3 tools I’ve found invaluable in 2021

3 tools I’ve found invaluable in 2021

As per my pre-amble post I think it’s fair to say we’ve all been put through our paces this year. Don’t get me wrong, often when put under pressure we perform to our best and I’m overwhelmingly proud and grateful for the successes we’ve enjoyed during a year when we would have been forgiven for packing up our toys and going home! There’s too many people to thank who have helped to enable our proverbial phoenix to soar amidst the covid carnage. Thank you to you all and especially to our wonderful team who have been relentless in ensuring we succeed.

Sat here on the 23rd Dec with a rare moment to do some of things we threaten but often never get round to…. aka ‘publish an article on LI’, I thought it was a good time to reflect a little on my own personal journey and felt sharing some tools that have really helped me this year would be in the spirit of Christmas giving. So here’s 3 recommendations from me that I hope you’ll find useful in 2022, a year which will undoubtedly come with a similar set of fresh challenges and opportunities.

1.??????Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (audiobook)

Why audiobook? Because his Texan drawl is fantastic! It not only adds further authenticity to a very honest account of his personal journey and life lessons, but also makes listening to “alright, alright, alright” and so much more, thoroughly entertaining! I didn’t know much about him prior to listening, but McConaughey’s journey is surprisingly interesting and packed with a lot of the same values we speak about in our Foundation programmes - Decency, Honesty, Gratitude, Humility, Resilience etc. His ability to dovetail his own experiences around these guiding principles, that were seemingly embedded when he was growing up, is fascinating to listen to and motivates you to want to be at your best. I listened to this towards the beginning of the year and found his innate positivity, energy and all round effervescence for life a truly refreshing mind break. I was in the car mostly taking in 10/15 minute snippets over the a period of about a month. It felt like I was spending time with someone who was really positive influence. There’s lots in here that will help to pick you up when things are tough, however I think what I appreciated the most was the encouragement to embrace the good and enjoy those moments when all the lights do actually turn green for you.

2.??????The High Performance Podcast

Created by F1/Football pundit Jake Humphrey and performance coach Professor Damian Hughes the podcast speaks to an eclectic mix of people who have achieved great things and aims to unpick the secrets of their success. Lots of them are household names such as Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Wilkinson and initially I sought out the ones I ‘thought’ I’d enjoy. But I quickly came to learn that just letting the next one play was the best way to get the most out of listening, exposing me to people I previously knew nothing about and broadening my perspective via the sharing of theirs. Susie Ma is a great example. I knew nothing beforehand but found her philosophy of “infinite purpose” truly inspiring. Over the four or five series there must be 50+ guests catering for business people, sportspeople, musicians, actors, coaches etc. As you’d expect there’s some commonalities across the board – typically focussing on mindset and values playing a bigger role in their success than talent or ability. But within the consistencies of high performers there’s a diverse mix of personal stories and attributes that are intriguing, inspiring and encouraging in their own unique ways. Whereas Greenlights was great for encouraging the positive mindset and glass half full mentality, I’ve personally found the High Performance Podcasts to be phenomenal crutches that have helped to prop me up with fresh thinking and new ideas during the more challenging periods this year.

Here’s a summary of some of the ones I’ve particularly valued:-

Robin Van Persie – amazing insights into encouraging your kids to be the best they can be.

Ric Lewis – another I knew nothing about – I’ve tried to memorise his conversation with his daughters so I can use it with my own daughter when “she’s not giving the best account of herself”!

Susie Ma – as mentioned, the way she aims to link everything into her “infinite purpose” is inspiring.

Eddie Hearn – his message on being relentless and making it happen no matter what was pivotal for me at a really challenging time.

Toto Wolff – I thought I’d hate him! But he gives a masterclass on creating a winning culture. (Eddie Jones and Sean Dyche are also excellent listens for creating high performing cultures within teams.)

Ben Ainslie – I loved the concept of using process as a means to navigate out of the storm.

Dan Carter – journaling backwards from his ultimate goal every single day into his daily tasks is a simple but potentially game changing insight anyone can embed.

Kasper Schmeichel – Such an impressive guy. So humble and so determined to make his own mark.

Gareth Southgate – Just because he’s an absolute ledge and apparently I look similar in a waistcoat!

The episodes I’ve highlighted above genuinely just skim the surface. There’s a wealth of wisdom and insights across the broad range of impressive people they’ve managed to sit down with. All will leave you with fresh ideas, fresh perspective and feeling inspired. I listen on apple podcasts but if you’re keen to see the body language alongside the words you can also view the filmed versions (lots on video calls during periods of lock-down) on their YouTube channel. However you decide to consume this absolute gold, I’d thoroughly recommend making it a part of your week in 2022.

3.??????Calendly

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely loath the dance of trying to share 2-3 times when you might be able to coordinate your diary with a client, prospect, partner, supplier etc. It almost always ends in 12 emails back and forth, often looping in an EA as a middle person just to keep things interesting and is generally a total waste of time and life! So, when I was introduced to Calendly it was an absolute game changer for me. You simply send a link to your diary, and the person you’re liaising with can view your calendar and book in a time and format (teams / zoom / call / face to face etc) that works for them, based on your availability. Once they’ve booked their slot it auto syncs to your outlook calendar and to theirs. So you only need to send one email and it’s done! You can crack on with all the other stuff on your to do list and just wait for the meeting to drop in. You often hear quotes like “it’s not about working hard, it’s about working smart”! They’re annoying aren’t they! Mainly because they sound like a T-shirt motif rather than anything you can actually do anything with. Well for me Calendly is a tangible embodiment of that motif. I’d thoroughly recommend you get involved.

So that’s it. My three tools from 2021 that have been significant for me. To be clear, I own no shares or have no commercial interest in any of the three mentioned ?? They’re just practical things you can action that I’ve personally found central to my journey this year. I hope that helps your own journey in 2022.

So 2021 we almost done. Thanks for all the lessons and all the wonderful experiences you’ve given me. I turned 40, got married, was made Chief Exec…. those are some PrettyGreen lights if you ask me! (Those of you who know all about my dodgy barnet will hopefully get the reference there.) So let’s bring in 2022! I’m looking forward to finding my next 3 tools.

Very best wishes to all for a wonderful and much deserved Christmas break. I look forward to seeing, speaking and collaborating with as many of you as possible in the new year. Until then turn up the Pogues nice and loud (don’t tell radio 1), cut yourself an unhealthily large wedge of cheese, top up your port like it’s Guinness and have the BEST time ??

Best wishes,

Paul