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
Pets are like family, right? As a proud cat dad, I’d actually go further and say that they are family. Over the years, I have spent my well-earned money on (many) toys, beds, treats and vet bills for my two feline furballs Nacho and Drake. And I am not alone. According to a recent Fortune Business Insight report, the global pet care market was valued at a massive £171.78 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from £180.06 billion in 2023 to £269.29 billion by 2030.
Thrive catches up with Nick Pitaluga TEP, Managing Director of Gibraltar Trust & Corporate Services Limited - “GTCS”. From starting out as a messenger to leading his firm through a major merger, Nick talks about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and offers inspiration for anyone carving their own niche.
One of the most dangerous things anyone can say in business is, "We've always done it this way." This phrase doesn't age well and puts businesses at risk. "We've always done it this way" can quickly look like "flogging a dead horse." This doesn't always mean that businesses need to change everything. Some things, like great service, never go out of fashion. But when sales start to slow down, it's always a good idea to consider taking a new approach. Rebranding a product, service, or entire enterprise can be part of this process. But rebranding should never be taken lightly.
We recently provided a large local organisation with their uniforms. Once the order was delivered, I felt compelled to send them guidelines on how to take care of their uniform. Spending money on clothes and footwear is not a guarantee on making the right impression, either to yourself, nor anyone else- it’s attention to detail that seals the deal.
As the CEO of a specialist security business called Paladin Defence and close protection operative/ private security contractor, I have experienced security threats of all types since 1990. From opportunistic personal attacks to targeted organised commercial crime, I feel there is a lot more we should be doing to defend and protect ourselves. Understandably, Gibraltar is considered to have a relatively low crime rate; but what are the realistic threats and risks to small businesses in our corner of the Mediterranean?
Technology is having a major effect on every aspect of our lives, and the retail environment is not immune to these changes. Not only has online shopping revolutionised the way we think about buying and consuming, but it has also dramatically changed how we shop in physical stores.
Did you know that what you eat directly affects your energy levels, brain function, and stress resilience? Poor dietary habits—such as skipping meals, consuming too much caffeine, or relying on processed foods—can lead to energy crashes, brain fog, and reduced efficiency. On the other hand, a well-balanced diet stabilises blood sugar, enhances cognitive function, and keeps stress levels in check.
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.
Imposter syndrome is a psychological behaviour where individuals, including many high achievers, struggle with persistent feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, or the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite their achievements, those experiencing imposter syndrome believe they are undeserving of their success or worry that they've misled others into overestimating their abilities.
In the latest edition of Thrive, regular contributor John Hayes reflects on the uncertainty facing small and medium-sized businesses in Gibraltar. From Brexit fallout to ever-changing frontier delays, he unpacks why the border remains a top concern—and how local firms are adapting. While resolving post-Brexit cross-border issues is beyond the scope of this correspondent, there are practical steps business owners can take to mitigate and manage the challenges of this uncertainty.
For many businesses, standing out from the crowd in an already crowded marketplace is a mammoth task. But for Fresquita one of the ways they tackled this issue was with highly creative packaging.
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.
“People want to know the stories behind the products they buy. It’s not just about what’s on the shelf, but the journey it took to get there.” – Stella, Spirit of The Rock As consumer habits shift towards mindfulness and sustainability, the concept of slow shopping has emerged, offering both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Slow shopping encourages consumers to take their time, make more thoughtful purchases, and focus on quality over quantity.
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?
After teaching in schools for 18 years I decided to take the plunge and embark on a self-employed life. Driven by my passion for teaching children with special educational needs I set out to discover alternative ways to make education accessible to all. My vision was to have the individual in mind, with their own strengths and challenges, and with that came the birth of ‘edYOUcation Clare Francis’; bringing the YOU into learning.
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.
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.
Starting and running a small business is rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges. The path of entrepreneurship is often characterised by immense dedication, long hours, and tough decisions. As a small business owner, you're not just responsible for the operations and growth of your company and team, but also for your own wellbeing.
3 mins |
How to: Brainstorm
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, you’re not alone. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual number of companies registered is edging closer to the one million mark, that’s up by 75,000 in 2022 which itself was 30,000 higher than in 2021. Whether it's following a passion, aiming for financial independence, or breaking free from the 9-5 grind, every entrepreneurial journey begins with one crucial thing: a solid idea. But coming up with that perfect idea can be tough. This is where brainstorming comes in—it’s the creative springboard that can help you turn your business dreams into reality.
Introducing the Thrive Catalog - A curated collection of goodies selected by our editorial team each quarter. Everything featured is available right here, right now at prices that are better than or compete with the internet.