Everything Happens for a Reason
Sometimes the reason is you — and you made a bad decision.
Image credit: Andy’s own
Hello fellow Enablers,
I was reminded this week of the little joke above. I’m not sure where it came from — sorry, I can’t attribute it — but I’ve seen it floating around online, maybe even on a T-shirt somewhere.
I’m staying in Glastonbury, which, as well as being famous for its global music festival, is also steeped in Arthurian legend. It’s said to be the resting place of King Arthur, a crossing point for ley lines, and a magnet for spirituality, mysticism, and what some might affectionately call “New Age woo-woo.”
So it feels like an appropriate place to wonder whether everything really does happen for a reason.
It’s probably a controversial opinion, and I’m not sure whether I fully subscribe to it or not.
What I have found helpful, though, is a slightly different idea — the phrase “nothing is wasted.”
That mindset allows me to take whatever has happened — whether it was preordained or the result of one of my own less-than-stellar decisions — and, regardless of the immediate outcome, reflect on it and extract whatever gains there might be from it.
For example, a couple of years ago, after a conversation with one of my podcast guests, I joined an organisation that supports people who want to become non-executive directors. They offered training, guidance, and a network — and at the time, I thought it might be an additional string to my bow.
But as I learned more about what was involved, I realised that being a non-executive director wasn’t for me. I could absolutely see the appeal for others, but the experience helped me to appreciate, much more clearly, what I already have — purpose-driven work, autonomy, and the ability to make a difference in my own way.
Nothing wasted.
“Nothing is wasted” is a mindset I’ve chosen to adopt.
In Fulfilling Performance terms, mindset sits within the Capability fundamental — how well equipped we are in terms of our knowledge, skills, experience, mindset, and resources.
Adopting this mindset means that whatever happens, I can approach the outcome with curiosity rather than disappointment. I can ask myself, How has this helped me?
Next time something doesn’t go to plan, or doesn’t unfold the way you imagined, try exploring it with a nothing is wasted mindset.
Take that feeling of frustration — if it’s there — and ask yourself:
What have I gained from this?
What might I not have anticipated getting, but that’s still valuable?
In my case, I reinforced clarity around the path I’m supposed to be on. I made some genuine connections — there’s even a WhatsApp group. I met some lovely people and had great one-to-one conversations with a few of them (some of whom now read these Release the handbrake! posts).
So next time things don’t go your way, pause and reflect:
If nothing is wasted, what have I got from this?
Fulfilling Performance is an organisation-wide approach to performance. It brings with it a compelling vision, and a framework of diagnostic questions and guiding principles that make it practical and easy to apply. In just a couple of hours, a team can learn enough to get started on their Fulfilling Performance journey. If you’d like to know more, send me a message and we can have an informal chat.
Side Mirror: Four Real Stories of Handbrakes in Action
CAREER-VIEW MIRROR #244
What happens when we remove unseen friction?
People can bring more of themselves to what they do — and everyone moves forward faster.
In my latest CAREER-VIEW MIRROR Side Mirror episode, I share four stories from my own career — each showing how unseen friction can hold us back, and what it takes to release it.
Sometimes the handbrake is:
🔹 A lack of Clarity — like when your leaders aren’t aligned and you don’t know which direction to focus on.
🔹 A lack of Capability — when good people are redeployed into roles that don’t play to their strengths.
🔹 A lack of Culture — when support is missing and you don’t know how to ask for what you need.
🔹 Or a lack of Purpose — when the organisation’s mission is strong, but it isn’t yours.
Each story shows how the Fulfilling Performance Framework helps us turn those moments of frustration into progress — by identifying the real source of friction and releasing it.
🎧 Listen now: CAREER-VIEW MIRROR / Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Check out the directory of all our guests and episodes on Instagram.
How well-aligned is your team?
Even the best leaders notice times when things don’t feel quite in sync:
People pulling in different directions.
Departments working in silos.
Commitments made but not kept.
Too much firefighting in the day-to-day, and not enough focus on the strategic priorities that really matter.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These are common frustrations for senior leaders — and they’re exactly the challenges we tackle in the Aquilae Academy.
The Academy is a guided peer-mentoring and coaching team for senior leaders. It’s where you learn to apply the Fulfilling Performance framework, get the support of experienced peers, and work through real challenges every month.
In the Academy you’ll find:
A safe, confidential team of like-minded peers.
Fresh perspective, encouragement, and constructive challenge.
Practical ways to bring more alignment, cohesion, and follow-through into your organisation.
If you’re a senior leader who knows you don’t have to face these challenges alone, the Academy could be for you. Contact me and I’ll happily tell you more.
Thank you,
Andy
E: andy@aquilae.co.uk
England's green and pleasant pastures. Glastonbury is such an ancient place. Growing up in Cheddar, Somerset, I once made a pilgrimage with our Catholic Church to Glastonbury Tor where a Mass in Latin was held. I try to navigate life as best I can, though I have been blown off course a few times. Your post is a good way of reframing those challenges and generally, I own my decisions, whether good or poor. Discussing sustainable development and climate change, an old friend recently told me to let go of my Catholic guilt, and in place take responsibility.