In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, to talk about what it really means to be brilliantly busy. David opens up about his leadership philosophy, how marginal gains can transform performance, and why being world-class starts with how you manage your time.

He shares stories from his early working life that shaped his entrepreneurial drive, the lessons he’s learned scaling a global education company, and why vulnerability and self-improvement should be part of every leader’s toolkit. From parenting and personal growth to purpose and productivity—this is a must-listen for anyone seeking high performance with heart.

Keywords: leadership, marginal gains, self-improvement, education, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, parenting, world-class mentality, time management, personal development

Takeaways:

• "Brilliantly busy" means doing what I love with purpose.
• Marginal gains are foundational to leadership success.
• Self-improvement is ongoing, not optional.
• Early work experiences can forge lifelong values.
• Parents play a key role in shaping future leaders.
• A world-class mindset applies to every part of life.
• Passion and clarity drive better time management.
• Value minutes—not just hours.
• If you love what you do, every day matters.
• Being selfish with time allows us to serve others better.

Sound Bites: "I am brilliantly busy." "Pressure is a privilege." "Marginal gains matter."

Chapters: 00:00 – Brilliantly Busy: The Art of Balancing Life

03:07 – The Power of Marginal Gains in Leadership

06:13 – The Importance of Self-Improvement and Perspective

09:05 – Lessons from Early Work Experiences

12:04 – The Role of Parents in Education

15:00 – Creating a World-Class Mentality

18:01 – Marginal Gains: Applying Sports Principles to Life

20:44 – The Ripple Effect: Making Your Mark

23:53 – The Importance of Passion in Time Management

26:46 – Finding Balance: Being Selfish to Be Selfless

#OlympicMindsetPodcast #DavidHarkin #8BillionIdeas #BrilliantlyBusy #MarginalGains #Leadership #WorldClassMindset #EducationLeadership #TimeManagement #HighPerformance

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