Communication Tips & Anti-Aging Workout

Hello friends,

I just finished up a day of consulting in the cloud kitchen. You may not know this but I am the co-founder and CEO of Claire Sharryn Roberto Consulting. We curate, create and open up restaurants around the world. Mostly specialising in wellness-inspired cuisine and artfully put together by my genius fiancé and cordon bleu chef, Claire Sharryn Roberto.

This week I’m coming in with super hands on tips that I have either developed or learnt on the job this week. The art of juggling business growth and personal development simultaneously.

Let’s dive in.

What I’m reading:

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. A book that truly teaches the ‘hidden’ laws of the human spirit. Powerful read, especially when dealing with a lot of different types of people on a day-to-day basis.

What I’m listening to:

The Man that is Ageing Backwards - Bryan Johnson on the Diary of a CEO. If you haven’t heard of Bryan Johnson or you do and you think he is the weirdest dude out there, the founder of Venmo is testing the limits of human potential. If health is of interest to you then get onto this one.

3X Actionable Insights on Biz, Health & Life:

1) Biz: Effective Communication

While I may not be a chef, I'm captivated by a chef's mindset. Witnessing the flow and systems of a well-coordinated ‘brigade de cuisine’ is nothing short of mesmerizing. This system embodies structured teamwork, where each individual specializes in specific tasks, whether in the kitchen or the dining area. Crucially, it ensures mutual understanding. Every member ensures clarity in both speaking and listening. Their shared objective? Absolute excellence. The hallmark of this understanding is encapsulated in the phrase, “YES CHEF”. For those unfamiliar, an exaggerated portrayal can be found in the show, The Bear.

I highlight this because we often, mistakenly, assume others get our message. Conversely, we sometimes fail to seek clarity when left puzzled. Such communication gaps can hinder both personal and professional growth. Whenever another human is in the equation, prioritize straightforward communication. Remove assumptions and strive for mutual understanding.

While "YES CHEF" might not be apt for every setting, its essence can be universally applied. In your next team interaction, a simple “does that make sense?” can bridge potential misunderstandings, elevating work from merely 'great' to 'perfect'. Conversely, don’t hesitate to say, “Can you elaborate on X? I'm not sure I follow.”

Ensuring clarity is a small step with profound impacts.

2) Health: The Anti-Aging Workout

This month, I've delved into the intriguing world of Bryan Johnson, the visionary behind Venmo and Braintree. More than just a tech mogul, Johnson is investing an astounding $2 million annually on rejuvenation, aiming to restore his body to the vitality of an 18-year-old. His approaches are undoubtedly unconventional, but what's commendable is his dedication. He's not just speculating; he's subjecting himself to rigorous experiments under medical supervision, all in the hope of gifting us with proven methods.

I was intrigued so this week I started his anti-aging workouts. A few days in, and I can already sense a surge in strength and well, stiffness 😉

3) Personal Growth: Work/Home Boundaries

Recently, I established a golden rule: work concludes by 6 pm, or at the very least, upon stepping into my haven away from work. The motive? Keeping the hustle of the office/kitchen separate from the sanctuary of my home.

The results have been transformative. Not only has it carved out quality moments to cherish, but the advantages have been triple layered:

1. An elevated relationship with my fiancé, Claire, allowing us to deepen our bond.

2. A serene mind as I jump into bed, reducing nightly mental chatter and thereby enhancing sleep quality.

3. Giving me more time to play with nothingness that essentially boosts my creativity I get to use during work hours.

Something interesting I learnt:

Centuries ago, Afghans devised the Kangina technique, a preservation method using handcrafted clay-straw containers. This innovation enabled remote communities, who couldn’t afford imported goods, to preserve fresh fruit for months at a time. Watch a video about it out here.

App or program I’m loving to boost productivity:

Bigin CRM (Customer Relationship Management). If you have your own business and do not have a CRM system, then you are throwing money down the drain.

In order to generate sales we need to be tracking conversations somewhere so we know the status of each ‘potential and current client’ and can respond to people accurately. Generic conversations do not work anymore. Clients want to feel heard and understood. Hyper personalization is the only way forward.

Strive for personal excellence this week 🚀

~ Gary te Roller