It is very difficult to lead yourself if you are in a very small business. There is generally no problem with motivation but you need to make sure you are heading in the right direction – or if you get thrown off course – you can get back on track.

Since the onset of the recession it seems that “entrepreneurial spirit” has become something which society now increasingly seems to value.

NLP recognises the ways that our thoughts and feelings (neuro), combined with our use of language (linguistic) affect our behaviour (programming). It encourages positive thinking and action and can be used as a powerful tool for change.

In my world I work mainly with two groups of people: highly successful entrepreneurs and high achieving former Olympians. There are many similarities between the mind-set of the two. Both groups strive for excellence and are action-orientated.

If there is anyone who knows how to grow a business it is James Caan. As well as being co-founder of The EBA he is a serial entrepreneur and runs his successful private equity firm, Hamilton Bradshaw. We asked him to reflect on his success stories so you can learn from his lessons.