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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L’esprit de l’escalier
I am often in a meeting or social engagement where a remark, joke or comment is made which leaves me speechless, I tend to take longer to process things than others. If someone says something against me I am usually embarrassed or confused as to how to react and so let the moment pass by.… Read more
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Tangibles and intangibles
I am off to bed without knowing the result of the Superbowl but regardless of the result it will be a good day for Quarterback Tom Brady. Who must surely be seen as the greatest of all time now? It pains me to say it but well, you have to recognise greatness. Why I mention… Read more
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Lessons from the penalty spot
I am looking out on a wet cold Sunday morning, planning the week ahead and I caught myself thinking of the obstacles and blockers of the week and not the goals and objectives I have for that week. This is a trap I fall in on occasion and I say to myself when I do… Read more
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You have no authority Jackie Weaver
This video that went viral, it says so many things to me, it says people can’t use zoom, that they can’t spell iPad, that this violent misogyny still exists at the local council level. However it also says that if you stay level headed and do the right thing, you will emerge with your reputation… Read more
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Reading is not slacking
Meetings, team calls and 1:1’s are part of our working day culture and no one questions them on a calendar. What if you saw ‘Read a Book for an hour’ on someone’s calendar what would you think? Reading can change your perspective. This in turn can lead to improved productivity or you and your team… Read more
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Stories improve sales
I read a good book recently called ‘Significant Objects’, it is a literary and anthropological experiment devised by Rob Walker and Joshua Glenn, where they demonstrated that the effect of narrative on any given object’s subjective value can be measured objectively. In their book, they recount an experiment on eBay. “Stories are such a powerful… Read more
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Good, better, best, never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best
The search for self improvement is a constant one. It implores you to be uncomfortable being comfortable, discontent feeling content. You can always improve but it will require effort there are many ways I picked eight things I do to try and be better; Read books; No surprise with this first one Listen to podcasts;… Read more
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The obstacle is the way
I really enjoyed a book this week by Ryan Holiday, it is called ‘The Obstacle Is the way’ A stoic view of life from an author who believes we give up too easily. He believes with a simple change of attitude, and what seems like insurmountable obstacles become once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Give it a read you… Read more
