Learning or Building? The Question That’s Keeping You Stuck

There’s a choice I see People Building franchisees trying to make all the time. And it’s a false one. It sounds sensible. Responsible, even. But it quietly keeps people stuck for years. The False Choice That Keeps You Spinning “Should I focus on learning something new?” “Or should I put that energy into building my business?” If you are part of a coaching franchise, this dilemma can feel relentless. Every new training promises confidence. Clarity. Momentum. And to be fair, learning does something powerful. When I am learning, I am sharper. More energised. I think more clearly. I feel myself moving forwards. Having a focus - especially one that stretches me - brings order to my mind. It creates a sense of direction, a pull towards something better. And that energy does spill over into work. Into conversations. Into ideas. Into belief. But there is a darker side to this pattern that rarely gets named. Because when learning replaces action, it stops being growth and starts being avoidance. Learning can look like progress while quietly protecting you from exposure. When Learning Becomes a Sophisticated Hiding Place I also know what happens when learning becomes the priority and business becomes the thing you will get to “once you feel ready”. You end up highly trained and underpaid. You have more certificates, more frameworks, more intellectual understanding - and fewer sessions in the diary. Cashflow tightens. Confidence wobbles. And instead of stepping forward, you double down on preparation. Another course. Another modality. Another layer of “almost ready”. This is how people become course junkies with no traction. Not because they lack ability, but because learning feels safe. Visibility does not. Marketing exposes you to silence. Rejection. Judgment. The risk of nobody responding. For many franchisees in a coaching franchise, that risk feels far more threatening than staying in the comfort of training. So the question is not whether learning is good or bad. The question itself is wrong. The Better Question That Changes Everything Instead of asking, “Should I learn or should I build?” try this instead. “What does my business need from me right now?” And then ask the second, more uncomfortable question. “What do I need right now to become the version of me who can meet that need?” Sometimes, the answer is practical and unglamorous. More structure. More visibility. More conversations. More doing and less thinking. Other times, the answer is internal. You are bored. You feel stale. Your thinking has narrowed. You need fresh ideas and intellectual stimulation to feel alive again. Both states are valid. Both matter. What does not work is bouncing between the two with guilt driving every decision. Training when you should be marketing. Marketing when you are exhausted. Never fully committing to either. This constant oscillation drains energy and creates the feeling of always being behind. In a coaching franchise, this is one of the fastest routes to burnout disguised as ambition. Growth happens when learning serves the business - not when it replaces it. Momentum comes from integration, not oscillation. Choosing Integration Instead of Guilt The real skill is learning to integrate. To become the version of you who learns in service of the business, not instead of it. Who markets while integrating new skills. Who still shows up for the business even when the dopamine hit of new knowledge is calling your name. This is where maturity as a business owner develops. Not in choosing one side, but in choosing well. You will feel the difference in your body. If your business has been quiet for months and you have completed three new courses this year, that is not curiosity. That is avoidance. Time to pivot. If your to-do list is endless but you have not felt creatively lit up in months, that is not discipline. That is stagnation. Time to reignite. The People Building coaching franchise is designed to support both growth and execution, but it cannot make the decision for you. Only you can learn to tell the difference between procrastilearning and strategic development. You do not have to choose between learning and building. You just have to choose consciously. by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai) https://www.peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

The Moment Meditation Works - And Why We Ruin It

There’s a strange moment that happens in meditation. You’re still awake. Still conscious. But something inside you loosens its grip. The Moment the Mind Finally Lets Go One minute your head is loud - replaying conversations, rewriting the day, reminding you about the chicken you forgot to defrost. Then, quietly, something clicks. Not sleep. Not distraction. More like effort dissolving. Your body softens. Thoughts thin out. You’re not quite “here” anymore, but you’re not gone either. And for a brief, precious moment, you’re balanced in that in-between space where real internal change actually begins. And that is usually when the mind panics and slams the door shut again. This is the edge most people never realise they’re standing on. Why the Breakthrough State Never Lasts Lately, this has been showing up strongly in my own meditation practice, especially during deeper, Joe Dispenza-style visualisations. Just as that unlocked feeling begins - that whoosh, that sense of dropping beneath effort - the mind intervenes. Sometimes it interrupts with commentary. “Look! It’s happening!” Other times, it drifts so far that I resurface wondering why I’m suddenly dreaming about a donkey at a tea party. Both outcomes miss the point. Both break the spell. It’s like trying to walk a tightrope. Grip too hard and you wobble. Go completely limp and you fall. But somewhere between control and collapse is a state of soft, present awareness. You’re conscious, but not managing. Alert, but not efforting. This is where most people struggle - not because they aren’t capable, but because they are trying too hard to do it properly. The Subtle Skill Nobody Teaches Here is the piece that changes everything. When that floaty, expansive state begins to rise, the work is not to label it. Not to analyse it. Not to grab it and say, “Stay.” The moment you assess the state, you’re no longer in it. You’ve stepped out of experience and into commentary. The goal is not to be a perfect meditator. It is to become no-body, no-one, in no-time. That doesn’t happen while you’re mentally marking your own performance like a clipboard-wielding school inspector. If imagery appears - even strange, surreal, slightly unhinged imagery - let it. Stay conscious enough to know you’re witnessing something, but don’t yank yourself back into the room just because it feels odd. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re getting close. This is exactly the same pattern I see with clients inside the People Building work. Growth stalls not because the nervous system can’t change, but because the mind won’t stop supervising the process. This understanding is foundational in our coaching franchise model - sustainable change requires allowing states, not forcing them. You will fall out of awareness again and again. That isn’t failure - that is the practice itself. Letting the Door Stay Open It’s completely normal to dip in and out of that space. Awareness wobbles. Focus flickers. You climb back in, fall out, and return again. That repetition is not a mistake. It’s how regulation, healing, and emotional resilience are built. So next time you feel the safe unlock inside your mind, resist the urge to announce it. Don’t rush to celebrate. Don’t rush to correct. Let the door stay open. Let the space expand. Let the work happen quietly, beneath effort and beyond commentary. This is not just meditation advice. It’s a principle that runs through every effective piece of deep emotional change work - including the way we support clients through the People Building coaching franchise. Real change rarely looks impressive while it’s happening. Often, it looks strange. Disorientating. Even a bit donkey-at-a-tea-party weird. And that is usually how you know you’re close. by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai) https://www.peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

Hypnotherapy Franchises: A Journey of Empowerment

Hypnotherapy franchises offer a journey of empowerment, both for clients and franchisees. By helping individuals overcome mental and emotional challenges, franchisees can make a meaningful impact on their communities while building a rewarding career. The hypnotherapy industry is growing rapidly as more people seek alternative solutions for mental health challenges. By investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, you can position yourself at the forefront of this growing field, offering clients the support they need to thrive. One of the key benefits of franchising is the structured support it provides. When you buy a franchise, you gain access to proven systems, specialised training, and ongoing guidance from experienced professionals. This framework allows you to focus on delivering exceptional results for your clients without the uncertainties of starting a business from scratch. The demand for mental health services continues to rise, making this an ideal time to enter the hypnotherapy sector. By investing in a franchise, you can tap into this growing market while benefiting from the credibility and recognition of an established brand. This can help you attract clients more easily and build a successful practice quickly. Franchise ownership also offers the opportunity to connect with a network of like-minded individuals. By sharing insights and strategies with fellow franchisees, you can enhance your skills and grow your business more effectively. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and support that is invaluable in the entrepreneurial journey. Beyond the financial rewards, owning a hypnotherapy franchise can be deeply fulfilling. The ability to help clients achieve their goals and overcome challenges provides a sense of purpose that is often hard to find in traditional employment. By aligning your career with your passion for helping others, you can create a business that brings both personal and professional satisfaction. As you consider investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, remember that this is more than just a business opportunity, it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. By empowering clients to achieve their full potential, you can contribute to a healthier, happier society while building a rewarding career for yourself. By the Ai version of Gemma Bailey https://peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

Hypnotherapy Franchises: A New Era of Wellness

Hypnotherapy franchises are ushering in a new era of wellness, offering innovative solutions for mental and emotional well-being. If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact while building a profitable business, investing in a hypnotherapy franchise could be your gateway to success. The hypnotherapy industry is thriving as more people recognise the importance of mental health and well-being. From managing stress and anxiety to overcoming phobias and improving self-confidence, hypnotherapy provides a versatile and effective solution for a wide range of challenges. By investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, you can position yourself at the forefront of this growing field, offering clients the tools they need to thrive. One of the key advantages of franchising is the structured support it provides. When you buy a franchise, you gain access to proven systems, specialised training, and ongoing guidance from experienced professionals. This framework allows you to focus on delivering exceptional results for your clients without the uncertainties of starting a business from scratch. The demand for mental health services continues to rise, making this an ideal time to enter the hypnotherapy sector. By investing in a franchise, you can tap into this growing market while benefiting from the credibility and recognition of an established brand. Franchise ownership also offers the opportunity to connect with a network of like-minded individuals. By sharing insights and strategies with fellow franchisees, you can enhance your skills and grow your business more effectively. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and support that is invaluable in the entrepreneurial journey. Beyond the financial rewards, owning a hypnotherapy franchise can be deeply fulfilling. The ability to help clients achieve their goals and overcome challenges provides a sense of purpose that is often hard to find in traditional employment. By aligning your career with your passion for helping others, you can create a business that brings both personal and professional satisfaction. As you consider investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, remember that this is more than just a business opportunity, it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. By transforming wellness, you can contribute to a healthier, happier society while building a rewarding career for yourself. By the Ai version of Gemma Bailey https://peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

Making Space Is the Real Work

There’s a lie we tell ourselves when something really matters - and it sounds sensible enough that we rarely challenge it. “I’ll do it when life calms down.” But life doesn’t calm down. It fills every available gap, expands into every spare minute, and before you know it, another year has passed with the same intentions and the same results. This is something that’s been coming up again and again in conversations with our practitioners lately, especially those growing or stepping into a coaching franchise. Why ‘finding the time’ is a myth When you’re starting a new business - or trying to make your current one actually blossom - you have to make space for it to grow. Not someday. Not eventually. Not once everything else is sorted. Because that version of time doesn’t exist yet. We all have the same twenty-four hours. Nobody is hiding a secret stash of extra minutes. So if something new is going to live in your life, something old has to go. That’s not a productivity hack. It’s a law of reality. You can’t add without subtracting. And pretending otherwise is one of the quiet ways people sabotage themselves while telling themselves they’re being patient. If your diary is already full, your dream has nowhere to land. Growth doesn’t happen in theory. It happens in booked slots. Between wanting change and creating it is a decision most people avoid. What usually has to go (and why it feels uncomfortable) Sometimes it’s obvious. Sometimes it’s not. Maybe it’s your nightly dose of EastEnders - the ritual that signals the end of the day but also quietly eats an hour you’ll never get back. Maybe it’s a couple of evenings away from your partner while you focus on building what you say you want long-term. Not forever. Just for a season. Maybe it’s sleep - yes, sorry - maybe the alarm needs to go a little earlier so progress happens before the world even knows you’re awake. None of this is about being brutal. It’s about being deliberate. Because if you don’t choose what gives way, life will choose for you. And life tends to choose your ambitions first. In every successful coaching franchise I’ve seen grow sustainably, there’s been a moment where the person stopped waiting for permission and started protecting time like it mattered. Because it does. Comfort is expensive. It just sends the bill later. Why doing more of the same won’t get you more Here’s the part people don’t love hearing. If you keep doing what you’ve always done - thinking the same way, prioritising the same things, reacting to the same chaos - you are going to keep getting the same results. Wanting “more” while living the same schedule is a contradiction. Bigger business. Better income. Deeper impact. Greater freedom. Those outcomes require different inputs. This is where mindset and logistics collide. You can have all the belief in the world, but if there is no protected time for action, nothing changes. This is one of the foundations we build into our coaching franchise model - not motivation, but structure that supports momentum. Because motivation fades. Diaries don’t. When something is written down, booked, and non-negotiable, it moves from fantasy into reality. It becomes part of who you are, not just something you talk about wanting. And yes, it will feel uncomfortable at first. That’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign you’re doing something new. Making space is the real work You want more? Bigger? Better? Then you need to schedule it in. Literally. In your diary. Blocked. Defended. Treated with the same respect you’d give a client appointment. The truth is, you can be, do, or have anything - yes, anything - but not without making space for it. Magic doesn’t just arrive. It needs somewhere to land. And this is why so many people hover on the edge of change without ever stepping into it. Not because they lack talent or intelligence, but because they never cleared the ground. Whether you’re building your first offer, growing a coaching franchise, or trying to turn potential into something tangible, the question is the same: What are you willing to let go of so the next version of your life can exist? Because until something shifts, nothing does. by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai) https://www.peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

Why Judgement Feels Powerful - and Why It Hurts

You can say exactly what you see and still not be judging - and that distinction changes everything. Most people think judgement starts with harsh words or sharp opinions. It doesn’t. It starts far earlier, in a tiny, almost invisible moment where the brain quietly adds, “and that means…”. I was teaching a DBT session recently, and we found ourselves right in that moment. The difference between data and the story you tell yourself Someone asked, “If I just describe what someone is doing - is that me being judgemental?” And the answer is no. Not if you’re staying with what your senses are actually picking up. If someone’s voice is rising, they’re talking faster, louder, waving their arms around, leaning into your space - that’s data. Observable, neutral, factual. You can feed it back and say, “Are you feeling angry?” You’re asking a question. You’re staying curious. You’re not assuming. But the moment you say, “Why are you so angry?” something subtle has shifted. You’ve told a story. You’ve decided that behaviour equals anger. You’ve stopped asking and started concluding. That’s where judgement lives. Judgement lives in the gap between what happened and what you think it means. And most of us don’t even notice that gap opening. Between noticing and naming is where emotional freedom either grows - or collapses. A moment when judgement felt justified I shared a story with the group that always lands hard. A friend of mine was once on a course. The person sitting next to him picked up his wallet - yes, really - said, “This is nice,” opened it, rifled through his credit cards, and started showing them to other people. What followed was entirely predictable. Rage. Shock. And then the judgements came flooding in. “This guy’s entitled.” “He has no boundaries.” “He must be a narcissist.” At some point, my friend stopped mid-rant and said, “I’m being judgemental, aren’t I?” “Yes,” I said. “Are you ready to let that go now?” He paused. “…No. Not yet.” And that matters. Because sometimes we know we’re judging - and we’re not ready to release it. Why judgement feels powerful (and why it costs so much) Judgement can feel intoxicating. It gives us a sense of control. It positions us as right, sane, moral. It soothes the nervous system in the short term by giving our anger somewhere to land. But in DBT, we say that judgement is suffering in disguise. It feels like power, but it’s actually a tight grip on something that’s already happened. The body stays tense. The mind keeps replaying. The moment never gets to end. This is something I see again and again in People Building work - and it’s one of the quiet skills we develop in every coaching franchise we run. Not the removal of judgement by force, but the ability to notice it without becoming it. Because judgement isn’t a flaw. It’s a habit. And like all habits, it loosens when it’s brought into awareness. The single question that interrupts autopilot So this week, notice when your mind adds, “and that means…”. That phrase is your tell. That’s the instant judgement sneaks in and takes the wheel. When you catch it, don’t scold yourself. Don’t try to be “better”. Just ask, gently, “Am I ready to let that go?” If the answer is no, that’s honest. If it’s yes, that’s relief. Either way, you’ve stepped out of autopilot. And that’s where change begins - not through perfection, but through awareness. This capacity to notice without collapsing into judgement is one of the foundations we teach across the People Building community, and it’s a core reason our coaching franchise model works so powerfully with real human emotion. When you can sit in the gap without rushing to meaning, you create space for choice. And choice is where healing lives. Whether you’re doing this work for yourself or noticing how it shows up in others, remember - judgement isn’t the enemy. Unnoticed judgement is. See you next time, by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai) https://www.peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise

Hypnotherapy Franchises: A Catalyst for Change

Hypnotherapy franchises serve as a catalyst for change, empowering clients to overcome mental and emotional challenges while offering franchisees a rewarding career path. By investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, you can make a meaningful impact on your community while achieving your own professional goals. The hypnotherapy industry is thriving as more people recognise the importance of mental health and well-being. From managing stress and anxiety to overcoming phobias and improving self-confidence, hypnotherapy provides a versatile and effective solution for a wide range of challenges. By investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, you can position yourself at the forefront of this growing field, offering clients the tools they need to thrive. One of the key advantages of franchising is the structured support it provides. When you buy a franchise, you gain access to proven systems, specialised training, and ongoing guidance from experienced professionals. This framework allows you to focus on delivering exceptional results for your clients without the uncertainties of starting a business from scratch. The demand for mental health services continues to rise, making this an ideal time to enter the hypnotherapy sector. By investing in a franchise, you can tap into this growing market while benefiting from the credibility and recognition of an established brand. This can help you attract clients more easily and build a successful practice quickly. Franchise ownership also offers the opportunity to connect with a network of like-minded individuals. By sharing insights and strategies with fellow franchisees, you can enhance your skills and grow your business more effectively. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and support that is invaluable in the entrepreneurial journey. Beyond the financial rewards, owning a hypnotherapy franchise can be deeply fulfilling. The ability to help clients achieve their goals and overcome challenges provides a sense of purpose that is often hard to find in traditional employment. By aligning your career with your passion for helping others, you can create a business that brings both personal and professional satisfaction. As you consider investing in a hypnotherapy franchise, remember that this is more than just a business opportunity, it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. By empowering clients to achieve their full potential, you can contribute to a healthier, happier society while building a rewarding career for yourself. By the Ai version of Gemma Bailey https://peoplebuilding.co.uk/franchise