Do you possess or are you being possessed?

Some years ago I was coaching the CEO of an important business bank. He told me an anecdote that really struck me. 

One of his top clients used to come to the bank once a month to review the performance of his assets. He actually had enough to comfortably live 100 lives. But periodically he would come to the bank office, meet with the CEO and show frustration that his money was not having the level of performance that he expected and went away sad, frustrated and angry.

One day the CEO courageously explained to him that the market did not have the same perspective as some years ago but more importantly that he could change his life by changing his perspective and being happy with an overall satisfactory performance. 

From this anecdote I have always been fascinated by our culture of possession and how that can really take control over us.

I have seen people obsessed with their house, their car, their boat, their fortune,... but also their position, status, their job, or, more surprisingly, their wife/husband , their children... trying to stop time to hold on to them and not lose them.

What is it you possess that is so valuable for you?

In return, what do you think may possess you?

Sometimes I think about all these possessions we have in our life that can jeopardize our freedom... without us being aware of it!

Where is it we need to travel lighter?

What is it you may need to let go?

The Four principles of the Authentic Leader

 A collaborator comes to the leader and says:

- I have to tell you about the behaviour of one your team members

The leader:

- Ok. But first let me assess something: Have you passed what you mean to tell me through the three filters test ?

- The three filters ?

- Your words must pass through three filters . The first is the Truth. Have you checked that what you want to tell me is true?

- No, I have heard about it and ...

- Well, then you have certainly made it go through the second filter, that of Goodness. Is what you want to tell me something good?

- No, quite the opposite ....

- Turning then to the third filter: is what you want to say useful?

- Useful? Not really ...

- Well... if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor useful, I prefer not to hear it. As for you, I advise you to just forget it….

- Ok…

- Nonetheless tell me more. I am grateful that you came to see me. I would like to hear more from you. How are you? …  How are you doing? ... Anything you would like to tell me? Any to share?.. ideas, suggestions, desires, ambitions….? Any engagements I can help you with?

Truth, Goodness, Utility, … Empathy.

Resilience, Resistance and patience

 

2020 has been complicated, uncertain, stressful, catastrophic. 
Our abilities to be resilient in adverse conditions like this year's are linked to our capacity to accept what is happening, not to take it personally, not to resist. 
It is in letting go of past expectations, being patient, flowing, reinventing ourselves day after day to generate new opportunities, learning new skills, developing new possibilities. 
2020 has taught us to be grateful for what we have, to let go of what we have lost. 
It has reconnected us with the precarity of life, with the present moment. 
Nothing is lost. 
While there is life there are possibilities 
Your attitude will create opportunities. 
Be patient. Do not resist. 
Continue. Accept. Persevere. 
Enjoy yourself. 
Live!
I wish you a year 2021 of many opportunities, of many learnings and successes!