Here we are again! September is back, and we all are going to rejoin the rat race before the closing of the year, another year of success or not, but clearly another year of blood, sweat and tears. We all remember the month of June – all our eyes on Iran. Open? Close? Back in? We all vividly recall the nerve-wracking suspense of the negotiations, stretching tension to the limit!
Then came July, and after Persia coming back into the land of those-who-matters, Greece. Alexander the Great must be smiling again at the two giants compete for attention. So Greece haggles over a bail-out, with the future of the EU in the balance, followed by a fantastic example of political savviness as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras resigns. Greece will be dancing to the bail-out yet again in election time. And let us not forget the oil price tremors, Russian tensions and Isis intricacies in Kuwait, Tunisia, France and Turkey.
Amid the mayhem of this chaotic world, I can imagine all of us running around like headless chickens, trying to make sense of what is going on. Looking for opportunities, closing deals or taking stock of the first half of the month, marching at the corporate rhythm, engaged in strategic sessions to prove and build yet again sacrosanct shareholder value.
Our brains were firing on all cylinders – the last meeting, the last shot, “Aguanta aguanta” – hang in there, hang in there, as they say in Spanish, the last effort, the last meeting, and finally shutting down the computer and getting on a plane, a train, in a car, to go elsewhere and to stop. To go elsewhere to find silence and peace and start taking care of our other persona. The persona that actually could not care less how many deals we will be closing this year, or how much money we will make this year for the company. The persona that is our emotional and physical being, that we tend to forget and push to the limits. Do not tell me you are any different. I know our readership well.
You experienced blissful long, hot summer days, endlessly blue and crisp, filled with the greatness of nothingness. You felt you had time to breathe and to relax, to detox from the slavery of the iPhone, the Blackberry and the other gizmos that make us feel so important, so connected – we return now refreshed, relaxed and tanned – at least I know I am.
So let us commit to remembering how we feel right now, how our mind can achieve the stillness and the emptiness required to think properly, this feeling of now and completeness that no yoga or meditation classes can fully give us during the year.
Let us take stock of the sheer energy that is going through our veins. How it gives us the ability to cut through complexity and see clearly the core of any issues.
Let us reflect on the renewed sense of clarity we possess right now, the range of options we once had are almost magically reduced to the two or three that make sense and resonate.
Let us reconnect with our business brain, reflecting on our holiday experiences in a what-does-it-mean-for-business way? How the climbing of the Path of Gods in Praiano teaches you about the need for humility and resilience in business, making sure you pass this on to your team, or if you are an entrepreneur, how being patient is important in securing the much-needed funding or the key person for the future of your startup.
How the work of bullfighter Sebastian Castella at the August bullfight in the south of France showed you a new way of approaching business – yes, the bull does represent the business – with courage and respect. Factor in time to reflect and to observe the things around you, to find the best way.
Reassess your risk-taking – be bold and brave, and exit by the front door, one of great business leaders or entrepreneurs.
Take stock, analyse, but more importantly invest. Invest time in yourself, in doing nothing, or daydreaming. Invest in your creativity by taking care of yourself – nothing like a good walk to come up with new business ideas. Invest in your body – detox from technology, or even processed food if you are brave enough to face three days of green liquid diets. Ommm! My body is a temple. Invest in your experiencing of new things, to share your heart and your passion, and reconnect with your inner child. Invest in smiling, but more importantly, once in a while stop and breathe.
Success is your responsibility, and success is a marathon. So, engage with the entirety of your being, with all your mind for as long as you possibly can. You will then become truly unstoppable.
Welcome back.