This founder had unhealthy compulsive behaviour. Not rock-bottom problems. But behaviours he didn’t like, and couldn’t stop. It was time to get back in charge.
Measurable Results
When asked: If 10 means ‘this is a really big problem’, and zero means ‘there’s no problem at all’, how big a problem is this for you right now?
Starting point – 6 out of 10
By week four – 1 out of 10
Context
Founder running an online health supplements business. Leading a team, running the business, life with his family: everything was broadly OK, but this compulsive behaviour kept bugging him.
The Problem – Compulsive Behaviour
There was no huge breakdown or ‘this has to change, or else…’ for this client. But he knew he wasn’t happy with how he was behaving. Particularly because of the impact on his kids.
There were two compulsions that were affecting him, and affecting the family: drink and his phone.
What had started as weekend drinking had increasingly crept into the week. He was more irritable, and spent far too much time thinking about having a drink, looking for opportunities to have a drink, justifying having a drink because it had been a long or stressful day.
But he was aware of an underlying question – is this right? Not an on-his-knees moment of addiction – just the recognition that this pattern wasn’t creating the best version of him – for him or for his partner and kids.
He also had a compulsion to be on his phone. He couldn’t put it down, even when watching TV. He knew it was stopping him being present with his kids and all too often he heard himself tell them: “just let me finish this…”.
He decided to invest in the 4-week Leadership Rest.
The Result – In Charge & Having Fun
He feels more present, patient. He’s playing with his kids more – and enjoying it! Instead of feeling like there’ s something else to do, or feeling a bit jaded from drinking the night before.
He has a lot more energy, relationships feel stronger.
He’s more grounded when a lot’s going on at work, or when his kids are arguing –
“I don’t feel the need to leap in and solve or interfere. I can let others’ solve their problems without my involvement.”
When I reminded him what he’d said when he first arrived he told me something I hear a lot when we get to Week 4:
“It sounds like another person – it makes no sense that I’d behave like that.”
He can still enjoy a drink, he still uses his phone – but the compulsion is gone. Now he’s in charge and having fun.
Resonating for you?
Step 1 – a conversation.