Where You Place Your Attention Matters
The Treaty between the EU and the UK over Gibraltar is finally giving us some clarity, and yet, it also reminds us just how much sits outside our control. The finer details will take months to surface. Political tides may shift. Promises will be tested by practicalities. The uncertainty isn’t gone, it has simply changed form.
As business owners, it’s tempting to fixate on these big developments. They feel important; and they are. But they’re also largely outside our control. And spending too much time ruminating on them can quietly drain us and become all consuming.
Because it’s not just border politics. Every day, we face issues beyond our reach: new legislation, competitor actions, market trends, customer behaviour, staff turnover, illness, family responsibilities, global events. All of it lives in what Stephen Covey calls the Circle of Concern – things we care about, but cannot directly change.
The more we fixate on them, the more frustration can grow. Not because we’re weak or negative, but because our minds are wired to search for control. The problem is when we look for it in the wrong places.
Understanding the Three Circles
Stephen Covey’s Circles of Concern and Influence offer a helpful frame. A third circle – Control – is often added to make the distinction even clearer:
The Circle of Concern includes everything we care about but can’t directly affect: economic conditions, government policy, the past, how others behave and react, even the weather. Trying to control this circle leads to frustration, worry, and often, paralysis.
The Circle of Influence includes the things we can affect indirectly: our business relationships, reputation, team culture, supplier networks, client loyalty. These take time to build but can be shaped through our actions.
The Circle of Control is the smallest circle, but most powerful: how we lead, how we respond, the standards we hold, the decisions we make, the effort we bring, how we spend our time, where we place our attention.
When we focus on what we control and influence, we build momentum. When we dwell in what we can’t control, we lose energy. Over time, our sense of agency shrinks – and so does our resilience.
“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging, and magnifying.” Reactive people, Covey warned, “focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern… Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes and increased feelings of victimisation.”
Before reading on, take a moment to reflect:
Do you naturally lean towards a particular circle in the model above? How does that serve you?
What is in your Circle of Control right now?
What is occupying you in your Circle of Concern that you can let go of?
What Starts Small Can Grow
A powerful insight for business leaders is this: action within your Circle of Control can ripple outward. The choices you make – how you communicate, how you treat people, how you invest your time – affect not only you, but your team, your clients, and the wider business environment you operate in.
Consistently showing up well in your Circle of Control builds credibility, trust, and influence. And that influence, over time, allows you to shape more than you could before. It expands your Circle of Influence – and with it, sometimes, even your Circle of Control.
In practice, this might mean that by handling uncertainty with calm and clarity, your team begins to engage more proactively. Or that by resolving a customer issue with integrity, you rebuild trust that leads to new opportunities. Small acts compound, and quiet consistency earns influence.
So while it can feel narrow to focus only on what you control, that focus is anything but passive. It’s what creates the conditions for your leadership to grow.
Letting Go Isn’t Weakness, It’s Strength
Letting go of the Circle of Concern is not the same as ignoring it. It’s not about sticking your head in the sand or pretending everything is fine. It’s about consciously choosing not to spend your best energy and headspace where it won’t make a difference.
Many business owners are natural problem-solvers; analytical, focused, driven. These strengths can become liabilities if we keep trying to solve problems that aren’t solvable – at least, not by us, and not right now.
That’s when rumination creeps in: What if the deal changes? What if my competitor undercuts me? What if my best staff member leaves? These are real concerns. But they only help us when they lead to productive action. Beyond that, they just deplete us.
Letting go takes discipline. But it frees you to reinvest that energy into something useful – your people, your priorities, your next move.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Start small. If something is keeping you awake at night, ask yourself:
Is this in my control?
Can I influence it?
Or do I simply care about it?
Then act accordingly. If it’s in your control, take action. If you can influence it, engage, explore, plan. If it’s only in your concern, acknowledge it, then let it be.
You don’t need to solve everything, But where you choose to place your attention? That’s leadership.
SHARE THIS
OTHER
AI is poised to reshape the legal profession, with 31% of law firm leaders predicting major disruption by 2025. Scott Simmons explores how AI could improve client outcomes, streamline workflows, and drive value. Whether you’re cautious or curious, it’s time to explore AI’s potential.
Running a small business is an exciting journey, but without proper bookkeeping, it can quickly become overwhelming. Imagine trying to make critical business decisions without knowing how much money is in your account or being caught off guard by a hefty tax bill because records weren’t kept up to date. Good bookkeeping isn’t just about staying compliant; it’s about gaining control over your business, planning for growth, and avoiding costly mistakes.
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...
Raju Purswani examines Ted Baker’s fall, sharing sharp lessons for entrepreneurs: stay true to your brand, beware of overhauls that alienate customers, and balance growth with identity. A cautionary tale with insights every business can learn from.
Gibraltar’s size means that shoppers don’t have too far to go to shop. Schools, supermarkets, entertainment, eateries and healthcare are all within easy reach. That hasn’t stopped Gibraltar's business community from wanting to meet its customers' needs online. I met three local businesses that have embraced eCommerce.
Forget everything you know about online shopping—eCommerce is evolving fast. While giants like Amazon and eBay once ruled, a new wave of platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shein, and Temu are reshaping the industry. But beneath the flashy deals and viral trends lies a growing conversation about sustainability, waste, and the hidden costs of convenience.
Building a personal brand isn't just about showcasing your professional accomplishments; it's about weaving your unique narrative, passions, and values into a cohesive identity that resonates with others. Here's how you can bring your personal brand to life, with practical examples to guide you at every step.
Success doesn’t just happen; it’s built on a strong foundation of preparation, clarity, and taking consistent action. Whether you’re launching a new business, taking your current side-hustle full-time, or looking to scale in a competitive market, having the right plan in place is essential.
In an age where small businesses must adapt to stay in business, outsourcing has long been a way to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. Derived from the simple philosophy of delegating certain non-core tasks to external experts, outsourcing allows businesses to concentrate on their primary objectives and strengths. For the uninitiated, it's about seeking external expertise for tasks outside your comfort zone, skills base or business's main expertise.
Mental health issues affect us all. How we manage our daily stresses and anxieties have an impact on our relationships, how we perform in our job and the workplace environment, and our outlook on life. Becoming self-aware of what affects us, managing how we respond to triggers and using tools to help us work through them, are all part of our journey towards MENTAL FITNESS, which is how we should be positively defining it.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment
Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the same logo cropping up more and more often. On coffee cups. On consultancy websites. In email signatures and pitch decks. The familiar B Corp badge, quietly signalling that a business is trying to do things differently. With our horizons widening post-treaty, could this globally-relevant badge could become a way of promoting your CSR values to an international market?
During a recent and very long overdue catch up with my friend Trina, I had one of those ‘Aha moments’. To be fair, as someone who spends a lot of time interviewing experts, these moments happen to me a lot, but this one was different. In the 20 years Trina and I have been friends, she’s developed marketing strategies for global brands including Coca Cola, Virgin Atlantic, Nestlé and IKEA . Impressive stuff, but it’s what she’s working on now that really got me thinking…Taking inspiration from the military and politics, Trina and her business partners set up The Competitive Wargaming Team and now deliver secret, scenario-based ‘corporate war rooms’ for senior leaders designed to predict and outmaneuver competitor moves.
In business, we often concentrate on the what and how of an enterprise.
From the increasing influence of AI to the rise of social commerce and sustainability-driven consumer demand, the key to success lies in adapting strategically rather than chasing every new trend. This guide breaks down the most impactful trends for the year ahead—offering insights on how to integrate them into your business without losing sight of what already works. Smart adaptation, not blind reinvention, is the name of the game. Here's what to expect and how to make it work for you.
Over the past 18 years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of businesses and industries, gaining insights into the challenges they face in implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies. Often, DEI&B is viewed as a 'nice to have' rather than an essential component of business success. With this in mind, I'm excited to share valuable insights and practical steps to help you create environments where everyone can thrive. You've probably heard of DEI&B, but what do these letters really mean, and why do they matter for you and your organisation? Diversity includes differences like race, gender, age, neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, culture, and more; Equity ensures equal opportunities for all; Inclusion values everyone's contributions; and Belonging means individuals feel accepted and integral to the organisation.
Who doesn’t love a good office gossip? Hushed conversations by the coffee machine, knowing glances across the office, colleagues who "just thought you should know" – it’s all just harmless banter, right? Not quite. While gossip might seem like an inevitable part of office life, the reality is much less entertaining. Workplace backbiting can destroy trust, drain morale, and impact team productivity. Few people understand this better than Norwegian psychotherapist Glenn Rolfsen. With over two decades of experience in psychotherapy, Glenn has dedicated his career to helping businesses tackle workplace negativity head-on. His innovative "Gozzip" method has been transforming office cultures worldwide, earning him recognition at TEDx talks and WHO conferences.
When you’ve been running your own business for a while, you know what works, and it’s easy to rely on the skills that got you to where you are. Chances are, you’re comfortable doing things in a certain way, and your team knows what to expect from your leadership style.
Two decades is a long time for any business - with all the strife that businesses large and small have had to endure these past four years, it seems that anxiety among business owners has never been higher. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Garren Thompson, co-owner and co-founder of Gibraltar hair & beauty salon Miss Shapes, based on Bishop Rapallo’s Ramp. As the business recently hit the 20-year milestone, we discussed the highs and lows of creating a successful salon in a saturated market, how he and his team created their new range of Miss Shapes branded Hair & Beauty products and how this will help build success for another 20 years.