Errol Lawson #3 - motivational youth speaker, pastor, leadership coach and Dad

00:00 On today's podcast I talked to Errol Lawson. This guy is literally a giant both physically but also who he is in the community. Errol is a motivational coach for kids and speaks in schools, he's a pastor, a minister in his own church and a great dad husband and a friend of mine as well. Enjoy this show? Roll theme! Welcome to Team Superdad. Real dads creating their best lives ever, more time more money more fun you are not alone You're on Team Superdad! Hello team super dad welcome to the show in this week's podcast we talk to Errol Lawson yes that's right I mentioned him in the intro what a great guy been a massive support to me

00:53 If you've never been on the Team Superdad podcast before, this is the program and community for dads rebuilding after divorce separation or loss. You could be a dad you could be a grandparent grandfather uncle... really this is for men who are playing an active role in their children's life and quite frankly And What's it called? A review. Give me a review over on iTunes or wherever else you leave your podcast reviews, it really is great support to the podcast and to the success of Team Superdad which I thank you for being part of!

01:53 If you would like to know more about working with Team Superdad, then the Rebuild Program is the place to start. It's an awesome five-week course to really put in place the structure, build the confidence and really get a game plan down to help you create the best life possible...and that is what Team Superdad is all about! Until then enjoy this interview with Errol Lawson and I'll see you on the other side Cheers Greetings, hello Team Superdad. We're here on the podcast talking today with a fabulous chap an old friend of mine someone I participated on a program The Keeper of Influence Course with and has since become a trusted and very important friend Mr Errol Lawson it's great to have you here today. Thank You for having us Jonnie good to be here man Thanks for making the time and bringing your knowledge and wisdom to us

02:50 Errol, I'm working on these bios and having people share them but... Yeah. I didn't send you mine! Well I only asked you yesterday so I do take some responsibility for that but why don't you give us the entering the ring? Wow okay well my name is Errol Lawson and iIm a minister in a church in Birmingham here. I'm also an author. I've written three books two bestsellers First one's a biographical book called From the Postcode to the Globe, How to Overcome Limitations and Realize Your Potential. My second one is called Teenpreneur, how to build a business in your teens I'm passionate about entrepreneurship, passionate about helping teenagers especially learn how to make money legally and my third ones a leadership call The Five Core Abilities of Highly Effective Leaders

03:43 We're in a business called Emerge Leadership based here in Birmingham and we coach, mentor, train teachers students leaders of education and entrepreneurs. And I'm just an all-around passionate guy really passionate about transforming lives to see people be the best that they can be in a nutshell Awesome! And you've got your own podcast haven't you? Yep, in fact my third book The Rising Generation, the Five Core Abilities was I actually started a podcast to write that book. The idea was that once you write about leadership let me interview loads of leaders from around the world hear their stories see what lessons they can teach me and put it into a book basically and that's what we did Awesome It's called The Rising Generation Leadership Podcast I run the London podcasting community

04:35 And you got to tell people how many episodes you're up to on your podcast because this is the distinction between how something, uh... How hard something is to start but how even harder it is to carry on. So how many episodes are you up to? About 147 I think. Yes! Yeah yeah yeah. That's awesome. Full full acknowledgement of that. Uh..I think... It's one the best things that I've done It's one of the best things I've done for sure, without a doubt. The conversations that people have had to be able to meet and speak with just personal growth? Amazing! Awesome well that in a nutshell is what this Team SuperDad podcast is about really it's

05:20 And I'm going to be talking about the six keys of Team Superdad. The health, wealth, love faith fund and personal power which I'm always quite conscious that's a lot of things take on board but when i look at my journey both coming out of my marriage into this whole separation saga and then rebuilding The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Emerge Leadership

05:57 Each of those areas is so important. They're hard work to actually turn around and find some momentum in, but without all of them to some degree going in a positive direction the others aren't really gonna be successful either. So my point being... It's that challenge we all have right? To try and manage those areas of our lives It's like a conveyor belt, like six conveyor belts all kind of moving at different speeds and you're trying to keep them all maintained. And it's a challenge but you're right they all do matter. You're right! Yeah um and I always seem to make life hard for myself

06:37 But the reality is, as I was saying you know just for a guy to build a successful life rebuild a successful life and being as fit as you've ever been in your life but not having the financial security to go with it. Not having the faith or self-confidence it's pretty meaningless so And where you been today? I understand you've been at a school today. This is part of that work. Yeah, it's University College Birmingham speaking to students there just inspiring them to really take hold their opportunities and be the best they can be really sharing my personal story with them and yeah just inspiring what i do as Errol Lawson's life

07:22 But I love it, I absolutely love what i get to do. Love the opportunity that had today to speak to the students. Brilliant! And if you don't mind me asking, having known each other now for blimey it's like eight years. Like crazy! You've had to push through on that subject challenges getting into schools questioning am I doing the right thing? Am i not doing the right thing and then just as we were warming up for this you were talking about how people students came up to you after today and how you've impacted their lives What's kept you going and how do you maintain the belief that you're doing the right thing? Well, great question man. It's not easy though Jonnie it's not easy I think because there has been those times of questioning am i doing the right thing what should I be doing Am I living on purpose

08:16 Am I focusing on the right areas or not, you know? In the midst of that trying to make money to provide for the family and keep my family happy and connect with my family. And develop like my key relationships, you know it's huge man! It's huge! Um...I think my compass has been my faith in many ways So we planted a church in Birmingham here about five weeks ago. I've been in ministry since 2007, but you know as a youth pastor full-time for about 5 or 6 years and then I pastored in the local church of Birmingham here just like an assistant to this senior pastor there. And we just felt led and called

08:59 Throughout my journey of running business, doing all the different things I've always had this sense of a calling of God in my life. A sense of the number one thing that's changed in my life is my faith The thing that matters most to me and it is most deeply important to me Is my faith And I've enjoyed more than anything else seeing others either grow in their faith or find freedom in their faith and be set free you know? That's what I love I feel like along the way, I've always had this sense of knowing that's where i'm meant to be. That's what I was supposed to be doing so now it's turned out through lots of prayer lots of sacrifice lots of ups and downs. I find myself now leading a church. I am the senior pastor we've got a congregation We have Sunday services. We're growing and It's just an amazing thing

09:55 I think, you know there's always been that compass that pillar that place to come back to do you know what i mean? That probably kept me going through it all. And just briefly as you touched on your family there You got married midway through us knowing each other and now go two kids and gone from being a young black man in the community to being a church leader married man father It's been like so fast as well. We're married 2015, got two babies now two little girls, Gabriela aged 2 and Ariana is about six months old seven months old now it all happened so quickly thank God I've got an amazing wife who supports me and is you know in my corner we work together on a lot of stuff

10:48 and you know marriage isn't without challenge especially when you've got two little kids who are saying you're not allowed to sleep Just, you know manage the complexity of raising two babies and again grow business and do church and pursue purpose as they're on track. And knowing when to stop and say we need to pause here for a season or let go this first season You know it's not easy man It's not easy so it's a big challenge But you doing it? And you got the people around you I dare say who is helping

11:29 Now listen, the theme for our Series 1 of the Team Superdad podcast is all about the emergency break and I've tried to find a sanitized way of saying it but really what to do when this shit hits the fan. And you were really there for me when the shit hit the fan for me And even in what you're sharing there about yourself, you've got a lot of different pressures and focuses and the sense of how do you keep those plates spinning, those balls in the air. What would you say to someone? I don't know let's look at this from the place where I was... You stepped up as a couple of people did and were a great support to me

12:18 I don't want to say why did you do that, but you took the opportunity to do it and you were a massive help to me. Yeah there's two things here i think right so there's a there's let me i can deal with in a faith perspective first of all then so from a faith angle right there's always this real sense of The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Errol Lawson, Emerge Leadership The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Emerge Leadership.

13:21 Our challenge is to get a picture of God in our hearts that's bigger than our current situation. And when we're going through a challenge or a pit, or a prison-like situation the hardest thing to do is to get it get a glimpse or a picture of a god who is loving he's benevolent his generous is kind he's faithful And who's all-knowing and all powerful that's bigger than what we're facing right now. Because what we're in feels so deeply disempowering and oppressive, that we can't see the light of the tree... the wood for the trees So enough in a faith angle That's the key. That's the thing there but even non faith angle I think equally as powerful in the sense is that We've got to create a picture of our future that's bigger than the picture of our past

14:08 And again, it's so hard to do. Like how do I in the midst of this scenario whether it's a divorce or whether it's a bereavement? Whether it's a loss of a job where is there a serious addiction? How do I create a picture my future that greater and bigger than the picture of my past And that's what I think my desire in the midst of all you're going through is to help you see that somehow, You're an amazing guy. Like your talented, your gifted, you've got great abilities and talents and a great future ahead of you. Your a great dad! You love your kids! Do ya know what i mean? Trying to help me to see that picture of a bigger future that will pull you forward in a sense

14:50 Yeah, you know and you're reminding me I mean our this conversation with someone else the other day and it was it was such a whirlwind of a time. I can't even remember some of it but just in what you're saying there yeah that's exactly what you were doing and literally pulling me towards the light so to speak but pulling me towards the future and the belief that it was going to be alright good times will come in and this pain which yeah exactly like he said a day felt like a week The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Errol Lawson, Emerge Leadership

15:29 And it wasn't like we spoke every day, but just to be able to... the times that we did. It was either randomly that you called me and it just happened to be the perfect moment or I reached out and we just chatted for half hour 45 minutes. It's so important that people find someone who can be there for them or have the confidence to actually maybe they've not been that close to their brother or their cousin or whoever it might be or their best mate but actually say ''I need some help'' Can you be that person? Absolutely. And you know, I said to someone listening right now like and you've got a create a picture of your future that's bigger than the picture of your past

16:04 You've got to have the courage to sit down with a pen and paper, and begin to ask yourself some questions about where you see yourself in three years time five years time ten years time. What do you desire? To have be, do...you know begin to dream on paper for yourself again even if it seems like you can't or you can't see any situation anyway out of where you're at right now when you can, but you gotta get it on paper Talk to someone like Jonnie says, you know have a conversation with someone if it's a counselor or if its' a friend. If its' a trusted other You gotta get that picture in your heart and your mind because you are full of amazing potential! Your full of greatness, your full of so many things And no matter what you're facing right now, you've probably done harder things In your life before this point That will...if you look at realistically you can get through this You can do this, you've done harder things man Yeah

17:01 I remember someone saying on multiple occasions, you've heard this but the things that you believe in about yourself or the things that you're telling yourself are they true? Like i'm no good. Or it never works out for me okay well have you got examples of when things have worked out and then you go oh yeah there was a time in this and time in that and uh do you know what actually more often than not I pull through And this sickness, this belief that everything's gonna go wrong is actually there's not even any evidence for it let alone whether it means... It's happening. You're pretty much touching on goals there? It's ridiculous isn't it? Goals! It's the simplest thing like eating right how do you get healthy yeah eat right and do a few press-ups. Goals fall into that how'd you create a brilliant life why do people struggle so much with the idea of simply setting a goal and believing in

17:54 Well, goal setting doesn't work Jonnie. Goal setting doesn't work that's the problem we have to do the work Setting goals anyone can set goals but goal-setting itself doesn't work it only works if somebody takes action on those goals and thats where people fall down all of time so when they do that a few times they get disappointed they get discouraged and think And of course, there's a lot more to it than that.

18:43 I'm going to talk about the power of habits. The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Emerge Leadership Go into the gym means my back doesn't hurt and it means I'm feeling positive. And now, that's the reason to get up! That along with Mel Robbins... Have you heard of Mel Robbins? She has got a lot to answer for that woman! 5'3-1"... She is like in my head in the morning! Okay Mel, I am on this!

19:42 So what's the telltale story? I set goals. I've got a journal, I look at my goals every day... Go on then, tell me about your journal. I write goals every day of so many different goals in processes over the years and just a little bit down for me now to five things that I focus on number one is relationship regard and everyday I'll journal ask a question how might I grow in my relationship with God today so that can have more peace and more power say for example I might ask, and the end part of this sentence can change by the way so that my part could change. So how can I enhance the relationship with my wife and children today? Someone that we saw that we might have more connection and love or how am i improve my health today so they're my more energy and strength How might

20:37 How might I achieve my financial target of X today so that i might be able to give generously and do x? And then how might I The last one, how might I develop or grow the life in our church today so that we might achieve X for example. So a focus! And is that you challenging your mind to come up with answers? Absolutely That's what they call the reticulator activating system. That's right yeah that's right So I just do that and I find that it works for me man. And so if someone's not heard of it, I'm hoping... Do you know what? If you haven't heard from before then search out the basic. This is the non-scientific version. It's sort of somewhere in here in front of your mind

21:26 When you keep asking it questions, it will go off and actually find answers. But if you just leave it idle... It will sit there idle or come up with garbage! And so they can listen to Tony Robbins or you can go Eric Nightingale guy zigzag the whole... You are who you what you are your thoughts, what you think about If you've got a goal focus on that goal be thinking about that goal and actually I love what you just said there is that Our Brain is a Wondrous Machine, you know if you've got your faith in God or your faith in Jesus. It's ask and it shall... what was that from the past? Ask and it shall be done knock and he shall open how does that work? Check out Jonnie the pastor! Knock, ask and ye shall receive. Ask and ye shall receive And so if you're not down with the Bible then then you can go with The Raz helping you out there but equally

22:27 There's a lot of wisdom in the Bible and it is about putting out there, ask and you shall receive. Don't ask guess what? You're not going to find anything out! So what are some other tactics for sticking with your goals? Okay so let us just get back on point here... Someone is listening to this part of the Emergency Break series They're really facing down the barrel. They could be feeling depressed, hell they might even be feeling suicidal and if you are in that place, you got to get some help guys! But in terms of a goal and setting a goal and then falling off that goal like for me not going into gym, it felt awful 3 months later like the resignation and yuckiness...

23:08 For someone... Accountability bro, accountability. Yeah yeah like as human beings our tendency is to procrastinate so we'll put things off or make excuses but when it's a trusted person in our life that we respect that you know we've given our word to somehow we raise our game to a different standard So what I found is, for example going to the gym. I've got a personal trainer and I've got a boxing guy... boxing trainer who I work with probably once a week at least. In case you don't know Errol's about 6 foot 2 already! Okay so now you're gonna be... And my trainers are about 5 foot 2 but um.. You know? So i work with him on the pads Yeah I need that motivation, I need that encouragement. I've got a lady who's a nutritionist

24:00 So every 30 to 60 days we have a phone call, how you getting on Errol? What's your food diary like? What have you been eating? I'm okay. You see what i mean thinking about my food um i've got my journal you know i've got a team that i'm leading that help hold me accountable to delivering a high standard of I've leadership for them, you know. So ultimately whatever that if you're in a situation right now You've got goals and you not following through or taking action And it's up to you to put some kind of accountability structural system in your life That will help you get that result so if it is fitness then this might be a health and fitness group Might be a running group might be a cycling group It might be a personal trainer If it's around food then he might be a nutritionist or a dietitian or again your personal trainer

24:48 If it's around finance, then you might need to get a coach or you might need to start your own mastermind group around finance even. Whatever it is that you need to do, that's what I decided to do. I started my own mastermind groups and culture groups so I needed support myself. I started things that would also help me as well as helping other people to help me get my accountability levels up So you can't forget making excuses like, you know already guys if your listening right now. You probably have the mindset already that it's excuses or success. You choose! You can't have both right? And so get accountable man I think you could put tactics in place like that my watch is Fitbit

25:26 Every day I know how many steps I've done, which I have read that some people end up having issues about that. But personally, I'm like okay cool five times this week I've done 10 000 steps or 15 000 or a couple of days... That is amazing! And then you realize okay i didn't this week okay what happened this week? All right I didn't go to the gym quite so there's other ways of putting accountability in there yeah um when you listen to a podcast now if you don't know enough about Personal Power or Falling Back in Love or Faith, or any other of the six keys. There's podcasts out there I mean for me Team Superdad has been actually about that is about finding a resource for people to get the information The mini modules are coming along soon Giving people access to breakthroughs in those areas Listen let's change gears a little second That's a phrase you hear on lots of podcasts and not sure if they like it

26:22 We've touched on faith a couple of times. People could be listening to this and be like, I don't believe in God and you know that could suddenly have them switch off right? So this isn't about convincing people to believe in God. I'm a Christian is part of how we connected so strongly together I believe. I still believe that faith... You know faith in a bigger power! Faith that the universe is on our side. Faith that people are generally good What can you say about faith that if people can check in on themselves and realize they've lost faith, how does someone go about rebuilding a sense of faith in their life? That's a massive question.

27:10 It is, it's a huge question to do. Ponder that and answer it. Okay I'll be honest, when it comes to faith you know I'm a Bible believing Christian so my understanding of faith and definition of faith is based on the Bible if you like yeah So you know and I build my faith through spending time reading the Bible And through prayer, you know getting to know the Lord. So my faith grows, you know what I mean? Of course, I'm sure there are people listening right now who've got different sources for their faith and that's cool and I feel like you gotta know it for yourself The Faith Journey is a very personal one

27:58 Somebody who's got... People are very particular, very personal about how they choose their certain faith pathway. And I feel like we've gotta just let that be okay and you know faith is important to me my faith is central to my life others might have a different faith or no faith or believe in whatever You've got to figure out what works for you and do what works for you. And if you find a better way that it works for, then go for that better way. I think I found the best way and I'm pursuing that way, you know? So there's confidence there! That's the point isn't it? Having faith in something that works gives you a foundation on which you can fall back on Yeah yeah 100%

28:55 But it's not good like, so the Bible says that faith without works is dead right? So like faith having faith is one thing but not doing anything with that faith. Faith is a muscle, like faith grows and we use it, we work it, work that faith and more we step out in faith the more confidence you get, the more courage you find, the more know ourselves better or we find out new things new opportunities, new stuff come our way when we actually live out that faith And so there's something about having faith, yes. But then actually putting that faith to work is probably equally if not more important. Yeah okay good answer and I get it as a lot... I quoted down somebody who did I quote the other day? Oh! I think it was Zig Ziglar actually he was talking about the more you help other people the more you get what you want from life

29:54 The more you chase what you want, the less likely it is to happen. But the more you help other people get what they want, the more you're likely to get what you want and that's a purpose led life which in essence is a faith led life I can see that. Well! That's deep we're getting deep man. Well... What about community? You know, you touched on your story Postcode To The Globe I was interested about Community Journey. I got married right, three years ago yeah? Yeah thank you very much it was... We were just talking a minute ago about Eric Thomas's podcast and listening to an American black urban sort of podcast styled show and there i was in your wedding! I think that was like four white people at the wedding but it didn't feel odd

30:52 I personally like experiences that are different from the norm but so grateful for the invite, for the opportunity to be there. We were mixing up Caribbean and African food weren't we? It was a brilliant day. The keys to me getting married, if you like. So if you imagine that I came from a background where it was promiscuous for my whole life up until I became Christian and my parents are divorced. I had no example of we know a solid and healthy marriage around me And so I was just bumbling through relationships literally bumbling through but car crash after car crash, you know? And then what made the difference for me was community

31:43 So at the church, that was a thing at the time. They started this group for singles right? Not everyone would fancy this but yeah there's a group of singles and there was lady leading the group who was like her teacher or ministry or gifting or passion if you like in the area of supporting singles And there's a community of singles that we meet together once a month, say. She began to teach us about marriage and how marriage and why marriage and God's plan for marriage and laying the foundation for your marriage and these different principles And this community of people basically transformed my mind, being in this community. My whole thinking of what marriage was and relationships just totally changed by being in this group of people and I was almost you could say delivered. I was set free from any old paradigms to understanding the simple sense of what marriage was and the benefits of it

32:43 So that community really transformed me. That community, along with the mentor, the person that led the community, along with prayer and were three key things that transformed me. For me, those three principles to me have proven to be pivotal The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Emerge Leadership.

33:31 I'm And every week there'd be a phone call with a bunch of strangers. We check in and we share how crap we were doing with debt and finances, and would encourage each other... ...and I leave that call feeling like flip me! I'm not on my own? Yeah. The people are worse off than me?! Like what on earth is going on!? Sort yourself out mate!! And within a matter of time I give actually a lot

34:24 and If you're tired of being tired of being tired and where you're at, just join a community that can help you get through it. And that's how I didn't expect...I never expect anything when you ask the question but what i see from that is maybe the very community you need to be in is the thing you least want to talk about You know what I mean? Like who knows what it could be It could be an addiction, it could be debt

35:02 I'm Go to the horse races and bet all the time. Positive community would be gambling anonymous and actually pulling yourself into that positive space. Yeah, wow! That was... It's funny it's the same subject but slightly different angle I was moaning about my gym before Christmas. I'm saying it's a great gym, I love it but no one talks to each other

35:49 And then I realised, well how many people did i say hello to? So now since January... And everyone's got headphones on. No well yeah kind of but since January I'm always morning! Hello! I'm actually asking people's names and I am having some breakthroughs with some people there are a couple of guys there who simply refuse to acknowledge my existence which I have no idea why. I'll try not take it personally and that's another point isn't if the community you join doesn't work don't let A sign that, oh my god, whoa he's many actually. Go out and find the same subject different group. Absolutely. Great talking Errol absolutely brilliant So what are you up to next? I mean like you said about where we started there is the schools, the leaders... What was it called? Leaders Engagement? Emerge Leadership

36:48 What's next? All these goals and these strategies you shared with us, what's next where are you taking it all. You know right now I'm having to really just the goal is obviously grow the business or reinvent the business right now so we've more they've just got a better product offering for greater impact really so working on that really The other thing we're doing is, we are putting a new book out this year. So that's linked to the product offering things so... A new book coming out later this year by the grace of God! That's almost finished now. Immediately today I'm on my way to Leeds right now To go and do a couple workshops for housing association up in Leeds Then Friday in London to go and do some stuff at school down in London

37:38 And that's my week, man. That's my week. Awesome and if I mean anybody who is thinking about getting someone in to make a difference to teenagers? To make a difference to a group of students Errol is definitely a man you should consider because I've seen the impact he has with young people and just the sheer size of him on stage, let alone what comes out his mouth. What should people do if they want to connect with you and talk about having you come speak at their school or university? Great thank-you so

38:19 Go to www.emerge-leadership.com and find me on social media, I'm on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram There and you'll track some of the work that we're doing in our stories there. Just drop me a line, get in touch I'm always ready to have a chat with a great team of people who can come and literally if it's about culture your organization who can help you create a culture that is cohesive fun and effective If it's about young people we could help you build the leadership in your own people having to grow their confidence engagement and motivation

39:00 If it's about your team, it's your office team and you want to invest in the well-being of your team whether they're leaders or a middle or staff members generally. We can help you increase staff engagement, how we improve staff wellbeing and get them motivated to get results for you That's what we do so please do get in touch. I'd love have chat with ya! Awesome, and we'll link all that up and especially your books and stuff in the show notes as well. Errol it's been absolutely brilliant talking to you I said to everyone For me it's not about having hundreds of different guests on, it's about having people that the Team Superdad community can get to know and trust and enjoy checking back in with. So I look forward to having you back on! I'm putting together some group chats as well where we'll sort of hang out and get five or six of us talking There are a lot of guys who are home alone and simply having podcasts on in the background is real support so I'm looking forward to having some fun

40:04 Errol, God bless. All the best my friend I'll see you soon. Thank you man alright thank you bye-bye Awesome awesome interview Errol what a support that man has been to me! I hope you enjoyed that interview if you are someone who wants to come on the Team SuperDad podcast if there's someone you know a dad who is absolutely overcome adversity and And

40:51 The Jonnie Jensen Show, Jonnie Jensen, Errol Lawson, Emerge Leadership. Thanks again, it's been great to have you here. I'll see you on the next Team Superdad podcast. Oh and of course if you're interested in the Rebuild Programme that's Dads creating their best life ever! It's a five-week programme which leads into the Team Superdad HQ which is the I'll see you in the next Team Superdad podcast.

41:59 This has been Team Superdad. Find us at teamsuperdad.com Join the Rebuild Program and create the best life ever for you and your children! You are not alone, you're on Team Superdad