PERSPECTIVES ON LIFE

I really do. And still sometimes you miss the chance to do and to say the right things. Although you learn and things get clearer for you, you still make mistakes. And suddenly it is to late to change.

I think I have missed my chance and now I tend to believe that I should not ask for a second or better third chance. How can I expect someone to take the chances again after I have done some serious mistakes. We both made mistakes and I wanted to quit, because I did not see any perspective in this relationship anymore and still I was always just waiting for you.

And now, and now it seems you have managed to go on and I should accept that and support you in your new life, even if it means a life without me. Maybe it is a better life, a happier life than I could offer…so how could I selfishly ask you for another chance. Is it true love, if I let you go and ask you to forget about me?

It hurts to think of you with someone else, because I do believe that you complete me. Maybe it is the best just to go on.

but I simply don’t. Life is about experience, learning and sudden surprises. So be bold and take the chances, which life has to offer.

Just life!

Just recently saw all three parts of the Godfather. I have never seen this film before and I was amazed by the interesting plot. Particularly the wisdoms throughout the movie caught my interest.

“Never hate your enemies, it hinders you to think clearly.”

“Don’t ever tell anyone outside the family again, what you are thinking.”

I loved it.

My internal voice has never been wrong, but still I am not always listening and taking its advice. Why is it so hard to follow my best advisor? Simply because I tend to think that I am more intelligent, have more information in this situation and willing to place this bet. The outcome has always been the same. I lost the bet and I was more angry with myself for not having listened to my best advisor. So my personal learning is:

Always, always listen to your inner voice and if it tells you something is wrong. Run!

I am working hard on this and hopefully I will master this challenge.

Well here it comes, my very own experience with software developers in India.

Simply said: Do not even think about it.

Based on my experiences I come to the conclusion it is not worth the effort at all. The big ones charge like any large software company and you can mitigate risks by using a renomated company in your own country. The small ones are cheaters or just do not have any real knowledge and skills in software development. Honestly, start learning coding when they start your development. After they have finished, your own coded product will be more complete, robust and of better quality than any Indian work.

Btw the Indian embassy is no help either. At the beginning they try to help you out and at the end they do not answer your mails or phone calls. Oh that reminds me of the cheating Indian software company. Oh I forgot both are from India.

So to sum it up: Waste of time, waste of money, waste of everything…

Is it like war and peace? Like rainy and sunny days? Do you need to experience both in order to know the value of both dimensions? Well for sure life is a roller coaster when you join a startup. Even though I am a management consultant by profession it is a new and challenging experience. Being an entrepreneur is different than a consultant. Switching sides from the sideline to the playing field. I love the experience, the setbacks and the new challenges which await for me and my team everyday. Just look at the decision making process which for every decision maker is a combination of own experiences, rational arguments and hope.

Just a short list of questions I consider important in my decision making process:

• What is your goal in life? Imagine the situation described by Stephen Covey, in which you attend your own funeral. What do you want to stand for?
• What is success for you? Is it financial independence? Experiences? Adventures?
• What is failure for you?
• Can you afford to loose? Meaning do you have responsibility for others? What happens with you or the others if you fail?

So let me know your thoughts or better your answers.

Watch this movie and learn about how things can change in life. You cannot take anything for granted. A good life must be earned honestly and cannot be won by a bet. Do not put hopes on a bet, because that is the sure thing to failure. It is interesting to see how many changes one’s life provides and how sudden these changes can happen. I like to watch movies and try to catch the essence of the plot for myself. As long as people are involved, you can learn something from these movies. Life is about yourself and the people around you. Try to understand relationships, potential conflicts and traps and you will be better prepared to master your life.

Just recently read a book about military warfare and besides enjoying the lessons learned in military I was very much impressed on how the formula for success was boiled down to this question:

Do you have guts?

Definition of guts:

1) The willingness to make a choice

2) The courage to start

3) The commitment to finish

Thanks Richard Machowicz for this great book.

Very often I think of this question. Some people may say it is about happiness, experience, responsibility and a list of other items, combined together in a profile of every individual.

I tend to simplify things by making things short: Your purpose in life is to fullfill it, meaning you have to make the most out of it.

At least you have to try. At least try once in your life. I have come to this conclusion already a while ago by reading quite a few interesting books. Chasing daylight, for instance, is one of the books I can recommend to anyone. In this book the former CEO of KPMG Eugene O’Kelly is unwinding his life and managing his death after he receives the information about his terminal illness. Greating perfect moments with the people we respects, values and loves is his goal for the last couple of months in his life. He learns about new perspectives due to his personal condition and also experiences more perfect moments in a short time period than he has before in several years.

When was your last perfect moment? Would you appreciate the gift of knowing your last day on earth?

I am working hard to fulfill my life. I find it difficult to create these perfect moments, but at least I have started a new adventure in my life. I am running a social startup. It is a risky adventure for someone, who has different career options, but I have the feeling it is now the right thing to do. Sometimes I tell myself I have already gained so much experience by just starting this venture that it already has paid off. And if it does not turn into success, it does not really matter. If it has helped one person on earth, it was already worth the effort.

Think about your life, your passion, your values and decide for yourself, whether you are on track or just leading an average life of someone else?