7 Secrets to a healthy mind | MyBudget Purpose Day 2025

We celebrated our annual MyBudget Purpose Day recently; honestly one of my favourite days on the calendar! It’s a time when our whole team comes together to learn, grow, and reconnect with why we do what we do. Purpose Day is designed to stretch us, to bring fresh thinking and inspire us to become better leaders, teammates and people. It’s about equipping ourselves with the mindset and tools to keep growing, both personally and professionally. 

This year, I shared something close to my heart: how to have a healthy mind. Just like our physical health needs regular exercise, fitness, and a balanced diet, our minds need daily habits like mindfulness, meditation, and quality sleep to stay strong and resilient. Looking after our mental wellbeing is what allows us to think bigger, lead better, and show up with energy and purpose; at work, at home, and in every social connection. These are the 7 secrets I live by; the mindset shifts that shape how I lead, grow, and keep striving.

Secret #1: Embrace imperfection

Life is not perfect, and that’s okay. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re feedback. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. The most successful people I know aren’t flawless; they’re brave enough to try, fail, learn and go again. And most importantly they aren’t too proud to ask for help! This mindset builds confidence, capacity, and healthier long-term health outcomes.

Secret #2: Remember thoughts aren’t facts

Our feelings come from how we interpret events, not the events themselves. And sometimes our brains play tricks; fortune-telling, catastrophising, or assuming the worst. The real power comes when you stop accepting every thought as truth and start asking: is this thought serving me, or holding me back? This simple evaluation is one of the most practical tips I know for reducing anxiety and building self-esteem.

Secret #3: Emotions are like the weather

They come and go, and that’s normal. Stress isn’t always bad; the right amount can sharpen your focus and lift your performance. The skill is learning emotional regulation: ride the waves, don’t get stuck in the storm. With the right habits; exercise, mindfulness, focus time, and even short tricks like deep breathing; we can calm the brain and restore balance.

Secret #4: You choose your response

Emotions don’t control us; our choices do. When you feel that urge to react, ask the “Magic Question”: what’s the helpful thing to do now? Often, the best choice is the one that goes against your first impulse.For example, if you send a message and don’t get an immediate reply, it’s easy to assume the person is upset or ignoring you. A more balanced option is recognising they may simply be busy, driving, or caught up in something else. This shift in behaviour shows knowledge, emotional strength and creates better communication and connection.

Secret #5: Practise healthy thinking

Realistic. Balanced. Helpful. That’s the thinking sweet spot. Whenever I feel stuck, I work through my thoughts with a simple check: is this accurate, is it balanced, and will it move me forward? If not, I rewrite the story I’m telling myself. These practical tips improve mental health, workplace effectiveness, and overall wellbeing.

Secret #6: Be kind to yourself

The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. Swap self-criticism for self-compassion. Talk to yourself the way you would a best friend, with encouragement, forgiveness, and kindness. Leadership and resilience don’t come from being hard on yourself; they come from backing yourself. Self-compassion reduces fatigue, builds calm, and strengthens both mental wellbeing and physical health.

Secret #7: Focus on gratitude

What we focus on grows. Small words of thanks may seem simple, yet they carry extraordinary power. Research shows it lifts mood, improves sleep, and increases satisfaction with life. Start small, a dinner table ritual, journalling, or a gratitude letter. Sharing gratitude improves social connection, builds confidence, and has proven positive health outcomes.

True happiness isn’t about being “happy” all the time. It’s about building wellbeing and resilience so that when life throws challenges our way, we bend without breaking. These habits, from fitness to mindfulness, gratitude to self-compassion, keep me grounded as a leader, a mum, and a woman building something bigger than herself. I hope they inspire you to keep striving, keep growing, and keep choosing the thoughts and actions that make you stronger.