World Mental Health Day: spotlighting serious mental illness and financing hope

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Every October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us that serious mental illness must be visible, diagnosed early, and supported with coordinated clinical and financial strategies. This is not only compassionate — it’s smart economics. In 2019 about 970 million people worldwide were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression the most common. World Health Organization

Why early detection? Timely diagnosis and care reduce clinical, social and economic burdens. Early intervention programs for psychiatric conditions (for example, first-episode psychosis) have been shown in studies and systematic reviews to be cost-effective: they lower societal costs and produce better clinical outcomes compared to standard care. PubMed+1

The most tragic consequence of unmet mental health needs is suicide. More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year; it’s the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally. Early diagnosis and treatment in young people is a key strategy to lower this risk and the large human and financial costs that follow. World Health Organization

In Mexico and the United States the problem is acute: Mexico recorded roughly 8,837 suicides in 2023 (INEGI), and the U.S. saw about 49,000 suicide deaths annually in 2022–2023. These are not just numbers — they are lost lives, family trauma, productivity losses and future care costs. Mexico Business News+1

Practical strategies from a financial coach’s perspective

  1. Early prevention and screening: embed mental-health screening in schools, primary care and workplace programs. The payoff is fewer hospitalizations, better return-to-work rates, and reduced long-term costs. PMC+1

  2. Integrated care packages: combine psychotherapy, medication when needed, social support and community services. For families, this reduces emergency expenses and income disruption.

  3. Appropriate insurance and financial products: encourage insurance coverage for ongoing mental-health care and disability protection so families are not bankrupted by chronic conditions.

  4. Crisis response and hotlines: fund crisis lines and first-responder training and reduce stigma so help is sought early.

  5. Monitor outcomes and evaluate ROI: track indicators (attempt rates, adherence, return-to-work) and measure social and economic returns. Health-economics literature shows favorable returns for early prevention and intervention investments. PMC+1

A direct call to action for families and advisors

If you notice prolonged mood changes, withdrawal, declining school or job performance, or suicidal thoughts — act. Early assessment can save lives, protect family income and reduce lifetime costs. Check professional resources, school programs, community services and your insurance coverage.

Motivational close (personal and family focus)

Mental health is the foundation for personal achievement, family stability and financial resilience. Prioritizing it protects both lives and livelihoods. As your coach and financial advisor: take action today — an assessment, a family conversation, or an insurance review — and turn prevention into protection. Recovery and stability are possible; investing in them is investing in your family’s future.

Bibliografía 

World Health Mental Day

The Key to Communication: Empathy in Action

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«With the right key, you can say anything; with the wrong key, nothing works. Striking the right key is essential.»
—George Bernard Shaw

Communication as the Core of Human Life

Communication is the central act of human interaction. It is possible because everything—whether external or internal—can be represented and expressed. Yet, as Lewis Carroll highlighted in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: “One of the hardest things in the world is to convey thoughts accurately from one mind to another” (Carroll, 1865/2009).

This difficulty shows that communication is far from simple. It requires not only transmitting information but also ensuring that meaning is understood.

The Communication Process

Human communication involves two main steps:

  1. Understanding and transmitting a situation or fact.

  2. Choosing and delivering the right signs to express it.

Every message must be encoded by the sender and decoded by the receiver. The success of this process depends on whether both parties share the same code. For example, the word soul in “I love you with all my soul” carries a different meaning than in “Man is composed of body and soul.”

This highlights a crucial truth: the receiver’s code sets the rules, not the sender’s. Anyone who seeks to influence others—whether in politics, religion, or business—must adapt to the language their audience understands.

Beyond Information: A Communion of Meaning

Communication is not merely the exchange of words—it is also a sharing of emotions, impressions, and attitudes. It is an invisible thread that can unite or divide human beings.

Even objective information often carries emotional weight. Consider a CEO announcing company performance results. The figures themselves may trigger anxiety, fear, or even shame. If communication remains purely objective, barriers arise that prevent understanding.

However, if the leader acknowledges emotions—such as recognizing an employee’s frustration over negative feedback—then both parties are more likely to grow from the experience. By validating emotions, facts become easier to accept.

The Role of Empathy in Communication

Effective communication requires more than clarity—it requires empathy. Listening without judgment and stepping into the other person’s perspective is the foundation of healthy interaction.

As Covey (1989) emphasized, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Empathy transforms communication from a transactional exchange into a relationship of trust and comfort.

When trust exists, misunderstandings diminish. For instance, when a supplier delivers late, empathy allows us to interpret the delay not as disrespect, but as the result of workload pressure. In such an atmosphere, both parties share information freely, improving collaboration and strengthening human connection.

George Bernard Shaw: A Voice on Human Understanding

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), Irish playwright and journalist, exemplified the power of words. Self-taught after leaving school at sixteen, Shaw became a critic, writer, and eventually one of the most influential dramatists of his time. His reflections on communication and human behavior remain deeply relevant.

Some of his most inspiring words include:

  • “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; now put foundations under them.”

  • “Freedom means responsibility.”

  • “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’”

Conclusion: Empathy as a Leadership Skill

Communication is not simply the transfer of information—it is the exchange of meaning, emotions, and trust. Leaders who practice empathy build stronger teams, foster collaboration, and overcome barriers to understanding.

Ultimately, empathy is not just a social virtue. It is an essential leadership skill, especially for project managers and business leaders who must navigate complex interactions. Empathy turns communication into connection, and connection into results.

References

  • Carroll, L. (2009). Alice’s adventures in Wonderland (Rev. ed.). Harvard University Press. (Original work published 1865)

  • Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people. Free Press.

  • Shaw, G. B. (n.d.). Selected quotes.

The Key to Communication: Empathy in Action

The Power of Now for Entrepreneurs and Startups: How the Present Drives Your Business and Your Life

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Introduction

In the business world, especially within the fast-paced startup ecosystem, speed and pressure are the norm. Founders are constantly projecting themselves into the future: the next product launch, the next funding round, the next strategic client. At the same time, many carry the weight of the past: a failed pitch, a rushed decision, or a partnership that didn’t work out.

This constant oscillation between what has already happened and what has not yet arrived often leaves little room for the most important dimension of all: the present.

The present is where real decisions take place, where action happens, and where ideas materialize. For that reason, applying the philosophy of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is not only a path toward personal well-being but also a strategic tool for entrepreneurs and startups aiming to build sustainable and innovative businesses.

This article explores how living in the now can positively impact entrepreneurship, offering practical guidance to help founders reduce mental noise, strengthen decision-making, and lead their ventures with greater clarity.

The Entrepreneurial Mind: Friend and Foe

The first obstacle to the present is the mind itself. For entrepreneurs, the mind works like a relentless machine of ideas, scenarios, and possibilities. This is useful in the creative phase, but it becomes a burden when excessive thinking leads to anxiety, distraction, and burnout.

An entrepreneur might be sitting in a team meeting but mentally worrying about next week’s investor presentation. Or while working on the business model, they relive past failures and freeze in fear of repeating them. This noise prevents them from noticing the opportunities right in front of them.

Adopting the Power of Now means realizing that you are not your mind and learning to observe your thoughts instead of being consumed by them. This separation allows something critical for business: strategic clarity.

The Duality of the Entrepreneur: The Public “Self” vs. the Real “Self”

Every founder manages two sides: the one they show to the world—confident, optimistic, visionary—and the one they live privately—tired, insecure, full of doubts. Recognizing this duality is essential because many business decisions are made to protect the external image rather than serve the company’s actual needs.

For example, clinging to a product that doesn’t work just to preserve pride is a trap of the ego. By contrast, a founder who connects with their authentic self can acknowledge mistakes, pivot when necessary, and redirect resources to what truly creates value. This internal honesty translates into authentic leadership and stronger trust from others.

The Present as an Antidote to Startup Chaos

Uncertainty is the rule in the startup ecosystem. There are no guaranteed results, which creates a constant mental storm: Will funding be enough? Will a competitor move faster? What if scaling fails?

Practicing presence means letting go of hypothetical future scenarios and focusing on what can be solved today. If you are in a client meeting, the best thing you can do is truly listen in that moment—not drift into what objections they might raise later.

This mindset reduces stress and improves productivity because energy is focused on actionable steps today rather than dissipated into endless “what ifs.”

Emotions and Business: Detaching from Fear and Anxiety

Entrepreneurs face intense emotions: excitement, frustration, fear, hope. When these emotions dominate decision-making, mistakes multiply.

For instance, fear of losing a deal can push a founder to accept unfair terms. Anxiety about being “the first” can lead to launching prematurely.

Practicing presence allows you to notice emotions without letting them control your actions. If an investor rejects your pitch, instead of drowning in frustration, you can analyze what you learned and apply it to the next opportunity.

Fear and Ego on the Entrepreneurial Journey

The most common fear in entrepreneurship is not financial failure—it is the blow to the ego: being perceived as someone who didn’t make it.

When you understand that the ego is not your true self but a mental construct, failures stop being personal attacks and become valuable lessons. The present reminds you that every mistake only happens in a specific moment and does not define your entire trajectory.

Learning from the Past Without Living in It

Entrepreneurs often say things like “I tried that, and it didn’t work” or “I failed with something similar before.” The danger is allowing the past to dictate today’s choices.

The past offers lessons and perspective, but the present is the only place where execution happens. Every iteration, test, and meeting is a fresh opportunity, not a replay of past failures.

Conscious Decision-Making and Accountability

The Power of Now emphasizes that every problem leaves you with two choices: accept it or resolve it. What is useless is resisting it mentally and turning it into drama.

If a co-founder consistently underperforms, you can either accept it (and adapt) or address it directly through clear conversations, new agreements, or even separation. Pretending the problem doesn’t exist only drains energy.

Conscious decisions do not guarantee perfect outcomes, but they provide peace of mind because they are aligned with present realities rather than imagined futures.

Relationships and Teams: Love, Pressure, and the Present

Startups are not just ventures; they are networks of relationships. Founders, co-founders, employees, investors, and clients create an emotional web. Excessive attachment or unrealistic expectations often damage those bonds.

Living in the present helps you value what exists now without pressuring others to meet future projections. A co-founder may not be “perfect” in every aspect, but they can still be appreciated for what they contribute in the moment.

This approach fosters healthier, longer-lasting relationships both inside and outside the business.

Living with Purpose in Business

Many entrepreneurs confuse purpose with goals. A goal might be to raise a funding round, but purpose is the deeper reason driving your business. Living in the present means remembering that purpose in each action, instead of getting lost chasing only results.

When you work from purpose, even small tasks become part of something meaningful. And when purpose is alive in the present, your business becomes more sustainable and attractive to both clients and collaborators.

Practical Tools to Apply the Power of Now in Your Startup

  1. Conscious breathing: Before any important meeting, take one minute to breathe deeply and focus on the moment.
  2. Pause rituals: Schedule short screen-free pauses to check in with yourself and regain clarity.
  3. Present meetings: Instead of obsessively planning for all future scenarios, focus on what can be resolved today.
  4. Short meditation: Just five minutes a day can help you detach your thoughts from your identity.
  5. Present journal: At the end of the day, write down three moments when you were fully present and what you learned from them.

Conclusion

For entrepreneurs and startup founders, The Power of Now is more than a philosophical concept—it is a business strategy. By living in the present, you reduce the weight of the past and the anxiety of the future, make clearer decisions, lead with authenticity, and truly enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.

Success does not come only from what you will achieve tomorrow but from what you can consciously do today. That is the real power of now in business: turning every moment into a solid step toward the vision you want to create.

References

Tolle, E. (2004). The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Novato, CA: New World Library.

Covey, S. R. (2020). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York, NY: Free Press.

Goleman, D. (2013). Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Sinek, S. (2011). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. New York, NY: Portfolio.

Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. New York, NY: Random House.

Ready to transform your life Discover the power of the present

“The One Thing”: How Doing Less Leads to Greater Success

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Introduction
In a world overwhelmed by distractions and the cult of productivity, The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (2013) offers a liberating truth: success doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing what matters most. Instead of juggling multiple responsibilities, this book invites you to ask one powerful question: “What’s the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” This singular focus leads to clarity, efficiency, and purpose-driven results.

Focusing on What Matters Most
The core concept of The One Thing revolves around the idea of a small, focused effort initiating a domino effect. When you identify the one key action that makes everything else easier, you begin to shift your energy with intention. Just like a small domino can knock over one twice its size, your single action can trigger transformative momentum.

This principle is applicable in every area of life: business, health, relationships, or finances. For instance, if your goal is better physical health, you don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul. Start by creating a consistent healthy breakfast habit—it could spark better eating throughout the day, improved energy, and even motivation to exercise.

Mastering Prioritization
Not everything matters equally. Keller emphasizes the critical need to prioritize, challenging the productivity myth that being busy equals being effective. When you focus daily on your “One Thing,” you eliminate unnecessary effort and channel your energy into what truly drives results. This isn’t just a tactic—it’s a mindset shift. According to McKeown (2014), in Essentialism, prioritization is not an option; it is the essence of effective leadership and personal achievement.

Dispelling the Myths of Success
Keller dismantles three common myths:

  • Multitasking: Research by the American Psychological Association (2006) confirms that switching between tasks reduces performance and increases errors.
  • Discipline: Success doesn’t require extreme discipline—it needs the right habits. Once a habit is formed, it takes over where discipline leaves off.
  • Willpower: It’s a finite resource. Using it strategically during peak energy hours is essential for impactful work.

Balance vs. Intentional Imbalance
Perfect balance is a myth. Keller argues that chasing balance leads to mediocrity. True progress requires intentional imbalance—giving extra focus where it’s most needed. For example, during a critical business project, it may be necessary to invest more time at work, temporarily adjusting personal routines. Knowing when to lean into that imbalance is key to long-term growth.

Thinking Big and Asking Big Questions
Success is not about playing it safe. Thinking big forces you to grow, innovate, and stretch your limits. Robbins (2001) notes that the quality of your life reflects the quality of your questions. Asking the “ONE Thing” question transforms your focus and amplifies your outcomes.

Purpose-Driven Habits
Success stems from habits rooted in purpose. Habits automate progress. They reduce decision fatigue and ensure consistent action. But to be meaningful, they must be connected to your personal “why.” As Duhigg (2012) explains in The Power of Habit, change happens when small routines are aligned with larger goals.

Commitments and Threats to Your Focus
Keller identifies three commitments for success:

  • Commit to mastery
  • Learn to say no
  • Live with purpose

Yet, you must also guard against “the four thieves”:

  • Fear of saying no
  • Fear of chaos
  • Poor health habits
  • An unsupportive environment

Recognizing and eliminating these roadblocks is essential to sustaining your focus.

Practical Implementation
To live this principle:

  • Block out at least four hours daily to focus on your “One Thing”
  • Ask the essential question every day
  • Protect your energy and structure your day around peak performance hours
  • Accept temporary chaos in other areas
  • Build an environment that supports your focus

Conclusion
The One Thing is not just a productivity tool; it’s a philosophy for intentional living. It’s about reducing noise, sharpening focus, and unlocking extraordinary outcomes through simple yet powerful action. In a distracted world, the courage to focus may be the ultimate superpower.

Discover the Secret to Success: Focus on the One

Locus of Control and Entrepreneurship: Whose Success Depends?

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Have you heard of locus of control and its influence on personality?

According to psychologist Rotter, locus of control is a widely used topic in psychology and affects an individual’s perspective and the way they interact with their environment. Rotter, in 1966, proposed «locus of control» as a personality trait in his Social Learning Theory.

«If the person perceives the event as contingent on their behavior or their own relatively permanent characteristics, this has been called a belief in internal control.» Conversely, «when a reinforcement is perceived as following some personal action, but not being entirely contingent on it, it is typically perceived, in our culture, as the result of luck, and in this sense, it has been called a belief in external control.»

—Rotter, 1966

What is locus of control?

According to Rotter’s Social Learning Theory, which preceded Albert Bandura’s, human behavior occurs through a continuous interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental determinants. Therefore, a person’s perception of control or lack of control over the events that occur around them is important for the course of their own life.

Locus of control is a relatively stable personality variable that represents the attribution a person makes about whether or not the effort they expend is contingent on their behavior. There are two extremes of the continuum: internal locus of control and external locus of control.

Internal locus of control occurs when an individual perceives that a specific reinforcing event is contingent on their own behavior. That is, the person perceives that what has happened externally is due to their behavior, and they have control over the external consequences. For example, a person with an internal locus of control attributes their happiness to themselves. If they want to be happy, they can work on it.

External locus of control occurs when an individual perceives that an external event has occurred independently of their behavior. Therefore, the individual associates the event with chance, luck, or destiny. For example, a person with an external locus of control attributes their happiness to another person or the situation.

Locus of Control and Personal Development

This concept is important because if a person believes that what happens around them is beyond their control, they may not act to change it. For example, if a person believes they have no control over the election of the political party that will govern their country, they may do nothing to change it, not even exercising their right to vote. On the other hand, if a person believes their vote will be important in the election of a new government, they may be motivated to change the political landscape and may even protest.

The feeling of not being able to control an event often creates a state of paralysis that prevents people from achieving their goals.

Internal locus of control is also an important aspect of personal development, as a person with an internal locus of control believes in their capabilities in the face of external events and knows that by putting in the best effort they will go far.

The literature presents a series of behavioral traits attributed to successful entrepreneurs, but one of the most important is Internal Locus of Control.

We have already seen the difference between internal locus of control and external locus of control, and that this implies that I, as a person, attribute my success and failure to my own actions, to my own initiatives. This is called internal locus of control, while external locus of control implies that I, as a person, attribute the results I have in life to luck, to fate, to other external factors, and to my actions.

So you can already imagine that a successful entrepreneur, a businessman, is a person with a high internal locus of control; a person who takes responsibility for their success and failure.

Other Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

Another characteristic that’s important to mention has to do with initiative. We say the world is full of good intentions, but truly, those who carry them out are those who can be called entrepreneurs. It’s like innovation: you can have many ideas and even inventions, but implementing them, getting the market to accept them, is only then innovation. So, implementing your ideas, getting the market to accept them, is what will truly define you as an entrepreneur.

Not everyone is qualified to be an entrepreneur; launching a project requires specific personal and professional characteristics. Being an entrepreneur also means having the motivation and financial means to succeed.

Generally speaking, in addition to the internal locus of control, an entrepreneur should possess the following qualities:

Creativity and innovation
Clarity of ideas
Ability to confront and assume risks
Ability to adapt to new situations
Knowing how to prioritize
Ability to communicate and socialize
Tenacity and persistence
Flexibility and ability to adapt to circumstances
Optimism

Mistaken Beliefs.

Believing that everything that happens to us is a product of chance, of others, of our destiny, of decisions we made in the past that we can no longer change; that we have to accept whatever happens to us or live frustrated, believing that the rest of the world is to blame for us not achieving our goals—these are mistakes that are as common as they are disastrous.

Being responsible for your decisions.

On the other hand, nothing is more mature and reassuring than a responsible person capable of taking responsibility for their actions and their consequences.

Someone capable of saying, «I was wrong,» «I’m sorry,» or, on the other hand, «I achieved this with great effort,» «I deserve this because I worked for it,» for example, is a person who conveys maturity, wisdom, and, very importantly, calm to others.

As a general rule, we tend to assume our successes as our own responsibility, but our failures as something that is the fault of others (remember the «I wasn’t lucky vs. I got it»?), although it is also very common to find people who, either due to a lack of self-esteem or because they confuse the concept of humility, never acknowledge or take credit for success, even if it is the result of many hours of work.

Have you ever wondered who is really responsible for your success?

In this video, we explore the concept of «locus of control» and how it influences entrepreneurship. You’ll learn the difference between internal and external locus of control through everyday examples and how this concept can be the key to transforming your life and business

Who determines your success? Discover the Locus of Control

Successful entrepreneurs take responsibility for their decisions and seek out opportunities, rather than waiting for luck to grace them. Are you ready to take control of your destiny?

Share this video if it’s inspired you and join the conversation about psychology and entrepreneurship.

Source:

From the course «Learning How to Learn,» by McMaster University & University of California, San Diego

Awaken your inner giant: take control of your life

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Have you ever felt out of control, as if life is pulling you along with no clear direction? If so, you’re not alone. According to Tony Robbins in his powerful book Awaken the Giant Within , the key to transforming your life lies in your choices, not your circumstances. Robbins reminds us that we all have immense power within us, a «sleeping giant» waiting to be awakened through decisive actions, empowering beliefs, and conscious emotional states.

Robbins points out that every action begins with a decision. The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge, but a lack of commitment and focus. To improve our lives, we need to master our emotions, relationships, finances, and time. And to do so, the first step is deciding to change. It’s not about hope or luck, but about making concrete decisions, eliminating distractions, and committing to a clear outcome.

The power of pain and pleasure

A central idea in the book is that our decisions are influenced by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Robbins proposes conditioning the mind to associate pleasure with good habits and pain with negative ones. This creates such powerful emotional associations that our behaviors begin to align with our goals.

This principle also applies to our beliefs: many of them stem from past experiences linked to pain or pleasure. Robbins explains that if we learn to reinterpret these experiences, we can change limiting beliefs that affect our perception of the present and our future decisions.

The process of real change

Through the Neuro-Associative Conditioning (NAC) method, Robbins offers a clear path to lasting change. The process involves identifying negative patterns, interrupting them, and replacing them with new habits reinforced with intense emotions and rewards. This method demonstrates that change doesn’t have to be slow: with the right strategy, it can be rapid and permanent.

Emotion, language and transformation

The emotions we feel daily determine our actions. Robbins emphasizes that to change our lives, we must learn to master our emotions, starting with changing our language. The words we use affect how we perceive our reality. Changing words like «failure» to «learning,» or «problem» to «challenge,» also transforms our way of acting.

The metaphors we use are equally powerful: if you say you’re «in a tunnel with no exit,» your mind will act as if it were real. Change that image to a «bend in the road» and you’ll see how your focus changes too.

Clear goals, positive thoughts

For Robbins, success lies in having clear goals and a defined plan to achieve them. Visualizing these goals every day reinforces our commitment and maintains motivation. However, it’s also vital to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Finally, Robbins proposes the «10 Days Without Negative Thoughts» challenge, a practice that seeks to reprogram the mind to focus only on constructive things. If you change your thoughts, you change your life.

Conclusion

The inner giant isn’t something we should seek outside; it already lives within us. It only takes a real, conscious, and focused decision to awaken it. By taking control of our emotions, beliefs, and thoughts, we also take control of our future.

 

Awaken your inner giant: take control of your life

Bibliography (APA format):

Robbins, A. (1991). Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny . Debolsillo Publishing.