personal development

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Activating a cognitive process

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Your mindset is a set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. I think your skills can open doors, but your mindset determines how far you go. According to Stanford University, 80% of people believe that mindset contributes more to success than innate talent. A strong mindset enables you to:

  1. Set bigger dreams

  2. Be grateful every day

  3. Recover faster from setbacks

It's not the smartest people who win, but those who dream big and never give up.

““Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.””
— Eleanor Roosevelt

Managing expectations

How to develop a framework for high-achievement?
To develop a framework for high achievement you have to start by learning from your mistakes, using each one as a stepping stone for improvement. I think the cure for worry is continuous, persistent action toward your goals, as by clearly defining your targets you will create focused and effective plans that you can work on a daily basis. Prioritise the most critical tasks to ensure your efforts yield the best results, maintain your focus and concentrate on these important actions. Finally, decide in advance that no matter what obstacles arise, you will never give up, persisting until you succeed.

““Everyone is jealous of what you’ve got, no one is jealous of how you got it.””
— Jimmy Carr

The benefits of journaling

A few weeks ago, I was reminded of how rewarding journaling can be for setting you up for each and every day. A journal is different from a diary as it’s a tool for recording and logging your personal growth. While you shouldn’t suppress your thoughts, I think should be positive. It’s important when faced with challenges, focus on what you learned or what went right, rather than dwelling on the negative.

There are no barriers to journaling, take 5 minutes every day to write down in your journal:
1.         What am I grateful for today?
2.         What is my most important task for today?
3.         What noteworthy event happened yesterday?
4.         How am I feeling today?
5.         What is working well right now?
6.         What could be improved?

Look for the gift

I have developed the habit of dealing with each problem in complete confidence that it contains a valuable lesson that can help me be more successful in the future. Now consider the biggest problem in your life today - the one which is causing you the most worry, concern, or frustration. Imagine that this problem has been sent to you as a gift, intended to teach you a valuable lesson that will lead to greater happiness and success. If you look for the gift or lesson within the problem, you will always find it.

““Difficulties come to obstruct, not to destruct.””
— Burrellism

Nothing more, nothing less

No one can give you dignity, you simply must decide to have it. Dignity is about showing self-respect and maintaining quiet self-esteem. I think we are the sum total of all the decisions we've made in our lives, as each choice has shaped us into the person we are today. Never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone, or forgotten. So, instead, we should view each experience as a lesson.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of becoming fully aware of the present moment in a non-judgmental and complete way. Rather than dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, mindfulness involves fully attending to what’s happening right now, to what you’re doing, and to the space you’re moving through. I think often, our minds take flight, we lose touch with our bodies, and we become lost in obsessive thoughts about something that just happened or concerns about the future.


Mindfulness involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them. We don't believe there is a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in any given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we are sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. It is the mastery of being completely present, dissociating from the thoughts in your mind, and simply existing in the moment you are in.

Style never goes out of fashion

Today, Facebook reminded me what I have known for years, which is the more you know, the more you realise how little you do know! In leadership, every detail counts, including the way we choose to present ourselves. Let your style speak for you and make sure it’s saying that you’re a leader worth following. Everyday ask yourself the question, “If your style were to speak for you today, what do you think it would say? What do you wish it said?”

““Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.””
— Clarence Thomas

Be grateful

The essence of mental adjustment and atonement can be summed up in one word: GRATITUDE. It doesn’t matter how disturbed you are, it doesn’t matter what’s bothering you, you can solve whatever it is - just be grateful. Gratitude is everything, it’s the antidote for all stress, anger and frustration, it’s the entire process of mental adjustment. I think that when you change your perception you can change your outlook of life.

““Wait like one who understands.” ”
— James Allen

A fear setting exercise

Tim Ferris c/o YouTube

Fear-setting is an interesting approach to goal setting as it focuses on identifying and addressing our fears rather than just setting goals based on aspirations. Try this fear-setting exercise to set your fears free:

-       What are you most scared of?
-       What are the worst things that may happen?

I think by looking at what we fear the most and envisioning worst-case scenarios, we can better understand the potential risks and obstacles that may come our way. This exercise can help us to prepare mentally and emotionally for challenges, and even devise strategies to mitigate those risks. In this way we can gain clarity on what truly matters to us and what we need to do to overcome obstacles.

““Marketing is the place that understands and anticipates what people need and desire.””
— Esi Eggleston Bracey

Elevate your career

What do you really want to do, and why do you want to do it?

I think to bridge the gap between your current position and your desired outcome, it's crucial to identify the reasons behind your inaction. Let's be honest about the possible barriers:
1) Fear
2) Limited belief in your capabilities
3) Feeling overwhelmed due to anger or resentment
4) Bad habits
5) Lack of skills

Contact me via e-mail to book a coaching course.

Life is a verb

These 16 signs paint a picture of a high performer. Someone who is driven, disciplined, resilient, and adept at both personal and professional growth.

  1. You value your time

  2. You mind your own business

  3. You treat people with respect

  4. You look for "no's", not "yes's"

  5. You're improving every single week

  6. You find a way to do the impossible

  7. You see opportunities, not obstacles

  8. You're excited, passionate, optimistic

  9. You don't like waffle; you need clarity

  10. You chase down feedback to improve

  11. You're scared at the thought of settling

  12. You think in terms of years, not months

  13. You don't need motivation to do things

  14. You're not afraid to fail. You seek discomfort

  15. You connect the dots - people with your ideas

  16. You understand what others don't say out loud

Work-life balance

In my experience, there are leaders and organisations who focus on equipping employees with tools to improve their performance, and there is not so much focus on their personal development. When we are at work, our personal life impacts our performance, and when we go home, our work impacts our personal life. So, if a person is in tune with whom they are then they are one person, the same at work as at home. I think people need to feel valued, heard, and supported. In Denmark, there is a value placed on work-life balance, emphasising that people take pride in their work without the necessity of showcasing dedication through long working hours.

Confidence challenge

Why are we always seeking external validation, reassurance, and acceptance?

I think that seeking external validation, reassurance, and acceptance is an intrinsic part of human behaviour. Our social nature is deeply rooted in our evolution and has driven us to seek acceptance within groups and communities as a means of ensuring safety, resources, and support. This quest for validation extends to our self-esteem; positive feedback strengthens our sense of self-worth and belonging, while negative feedback can brings about doubts and insecurities. Additionally, seeking validation often serves as a tool for learning and growth. External feedback provides varied perspectives that aid in personal improvement and development. Cultural influences also play a significant role, as societal norms often encourage seeking validation to conform to social standards and expectations. As well as receiving validation, it also offers emotional security by affirming our beliefs and actions, reducing feelings of anxiety or uncertainty. However, while seeking external validation has its benefits, striking a balance with internal validation is crucial, as relying solely on external sources for self-worth or decision-making can pose challenges to cultivating a healthy sense of self-esteem and personal growth.

Questioning the question

Our identities are shaped by these mental models, defining how we see ourselves in the world. I've found that my most significant growth happens when I let go of these fixed ideas, acknowledging their limitations, and embracing the different perspectives. My strength lies in stepping outside my usual way of thinking to gain a broader understanding and discover new approaches. I think by questioning the question will challenge my own thinking patterns for deeper insights and should be applied to my intellectual mind.