For too many business leaders, staying focused on the present moment can feel nearly impossible. Best-selling author and leadership expert Dave Anderson joins The Small Business Show to discuss principles from his latest book, Elevate Your Excellence. Anderson shares his perspective on why mastering the moment is essential—not just in the workplace but in every aspect of life. Discover how shifting your focus to ‘max acts’ can help improve productivity, make challenging days more manageable, and guide your team toward their goals with clarity.
To start, Dave Anderson breaks down the core message of his book, focusing on the art of “mastering the moment.” He explains that too often, people become mentally broken by concentrating on the past or future instead of what’s immediately in front of them.
Whether you’re a sales manager, an athlete, or a business leader, Anderson asserts that this mindset can lead to wasted time and a lack of real progress. Anderson introduces the concept of “max acts” (MAXX), which refers to the four or five actions that have the greatest impact on achieving goals. By focusing on these prioritized tasks, professionals can shift their efforts to what truly matters instead of spreading themselves too thin across multiple, less impactful activities.
Anderson also emphasizes that effective leadership means repeatedly training employees on these key actions to achieve excellence. He warns against the “training for variety” trap, where managers introduce new topics too often instead of honing essential skills. The ultimate goal is to condition both leaders and employees to naturally prioritize and execute the most impactful tasks without hesitation.
Finally, Anderson addresses the challenge of “good crappy days”—those days when distractions or setbacks disrupt productivity. He affirms that focusing on what can still be controlled, even if it’s only half of what’s planned, allows leaders and their teams to maintain resilience and composure. By adjusting focus and attitude, even on difficult days, Anderson says leaders can perform more consistently and effectively.
“If you could stay on track more often and then, when you do get out of it, get back quicker, you’re going to run circles around your former self that didn’t even know where the track was some days.” – Dave Anderson
