Author Archives: NCS

My favourite artist is Vincent van Gogh, the artist responsible for starry nights, sunflowers, and Irises. His whole life he was plagued with self doubt. He didn’t start drawing until he was 26, and didn’t pick up a paintbrush until he was 28. We all face moments of self doubt, some more than others, seldomContinue reading “Self doubt; and endless starry sky”

At the heart of every barrier we create for ourselves is self belief or more accurately lack there of. Unless you feel confident in your abilities you simply won’t be in the right frame of mind to chase a goal ambition. It’s natural to feel a little nervous when we take on a new challengeContinue reading “Self belief”

Worry is not trivial, its a silent killer and you need to be aware of it. Take a walk with me and let’s explore the ‘path of the worrier’. Let’s say you have a concern at work. Something maybe you kept to yourself, perhaps you are worrying about losing a big deal or a familyContinue reading “Worrying is killing us”

Swing for the fences is an idiom I first came across while spending more time in the USA. It means to put all one’s power into one’s swing while batting, so as to hit a home run. The idiom is used to explain or encourage a person to put the maximum amount of effort orContinue reading “Swing for the fences”

I was a poor student at school, I did better at college, I excelled at university. Early education and the prescriptive curricula was not for me. College allowed for self expression but I was not in the right head space to enjoy it. At university they expected self expression and I was ready to speak.Continue reading “To every thing there is a season”

Thirty years ago, a spacecraft, bound for the edges of the solar system, someone had the genius of turning back the camera and looking towards Earth. Turned back toward Earth it took a picture. The image it captured accompanying this post, came to be known as “Pale Blue Dot.” It was captured on February 14,Continue reading “The pale blue dot; The only home we have ever known”

“A stumble may prevent a fall” speaks to the enduring human spirit of trying and falling and then getting up and trying again. It speaks to the mistake you recently made and how it makes you wiser more stronger for the next time. My eldest child at university fell behind in his understanding of inorganicContinue reading “A stumble prevents a fall”

I have become interested in mental models. I am always trying to self improve and as much as I love reading, remembering the lessons can be difficult. Learning Mental models is my way of compartmentalising methods and lessons under the banner of mental models. Mental models are like software applications my mind can use forContinue reading “Problem solving and mental models”

I stumbled on a book by US politician John McCain it is called character is destiny. I discovered it a while ago in my loft. I was going through an old box of books I had ignored for too long. I had purchased the box of books from a car boot sale years before. IContinue reading “Character is destiny”

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 meContinue reading “Call me Ishmael”

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 orContinue reading “A true gift conveys part of the giver”

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, evidenceContinue reading “We are all a little broken”

My Grandad Dennis would tell me “Who you marry is the most important decision you’ll ever make so marry well” He married my Nan Elsie so he knows what he was talking about.  I am also very fortunate, I married the most wonderful woman. Melanie is my better half and that can be no doubt.Continue reading “A Great partner makes you better”

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 soContinue reading “Be prepared, but not for the reason you think”

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 lessonsContinue reading “Monday morning Green lights”

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 assignedContinue reading “Delaying your best is foolish”