Would you like a proven pattern to tackle your most ambitious and challenging plans? Whatever it is you would like to do – whether it is starting a business, running a marathon or transforming a school – this episode is for you.

My guest in Sir Michael Barber, whose career has straddled the world of elite sport and government. Since joining the government in 1997, he has advised 7 of the last 8 Prime Ministers – the exception being Liz Truss. In the world of sport, Michael has advised Team Sky, the elite cycling team, and he is a member of the Football Association's Technical Advisory Board, which helps the FA prepare England’s teams, both men and women, for major tournaments.

Michael has written a book called Accomplishment, and we discuss some of the key themes in this episode, so that you can immediately start applying them in your own life.

In this episode we discuss:

-   The value of setting an irrationally big goal underpinned by values

-   A powerful thought experiment used by Tony Blair to understand what is truly possible

-   How to develop focus in an age of distraction & why it is crucial

-   The key elements to building a plan

-   Planning mustn’t stop action. How do you know when you have done enough?

-   What to do when things go wrong

-   How to build relationships & the art of negotiation

-   Managing an ‘implementation dip’

-   Recognising that ‘success’ isn’t all its cracked up to be

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Sir Michael Barber's website: https://sirmichaelbarber.co.uk/

Michael's book Accomplishment: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/314538/accomplishment-by-barber-michael/9780141991276