The concept of a "mental hack" can be alluring, especially in the fast-paced world of business where quick solutions and shortcuts often seem like the key to progress. However, these hacks can pose significant dangers when they cause a deviation from a company’s core mission. A strong mission is the foundation of any successful business, serving as a guiding star for decision-making and long-term growth.
When a mental hack promises an easier path, it can lead to choices that prioritize immediate gratification over the company’s fundamental values and long-term objectives. In the podcast, Greg and I speak of how to move a business forward maintaining a long-term perspective, ensuring that as methods and technologies evolve in a New Way of Doing Business, a healthy mindset, core values and purpose remain steadfast with sustainable success.
In addition, we dive into what it really takes to navigate the pivotal transitions that come at halftime in life. From redefining success and purpose to embracing new tools and technologies that support a modern lifestyle business, this additional podcast episode (below) explores how to build a future aligned with your values and strengths. Whether you’re ready for your next chapter or just beginning to ask what’s possible, this synopsis of our Q&A interview discussion offers real-world strategies and inspiration to move forward with clarity and courage.
Q: What do you mean by “after” when you talk about stepping into what’s next? How does that tie into rediscovering yourself? Does it mean stopping what you’re doing?
A: Not necessarily. “After” doesn’t mean you have to stop what you’re currently doing—it’s more about reassessing, redefining, and possibly reformatting your life or work. Often this stage comes around midlife—typically after age 40 or 45—when many people hit what I call halftime. It's that moment when you look up and think, “I’ve been doing this for a while—do I want to keep going in this exact direction, or is it time for a shift?” Rediscovering yourself at this point doesn’t always require a drastic career change. You might simply reshape your current role, take on projects that align more with your values, or start a small side venture. It’s about being intentional with the next chapter—what I call the after—and defining the lifestyle you truly want moving forward.
Q: There are probably a zillion self-doubts that come up when you're trying something new. How do you overcome those to move forward?
A: Overcoming self-doubt starts with taking a step back to gain perspective and intentionally working on your mindset. It’s completely normal—even high achievers and seasoned professionals face imposter syndrome. I’ve seen it firsthand in colleagues who are incredibly talented, yet still wonder, “Will anyone believe in me?” I remember teaching a college music business class and bringing in some fellow musicians and band members to speak. Afterward, we laughed nervously, asking each other, “Do you think we fooled them?”—and these were professionals at the top of their game. That feeling of not being enough sneaks in no matter your level of experience. Even actors like Tom Hanks have admitted to it. The key is recognizing that self-doubt doesn’t disqualify you—it’s something nearly everyone wrestles with. Once you acknowledge it, you can move forward anyway, knowing it’s not a reflection of your actual ability.
Q: So it really takes stepping back—especially as we approach AI. Some people are afraid of it, thinking of movies where robots take over. How do we shift that mindset?
A: Absolutely—it does take stepping back and gaining perspective. A lot of people associate AI with sci-fi scenarios, like walking into a Star Wars movie and seeing rows of identical white clones lined up, ready to take over. That image can be intimidating! But the reality is very different. AI isn’t here to take over your life—it’s a tool, much like a calculator. When you understand what’s behind it, it becomes far less scary and much more useful. That’s why I emphasize in the book the importance of understanding, even at a basic level. When you take time to see how AI can support your work, not replace your humanity, the fear starts to fade. You don’t have to become a tech expert—you just need enough clarity to use it with confidence.
Q: Can AI really help us at this stage, or is it just too much to learn?
A: Yes, AI can absolutely help us at this stage—and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. One of the most encouraging things about AI is that it builds upon what you put into it. The more you use a tool like ChatGPT, for example, the more helpful it becomes, learning from your input and adapting to your needs. I’ve personally used it as a writing partner—asking it to rephrase sections, offer alternate wording, and even help generate creative illustrations for parts of my book, Power of After. It’s not about mastering everything at once; it’s about experimenting and using what serves you best. ChatGPT is accessible through a simple website (chat.openai.com), while more advanced tools like DeepSeek can be downloaded if you prefer local control. The key is to start small and remember that AI can speed up tasks like brainstorming, editing, and research. Just like with Google, you still need to verify sources—but AI can significantly expand and support a lifestyle business or creative venture if you give it quality input. It’s fast, responsive, and—when used wisely—a powerful tool for this next chapter.
Q: What do you mean by "reinventing wealth"?
A: Reinventing wealth starts with redefining what financial freedom actually means—and it begins with mindset. There’s freedom in adopting a healthier financial attitude, especially when it comes to debt. Right now, both the nation and individual households are burdened with rising debt, particularly credit card debt. And it’s not just inflation causing this—it's the extras, the lifestyle upgrades that stretch people beyond their means. We’ve talked about how major expenses like homes and cars can easily spiral out of control when people try to live beyond their financial reality. I’ve seen firsthand how people who looked successful on the outside—buying dream homes while working part-time or juggling side gigs—ended up losing everything because they were in over their heads. Reinventing wealth is about reversing that pattern. It’s about getting out of debt far enough to give yourself breathing room—the freedom to think creatively, experiment with ideas, and plan what comes after. When you’re not enslaved to every paycheck or drowning in payments, you gain the freedom to explore new opportunities without fear. That’s true wealth: flexibility, peace of mind, and the ability to move forward with purpose.
Application & Takeaway
As you reflect on these insights, the message is clear: stepping into what’s next doesn’t require starting over—it requires stepping back, redefining your value, and using the tools already within your reach. Whether it’s overcoming self-doubt, embracing AI without fear, or reimagining what wealth and freedom truly mean, the key is forward movement—on your terms. Recognize your experience, acknowledge your skills, and allow space for curiosity and reinvention. Use AI as a support, not a threat. Reframe your finances to create freedom, not pressure. And most importantly, give yourself permission to grow into your Power of After—with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
A Hacked System
Experiencing a computer hack can be incredibly frustrating and traumatic, as it disrupts your workflow and leaves you feeling helpless. My experience of a major website hack led to the realization that the issues faced in a hacked system are very similar to the mental blocks many people experience in their personal and professional lives. Just as malware corrupts a computer, negative thoughts, unhealthy mindsets, and bad habits can corrupt our thinking, keeping us stuck in unproductive cycles. The process of identifying and removing the bad code from a website that keeps duplicating itself became a powerful metaphor for understanding how to address and overcome mental barriers.
This revelation inspired the creation of the book Bad Code: Overcoming Bad Mental Code that Sabotages Your Life, where the parallels between digital corruption and mental roadblocks are explored in-depth. The journey to remove malware from a website highlighted the importance of diagnosing the root cause of problems, whether in technology or in life. It also underscored the need for the right mental tools and strategies to overcome these obstacles. Just as a website can’t function properly until the bad code is removed, our minds can’t operate at their best until we clear out the negative influences and develop a healthier, more productive mindset. This understanding is crucial, especially in our world where information overload and mixed messages can easily lead us astray.
Q&A "Reinventing Work, Wealth & Meaning" Podcast
"Mindset Shift" Podcast
Mindset Shift
In both athletics and music, achieving excellence requires a significant mindset shift. Just as an athlete must refine their techniques and training regimens to reach peak performance, musicians must also adjust their approach to practice to overcome challenges and achieve mastery. A pivotal moment often comes when a person realizes that their current methods, whether in preparation or execution, are not yielding the desired results. This moment of frustration can be the catalyst for change, pushing individuals to adopt new strategies and mindsets that lead to improvement.
For example, as a musician, you might find that a piece of music isn’t coming together as it should, no matter how many times you practice. The realization that you’re simply reinforcing mistakes rather than correcting them can be a wake-up call. This is when you need to slow down, break down the music into smaller sections, and practice deliberately and methodically. Over time, this disciplined approach becomes a mindset—a new normal—that leads to higher levels of performance.
Jascha Heifetz, Violinist
Jascha Heifetz, often hailed as one of the greatest violinists of all time, had a highly disciplined practice routine that contributed significantly to his technical mastery. Heifetz’s approach to practice emphasized slow and meticulous work on difficult passages. He believed in isolating challenging sections, practicing them at a reduced tempo to ensure precision in intonation and bowing. This method allowed him to focus on every detail and build the muscle memory needed for flawless performance. Repetition of these isolated sections was also key, as it helped reinforce technical accuracy and ease under performance pressure.
In addition to physical practice, Heifetz also incorporated mental rehearsal, visualizing the correct execution of difficult passages without his instrument. This mental practice reinforced his technical and interpretative strategies, ensuring that his performances were as close to perfection as possible. These methods are detailed in various biographies and books about Heifetz's life and work, such as Heifetz As I Knew Him by Ayke Agus.
External Influences
In the digital age, our mindsets can be compromised by external influences, much like how a computer system can be hacked by malicious code. The principle of "mental encryption" protects us from unhealthy messages and influences that can infiltrate our thoughts and behaviors. Encryption is a method to block hackers, similar to blocking access online until a code sent to your email or phone is used to verify your identity.
"Phishing" is a term often used as certain messages attempt to fool us. Is the message or offer real? They look real! Now, there are many warnings to never just click on a link. Go directly to the source. This directly relates to our mindset with ideas that seem beneficial on the surface but can actually lead us away from our core values and mission.
Internal and External Influences
Maintaining a strong mindset requires a solid foundation of core values that align with your mission. This ensures that while your methods may evolve, your mission remains intact. When you're stuck or find that your strategies aren't yielding the desired results, it's important to step back, assess, and realign your methods and mindset with your mission, rather than abandoning the mission itself. This process not only keeps your business on track but also reinforces the importance of a mindset that is resilient against unhealthy external influences.
A common mindset that can hinder progress is the belief that what we currently have is "good enough," which may prevent us from striving for improvement or innovation. Complacency, encapsulated in the attitude of "it's good enough now, we don't need to change a thing" is similar to never watering or trimming a plant or tree because it looks good just as it is. Unless there is the willingness to cut branches that are withering and dead and keep watering on a regular schedule, there will be no growth or fruit.
Blockbuster Video
An example of a business that stagnated due to thinking their product was "good enough" is Blockbuster. In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was a dominant player in the video rental market. Our family frequented them often, checking out favorite VHS tapes with popular movies. However, the company failed to innovate and adapt to the changing market, particularly in response to the rise of Netflix, which offered a mail-in DVD service and later, streaming options.
Blockbuster's leadership believed their in-store rental model was sufficient and did not take the threat of new technology seriously, which led to their eventual bankruptcy as consumers shifted to more convenient digital platforms. Blockbuster's complacency and reluctance to evolve its business model serve as a cautionary tale of how "good enough" can lead to decline in a rapidly changing industry.
Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster’s Inevitable Bust by Alan Payne documents this. Another relevant book is Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America's Eyeballs by Gina Keating, which delves into the rivalry between Blockbuster and Netflix, highlighting how Blockbuster's complacency and failure to innovate contributed to its downfall.
Mindset and Mission
Your mindset is directly tied to your mission, which is tied to your core values. If you're feeling stuck or not seeing the results you desire, it may be time to evaluate whether your mindset is aligned with your mission. Are you resistant to change or growth? Are you relying on outdated methods because they feel comfortable? A successful mission-driven life requires a mindset that is open to growth, continuous learning, and sometimes, the willingness to abandon old habits that no longer serve your goals.
It is easy to focus on new methods and tech tools, especially with the explosive growth of AI. However, adopting new tools without careful consideration of their alignment with one's core objectives and values is dangerous. Just having tools or methods is not enough but also a clear understanding of why these tools are being used—ensuring they serve a mission rooted in solid, well-considered values.
Additional resources
Stop Circling: Steps to Escape Endless Roundabouts by Deborah Johnson. See appendix on core values
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck PhD.
Power of After: What’s Next Can Be Your Most Purposeful Chapter by Deborah Johnson
- about Greg & Deb
GREG joins DEBORAH as a co-host on Women at Halftime Podcast once a month.
GREG JOHNSON is a former professional athlete, a triple A relief-pitcher with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) He also has years of experience in sales and as an R.I.A. (Registered Investment Advisor), owning his own business. He & Deb met on a blind date and have been married over 40 years.
When a mental hack promises an easier path, it can lead to choices that prioritize immediate gratification over the company’s fundamental values and long-term objectives.
deborah johnson
Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author
If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning
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