V8 engines and the surprising secret to focus 👀

Over the weekend, I stepped away from everything and disappeared into the countryside near Kawerau. We made it out to Matatā, where the hot rod event had transformed the seaside settlement into a symphony of rumbling V8 engines and gleaming chrome.

I caught up with people I hadn't seen in years and spent most of the time as a very happy passenger in a stunning Pontiac. The year and specs? They escaped me entirely! I was too busy soaking up the ride.

But here's what stayed with me: stepping outside the usual rhythm reminded me how desperately our brains need time and space. Not just to relax, but to genuinely reset and return to clarity.

It also reinforced something I've been sharing with families recently:

When stress hijacks your thinking, it feels like your brain has packed a bag and left without notice.

But here's what most people don't realise, stress bursts typically only last a couple of minutes. The wave feels enormous in the moment, yet it passes faster than we think.

Next time you feel that rising overwhelm, try this: Set a timer for two minutes. Pause. Breathe. Just wait.

By the time that wave passes, your problem-solving brain is back online. The fog lifts. And suddenly, the next step feels not only clearer, but completely manageable.

If you missed last week's YouTube presentation where my son Carl and I share our own lived experiences of stress and unpack how to flip the switch from panic mode to problem-solving mode.

And if it resonated with you, feel free to forward this on to someone else navigating the same journey.

Watch the latest episode here: https://youtu.be/d0L07xa4P0M