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
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.
Fair recruitment is based on the principle that candidates are judged on their ability to do the job rather than influenced by factors such as an applicant’s gender, religion, ethnicity, or any other quality unrelated to their skills and expertise. As the Founder of Rock Learning and the Co-Founder of the ‘Count me In’ DEIB Conference, I have developed a deep understanding of the topic and how small businesses can implement inclusive hiring practices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finding someone who listens, understands, and guides you can make all the difference. For women in Gibraltar, the Women’s Mentorship Programme offers just that – honest conversations and valuable support from people with lived experience who understand. Now in its sixth cycle, the programme pairs women with mentors to help them navigate work, life, and everything in between. Ok, full disclosure: as a recently appointed mentor, that last sentence somewhat triggers the old imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but I am honoured to be part of this scheme and look forward to doing my very best in the months ahead.
The world of work is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the accelerating capabilities of Generative AI. While robots taking over our jobs might be a sci-fi trope, AI’s ability to learn, create, and automate tasks is undeniably impacting various industries. Generative AI is the umbrella term used to describe the type of AI that can create new content and ideas. This can include text, images, music, code and other types of content. We are now seeing how powerful this tool can be. But is this a threat or a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed? We set out to find out, what does the use of Generative AI look like in Gibraltar?
2 mins |
Business Plan Essentials
You have a brilliant idea. You can picture the logo, the customers, maybe even the first sale. But without a clear plan for how to get there, the idea risks staying exactly that - an idea. Starting a business without a plan is like setting off on a trip with no map. You might eventually arrive somewhere, but it is unlikely to be where you hoped. A business plan is not just paperwork. When written with care, it is a roadmap that guides every decision, a pitch that wins support, and a source of confidence on the days when challenges mount.
In business, we often concentrate on the what and how of an enterprise.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When you’re a small business, staying one step ahead of the competition is essential. Yet, many small business owners grapple with the decision to invest in employee training and development. With limited resources and immediate financial pressures, it can unintentionally get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. However, investing in your team’s learning and development is a strategic move that can yield significant returns.
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.
Love is big business. According to official statistics, 1,745 weddings took place in Gibraltar in 2021 followed by another 1,761 weddings in 2022 and a further 1640 in 2023. That’s around 33 weddings each week or 6 every single day. With an estimated population of around 33,000, it’s safe to say that, no, we aren’t all marrying each other, but that Gibraltar is a very popular place for many people to come and say ‘I do’. In fact, in all three years, non-residents outnumbered residents by an average of 90% to 10%. The stats point to a healthy wedding sector, one that our Minister for Tourism, Christian Santos is keen to develop. In an interview with the Gibraltar Chronicle he recently said he wanted; “Gibraltar to be the Las Vegas of Europe” when it comes to weddings. Unlike Vegas, we don’t have Elvis. But we do have John. Music legend John Lennon famously married Yoko Ono here in 1969 and put the Rock on the map for ‘Fast Track’ weddings. If music’s not your thing, acting legend Sean Connery (AKA James Bond) also tied the knot here (twice)!
Eran Shay's journey is emblematic of the modern entrepreneur. A self-confessed ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker, he swapped a successful corporate career and a senior role at Deloitte to pursue his own projects and business opportunities.
If, like me, you spend more time than you should doom scrolling LinkedIn, you could be tempted into thinking no-one fails. LinkedIn has become a hyperbolic haven and a place to scream and shout about success. But what about failures - why aren’t we talking about them? In business, failure is inevitable. I mean it. Whether it's a product flop, a marketing misstep, or a company on the brink of collapse, every entrepreneur will face moments that test them. Yet, history has shown that these failures can often be the starting point for something extraordinary.