What if the reason you feel stuck isn't because you're failing, but because you've outgrown the version of success you were aiming for?

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by author, coach, and former Commercial Director Sally Measom, to talk about identity, belief systems, and what it really means to live life your way.

Sally shares her journey from a demanding commercial career to writing her book Live Life Your Way, and together they explore how childhood messages, self-talk, and unchallenged assumptions quietly shape our choices - often long into adulthood.

This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about slowing down, questioning the stories we tell ourselves, and giving ourselves permission to change course without guilt.

Together, Anna and Sally discuss:

• How early beliefs about who we are can limit what we think is possible

• Why being "good at something" doesn't mean it's the right thing to do forever

• The pressure founders put on themselves to keep going, even when they're unhappy

• Why joy, play, and rest aren't distractions - they're essential

• How pressing pause can lead to clearer decisions, not lost momentum

• Why it's OK to change your mind, redefine success, and build a business that fits your life now

If you've ever thought "Is this really it?" (in business or in life), this episode is a nudge to stop, reflect, and remember that you're allowed to choose differently.

Buy Sally's book, Life Life Your Way: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Life-Your-Sally-Measom/dp/1739616707

And Visit Sally's website: https://www.livelifeyourway.co.uk

Find out more about our Creating the Curve or join our community here:
https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

As founders, we spend so much time doing the work that keeps the business running that we often forget to step back and ask whether it's actually taking us where we want to go.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on a challenging year for many business owners and explores why taking time to review, reset and plan isn't a luxury - it's essential work. Building on last week's conversation with Tom O'Malley, Anna shares what prompted her to pause, reflect, and get intentional again about goals, direction, and energy.

She introduces the Year Compass, a simple but powerful reflection tool, and explains how reviewing both your personal and business life together can bring clarity about what you really want from your business. Anna also breaks down SMART goals in practical, real-world terms, showing how vague intentions turn into measurable actions - and how working backwards from your goals makes marketing, sales and decision-making much easier.

In this episode, Anna covers:

• Why reflection matters just as much as action when running a business
• How tools like the Year Compass help align your business with your real life
• Why so many founders feel exhausted, busy or stuck - and how clarity helps
• How to set SMART goals that actually guide your marketing and sales activity
• Working backwards from revenue targets to understand what you need to do day to day
• Why being intentional with time, energy and focus matters more than doing more
• Letting go of guilt around planning and recognising it as proper, valuable work

This episode is a calm, honest reminder that stepping away from the desk to plan your direction isn't procrastination - it's how you build a business that works for you, not against you.

Lint to the Year Compass resource mentioned in the show: https://yearcompass.com

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join the community here:
https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

Business protection is one of those topics most founders know they should think about… but often don't, until it's too late.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington is joined by Tom O'Malley, business protection advisor and self-confessed industry misfit, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what business protection really is, why it's so misunderstood, and why putting it off can leave huge gaps in your business.

Tom shares how he stumbled into business protection himself, why it's a massively underserved area, and why empathy, trust and human conversations matter far more than suits, jargon and scare tactics. Together, Anna and Tom explore not just the practical side of protection, but the mindset issues founders face around risk, procrastination, confidence and doing the uncomfortable but important work.

In this episode, Anna and Tom talk about:

• What business protection actually covers (and why it's much more than life insurance)
• The risks founders don't think about until something goes wrong
• Why sickness is far more likely than death, and how income protection really works
• How business protection can support directors, key people and partnerships
• Why putting something in place is better than waiting for the "perfect" moment
• The importance of trust, relatability and having difficult conversations in a human way

This episode is part practical guide, part mindset shift, and part reminder that building a business means protecting both the people and the work you've worked so hard to create.

If you'd like to talk to our guest Tom, please visit: https://talktoomalley.co.uk

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join the community here:
https://creatingthecurve.co.uk