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”
Category Archives: Writing
A Christmas Carol
If you read my post yesterday 98/100 Books read 2 to go you know I was reading Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I finished our Company Christmas zoom call, then closed up the home office. I made a cup of tea and sat in front of the fire. Charles Dickens could have had no idea itContinue reading “A Christmas Carol”
Day one or one day, you decide
I have posted in my blog at Seastheday.blog 120 days in a row. I wanted to write regularly for years but just kept saying one day I will start. When you start things that are totally new for you there is a tendency to to feel like you cannot be effective without the full informationContinue reading “Day one or one day, you decide”
No one ever got dumber sharing an idea
I have noticed a selfishness of late, a reluctance to spend time talking about ideas. That is a shame, that is my lifeblood, it’s my passion, I can’t exist without discussion and discourse on ideas. Is it the lack of time, too busy, or you see your ideas as special sauce? I hope that isContinue reading “No one ever got dumber sharing an idea”
There are two kinds of people
1. Those that can extrapolate from incomplete data.
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”
Who cares?
I was enjoying a zoom lunch with a colleague the other day and they asked. “What do you get out of posting a two minute read everyday? Is it worth it?” I like this colleague, I consider them a friend so I gave this question some serious thought. I told them I would write itContinue reading “Who cares?”
My favourite teacher story
As my son is a school teacher now and I am a very proud father I have started to collect or notice teacher stories. This one below is one of my favourites, enjoy: A school teacher ran a test that had several sections, each of which contained three questions. He told the students to chooseContinue reading “My favourite teacher story”
Chess lessons for life also
I have always loved Chess since I was a child, it is a game which tests strategic thinking. It requires concentration, and an ability to cope with change. Here are 5 life lessons I draw from Chess: 1. You have to move, thinking for too long is bad To play better you need to playContinue reading “Chess lessons for life also”
A story I paid a homeless guy $5 for, enjoy
I was sitting on a bench outside a hotel in Indiana 12 years ago and a homeless guy sat by me and posed me a bet.” If I can tell you a story that makes you think, will you spare me a couple of bucks?” Of course I took his challenge and this is myContinue reading “A story I paid a homeless guy $5 for, enjoy”
10 things that need 0 talent
I have been talking with those I mentor about their careers recently and how talented the people are where I work. However I find that the word talent over used and far too simplistic and if anything an excuse to simplify how we differentiate people. I have for over a decade now had a listContinue reading “10 things that need 0 talent”
Working with the best
People at the top of their industry can be tough. They are not the most patient. They like doing and not talking. They are focussed to the point of tunnel vision. That’s what makes them the best at what they do. They can be intimidating, especially to the inexperienced, but they recognize effort and excellence.Continue reading “Working with the best”
10 years at Veeva today
In the company I work for we have a tradition. Every five years of service you get a cube, a heavy orange cube which depicts the service milestone. The cube also has etched on it some kind words from a manager or colleague. The 5 or 10 year cube represents a significant milestone in ourContinue reading “10 years at Veeva today”
Perspective
Not sure why I remember this today but it just came back to me this morning. I remember travelling to Scotland years ago, we went right up to the Northern most tip of our beautiful island. I had driven for over a day, got a boat /ferry to get to Lochinver, Sutherland in western Scotland.Continue reading “Perspective”
Take your time
The industry of consulting has all sorts of ways to make a client think they know everything. My favourite is when they ask a question with a question. The expectation is that they have paid for consultant and so they should know almost everything and I guess people don’t like to disappoint. Every now andContinue reading “Take your time”
My Grandad’s life advice
My grandad started as machinery worker at 16 in a Med device company. After WWII he returned and then made steady progress all the way to General Manager. The factory workers loved him for his honesty, fairness and the genuine love he showed for his people. He used to take me to the factory whenContinue reading “My Grandad’s life advice”
Parenting; with no instructions
My son Xander was born 25 years ago. I was 20 years old when he was born. My wife Melanie and I arrived home after the most careful drive ever. I put the baby down in his crib and I saw the new computer I had purchased a few days earlier. That computer build wasContinue reading “Parenting; with no instructions”
Learning from rain
Staying at the beach this weekend and it rained in biblical proportions last night. It caught me by surprise and I was left stranded at the beach hut with a short walk to go to get to our holiday home. Determined to get home as dry as possible I began to run along the seasideContinue reading “Learning from rain”
Sea's The Day 