In the span of just two and a half months, three individuals in my circle passed away—each of them unexpectedly and far too young. One was a dear friend’s young adult son, another was a close colleague who succumbed to illness more swiftly than anyone anticipated, and most recently, a father who suffered a fatal heart attack.

Experiencing these losses has left me reflective, somber, and deeply aware of my own mortality. In the midst of the grief and compassion I feel for their families, I’ve found myself pondering urgent questions about how I’m living my own life:

• Am I truly living fully, or am I sometimes just coasting?
• Where do I hold back—staying safe in my comfort zone—when I could be braver, bolder, and more present?
• In the midst of my own goals and dreams, am I also showing up for the people around me—heart and mind aligned?

These moments of reflection bring me back to two Latin phrases: memento mori—remember you must die—and memento vivere—remember you must live. Togeth...

Introduction

In leadership, as in life, we often face a critical dilemma: should we stand firmly by our principles, or should we adapt to the reality of the situation?

A recent example of this tension played out on the global stage between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Rutte publicly advised Zelensky to rebuild his relationship with the U.S., emphasizing that America’s support is essential for Ukraine’s survival. For some, this seemed like a strategic and necessary move; for others, it felt like a compromise of values.

But this isn’t just a political issue—it’s a human issue. Every one of us faces moments where our values clash with practicality. How do we navigate this balance in our careers, relationships, and daily lives? And more importantly, how can we do it in a way that doesn’t compromise our moral compass?

The Dilemma: Principles vs. Pragmatism

Zelensky, as a leader, represents moral conviction. He is fighting for his country...

Questions are among the most potent tools we have to shape our thoughts, expand our perspectives, and influence our actions. Just as your perspective defines how you see the world and determines how you act in it, the questions you ask shape the direction and depth of your thinking. A question can be the spark that illuminates a path forward or the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of yourself and others. Yet, not all questions are created equal. Understanding the nuances of questions—their intent, quality, and purpose—is crucial to fully harnessing their transformative power.

The Dual Nature of Questions: Small and Big

Not every question carries the same weight or impact. Some questions are small, addressing immediate or surface-level concerns, such as “What should I eat for dinner tonight?” These questions can still hold significance when tied to a larger purpose. For example, “What should I eat?” gains depth when asked in the context of a long-term goal like improving health...

One of the most powerful tools we have in life is our perspective—the lens through which we see ourselves and the world. Your perspective shapes your thoughts, behaviors, and ultimately, your reality. When you're stuck in a narrow or limited perspective, your life becomes confined by those same limits. But when you expand your perspective, suddenly new possibilities, opportunities, and pathways for growth appear.

Shifting your perspective is often the first step toward unlocking your potential and living a more fulfilling life. It allows you to see beyond your current challenges, self-imposed limits, or fears, and it opens doors to a world that is far richer and more rewarding.

The Power of Perspective in Action

When you're too focused on maintaining a sense of perfection or keeping things "pristine"—whether it's in your career, relationships, or personal identity—you’re often avoiding the very risks that lead to growth. Fear of losing control or damaging something precious can trap...

A strong mindset is often seen as pushing through, showing strength, and persevering. But what if the most powerful move sometimes is to let go?

The psychology mastery pillar teaches us that it’s not always about strictly holding onto your position or way of thinking, but about wisely assessing whether your mindset and approach are truly serving you. It's about the ability to forgive (yourself), let go, and know when to stop and revise your approach.

As a passionate wingfoiler, I was inspired by a SUP downwind foil video in which two valuable lessons were shared that also apply to life on land. 😉

The first lesson: When you can’t catch a wave, there’s no point in exhausting yourself by continuing to paddle. Sometimes, it’s wiser to let that wave pass and conserve your energy and mental strength for the next opportunity.

The second lesson: Don’t trap yourself in a negative thought stream like "I can't do this" or "I'll never succeed" when something doesn’t go as planned (like failing...

In Brendon Burchard's The Motivation Manifesto, there’s a powerful declaration that resonates with anyone striving to live a life of intention: "We shall reclaim our agenda." This declaration isn’t just about taking control of our time; it's about protecting our energy, our goals, and our sense of self-worth. I found myself in a situation where I had to learn this lesson the hard way—a story that reflects both my struggles and triumphs of reclaiming my 'agenda'.

The Trap of People-Pleasing

When I first started out as an independent consultant exactly 10 years ago from this day, I was eager to prove myself. So, when someone I saw as a potential client asked for my help with a significant business/IT challenge their organization faced, I jumped at the opportunity. He needed ideas on how to approach this problem, and I was more than willing to assist. Over the course of a few weeks, I spent over 40 hours brainstorming, creating slides, and refining solutions based on his input and feedb...

🎶 Ever wondered how Ed Sheeran went from playing in local small pubs to topping the charts and entertaining crowds of ten thousands of people at concerts and festivals by himself? It wasn't a magic spell or a lucky break—it was pure, unadulterated persistence with of course his amazing talent! 🎸

Imagine this: you're at the PinkPop festival, and Ed Sheeran is on stage, strumming away. He pauses, looks out at the crowd, and shares a story. A story about countless gigs, people ignoring him while playing in the pub, and never giving up. It's a tale of grit, grind, and grabbing life by the guitar strings.

In life, persistence is your backstage pass to success. Whether you're chasing a dream, learning a new skill, or just trying to get through Monday without spilling coffee on your shirt, persistence is key. It’s the relentless pursuit of greatness, the stubborn refusal to give up, and the audacity to keep going even when the world says “no.”

💡 Remember: Every "no" gets you closer to a "yes." E...

In today's fast-paced world, where ideas come and go, capturing and maintaining the emotional intensity of those fleeting moments of inspiration is crucial. Why is it essential, and how does it impact our creative and business endeavors? I have a backlog of ideas for The High Performance Guide that could serve people, ideas that I loved for blogs, vlogs, training, services, etc..., but those become stale when not getting the required attention.

Overcoming the Challenge: Reigniting Lost Inspiration and Neglected Ideas

Have you ever experienced a flash of inspiration, filled with intense emotions and insights, only to find that when you return to your notes, the spark seems dimmed? You're not alone. This common challenge can feel like a barrier to sharing and developing our best ideas. Many creatives and professionals face this struggle, finding it difficult to reignite the initial passion that accompanied their first thoughts. The challenge lies not just in remembering the idea, but i...

In our journey to connect deeply with those we care about, we often walk a delicate tightrope between genuine empathy and misleading assumptions.

While my mother spend a fun filled quality time weekend with Sacha, her grandchild, there was some miscommunication. Miscommunication that was led by empathy and assumptions.

Imagine a scenario that might sound familiar: You care deeply for someone who, out of empathy, assumes you're too busy to talk and refrains from calling, my mother who I care for dearly. My assumption that all was clear, wasn't at the end. All leading to unmet expectations and frustration with all parties involved.

People desire clear expectations. They want to know exactly where they stand and what is expected of them in their relationships. Consider a scenario where one partner expects the other to take on more household responsibilities without ever having a direct conversation about it. This lack of clear communication can lead to frustration and resentment.

Peop...

Do you feel frustrated? I do...

Do you feel angry? I do...

Do you feel scared? I do feel that as well sometimes...

Fortunately, there is more you can do than going through these emotions only.

I’m all about efficiency, in work and personal life. When things run smoothly as planned, it makes me excited, confident, trusting, and simply happy. The opposite happens as well when things are not going well or smoothly.

When things are going differently than I expected or planned, I’m shouting in my head this is not what I planned! On top of that, a strong emotion also pops up for me: FRUSTRATION.

During my Productivity Retreat last year, I had plans to be productive and focused on my coaching business, next to creating new habits and also creating blogs/content that I want to share on this site and LinkedIn account.

As planned no distractions from the home environment. No other work for clients this week, except for what is absolutely necessary, so that I can work on my coaching busine...