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When I think of vacation, I always think of relaxation. Fortunately, that was also the case this summer, but I still discovered and learned a lot. That does not stop for someone who wants to grow.
In this blog, I share with you what I have learned and discovered this summer vacation. Some things are practical, some are informative and others are more profound.
Writing Inspiration
I came across a blog via Twitter (sorry, I can’t find it anymore) with help for writers who have trouble finding topics. One of the tips that inspired me the most was to start with the following title:
“Everything I know about [topic]”
This is excellent because everybody knows a lot about a certain subject. I think that I know a lot about blogging, personal development, coaching, training, fatherhood,…
There are also many topics that I know nothing about. That invites you to write an article with the title “Everything I don’t know about [topic]”.
Keep asking questions
This holiday, I listened to a few exciting (crime) podcasts on the road like this one and this one. They are intriguing and entertaining. The main lesson is that you should not jump to conclusions but always keep asking good questions such as “How could I be wrong?”.
Be aware of time
In episode 5 of the Podcast S-town John talks about sundials and that almost every sundial contains a quote about time. He’s right! It made me aware again about time and that I am time. See Einstein time in my blog about the State of Genius.
Fanta!
My kids discovered Fanta Lemon in Spain. They drank it with almost every meal. One of my sons asked if I knew what Fanta meant. Do you know it? I didn’t. Fanta is short for Fantastic. It’s originally from Germany and I felt enlightned hearing this (and without drinking this soft drink).
Picture by: Renato Trentin
Reflect on behavior
In the past, I wrote a blog about how you can effectively change your behavior. During this vacation, I finished the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. One of my insights was to reflect on (good) habits. Because habits can become monotonous because you do it unconsciously. You have to consciously apply habits in order to achieve mastery. Every habit leads to the next level of performance. It is therefore important to regularly review habits. You can answer the following questions to reflect on your habits:
- What went well this year?
- What went wrong this year?
- What did I learn?
Stay prepared
One afternoon we went for a walk above the Calanques near Marseille. My wife fell badly and injured her hand. I didn’t have any first aid equipment with me that day (I almost always have it with me on hikes). Probably I thought nothing would happen on this short walk. Mr. Crashaw (my English teacher) already wrote it in my 1991 yearbook: Stay prepared! It’s good that I’ve been reminded of one of my rules of life.
Be the person you want to be
That was said to me several times during this holiday and it touched me deeply. It happened at times when I apparently didn’t behave like the person I want to be (trustworthy, loving, calm, joyful, positive, creative, grateful, friendly, positive,…). The person I want to be is in line with my values, my character strengths, or my WHY. Maybe I was tired or annoyed and then this comment helped me to take a deep breath and reconnect with who I want to be.
Do you know who you want to be? Your WHY (your life purpose) helps you to make choices in life. It is your unique contribution and its effect on the world. Do you want to discover it too so that you can continue with more energy, joy, and perseverance? Contact us today for a free introduction session.
Read more about how a WHY session looks like here.
What have you learned this holiday? What have you discovered about your environment or about yourself? Let me know in the comment field below. The other readers of this article. and I are looking forward to reading from you!
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Source: Atomic Habits, James Clear
