Whatever It Takes: The Mindset That’s Getting Me Through
Every so often, life throws us a season that tests our grit, determination and resilience - a season that forces us to re-evaluate what matters most. For me, it’s recently been one of those seasons. And it’s led me to adopt a mantra that’s been guiding my thoughts, my actions and my choices over the past few months: Whatever it takes.
Now, before you roll your eyes and assume this is another dose of self-development fluff - let me stop you there. This is my own personal experience, as you’ll see from the examples from my life below and in episode 34 of The Solo Coach Podcast.
“Whatever it takes” is the mindset that’s helping me navigate change, burnout, and renewal - both personally and professionally.
Let’s explore the 5 components of Whatever it takes:
1. Look to nature for the answers
A few weeks ago, I was walking past one of my favourite willow trees here in Leeds. It was shedding its beautiful green leaves - the same ones we’d all admired through spring and summer.
And it struck me how nature never clings to old growth. It sheds this year’s leaves to make way for next year’s. It pauses, rests, and regenerates. So my invitation to you - and to myself - is to pause and take stock as the seasons change.
What season are you in right now? In your business, your relationships, your health, your personal growth; where are you being called to shed, rest, or prepare for new growth?
Because just like in nature, change is the only constant. And sometimes, growth requires letting go first.
2. Trying something else is not failure
Here’s something I’ve been nervous to share publicly. In September, I took a step back from the day-to-day running and growth of The Solo Coach.
After months of creative burnout — trying to push through with holidays, tweaks, and re-strategising — I realised I didn’t need a break. I needed a change.
So, I made the decision to step back into full-time employment in HR. Not forever — but for a season.
And I’ll be honest: this is my version of doing whatever it takes.
It’s given me breathing space — financially, mentally, emotionally — to pause, take stock, and re-evaluate what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what comes next.
Trying something else isn’t failure. It’s simply a different path to the same destination. And it’s whatever you decide it is.
3. Look to the greats for examples
Whenever I need perspective, I look to those who’ve persisted through failure - and eventually succeeded because of it.
Take Rocky. The film script was rejected over 1,500 times before it became a blockbuster franchise.
Or Thomas Edison, who famously said he didn’t fail 10,000 times at inventing the light bulb - he simply found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.
Or even closer to home, Paul McGee, author of SUMO (Shut Up, Move On), whose book was rejected by 13 publishers before one finally said yes. And it became an international bestseller, and the publisher’s best selling title ever.
These examples remind me that persistence isn’t about never failing. It’s about staying the course, even when you’re not sure how the ending will unfold.
4. Persistence doesn’t always look like hard graft
My mum has been through a tremendously difficult year, one that’s forced her to stop working and focus entirely on rest and recovery. And she’s done exactly that.
She’s listened to her body. She’s respected her limits. And she’s recovering faster than anyone thought possible — doctors, therapists, family, the lot.
She’s taught me that persistence doesn’t always mean relentless hustle. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop. To radically rest. To listen to the warnings before they become lessons.
Because ignoring those signs — the fatigue, the burnout, the emotional exhaustion — is never sustainable.
Sometimes, persistence means pausing to recharge your batteries, too.
5. Stay true to yourself, no matter what
As a recovering people-pleaser, this one still challenges me daily.
There have been countless times I’ve bent myself into shapes that don’t fit, just to keep the peace or please someone else — a boss, a partner, a client, a friend. But the truth is, when you contort yourself to be what others want, you lose sight of who you are.
Complete selflessness can be selfish — because it ultimately hurts you, and the people around you, when you’re not showing up as your authentic self.
The kindest thing you can do for others is to stay true to yourself.
Have the difficult conversations. Be honest about what’s working and what isn’t. Say no when you mean no. Because if something’s not aligned, it’s better to acknowledge it now than to let it fester.
Whatever It Takes
For me, doing whatever it takes has meant slowing down, saying no to a few things, and re-connecting with some familiar stability, through a full-time role within an organisation. It’s also meant redefining what persistence looks like, not as endless hustle, but as showing up as my true self, and responding to the call when my body asks me for rest.
So my question to you is this: What season are you in right now?
And what does “whatever it takes” look like for you? Or have you got another mantra, that serves you in the good and tough times, alike?
You can always reach me via david@thesolocoach.co.uk or on Instagram at @thesolocoach - I’d genuinely love to hear from you.
To your future and ongoing success,
- David
The Solo Coach
