It was 14 months ago that the Australian cricket team watched on as England claimed cricket's most prized trophy - for the first time since 1987. Australian players say that day was the first day of the campaign to regain "The Ashes".
62 weeks later, and the first day of the Ashes series went overwhelming in Australia's favour. The excitement was almost tangible as Australia piled on the runs to vigorously take the upper hand at the very start of the series.
Of course, no-one knows what will take place over the remaining four and three-quarter matches of the series. But if the first day is anything to go by - it would seem that the focus, the enthusiasm, the determination and the single-mindedness of the Australian team over the past year and a bit will serve them well during this summer's series.
While the Australian team is an exceptional group of people, I think the same philosophy applies to many people. Having a purpose, and passionately pursuing it, can bring about some extraordinary results - and that doesn't just apply to the cricket field.
