Let's Flip Constant Striving For Improvement In personal development, we’re always told to chase “constant and never-ending improvement.” And yes, growth matters. But what if the pressure to always improve is actually holding you back? In this 5-minute quickie, I invite you to flip that idea. Instead of endlessly striving, take a moment to recognise the incredible skills and wisdom you already have. From communication, relationships, and problem-solving to resilience and creativity — you’ve built a lifetime of tools. Here’s the thing: if you don’t use them, you risk losing them. But by consciously using what you’ve learned — through selfless service, sharing, and living intentionally — you keep those skills alive, and they keep growing. So today’s muse is simple: stop chasing for a minute and start using. You’ll not only feel richer inside but also make a difference to others around you. Because personal growth isn’t just about “more” — it’s about sharing what you’ve already got. And sharing what you hear:  And the video link  Shine Brightly 🌟 Paul  Hey there! I’d love to hear from you—questions, feedback, requests—all welcome. Drop me a line or leave a comment. If you've enjoyed this episode or any other, please share and subscribe! You can reach me at .  Subscribe to the Podcast Ready to subscribe?  to explore your options. Or, if you're on Apple Music or iTunes, you can go straight to subscribe or leave a review .  Special Programs for You For tools on developing Supreme Inner Confidence, finding Freedom from Anxiety, or specialized Hypnosis Tracks, visit .  Free Hypnosis Tracks Want access to my FREE hypnosis tracks? Head over to .  Connect with Me Follow me on Twitter:  Remember: I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. This podcast and any of my online resources are for educational purposes only. Never use the hypnosis tracks or exercises if you're operating machinery, driving, or if you have epilepsy or psychiatric conditions. Always consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.  Find Us on Other Platforms Catch the podcast on , Castbox, , YouTube, or on our . Stay tuned, and keep shining brightly. ✨  Music Credits Music by  from , Music by  from , Music by  from , &gt;, Music by  from , Music by  from , And the transcript WARNING if you're a lover of the written word this may make you frustrated, or angry - you have been warned - is it an 'ism &nbsp;  &nbsp;So another Muse, another Muse, the five quickie, five quickie, five minute quickie episode of the Personal Development Unplugged podcast, where I just want to bring subjects for you to think about. And maybe in that thinking, that musing, we'll find something below the surface or something special, a learning that we can take forward into the present, into the future and create a better life for ourselves. &nbsp;  So what are we talking about today? Well, it's all about flip. How do we flip things? What do we flip? I'm going to tell you now. You see, we, I talk an awful lot about, in this genre of personal development, constant and never ending improvement. &nbsp;  Can I? You know, looking for that 1% more. And I'm going to bang on about that. I'm probably bang on about it. &nbsp;  Maybe a little bit. No, I'll never bang on about it too much. But, you know, sometimes constant and never ending improvement can drag us down a little. &nbsp;  It can be a little bit overwhelming, you know, because sometimes we plateau. And when we plateau, we're waiting for the next bit. We're letting things integrate, but we think maybe we're not improving. &nbsp;  But that is the plateau that we're going to, or the springboard we're going to jump off into our next set of steps of improvement. Because if you see, if you have a look at children, and you see them even day by day, you'll see massive changes in them, what they can do. If you don't see them for a little while, I have grandchildren. &nbsp;  I don't see them every day...

FMQ 513 Let's Flip Constant Striving For Improvement

Trying to leave this little old world and the people I meet in a better place then when I first met them.

Who am I and what do I do?………Paul Clough.

I now love helping making changes in people and guiding them to create the life they really want.
 
A personal look at me:
 
The above sentence was not always the case and being the best in the financial realms of the building industry was my aim and getting there by any means. I now know this is, and was, the worst way ~ even if I did make director of one of the largest building companies in Cambridge by the age of 30.
 
One of the major realisations came on my first ever training in hypnosis. I found that it’s not a win lose world and that a win win is only a low basis to live.
 
Being true to your beliefs and coming from a place of integrity where service is paramount. This understanding together with lots of NLP skills helped create my last partnership in the building industry grow from a turnover of £800k to £16m in less than twelve years and that can only be done with giving more than expected.
 
Another shaping of me came from two traumatic events in my life that happened within six months of each other which created a number of major changes in me and by beliefs in what is possible. I have written about my experience and how I dealt with it but more importantly it really showed me my love for my three boys and theirs for me and resulted in the step up to become a trainer of NLP (which I never intended) and my close and exciting work with two of my sons. In supporting Joseph and help create change in people in our training’s and his wonderful life changing ‘Be your potential weekend’ and with Luke the continuing development of Cambridge Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis processes. My relationship with my third son Daniel just keeps getting better and better too.
 
Not knowing how good I had become in change work in the beginning I generally studied, practiced and saw clients then things started to happen when I started to work following just my instincts. Two clients come to mind both in effect dying from the effects of what was happening to them and the way they felt and within one and two sessions respectively not only won the will to live they changed virtually in front of my eyes and being apart of that process was and is the best feeling alive.
 
The above are just three of many brilliant learnings I have had in my life.
The more formal bit

 
Paul Clough

I am a Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP and Hypnosis and am passionate in assisting those who want to reach their full potential and his special skills form a unique foundation for success. I constantly seek and develope new skills and learning’s – through advanced levels of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Time Line Therapy ™, Hypnosis and to improve everyone I work with.

I have an understanding of the mind/body connection which enables me to create in my clients the difference that makes the difference ~ from excellence to outstanding.

For those that want qualifications:

Certified Trainer and Consultant of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Certified Master Practitioner of NLP & Time Line Therapy

Certified Master Hypnotist and Hypnotherapist

Together with Luke and Joseph I have consistently strived and succeeded to create ways to improve peoples lives and give new beliefs of what’s possible. Our potential is without limits ~ infinite in every way.
