The Founding Story of WiseGoals

In 2011, I attempted my first entrepreneurial venture in Japan, eager to conquer the world of web business. My initial confidence was sky-high; I believed I had a wealth of knowledge to share. However, as I began writing and sharing my insights, I quickly exhausted my ideas. Instead of recognizing the need to expand my understanding and gain more experience, I fell into the trap of repeating the same tired ideas over and over again. Arrogance blinded me, and my business stagnated.

For years, I was stuck in this cycle, unable to make meaningful progress. The lack of growth was a clear signal that I needed to change, but I was stubborn and resistant to the message. In hindsight, I see that I was fortunate to encounter mentors who were able to pierce through my limited self-awareness. They helped me realize the necessity of continuous learning at a higher level.

My journey into the realm of positive psychology began around this time. I discovered the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field, and dedicated myself to five years of personal study. This path eventually led me to pursue one of only two MSc programs in applied positive psychology available worldwide, offered by the University of East London. Uniquely, this program also included a focus on coaching psychology, an area I knew little about.

As I delved deeper into the literature on coaching, I was astonished at how much I had been missing. For years, I had been stuck in a loop, discussing goals without understanding the critical role of coaching—the art of a goal-based conversation. The two-year deep dive into this subject was transformative. My understanding of motivation, goal setting, and achievement evolved from a superficial 5% to perhaps 80%, and I realized just how little I truly knew.

My newfound knowledge and skills culminated in the publication of my research and the launch of my coaching practice. Fast forward to 2024, and I have now been a professional coach for seven years, with various accreditations under my belt. What strikes me most is the importance of coaching—its processes, models, and tools—in the realm of personal goal setting. This deeper understanding and practical application mean that I no longer struggle with having little to say as I learn from every person and encounter and deepen my understanding through this process. I draw from this well of substantial knowledge and experience to help others achieve their goals.

They say if you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it well enough. My business began to flourish when I changed my approach. This transformation is what I strive to offer my clients, ideally saving them from the prolonged struggle I endured.

WiseGoals was my first successful web business, setting the stage for the creation of additional ventures. This experience has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to coach executives and leaders in healthcare, education, and sports (all of which I've worked in) and also young adults who aspire to be wellbeing entrepreneurs. I am perfectly placed to help them avoid the mistakes I made, guiding them towards their goals with the wisdom and insight I have gained over the years.

Thank you for connecting with WiseGoals. I hope we get to meet one day.

Best,

James