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Life Mental health Purpose Reflection Self awareness

The undeniable and magnificent power of now

Losing a loved one is the most significant test for embracing the now.

I lost my mother recently. Unexpected.

I won’t elaborate more on that event itself, but more about my experience from when it happened until a few days after.

It has everything to do with the power of now. … Read the rest

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Choices Leading Self Life Productivity Purpose

The illusion of busyness

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

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Choices Courage Dreams Life Purpose

Carpe Diem

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.

John Keating is a man of my heart.

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

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Communication Feedback Life Reflection Self awareness

The brutal truth about Intention and Impact

Nearly twenty years ago, I had my first conversation with a mentor who helped me shape who I am today.

I was running supermarket operations at that time, working for a CEO who, in my eyes, was not meant to be CEO. 

He was a former CFO who never transitioned from being a CFO to become a CEO.… Read the rest

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Authenticity Courage Life Purpose Team effectiveness

What’s your story?

We all have a story.

A story that shows who we are, where we come from, what we value, what gives us energy, and what stops us from being ourselves.

A story that we bring with us every day.

In every conversation we have. 

With family, friends, colleagues, and strangers.

Some of us are an open book of hundreds of pages.
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Growth Humanity Life Reflection Self awareness

Are you an exceptional human being?

Let’s start with a disclaimer about the word exceptional.

It’s connected to the two words human and being.

I’m not discussing in this insight whether you are an exceptional manager or leader.

No, I mean here how you live your life, interact with others, and make a difference daily.

For yourself and others.… Read the rest

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Change Curiosity Growth Learning Life

How do you stay hungry?

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

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Books Life Mindset Reflection Time

Really? 2.0 Speed – What is your hurry?

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:

“Done.
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Growth Growth Life Purpose Self awareness

Abraham or Tony?

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. 

Maslow was one of the most influential psychologists of the twentieth century.

Tony Robbins is known for filling up ballrooms and concert venues with thousands of ‘fans’ looking for personal breakthroughs.… Read the rest

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Authenticity Humanity Learning Life Self awareness

What you can learn from snowflakes

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

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Gratitude Life Reflection Time Vision

Blue Sky

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.

How do I know?

A matter of experience.… Read the rest

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Decision Making Disruption Life Thinking Time

Stop. Sit down. Think.

“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.

Brilliant book. 

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

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Authenticity Change Humanity Life Purpose

Discover the method to my madness

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. 

Most of our lives is made up. 

Money is made up. Democracy is made up. The recipe for your dinner is made up.… Read the rest

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Courage Experimentation Growth Learning Life

Why life is an Unforgiving Laboratory

“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.

My ‘curious and observational me’ did its job (again).
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Choices Coaching Life Purpose Self awareness

Why you need a coach!

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

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Curiosity Learning Life Reflection Trust

No title! Here’s why.

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.

The words are not coming to me.

I scanned through my list of open topics, I have about twenty available at any time, but none inspires me.… Read the rest

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Courage Life Mindset Qualities Self awareness

What’s your superpower?

We all have a superpower.

That’s my belief. 

Every human being on this planet excels at something. 

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

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Choices Life Mindset Purpose

Are you happy?

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

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Life Mental health Mindset Productivity

Blue Monday? Now I know.

Good news!

The most depressing day of the year is behind us.

Last Monday was Blue Monday, the third Monday of the year. And apparently also the most depressing day of the year.

I was not aware. 

Until I met with a client at 5 pm that day during a video call.… Read the rest

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Choices Courage Life Mindset Purpose

What do you NOT want?

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 always, always, and always have a choice. 
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