I’m not interested in preserving status quo. Only in creating what’s possible
Gaetan Portaels
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If You’ve Made It This Far…
I guess you’re ready for a few minutes of unapologetic self-focus 😊. But hey, I think we can all agree that writing an “About Me” page without a touch of narcissism is way less fun!
So, I hope you’ll indulge me for a bit.
And before we get started… YES, it is long! But here’s the thing: this isn’t JUST an “about me” page. I’ve tried to make sure every section brings something valuable to you.
Did I succeed?
Well, I’m not yet narcissistic enough to say for sure. I’ll let YOU be the judge of that.
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
I’m Gaetan Portaels (though you probably figured that part out already)… and I’ve spent my life questioning the way things are and, even more so, imagining how they could be. Someone recently called me an “Omnologist,” I like that.
You might call me an “obsessive improver.” I’ve never been one to follow the rules just because “that’s the way it is” or “the way it’s always been.” If something doesn’t make sense, I’ll challenge it. If something’s broken, I’ll fix it – or build something better. And if all else fails, I’ll at least give it my best shot.
BUT YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING… WHY?!
If I had to sum it all up, I believe it comes down to an unquenchable curiosity about the world and a deep conviction that things can always improve.
Now, this is NOT about fixing things just “for the sake of it;” It’s about making meaningful changes to what actually matters. I’m not the type to obsess over fixing what isn’t broken.
More than that, I’ve always been drawn to solving complex problems, challenging conventional thinking, and pushing boundaries. Whether in business, life, or our understanding of the world, I see every challenge as an opportunity to ask, “What if?”… And then relentlessly pursue the answer.
Oh, and just to be clear: I can’t stand corporate BS or the “synthetic world” some are trying to usher us into. I make no room for any of that in my world.
I was born in 1988, right at the collision of two worlds: the analog and the digital. One built on permanence, the other on perpetual change.
My generation didn’t just witness this transformation; we embody it. That’s why I call us the Crossroads Generation: We’ve been shaped in the “heat of the friction” between these two worlds.
In the analog world…
Everything had weight. You showed up at someone’s door or called their landline, hoping to catch them home. Music wasn’t “on demand,” you waited by the radio, ready to hit record on a cassette tape (a what!?). Photos weren’t instant, you had to wait weeks for the film to develop, and every shot mattered. We still know what it meant to play outside, neighbourhoods were our internet, bikes our social network.
Then came the digital revolution…
And everything changed. The internet became mainstream, rewriting every rule we knew. Dial-up modems gave way to broadband, landlines to smartphones, patience to instant gratification. Waiting became obsolete. Information, entertainment, and connection became instant, infinite, and disposable.
Am I nostalgic? In many ways, you could say I am.
Does that mean I’m “getting old?” Probably. Wise? Hopefully.
I know people say “nostalgia is the burden of every generation,“ but I think it’s more than that. It’s a reminder of how much we’ve experienced, how far we’ve come, and how fast the world keeps moving.
(See, I’m a little philosophical by nature!)
Now, for those of us born at this crossroads, it’s never been about choosing one world over the other. We were young enough to embrace the speed, adaptability and innovation of the digital age, YET rooted enough in the depth and authenticity of the analog world.
It wasn’t something we had to “figure out.” It’s who we ARE. A blend of two mindsets, two ways of living. Of course, I’m not here to say we are “special.” Every generation is. But I do believe this very particular configuration gives us an edge.
For me, this duality has likely reinforced my innate drive. It’s why I challenge the status quo, why I look for patterns in the noise, and why I build things that adapt to change without losing their soul.
Here’s what I’ve learned: the way you think doesn’t just “shape” your life. It runs it.
And, I’m not talking about the typical and overhyped “mindset” BS you hear everywhere. I’m talking about how you process, filter, and interact with everything and everyone around you…
→ How you decide what’s worth your attention.
→ What rules you live by.
→ The lenses you view the world through.
→ And, most importantly, how you turn that into action.
Because let’s be 100% clear: IF you’re not taking action, it doesn’t matter how “right it feels” or how nice your grand theories sound… It’s just noise. It’s information without purpose.
Okay… So, what?
Like 99.9% of people, I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. And I’m not talking about “becoming a billionaire” or chasing crazy dreams. Most of what I wanted was objectively attainable, but it still felt so far out of reach.
And when I say, “the results I wanted,” I don’t mean fame, yachts, private jets and a fleet of Ferraris. Success, to me, is simpler – but far more meaningful: health, business & money, friendships, love, and… above all, that elusive beast we call HAPPINESS.
Now, am I done? Have I checked EVERY box on that list?
Of course not, and I’m actually happy I haven’t!
That’s the beauty of being human, no matter how many mountains you climb, there’s always another one calling your name. And that’s not a bad thing, because that hunger, that forward motion: it’s what makes life worth living, isn’t it?
SO, WHAT CHANGED FOR ME? WHAT FLIPPED THE SWITCH?
We’re ALL secretly hunting for shortcuts. We want to “quantum jump” our way into success, we somehow think we can just “wish it into existence” without actually becoming different people.
We expect the world to bend around our wishes while we stay exactly the same. THERE IT IS. The mother of ALL problems.
And if there’s one constant I’ve found to solve them, it’s this:
The only way to change your life is to change yourself.
Sounds like a fortune cookie? Maybe. That realization isn’t sexy. It isn’t exciting. But it is the only thing that worked.
I learned the hard way that thinking differently isn’t enough, it’s just the entry ticket. The real game is in the doing different.
→ How you move through your day.
→ How you respond when life punches you in the mouth.
→ How you show up when no one’s watching
SO, WHAT DID I DO?
I stopped looking for hacks and started tearing apart my assumptions. I stopped asking, “Why isn’t this working?” and started asking, “What am I not doing?”
And now, let me share the 8 core Principles that pulled me through. The ones that mattered most. The ones that shifted everything for me and for others I’ve shared them with (and that were actually willing to put in the work).
WILL THEY WORK FOR YOU?
I can’t say for sure. But IF you’re stuck, frustrated, or feel like you’re capable of more –even if you’re already miles ahead of me in the game of life– I’d bet they will.
Principle #1: Know Thyself – The Foundation of Success
Sounds cliché? Not as much as you think. Stick with me.
You might know I still take on personal consulting, but only for a very limited number of clients. The reason? It’s not about the money or the titles. It’s about staying sharp, staying connected to the pulse of this wild, ever-changing world (more on that HERE).
Anyway…
All to say, of all the people I’ve worked with, there is ONE question that inevitably always comes back. Sure, they dress it up in different ways, but it always boils down to the same thing:
“What are the keys to success?”
Now, let me be clear: I’m not claiming to have cracked the EXACT and perfect formula for succeeding in all walks of life. BUT what I do know is that success has roots. Deep ones. And they’re always grounded in the same core principles.
This is where it begins.
And NONE of what follows will help you succeed if you don’t live by Principle #1:
KNOW THYSELF!
It’s one of those ancient phrases that feels wise and timeless – because it is. Inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, “Know thyself” has stood the test of time for a reason.
Why? Because it works.
Knowing yourself isn’t just a “nice idea.” It’s the key to building a life that’s truly yours.
Most people THINK they know themselves, but they don’t.
They know “surface-level traits:” their likes, dislikes, maybe a few strengths and weaknesses. But when it comes to their deeper patterns, blind spots, and REAL motivations? Clueless.
If you don’t know who you are, how can you know what you want?
And without that clarity, how can you take meaningful action?
Self-awareness is the foundation! Skip it, and EVERYTHING else in life becomes shaky.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?
Here’s the hard part: Let alone knowing themselves, most people don’t know what they truly want. As I often say:
“Most people live on borrowed goals”
Borrowed from society, family, or social media. “Success” or “happiness” are common answers, but few have actually defined what they REALLY mean.
Ask yourself:
→ Have you written down what you want?
→ Do you know why you want it?
→ Have you thought about what you’re willing to sacrifice to get it?
Clarity is power.
And clarity doesn’t come easy. It requires BRUTAL HONESTY, hard questions, and sitting with answers you might not like.
BE BRUTALLY HONEST. ABOUT AND WITH EVERYTHING.
This could have been a principle on its own, but I believe it feels best at home with the idea of “knowing yourself.”
Because this is where most people trip up. They’re not willing to be BRUTALLY honest. With themselves, with their goals, or with the reality of their lives.
But without brutal honesty, there’s no progress.
You CAN’T fix what you refuse to face.
Brutal honesty isn’t about being cruel or tearing yourself apart. It’s about cutting through the noise and delusions YOU tell yourself every day. It’s asking yourself the uncomfortable questions and looking at the hard facts:
→ Are your relationships helping you grow, or are they holding you back?
→ Are you working hard, or just saying you are?
→ Are your excuses valid, or just comfortable lies?
→ Are you chasing a goal because it’s YOURS, or because it looks good to OTHERS?
It’s not easy to admit when YOU are the problem.
But here’s the truth: NOBODY is coming to save you.
If your life isn’t where you want it to be, the only way forward is to own it – all of it.
You’re the common denominator in every part of your life. Brutal honesty gives you the clarity to STOP wasting time on what doesn’t work and double down on what does.
Adopt this mantra: Always ask the hard questions.
→ Is this the truth, or just what I want to believe?
→ What am I avoiding?
→ What’s the uncomfortable next step I know I need to take?
Keep questioning, keep digging.
Brutal honesty isn’t a one-time event; it’s a habit. And it’s the only way to stay grounded and keep moving forward.
Principle #2: First Principles Thinking
I’m a hardcore first principles thinker. For me, it’s about challenging every assumption about a problem, breaking it down to its most fundamental truths, and then building up from there.
It’s about questioning everything and thinking from the ground up, free from the weight of conventional wisdom and truths.
Now, what’s the OPPOSITE of First Principle Thinking?
Average Thinking. You look at the world around you, take in the available mainstream information, you average it out, and accept it as the limits of what can and cannot be done.
Sometimes it works. But more than often, “average thinking” produces “average results.” And it makes sense: How can you expect more than average if your mindset is rooted in the average?
Now, don’t get me wrong. Nothing inherently wrong with “being average,” but most people claim they DON’T want it. They want MORE.
So, back on track…
First Principles thinking has profoundly changed how I approach challenges, and it’s also the foundation of my anti-procrastination mental framework. When I feel stuck, I ask myself things like:
→ IF it were easy, would I do it for the reward?
→ How would I act IF I wasn’t shy, scared, or overthinking?
→ IF I didn’t have this belief/assumption about X, how could I experience it instead? Or understand X differently?
This questioning framework cuts through the noise and forces me to focus on what REALLY matters. It reminds me that most of the barriers we face are self-imposed.
And it’s not just about “beating procrastination.”
It’s about dismantling the bullsh*t we tell ourselves and tackling problems head-on. When you strip away all the unnecessary mental clutter, things get clearer, and you actually start solving things.
If you start to live by this like a mantra, you’ll soon realize that most of what holds you back is just fear and assumptions. When you get rid of those, you unlock new ways of thinking and make real progress.
Principle #3: The Quantum of Everything
Or, in simpler terms: small shifts, big outcomes.
I’m all-in on the “quantum world,” the “multiverse,” and the idea that our consciousness shapes the reality around us. From all of this, I’ve learned what for me has proven to be one of the most powerful lessons in life:
“If you just tweak just a little bit how you think about something, you can end up with a completely different outcome.”
It’s easy to dismiss or laugh at the idea that “changing your mindset” can change your life, but it just does.
A small shift in perspective –whether it’s how you view a challenge, an opportunity, or even yourself– can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Can I PROVE this fringe, woo-woo, hippie concept?
I’m sure not many are really interested in getting lost in the weeds of Quantum science, or dive into Roger Penrose’s theory on quantum microtubules in the brain (even though it’s wild and totally worth checking out), or go on about how the 2022 Nobel Prize winners proved that the universe ISN’T “locally real” (as insane as it sounds).
BUT… I rest my case: Don’t brush this off just because “it sounds too far out.” Don’t dismiss it because it doesn’t fit into your current view of reality.
It’s powerful. And real.
DON’T THINK YOU CAN’T FOOL YOURSELF.
We know for a fact that anyone can be brainwashed. And it doesn’t always have to be a negative thing. Just as easily, you can positively brainwash yourself.
The same applies to First Principles. Just as your mind can be shaped through positive or negative influences, the way you adopt and apply First Principles can fundamentally alter your thinking – for better, or for worse.
Reality isn’t fixed. There are infinite possibilities, and the how you think determines which one you step into.
Principle #4: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis
“One of the most important skills in life is the ability to know what’s TRUE and ACCURATE.”
We spend most of our lives pretending we know what’s true and operating based on those convictions. But here’s the catch: if your grasp of the truth is shaky or distorted, you’re only setting yourself up for failure.
REAL TRUTH, however, isn’t usually “obvious.” More often than not, it’s hidden in the friction between opposing ideas.
That’s why I live by the concept of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. It’s NOT a “new idea.” It actually traces back to ancient philosophy, particularly with Socrates and Plato, and was later popularized by thinkers like Kant and Hegel.
But let’s skip the heavy theory! All to say, the idea itself isn’t revolutionary, but it captivated me and has stuck with me ever since. It fundamentally changed my relationship to the world, forever.
So, how does it work?
The idea is simple:
“Every idea contains two opposite ideas; if you can find the best of both and merge them, you synthesize a more accurate answer.”
By merging the best parts of conflicting viewpoints, we get to solutions that are often both more accurate and practical.
Now, when I say “synthesize” or “merge,” I don’t mean “average them” or “meet in the middle.” Not every assumption, piece of data, or bit of evidence carries the same weight.
And… If you don’t have a specific opinion on something, your default thesis will often be the mainstream view. Don’t fall into the trap so many others do: Just because something is “mainstream” or “widely accepted” doesn’t make it true.
Many of the beliefs people cling to today are so EXTREME and rigid that they don’t hold up in the practicalities of life. Be very careful when you adopt such extreme views… It’s a slippery slope, because people are often so deeply in love with their own ideas.
The late Charlie Munger’s words best illustrate my point here:
“You should not be permitted to have a strong conviction about what’s TRUE unless YOU can argue the other side better than THEY can.”
In a nutshell, that’s my guiding principle: If I can’t argue against my own beliefs, I don’t deserve to hold them.
Of course, some things are pretty obviously true, and you don’t need to go through this whole process → Eating cyanide will kill you. No need to explore the antithesis there.
Principle #5: Avoid the Illusion of “Sharable Reality
One of the biggest –and most costly– mistakes we make in life is assuming:
“If I could JUST show people my side of the story, they’d obviously switch to my opinion.”
This bias, known as “naïve realism,” is a trap I’ve fallen into more times than I’d like to admit (read: a loooot!). But, don’t we all? The arrogance of youth, a few early successes, and the misguided belief that everyone should just “get it” the way we do.
It’s a mindset that’s cost me –both personally and professionally– and it’s one I’ve had to learn to avoid… the hard way.
The reality is that people’s views are shaped by their genetics, environments, and experiences. Expecting everyone to adopt your beliefs isn’t just unrealistic… It’s downright arrogant.
WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT FROM AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE…
It makes perfect sense for people to hold opposing ideas. This is known as Evolutionary Stable Strategies (ESS): opposing ideas create a natural “balancing act.”
Remember Principle #3 (Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis)?
Truth often emerges from blending opposing perspectives. History has repeatedly proven that extremes, no matter how compelling, are ultimately doomed to fail.
So, from an evolutionary standpoint, it’s only natural that you can’t convince everyone. It takes a lot of different people and perspectives to keep the world going around.
In fact, we’d all be worse off if everyone suddenly adopted our way of thinking (I know! Shocking, right?)
Another important thing to keep in mind…
MOST OF LIFE IS RELATIVE!
Two seemingly conflicting things can be true at the same time.
Take diets, for example: Everyone seems to have “the perfect one.” But science has proven that different people metabolize food differently.
What works wonders for one person may not work for another. No matter how similar they look on the surface.
Psychological aspects and willpower aside, there’s no universal “perfect” solution for everyone.
Of course, not everything is relative –obviously– but a lot of things definitely are.
Now, don’t get me wrong!
I’m NOT saying that “you shouldn’t try to convince people at all!” Quite the opposite. Whatever you want to achieve in life is directly correlated to your ability to persuade people and win them over.
But…
First of all, some battles simply aren’t worth fighting. Learn to identify them (quickly) and move on.
Second, and most critically:
You CAN’T convince people who aren’t ready to learn. No matter how compelling your argument or how hard you try, some people simply won’t budge. Period.
Instead, focus your energy on those “on the fence.” The ones genuinely searching for insights or answers.
They’re the ones who are open to new perspectives.
The rest? Forget it!
On average, on any given topic, I’d say only about 20% of people are open-minded enough to change their views.
The good news? The ocean is full of fish.
Put your passion, energy, and best arguments into reaching that 20%. They’re the ones who are ready to listen.
AND FINALLY, HOW DO YOU BREAK OUT OF THE NAÏVE REALISM TRAP?
Focus on your own shit. Be so busy working on your own beliefs and turning them into reality that you don’t have time to waste convincing everyone else.
Embody your beliefs. If they’re solid, people will notice – and follow.
Persuade by EXAMPLE, not words. Think about some parents with their kids:
→ They say, “Read,” but never pick up a book themselves.
→ “Don’t eat junk food,” as they snack on chips.
→ “Don’t procrastinate,” while they’re glued to the sofa.
The best way to change people is to BE the change.
→ Want to hire the best people? Be the best yourself. People are naturally drawn to those who operate at their level – or higher.
→ Want to change a country? Embody the values and vision you wish to see.
As Gandhi famously said:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
And yes, it’s a cliché, because people have used it too much.
But if you’ve made it this far, stop and think about it… It’s pretty damn profound.
Principle #6: Money, A Tool That Moves Dominos
—Promise, they’ll be shorter now—
Long before modern societies and the invention of currency, ancient civilizations were already obsessed with the idea of money.
Why?
Because it’s a domino effect. It pushes so many pieces into motion. And when used the right way, it changes everything.
→ Some people obsess over money, letting it consume their thoughts.
→ Others give up entirely, convinced they’ll never have enough.
Both are flawed mindsets.
The truth? Money matters.
It’s not everything, but it’s a tool – a powerful one. It unlocks opportunities, reduces stress, and gives you the freedom to focus on what really matters to you.
The reality is that “having money” solves ALL your “money problems.” And in this day and age, 80% of people’s problem are money related.
So, how do I allocate my waking hours?
And how I believe anyone who wants the best out of life should.
- 60% of your time: Making money.
- 10%: Physical health (because without it, nothing else works).
- 30%: Socializing (building relationships, connecting, and living).
But here’s the catch: don’t fall into the “miss-weighting bias.”
Just because money is important doesn’t mean it deserves all your energy.
Obsession is just as dangerous as neglect. Balance is everything.
If you really think about it, I believe convictions are at the heart of most human suffering. Strong, stubborn beliefs aren’t just “obstacles.” They’re often bigger enemies of the truth than outright lies.
Consider how many wars, arguments, and broken relationships have been caused by people clinging to their convictions as if their lives depended on them.
When someone challenges our beliefs, our first reaction is usually, “You’re wrong.” It’s automatic.
But what if, instead, you said, “Huh, I’ve never thought about it that way. Let me think about it.”
The problem with rigid beliefs is they don’t just close your mind, they lock it tight.
Flexibility, on the other hand, cracks it open.
We’ve talked about this already: the world isn’t black and white. It’s messy, complicated, and constantly changing. Convictions might feel like they give you something solid to stand on, but most of the time, they’re just holding you back.
True strength isn’t about doubling down on what you believe. It’s about being open to change, questioning what you think you know, and being okay with not having ALL the answers.
The truth is, most of us are scared to admit we might be wrong. But that fear? That’s where growth happens. It’s not easy to let go of what you’ve always believed, but it’s the only way to really see the world for what it IS – not what you want it to be.
So, the next time someone challenges your beliefs, don’t fight back right away.
Pause. Listen. Ask yourself:
“What if they’re right?”
You don’t have to agree, but you do have to stay open. That’s where the magic happens.
Principle #8: Replace Convictions with Probabilities
Life is uncertain, and no one truly knows anything for sure. I hope that by now, if you weren’t convinced before, I’ve somehow gotten that into you (even just a little bit).
That’s why I’ve learned to think in PROBABILITIES.
Instead of asking, “What do I believe?” I ask:
→ What are the odds?
→ What’s the potential upside? Downside?
→ What’s the smartest move based on what I know right now?
I think of life as a giant equation, filled with an infinite number of variables – each with its own probability (how likely it is to be true) and weight (how much it actually matters to me).
For example, take the “shape of the Earth” (= a variable).
Most people believe it’s spherical (technically ellipsoidal), some think it’s flat, and a few believe something else entirely.
The way I see things…
→ The probability of the Earth being ellipsoidal is 90% (yes, I know, this will shock many).
→ The weight I assign to that variable is 5%. Why? Because whether the earth is round, flat, or shaped like a donut, it doesn’t change a damn thing about how I live my life.
That’s the point. Not every variable in life deserves the same probability or weight.
Some things matter a lot, others barely at all. The probabilities and weights you assign to those variables shape how you think, act, and interact with the world.
Most people operate in binary mode, with almost 100% or 0% probabilities (it’s either true or it’s not). But as a general rule, I believe it’s almost never wise to have absolute certainties about anything. Life is too complex for that.
Thinking in probabilities isn’t about being indecisive or wishy-washy! It’s about staying sharp, adaptable, and ready to pivot if the game changes.
Life is a series of bets. The better you are at weighing the odds and assigning the right importance to the variables, the better your outcomes.
I hope what you’ve read so far has given you some value. But since this is an “about me” page, I hope it’s given you a sense of who I’m and where I’m coming from.
This mindset has shaped everything I do, and continues to shape what’s next.
It’s also the reason I built DarwinX, not as a single company, but as a Family of Companies focused on solving real problems for real businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones.
But here’s the thing: DarwinX is more than just a business. It’s a philosophy, perhaps even a mantra. It’s grounded in the Darwinian principle of survival of the fittest, and it reflects my core belief:
In a world that’s reinventing itself faster than anyone can keep up with, the only way to thrive –and survive– is by adapting, evolving, and staying ahead of the curve
DarwinX is my way of bringing that philosophy to life. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem of companies. Each with its own personality and purpose, but all united by the same DNA.
In this ever-changing world, I believe it’s critical to not just learn in silos. Insights, societal shifts, and market mutations should be more than just “observed.” They need to be lived, shared, amplified, felt deeply, and adopted across the ecosystem. The entire organism must evolve in response.
Like a hive mind, when one company “senses change,” the whole system adapts. It grows stronger, sharper, and more resilient. This is how we stay alive, how we stay ahead, and how we prepare for whatever transformation the world throws at us next.
So, what’s that DarwinX ecosystem? A Family of Companies that disrupt the way businesses grow, teams operate, and profits are made.
Here’s a glimpse of what we do:
- InfluenzLab: Automating lead generation so sales teams can focus on what they do best – closing deals, not chasing them.
- DarwinX-AI: Helping companies level up with Artificial Intelligence and automation – making them faster, sharper, more profitable.
- UpskillingLab: Transforming teams with micro-mentoring and dynamic learning programs that actually work.
- KnowYourHive: Revolutionizing market research to help businesses truly understand their customers, beyond the surface.
- SapiensFlow: Turning “digital presence” into a profit engine with websites that actually deliver results.
But DarwinX is also an incubator for my ideas. It’s where I experiment, adapt, and build new projects to solve the ever-emerging challenges of a world that refuses to stand still. In other words: there is ALREADY more in the making.
IS THIS A BUSINESS PITCH, OR WHAT?
Nope, it’s not!
But I believe result is often the clearest reflection of intent.
I’m not bringing up DarwinX with the covert idea to sell or pitch you anything. I’m sharing it as an example of the outcome that comes from my drive to solve problems, my obsession with constant improvement, and the way I approach everything I do.
It’s not about convincing you with words; it’s about showing you who I am through what I’m building.
You’re probably wondering: “If you’ve got a business to run, why the hell are you still taking on consulting projects?”
Excellent question!
First, let me clarify: I do it on my terms – very specific formats, very limited number of slots. More on that HERE.
So, the answer? Simple:
1. I’m not done learning.
2. I’m not done staying in the game.
And what’s the best way to do that? Stay plugged. Stay sharp.
I’ve said it before: the world is changing faster than we can blink.
If you want to thrive –hell, if you want to survive– you’ve got to ADAPT. Constantly.
Consulting forces me to do exactly that. It keeps me in the loop. Tuned into market shifts, fresh perspectives, and emerging trends in a world that never stops evolving.
But it’s not just about staying “informed,” it’s about being CHALLENGED. I work with business owners and entrepreneurs who know their stuff and aren’t afraid to push me hard (they’ve paid for that right, after all.)
Every new problem, every unfamiliar industry, every demand for innovation forces me to dig deeper, think harder, and level up. That’s how I stay ahead.
Each client, each problem, is an opportunity to sharpen my mind, to refine my thinking, test new strategies, and sometimes even disrupt my own beliefs.
It’s not about the paycheck. It’s about staying in the flow. Staying in the arena. Testing. Experimenting. Playing “mad scientist.” Because let’s be real, the future belongs to the ones willing to blow things up and build something better.
The world doesn’t wait. So neither can I. That’s why I still consult.
Or, if I’m being brutally honest… maybe I just too addicted to solving new problems. The jury’s still out on that one.
2025 has brought me my latest pet project, 100% non-profit: The 17MinuteMentor podcast.
It’s all about Unfiltered, proven strategies & hacks from changemakers who’ve been there and done that – all packed into bite-sized, 17-minute episodes worth every second.
Why 17 minutes?
Because in a world that’s constantly screaming for your attention, I believe in compressed knowledge – the kind that hits hard, sticks, and actually makes a difference.
Diamonds are just coal under pressure, right?
Same idea. The craft is in finding the sharpest minds, extracting their most valuable lessons, and delivering them in a way that’s fast, digestible, and impossible to ignore. Into something you can actually use.
Why am I doing this? Two reasons.
1. The selfless one: The world is drowning in noise but starving for clarity.
I see it everywhere: a “lost generation” of people wandering through business and life, overwhelmed, distracted, and stuck. It’s a societal sickness, and as someone who’s wired to fix problems, I simply couldn’t resist trying to tackle this.
Am I fixing the world? No.
But if everyone capable of driving change stepped up with the same spirit –all of us, at our own scale– we’d be a hell of a lot closer. This is my way of stepping up.
2. The selfish one: I’m addicted to learning.
I thrive on meeting new people, radical ideas (especially opposing ones), debating complex topics, and challenging my own thinking. For me, learning isn’t a “hobby,” it’s a way of life.
And what better way to feed that obsession than by creating a space where I –and everyone else– can learn from the best, every single week?
At the end of the day, I believe the best things in life happen when we dare to be our real, unfiltered selves. It’s not always the easiest path –okay, it’s rarely the easiest– but it’s the one I’ve chosen to walk.
If that resonates with you, head over to the My Content section of this site. That’s where I share more of my ideas, straight from LinkedIn, YouTube, and my podcast.
Let’s keep questioning the rules, challenging the status quo, and building what could be.
To our success,
Gaetan Portaels