Treat Yourself Like Your Best Client: Lessons in Leadership and Life with Brett Gallant

Success in business starts with taking care of yourself first. Many entrepreneurs focus so much on their clients and companies that they forget to treat themselves with the same care. This simple shift in thinking can change everything about how you run your business and lead others.

The technology world moves fast, but the most important changes happen inside us. Leaders who grow their companies also grow themselves. They write down their goals, work on their mindset, and get help when they need it. These leaders know that working on personal growth is not selfish - it helps them serve others better.

Key Takeaways

• Treat yourself like your best client by taking time for personal development

• Writing down goals and reviewing them regularly helps turn dreams into reality

• Personal growth and mindset work are essential for business success

Business Building Journey

Early Dreams and Work Experience

Brett's path to business ownership started when he was young. He grew up without much money, which made him want to work and start his own business someday.

As a child, he took on different jobs. He delivered newspapers and sold ice cream. These early jobs taught him important lessons about sales and running a business, though he didn't realize how valuable they were until years later.

Important Lessons from Selling and Work

Brett went to community college where he took a course in international software marketing and publishing. This class showed him he loved technology and business.

After college, he got a job at a construction company in Atlantic Canada. He worked there for 14 years. This job gave him the skills he would need for his own company later.

While working at the construction company, Brett also did some work for a real estate firm. During this time, he joined a Brian Tracy webinar about goal setting. Brian Tracy told everyone to write down 10 goals in three minutes.

Brett wrote his goals in 2007. Goal number four was clear: "By April 1st 2010 I will own my own successful IT company."

He found that old goal book years later, just two weeks before giving a speech in Phoenix. The goal had come true exactly as he wrote it.

Starting His Technology Company

Adaptive Office Solutions was born from that written goal in 2007. Brett had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and writing down his dream made it real.

Starting the company meant leaving his good job at the construction company. The people there had been great to him and taught him a lot. But he was ready to take the leap.

Brett's business journey included several phases:

• Started alone: He worked from his house with just himself

• Hired people: He brought on employees as the business grew

• Changed business models: He had to pivot and adjust his approach multiple times

• Faced challenges: He learned he was often the bottleneck in his own business

This last lesson was hard but important. Brett realized he needed help to grow. At first, he said he was too busy for coaching. But being too busy was exactly why he needed a coach.

Working with coaches helped Brett grow as a leader. One coach even calls him "the mindset godfather" because of how much he focuses on thinking differently.

Brett works on breaking down limiting beliefs that hold people back. He knows everyone has thoughts that limit what they think is possible.

Personal Growth and Mindset Development

Why Setting Clear Goals Matters

Writing down goals creates a powerful foundation for success. One entrepreneur discovered this truth when he found an old notebook from 2007. In it, he had written "by April 1st 2010 I will own my own successful IT company." That exact goal became reality when he launched his business.

The simple act of putting goals on paper makes them real. It transforms vague dreams into concrete targets.

Key practices for effective goal setting:

• Write goals in specific detail

• Set clear deadlines

• Review them 2-3 times daily

• Record them as audio files for listening

Many successful people now use modern tools to reinforce their goals. They convert written goals into MP3 files using AI technology. This lets them hear their goals while driving or exercising.

Creating Powerful Daily Routines

Strong habits form the backbone of personal growth. Even busy entrepreneurs need to make time for self-improvement. The key is starting small and building momentum.

Begin with just 20 minutes if a longer session feels overwhelming. The important thing is creating the rhythm and developing the right mindset.

Building habit success:

Time Investment Focus Area Result 20 minutes Daily reflection Basic routine 45 minutes Deep work Stronger focus 90 minutes Complete development Maximum growth

The mindset shift happens when someone decides "I will put myself first so I can serve others better." This isn't selfish. It's necessary for long-term success.

Treat yourself like your most important client. Give yourself the same attention and care you would give to someone paying you.

Breaking Through Mental Barriers

Everyone carries limiting beliefs that hold them back from reaching their potential. These beliefs feel true but often aren't based on facts. They're just stories people tell themselves.

Identifying these beliefs is the first step to freedom. Many entrepreneurs discover they've been their own biggest obstacle.

Common limiting beliefs include:

• "I don't have enough time"

• "I'm not ready for coaching"

• "I can't change at my age"

• "Success is only for other people"

The process of breaking through these barriers takes courage. It means peeling back layers of old thinking patterns. Each layer removed reveals more potential underneath.

Some people avoid this work because it feels scary. They stay comfortable with familiar limitations rather than risk discovering their true capabilities.

Working with coaches accelerates this process. A good coach helps identify blind spots and challenges assumptions. They push back against excuses and help create accountability.

The transformation happens gradually. People begin to see themselves as the "10x version" of who they can become. This shift in identity changes everything about how they approach business and life.

Developing as a Leader

Individual Change and Mentorship

Working with a coach changed everything for me. At first, I thought I was too busy for coaching. That was exactly why I needed one.

I now embrace the power of having someone guide my growth. One coach calls me "the mindset godfather." This journey involves peeling back layers to find the best version of myself.

Key areas I focus on:

• Breaking limiting beliefs

• Building better mindsets

• Taking time for self-improvement

• Treating myself like my best client

I challenge myself to get rid of beliefs that hold me back. We all have limiting beliefs. The key is recognizing them and working to change them.

Personal development and leadership growth go hand in hand. You cannot separate them. How you show up for yourself is how you show up for your business and clients.

Finding and Solving Business Blocks

I learned that I was the bottleneck in my own business. This was hard to accept but very powerful to realize.

It took multiple tries to see this clearly. As my company grew from one employee working out of my house to multiple people, the same problems kept showing up.

The pattern was always the same - growth would slow down because of decisions I was making or not making fast enough.

Problem Area What I Learned Decision making I held up progress by not choosing quickly Delegation I tried to do too much myself Systems I did not build processes that worked without me

Recognizing you are the problem is tough. But it is also the first step to fixing it. Once I saw this clearly, I could start making real changes.

The business model had to change several times. Each pivot taught me more about what was blocking growth.

Building Better Habits Daily

I make time for self-improvement every single day. If you do not feel ready for an hour and a half, start with 20 minutes.

My daily practice includes:

• Reading my goals every morning

• Touching my goals two or three times per day

• Recording goals as MP3 files with AI

• Taking audio with me everywhere

The habit matters more than the time spent. Just get into the rhythm. Develop the mindset that says "I will put myself first so I can serve others better."

I wrote down my goals in 2007 during a Brian Tracy webinar. Goal number four was to own my own successful IT company by April 1st, 2010. That goal became Adaptive Office Solutions.

Writing goals down makes them real. I still have that book. I can see the exact words I wrote. The goal happened because I wrote it down and kept working toward it.

Personal growth never stops. Each day brings new chances to become better. The 10x version of yourself is waiting to be discovered through consistent daily work.

Understanding Online Security

How Digital Threats Keep Growing

Cyber threats change every single day. New attacks appear as fast as security experts can stop the old ones.

Hackers find new ways to break into systems and steal information. They target businesses of all sizes, from small shops to huge companies. Personal devices face attacks too.

Common threat types include:

• Malware - harmful software that damages devices

• Phishing - fake emails that trick people into sharing passwords

• Ransomware - software that locks files until victims pay money

• Data breaches - when criminals steal personal information from companies

The speed of change makes it hard for people to keep up. What worked to stay safe last year might not work today. This creates a constant need to learn and adapt.

Key Habits for Staying Safe Online

Everyone needs simple habits that protect them from cyber attacks. These habits work better when people use them every day.

Essential safety practices:

Habit Why It Matters How Often Update software Fixes security holes Weekly Use strong passwords Stops easy hacking For every account Check email senders Avoids phishing tricks Before clicking links Back up important files Protects from ransomware Monthly

Strong passwords contain letters, numbers, and symbols. They should be different for each account. Password managers help people create and remember these safely.

Two-factor authentication adds extra protection. It sends a code to phones when someone tries to log in. This stops hackers even if they steal passwords.

People should think before they click. Fake emails often look real but contain small mistakes. The sender's address might look wrong or the message might feel urgent.

Making Security Simple for Everyone

Technology experts often use complex words that confuse regular people. This makes cybersecurity seem harder than it really is.

The best security advice uses simple language. People need clear steps they can follow right away. Long explanations with technical terms don't help most users.

Simple security rules:

• Think before you click

• Keep software updated

• Use different passwords everywhere

• Save important files in two places

Small businesses need security help the most. They have valuable information but less money for protection than big companies. Simple habits can give them strong defense without high costs.

Regular people deserve security advice they can understand. When experts explain things clearly, more people take action to protect themselves. This makes the whole internet safer for everyone.

Security doesn't have to be perfect to be effective. Basic habits stop most common attacks. People who start with simple steps often learn more advanced protection later.

Physical and Mental Wellness

Dropping Pounds for Good

Brett changed how he talks about weight loss. He uses the word "release" instead of "lose." When you release something, it stays gone forever. When you lose something, you might find it again later.

He has released over 120 pounds. This new way of thinking made him feel better about his health journey.

Key Points About Weight Release:

• Think of it as letting go permanently

• Avoid the mindset that weight might come back

• Focus on releasing rather than losing

Brett tells other business owners to treat themselves like their best client. Many entrepreneurs forget to take care of themselves while helping others.

He suggests starting small:

• Take 20 minutes if an hour feels too long

• Build the habit slowly

• Get into a regular routine

The main idea is simple. Put yourself first so you can serve others better. This creates a strong foundation for long-term success.

Mental Wellness and Achievement Strategies

Brett believes in the strong link between mind and body for reaching goals. He learned this through his own experience with weight release and business growth.

He focuses on building the right mindset. This means challenging thoughts that hold people back. Everyone has limiting beliefs that stop them from achieving more.

Ways to Build Mental Strength:

• Work on personal development every day

• Challenge negative thoughts

• Embrace coaching and learning

• Write down specific goals

Brett wrote down his business goals in 2007. One goal said he would own his own IT company by April 1st, 2010. He found that old book years later and realized his goal had come true exactly as written.

He touches his goals two or three times per day now. Some people read their goals every morning. Others record them as audio files to listen to throughout the day.

Brett calls himself someone who embraces coaching. At first, he said he was too busy for a coach. That was exactly why he needed one. Working with coaches helped him see that he was often the bottleneck in his own business.

The mind-body connection works in both directions. Taking care of your physical health helps your mental state. Working on your mindset helps you make better choices about your body and health.