This story follows a series of experiences, the last one being a recent conversation with a Nigerian soccer player that landed in one of Romania’s most international-void places. This is my home city, once the pride of Romania’s steel industry because parts of the Eiffel tower and first country locomotives had been built here, it later became a culturally and economically deserted place.
The train ride…
After scanning the inside of the train from the outside, I chose the Continue reading
It was at the beginning of the year when I did my weekly run in Cinquantennaire park in Brussels. After a few laps I saw two people running side by side. Only when they got closer I managed to see the scarf that held the two together. One was blind. This comes to mind from time to time. If that man does not find a reason to complain, why should I? Respect!
Sport has given me many opportunities to challenge my patience, my ability to set objectives and divide a huge effort that seemed unconquerable, my ability to mentally focus until I reach my objectives.
Often I looked at the completed task and made connections to other areas in my life. After all, an objective is an objective in sport or in business. Approaching one in different areas has similarities.
I will experiment now with a swimming challenge and, from the beginning, will map my way to success, going through every step from the frustration at the beginning to the sweet taste of success. Continue reading
Approximately six weeks ago I started running – as in it was the first time ever I had a long distance run training. The first time I surprised myself running 5k and it was motivating enough to go for more.
I also killed a personal myth: running alone is boring. Most of my runs are alone and it’s actully really comfortable. I always seem to find a jazz rhythm that would suit the rhythm of breething. Continue reading
When a colleague at work justified working long hours for days in a row with a better pay, this came to mind. The question of working long hours versus being effective is long winded, so here are instead some questions that might move the discussion forward:
What if we could learn more about technology to make our work life easier and faster? Are there any things that might help besides learning to Ctrl+C & Ctrl+V?
Is it that easy to leave your personal baggage outside the company? Will a tired, unfit and chronically disapointed ‘out-of-office’ Jim* become energized and engaged once he/ she** passes through the office door?
Does being part of a corporate health plan compesante for having a poor health?
Is coffee really all that it takes to perform at work?
Can a person engaged in work 12 hours a day, for days in a row, come up with solutions that will make the company thrive?
As I’m asking these questions to myself, I already know what works for me. Work, friends, health and other aspects of my life always intermingle and influence one another. A structure sport schedule teaches me about goals and this reflects in my work. A productive day at work gives me energy to move on in the evening and not disappoint my friends with complains. The energy we take from one activity varies and changes the way we perform the rest of the day, week, month… Think about this when you say that you’re too busy and this automatically makes you the better employee.
* a name randomly generated in the writing flow.
** Jim can also be a she, I respect your choice! 🙂
I remember one recruitment I took part in as an interviewer. A girl came, a former gymnast with a lot of years of practice under her belt. She even came in the first places of our National Gymnastics Championship. She ended up rejected because one of the interviewers “felt she wasn’t committed enough”. I was perplexed. Continue reading
Adrian Dobre 