Splitting my time between the Blue Mountains and Los Feliz, LA, I was straddling two worlds: intense legal work around securities and corporate law by day, and trying to find some rest in between flights. On paper my consultancy was thriving; internally I felt like I was constantly “on”, with little space to breathe.
I loved the challenge of my field, but there was a growing gap between high performance and actual fulfilment. The ancient cliffs of Wentworth Falls would sit outside my window as a reminder of calm, yet most days I was too busy to look up from my phone.
The pattern that kept repeating was one of over-responsibility. Because of my role in compliance and risk, I was wired to anticipate and pre-empt issues for clients; but I applied the same vigilance to every part of life.
Every solution came from tightening the screws rather than letting go. I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about clients’ filings or board resolutions. It worked, until it didn’t. The real issue wasn’t strategy or bandwidth; it was identity. I’d built a system around being the one who holds it all together, leaving little room for trust in my own team or space for myself.
Working with Max was a reset. The conversations went past surface fixes and straight into how I was built to operate. He’s good at spotting the blind spots you’ve learned to hide behind competence — and he does it with humour. One exercise involved taking an afternoon hike in the Blue Mountains without my phone; the silence amplified insights. It never felt like therapy, but the insights landed that deep.
From overdrive to clarity, trust, and contribution
I learned to pause without guilt and to make decisions from clarity, not adrenaline. I started scheduling regular time in nature and defending those times like they were board meetings. I stopped trying to “manage energy” and started recognising patterns earlier.
Delegating high-stakes tasks to associates was uncomfortable at first, but it taught me something important: there’s less noise now, more trust — in the people around me, and in myself.
Work feels more deliberate. My consultancy stabilised without my constant oversight. The team’s steadier, and the load feels lighter even when the pace hasn’t changed. I found room to mentor junior lawyers and even started a pro-bono initiative focused on sustainability issues — something I’d always wanted to do but felt too busy for.
If you’re already performing at a high level but know it’s costing you more than it should, this work isn’t about motivation — it’s about meaning. It’s not about adding more to your to-do list; it’s about subtracting the noise so the important things stand out.
A private strategic conversation with Max Stephens. Reserved for high performers seeking clarity on their next strategic inflection point—whether in business, leadership, or personal direction.
This engagement is complimentary and designed for individuals ready for a high-level, outcome-oriented dialogue.
If a suitable time is not available, Max can be contacted directly at 0424135050.
He personally takes all calls.
Upon booking, you will also receive a digital copy of Max’s bestselling book, What the F**k Do You Actually Want? — a multi-time 5-star reviewed title by Readers’ Favorite.