Hello, I’m NCS.
This is where I think out loud, mostly from the little yellow beach hut I built on Lancing beach. Notes on reading, work, life and lighthouses, written when something is worth writing down. More about me.
Latest from the collection
Lighthouse stamps and postcards, and the stories behind them. See all the postcards and stamps.
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Call me Ishmael
Last year I completed a short critical analysis course and one of my assignments was to analyse a piece of my favourite literature. I chose Moby Dick, no surprise to some of you who know my obsession with the white whale. I chose the opening paragraph and as most of you know starts: “Call me… Read more
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A true gift conveys part of the giver
What is the greatest gift you received or the greatest gift you have given to someone? Did it cost much? As we get older we begin to appreciate that the value of a gift should not be measured by its price. The timeliness, the thoughtfulness, is it given out of love and or friendship or… Read more
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Mentoring; My Journey
Mentoring has had a profound influence in my life and I think always will play a huge part. Through the position I have attained I continue to pay that forward with how I mentor my children, colleagues and the wider community. My children as adults are both paying it forward in their professions as a… Read more
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We are all a little broken
Everyone has fallen apart at sometime in their life. The more resilient can use every fall, every breakup and emotional damage, to grow stronger and keep moving on. We can try to hide these scars with bravado or false narratives. Or if we are brave enough we can wear them as badges of honour, evidence… Read more
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Be prepared, but not for the reason you think
Preparation prevents poor performance they say, but let me share with you a seldom shared reason why preparation will make you more happier and successful. If we can prepare better than it will leave us at peace and with energy for the next challenge. I have looked and cannot see this perspective shared anywhere so… Read more
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Monday morning Green lights
I received this book as a gift from my good friend Alan Slavik just after Christmas. I had appeared on his podcast last year and we have struck up a friendship which I very much appreciate. I am hopeful that we all hit more green lights in 2021. See this Monday morning a few lessons… Read more
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Delaying your best is foolish
People talk about their next role they hope to get, the next company they plan to work for the next project they want to be assigned to. Those aspirations are worthy but it can be an often an excuse to not send in your best today. You have a project or role you are assigned… Read more
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A colleagues 10 year cube reflection
I attended a colleagues 10 year cube call last Friday. A very dear friend of ours, Jason Gilet had been at Veeva for a decade. It was lovely to celebrate with him. It made me happy to spend an hour in the company of friends. I started at Veeva when there was hardly any Europeans… Read more
