My Grandad used to say to me when I was complaining about a hard work week. “stop complaining, get on with good work and earn your Saturday”. I think I have earned this Saturday, I hope you have earned yours too. The part of the phrase he always used “earn your Saturday” always stuck withContinue reading “Earn your Saturday”
Category Archives: Work
110% is for idiots
I can’t abide the term overachiever, It’s not possible for people to rise above their level of competency. We are all in some way under achievers to varying degree. Have you ever been told to give 110% effort? It’s a common phrase used in motivational speeches and self-help books, but the truth is, it’s aContinue reading “110% is for idiots”
This too shall pass
This post is dedicated to all those readers who have had a situation over come them. Decisions made on your behalf. You gain the upper hand with seeking to control things in your control. The situation is not in your control but your reaction is. The following post is about how embracing ‘not knowing aContinue reading “This too shall pass”
Learn by doing & Quantity has it’s own quality
I spend just 30 minutes a day on learning to draw and sketch. I am not looking for perfection, I am looking for gradual improvements. I am looking for learning from errors. In it’s own way quantity will have therefore it’s own quality. Let me illustrate with a story I found in a self helpContinue reading “Learn by doing & Quantity has it’s own quality”
The dog, the porch and a nail
One morning, a man was walking down a country lane and heard a horrible noise. He looked up and saw a dog on a porch that was just sitting there, whimpering, whining and moaning. The man was curious as to why he was whimpering, so he went and knocked on the door and a guyContinue reading “The dog, the porch and a nail”
Servant Leadership: Leading with Humility and Empathy
I Just walked to the Coffee shop this morning. My son Xander is participating in a park run preparing for the Brighton Marathon. A cappucino in hand I turn my thoughts to a subject which means a lot to me. I wanted to share my thoughts on Servant leadership. It is at its heart aContinue reading “Servant Leadership: Leading with Humility and Empathy”
Putting things away, 2023 TGIM
This weekend was an important weekend in our home, it is the weekend we put the Christmas decorations away and begin to think of returning to work. As much I love putting up the decorations, I have learned to love when it ends. You have to, if you want to achieve anything in life. SoContinue reading “Putting things away, 2023 TGIM”
A rising tide lifts all boats
It seems some days there is not even enough time to manage your own workload without the idea of helping another but that is what I am suggesting you do this week. Reach out to someone and ask them how you can help them, helping can be as little as listening and offering advice. HowContinue reading “A rising tide lifts all boats”
Don’t be stupid, Stupid!
Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are are my investor heroes. They are also close to my heart as they read all the time. They are super smart sage old dudes that happen to run a behemoth of a hedge fund. So naturally you would think that they have some smart advice to share. When IContinue reading “Don’t be stupid, Stupid!”
Learn like Vincent
I am so far down this Vincent van Gogh rabbit hole now. I have read many books in the week off I just had. All of them on his life and I also rinsed the hell out of Youtube for learning more on Mr V. van Gogh. It has informed my post today. I wantedContinue reading “Learn like Vincent”
Remembering travel
I know the idea of travel seems like a distant memory but travel will return at some point in someway and this memory of a trip in the past has always stuck with me. It must have been 2008. I was staying on the 33rd floor of JW Marriot and I had an amazing viewContinue reading “Remembering travel”
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 aContinue reading “Mentoring; My Journey”
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”
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”
2021: Don’t be this person
So you want to lose weight, get fit, see some gain physically in 2021. You have been a member of a gym but its too far away, OR the equipment is too old OR you don’t like the staff. You learn of a gym closer to work, its has new equipment and the people lookContinue reading “2021: Don’t be this person”
2021: Just Ship It
New year resolutions are always so tedious, so self quickly and indulgently shared with the world on some platform or other, or in a facile conversation. If ‘The definition of insanity is repeating the same tasks over and over again expecting different results’ a new years resolution must be insanity on steroids. I don’t meanContinue reading “2021: Just Ship It”
2020 Finish line
Author’s note: I sat at my writing desk this morning with a real uncertainty on what I would write today. I have a ‘Crimbo Limbo’ state of mind at the moment. So I decided the most purposeful post I could write today was about ending things you started, Enjoy. We are nearly there, the endContinue reading “2020 Finish line”
Looking for motivation
I have started so many diaries, journals and blogs in 20 years. I struggled searching for regular writing motivation. This year that changed, I realised that motivation is an excuse. I no longer wait for motivation to arrive, I just sit down in a space and write. Most of what I write is awful, someContinue reading “Looking for motivation”
Asking for feedback
You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes or the most emotionally aware person to know who your fans are, those people who will give you positive feedback, that think you are great – Your colleagues, family and friends are hardwired to say nice things about you. Are you as good as they might say youContinue reading “Asking for feedback”
Lead like a conductor
There is a quote: “if you want to lead the orchestra you must turn your back on the crowd”. It is often used by people as a justification for ignoring the criticisms of the many to focus on a task or mission. The quote is about leadership and the lone figure of a conductor standingContinue reading “Lead like a conductor”