by Elisabet | Jul 1, 2010 | English Blog
Don’t get complacent. Don’t get bored and too comfortable.
Fire and re-hire yourself once in a while.
We all get into a rut at times, we maybe get a bit disengaged, not quite giving it our best and frankly also not then having much fun. But when we really have to, we tend to be able to be outstanding, to put in that extra effort, to go that extra mile. And we feel so good when we do it, we feel the flow, we feel the power, we experience the possibilities.
So fire yourself. Maybe even today. Do an “appraisal” with yourself – give yourself the constructive feedback, ask yourself to see the possibilities. Heighten your senses by firing yourself and then re-hiring the new, re-energised you. The you that can make your day more enjoyable, your results better, your peace of mind greater.
So fire yourself today. I just did. And I re-hired myself too – and I love my new job!
by Elisabet | May 3, 2010 | English Blog
Oh, I know, it’s the classic question! A little tired and a bit of a cliché, you may think. But oh, so relevant.
One of the greatest traits of a good leader is being optimistic, which in my view is even better than being positive, because OPTIMISTIC contains the ingredient of HOPE. With optimism you see possibilities, you recognise what you have, you find solutions. And when you see the glass as half full, you are encouraged to go on, you feel stronger, you know that nothing is impossible (it might just take longer!).
So let that glass be at least half full. Or make a real statement – make it full!
by Elisabet | Apr 29, 2010 | English Blog
What is your definition of success?
There are probably as many definitions as there are people on this earth. Success is often expressed as material things, possessions, promotions, appointments, money etc. But it can also be something completely different…
How about peace of mind, sleeping well at night, having good relationships with other people, having a purpose, achieving something, being appreciated?
Whatever your definition is…..make sure you have one!
How could you be successful otherwise? You may actually cheat yourself out of a lot of success, because if you have never defined what success meant to you – you didn’t see it, even though it was staring you straight in the face!
So go on, choose success by making up your mind about what SUCCESS MEANS TO YOU. Only you can decide, you have that power.
And instantly you increase your chances of success. Because now you all of a sudden have something to work with, towards. Define some goals, decide on actions that will take you to your goals.
And be happy about your success – because it is there if you just choose to see it.
by Elisabet | Apr 27, 2010 | English Blog
My adventure in South East Europe is over. There was a solution – of course.
After five days in Istanbul, we travelled by coach to Vienna, staying in Sofia on the way. And I was lucky to spend time with a great group of people who kept spirits high and made the most of the situation – most inspiring.
And then finally, from Vienna I was able to fly home. I don’t think it’s ever felt so good to get home!
I don’t take things for granted, or at least I try not to. Because “normality” (everything that you have and that happens on a regular basis) we tend to take for granted. It’s human nature, we all do it.
And when you don’t have it for a while, when you don’t know when or how you will get home, you appreciate it all the more.
So I’m making a note of what I am thankful for – my husband, my children, my family and friends, my health, my home, my garden (even though it needs a lot of work!) – yes, all the obvious things. But also little things like my bed, making my Nespresso in the morning, my Birkenstock, my walk to the station to get to work, cooking dinner, reading the morning paper, and much more.
And I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful and happy for. And how it SO outweighs any problems, concerns and worries.
What are you thankful for? And how can reminding yourself of this make you create the kind of day and future you want to have?
We create what we focus on – where are you putting your focus today?
by Elisabet | Apr 19, 2010 | Svensk Blogg
I’m spending my 5th day in Istanbul. I was supposed to be here for 24 h.
This is what it feels like to be helpless. I’m used to taking charge, to make things happen, and as a big part of Europe and parts of the rest of the world comes to a halt (at least in the skies), I find that what I am left with is taking charge of myself and how I respond to the current situation. But of course, it’s actually exactly as how it is in any other situation.
As I left Stockholm last Thursday, I noticed that flights to the UK and Norway were cancelled, but just didn’t realize how this ash cloud was going to spread. As I checked into my hotel in Istanbul that same evening and switched on the TV, I became aware that my route back had been closed. And at the same time I was thinking “Oh, I’m sure it won’t be that bad”, so the next morning I packed my bag and checked out.
I wasn’t going anywhere though. Out of the client group I was working with only a couple of people got out that day. The rest of us hunkered down for the weekend, changing hotels, desperately trying to find ways out. Airlines, travel agents, trains – there must be something!
In the middle of it all, you also need to realize that there is only so much you can do and then make the best out of the situation.
So now I’ve seen the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar and much more. And as I’ve walked the streets of Istanbul, it’s felt surreal – how come I’m here? If anyone had told me that I would be getting a closer look at this giant city where east meets west, I would have said they were crazy.
Well, here I am. Still here. Impressed and intrigued by this bustling city, intrigued by what’s happening with Iceland and the ash cloud and everything that it brings. And what a reminder this is, that we really can’t control nature.
And we, human beings, the modern world, have somehow gotten so used to controlling things or at least trying to control them:-)
I’m very happy not to be stranded here on my own. And I will get home soon, somehow. I’m taking control of my state of mind, of my thoughts, of my optimism. There is a solution, of that I am sure.
