A life without pain is impossible.
Every human being on this planet will go through pain at some point in their life.
We may experience death, sickness, violence, accidents, wars, relationship issues, get fired, be discriminated against, get bullied, etcetera, etcetera.
If you’re heavy, you will have pain.… Read the rest
In one of my earlier posts, I spoke about organizational pain.
Companies and leaders that can create organizational pain leave nothing on the table.
I wrote this story to give you food for thought and to help you decide whether you’re leaving anything on the table in your life.
When we travel as a family to different places and we can visit a bookstore, we make it happen.
My daughter has inherited her love for books, bookstores, and libraries from my mother. Wherever we go, one of her first things to find out is the location of the bookstores.
All of us are dealing with upsets in our lives.
Moments when our values, beliefs, norms, or safety are in danger. These can be real threats that might cause any harm or perceived threats that won’t physically harm us. Unfortunately, the amygdala, part of our brain, can not distinguish between real and perceived threats.… Read the rest
Recently I had to say goodbye to a family member.
Relatively sudden.
I won’t write about the circumstances, no worries. I’ll just write about a sudden shift in priorities when something like this happens to you.
From one moment to the other, things change dramatically. What mattered yesterday is suddenly not that important anymore. … Read the rest
Who doesn’t remember John Keating?
The famous English teacher from the movie Dead Poet’s Society, played by the late Robin Williams, and recorded over thirty years ago.
While writing this story, I reminded myself to watch the movie again. It’s a classic.
He stands on tables to demonstrate to his students that the world looks different when you stand on a table and look from above.… 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
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
You have one life!
That was, in essence, the core message of my last insight.
How you spend your life is totally up to you and nobody else. Please don’t come to me with the nonsense that how you live your life depends on others.
It doesn’t.
You decide.
You want to make the best of your life, right?
Right!
Does that also mean you want to make the best of every day?
Or do you occasionally skip a day because, in the grand scheme of things, what difference can one day make?
I understand that’s not your intention.
Nobody wakes up in the morning thinking they will suck that day or mess up what they’re going to do.
My god, it’s getting worse every year.
And writing this email to you is adding to the problem, I’m fully aware.
The start of a new year is THE natural moment to bring closure to what has been and start working on what will be.
Let’s face it; when you use a paper journal that leverages a calendar, you probably enjoy a fresh new bundle of paper. … Read the rest
There are days you will not soon forget in your life.
Last Friday was a day I rather forget, but that’s probably not going to happen.
You’re reading this post today, the following Friday. A lot has happened in between, so the news is old.
Let’s talk busyness.
I spent some time traveling the last weeks, visiting hotels with conference facilities.
I love hotels with conference facilities. They’re a source of inspiration for stories.
Not only are the hotels happy Covid is under control, but so am I.
Tonight, Friday the ninth of December, the Netherlands plays Argentina in the World Cup.
You know me.
I sometimes link my insights to sports, yet I keep them relevant to personal, leadership, and team growth.
A lot has been said about this World Cup in Qatar, and I’d like to add my perspective. … Read the rest
This a common phrase when we play games with friends or family.
These words typically come out when we don’t pay attention and are somewhere else in our minds or are doing something else.
It’s your turn from the moment you’re born.… Read the rest
Sometimes you must create deliberate pain to get something you want to do in motion.
I remember vividly a conversation with my mentor Joyce who often talked about CEOs having to create organizational pain once in a while to shake things up.
When things are becoming complacent, and they often do, you need to create pain.… Read the rest
You’re the most important person in your life.
Erikjan Lantink
When you agree with this statement, great! Read on and be inspired.
When you disagree, here’s why I’d like you to reconsider.
You may consider family, partner, friends, cats, or dogs more important in your life, but if you weren’t there, they would still continue living.… Read the rest
Half a second.
When we compare our time on this beautiful earth with the length of existence of earth itself, one year of earth compares to half a second of our lives.
Half a second.
One quick breath and we’re done.
Would you try to compress as many activities as you could in that short period of time, or would you instead take it all in and enjoy it?… Read the rest
“The annexation of the four Ukrainian regions by Russia is unacceptable.”
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs
This is a quote from a Dutch politician from last week.
He addressed the Dutch press before he went ahead and summoned the Russian ambassador to the Netherlands to convey the same message.
He got the order wrong and should have talked to the ambassador first. … Read the rest
The only way is up.
Until it’s not.
From the moment we’re born, our eyes are focused upwards unless we’re lying on our belly.
Our age goes up. Our length goes up. Our weight goes up. At school, grades our counting upward (in most countries).
With our first job, our income goes up.… Read the rest
