I did something different this week. It was very simple and had more benefit than I imagined.

I had a diary note to meet up with a good friend with a brilliant creative mind who I’ve worked on several projects with.

I observe we so often get caught in the daily to-do list, the weekly targets, the monthly goals, the 100 day plans, the 6 month plans and so on. And we forget the bigger goals we are working towards.

One of my core beliefs is that we all need a story to guide us to the future - a story for ourselves, a story for our family and a story for our work team.

I had perhaps my toughest speaking gig this week.

In the audience of 1,000 children aged 7-11 was my 7 year old daughter.

"You only hear what you understand”

I was reminded of this fact at an event this week where the speakers were being translated into 7 different languages.

Building Belief

I always used to think that "belief" was just something you had like it magically appears. It used to frustrate me like crazy because I was waiting for it to appear.

What I found is that belief is a skill set. You deliberately, specifically and consciously create it for both yourself and your teams.

What’s Next? I’m Bored

I can’t think of many people who haven’t at some point reached a stage in life where you ask the question “What’s Next?”. The exact words might be I’m Bored, I need more excitement, I’m missing a purpose, I need a mission that excites me. The theme that runs through it all is that you’re craving more from life.

What do you do in those moments? How do you react?

The Path to Purpose

The most motivating thought is that one day you won’t be here.

You are here right now.

You can have an impact.

How often have we heard the advice that says “you’ve just got to believe”? It seems so tantalisingly simple. You think to yourself, yes of course that’s right, yes I just need to believe this thing and it will happen.

What are you reading this summer?

This is a great time of year to catch up on reading. Over the past few weeks I’ve read two books that have provoked much thought. Both were recommended to me and both have been impactful.

Two weeks ago I spend the day drifting down the river with my friend and author Carl Honore. Carl is the author of the best seller “In Praise Of Slow” (it sold over 1/2m copies and his TED talk has been watched by millions).