning, the importance of cooking with real ingredients, and the benefits of regular exercise. By prioritising health and fitness, listeners can enhance their quality of life and improve their effectiveness in their teaching roles. Tune in for actionable tips and insights to help you stay vibrant and powerful in your mission to make a difference.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Health and Fitness Importance: The sedentary nature of tutoring can lead to neglecting health and fitness, which is crucial for maintaining energy levels and overall well-being.

2. Impact of Diet on Performance: Consuming fast food and high-carb snacks can lead to energy crashes, affecting the ability to deliver quality teaching and maintain focus during sessions.

3. Long-term Health Consequences: Poor dietary choices can lead to serious health issues such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, which can also impact professional credibility and attractiveness to clients.

4. Practical Dietary Changes: Planning meals, cooking with real ingredients, and avoiding processed foods, low-fat products, and meat substitutes can significantly improve health and energy levels.

5. Exercise as a Priority: Incorporating regular exercise not only benefits physical health but also has psychological advantages, enhancing mood and overall mental well-being, which is essential for effective teaching.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you're consuming that kind of junk, you're really not looking after the asset, are you?"

"You can't exercise your way out of a bad diet. If you want abs, you'll find them in the kitchen."

"It's an unpleasant reality, but there's loads of research out there that says that attractive people do better than unattractive people, in business, in life and in love."

"The job of exercise is to provoke a response from the body, to make the body overcompensate for the stress you've hit it with."

"Taking care of your health, fitness and diets should be a top priority. It won't immediately save your life but it will almost certainly let you live longer healthier and better."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the crucial difference between earning money and saving money, using a personal anecdote about a tenant's high electricity bill to illustrate his point. He emphasises that whilst earning an extra pound may seem equivalent to saving a pound, the reality is that earned money is subject to taxes and deductions, making saved money far more valuable. Neil shares practical tips on reducing unnecessary expenses, such as canceling unused subscriptions, minimising food waste, and exploring overlooked opportunities like renting out spare rooms. By focusing on cost-saving strategies, listeners can potentially reduce their workload and increase their financial well being. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Earning vs. Saving Money: There is a significant difference between earning a pound and saving a pound. While both may seem equivalent, saved money goes directly to the bottom line as pure profit, whereas earned money is subject to taxes and deductions.

2. Understanding Tax Implications: To take home an extra pound, one must earn significantly more due to income tax and National Insurance deductions. 

3. Reducing Unnecessary Expenses: Regularly review and cut unnecessary expenses, such as unused subscriptions or inefficient routines, to improve financial health. Small savings can accumulate and lead to significant financial benefits.

4. Maximising Resources: Look for overlooked opportunities to generate income, such as renting out spare rooms. This can provide substantial additional income without requiring extra work.

5. Mindful Spending: Avoid impulse purchases and wasteful habits, such as food waste or unnecessary storage costs. Being mindful of spending can help reduce costs and improve overall financial stability.

BEST MOMENTS

"A saved pound is a pound. End of story. Well, almost. The saved pound is equal to at least £1.30 of pre-tax earned money."

"To earn an extra pound in your hand, you're going to have to earn a lot more than that, because you're going to have some of it sliced off in deductions and taxation."

"We all do daft things. I am living proof of doing daft things on a daily basis. But doing daft things with money is something you can probably change."

"If you have a spare room in the house, consider renting it out. You can rent a room at your house for up to seven and a half thousand pounds a year before you have to even mention it on your tax return."

"Saving money here and there won't make you rich directly, but it just might mean that you don't have to work quite so much to have more money in your pocket."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the importance of broadening one's knowledge beyond the confines of a specific field, particularly in tutoring, teaching, and coaching. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil shares insights on how reading outside of one's specialisation can lead to greater creativity, flexibility, and problem solving abilities. He discusses the value of exploring diverse subjects, such as tax law and behavioral science, and how these peripheral interests can significantly enhance teaching methods. Neil encourages listeners to embrace a polymath approach, suggesting that by reading widely, they can uncover valuable ideas that can be applied to their own practices, ultimately enriching their professional and personal lives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Broaden Your Reading: Engaging with literature outside of your specialisation can provide valuable insights and ideas that enhance your teaching and business practices.

2. Value of Non-Teaching Knowledge: Learning about topics such as tax law, psychology, and business can yield significant financial and operational benefits, often outweighing the potential gains from reading more specialised teaching materials.

3. Avoiding Specialization Pitfalls: Over specialisation can limit creativity and flexibility. A diverse knowledge base allows for a more adaptable approach to teaching and problem solving.

4. Polymath Advantage: Cultivating a wide range of knowledge and skills can improve your ability to connect with various students and handle different teaching scenarios effectively.

5. Encouragement to Explore: Readers are urged to explore non fiction books outside their field to discover new ideas and perspectives that can be applied to their own work, fostering personal and professional growth.

BEST MOMENTS

"The more widely read I am, the more flexible my behaviour can be and the more likely I am to achieve my objectives because I have multiple points of view."

"If I stuck to only reading guitar teaching books, I'd be dry as toast and way less equipped to teach."

"They say a specialist is someone who knows more and more about less and less. And I'm inclined to agree with that."

"Reading up on tax and arranging my affairs in accordance with the rules has been really, really valuable."

"The more widely you read, the more interesting you become, too."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil explores the transformative power of to-do lists and introduces a unique twist: the "don't do it" list. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil emphasises the importance of writing down tasks to alleviate mental clutter and stress. He shares his personal journey of identifying both productive behaviors and detrimental habits by creating two columns—one for what works and another for what doesn't. This introspective exercise not only helps in recognising patterns of behavior but also encourages listeners to confront their inner challenges. Neil invites everyone to grab a pen and paper, make their own lists, and discover how this simple practice can lead to greater clarity and control in their lives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Importance of Lists: Writing down tasks and responsibilities helps manage the chaos of daily life. A to-do list can alleviate stress by organising thoughts and actions, allowing for better focus and productivity.

2. Anti To-Do List Concept: Creating a "not to do" list can be just as beneficial as a to-do list. Identifying behaviours and activities that hinder progress can help individuals avoid distractions and focus on what truly matters.

3. Self-Reflection: Taking the time to analyse personal habits and behaviors can lead to greater self-awareness. This process can reveal patterns that may be detrimental to success, allowing for necessary adjustments.

4. Two-Column Method: Dividing a page into two columns—one for positive actions and another for negative behaviours—can provide clarity. This visual representation helps in recognising what works and what doesn’t, facilitating better decision-making.

5. Actionable Steps: To implement these ideas, one should set aside time to reflect, write, and evaluate their habits. This exercise encourages accountability and can lead to significant improvements in personal and professional life.

BEST MOMENTS

"Remember, guys, the bluntest pencil is better than the sharpest memory."

"If you really want to know how it is you're messing up your life and letting your inner moron drive the bus, do this today. I dare you."

"Column A is putting a bigger engine in your Ferrari. Column B is taking the brakes off it."

"It's painful to drag your own stupidity and your own failings out on paper because you can't deny them anymore."

"The upside is that there's nowhere to hide. If you really, really want to know how you're screwing yourself up, make yourself a nice cup of tea."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil delves into the challenges of traditional guitar teaching methods, highlighting the staggering 90% quit rate among learners. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil advocates for an unconventional approach to teaching that prioritises what truly matters for students rather than adhering to outdated norms. He emphasises the importance of questioning established practices and seeking more effective, engaging methods to foster student success. By sharing his personal journey of overcoming frustration and failure, Neil encourages educators to embrace innovation and break free from conventional wisdom, ultimately aiming to create a more impactful and enjoyable learning experience for their students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Challenge Conventional Methods: Traditional teaching methods for guitar often lead to high quit rates among students, with some sources citing a 90% failure rate in the first year. This indicates that these methods may not be effective and need to be re-evaluated.

2. Focus on High Utility Learning: Instead of adhering to conventional wisdom, prioritise learning the most useful concepts and techniques first. This approach can lead to more effective teaching and better student engagement.

3. Ask Hard Questions: Reflecting on one's teaching methods and asking difficult questions about effectiveness and efficiency can lead to significant improvements in teaching practices.

4. Embrace Unconventional Approaches: Progress in any field often comes from those who are willing to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Embracing unconventional ideas can lead to breakthroughs in teaching and learning.

5. Engage with Students Honestly: Being transparent with students about the challenges they may face in learning can foster a more honest and supportive learning environment, rather than perpetuating ineffective methods that lead to student frustration and dropout.

BEST MOMENTS

"The quit rate for guitar learners is ridiculously high... a magazine that purports to help guitarists proudly touts this 90% quit rate figure."

"If a method of teaching or learning produces a 90% failure rate, it can only produce a 10% success rate. It's therefore abundantly obvious that the method must be ineffective."

"Taking the unconventional approach has worked for me, and it's worked for the countless students I've been blessed to teach for over a quarter of a century."

"Imagine meeting a new student and telling them... this is the route we'll follow. It'll give you probably a 1 in 10 chance of success."

"Are you brave enough to be unconventional? Bold enough to break the rules? To move the limits?"

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[email protected] 

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!