Two weeks ago, I ran through the countryside of Belgium.
I am still amazed by the patchwork of houses that do not reveal any vision of creative unity or aesthetic pleasing. What’s worse, I noticed very little progress.
We lived in Belgium from 2005 through 2007, and it felt like nothing had changed.… Read the rest
At what speed do you listen to audiobooks or podcasts?
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re one of my kind. You’re unaware you can playback your favorite media at a different speed.
Frankly, until recently, I didn’t know either.
Until a client of mine, who I had given a tip for an audiobook in the morning, came back to me the next day stating:
Who do you know better?
Abraham Maslow or Tony Robbins?
Maslow is known for his hierarchy of needs, going from physiological needs to the need for self-actualization.
Tony Robbins is known for filling up ballrooms and concert venues with thousands of ‘fans’ looking for personal breakthroughs.… Read the rest
It’s March.
The Maldives are long gone and a distant but unforgettable memory.
Spring seems to be in the air. The weather is not precisely spring-like.
I’m traveling to Belgium for a meeting, and our plane needs to be de-iced.
Wind and snow circle the plane as I deliberate what I will write about on my way to Brussels.… Read the rest
What thoughts, images, or feelings pop into your head when I say the word shark to you?
Likely, the connotation you have with sharks is not that positive.
For some of you, the movie Jaws may come to mind. A movie about a shark causing death and destruction.
We also know stories about human beings being attacked by sharks close to beaches resulting in death or body parts lost in the attacks.… Read the rest
The hospitality industry has always fascinated me.
I guess it has to do with my curious mind, love for discovery and travel, and passion for making a difference in people’s lives.
When you work in hospitality, you need to have a feel for the fact that your customers are looking for a good experience while being away from their zone of comfort.… Read the rest
No matter what, the blue sky is always there.
It’s a great metaphor for seeing through difficult situations and times.
No matter how heavy the storm, how thick the layer of clouds, or how heavy the precipitation is, the blue sky is always there.
A matter of experience.… Read the rest
I love what I do.
Part of that love is the time I get to spend with clients.
I was privileged to spend time with a client in Madrid a few weeks ago.
Some clients include you in their entire program. Other clients are more reserved, which means dinner on your own.… Read the rest
“To take time to think is to gain time to live.”
Nancy Kline
The above sentence is a quote from the book “Time to Think” by Nancy Kline.
My goal is to finish at least 26 books this year, i.e., at least two per month, and the three I have read so far have increased my expectations and excitement for the remainder of the year.… Read the rest
I’m not a big believer in a sense of urgency as a driver of culture.
Every time I hear that sentence, the hairs on my neck raise, and a shiver runs through my spine.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in speed. Just not in urgency.
Almost always, when managers (not leaders) utter these words, there’s more to it than just urgency. … Read the rest
We’re all a bit mad.
Acting as if the things we’re engaged in in our lives are all cleverly thought through.
Acting as if we know exactly what we’re doing.
We’re not.
Money is made up. Democracy is made up. The recipe for your dinner is made up.… Read the rest
“Life is an unforgiving laboratory.”
Interesting quote from the book “Be Exceptional” by Joe Navarro.
He mentions it tongue and cheek as he talks passionately about self-mastery. No further elaboration on why he thinks so, but I picked up on the term, and I love it.
Should I ask this as a question or make a statement out of it?
That’s the question I’m asking myself, pondering the title for this insight.
If I’m true to my point about curiosity, I should write it as a question.
But today, I prefer a statement.… Read the rest
You need a coach!
You may disagree, but I invite you to read on.
Next Tuesday, I’ll share the opening rate of my insight today, claiming that you need a coach.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the rate is lower than usual because many of my readers do not think they need a coach.… Read the rest
We all have blind spots.
Blind spots are gaps in awareness we have about ourselves that other people are aware of.
Let me give you an example.
When I was younger and had just started my career, I thought it was cool, appropriate, and necessary to voice my opinion regularly.
It’s a Thursday, shortly after noon.
I planned to write for one hour before I headed out for a massage.
I’m now thirty-six minutes into my hour of writing, and these are the first sentences I’m writing.
I scanned through my list of open topics, I have about twenty available at any time, but none inspires me.… Read the rest
“I don’t pay you to think; I pay you to execute.” — Old School CEO.
Earlier in my career, I spent four years in a company where that was the culture early on.
I was on an expat assignment abroad, and part of my responsibilities was helping design en deliver interventions that would change the culture. … Read the rest
We all have a superpower.
That’s my belief.
Something that makes this person stand out around the people around them.
Having a superpower is not exclusively for people with a high IQ. That’s an assumption some people have that could not be further from the truth. … Read the rest
Last Friday, I started the day with a slight concern that it was going to be one of those days when you ask yourself at the end of the day:
“What did I actually accomplish today?”
I woke up a bit restless.
I knew I had set pretty aggressive goals for the day.… Read the rest
Are you happy?
Not just right now, while you’re reading this insight, but in general?
It doesn’t mean you’re always happy, but is there a sense of contentment inside of you with the way you’re living your life?
Before you start thinking about whether my state of happiness is this insight’s purpose, I want to let you know that I’m happy.… Read the rest
