Open Spaces Africa

Most people think burnout comes from working too hard.
I'd like to suggest it's slightly more specific than that.

Fuel is the work that lights you up. The creative problem, the bold idea, the work that sends you down a rabbit hole at 11pm because you actually want to be there.

Ballast is the work that grounds you. The reliable deliverable, the trusted process, the thing you can do well even when Zoom decides to update itself at the exact moment you're already late for the meeting.

Both matter. Neither is enough alone.

Fuel without ballast and you're brilliant but chaotic. Full of ideas that somehow never quite land.
Ballast without fuel and you're impressively productive but quietly going dark inside.

The people I've watched sustain genuinely great work over time have, consciously or not, designed their work to contain both.

The question worth asking: what is your fuel and when did you last have enough of it?

# OSA

In coaching ourselves and others, it is painfully clear that the hidden lies, those untruths we don't even realise we believe, are a very powerful driving force in the decisions we make and ultimately the life we live, the business we do, the career we build. Even more powerful than the truths we proclaim. Why? Because we are mentally biased towards fear and the most powerful lies fuel our fears. So my question: what are our biggest fears? Are they based on a truth or a lie? What do we need to let go of now?

Are You Running Zombie Projects?
(A leadership reflection for anyone navigating growth, purpose and capacity.)

In coaching conversations, something comes up again and again:
Not everything we are carrying is actually alive.

Some projects, roles or commitments continue simply because we keep them going — not because they are growing.

Zombie projects look like this:
• They no longer multiply or produce fruit
• They drain more energy than they give back
• They stay on your list because of habit or history
• They once had life, but no longer align with who you’re becoming
• You’re maintaining them… not moving them.

And the reasons we hold onto them are understandable:
• We’ve already invested time
• We’ve invested money
• We depend on the revenue
• We don’t want to disappoint ourselves or other people
• We don’t want to appear or feel a failure
• We remember what they used to be
• Stopping feels riskier than continuing

Sometimes a project isn’t dead - a project, role or commitment that isn’t growing may no longer be yours to steward.
it simply needs:
• a new leader,
• a new structure,
• a new season,
• or a new pair of hands.

Letting go (or handing over) isn’t failure.
It’s wisdom, stewardship and strategic alignment.

If you’re in a season of reassessing capacity and purpose, here are some helpful coaching questions:
• What is draining instead of developing me?
• What am I keeping alive out of fear or habit?
• Where has the grace or momentum left?
• What would flourish instead if I released this?
• Who else might be better positioned to grow it?
• What needs to end (or be passed on) so something new can begin?

Growth often requires pruning.
Focus often requires release.
Leadership often requires courage in the direction of clarity.

Sometimes the most strategic move is not to start something…
but to stop something.
Burn the ship. Or hand it over.

What “zombie projects” might be holding you back from your next season of growth?

Timeless lessons for building a business that lasts...

1️⃣ Focus on Value, Not Titles
Our worth lies in the outcomes we create and the people we uplift — not in job titles, certificates, or labels.

2️⃣ Lead with Curiosity and a Teachable Spirit
Ask better questions, listen more and talk less. This is how we learn something new, open doors, build trust, and show honour and respect to others.

3️⃣ Master Capital
Price, package, give, and grow wisely — freedom comes from financial strategy, not billable hours.

4️⃣ Outcomes Over Optics
Choose collaborators and tools that deliver results, not just appearances.

5️⃣ Relationships First
Strong partnerships and our trusted circles sustain our business when challenges arise. Honour them with care, attention, reliability and trust.

6️⃣ Own Our Story
We are not like our competitors and peers — we each have a unique way to create value with our work. We just have to own it and share it authentically.

7️⃣ Turn Data Into Insight, Information Into Influence
Translate data into communication that resonates with people’s heads AND hearts, driving positive action.

8️⃣ Build Powerful Partnerships
Long-term collaborations with clients and associates who share our values create scale and sustainability. Be a valuable partner.

9️⃣ Progress, Not Just Motion
Busy is not the same as valuable — focus energy on building things that matter and will last.

🔟 Protect Standards
We become what we tolerate. Choose clients and partners aligned with integrity and excellence.

(Inspired by insights recently shared by Ralf Kaiser on LinkedIn, reframed here for general business and leadership.)

👉 Which of these 10 principles speaks most to you right now?

In a business, it’s easy to go on autopilot.
But what if you created a system that inspires presence?

Yesterday’s newsletter from Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, reminded me of a truth that’s easy to forget in the busyness of business: Service isn’t just about efficiency and delivery.
It’s about presence. About paying attention.

In a world where everyone’s rushing to tick boxes and move on, actually seeing the people we serve — their needs, quirks, worries, and aspirations — is what makes the difference. Whether you’re in consulting, hospitality, design, or tech, people know when they’ve been seen.
And they never forget it.

Let's not just serve our customers, but see them.
Presence is powerful.

Not just transactions.
Not just tasks.
People.

Life is fun when your friends are dynamic radio personalities! Thank you Gizéla Möller for the warm invite and authentic conversation on business, coaching, burnout and other things that matter. Grateful for spaces like these!

A special group of people came together on a cold and wet winter morning, June 7, with warm hearts and a clear intention: to discover more of their unique gifts and purpose in this world. Vulnerably and powerfully sharing their stories, finding courage to break free from the constraints of labels, lies, boxes and past events, and walking forward with determination, knowing that they are enough, to make the world a much better place, right where they are, being who they truly and fully are. It was a privilege to share this space and time together - blessings on your journey!

Thank you to Renaissance Equestrian Centre & Stables for your (as always) beautiful and blessed venue, which creates a space for remarkable journeys of the soul and spirit.

Who are you when no one is watching?
When the roles fall away.
When the pressure lifts.
When the lies are silent.
When you’re just… you?

Maybe it’s time to reconnect with that version of you.
✨ Join us for the True You Blueprint workshop — 7 June, Somerset West https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bj5CZjPbc/

Discover your identity. Align with your purpose. Live with passion.
Why wait?

https://openspacesafrica.co.za/true-you-blueprint/

What an incredible Women in Business May 2025 event hosted by the lovely, determined and passionately purposeful Yonela Nongwe Mneno, founder of Ndiyazazi. It was a privilege to be a part of the space you created for upliftment, learning, sharing and caring as we build community in business. Ladies, you want to check out Ndiyazazi's upcoming events!