If you ask anyone in business for one word they would use to sum out how they wanted to be seen, then a 'winner' would be high on the list. So what exactly makes a winner? Read this to see if you've got what it takes!

Being a winner encompasses everything. It covers values such as effort and integrity. It espouses traits such as persistence and dedication. It evokes feelings of success and enhanced reputation.

As inhabitants of the world of business, we can learn much from our friends in the world of sport. Here are five things you can do to be MORE of a winner:

1. Work on your skills. Business philosopher Jim Rohn says 'don't pray for less problems; pray for more skills'. If you want to be a winner, you've got to 'up your game' and work on your skills.
2. Focus on what you can control. You can't control the weather, the crowd or even the referee. But you can change your attitude, your thinking and your actions. So put your energy into doing that.
3. Move on from mistakes. Understand what went wrong, learn as quickly as possible what you need to put right, then move on! What's gone is gone.
4. Look after yourself. High performance requires high energy. That means get enough rest so you maximise alertness and endurance. That means you eat well - good fuel in means good energy out. That means drink plenty of water.
5. Take time for you. Whether you do your garden, go for walks, play video games, play gold, go to the gym, jog, read fiction or listen to music, it's vital you relax into stuff away from the matter in hand.

I'm doing just what I'm telling you. It's simple but it's not easy. I'm working on my skills, focusing on the main things I can control, getting things wrong but learning, looking after myself and taking time for me (I've just spent a few weeks reading all the Harry Potter books!)

Winners don't win by accident. If you want to win more business, become the expert in your field or build stronger relationships, you do it on purpose!