Flying Solo

Attention is one of the most valuable resources in a solo business, yet it’s constantly being pulled toward emails, notifications, scrolling, and other low-priority tasks. In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby speaks with Adam Williams, author of Mega Focus, about the “attention tax”: the cost of giving your focus to the wrong things.. Adam explains why multitasking is really rapid task-switching, how distraction trains the brain toward easier work, and why willpower alone won’t protect your focus. The conversation covers practical ways to “remove to improve,” identify what deserves your attention, protect your energy, and create more space for meaningful work, creativity, and the life you want to build. The attention tax Adam Williams defines the attention tax as “paying attention to the wrong things,” especially when something less important displaces what matters most 03:17. The cost isn’t only lost time. It’s what that time could have become if directed toward your goals, relationships, or business 24:34. Adam Williams illustrates the idea through his struggle to put down his phone and give his daughter his full attention 02:02. Attention is a personal choice, even when technology is competing aggressively for it 17:02. The brain’s “architect” and “builder” Adam Williams describes the deliberate mind as the architect, designing the life you want, and the automatic mind as the builder, carrying out familiar behaviours 06:39. The builder seeks to conserve energy, avoid discomfort, and find immediate rewards 07:13. Easy emails, notifications, and small administrative tasks can feel productive while merely creating activity instead of meaningful progress 08:15. Repeatedly switching tasks trains the builder to keep returning to whatever is easiest and most comfortable 09:12. Why multitasking damages focus Adam Williams says multitasking can lower IQ by 10 points and makes people slower, less creative, and more prone to mistakes 10:53. The brain doesn’t truly process two tasks at once. It switches rapidly between them 12:02. An interruption can take only a few seconds, but the recovery period may stretch to around 23 minutes before full focus returns 09:39. A short interruption often leads to checking email, following links, and losing track of where the original task was left 10:04. Building an environment for better attention Willpower won’t hold up for long. Adam Williams recommends changing the environment so distractions are harder to reach 22:39. His “remove to improve” approach focuses on subtracting distractions instead of adding more productivity tools 23:16. Treating a smartphone like a wall phone, keeping it in one place, and using a computer where possible can reduce unnecessary checking 17:58. Writing down unfinished thoughts at night helps with “cognitive offloading” and makes it easier to close the day and sleep 34:26. 00:00 Balancing work and family mornings 04:48 Managing Priorities and Focus 09:12 Training the builder mindset 12:44 Intelligence vs. Attention and Focus 17:02 Personal responsibility with technology 19:39 Managing Attention and Self-Identity 23:16 Understanding subtractive wisdom 25:15 Introducing the attention tax calculator 30:35 Exploring Personal Happiness and Desires 34:26 Prioritising sleep and focus 35:41 Adam Williams' book release     Host: Cec Busby Sound: Abu Baker Guest: Adam Williams. Find out more about Adam. Adam's Book Mega Focus is out October 28 2026, through Wiley. Key topicsTimestamped overviewListen now: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Difficult conversations rarely improve with age. Whether it’s scope creep, late payment, missed deadlines, or a client relationship turning sour, avoiding the issue can turn a small problem into an expensive dispute. In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby talks with workplace lawyer Jennifer Bicknell, the “un-lawyery lawyer,” about how to tackle uncomfortable conversations with clarity and empathy. Jennifer Bicknell shares her six W’s for planning a conversation, explains why “help me understand” can change the tone, and offers practical ways to set boundaries without damaging the relationship. Start with the problem while it’s still small, she says, before it becomes a volcano. 1. Why difficult conversations get avoided Jennifer Bicknell says conflict avoidance is normal, but allowing problems to continue creates bigger consequences. She compares avoidance to trying to will away a toothache at 01:24. Her analysis of workplace disputes found three recurring reasons: people don’t know what to say, want to be liked, or fear something bad will happen at 02:13. Avoidance can lead to poor sleep, increased legal costs, and small disputes that grow into “a little bit like a volcano” at 03:42. Jennifer Bicknell advises dealing with problems while they’re still small, when humour and a lighter approach may still be possible at 31:54. 2. Handling scope creep and late payments Scope creep often begins with small requests that business owners accept because they want to please the client or protect the relationship at 05:16. Instead of framing additional work as letting a client down, Jennifer Bicknell recommends presenting it as an opportunity to create more value, then discussing the new price at 06:48. For unpaid invoices, she suggests finding out whether the issue is financial dissatisfaction or something else before deciding what to do next at 08:06. If a client hasn’t paid, Jennifer Bicknell recommends pausing further work and saying, “we need to settle our outstanding accounts” before continuing at 08:56. 3. A practical structure for difficult conversations Jennifer Bicknell teaches the “6 W’s” for planning: define what winning looks like, identify who you’re speaking with, clarify the what and why, choose when to speak, and consider where the conversation should happen at 12:01. The issue should be explainable in one or two sentences. Otherwise, she warns, people risk delivering “verbal vomit” instead of a clear message at 12:54. Her execution framework starts with a little small talk, followed by a clear statement of the topic, then space for the other person to respond at 18:43.After listening, move into solution mode, agree on an outcome, and review it later if needed at 20:09 4. Staying clear without escalating conflict Jennifer Bicknell recommends focusing on behaviour rather than labelling the person. Saying “you are a bully” shuts down the conversation, while describing the behaviour keeps it open at 15:57. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt and use the phrase “You may not have realised it, but…” to create room for them to acknowledge the impact of their actions at 17:09. Keep feedback short and explain why the issue matters instead of using a confusing feedback sandwich at 22:06. When emotions rise, stay calm, speak privately, and return to the relevant contract, terms of service, or position description rather than making it personal at 27:18. 00:00 Reasons for workplace disputes 05:57 Navigating client requests 08:06 Handling client payments and issues 13:20 Discussing timely work delivery 17:09 Discussing communication and conflict resolution 18:43 Starting a conversation with ease 22:06 Effective feedback delivery 27:18 Handling disagreements thoughtfully 30:37 Avoiding Free Work Pitfalls 32:44 Trusting Your Business Instincts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever spent hours circling the same business problem, this episode is for you. Cec Busby speaks with organisational creativity expert Ken Hudson, author of Switch Thinking, about breaking familiar thought patterns and getting unstuck in just a couple of minutes. Ken explains how switching perspectives, questions, focus, assumptions, and creative modes can open up new possibilities. From finding customers in cafés and gyms to using AI without outsourcing your creativity, this conversation offers practical ways for solo business owners to think differently, test ideas quickly, and move from “I know” to “I wonder.” Starting with one word: “switch.” Key topics 1. Breaking out of familiar thinking patterns Ken Hudson explains that repeated success reinforces familiar thinking, which can trap business owners in the same approach 01:25. Saying “switch” deliberately signals to your brain that it’s time to try another perspective 02:54. The new approach doesn’t have to be better immediately. It only needs to get you off the familiar track 03:43. Ken Hudson compares this to leaving a traffic jam and exploring a side street, even if you don’t know where it leads 03:53. 2. Using box mode and ball mode Box mode covers rational, logical, structured thinking and evaluating what has worked before 12:01. Ball mode encourages playful, imaginative thinking and the generation of unusual possibilities 12:30. Ken Hudson suggests switching from “This is what I know” to “I wonder” to open up creative options 13:22. Switching back to box mode helps test and narrow those ideas, such as choosing three ideas to test within 30 days 17:05. 3. Asking better questions Questions are one of Ken Hudson’s six switches, and changing the question can change the direction of the thinking 14:05. Instead of asking how to attract graduates, a consulting firm asked how to become “the most loved brand in Australia” 15:11\ 4. Applying switch thinking to business and AI Ken Hudson applied switch thinking to book promotion by placing copies in a café, professional waiting rooms, and a gym instead of relying only on bookstores 07:35. Business owners can switch their focus from direct competitors to what they’re really competing against, such as inertia, loyalty, or a client’s reluctance to take risks 25:03. AI can process and enhance ideas, but Ken Hudson says the original creative thinking still starts with the business owner 06:56. His practical AI approach is to request both a box-mode response and a more imaginative ball-mode response, then connect the two 31:50. Time-stamped overview 00:00 Challenging familiar thinking patterns 05:50 Using AI for business and hobbies 09:03 Intuitive communication skills 12:43 Switching from analytical to creative thinking 14:40 Shifting business perspectives 18:52 Embracing new possibilities in business 21:44 Different perspectives on a movie 25:37 Managing client risks and competition 28:47 Wearing many hats in business 32:32 Using AI to Enhance Creativity 35:20 Switching mindset and focus 37:51 Closing remarks and sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to challenge the rules everyone else accepts? In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby speaks with Avril Henry, who left apartheid South Africa at 22 with two suitcases and $500, then built a career advising business leaders, public servants, diplomats, and major Australian institutions. Avril Henry shares how questioning authority shaped her life, why women are labelled “difficult” when they stand their ground, and how preparation, evidence, and influence can turn uncomfortable questions into meaningful change. The conversation covers paid maternity leave, gender equity, imposter syndrome, negotiating your worth, and the importance of taking up space and standing your ground. As Avril puts it, “Do not make yourself small to make other people feel comfortable” Key topics Avril Henry's early life in South Africa and her anti-apartheid activism The importance of questioning authority and challenging societal norms The role of influence and soft skills in leadership and change management Myths about women in leadership and how to bust them The impact of preparation, research, and confidence in negotiations and influence The significance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and human connection in future leadership Time-stamped overview 00:00 Introduction and Avril's background 01:56 Growing up in South Africa and early influences 03:56 The 76 riots and activism against apartheid 07:00 Leaving South Africa and migrating to Australia 08:58 Questioning authority and societal norms 11:02 Change management and influence tactics 14:10 Dealing with being called difficult or disruptive 16:01 The importance of preparation and research 19:00 Impact of data and facts in influencing decision-makers 21:57 Myths about women in leadership roles 26:00 The future of leadership and soft skills 35:57 Leveraging soft skills and emotional intelligence 41:01 The role of AI and human connection 42:52 Advice for women who want to be more assertive 45:00 The importance of self-belief and mentorship 47:56 Closing thoughts and Avril's memoir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you run a business that depends on you, it’s easy to let it consume every aspect of your life.   In this conversation with psychologist Faye Evans, we explore the pitfalls of entrepreneurial life and how to maintain a sense of self amid the chaos. "We fuse with a business and we become it," Faye explains, highlighting the dangers of tying our self-worth to our business successes or failures. This realisation led her to write her book, Soulful Simplicity, which offers strategies for maintaining personal identity in the face of overwhelming responsibilities. "Life is about refinement... Life is about making choices Key topics The line between personal identity and business ownership How entrepreneurs fuse with their businesses The impact of chronic stress on decision-making and creativity Practices for creating mental space and mindfulness Reframing burnout as profound exhaustion The importance of clarifying personal and business values Strategies for simplifying life and business The role of self-compassion and permission in recovery Time-stamped overview 00:00 Introduction to the challenges of solo entrepreneurship 02:16 COVID-19's impact and the identity crisis for entrepreneurs 04:09 The awakening: recognising profound exhaustion 05:04 The cultural glorification of busyness and exhaustion 06:00 The importance of self-awareness and boundary setting 06:48 Personality traits that may increase susceptibility to burnout 08:09 The importance of space and silence for mental clarity 09:38 Challenging the badge of honor around being busy 12:03 Life as a process of refinement and intentional living 12:39 The normalization of chronic stress and adaptation 13:34 Deciding to turn the focus inward and change 16:28 The impact of chronic stress on brain function and decision-making 18:05 Practical practices for creating mental space 22:34 Overcoming discomfort with doing nothing 26:45 Simplifying life and business to regain control 30:17 The importance of self-compassion and updating internal patterns 34:01 The danger of the competence trap in business 36:46 Clarifying purpose and values to prevent burnout 37:55 Living intentionally and making conscious choices 39:00 Final thoughts: reclaiming your life and business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices