NCS
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The Spotlight That Never Was
Here by the sea again, and as October rolls in, it’s a season for reflection. For me, that always means reaching for a pen and paper. So, this morning, I jotted down a few thoughts: little traps I tend to stumble into, reminders I give to myself. I wrote it as if I were offering… Read more
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Jet Lag and Joy: Embracing the Messiness of a Family Holiday
Note: I wrote this blog post after a walk to process the mixed feeling I had. The expectation that as the senior member of this holiday it is on me to lead, to reconcile the emotions and to ultimately chart a path to joy. I hope you like this and perhaps it helps your own… Read more
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Not All Lessons Learned Are Nice
As I walked into my garden this morning, I noticed the quietness around the nest box I installed to my wall 6 years ago. It was nearly empty, a stark contrast to the bustling life it held just days ago. A couple of late hatchlings remained, their siblings having fledged and Mum and Dad had… Read more
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Ugly Places
There’s an allure hidden within what many would dub as ‘ugly’ or ‘boring’ places, a charm that’s often overlooked amidst grand landscapes and bustling destinations. These unassuming locales hold a treasure trove of memories that resonate deeply within me. The beauty of these seemingly mundane places lies in the subtlety of their offerings. The rusty… Read more
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The Simplest Lesson I Learned in 2023
We all live in a world perpetually buzzing with notifications and demands on our attention, the art of simply being present in a singular activity seems like an ancient idea or image to most. We’ve mastered the art of multitasking, boasting on our ability to juggle tasks like a circus act. But amidst this noise… Read more
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Stoic Serenity: 10 Years of Journaling
For exactly a decade today, I’ve embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth through the practice of journaling. Inspired by the Stoic philosophers who extolled the virtues of introspection and self-improvement, I adopted this ancient practice as a means to navigate life’s tumultuous waters with grace and wisdom. Today Sunday I… Read more
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Puya’s Question
I was fortunate to go to our company consultant development program event this year and I was asked a number of thoughtful questions and I wanted to publish a more thoughtful reflective answer to one of those questions. Q. from Puya: Dealing with delayed feedback and evaluating actions and decisions in the short term is… Read more
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Bubbles Up
My favourite singer Jimmy Buffett passed away recently after facing a rare skin cancer for four years. He recorded an album he never got to release and the first song was released this weekend posthumously, I think it’s words are beautiful. The song is called ‘Bubbles up’ and has a simple special meaning to us… Read more
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Walking to the Postbox With a Thought in Mind
As I took my Saturday walk through the familiar streets of my local neighbourhood, the rare UK sun’s golden rays gently illuminated the path before me. In the midst of this ordinary morning, I found myself lost in thought, pondering a concept as ancient as human civilisation itself: leadership. The art of leading, the power… Read more
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What We Control
I have been reading more Stoic philosophy and teachings this week. We all live in a world filled with uncertainty, and ever-changing circumstances, the wisdom of the Stoics remains as relevant as ever to me and many other students of Stoicism. This quote specifically has been on my mind this week: “You have power over… Read more
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This Is the True Joy in Life
Occasionally you come across a quote which resonates with you like a tuning fork in your soul!. So I come to share this quote to you today. Everything about this quote I say Amen to. Enjoy the video version also. Who doesn’t love some Jeff Goldblum. This is the true joy in life, the being… Read more
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The Velvet Rut
I read today in the Daily Stoic about the ‘velvet rut.’ What is that I hear you ask? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you feel stuck, unmotivated, or just going through the motions without really getting anywhere? The ‘velvet rut’ is a state of comfort and complacency that can sneak up… Read more
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Recharging Batteries
I have considered my PTO (Planned Time Off) in three parts. Family time, Lighthouse hunting and reading. A short post on my time off. I reflect on why time off is good for everyone no matter how focussed they may be on their goals. Time to sharpen the saw is important to everyone. Ok so,… Read more
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Learn by Doing
A quick Easter Sunday thought to share: Did your kid learn to ride a bike by watching Youtube? Did your toddler to walk by reading a manual? why do you think you can be a better person by just reading a book, or to learn to sell by reading a best practices guide. Anything interesting… Read more
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Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up
A little different post today but I had to share. I noticed that one of my favourite ever inspirational speeches was now 30 years old. So a good chance many of you might have never seen this or have forgotten it. Watch the video if you can. read it below if you prefer but take… Read more
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This Is a ‘Good’ Friday
I visit my beach holiday home easter weekends to do maintenance tasks and to prepare for the summer with anticipation and a little hope. Hope for warm days and pleasant nights with family and friends. You may also know I have a little beach hut by the sea in a town called Lancing. It is… Read more
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Success Is Subtraction Not Addition
As you get older and try and remain still relevant you are asked to do more coaching and buddy up with new young and energetic professionals as some kind of mentor or advisor. The question I get asked most often is: “What do I need to be successful” OR “What more do I need to… Read more
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Culture Club Part 2
I said from yesterday’s post that I would think about the behaviours the leaders need to model to create or encourage a good culture in an organisation. I thought it would be best to be super snappy today. To create a strong organizational culture, a leader must: lead by example Encourage open communication Foster a… Read more
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Starting a Culture Club
I have been thinking last week about a company or teams culture. What is it exactly? how do you put your finger on it or identify it? Can I write the definition down in a brief and succinct way that keeps my attention and yours? That is my assignment for this sunny Monday morning. A… Read more
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Anger: Why It’s a Choice, Not a Reaction
My Sunday post addresses a growth area for me or an area I am loathe to admit. I was and to a certain extent will always be an angry young man at heart. Angry when I see injustice, angry when I experience selfishness or ignorance, angry for some silly reasons which are I am not… Read more