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Curiosity Feedback Learning Reflection Self awareness

What are you pretending not to know?

We all have blind spots.

Blind spots are gaps in awareness we have about ourselves that other people are aware of.

Let me give you an example.

When I was younger and had just started my career, I thought it was cool, appropriate, and necessary to voice my opinion regularly. 

I was proud of my Dutch ‘directness.’
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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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Culture Human Resources Purpose Reflection Self awareness

When people start quitting, you’re already too late!

Three immediate and crucial actions to stop the bleeding.

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

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Disruption Reflection Self awareness Transformation

Work in progress, baby

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

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Curiosity Gratitude Mindset Reflection

How to create peace of mind

I start every day with the same ritual, getting up before the rest of the family wakes up making the time to exercise and meditate.

I follow this routine seven days per week because mind and body do not distinguish between weekdays and weekends.

Weekends are a made-up concept anyway, just like the belief that work needs to be done in an office from Monday to Friday at fixed times.… 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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Growth Purpose Reflection Self awareness

How to determine you’re at a turning point?

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.

How were the first ten days of this year?

Have you made progress and moved in the right direction?… Read the rest

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Execution Goals Growth Mindset Reflection

How will you show up in 2022?

What you do is who you are.

There are many variations to this sentence, but the principle behind all of them is the same. 

Whomever you want to become, or whatever you want to accomplish, you need to have discipline and consistency in your execution to get there.

If your ambition is to become a writer, you need to write frequently.… Read the rest

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COVID-19 Human Resources Leadership Reflection

Pause! Especially now.

When I started writing this story, conversations of (partial) lockdowns were just starting to heat up again.

As I finish this story (I left it brewing for a few days), it looks like it’s going to be a winter full of lockdowns and working from home (again).

For many a blessing, for others a curse.
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Lead Yourself & Inspire Others Self awareness

Don’t settle. Never.

Last week I came across an interview with Paul van Vliet, a famous comedian in my home country the Netherlands.

Paul was asked what he thought was most important in life.

His answer was creativity.

He connected creativity to the many things that are part of our lives: work, relationships, hobbies, sports, entertainment.… Read the rest

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Learning Mental health Productivity Reflection

How I learned to enjoy being in the moment

I like to meditate in the morning.

It’s a relaxing and calm way to start my day.

Over time, I noticed that I’m more focused on what I aim to do that day when I meditate in the morning.

It’s hard to explain, but it feels like I’m more in control of my actions.… Read the rest

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Dialogue Lead Yourself & Inspire Others Reflection Self awareness

People see right through you!

Many people believe others can’t read them. Unfortunately, that belief is more often than not false.

We see right through and smell it when something is wrong.

This week I was watching a debate between politicians. We have elections coming up in the Netherlands, so it’s debate time.

One politician, Wopke, was visibly nervous.… Read the rest

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Goals Reflection Self awareness

Be happy with less. You’ll get more.

Yesterday evening, my family and I strolled through downtown Prague.

During Xmas time, Prague is one of the most beautiful cities to be visiting with all its architectonical magic and festive lighting. The pandemic doesn’t change that.

Actually, it did change the experience.

There were a few things significantly different this year, be it that the city itself is still the same. … Read the rest

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Asking Questions Books Productivity Reflection

What’s the best book you (did not) read this year?

There’s still one month to go in 2020, and I’m already in book review mode.

Perhaps a bit early and out of the ordinary, but let’s face it. Things are off this year anyway, so why not talk about book reviews in November?

Who saw this coming?

If you predicted one year ago what 2020 would look like and you expected this mess, you should put some money on the stock exchange immediately.… Read the rest