The Mindful analyst

Think sharper, live smarter.

Hi there 👋 and welcome to The Mindful Analyst!

If you’ve ever wished you could cut through the noise, spot hidden details or just make better decisions in everyday life – you’re in the right place.

I’m Natalie, a fully qualified intelligence analyst with a background in major crime and fraud investigation. Which basically means I’ve spent my career untangling messy problems, connecting dots that didn’t want to be connected and trying to see the truth hiding behind the noise.

But here’s the twist: I believe those same skills – usually reserved for solving big investigations – are actually superpowers that everyone can use in daily life.

The idea for this blog came from a random conversation with my bestie. She was getting completely overwhelmed with her remortgage options and asked me if I’d talk it through with her. So out came a bottle of vino and we set to it. What followed was honestly quite shocking. She had zero grasp of the remortgage process and her conclusion on what to do for the best was quite frankly, nonsensical. So I took her on a journey through the intelligence cycle and we applied some structured, critical thinking to her problem. Needless to say, our conclusion following that process was far more measured. It was then that it struck me; I have crucial skills that everyone needs just to get through life. Skills that aren’t really the focus of typical education.

As an aside, my next decision making workshop with the bestie will be on how to select a decent bottle of wine! I still shudder at the taste of the bottle she opened that night…

The techniques analysts use to break down complex problems aren’t just useful for chasing down criminals — they’re insanely practical for regular people like you and me. Think about it:

• Deciding whether a headline is trustworthy or just clickbait
• Reading between the lines in a tricky work email
• Planning for a big decision (new job, new city, new partner?) with clarity instead of guesswork
• Spotting when someone’s trying to sell you nonsense

These are everyday moments where a little “intel mindset” goes a long way.

This blog is my way of taking the serious tools of intelligence analysis and making them fun, relatable, and useful for your everyday life.

Here’s what’s coming your way:

• Spy Skills 101 – simple frameworks for thinking smarter.
• Lie Detection & Misinformation Hacks – how to spot BS a mile away.
• Decision-Making Tools – learn how analysts make tough calls under pressure.
• Mindset Shifts – training your brain to slow down, notice more, and act with intention.
• Tricks for avoiding bias – we’re all biased by our own perspectives and experiences but knowing how to tame yours so they don’t screw you over is crucial.

I’ll share stories, tips, and even a few behind-the-scenes nuggets from the world of analysis (minus the classified stuff, obvs).

Why Mindful I hear you ask? Well ,that’s because analysis isn’t just about data and evidence – it’s about awareness. Mindfulness isn’t just for meditation; it’s about noticing the small things, being intentional, and slowing down in a world that wants us to rush.

When you combine mindfulness with analysis, you get a way of living that’s smarter, calmer, and sharper.

So here’s my invitation to you: stick around, read a few posts and try these skills in your own life. I promise you’ll start to notice things you’ve been overlooking – and once you do, you can’t unsee them.

This is just the beginning. Welcome to the community.

Let’s think sharper and live smarter – together.

Natalie x
The Mindful Analyst