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”
Category Archives: Life Lessons
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 lessonsContinue reading “Monday morning Green lights”
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 assignedContinue reading “Delaying your best is foolish”
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 EuropeansContinue reading “A colleagues 10 year cube reflection”
Bad parenting; Hair today, gone tomorrow
Author’s note: I have for the last twenty years or more kept a daily notebook/journal and the things I hear and see I squirrel away for myself, the future or just because I must write something. Now I have kept this daily blog thing up for 150 days I put ‘some’ of the things upContinue reading “Bad parenting; Hair today, gone tomorrow”
Contradictions make us who we are
I hate social media but I love attentionI love being smart but I hate show offsI hate social status but love airport lounges I love driving safely, but hate when others doI hate to be judged, but love literary criticismI love fancy cars but hate ostentation None of the above make any sense on itsContinue reading “Contradictions make us who we are”
Play the fool to catch the wise
We all like the feeling that we know the most about a subject. in a room full of people, It is enticing, its makes you feel good. There is nothing wrong with a desire to know and control your environment. How would you react if I said it is hurting you, it is at leastContinue reading “Play the fool to catch the wise”
Reading and empathy
One of my prize possessions is a rather tatty but ever so loved copy of ‘The Old man and the Sea’ I love this novel so much. It is so perfect that there is not one page, paragraph or sentence superfluous. I sat down last weekend to read it again. I think some novels getContinue reading “Reading and empathy”
Maybe so, maybe not, we’ll see
Ever since I was a child I have loved folk tales, proverbs and fables. I have been thinking lately about luck and how good fortune is seen. One story has stuck with me which I wanted to share today: A farmer and his son had a beloved stallion who helped the family with the farming.Continue reading “Maybe so, maybe not, we’ll see”
Validation is for parking only
Life can serve up a ton of rejections and criticism if you put yourself out there. Every now and then a blog post of mine strikes a chord and gets shared a bit. For a week or so it is flattering to read lovely comments and to see new people find your work. Those daysContinue reading “Validation is for parking only”
In prison or in exile; neither are preferred but we must choose
In life we seek both company and solemnity, life presents choices between these two compulsions. We typically must choose between one or the other. The more we seek the company and comfort of others the more we feel hampered by expectations, obligation and conformity. If it is help you seek on a project or endeavourContinue reading “In prison or in exile; neither are preferred but we must choose”
Good Hart’s law
It is in the beginning of the year that I am involved in setting of our company, department and regional objectives and thinking about KPI’s or measures. Measurements are very useful, they are a wonderful tool that help you get results. Measurements define progress, they can be found in your self-improvement aims, as much asContinue reading “Good Hart’s law”
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.Continue reading “L’esprit de l’escalier”
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 mentionContinue reading “Tangibles and intangibles”
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 doContinue reading “Lessons from the penalty spot”
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 reputationContinue reading “You have no authority Jackie Weaver”
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 teamContinue reading “Reading is not slacking”
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 powerfulContinue reading “Stories improve sales”
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;Continue reading “Good, better, best, never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best”
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 youContinue reading “The obstacle is the way”
Sea's The Day 