The Man With Too Many Labels

I’m a COO, or at least that’s what my LinkedIn says.
Last week, someone called me a strategy guy; the week before, a new client dubbed me a growth consultant. I shrugged it off - I’ve heard worse.

In uni, I was a graphic designer and photographer.
In my twenties, I was a restaurant manager-slash-footballer.
Now I'm a husband. A founder. A mentor.
Sometimes a sounding board. Sometimes a chef.
Occasionally, a therapist. Once, even a plumber.

Each label holds a story, but none tell the whole story either.

Sometimes my struggle isn’t about ambition, it’s about who I am. A label is both a badge of honor and a box that confines me. I crave clarity, yet I also want freedom.
I want to be seen, but not defined.

Each title feels like a new costume.
Do I become that thing?
Or am I just playing the part until the next act begins?
The truth is, I'm all of it. And none of it.
Just… Jarren.
Jazza.
Evolving.

This conversation in the book (which is awesome by the way) got me thinking about how label-obsessed we are as a society.

We generally find it easier to understand something if we can classify it. But labels don't leave room for nuance, back-story, or an open future path. We assume a label defines a person, but what happens when a label shifts?

I am fine with evolution. As industries evolve, so do our titles. What was once a niche role becomes mainstream overnight. In many ways, my own evolution mirrors this broader trend. Each new label is a nod to progress and possibility.
This is part of my point: labels are only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much nuance behind each label, but we mostly ignore it because categorising people is easier than understanding them deeply.

I’ve been a restaurant manager, a co-founder, a franchisee, an affiliate manager, and even a CEO. But beyond these, there’s a side of me that’s been a boyfriend, a husband, a football captain, a photographer, a chef and even a dickhead (a few times).
It’s confusing, yet real.

How do I know what I am if I am many things? And, many things at once. I am also some things for a season and then never again.
Inside - I am just me.
Maybe the goal was never to find the right label.
Maybe the goal is to collect them, like scout badges.

Look at social media profiles - CEO| Founder | Investor | Father | Poet. They’re neat, organised collections of labels.
Yes, labels help: they create order, foster belonging, and set expectations.
But they can also oversimplify, constrain, and silence the full spectrum of who we are.

What if labels disappeared tomorrow? How would society change? Would we cope?

So, I’m thinking about my labels differently.

I’m not replacing each one like an outdated LinkedIn headline.
I’m keeping them. Wearing them like scout badges.
Proof of what I’ve done. Who I’ve been. Where I’ve been.
But never the whole story.

Labels help.
But they don’t define.
They’re not the enemy, but they’re not the whole story either.

Poddles of the Week

How To Take Control Of Your Own Destiny - George Mack on Modern Wisdom

It's all about the concept of "High Agency".
High agency is about taking radical responsibility for your life, transforming challenges from immovable obstacles into solvable puzzles.

In this episode, Chris Williamson and George Mack dissect this powerful mindset by contrasting examples like Elon at SpaceX, where impossible challenges became engineering triumphs, against organisations like Northern Rail that illustrate passive acceptance.

They explore the critical question: Who would you call in a seemingly hopeless situation? The answer reveals everything about your approach to problem-solving. This shows how high-agency individuals don't just react to life but deliberately architect their own outcomes.

New Platform I’m Testing

Kortex.co 

I’ve been a massive advocate of Notion for the past few years. My brain literally lives there as well as to-do lists, networking CRM, all my business templates plus, plus, plus.

But, there are a few things it lacks and it still functions more like a project management platform.

Kortex is literally becoming my second brain. I can link long threads of journaling and random ideas to documents easily. And, they’ve plugged in an AI feature so I can have a conversation partner right there while I’m making notes or writing this newsletter.

The app will be out soon and I can’t wait for them to add voice. Trial version is free and comes with a TON of pre-created templates to get you started.
I’m pretty sure I’ll be upgrading my plan in the next month.

And, that’s all folks!

Thank you for reading the latest edition of my newsletter.
As always, comments and feedback are welcome.

And, please don’t be shy to share this with a friend or family member. Each week, I’ll share something that helps us find balance.

Peace, love and growth.
Jazza

PS - Did you know?

I work with a small, select group of founders and business owners.
Some want a co-pilot for their business, and some want coaching to find balance.

I am fully booked at the moment, but reach out for a short 15-minute chat and let’s get you on the waiting list.

Tell me what keeps you up at night.
Let’s Chat