Sharpen Your Mind & Elevate Your Business Expertise


Hello Reader,

Get ready to dive deep into the latest insights on cognitive health, business expertise, and professional development. In today's newsletter, I'm featuring Cedric Chin’s unique approach to mastering business agility alongside practical tips on protecting your cognitive sharpness with aerobic exercise.

Plus, don’t miss our upcoming episode with Leanne Shelton, where we explore the intersection of AI and brand voice. I hope you find these articles valuable advice to help you stay sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve.

Unlock Deeper Business Insights with Cedric Chin's Expertise

In Episode #58, I had the privilege of speaking with Cedric Chin, the brilliant mind behind Commoncog, a platform dedicated to accelerating business expertise.

Cedric has established himself as a profound thinker in the business. He uniquely tests business ideas against real-world conditions. His work bridges the gap between theory and practice, making complex business concepts accessible and actionable for professionals at all levels.

Cedric began his career by leading a successful startup in Vietnam, where he realised his passion for understanding business on a deeper level. To pursue this, he started sharing his thoughts on his blog, Commoncog, which has since become a go-to resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of business expertise and a source of income for him.

His commitment to research, writing, rigorous testing, and practical application has attracted a loyal following among entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors worldwide, including myself.

In our episode, Cedric discusses the importance of cognitive agility and Lia DiBello's triad model of business expertise—Operations, Market, and Capital—and how these concepts are crucial for better understanding your business.

Cedric's insights on sharpening business expertise are highly practical. He emphasises hands-on learning and real-world application, acknowledging that while deliberate practice is challenging without established pedagogy, applying concepts in actual scenarios is essential for rapidly developing skills and knowledge.

Cedric underscores the vital importance of understanding business deeply. He points out that the nuances and complexities often need to be noticed by those with less experience. Like his sport of Judo, where a master can anticipate and react to subtle cues that a novice might miss, experienced business professionals can identify opportunities, risks, and patterns invisible to beginners.

Cedric argues that this deeper understanding makes navigating challenges and seizing critical growth opportunities easier. Developing expertise enables you to see the bigger picture, make more informed decisions, and navigate the business landscape with greater confidence and success.

Listen to Cedric Chin here:
https://www.wisepreneurs.au/the-reality-check-testing-business-ideas-against-the-real-world-with-cedric-chin/

Protect Your Brain with Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is essential for preserving cognitive clarity and protecting the brain from age-related decline, especially for self-employed professionals who rely on their mental sharpness.

A recent study shows that higher fitness levels strongly correlate with better myelin integrity across the brain, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.

Myelin, crucial for efficient communication between neurons, degrades more slowly in people with higher fitness levels, as indicated by VO2 max.

The study found that individuals with the highest fitness levels peak in myelination around age 41. In contrast, those with lower fitness levels experience rapid myelin loss, with peak levels occurring before age 22.

The evidence strongly supports maintaining fitness to enhance brain health. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) effectively offers significant physical and mental benefits.

Why Take This Seriously?

For the self-employed, maintaining cognitive function isn’t just about health—it’s about sustaining your livelihood.

As we age, the natural decline in myelin can lead to slower thinking, reduced problem-solving ability, and diminished mental agility.

This decline can impact decision-making, creativity, and overall job performance.

By prioritising aerobic exercise, you can actively protect your brain against this decline, ensuring that you remain sharp, competitive, and capable of meeting the demands of your profession well into later life.

In a world where cognitive clarity can make or break your career, staying fit isn’t just a healthy choice—it’s a professional necessity.

Source: Rhonda Patrick https://www.foundmyfitness.com/

Get Ready for an Insight-Packed Episode with Leanne Shelton

My next podcast guest, Leanne Shelton, is an experienced freelance copywriter turned AI trainer, boasting over a decade of industry expertise.

In this episode, Leanne reveals how she transitioned from building a successful copywriting business to embracing AI, teaching others how to blend technology with the human touch. This transition exemplifies Cedric Chin’s concept of cognitive flexibility in action.

Leanne offers a fresh perspective on how businesses can leverage AI to improve efficiency while preserving their unique brand voice.

“AI is like an intern—you need to train it well to get the best out of it, but the human touch is irreplaceable.”
“We can’t bury our heads in the sand; understanding AI is crucial for staying relevant in today’s digital world.”

If you’re interested in AI, Leanne provides practical advice on using it effectively without losing the essence of what makes your content truly connect with people.

Stay curious, stay healthy, and keep thriving

Nigel Rawlins
Wisepreneurs: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/
Podcast episodes are found here: https://www.wisepreneurs.au/

Join the Wisepreneurs Community

Are you an independent professional, or aspiring to be one, and 60 or over? Every Tuesday, I deliver a blend of expert business and marketing practices, actionable insights, and brain-boosting tips—all tailored to support your journey in the dynamic world of self-employment. Join me today.

Read more from Join the Wisepreneurs Community

Hello Reader, This week, we explore the power of smarter note-taking systems with Eliška Šestáková, who shares her strategies for managing complex information. Her insights will streamline your workflow, whether you’re writing, learning new skills, or organising projects. I also revisit a conversation with one of my first podcast guests, Gail Greatorex, as we delve into her remarkable transition from government to consultancy. Stay tuned for how AI and strategy can spark your creative...

Leanne Shelton

Hello Reader, This week, we explore Leanne Shelton’s journey as she navigates copywriting in the age of AI. Discover how you might balance technology with the human touch and learn how to stay mentally and physically strong as you age. Plus, prepare for a fascinating look at Eliška Šestáková’s note-taking strategies, helping independent professionals manage their knowledge. Leanne Shelton—Navigating the Future of Copywriting with AI Leanne Shelton’s career as an independent professional took...

Hello Reader,Newsletter Guest Spotlight: Karen Wickre Karen Wickre is a veteran Tech editor, curator, and content strategist who has spent over thirty years shaping the tech industry in Silicon Valley. Her career includes corporate communications roles at Twitter and Google. Now in her seventies, Karen continues thriving as an independent consultant, offering editorial services and strategic communication expertise.I first spoke with Karen on episode seven, and she graciously returned for...