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Leigh D Wilson
BE(Hons.) FIEAust, CPEng APEC Engineer IntPE(Aust)
Master Executive Therapeutic Mindset Coach & Mentor,
Stress & Anxiety Expert, Performance Consultant & Author
Hey there!
Hi, I am Leigh!
I'm a Mindset Expert, writer, entrepreneur, & unshakable optimist dedicated to helping you achieve greater success in your career or business - helping you develop the mindset that will empower you to your next level of success.
Welcome to my blog. This is my online “home” where I share tips, strategies and other resources to help you get the most out of your work life and life in general.
I have been interested in personal development and self-help since, as a youngster, I resolved to get the very most out of life, making the most of every moment that I had, no matter how bad or good those moments might turn out to be.
Now, of course, despite this resolution, my life has not always been a bed of roses; things have not always turned out as I hoped. And, like most people, I’ve made my share of poor decisions.
And I’ve gone through the heartbreak of losing loved ones, the concerns of being retrenched, the pain of divorce, the worries caused by severe financial difficulties and so on.
On the other hand, a lot of things have gone extremely well. And, I’ve made some good decisions too.
I’ve had the joy of parenthood and raising four incredible children, experienced rewarding relationships, enjoyed success in my professional career, reaching the level of CEO of a medium-sized business and enjoyed many adventures and memorable experiences.
These experiences include the challenges of starting five new businesses from scratch, the joys and frustrations of working with clients and on major projects, the satisfaction of seeing my projects completed and, on some occasions, seeing them winning major awards.
Along the way, as well as my own discoveries, I have learned a lot from a wide range of teachers and mentors, including my own coaches and trainers, my coaching clients, my children, my colleagues, my employees etc. And, of course, from some of the many thousands of students I have taught at various universities.
My goal with this website is to distill these discoveries and learnings, along with those that I continue to unearth, and to pass them on to you as we share a path of self-discovery.
In my earlier career as a successful structural engineer, I really enjoyed the challenge of finding new and better ways of designing and building bridges, buildings and other structures, especially as the applications of computers and new materials suddenly made the “impossible” possible.
In my work as an executive coach since starting Executive BREAKTHROUGH in 2005, working with clients from all walks of life, I have employed the same type of analytical and problem-solving skills that I developed as a structural engineer towards helping my clients overcome blockages and setbacks and build more empowering mindsets so that they can move forward in their lives, finding greater fulfilment and experiencing greater success.
And in this field of self-development, with the amazing progress made each year in understanding the workings of the human mind, many of the changes and transformations that were once thought “impossible” have become possible.
So, wherever I can, I draw on recent discoveries in the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, energy healing, personal experience, NLP, EFT, hypnosis etc. with the goal of helping people, such as you, reach more of their full potential.
It’s been extremely rewarding witnessing the breakthroughs and transformations that many of my clients have experienced, and I look on this site as a way of reaching a much wider audience, across the globe, to achieve the same thing and more.
Melbourne, Australia
"Overcoming Financial Stress"
You can learn more of my story by reading my book, Overcoming Financial Stress, and you will have the added benefit of learning some valuable lessons on how to deal with financial stress and other worries.
In this book, which is part autobiography and part self-help manual, I describe the lessons that I learned when facing a really serious financial crisis that forced me to close down a business that I had lovingly built up over a period of nearly 20 years.
While I wrote this to help those finding their financial problems a constant source of worry and concern, the same techniques can be used by anyone dealing with worries and stress of any nature.
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How to deal with
Financial Stress
"...life-changing secrets that could be described as GOLD"
Recent posts from our blog...
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What do I do with my clients?
Many of us have barriers, both conscious and unconscious, holding us back in some way. Often, they are the result of limiting beliefs, decisions and emotions that we’ve taken on at a very young age.
Because of this, they can be unconscious, and we might not be fully aware of them, instead experiencing a niggling feeling that things simply aren’t going as well as they should be.
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Are you ready to make the most of 2024?
It was SO rewarding to receive this thoughtful testimonial from one of my clients, today, the first day of the new year.
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We don’t know what we don’t know
Imagine you’re driving along in your car, oblivious to the subtle signs of wear and tear. Initially, everything seems fine, but gradually you notice it’s not running as smoothly as it should.
This can be much like the journey you’re on in your professional life, especially if you’re navigating the complex world of engineering or other high-demand career.
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My typical client’s journey to greater career and life success
Imagine you’re driving along in your car, oblivious to the subtle signs of wear and tear. Initially, everything seems fine, but gradually you notice it’s not running as smoothly as it should.
This can be much like the journey you’re on in your professional life, especially if you’re navigating the complex world of engineering or other high-demand career.
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How is your emotional intelligence?
As a high-achieving professional, you understand the critical importance of skills like logical reasoning and technical know-how, especially in fields like engineering. These are the cornerstones of problem-solving and innovation.
Yet, there’s another skill just as vital, yet not as visibly celebrated: emotional intelligence (EI).
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Transitioning from a career in engineering
The journey of an engineer is often perceived as a linear path: acquire a degree, land a technical role, and then climb the corporate ladder within the engineering sphere.
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How to improve your self-awareness
The journey of an engineer is often perceived as a linear path: acquire a degree, land a technical role, and then climb the corporate ladder within the engineering sphere.
However, the reality is far more dynamic and, in many cases, unconventional. Recent insights reveal that only about 60% of qualified engineers in Australia remain in engineering roles, with a significant number transitioning to non-engineering sectors.
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Are self-aware people likely to be more successful?
Self-awareness can indeed contribute significantly to a person’s success, especially in professions like engineering and other high-income professional roles that demand a range of persona skills. Here are a few reasons why
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How ARE you going, REALLY?
This might be a good time of year to reflect on how well you have been going in your work, career or business over the past 12 months or so.
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If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up some place else
This quote, seemingly lighthearted, carries profound insights about life’s journey and personal goals.
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Which form of support would help you the most?
Navigating the world of professional and personal development can be a complex journey. As an individual seeking growth, understanding the different approaches available can greatly enhance your path to success. This article delves into the distinct realms of my Therapeutic Mindset Coaching, Conventional Coaching, and Mentoring, each offering unique benefits tailored to various needs.
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Five signs you might need to focus on emotional healing
What is emotional healing? It’s the process by which you recover emotionally and mentally from a negative life experience. You can’t keep tough times from appearing in your life. When you are emotionally healthy and balanced, you deal with those difficult situations that inevitably pop up, and you can move on with your life.
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Would you take up my offer?
You can think of your subconscious mind as the world’s most powerful biological supercomputer, far more advanced than any man-made technology.
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How powerful is the unconscious mind?
You can think of your subconscious mind as the world’s most powerful biological supercomputer, far more advanced than any man-made technology.
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Is a lack of confidence keeping you stuck?
Is a lack of confidence keeping you stuck, putting a ceiling on your career?
In the early parts of our career, we are often working alone or in very small groups doing our thing and so confidence doesn’t really loom as a significant matter.
But as we rise up through the ranks, we can be called upon to speak up at larger meetings, address big events, have difficult conversations with clients or customers etc.
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Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall
Life is full of ups and downs and so this quote serves as a reminder that our real strength is shown not by avoiding problems, but by picking ourselves up and moving forward when we do face tough times.
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Is self-doubt keeping you stuck?
Self-doubt can feel like a quiet but impassable roadblock, often appearing when as we consider new ventures or stepping outside familiar boundaries. It’s like a voice whispering, “Maybe this isn’t for you,” or “What if you fail?” This doubt makes us feel stuck, like we’re standing at the edge of new possibilities but held back by invisible chains. It’s a frustrating weight, filled with fear and uncertainty.
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Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 3?
Now let’s wrap up this series on ‘Is chronic stress doing this to YOUR brain?’ with actionable steps to help you dealing with it. While stress can make your world seem like a grayscale painting, the good news is that there are scientifically-backed methods to bring the colour back into your life.
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Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 2?
Chronic stress isn’t just a one-off villain; it can set the stage for long-term issues like depression, a condition so debilitating it’s one of the leading causes of disability around the globe. If you’ve been depressed once, you’re also at a higher risk of falling back into it, especially when stress re-enters the picture.
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Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 1?
Perhaps surprisingly, a small dose of stress can be beneficial; it helps you grow and become more resilient. However, when stress becomes a chronic condition—perhaps due to work-related stress, financial problems, a relationship breakdown, a family loss, or enduring harassment—it’s crucial to address it immediately.
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