The departing summer has assumed the look of a gentle spring as the nights get shorter and temperatures drop. Like spring, September promises newness. A new academic year – a fresh start for so many and, in the world of corporate finance, a launch date for many a new deal.
This year we have started 4 new deals this month with the promise of a couple more to come. This September also seems to be marking a big step forwards on COVID as many return to work places (except, maybe, test cricketers) and increasing numbers will be able to travel.
One traveller who has blown me away is Emma Raducanu – she burst onto the scene this summer at Wimbledon but has shown she is no flash in the pan as she re-writes the rules. As of today she is the first ever qualifier to reach a grand slam final and I cannot wait to see if she becomes the new US Open Champion tomorrow night.
The manner in which she has done so, without dropping a set, has been amazing. Her calmness, her skills and her mental fortitude are a great example to this 51 year old.
She is living the mantra most coaches have repeated to me for over last 30 years: trust the process, focus on the next point, and the outcome will look after itself. You can only truly affect your own performance so stay focused on that and do not over think the issues.
As we bring 3 deals to a close over the next month, and enter the final negotiations, these simple yet very powerful lessons are as relevant to our work as they are to our sport.
I have just returned from competing in the SB20 world championships. We spent too much time looking at the individual results and worrying about the whole race as opposed to looking at the 5 minutes ahead of us.
A Russian boat sailed by a very unassuming lady and her talented crew were with us for most of the regatta. She and her crew showed a model of consistency by taking lower risk and trusting themselves.
We were less confident and whilst we beat her as much as she beat us, however she finished 2nd overall and we finished 22nd. In the process she has beaten more than 20 Olympians and countless world champions.
And so it is with deals. Be confident, trust the process, be clear in your goals and do not get blown off course.
Here’s to a great autumn,
Charlie
The departing summer has assumed the look of a gentle spring as the nights get shorter and temperatures drop. Like spring, September promises newness. A new academic year – a fresh start for so many and, in the world of corporate finance, a launch date for many a new deal.
