Life lessons

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Standing on the cliff with my Dad… 82 years of experience discussing what he would do differently if he had his time again…. Fascinating, necessary conversations to ensure the lessons are learned & wisdom passed on.

The environment was his central theme in relation to his past work helping create economic stability & growth across the globe. An utterly extraordinary career working as a Management Consultant with many private companies, global corporations & Governments as well as being the UK representative on the International Chamber of Commerce, Financial Reporting Council & advising the British Council amongst many other positions.

He fully believes now that the economic growth that occurred in this period enabled the global population to explode to the extreme detriment of the environment. That the focus on economic & financial growth completely ignored the impact on the environment.

This place represents stability and permanence to us…. The beauty of it is unspoilt, undeveloped, untouched…. Natural beauty…. No need for growth… Funny how these thoughts came to him at this spot.

What do I/we now do with these lessons?  I posted this on LinkedIn at the beginning of the year and it is only now that I have found the headspace to give it some true thought in terms of where I go with my business/life next.  As a society we seem to be trapped in a cycle of grow grow grow, strive strive strive, more more more.... For me there is the ultimate question of TO WHAT END?  Stepping back and really thinking about WHY we want to grow, strive or have/achieve more is incredibly important.   Here are a few questions that might help you think if this is of interest to you:

• What goal will give me the best journey?  (Thanks to the wonderful Tal Ben-Shahar & his book Happier for that one!)
• What is the 'best journey' for me?
• Imagine you are at the end of your life and talking to a younger person about your life... how do you want to be able to describe your life?
• Strip all of the societal trappings away ie money, convention, others viewpoint, status etc... now, how do you really want to be spending your time?  
• What does your answer tell you?
• If you had one week left on earth - how would you spend your time?

Take some time over these - so often we can think 'ooh these are good questions I'll think about them soon' and soon doesn't come.  Get a cuppa, go somewhere where you can do your best thinking uninterrupted and write... or talk through them with a friend.  Go wild with them - often we need to go to extremes for the best ideas and thoughts to come.  Most of all... ENJOY!!