Donny Lanesbury is the founder and Principal Coach at Pivot Simple Life Coaching.
Donny is an accredited Life and Executive Coach with over 20 years of Business Management experience across multiple industries.
Prior to launching his business, Donny spent the past 11 years of his career successfully leading Manager and Senior Manager Teams at Apple.
Pivot Simple Life Coaching is a Northern NSW, Australia-based business with a global audience, welcoming and supporting Dreamers of all ideas, Entrepreneurs, Existing Businesses, Teams, Amateur and Professional Athletes.
Leveraging an intuitive approach and innovative coaching foundations to build a variety of transformational skills, Donny has seen his clients from Entrepreneurs, Professional Athletes, and Podcasters unlock success at an incredible pace.
For more information visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Donny, to know a bit more about his journey as a life and business coach.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Donny: There is one particular day that really resonates with me growing up. I remember very clearly my Dad arriving home from work one afternoon, saying he had left his job to start his own business and I found this to be a pivotal moment that helped shape my career aspirations and belief systems. I was a teenager at the time and clearly remember saying to myself … ‘well that’s cool, I could do that one day.
However, the ability to create and support others has always inspired me, I have always been the person in the room that will question, challenge or present a different angle in the hope that we can innovate and look at new ways to do things and make them better for all involved.
I’m also a big believer in new beginnings and divine timing, that the universe will give us all the signs, people, and pathways. I have really enjoyed stepping into this space, I’m very excited for the future and the opportunity to connect with a global community.
Q. How did you get started?
Donny: Over the past 20 years I’ve had the privilege of coaching and leading many wonderful, diverse, talented, individuals and teams. Leading with an intuitive mindset has driven many breakthrough moments with career progression, large-scale projects, and unmatched performance.
A common theme that I have encountered and coached Leaders and Teams on many occasions is how to approach complex situations with simplicity, remove the noise so to speak, remain connected to what’s important, and understand what we need to influence to drive successful outcomes.
I started Pivot Simple Life Coaching with that exact intention, to simplify to build success and share the knowledge as far and wide as possible.
Supporting the wider community on how to get out of their peripheral, avoid chasing shiny objects, build positive belief systems and drive their centre of influence utilising the coaching foundations I’ve created is truly rewarding, incredible to be part of, and a decision I’m most proud of.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Donny: I think compressing 20 years of experience of what has worked and what hasn’t into a coaching platform was a very challenging exercise, highly reflective and confronting, haha!!!
I’m also a very visual person, so I purchased the biggest whiteboard possible for my home office and mapped everything out using multiple grid approaches, cost, impact, influence, etc …, I found this highly effective and supported my vision greatly.
Lastly, I have some wonderful mentors who also supported me, they listened to my ideas and offered suggestions. It’s so great to have a genuine outside perspective.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Donny: It’s hard to define one moment as success comes in so many ways when coaching and there have been some wonderful breakthrough moments of personal growth and professional success.
If I was to share a quick story – Most recently I had the opportunity to work with a professional Athlete who was about to go into a series of events and wanted help in fine-tuning his mindfulness approach.
We connected one on one virtually and had a follow-up session in person. We utilised an acronym called C.O.O.L I have developed for in-the-moment performance for amateur and professional athletes and I saw a very quick shift in confidence and mindfulness.
The results from the tournaments were outstanding and also included a win. My client managed to implement the strategies consistently and when you combine phenomenal talent with a mindfulness strategy I think that’s such a great combination for success. Following the tournaments we connected again for a reflection session, we have now moved to planning for future tournaments and implementing another acronym I have developed called T.R.A.I.N – a planning and preparation tool that can be applied for any Athlete leading into events or competition.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Donny: A New Earth by Echart Tolle – It’s a fascinating read on awakening to our life’s purpose.
It definitely landed in my hands at the perfect time, inspiring me to continue to listen to my intuition and pursue my passions and purpose.
I highly recommend picking this book up.
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
- Podcast – There are so many great stories out there to be heard, so much wonderful knowledge that is being shared and easily accessible.
- Canva – Creativity is next level and simple to use.
- Reminders – I’d be lost without my reminders!!!
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Donny: I’d like my legacy to be remembered as someone who guided others to find their best and most vibrant version of themselves, unlocked their true potential and inspired our future generations.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Donny: Trust in your inner journey, your intentions, actions and find comfort in allowing the story to unfold.
To keep up to date with Donny and his journey, connect with him on Instagram.