Three Levers for Life Change: Insights from Callum Laing

In a recent LinkedIn post, Callum Laing discusses a powerful framework for personal transformation, drawing inspiration from the principles attributed to former McKinsey partner Kenichi Ohmae. Laing challenges the efficacy of willpower alone, proposing instead that tangible changes in three key areas are the true drivers of significant life alterations. As Callum Laing notes:

“If you want to change your life, you have only three levers to pull. – Change your time allocation. – Change where you live. – Change who you associate with.”

Laing asserts that many successful individuals and organizations achieve remarkable results not through sheer force of will, but by strategically manipulating these levers. He highlights that programs like Veblen Directors, Harbour Club, and Key Person of Influence often yield impressive outcomes because they inherently guide members to adjust their time management and social circles.

The Time Lever: Deliberate Allocation Over Overwhelm

Callum Laing emphasizes that a fundamental shift in how time is spent is crucial. He critiques the common pattern of dedicating excessive hours to a primary job, followed by passive leisure activities like watching Netflix. According to Laing, this approach leaves little room for growth or the emergence of new opportunities.

However, he clarifies that this doesn’t necessitate a drastic increase in working hours. Instead, Laing advocates for deliberate and focused use of time. He points out that many individuals he works with dedicate as little as 30 minutes daily, or a couple of hours on the weekend, to activities that are highly intentional and aligned with their goals.

“If you are still spending 40+ hours a week in your job and then come back and crash in front of Netflix, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to be tapping you on the shoulder with opportunities any time soon.”

The Environment Lever: Expanding Horizons Beyond the Local

Laing also introduces the concept of the ‘Environment Lever,’ which relates to where one lives and the broader context of their opportunities. While acknowledging that most people may not relocate, he stresses the importance of adopting an international or broader perspective.

He argues that limiting one’s scope to a single city inherently restricts the pool of potential opportunities. By thinking bigger and considering possibilities beyond immediate geographical constraints, individuals can unlock new pathways to success. Laing succinctly puts it, echoing a sentiment often associated with global interconnectedness: “It’s a small world after all…”

The People Lever: The Power of Association

Perhaps the most central theme in Laing’s post is the ‘People Lever,’ which focuses on the profound impact of one’s social circle. He reiterates the well-known adage that individuals tend to become the average of the people they associate with.

Callum Laing explains that if one’s network consists solely of peers in similar roles, their own trajectory will likely remain confined to that same path. Conversely, actively seeking out and associating with individuals who are actively engaged in high-level activities—such as serving on boards, closing deals, or building ventures—can normalize such achievements and aspirations.

“If your circle consists only of other operators, you will stay an operator. If everyone you start associating with is sitting on boards, doing deals, creating things and making stuff happen, then that becomes your norm.”

In conclusion, Laing suggests that while willpower has its place, its unreliability makes it a poor foundation for lasting change. He encourages readers to identify which of these three levers—time allocation, living environment, or social associations—might be currently hindering their progress and to consider actively manipulating them to achieve their desired outcomes, whether that’s becoming a world-class board member, a successful capital raiser, or excelling in any other chosen field.