by Gundula Welti
07 Apr 2020
Nothing but talent!
I often find myself dealing with delegates who are hyper-specialised, super-gifted and overqualified. The crème de la crème in the space industry or some other sector. I sometimes feel really small when I compare my achievements with their PhD (or two), numerous masters and other honorary titles.
A very good male friend of mine biblically reassured me that “if you have a lot of talents, your job is to use them!” The servant who had 5 talents to nurture gained 10. He who had two doubled his stake. But the servant with one talent wasted his stake by burying instead of nurturing it. (The parabable of the talents, Matthew 25)
We play with the cards that we’ve been given. If I’m given the gift of 5 talents, it’s a waste to do nothing with them. In other words, all my overqualified friends are playing with an original stake that’s different from mine. I use mine as best as I can. They do the same with theirs.
What about you? Are you doing the best you can every day with your talents, your original stake?
by Gundula Welti
07 Apr 2020
An idea that hits the target
“Draw the target around your arrow!” An idea for slackers, I reckoned. Plant my arrow first and then say that I’ve hit the bullseye!
The person who wrote this piece of advice used this particular imagery to discuss our talents, aspirations and wishes. How many people can say that their job matches their talents, ambitions and abilities?
Walt Disney was famous for recruiting talented people without having any particular job available. He believed in the principle that it was better to recruit a talented person before the competition did. Then he would create the job around the person.
Fifteen years ago, I returned to work after parental leave. I planted my arrow: working hours that fitted in with school times, no team to manage, working independently. My boss had no problem drawing the target around my arrow. Result: an extremely motivated staff member who continually exceeded her goals.
What target should you draw around your arrow so that you can flourish in your job?
by Gundula Welti
07 Apr 2020
I can hear voices
As I was on the wall at the indoor climbing centre, I heard my husband chatting to our favourite instructor Stéphane. Knowing that he is a perfectionist, I made a special effort. I fully extended my arm to clip in and used my legs to make the perfect move instead of pulling on the holds with my arms. In fact, I climbed a great route.
Except that when I got down, I realised that it wasn’t Stéphane with my husband who was belaying me. It was someone else who sounded like him!
Do you think it’s useful to listen to someone’s advice in our heads even when they’re not there and then use it to push ourselves? – My mother wouldn’t like it. My father would do it like that. My teacher would tell me. What would my instructor say?
We all have the voices of wisdom in our lives, voices that support us, encourage us, guide us and inspire us to give of our best.
Do you know who you would like to listen to? So go ahead and plug yourself into the virtual podcast of that voice and be inspired!
by Gundula Welti
07 Apr 2020
My museum
In his book “The big five for life”, the author John Strelecky explains his approach to life in a very interesting light.
While visiting a museum in a small town in Florida that retraced 100 years of the town’s history, he wondered what a museum of his own life would look like once he reached his dotage.
What would people see in the photos? Happy moments? Suffering? Success and accomplishment? Laughs with friends or sad images and boring photos? Would there be something interesting to see or would the photos all be identical black and white ones?
What would you like your museum to be? When you look at your watch at midday and ask yourself: is it a good museum day today? Have I done something I can be happy or proud of? If not, have I still got time to do it before this evening?
This is a way of looking at every single day from a new angle and with careful attention.
Is today a good museum day for you?
by Gundula Welti
07 Apr 2020
A ray of sunshine
At a cocktail party, the conversation turns to weekend break destinations and travel in general. Edinburgh, Rotterdam and even Caen are some of the suggestions with a general consensus that the weather has to be good to really appreciate them!
ALL destinations are more attractive in blazing sunshine but you can’t just order it up.
In winter we often make up for the lack of light with a fire or candles.
To each his or her substitute sun. Candles, a huge TV screen, a bottle of good wine or, my favourite, a smile.
What is your substitute sun?