Philosophy: What Does It Feel Like To Be Truly Wealthy?

A glimpse into the man's soul:

Philosophy: A Tribute To Two Sporting Greats

Growing up in South Africa, I only ever had one mission as a youngster: To play rugby for the Springboks. You see, Rugby is a religion in SA. From an early age, young boys are taught to train hard, eat big, lift heavy and hit people (all within the parameters of the game of course!).

And when the Springboks won the World Cup in '95', they enjoyed a god like status over night. One of these men was Joost van der Westhuizen, our warrior like scrum half. For the last few years Joost had been battling motor neuron disease - a terribly debilitating affliction that saw him go from a world class athletic specimen, to being wheel chair bound indefinitely. He sadly lost his battle on the 6th Feb 2017. As a result I felt compelled to share these two videos below. The first is when the late, great Jonah Lomu and Joost met for the final time. The second is the moving final goodbye paid to Jonah at Eden Park.

Both warriors, both humble and both filled to the brim with warrior spirt to the very end.

“‘It’s that rugby spirit’ ”

Human Performance: Listen. Learn. Lead.

This podcast interview is between: Tony Robbins, Mary Buckheit, General Stanley McChrystal and Chris Fussell

This was a truly fascinating conversation on leadership. I found it particularly interesting when General McChrystal was identifying the difficulties they had eliminated Al-Qaeda in Iraq. He touches on the point that, alongside their use of digital media, they had a decentralised chain of command where each team member has autonomy to act. As a result this empowered those individuals to feel like leaders. Now clearly Al-Qaeda can't be compared to a private sector stationary firm - but the principle is clear and essential for busineses to be aware of in the digital age.

My Highlight:

'Safety isn't a checklist - its a culture'

'No matter what happens, no matter what it costs me - if you need me, I'm coming' (A segment of The Ranger Creed)

Full podcast is here

Human Performance: Taking Ownership With Jocko Willink

If you watch just one TED talk this year - it should be this one.

My god..Jocko leaves everything on that damn stage - and I applause him for it! As an ex Navy Seal Commander and now author and leadership consultant, he lives and breaths his message of ownership in life and business. I found this talk fascinating to watch, because in years gone by, war hero's would have only been able to share their learning on leadership, teamwork and pride with a very small circle. Their sphere of influence was small and practice sharing was generally kept within the military world. But now we see military methodologies being brought into the public domain via guys like Jocko and Four-star general Stanley McChrystal. It's great to see and I wonder what sort of influence it will have on generations coming through.

Having just watched this - I would, if I had the power, play this video to all kids in school under 18 as well as to all the businesses into the city - as a reminder that their current fears aren't as bad as they think and that next time they need to step up in any shape or form, great leaders galvanise their team by taking ownership. Enjoy!

Bell & Ross Launch Accessories

You will most likely know Bell & Ross as 'the square watch guys'. While that is true, they do make tool watches inspired by the inside of a cockpit, they also make some very reasonably priced and beautiful round dress watches. To accompany the launch of its new website, Bell & Ross is unveiling a new collection of small leather goods, exclusively available on its online store (a move we see across the watch industry). Designed by Bruno Belamich, the Creative Director of the brand for whom “this selection of nomadic and functional watch accessories is primarily intended for the protection of our watches as part of a journey. Available in two color tones with timeless elegance, I also wish to develop complementary creations in the future.”

The accessories come in black and camel leather, the brands trademark colours, and include two cases for one watch, a solid one and a smooth one, a soft case or holder for 6 watches, and a card holder to slide into a pocket or a briefcase. The perfect partner for your BR01?

For more info click here.

Philosophy: The Most Important Comment Tim Ferriss Has Ever Made?

I can't quite remember when I heard Tim say this - but I found it to be fascinating. I don't consider myself a Type A personality - but I certainly spend vast amounts of time pondering life and why we behave the way we do. I hope you take something from it as I did:

'Type A personalities have goal pursuit as default hard wiring. This is excellent for pursing achievement, but also anxiety, as you are constantly future focused. Achievement is merely a passing grade in life - it's a C+ that gets you limping along to the next grade, in the right direction. But for anything approaching happiness, you have to want what you already have, which takes perspective. Because if you don't want and like what you have, nothing you get will ever will make you happy'

For more from Tim, click here.

The Watch Gallery x Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Reverso is a watchmaking icon. Of that there is no doubt. But as all watch lovers know, the pinnacle is to own a watch you won't see in the wild! The Watch Gallery, one of the UK's premier retailers and Jaeger-LeCoultre, one of the great movement makers have teamed up to create 30 Limited Edition Reverso's to celebrate the Reverso's 85th anniversary. The blue-lacquered dial is delicious and the automatic Calibre 967B inside is robust. You can't go wrong.

For more info click here.

Watches: The Bamford Heritage MilSub

A deeply immersive story of one mans dream to be at one with the ocean. And he happens to have a killer watch on while doing it!

"A lone freediver escapes to another world underwater where his impossible dreams become reality."

"The Superman" is a labour of love project for filmmakers Jack Pirie & Alex Hylands-White, made in collaboration with underwater photographers The Ocean Brothers and Bamford Watch Department. The short film follows diver Francisco Del Rosario, who lives on the remote island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands.

Written & Directed by Jack Pirie & Alex Hylands-White

For further info check out The Bamford Watch Department here.

Human Performance: The One Shortcut To Greatness

If you've clicked on this because you think you're going to find the shortcut, the hack, the easy route - shame on you.

If you've clicked on this because you know I'm a tongue in cheek kinda guy and would NEVER advocate taking the comfortable option in life - GOOD.

Watch this 3 minute clip from Jocko Willink author of 'Extreme Ownership' (you'll thank me). You can feel the passion in every word the man says (I love his use of silence). It comes from a place of sheer grit, determination and will to win, not for anyone else, but himself:

Human Performance: 'The Choice'

I bet you're waking up, blurry eyed, thinking what the HELL happened last night! If you are. Good. So as you tentatively take those first few steps of 2017, here is a thought to guide you from the great man Seth Godin:

(for more where this came from, check out Seth's blog and newsletter here)

Philosophy: Stoicism In 4 Lines

Stoicism is the ability to quickly differentiate what you can control from what you cannot. Once you are able to practice this ancient art successfully, your existence will look and feel very different. One book I have been enjoying on the topic is 'The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday'. Check it out for daily shots of stoic wisdom.

What you need to know:

1. Events don't upset us, beliefs do.

2. Control what you can. Ignore the rest. To quote Baz Luhrmann 'Don't worry about the future or worry that know that worrying Is as affective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday'

3. Accept everything without being passive. (read The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer)

4. Morning and evening rituals are fundamental. You have to set yourself up for the day (or prime yourself as Tony Robbins says) as well as reflect at the end of it.

Human Performance: 'The Noble 3 Fold Path'

I, like many of you, have spent the last few days of 2016 attempting to work out how to plan effectively for the year ahead. So the question is: how do you give yourself the best chance of winning in 2017? How do you create a plan that not only feels right, but one you can measure and conquer? In the last week or so I have silently sat back and taken on board as much as I can, from as many sources as I could regarding yearly planning. And it has boiled down to this: 'The Noble 3 Fold Path'. Three simple steps to setting goals for next year.

1. 'Daily Wins'

These are daily practices and routines that set you up for a great day. These are non negotiable. They just happen. These are small wins, that allow you to start winning from the moment you open your eyes. Think of these as the micro elements (the small things) that build to the macro elements (the big things). Very much like in rugby, you have to earn the right to go wide. Here you have to earn the right to go to the next level. So get these in place on a daily basis and you move up the hierarchy.
For me these are (in order) :

- Make the bed (start the day with a win)

- Drink half a litre of room temperature water on waking (we tend to wake up dehydrated)

- Train at the Crossfit gym at 6am, 4 times a week (just sweat - whatever you do, just sweat)

- Omega fish oil / Vitamin D / Magnesium (all from Wild Nutrition)

- Green power (from Bioglan)

- Love + Kindness Meditation (simply pick two people you see, and wish the best for them that day - simple but powerful)

- 1 Minute visualisation (on my phone I have a number of images of people things that inspire me. I don't just look at them, I 'feel' them, as if I am currently living with them in my life)

- 15 minute meditation (I use the Headspace App - this brings me a deep sense of 'wealth'. And by that I mean, happiness and joy in the smallest things, like seeing tourists laughing and enjoying our great city of London)

- Journal (I use the '5 Minute Journal' - 3 things I am grateful for, my affirmation, and a few lines on what happened during the day)

To track them I use the 'Way of Life' App.

2. 'The List'

So the second aspect to 'The Noble 3 Fold Path' is 'The List'. This is a epic gathering of all your big goals for the year. Like 'visit Copenhagen' / 'compete in the Oxford Triathlon' / 'renovate the kitchen' or 'publish a book'. These are big things. These are things that are clearly defined, clearly measurable and could be around for one year or five! Make the list, make it crazy, make it funny and make it twice. Because one should be pinned in the wall, so you can scratch off goals once complete, and the second should be folded into an envelope for the end of the year, so you can once again put a line through what has been accomplished. Unaccomplishged goals roll on.

3. 'The Overview'

The third and final aspect of 'The Noble 3 Fold Path' is 'The Overview'.

This is basically a snapshot of the year ahead. Split into 4 quarters, each month features a number of those bigger goals from 'The List' above. For example I have holidays (great for ensuring you book leave at work!), physical events, sports rehab sessions and course schedules (my basic framework below).