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
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.
Money is made up. Democracy is made up. The recipe for your dinner is made up.… Read the rest
Should I ask this as a question or make a statement out of it?
That’s the question I’m asking myself, pondering the title for this insight.
If I’m true to my point about curiosity, I should write it as a question.
But today, I prefer a statement.… Read the rest
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
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 don’t pay you to think; I pay you to execute.” — Old School CEO.
Earlier in my career, I spent four years in a company where that was the culture early on.
I was on an expat assignment abroad, and part of my responsibilities was helping design en deliver interventions that would change the culture. … Read the rest
We all have a superpower.
That’s my belief.
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
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
You’re the most important person in your life.
Erikjan Lantink
When you agree with this statement, great! Read on and be inspired.
When you disagree, here’s why I’d like you to reconsider.
You may consider family, partner, friends, cats, or dogs more important in your life, but if you weren’t there, they would still continue living.… Read the rest
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.
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
“A fish stinks from the head.”
Rumi
Rumi, a Turkish poet who lived towards the end of the 13th century, wrote “The Third Book of Masnavi,” where the phrase appears as follows: “Fish begins to stink at the head, not the tail.”
We often hear this quote in a business environment.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, and it basically means that when problems arise in a business, it makes sense to look at the top of the company first.… Read the rest
I love winning, and I hate losing.
Big words. Love and hate.
As usual, it triggers a memory.
In this case of a great song by Michael Kiwanuka that I listen to frequently.
Worth taking a short break and listening to the song.
“You can’t take me down.”
Michael Kiwanuka
Winning, to me, is related to sports and only sports. … Read the rest
What do you want to be known for?
That’s how I ended my previous post, which addressed the legacy of the late Queen of England.
I argued that it’s worthwhile to think through how you come across it.
The Queen was known for never elaborating on the conversations she was having with all sorts of influential people around the world.… Read the rest
The Queen of England has died.
I wrote this piece the morning after her death was announced.
Seventy years she devoted her life to serving her country.
Suddenly I’m reminded of a song by Dire Straits called ‘Walk of Life.’
The tune enters my head.
A ninety-six years’ Walk of Life’ of which seventy years were dedicated and devoted to being the Queen of England.… 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
Remember this legendary line from the movie a Few Good Men?
Jack Nicholson’s character is questioned by a young and inexperienced lawyer (Tom Cruise) trying to uncover unethical practices within the US Marine Corps.
The truth is that besides the regular code of conduct, an alternative set of rules exists to facilitate hierarchy to execute ‘what’s needed to protect the country.’… Read the rest
I’m a piece of work.
People who know me well would agree — opinionated, not afraid to challenge, little patience with stupidity, occasionally moody.
But… I’m also honest, caring, helpful, generous, and a good listener.
Here’s the thing.
We’re a piece of work from the moment we’re born.… Read the rest
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.
