I have always loved what I do—and I take pride in doing it well. But I’ve never allowed work to come at the expense of what matters most: my family. The day my son was born, everything fell into place. Purpose, priorities, clarity—they became instinctive.
Recently, someone shared how The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People changed their life. I’ll admit—I had never even heard of the book until that moment. But when I looked it up, I realised: I’ve been living many of those principles for years.
Here are four that have defined my journey:
Be proactive – I quit smoking overnight after 21 years—for my son. No excuses, no delays.
Begin with the end in mind – My goal was clear: to stay fit and healthy for my son. That became the anchor. Everything else—managing work stress, staying sharp, showing up fully—fell into place around that. I never let the demands of work take away from that commitment.
Put first things first – I prioritise what matters most, and my family has always had my time.
Sharpen the saw – I push my physical limits to stay mentally sharp and emotionally steady. At the same time, I stay close to the ground—constantly keeping my ears and eyes on the markets I operate in, understanding how shifting global political and economic currents impact my business. Staying fit isn’t just physical—it’s also about staying informed, agile, and prepared.
Pushing my limits has lit a fire that still burns in my gut. It’s tested my resolve, shaped my discipline, and built resilience—something I’ve passed on to my son through multi-disciplinary sports. Because resilience isn’t taught—it’s lived.
When you have a goal, the real threat is often internal. A lack of self-control is the silent killer of progress. The enemy within is the toughest to overcome—it’s like being tempted to light a cigarette while sitting with friends who are smoking. No one would blame you if you gave in. But that’s exactly what makes the resistance so powerful. Matching decisions with action is one thing—but having the grit to stay with it, especially when no one’s watching, makes all the difference.
And mindset matters. If your belief system is skewed by negativity, there’s only so far you’ll go. Optimism keeps you goal-driven. It gives meaning to adversity. Pessimists see roadblocks. Optimists see purpose. And that perspective builds resilience. That mindset has helped me navigate markets, build teams, lead in tough regions—and stay steady through uncertainty.
To me, success has never been about choosing between work and family. Both are priorities. And having the discipline to give your best to both—that’s where real balance lies.
