To help ‘the teenagers of today, and yesterday, and tomorrow’
Simon Hartley wrote a book.
But it's not a self-help kind of book. It's a fictional story.
About demons.
Simon Hartley wrote a book.
But it's not a self-help kind of book. It's a fictional story.
About demons.
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Writing books, fiction especially, is not your day job. How come this one? Why?
That is a very good question!!! I wrote this book to help people to navigate their life challenges, particularly the mental and emotional ones. I know that there are some really powerful principles from psychology and philosophy that can help. I also figured that if I wrote a non-fiction book, it would simply be too dry and boring to engage a lot of people (including many teenagers). So, I decided to share them through a fictional story. Who is this book for? And is this going to be like Harry Potter, seven follow ups? I describe it by saying it’s to help ‘the teenagers of today, and yesterday, and tomorrow’. I’ve seen my own daughters and their friends entangled in life’s challenges, so I wrote it primarily to help them. However, by writing it for the teenagers of yesterday (I include myself in that number), I’m hoping it’s not limited to those between 13 and 20 years of age. My brother asked me whether I had plans to write any more fictional books. My wife, who was sitting next to me said, “Over my dead body”. She knows how much it has taken to write this one! The truth is, there would have to be a good reason to write another one. Although I hope people enjoy the story, the book’s job is not to entertain… it exists to help. If writing another book would help more people with more life challenges, then maybe. 
It took you a very long time to write it. I guess the project must have been important to you, but would you do it again? You’re absolutely right, it was incredibly important to me. The conversation between our ears has such a huge impact on our life experience, so I’m really passionate about helping people get their mindset right. Would I do it again - Yes. I’ve just started to see the positive impact that this book is having. I have always worked on the basis that, if a book helps just one person, it is worth writing. So, from that point of view I would say, “Definitely”. Selfishly, it’s also helped me develop as an author. But, probably more importantly, it’s really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become a more resilient person. |
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What’s the most important thing for you?
Being a good human. Being a good husband, father, son & friend. Being able to say, “No regrets”. This interview is part of a bigger series around support for young people and helping young people be more confident and making better choices by showcasing role models and examples like yourself. One of the big things missing in people today - in our opinion is confidence - how can we change that? Seb (the principal character in the book) learns that confidence comes from evidence. But the presence of the evidence is not enough, we must also recognise and appreciate it. Most people have ample evidence telling them they are good enough. But, they don’t see it because they don’t look. What example or what life do you want to show your kids and young people? I always remind my daughters that I’m proud of who they are, not what they achieve. It doesn’t matter whether they get top grades or bottom grades… whether they win the gold medal or come last. I’m proud of them because of who they are… because they are kind, thoughtful, generous, honest, etc. There are so many fantastic people on this planet that don’t feel good enough. I’d love to help them see themselves as I see them. |
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Can we have it all, life and work/life balance, success, money and family time and mental health?
I don’t tend to see things as “all” or “nothing”. I’m not sure anyone has it all. Personally, I think we can work towards having more of what matters most to us. But, first, we need to know what really does matter to us. Is it money? Is it family time? Is it health? Once we know that, we can grow it and build on it. What’s your time management trick to stay on top of the busy schedule? How and when do you find time for yourself? I have a few little rules that I work by… Don’t let the brain dump become the things to do list. Schedule as much as you can - If it’s in the diary I tend to do it. If it’s not worth scheduling, it’s probably not worth doing. I also have a “three part filter”, as I call it. Does it need doing? Does it need to be done by me? Does it need doing now? If yes, I’ll do it now. If not, it either gets done later, by someone else, or not at all. There are so many things that don’t even pass the first question. |
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What advice do you have for young people out there?
There are so many wonderful principles. I’ve crammed as much as I can into the book. The one that I keep at the front of my mind is… “Take your own advice.” I suspect if we all took our own advice, we’d all be brilliant!!! How do you keep your mindset on the bright side of life? I have learned that “luck” is a label. We decide whether we see something as “good luck” or “bad luck”. The truth is, it’s all stuff. Everyone has “stuff” in their life. How we respond to it usually dictates whether it serves us or not. Life has taught me there are opportunities in pretty much every situation (good and bad), if I look for them. If you had to or could do it all over again [life, career, etc] - would you change anything… and why? Now that I’m approaching 50, I’ve thought about this question quite a lot. I’ve made some “interesting” decisions. I’ve taken some wrong terms. I’ve made some massive mistakes. But, honestly, I can’t think of one I’d change. |
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Hobby?
Flying (I started learning this year and I LOVE it). Wild swimming. Getting out on the water with the girls in the inflatable kayak. Watching movies. Going to gigs & sporting events. Travel. Fav drink? Really nice coffee! (but it has to be really nice coffee.) Fav food? I love middle eastern food! (followed closely by cheese) Fav place? Planet Earth (that’s a cop out answer, I know.) Wild places on Planet Earth (places with Whales.) Alaska - New Zealand - Iceland. Fav human being? There’s no way I could just pick one!!! When was the last time you went on holiday and where? We spent Christmas in a little town called Are in Sweden. It was great!!! Football or Rugby? Rugby. Tea or coffee? Coffee. Cats or dogs? Dogs. Muffin or donut? Not bothered about either to be honest. Offer me a piece of carrot cake though… :-) 
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You can read first chapter of Simon's book right now, just click here.
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Finish this sentence:
“Life is... incredible” “Success is... something we can define” “Happiness is... a cigar called Hamlet (for those old enough to remember)” You’re hosting a dinner party and you can invite 9 people [dead or alive]. Who gets the invite and why? The rock band Muse (there are 3 of them), to play some tunes. Nelson Mandela Socrates My late Grandpa My late mother-in-law. My late Gran. My wife, Caroline. What's the thing you're the proudest out of everything you have done/accomplished so far? Raising two amazing daughters. How is the world a better place because you’re here? I try to send positive ripples into the world. I like to think that if I can help someone, who goes on to help someone else, the ripples travel further. It’s the same if I can inspire someone, who goes on to inspire someone else. What’s the next big thing for Simon Hartley? Now that the book is finished and in print, the next part of my mission is to make sure it helps as many people as possible! |
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If you want to learn more about Simon simply follow his LinkedIn.
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