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
Last weekend I went to see the sequel of Top Gun.
Before you decide not to read further, please don’t worry; I’m not going to reveal any of the plot or big scenes or how the movie ends.
What pisses you off?
I’ll make sure to clarify first at the start of this insight. I’m just asking this question about the work you do.
I’m not asking you about things in your personal life that piss you off. So if your spouse never cleans out the dishwasher, sorry for you, but that’s not the stuff I’m interested in.… Read the rest
There are areas in my life where I want the very best.
Food is such an area. I love going to a good restaurant (I’m not writing expensive) and enjoying a good meal with a great conversation.
Food and conversation go excellently together. Food, to me, is emotional beyond the functional role of providing your body with nutrition and energy.… Read the rest
I made a mistake last weekend.
I didn’t realize it until Monday early morning when I was getting ready to write my insight for that week.
I sat down behind my laptop, ready to start writing, but there was nothing. No idea what to write about. No immediate inspiration. No funny things jumped into my mind.… Read the rest
Steve Jobs ended his famous Stanford Commencement speech with this tip for the graduating students:
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
Steve Jobs
My interpretation:
Always look for opportunities to make ‘things’ better, starting with yourself. Always be curious about yourself and the world around you.
Curiosity and change are the fun parts of being alive and growing as a human being and leader.… Read the rest
And what a hard question to answer without showing a certain degree of vulnerability (read also my story “Vulnerability is a Differentiator”).
How honest are you going to be when answering this question?
Or perhaps, how self-aware are you to be able to answer the question properly?… Read the rest
What’s your first reaction when you see this headline?
When I read this quote last week, my brain went into a pirouette that would have won gold at the most recent Olympic Games.
Meaning that for me there are different twists to this quote with both positive and negative implications.
While the author’s intentions were positive, it’s easy to point at the downsides of demonstrating vulnerability as well.… Read the rest
By now, you must be familiar with the term The Great Resignation.
The Covid pandemic has caused people en masse to leave their jobs looking for a different career. It was the crisis people needed to open their eyes and seek new opportunities.… Read the rest
I love golf.
It’s one of the best sports out there. Golf is one of those sports that, when you believe you’ve mastered it, it throws you right back to a level where you feel like a beginner again.
Golf is about mastery.
It’s not just about mastering the technique of hitting a golf ball well, but it’s, even more, a battle of the mind.… Read the rest
You probably did not miss THE slap of Will Smith earlier this week.
It’s the best thing that possibly could have happened to the Oscars.
Yes, I mean it. It’s the crisis the Oscars needed to finally implement the change required. The real question here is not what will happen to Will Smith but what will happen to the Oscars.… Read the rest
When I grew up, there was a show on TV called ‘Keeping up appearances.’
The main character, Hyacinth Bucket, or Bouquet as she called herself, lived a life pretending to be well off and part of society’s elite. I still vividly can hear her over-the-top English accent as she tried to make everyone believe she was the living example of high status.… Read the rest
I follow quite a few business coaches for a number of reasons.
Some coaches create great content.
Some are excellent at marketing themselves and their services.
Some know how to leverage data and technology to the maximum.
Some are not good, and these also provide learning.… Read the rest
When was the last time you truly enjoyed yourself?
If you have to think about this question, please skip the following question.
There’s a saying in the Netherlands that a day without joy is a day not lived.… Read the rest
I consider myself outspoken and not afraid to voice my opinion when I disagree.
It’s who I am.
It’s how I was raised, and it’s part of the Dutch culture.
We’re direct, curious, and want to know why we’re doing something.
How often have you heard one of your leaders say the words “speak up”?
Or perhaps, how many times have you said them yourself?
I know that I’ve been in a few situations myself when I felt compelled to express those words. And I’ve also heard them being spoken to me a few times.… Read the rest
Last week Thursday, I hosted a webinar on personal growth. My ambition is to do more online, so this was an intentional experiment.
The only way to find out whether something works is by doing it. You can’t make a difference and change the world on paper.… Read the rest
When I started to educate myself in the principles of web development and email marketing, I came to a few interesting discoveries.
As a marketing and management university graduate, I know the principles of marketing, but obviously, the world has changed a lot since I graduated.
Marketing has evolved dramatically with the introduction of modern technology, the world wide web, and social media.… Read the rest
I’m at a turning point.
And before I continue with my turning point, let’s talk a little about yours. When you receive this email, 2022 is about ten days old. You may find my next question stupid, but it’s not.
Have you made progress and moved in the right direction?… 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
