The Space Between Triger and Reaction

Most people think they “just react.”

But there’s a sequence — and once you see it, you start to find freedom inside it.

Not by controlling yourself.
Not by becoming perfect.

But by noticing where choice actually lives.

MIND — The 3–7 Second Window

In the brain, a trigger lands in about 1/50th of a second.

Neurons connect.
The signal fires.
And then it hits the body.

Depending on the intensity of the moment and the stress you’re carrying, you then have a window of roughly 3–7 seconds as that signal moves through the nervous system before you react.

Sometimes you catch it.
Sometimes you don’t.

Sometimes you only get the lesson three days later.

But here’s the important part:

There is a window.

And that window is where your future is decided — not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet one.

Do I fire back… or pause?
Do I numb… or stay present?
Do I people-please… or tell the truth?
Do I abandon myself… or choose differently?

This week, don’t aim for perfection.

Aim for awareness.

A simple practice:
When you feel the surge, say to yourself:

“This is the 3–7 seconds.”

That alone is often enough to change the outcome.

MONEY — If You Want to Expand, Acquisition Might Be the Answer

A lot of business owners default to one growth lever:

More sales.

Sales matter — but they aren’t always the only answer.

Sometimes the fastest, cleanest form of expansion isn’t pushing harder.
It’s buying what already works and improving it with your strengths.

That’s why I’m introducing One Tree Capital.

An experienced team across the board, with over £200M in acquisition deals, and the in-house capability required to actually execute:

• Chartered accountancy
• Legal support
• Deal structuring
• The practical reality of getting acquisitions done

If you’re a business owner thinking:

“I want to grow — but not by burning myself out”

Acquisition might be the lever you haven’t properly considered yet.

MISSION — Introducing: The Growth Circle (Founding Cohort)

Following the success of Men’s Day, something became very clear to me:

The value we can create together through connection, focus, and fun is massive.

So I’m building The Growth Circle.

A space for male business owners who want to win —
not in a loud or performative way,
but in the real way:

• Clarity
• Standards
• Brotherhood
• Forward motion

This is not about hype.
It’s about becoming harder to knock off centre.

The founding cohort is now forming, with reduced pricing for the first 10 places.

If this speaks to you, get in touch and I’ll send the details.

LIFE LATELY

It’s been a strange landing back on the farm after a recent trip to Dubai.

What a contrast in worlds.

One built from the ground by vision, courage, and creativity.
The other nature’s own first creation.

And yet the more I sit with it, the closer they feel.

We need both extremes to move forward.
Different sides of the same coin.

The journey continues.

Your Turn

If this resonated, consider these questions:

• What’s your most common trigger — and do you catch it in the moment, or only days later?
• If you had to choose one growth lever this year — more sales or acquisition — which feels truer for you right now?
• If you’re interested in The Growth Circle, simply reach out and I’ll send the founding details.

To our continued collective growth,
Paul

Unlocking breakthroughs in Mind, Money, and Mission