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
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
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.
The sh#t they never taught us in school.
That’s the title of a nineteen-hour audiobook I completed last week. Nineteen hours I spent while traveling abroad, driving around Prague, or at home when I didn’t feel like reading from a book.
The authors, two passionate Aussies, read through 100+ books, noted the most important lessons, and made an entertaining book out of it.… Read the rest
You love the work that you do. You’re learning and growing while contributing to the success of your business. You enjoy your life outside work. You have a great group of friends you love to spend time with. You’re able to get some regular exercise in.… Read the rest
Recently I shared an insight about my love for writing and how it helps me to grow myself and others.
I’m 54 years old and still with a life ahead of me. Growing is part of me every single day. A day without learning is a day not lived.… Read the rest
Interesting article by McKinsey last week with the following heading:
Followed by the first paragraph:
“With endless meetings, constant emails, and casts of thousands, companies have mastered the art of unnecessary interactions. Winning in the next normal requires much more focus on true collaboration.”… Read the rest
Freedom seems to be the latest buzzword in selling all kinds of online training and web solutions to people who want to start their own businesses.
While building my website a year ago, I subscribed to several providers, and I’m still receiving emails from providers that I find worthwhile reading.
Some of them are funny, some of them provide helpful content, and some of them fill me in on the latest technology developments.… Read the rest
Earlier this week, we went out for a coffee with the family, played a new game we discovered over the holidays called ‘exploding kittens,’ and bought a pair of running shoes before heading back home.
On the way out, we passed a store with many backpacks on display. Backpacks in all sizes, colors, and quality. … Read the rest
As I’m about to finish my Zappos audiobook ‘Delivering Happiness,’ the last section of the book is called ‘End Game.’
The section addresses the topic of happiness and makes the case that if we peel back the onion far enough, in the end, we’re all looking for a bit of happiness in our lives.… Read the rest
This week I need to give an online lecture for MBA students on leadership and motivation.
When receiving the briefing, I noticed that the angle chosen was primarily through the leader’s eyes.
Given the name of the topic, not really a surprise.
As I reflected on the topic a bit more, something kept nagging me in the back of my head.… Read the rest
Are you coachable?
“Who would respond no to that question?”
That’s the question my daughter asked me when she read the headline of my insight today.
My answer to her? “Nobody.”
“So, why do you ask the question?”
“Because I like to make my readers aware that there’s a difference between saying your coachable and actually being coachable.”… Read the rest
… Pause.
And ask a question instead. Here’s why.
The book I’m reading this week, “Socrates on sneakers”, discusses the art of asking good questions.
I received the book from a good friend of mine who knows I’m passionate about the power of asking great questions.
We, human beings, don’t like asking questions.… Read the rest
Last week, the Netherlands’ royal family decided to spend the autumn vacation in their summer house in Greece. They departed on Friday with the governmental plane.
Only the prime minister was aware of their plans as he bears the governmental responsibility for the royal family.
While they were in the air on their way to Greece, hell broke loose at home.… Read the rest
Giving a TED talk is definitely an experience where you get out of your comfort zone. For most of us, mere mortals, anyway.
It’s not just about the talk itself. I’ve been speaking to audiences before, some of them significantly larger than the live audience I spoke to two weeks ago. … Read the rest
When you give a TED talk, you get 18 minutes to share your message. You get on your red dot, and when you start your talk, a big clock you can’t miss starts counting down. The good news is that you know this so that you can prepare for it.
When I prepared for my TED talk, I had divided my text into eight blocks.… Read the rest
