I participated in a vision and leadership workshop this weekend, as a way to tune up my thinking and (as always), to listen and learn from other leaders!

The day was specifically for swimmers (one of the men in the group is planning a double Robben Island swim – which is there and back from the island to the mainland. A massive goal in the cold open sea and certainly not for the faint hearted!). The rest of us had more modest goals. I used the process to focus on the three personal goals of optimal physical well-being, relationships with friends and family, and moving Fetola forward as future-fit SME growth machine.

It was a great day and helped me to refine the next stage in my career. It also was a reminder that success is a journey of small consistent steps! I am someone that thrives on daily and weekly rhythm and structure. Mine are as follows:

Wake early. (no social media/ bad news/ doom scrolling)
Complete my daily morning practice – 20 min exercise, 20 min breathing exercises /meditation, 20 min Learning – read about new things
Dive into the most important strategic/ game changing items on the to do list (what I call my Golden hour)
Start the day with a SMILE, knowing that good work has already been done!

What I also realised is that I have unnecessary anxiety because of too much on my plate. Anxiety drains the joy out of life and the life out of your body. So, my overarching commitment this year is to remove unnecessary demands and expectations that are causing anxiety in my work and home life.

Less is going to be more this year. Less stress and more joy, so that I have the time and energy to do what I love – at home and at work.

Wishing you a fabulous 2026 – I hope you too identify what gives you joy so you can expand that for yourself and those around you!