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Choices Freedom Leading Self Productivity Self awareness

You’re busy! Are you productive too?

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. 

It’s mad busyness. And I love to watch it.
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Communication Freedom Presence Reflection Social Media

How can you be free when you’re being followed?

Last week I received a Whatsapp message from a good friend in the Netherlands.

He and I both meditate and call each other occasionally to discuss our experiences.

We’re both educated in economics.

He is, in my words, a hard-core finance guy who did well for himself. I’ve chosen the leadership side of business because I believe that’s where it all starts.… Read the rest

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COVID-19 Freedom Habits Human Resources Purpose

Quiet Quitting

Work looks dramatically different in 2022.

The real question is whether it will ever change back again to where it has been.

Change back.

I don’t believe in things changing back to where they were.

With every change, progress was made, opportunities emerged, lessons were learned, and people moved on.

So in my head, by definition, when things change, the status quo is left behind and will not return.… Read the rest

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Freedom Gratitude Mindset Purpose Self awareness

A perfect day

Today was a perfect day.

[Today was Monday this week]

Not everything I did was perfect, but there were enough moments I truly got inspired by what I was doing.

Perfect days don’t need to be 100% perfect.

I’ve never believed in perfectionism, I’ve never tried to accomplish perfectionism, and I’ve never been upset if something was not perfect.… Read the rest

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Culture Execution Freedom Productivity Self awareness

Good busy

Last week I asked a business partner how he was doing. 

His answer was, ‘I’m good busy.’

I asked him what that meant.

He explained that he was almost always busy, ranging from extremely busy to good busy.

Good busy meant that work was not crazy but did not allow much thinking or reflection time.… Read the rest

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Culture Freedom Human Resources Leadership Vision

One size fits all; part II

For visionary leaders, one size fits all is over.

These leaders understand that people are different, with different needs, different contexts, and different aspirations for the future.

You can’t lead these people as if they’re all the same.

Erikjan Lantink

Last Tuesday, I wrote to you about my regret for not pursuing opportunities to exploit this model.… Read the rest

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Culture Freedom Human Resources Leadership

One size fits all; part I

My biggest regret is something I did not do nearly fifteen years ago.

I was working in food retail and was part of a group of talents asked to define the organization’s future work strategy.

We did brilliant work.

I had that feeling then, but now fifteen years later, I’m sure.… Read the rest

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Care Execution Freedom Mindset Team effectiveness

Travel is not a team sport

“But we’re fourteen!”

That was the argument from a traveler last Friday morning at 5.18 am when I was in a massive security line at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The lady was talking to a security assistant and making her case that she was about to miss her flight with her group if she would not be allowed to get to the front of the line.… Read the rest

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Change Choices Courage Freedom Purpose

Listen carefully! Don’t respond!

“Listen carefully!” 

“Just like in communism, I can only talk to you and give you commands and information. You can’t reply or talk back. The good old times.”

Berlin tour guide

I think it still works in many companies precisely that way (remember Elon Musk), which is another sad story in itself.… Read the rest

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Choices Freedom Self awareness Transformation

Awareness is clarity

Why are you doing what you’re doing currently in your life?

It’s a tiny seed I try to plant for some reflection and awareness.

To quote Andy from Headspace:

“Awareness is clarity, and clarity is life.”

Andy from Headspace

Isn’t that what it’s all about in life? To create clarity for ourselves, what matters most to us and in what direction we’re going?… Read the rest

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Change Coaching Freedom Helping others Purpose

Why everyone wants to be a coach!?

Most of you, non-Dutch readers, have probably never heard of Arjen Lubach. He’s a Dutch comedian, although provocateur is probably a better word, with a daily show on Dutch TV.

In the past, he used to broadcast once a week, and with better quality in my opinion, but like most ambitious and successful program makers, more is more, and so we now can watch him daily.… Read the rest

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Change Freedom Reflection Vision

Musings from a little coffee place

We have a little coffee place in the next village over that we like to go to. It’s small, authentic, has excellent coffee, the best cakes, and started selling fresh bread last year as well.

There’s only one of it. It serves its unique purpose to people in the village and those who like to walk or bike in the forest nearby.… Read the rest

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Change Conflict Freedom Purpose

What the president of Ukraine is teaching us about purpose

Personally, I find it hard to write about general business and leadership topics while the world is up in arms.

I’m doing a pretty good job of remaining focused on what I need to be focused on, while it’s clear that many others are continuously following the news and the latest developments.… Read the rest

Categories
Dreams Freedom Values

Yesterday was not a good day

Yesterday, everything I believe in got a hit, starting with the right to freedom.

I am deeply disturbed by the war that Mr. Putin started yesterday.

I woke up with the news yesterday morning before heading home after a brief vacation. For the rest of the day, I was off my usual self.… Read the rest