Never take anything for granted
There are plenty of beautiful countries on the planet. True. Over the years, I have travelled the planet extensively. But still, each time I arrive in Italy, it feels like coming home. My fascination with Italy started in early childhood thanks to uncountable family trips to the Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany and Le Marche. At that…
Not many Dutch words make it to the list of internationally widespread terms. The most well known are probably “Afrikaans” and “Apartheid”. But now there is also a new lifestyle concept that is trending these days. It is called “Niksen”, the noble art of doing absolutely nothing ! In my native language “Niksen” literally means…
Have you ever bought a book because you loved the cover? I recently did so in Fiumicino Airport, where I spent five full hours. Not exactly a lot of fun on a public holiday, but sometimes things do not work out the way you want. Depending on how you look at it, I was either…
Work to live. Don’t live to work. “You are on a holiday?” Maybe. I get this question regularly, even when I am close to being submerged… For some or other reason I regularly meet people who think I am on a holiday. In the beginning I thought it was because I am a woman, passing…
One of my friends recently wondered how come that with all the different assignments I have on my plate, I can still show up “all smiles” and “all zen” in no time. Indeed, I am capable of just dropping urgent and important stuff, in order to pop up where the fun or excitement is. How…
Here is a series of business books that have greatly influenced and enriched our understanding across various facets of the business landscape, including management, strategy, strategic marketing, innovation, creativity, brand management, customer loyalty, marketing communications and marketing metrics. We love these books because in one or other way, they have played a role in shaping…
In 2009 we exchanged the corporate safety net for a less secure existence as independent entrepreneurs.Some said: “Congratulations”Others said: “Are you crazy or what!?” Now, in 2019, we can happily look back at ten very rewarding years of genuine entrepreneurship. I can only recommend it. Here is what I feel is important to be happy…
“Have you seen that pink elephant in the sky?”, looks like a silly question of a daydreamer. “There are no pink elephants. Moreover, elephants don’t fly. Leave alone they would be high up in the sky!” … the logical reaction of a rational mind. However, exactly this type of fast reaction is short-sighted. It is…
Forget all the gossip about Peggy Guggenheim. It distracts from what she really should be remembered for. True, her unconventional sex life, with reportedly over 400 lovers, combined with a lot of envy, hatred and deep emotional loneliness, was legendary. Add to this loads of money and an incredible desire to shock the world… and…
It sometimes is difficult to make abstraction of stupid random things happening around you. It is easy to stumble into the trap of letting them bother you… and getting stressed out. The more you realise how insignificant some burdens are, the easier life will get. Here are 9 things I try not to give a single…