When we look at highly successful people and what separates them from their competition, one thing stands out. Successful people always operate from within their zone of genius, and they do not deviate. What is your zone of genius and are you focused on being a specialist?

When it comes to achieving any worthwhile goal, we must have laser focus. Too many people though are influenced by the Shiny Thing Syndrome and hence get distracted and knocked off course. If we can remain focused and committed to the outcome, we will deliver the result.

In chasing a big goal, it is easy to get caught up in a multitude of things that you either think should be done, or other people tell you to do. Often becoming overwhelmed and not making much progress at all. We need to focus on a small number of activities on a daily basis and ensure that we are fully present in the activity, and fully present with the people we are interacting with. This is critical

A follow on from the previous podcast episode where we talked about setting a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. In order to achieve the goal or even get close to it, we will need to Be different, Do different, in order to Have different. Utilising the Be, Do, Have model can greatly assist in this process.

With the new year comes new hopes, new ambitions and new levels of energy. It is a clean slate and we can create whatever we want, using 2020 as a platform for exponential growth in 2021. For that to happen, we know we must think differently, behave differently and definitely lead differently. Make 2021 your boldest year yet.

As we approach Christmas Day 2020, there is no better time than now to really double down on practicing gratitude. For many people, 2020 has been a great year, and for others, it has been an Annus Horribilis. Irrespective, there are many things that we can and should be grateful for - we may just have to search for them. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

When it comes to goal setting for the new year, so many people set not only general goals, they also set goals within their comfort zone. This year, I want to challenge you to not only set a goal that excites you, it also scares you!

If there is one thing we can learn from elite performers, whether they be individuals or teams, it is their unrelenting focus on review and recovery. They understand exactly what went well, what habits they need to continue to demonstrate, as well as what new habits need to be formed. They remain committed to this and it is one of the key reasons why they are elite. As leaders, we must learn to do exactly the same thing.

As you look around you, how would you rate the quality of people in your inner circle? Are they uplifting and challenging you to reach higher levels of capability and performance? Or are you surrounded by Weiny Weinsteins, where everything is a challenge and they continue to look at the glass being half empty? We are the average of the 5 closest people to us, so please make sure you surround yourself with quality!

When leaders come into an organisation, it is interesting to observe that on many occasions, these leaders seek to make some form of structural change to the team or business within the first 90-120 days, thinking that this will be a difference maker. Not nearly enough leaders are placing their attention on the environment that exists, but more importantly, the environment they want to create. The environment is everything.