The most valued in life

If you are about to die, what is that thing you would miss most?

Probably, it is a tragic question at moments where in most parts of the world there are parties and people are more concerned in celebrating than anything else. But, ask yourself anyway.

Then, with the answer in your mind, ask again: Why?

This why can open a long queue of feelings and deep reflections, and in fact it can help you to understand your life as it is - because we normally focus our energy (time, body vitality, money, etc.) towards those things we value most. However, sometimes that is not what happens...

Sometimes we spend our time, use our body up and waste our money in things that we really don't value. If you have asked those questions, you now have an idea and it is up to you to refocus the use of your energy, so that those things you value most in life receive most of your energy.

What will be effect of that? Naturally, there will be peace in the heart and a feeling of accomplishment. Happiness will come more naturally.

But, it is up to you to live the life you value, instead to value the life you live... And this is a good time to make a new year's NEW resolution.

New and Old, and also Christmas

Do you like Christmas? Do you REALLY like Christmas?

So, if I give you something OLD, very OLD, practically useless for many people - after all, it is something you can't buy or sell, and it does not indicate status either... would you accept that?

Probably not, right? Your thoughts are probably going to a new watch, car, dress, or anything of the sort. Not something OLD, never!

It is something that exists even before the original date of Christmas - yeah, the one when THAT baby was born.

It is something that some people say we practice even before we are born.

Because, you know, I want to give you a smile. Gentle, kind, encouraging, loving, friendly - you can choose!

I know that my smile won't make you richer, more beautiful than you are now and it won't open doors for you in the high society. I am sorry it won't serve you so that you could sell it. And I am happily giving it for free.

But... you know, I think at some point next year, that will be very useful. It is a virtual smile - you can't see it, but I am giving it to you while I am typing this post. And it will be useful for you, when you feel the lack of gentleness and kindness, when you don't have the courage to do something, and when your heart feels a little empty.

At those moments, just remind yourself of this very useless gift I am giving to you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ideas, Creativity and Innovation

One person was talking the other day on how FUN is losing its, well, fun. He was saying about how everyone nowadays is funny - there are funny pictures, funny videos and funny stories, all over the place! So, fun is less funny when is everywhere.

Is it like that with creativity? Possibly. Creativity has an interesting and easy path to follow through: it starts with an idea. The more original that idea - or, at least, the more original you think that idea can be used in reality - more that idea can become a spark of your own creativity.

However, originality is a must in that case. For instance, you can have an idea of cars moved with kinetic energy, let's say like a "bicycle-car". But, was that idea really original, or you just saw it at someone's pinterest board?

In this era of information, an omnipresent information, it is crucial for the sake of creativity to take time out and unplug. Then, allow the mind works on that wonderful idea that is just germinating. This is a good recipe for creativity: from that point, if you are able to turn it into something profitable, you will turn your own creativity into innovation. Profitable does not mean necessarily generating money, but something that you feel "richer" because of that, like a new way to give poor children hope in life.

Another way to keep creativity going on is to let yourself flowing in the waves of the internet ocean, taking inspiration of everything there. Sometimes, originality is not so much in imagining something nobody ever did, but imagine something that is already there in a different way. It is the typical case of IPod, which is a different version of Walkman... hard to connect both, perhaps, but it is the same principle: play music in a portable device.

However you think you can do, do it: keep your ideas, creativity and innovation alive. After all, wouldn't be interesting to have a "bicycle-car" one day?

My message to you

This is the message I am sending to all my email contacts. I never thought they were so much! But I feel it is a message to everyone...

At some point we have met. Maybe we were ships passing at a distance, or we were passengers at some train of life, sitting close together.
Maybe we shared something personal, maybe a secret at some point. Or perhaps I wanted to do business with you, to give my especialties to your company, or you wanted to give yours.
Maybe we were born at the same land, or maybe we share the same mother tongue. Perhaps, you have taught me new words of your own beautiful language.
By having someone's email, that means at some point I have written to you. But, technology pace sometimes does not allow us to keep track of who is who.
But something I am sure: YOU ARE A VALUABLE PERSON. Otherwise, I wouldn't email you.
And if I could give you a gift for Christmas, I would like to give you this title: YOU ARE A VALUABLE PERSON.
And if I could give you a preparation message for 2013, I would like to ask you to never forget: YOU ARE A VALUABLE PERSON.
Because next year, your ship will face fog and storms. Next year, your train of life will be delayed, sometimes.
Whenever that happens, I hope you can remember this friend of yours who is writing now, and the gift he gave you.

YOU ARE A VALUABLE PERSON

China or India? Brazil?

The issue still appears in magazines such as The Economist, or in the head of thinkers and philosophers. It hasn't come to the main stream, but if you do not know China will be the future superpower.

Or not?

In the twilight of the world, almost completely dominated by the United States, we see the deep division in the economy and society in that country, affecting the entire planet. In fact, when Obama's victory came, some newspapers around the world spoke of Disunited States of America...

That fall, associated with the Europe's fall, is creating an interesting effect similar to what we hear of the ancients on the void: nature always tries to fill it. Several countries have emerged to fill the position of superpower.

My question is: do we need a superpower? In a social context, naturally people are always looking for a leader. In a global context, so do countries. A leading country - power or superpower - helps the world to have a clearer vision of where to go, and interferes other countries' decisions with the power of its economy, society, or, in the past, weapons. I think we probably do not need a superpower, especially with the development of information and communication, which makes the world smaller. However, it seems natural that a country has more force at the time of decision making than others. If it's good or bad, I do not think it is realistic to discuss that.

In the process we live, watching the mighty fall and the rise of their replacements, it is good to look at recent history, at Germany and the UK, powers of the past, and we see they still have a lot of power. Even with the U.S. (or DSA ...) fall, we will continue to wear their fashion, see their movies and English will remain the lingua franca for a while.

Successors?? Well, what is observed is that some countries do not seem to be in the race anymore. Russia certainly has a status similar to that of the UK and Germany. Mexico and Chile lost their golden opportunity in the past for various reasons (the first for obvious "attachment" to the U.S. economy in decline, the second for not opening up more to the globe), the same happening with Israel and Arab countries, mostly for its endless conflicts. Canada does not seem to have much interest in the subject and Australia is a bit like Canada and Chile.

So we have the group dubbed Brics: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russia, as we said before, is in another status, having enjoyed its time as a superpower. South Africa has failed to reinvest the legacy of Mandela (and some time ago, the Brics was renamed simply BRIC), so we are left with something that would be the CIB.

China certainly has a great advantage and the world is betting on its leadership. There is the unspoken hope that the pressure of the economy and society makes the current regime changing, the dragon's most important Achilles heel. And there are several heels. Much of their economy comes from cheaper products whose quality has improved over the years, reminding us of Japan and other Asian tigers. But, the Chinese worker does not receive generally a good salary, not even good quality of life. If economy changes are not made as soon as possible, at some point China will be obliged to raise wages, which will raise the value of products and force the world to find new suppliers, causing a decline in its economy and power.

India?? The big advantage is that India is where China may come a day, with wages increasing more and more, as well as products. A friend told me you could have coffee at the airport for about 20 rupees, and today, the value amounted to more than Rs.100, reflected in the quality of life of the worker who sells it. While China was growing enormously, India was learning to better redistribute wealth. It is far from ideal, but at nearly 30 years of travel to that country, I can see less poverty, more middle class and greater capacity for growth.

Brazil will have to break free from its informality. We, Brazilians, say sometimes that Brazil tends to lose the championship because while other countries teams are superconcentrated the night before, Brazilians are out to have fun ... I find it will be hard for Brazil to reach a superpower level, because it will require profound cultural change. Most likely assume its position in Latin America - a lost boat after USA withdraw and barely maintained in part by Mexico and Venezuela - and help this cluster of countries to negotiate a better position.

If you think about the future, you should learn Mandarin, start doing business with India (assuming you are already in business with China) and invest more in the "green giant" South American, not just going there for vacations or conferences.

Problems II

Still having problems in life? Congratulations! Still alive...

I hope you do not have prejudices regarding this word: PROBLEM. Actually, the fact that you still have problems indicates your own energy, because there is no problem without a solution, and if there is solution, there is life.

But how to solve the problems?

For logical or mathematical problems, you can use basically a simple process:

• Analysis. One tries to understand the problem from various angles, open to new paradigms and possibilities.
• Synthesis. After expanding the problem for understanding, it's time to "repack it". It is common the problem changes at this stage, taking an easier form to be handled, or perhaps more interesting.
• Solution. It comes as a natural evolution of the problem. It is the last stage of the process.

Well, if we use the same process for general problems adapted to the human side, we get:

• Analysis. It is essential that you understand the problem from several perspectives. Talking to other people, reading books with a positive approach or just sitting and contemplating on the situation helps to take the darkness and negativity out of the problem. By giving light you solve it by half, corresponding to the emotions that come along with it.
• Synthesis. On the screen of your mind, the problem becomes something you can work. It can be an image or a simple paragraph, small, that carries the essence of the problem.
• Solution. With positive attitude and awareness, look at the problem and make a decision on what to do about it. It is important to understand that not always the solution is related to the personal desire. For example, the solution can be let go and let someone go - not the best, from the point of view of the desire for not being alone, but the most important thing is to reach a stage of full contentment.

And if you really want to work with the problem in another dimension ...

• Analysis. Be detached from the problem completely. Through meditation, it is very simple. You can "deliver" the problem to God and just enjoy the relationship with the Supreme Being, who will give you all the power you need for this.
• Synthesis. On the screen of your mind, look at the problem as something positive. Experience the solution that comes along with the problem, thanking life for this opportunity for improvement.
• Solution. Assimilates deeply the meditation experience, being inspired by the solution that you are taking into your life. Allow the problem to continue with God as Father and Friend, but bring you the fantastic solution you realized. Apply it into practice, with courage, enthusiasm and love.

I hope it will help you.

No problem

One of the biggest challenges a translator faces is to be faithful to the one he or she is translating. Even when the translator does not agree. A short time ago, I was translating a friend's lecture in which he was making a strong statement: THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. But...

As a coach, I've learnt to avoid certain words, among them... Yes! Exactly: PROBLEMS. But...

But, what is it so bad in a problem, really?

In fact, between using words like challenges, opportunities for improvement or lessons, I believe the word PROBLEM is much more effective in terms of motivation. Why?

A problem is anything that demands a solution: there are math problems, problems in terms of food, sleep and harmony in relationships.

The key word for PROBLEM is implicit: SOLUTION. A problem ALWAYS have a solution, otherwise it is not a problem...

If there is a challenge, sometimes the solution is far off as it depends on the individual's skills. There can be opportunities of improvement, but they vanish after a while and even though we are taught some lessons, it is not sure we will learn anything.

By having a problem, there is the mental clarity that THERE IS ALWAYS A SOLUTION. Maybe the person will need to learn some skills or develop certain capacities, but the solution is there. Better, in the school of life you can copy from others - so, if someone else has solved the same problem, just adapt her or his solution to your own life.

I suggest you to start to see problems in another way, as a circumstance that you will be able to solve FOR SURE, as its solution already exists.

No problem...

The Indian Dream

The Economist has always been my favorite magazine, even though they call it a newspaper. I enjoy reading so much that I make a point to read it through, even though it takes a month. Or two.

However, sometimes they make mistakes, as possibly anyone and any magazine. I feel their article on the Indian dream is probably one of these big mistakes.

No mistakes of course in the data - none I could put a finger on, at least. And the serious analysis is also OK. But they do miss the point about the dream...

Because dreams are not an object of analysis. Dreams, in the sense of a pure desire, an objective in life or a vision of the future, are a powerful motivator that can transform lives.

I go to India about twice a year and I have seen with my own eyes the progress of the country and that dream people have. They don't revere poverty as the magazine says, but they accept it. That acceptance acts positively in the society: it is not uncommon that someone who is very poor is able to put at least one of his children to school, and that child one day is able to send one of her own to the college, until many years later, the cycle of poverty is broken. Comparing with other places with high rates of poverty, Indians live generally happy.

What Indians revere is life in itself. What they revere is a sense of honor you hardly find in the West anymore. What they revere is God, with a deep respect and tolerance towards any way of worshiping.

And because of that, I feel the real dream in India is not so much to have a car, a proper house or a restore its original. Its real dream is to keep that energy we in the world need so much, that natural spirituality someone just called soft power.

Whilst religions have divided, split and created wars, India's spirituality is a reason to join, get together and share. Yes, there has been conflicts but they have been provoked by politicians or old-school members of clergy; Indians enjoy the diversity and they are perhaps the only people in the world that can find unity among that diversity.

It is a dream the whole world can use. Right now, and I welcome that dream.

When the butterfly gets stuck

As a natural process, caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies. There is no decision-making, obstacles from other people or anything which is not natural.

Oh, yes, let's not be romantic about it, I am sure a whole bunch of predators is waiting for that moment when the vulnerable caterpillar is becoming something totally different and so many butterflies never see the daylight. However, what I would like to talk is about the differences with the human caterpillar, that is, you and me.

When any person starts his or her own transformation process towards a unique caterpillar, it involves not a decision from nature, but from the person to do it. That is what makes it happens initially. Sometimes, transformation is caused by something external, like the death of a spouse, but the real transformation only happens when its process starts from a deep, sincere and genuine desire for change. If that ingredient is not present, transformation will be something ON and OFF, relying on external factors like how job is going or a physical guru.

During the transformation process, a human being just like the caterpillar counterpart requires a set of situations to happen. If they are not present, then the the human butterfly can get stuck somewhere in the middle, or worse the transformation can reverse and an even uglier caterpillar emerge:

• A final goal. It is fundamental that during the whole transformation period the person keeps in mind her or his final objective in life, that wonderful vision. It is not only to remind the person where he or she is going to, but it is also a powerful motivator when things go wrong, and a real change tends to attract many wrong things.
• A proper environment. The human caterpillar needs space (openness to try, fail, and try again, experimenting with many aspects of life), support (people, books, movies or music that not only inspires but also guides), time (a specific schedule is important for an effective change; retreats, seminars, courses or other events are also efficient ways to use time) and a method (it implies a knowledge, certain values and orientation on how to implement that in life). If the person does not have a good physical environment, awareness can also created a kind of mental stage that will work like an environment.
• Constant checking. In nature things are very easy and when the butterfly is ready, it simply flies away. In the case of human butterflies, it is need to check constantly about the current state of the transformation and be ready to correct the transformation route.
• Enjoy! Probably that is quite similar to the nature: when the human butterfly is ready, it is important to enjoy the sweet fruit of self-transformation.

Hope this can be helpful in your own transformation. Have a nice flight!

True Friendship

In a world where people has about 2,000 friends via Facebook, I just wonder if the same word FRIEND is changing its meaning.

In an old and beautiful Brazilian song, Milton Nascimento states: Amigo é coisa para se guardar debaixo de sete chaves dentro do coração... (Friend is something to be kept under seven keys inside the heart). And that has been always my image of a friend, someone who is always there.

First, a friend is someone you have a deep connection, which is opposed to a superficial connection like business or "likes and dislikes", or Facebook. This deep connection sometimes is based on something you shared together like an adventure or school; other times, is just because you both are people interested in the same things and you dive deep into them. So, start checking now: who are your friends?

Second, a friend is that person who is available, no matter what. Not the romantic and idealist availability that is almost impossible in such a times when everyone works and works and works. Availability is an attitude: if you are available to another person, you will have that one in your mind and as soon as you physically available, you will call him or her. You can't forget, because you are a friend. Check: Whom are you friend to?

Third, a friend will be by your side, always, even though you make a mistake. Even though you make something that goes against your friend's values and principles. To be by your side does not mean to agree with you. A friend will know when to push, when to be firm and convince the other person to regret, apologise or make any correction to those mistakes. The most important thing is that a friend won't cut you off, never.

How many true friends do you have? Keep them, they are treasure.

Peace Progress

As a resident of this wonderful country, full of potentials, Colombia, I follow the news on the peace process very closely. It is the third time we have such a process, at least in a very serious and committed way: first was during Pastrana's government, second was during Uribe's government and now during Santos' government.

The three of them were totally different in form and essence, but still I feel the connection between them. Out of the three, the most visionary was Pastrana's and I do hope some of those initiatives emerge again. It failed though, probably for bad management and perhaps because there is a thin line between vision and idealism, and sometimes idealists forget we live in a very real world. Still, behind the failure there was success merged. For me, peace in a country is a process of construction, not a snap of magic.

The second process is very controversial, as it was done with paramilitary  They emerged as a kind of civilian response to the guerilla  but they got life on their own. And violence. Many people don't see the success here, I guess it is just me, but I have good memory and I remember that there was not one week, and for a long time, when I did not hear news about the atrocities done by paramilitary groups. Now, there are much more than one year I don't hear it. But more than the success, lesson here is the reality of a peace process. Even though it dismantle the structure, it can't change much of the people, so some of these people are still involved in violent activities, and some groups have emerged, but they are very far from the paramilitary style, they are just acting violently.

The former processes can be very valuable for this one now. On one hand, provide the areas dominated by the guerilla with solid chances for economic growth - I remember there were news even Iran was contacted during Pastrana's government, which would start some business in one of those areas. On the other hand, be more realistic, knowing some of these people will still continue in their violence due to any reason, and create mechanisms to prevent that, or at least minimize it.

I am not related to politics, as a foreigner much less, so another point which is important is to take care of three very basic elements for those who were related to the guerilla  First is health - years, for some decades, of life in jungle can affect your health. Not only physically, mental health is something that has to be considered too to avoid situations of war veterans coming back from war. Ah, let's not forget the peace process has to be extended to the military.

Second, education is a powerful tool. It gives people hope and understanding, and enable them to go beyond their limitations. It also helps to prevent people to go back to violence. I feel education can be considered a long term element, focusing in giving basic education for people who were directly involved in the guerilla  but also making sure somehow a high education for their children.

Last, but no least, spirituality and values. In fact, for me this is the most important as it helps people to go back to their own roots of peace and love, the wonderful feeling of being part of this human family. In Sri Lanka, where the end of their war was a very violent one, guerilla members received raja yoga course as a way to cope with their new civilian life. Many of them are back to the society, and spirituality helps them to have a different approach towards problems.

In reality, all humans are now at war, at least in their minds and spirit. Desires, lack of satisfaction, animosity, hate and many other negative qualities have created a room in everyone's heart. The ultimate peace process is in that sacred place, helping each one to overcome their own violence and reach an original state of peace.

5 questions to end your year

• Which changes am I experiencing this year?
• What have been my main success events or accomplishments this year?
• What are the main lessons I am learning?
• What are my main realizations?
• In the rest of the year that still remains, what will be my focus?

Years are just a ritual, they really don't pass, not even exist. But we can use that as a concept and help ourselves to change in a more methodical way. For that, we need to check and change whatever has happened with us, and as the time passes faster and faster, it is better to start even before the year ends.
The questions before can trigger something deep in yourself. Yes, they are pretty general, but they can be helpful in making sense of the year that is almost finishing.

• I went through a big earthquake this year in my life. It was a crucial moment of decision and I have experienced a powerful breakthrough in relation to a situation that was as long as 7 years ago. The main change for me is to realize the total control of my life, which is in my hands. Yes, I knew that, but it was more than a realization, it was a practical fact. By the way, still in process.
• I think the main accomplishment for this year has been to come back into the consulting world and to start coaching. I felt so relieved, but it was more than that. It was a feeling of a person who has been through a heavy storm and finds out there is still dry soil somewhere... I felt like my feet touched the ground, and it has been great.
• This year, I have taken a powerful course by the University of Life. How many lessons I have learnt? I don't know. Possibly the biggest one is to shape my mind and comments and always express myself. I've realised that although I am a good communicator, I am not so good in expressing sensitive issues and that has harmed my relationships and myself.
• Realizations... I think my main realization, not mentioned before, has been the power of a spiritual life. If I had to decide between going back to a former lifestyle or keeping the present one, I would have decided to keep this one as I had this deep realization of the benefits of the life course I have chosen.
• For the rest of the year... I am catching up with everything, and not only for the year as I had the "7-year storm" realization, so I want to do as much as I can and experience as much as I can. I am catching up even with my blog...

What about you? What are your responses? I would love to hear (read) them. Take care, Marcelo

Dreaming...

One unfinished talk I had the other day with some people was about dreaming. They were just preparing a seminar to estimulate young people to be entrepreneur, a priority in a country with more than 10% unemployment.

However, I had some experience with that. In fact, I've worked with one of the first universities to create a proper entrepreneurship program in an arrangement with the Instituto Técnico de Monterrey. And my experience stated that people don't dream much nowadays.

The theory I heard is that old people do not dream, but young people, YES, they are full of enthusiasm! That was not what I saw.

One of these lectures given in that university was during the day and I saw an elder person there. She was not sitting where professors were supposed to sit, so I asked someone if she was a new member of staff. They told me she was in fact a student. After two or three people whose dreams were to finish that course, I called her in front. She told us how she used to work in a small hotel in a small town, whilst bringing up her children. At some point, she bought the hotel and then she decided she needed to study to perform better, and there she was. Her dream was to have a top hotel for the region, something I am sure she has reached.

Another theory - and my friends told me that - was that rich young people don't dream, people need to lack something in their lives for dreaming. However, I had two different experiences which told me the opposite.

The first one was in Chile. I lived in Santiago for two years, and I had the chance to meet many young people as I was myself much younger than today (yes, I am still young!). What I noticed there was the abundance of dreams. Most of these boys and girls had parents who trained them to work early, in fact one of them, Eduardo Soler, good friend and president of a company in Chile now, told me as his parents cut his allowance and he was obliged to work, even though he had his university fees, transportation, food and etc. all covered.

The second experience was to give a lecture for a group of 13-year old students in Medellin. It was a mixture of people with few finantial resources and people who used to have a good finantial situation. Again, I was facing a group of young and very skilled people, with lots of potential but no real dream there, except getting married...

Dream, as the hability of imagining a new situation, is probably a human feature. Dream is the thing that made many of our heroes to challenge their own status quo and brave themselves into new worlds. Columbus, the MayFlower and Marco Polo are a few of many people or group of people who dreamed with a new order.

But, look, they didn't only imagine a new order, they went to look for it, they built it and they changed the world as it was at that time. If we stop dreamming, we are cutting that same possibility of a new world which perhaps is at our arm reach.

In fact, theories apart, I think the main reason people are stopping to dream is the fact they have been unable to put that wonderful imagination of theirs into practise, but that is for another post.

Thinking...

Do you know the feeling when you feel something is "after" you? For instance, a book?

That happened to me: I kept on seeing this book. Its white cover, very simple design appealed to me. Its thickeness did not appeal to me. But after seeing it about, what, four times in different cities in the world, I decided to take it.

I am sure its long writing will make my process to read it pretty slow, but I am starting to get benefit from it. Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman is more than a book, it is a manual for living. Click here for a review which looks like a small summary.

It contains many points and ideas that explained to me several things, and I am in the first chapters. But, beyond that, there is this person who wrote (or co-wrote) this whole magnificient book on how humans think.

2002 was a great year for him, as he got a Nobel Prize in Economics, even so he himself is a psychologist... After purchasing it and reading it is that I realised one of the big reasons for me to admire, appreciate or study and research someone else's book was there: he overcame a limit.

If you read The Economist, you will realise the economists are a different kind within the human species - even though it is a magazine, they call it a newspaper... Well, the same applies for ITC engineers or taxi-drivers, I know, but I just wondered how is it that a person with an inclination for the subtle aspects of mind could be attracted to numbers, so much, that they gave him a Nobel Prize.

Kahneman, whom I don't have the pleasure to haver personally met, is one of those rare people who are able to use both capacities, the intuition and logic, the human view and the stadistical approach.

Most of people are used to live in just one half of his or her potential, spending their lives by thinking the world is a rose garden or a bunch of numbers. It is wonderful to see someone who sees the world as a rose garden AND a bunch of numbers, depending on the moment, integrating both possibilities.

That is the depth of thinking, when you are able to not be restrained, not even by your own tendencies, so that you can see beyond the present horizons. Because it is only then that you can really understand and assimilate a situation fully. How to do it?

For Kahneman, his story is told in the link I've shared before. For myself, whom I like to think I am a balanced guy even though I am still in the process, it was meditation and a spiritual life that enabled me to see the rose garden without leaving the bunch of numbers behind.

What about you?

Signs of Paradigm Shift II

Problem of paradigm is that when you are merged in a paradigm, you can't see it shifting until is too late. That happens with districts especially in South America: one distric is for wealthy people and some decades later, it becomes a middle-class place.

But people from these places, they rarely notice the change. Yes, they see things happening, but they are "blind" to the total change. One day, their district changed around them, and possibly their status too.

But, how to really notice changes? For instance, I have talked about the shift of the poles, at least in economic terms. Last months Europe has been rocking hard, and although Germany has some economic power, it is obviously not enough to keep the whole boat afloat.

So, what I realize is that when a paradigm is changing somewhere, at another place the opposite is happening. Brazil was reported to be interested in buying the European debt last year; well, I am from Brazil and I just thought: WHAT????? Almost whole South America is booming with the economy: less poor people around, lots of construction and buildings, etc.

Another way is to see the changes in very small things. For instance, one of my early memories of London was the big advertisement they do on movies. They paint the buses and the effect is very nice and interesting. More interesting than that was the fact that most of the movies they were advertising were not on theaters in South America. This time, many of the movies they were advertising in London have left the theaters already...

Just to reconfirm your observation, look out for news. A few days later after coming back from last trip to London, a small article talked about the fact that nowadays most of the big American movies start to show first abroad.

Easy?

1. Whenever a change is happening, looking for its counterpart.
2. Check about small things, like movies, shoes or technological devices.
3. Wait for official news in main media.

But, why to be so focused on Paradigm Shift? To prepare yourself...

Signs of Paradigm Shift I

I heard the word PARADIGM about 20 years ago. It touched me as it was explained, clarified and its examples. Barker's video and book on paradigm made up my mind and I was a believer!

Later I developed more sense on the stuff and, although I appreciate his work and his innovative way of explaining it, I really started to see things a little different here. And paradigm became part of me, so I stopped working on that.

You know, paradigm as a word came out of fashion one day, but as it is part of me, I can relate to that all the time.

And it is a wonder when you know and you can see how paradigm is shifting everywhere...

Not talking about the big elephants in the room, as China (and India, did you notice it?) takes over from a fallen USA and Europe, or how Brazil is becoming the third in the row.

I am talking about day-to-day circumstances and situations, happening all over the planet.

Do you notice it?

While looking for balance in life, what you are really looking for is basically the experience of five things. You can call them feelings or emotions. They are basic qualities all human beings look for and here we will be talking about this wonderful idea Brian Bacon had on how to get them.

Which qualities? Satisfaction, Comfort, Contentment, Fulfilment and Bliss.

When you meet that point where your career correspond to your own passion, you are able to satisfy your life completely. That means, you will take so much joy from that work that you will feel it is really worth to wake up, get up and do that everyday. On the other hand, you can do well in a job without passion, but you will always want to have more of something else, that is, your passion will take you, or try to take you, somewhere else.

The feeling of comfort in the heart and mind comes when your career allows you to do charity too. That is the case of many consultants and coaches that I know, who use their jobs to help the world somehow. It is true; you do feel a kind of "I am really helping these people". If you just work and earn money, without using that for others in an altruistic way, that feeling won't come and you will be restless. If you do charity to others, but that charity does not help you in other areas of life, you will be disheartened at some point.

Beyond satisfaction there is contentment, the feeling that you don't need anything else, you just are! That comes when your acts of charity meet your vocation... That is much more than comfort, it is a supreme feeling that you are doing something important for the world. You have found your own truth in life. If you know your vocation but you don't apply that in charity, then you will do well, but you will feel you are still looking for something.

Beyond contentment, you have fulfilment in life - that is, you are in the right place doing the right things with the right heart and mind. This comes when your vocation and passion meet on the way. All of us have a call, but few of us have the passion for that, enough energy that enables us to break all bondages and do what we are really supposed to do.

Then, when you have the experience of all of that, you reach bliss in life. That is balance, when you are always smiling, your mind is always positive and your actions are constantly meaningful.

This is for your thoughts. Take care.

Four main factors in life

Life is a long, very long quest. But, one day, the quest is over and you will find the reason for your life here.

Finding does not mean it is over, but at least you have an idea on what to do. From that point, you will have to go deeper and deeper, broader and broader, higher and higher.

I personally feel it is very important to understand four of the main factors that move life: Passion, Vocation, Charity and Career. According to Brian Bacon, those will take you to the experience of balance in life.

• Passion - when you love something and know how to do it well, there is passion in the way you do, move, talk and think about whatever it is. Passion is the fire that allows you to tap your energy and go beyond the limitations at the time of doing something.
• Vocation - when what you love matches the needs of the world, that is the point for your own call. We live in a time when people work because they must not because they like. Sometimes it is important to talk to yourself and check what is your real vocation, and follow that call in your life; if Passion is fire, Vocation is the pipe that focus Passion.
• Charity - as a human, you need to give something without reward. That can be called altruism, and according to each one's values it will show in a different way. Charity comes when your talents and skills, those the world would pay for it, meet the needs of that world. When that happens, it is not that you are doing something for free, rather than that you are fulfilling your own destiny and purpose in life.
• Career - as a human, you need to give something and receive its reward. It is important to receive the fruit of the seeds you have sown, because no human is completely altruist. The right recipe for a good and successful career is based on understanding what you do well and match that with what the world will pay for.

Just remember balance comes from all those four. If you are a very charitable person, but your career is a failure, or you are satisfying your passion but avoiding your call, then you won't experience integral success.

Think about this very deeply.

We will finish this topic on our next post.

The What's of life

If you go back to the post former to this one, you'll see a nice picture there, and I would like to really go through it.

• What you Love - that is what really make you move, challenge life and comforts, and change your perspective. This is why many people say that the only way for you to never work in life is to love whatever you do. But, LOVE, from the depth of your heart, with all your senses and understanding.
• What you Do Well - there are things that you don't necessarily love, but you know how to do it well. I know a person who is excellent with equipment, but he does not like that. Still, your specialities, skills and talents help you to serve the community where you live.
• What the World will Need - well, a part of what you do and are contributes to the world somehow. If you are able to identify those aspects of your life that the world really needs today, even though people don't know they need that, then your life will be worthy to the world itself.
• What the World will Pay for - but there are things you can offer the world and, well, charge for it. They are important in a certain context and somehow they help people who appreciate that. And you are the best provider around!

So, now, I would like to ask you 4 questions:

1. What are you ready to do, it doesn't matter how many obstacles you will have to face to do it?
2. What are those things you do that people are satisfied and happy with that.
3. Do you know what you do that makes your heart deeply satisfied because you were able to help the whole world?
4. What are the main products you can offer to the world at this moment?

In the next post, we will talk about the intersections.

Balance in life

By Brian Bacon, the bliss of balance

Do you agree with this idea?

Brian is a good friend of many years, he is the founder of Oxford Leadership Academy, a company to which I am linked (and doing my best to start it in Colombia).

Take a look and think about it. See you next post.

Colombia, Colombia

When a friend of mine came to Colombia, we started to talk to him about the country. When the subject of the Summit of Americas came, his response was that the only thing that came out of that was the scandal in Cartagena...

Well, in companies, an error in PR can make all the effort of years just go to waste. Is that the case now?

Colombia has changed, from a wounded country, scared of growing and daring (and still, growing and daring), to a country that is profiled to be a leader in its own. And it is a pity the fact that because of a mistake, not from Colombians but from foreigners, Colombia goes backwards...

I do hope Colombia's leaders are working on that and seeing how to solve the situation. Normally, that would imply to create more opportunities to show the greatness until they forget the bad side - something that all countries and places have, after all...

But, a good lesson for any leader is to be always prepared for anything like that. That can mean many things, but I feel personally that it is not a question to hide situations, as normally leaders do.

Tylenol case, which is now a study case in many parts of the world, showed that accepting the mistake is perhaps the best policy. Working on that along with all those affected is even better. Trying to deny, or simply ignoring... well, people won't forget it so easily!!

And if you try to blame others, even when they are probably the real guilty ones, that does not work well. After all, when a scandal like that happens, it is not only one or two people's fault - a friend of mine almost everyday was pointing the role of the hotel, for instance.

I do hope all the efforts so many people have made on Colombia don't go to waste and, rather than that it makes Colombia even more an example to other places of the world, as I know the country already is.

To be a leader, without tension

This is a series of tips especially created to help leaders to be free of tension.

TIPS to be a tension-free leader

1. Awareness - it is imperative the leader takes over his own responsibility over tension, without blaming others or making excuses.
2. Research - it is useful to know the reasons for tension, which means to read articles and talk to experts.
3. Communication - the leader must clarify to people in a 360 degree (that means, all the people they are related), that he or she is under tension; this is a must in the case of people who are affected by that.
4. Healing - the key for healing tension is a deep inner loving dialogue; to love yourself relieves or eliminates tension.
5. Maintenance - tension can come back at any moment; it is very important to develop habits to prevent that.
6. Meditation - meditation practise helps leader to clarify her/his own life, detaching and experiencing going beyond tension.
7. Exercise - to move the body prevents tension that comes due to basic physical problems; to walk is the best for that.
8. Diet - more than a particular diet, there has to be consistency and healthy habits.
9. Positive - it helps to look for more sources, like lectures, videos and talks, that makes the leader more positive.
10. Voluntarism - one of the foundations to prevent tension is to do something that serves others without receiving anything back, which makes the self more balanced.

Beyond greed

Is greed equal to success? Is greed equal to stress? Is a simple life a synonym of a life without greed?

I was thinking about that after reading a spiritual class.

First of all, I really feel greed is different than success. The main reason of that thought is the fact that I always think of success as something integral and holistic. Yes, with greed you may have success in your work or career, but it is very much possible that you will be a failure in relationships, health and your spiritual life.

However, when you are moved by greed, one thing is for sure: you will get stressed. Ambition, in the form of greed, makes you blind to certain natural limits, like your health or the needs of people in your family.

But, ambition, when it is free from greed, it is not only good, but very important ofr the sense of realisation as a human being. You can have the ultimate car or the best mobile phone in the world, and still not being greedy. On the other hand, you can be very simple and live in a small house, and yet be very greedy.

Yes, we have to work and produce. Money is good, nothing bad about that. To have things in PERFECTLY ok. But, inside it is basic for the human soul to understand that it does not matter what I have, what matters is what I am.

A common mistake...

When I was a child, one of the things that I liked most was to learn how to sing the Brazilian National anthem.

But, I was the only one - being considered one of the most difficult in the world (at least, we Brazilian think that), its lyrics are not only old in age, but very unique and elaborated.

In fact, most people don't know how to sing it. Those who know usually make mistakes at the time of singing.

This is why I was very empathic when Shakira, a Colombian singer you probably have heard about, made the mistake and spoke a word that did not exist. Jokes were everywhere in the web. In fact, she did not create a new word, it was just that she forgot one letter. One letter, and the whole meaning was lost.

On the other hand, that shows something very important: even though you don't realise, your steps as leader are being watched very closely.

We are on the stage of humankind, at a time of need, a time of decision and a probable big inflection in human history. Everyone is watching those who are creating the next era for humanity.

That means you do need to study, research, to be coached and taught. You do need to learn, and keep on learning, and rehearse and change, and be humble.

That mistake overshadowed completely her speech during the Summit of Americas. Which was more important, the mistake or the speech? A leader in many ways, Shakira has created her foundation for poor people to be able to learn much before than other celebrities in Colombia, opening a social branch that was almost non-existent before. Her Barefoot Foundation is an inspiration.

As a Colombian, she helped the name of the country, tainted by so many bad news, to improve. Even though she dared to enter the English-speaking world, she is Colombia for many people, and I still remember the intense emotion of reaching a simple hotel in Bombay, turn on the TV and watch Shakira singing there...

So, what is more important? And yet, one-letter mistake and a whole life can be forgotten.

Next time, don't be afraid of learning again whatever you learned in the past. Specially your National Anthem.

About coming back to work

As I said in a former post, this blog was designed because of my lack of proper work. Something happened in my life, and companies were not calling me for help. In fact, they were not calling me for anything, really.

I really had the opportunity, the golden chance of learning that having a job is more than working, and that is the reason of this blog.

Now, work is coming back. Slowly, but steady, I am being called by many companies to help them. They are still small projects, but for me they are BIG, because they are a direct fruit of a long work on my own self.

Then, I see other issues emerging, and I feel it is good to revise them, turning them in valuable lessons others can be benefitted:

• The need of having humility and high self-esteem. Working with spirituality, I always know and talk about to have the balance between these two qualities, but I have been faced with them a lot. After all, you cannot tell others something you are not doing, but you have to value your conquests and ideas, as they are your real wealth. As a consultant, one of the techniques is to share examples, and sometimes you think your examples are good, when they are not. But at other times, your example will be the perfect one for the situation, be ready to know the difference.
• The need of researching and studying. One of the opportunities I've got was to deliver a course that I did not do for at least TEN YEARS! It evolved, and I realised (unfortunately, during the same course) that I should study more and research more. One of my mistakes would be too embarrassing, if it was not noticed by a good friend, who did not push.
• Focus, more focus. During my time without job, I generated around 10 areas of work. But, as I am performing again, to keep up with 10 areas of work is not easy, and it would be stressing in the long term. With the help of a coach, I was able to group those 10 areas in... well, 7 areas... As you see, I am still working on that focus.
• CLEAR AIM. I've put myself an immediate aim - 10 days of work! And that is what I have got. So, I have to clear my aim a little bit, remind myself the year has 365 days and my life won't finish on 2012, no matter what fake Mayans are saying. So, don't talk about such a short aim, rather than that plan it better.
• Don't lose courage. When I am working, I feel sometimes a little "rusty". Courage is needed to keep on doing, to just keep on performing and little by little rust will fade away eventually and you will see your optimum performance coming back.
• Don't be afraid of checking yourself. It is harsh. That course with my friend... my God, he was calling me apart, telling me what was wrong with me, with no mercy. And that was wonderful. You do need to check yourself, or being checked by someone else, so that you can improve.

Take care and keep on moving.

When America gets together...

First of all, I think it is important to celebrate and to consider the importance of hosting the Summit of the Americas in a country like Colombia.

For many years, for its "particular" situation, Colombia has been avoided of main important meetings and summits. I don't argue the reason - by living here I am aware that some events would really create a danger not only for its participants but also for the population in general.

So, it is with joy that I see this event happening. I really would like to be there, but other commitments (and a slight lack of invitation) made me come to another town. It does not matter, I feel everyone who lives in Colombia is in the Summit, in one way or another.

It is a wonderful opportunity to try to unite this continent. Even though you can go to one extreme to the other by land (and I just met a guy who has come from Mexico in bycicle!), unity is not a speciality here.

Even though we speak fewer languages compared to Europe, Asia or Africa, and even the small Oceania has probably more official languages than us, we don't talk much among ourselves.

And the real name of the continent is AMERICA - just one, not many. Yes, politics has split that in 2 or 3, depending on the country where you live. Social and economical factors made people refer to only one country when they use the name AMERICA, instead of the whole continent, and even American refers to people who are born to that one country.

But we are the AMERICA. We are the fruit of a dream and a vision. We are the fruit of perseverance and daring. We are the craddle of great civilisations, unfortunately destroyed by smaller ones, even though they had more guns.

We are the AMERICA, a green place, a place of diversity and greatness. A place that can serve the world in so many ways.

Perhaps I am a dreamer, but this summit, being held in the corner of South America, in a country that has suffered so many divisions within, can really be the biggest opportunity we all have.

It is time to put politics aside and start to integrate and embrace the fact we live on the same land.

Only then, one day, we will realise we live on the same Earth.

Beyond the lack of job

After about two years plus, I feel I am again getting job, with companies employing me and my skills. Yes, during those years I have got small things, never starved, but it was never something big enough for me to change that computer or "go dental".

It was when I realised I was not getting enough to call that an income, that I have decided to start this blog - that is the reason for the name, as I understood at that point my focus was really not to get a job. It was - and is - much more than that.

This period, which I am still living, has been one of the most productive periods of my life. I am now positioning myself as a provider of knowledge and wisdom, more than just blogging or "twitting", "facebooking", etc. I have clarity about myself, what I want for my life and what I want to give the world.

It has been a time of deep reflection about what my real values are, what is really important for me and what is not. It has been a time where despair brushed my life, but I reacted meditating more, studying more and reflecting even more (and yes, guys, sending cv's and proposals were also part of that time...).

I won't miss this time when it is over, I must be honest, but probaly I will miss the energy it generated.

Now, wouldn't be wonderful if everyone who is now complaining they don't have a job do the same? Yesterday, watching an old tv series, one of the characters was saying that you should so something - if not for money, then help the community.

That time - the time when you lack a job, you are sick, you are alone - that time is so valuable for your own growth. As I said before in this blog, it is the time of sowing, and now I see that with hard work, it does not matter much what kind of hard work you are doing, crops come even before time.

Take care.

Spirituality in a non-spiritual place

In most places, being spiritual is not proffitable.

That means not only spiritual places shouldn't go for profit, it also means that if you are going for profit, then you should not be spiritual.

Well, for many years now, that has been changing. Probably from the time Covey got into the workplace, talking about "weird" things like values, things in the business area in most countries in the world are changing.

The main reason for that is the high levels of stress, corruption and challenges the world is facing right now. That is making leaders in general starting to allow that kind of speech in the "sacred place" where money used to be the only god.

I am lucky to live in a country where spirituality is integrated to day-to-day life. That goes from offices being inaugurated by priests to CSR statements where values are in the top priority. But, I know that beyond our borders that is happening too, and very fast.

Acts like the fact that the President of Brazil started to "clean the house" and took out corrupt ministers, or the Prime Minister of United Kingdom considering to include HAPPINESS as an indicator of economic success are showing that the world is changing towards a more spiritual direction.

Still, there is a question hardly anyone can answer immediately: what is spirituality?

I have a personal answer for that. For me, spirituality is the awareness of being more than matter. If you look around, all you see is matter - in fact, the eyes you use to look around are matter by themselves. So, to awake for the reality you are much more than anything you can see, that means you are coming to terms with your own spirituality.

Being practical, that means to value the intention more than the gift. It means also to relate to the core of others' personalities instead of its surface. By now, you probably see why it is so difficult for a company to embrace spirituality.

After all, companies ARE MATTER. But the fact is that only when you connect to spirituality via values, meditation, prayers or an awareness campaign you can overcome the present issues I have mentioned before.

Just to clarify, that means a spiritual person never gets stressed, cheat or does something against nature right? Well, spirituality makes people quite humble to say "YES, we still do wrong things."

Main difference is that spirituality gives you an answer to those wrong things, and the opportunity and power for you to put them right.

See you soon!

Types of intelligence

In the present state of the world, which kind of intelligence can bring real success?

To answer that, you can of course refer to Gardner's work with his brilliant research for many years on the topic of multiple intelligences. Or, if you don't want to go into the academic model that much, you can refer to Goleman's work - Goleman did not research as much as Gardner, but has picked the one intelligence he found the most importante: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

Decades later after Goleman's results being published in his best-seller Emotional Intelligence, the world got quite used to the term. People talk about that, there are courses and seminars to develop it and lots of money flow to consultants' pockets who take advantage of that particular need.

But, is it still the main intelligence required? In practical terms, E.I. should influence some key areas of organisations worldwide:

• Team work.
• Sales.
• Leadership for managers.
• And many others.

However, if we think practically, the reality is that consulting is still working with teams, sales are still hiring training, managers still look like they require LOTS of leadership and etc.

It is not that it did not work, but things change and time has passed by. Now, another kind of intelligence is needed.

I would dare to say that what people need more and more is Spiritual Intelligence. Just like one of the early definitions of Emotional Intelligence was the capacity of managing your own emotions and connect to others' emotions, we could say that Spiritual Intelligence is basically the capacity of managing your own spirituality and connect to others' spirituality.

Why is Spiritual Intelligence so important? Because the issues of modern life seems far deeper than emotions. If we think organisations are like icebergs, Goleman was succesful to point beneath the waterline, but now that is not enough, you have to reach its base.

We will talk about spirituality in the work environment later.

Take care yourself!

As a consultant and coach, I help organisations to embrace its people' spirituality.

When science fails

Nowadays you can have all you want, and talk to anyone you want. However, the big tendency nowadays is to live alone. Also, you have medicine in its state of art. And never before we had that many sicknesses.

Somehow, humans have tried to replace whatever they lack with science and its children, like technology. But it is not working. Yes, it gives you a temporary feeling that you are getting what you want, but then, after a while, you realise you still don't have it. And you cannot get anything only using science.

You can talk to people using science, but you cannot communicate with them only relying on science. You need to trust them too, you need patience, perseverance and a bunch of other values which will enable you to really forge a relationship.

You can use medicine - by the way, you should! - but you won't be healthier because of that. Real health starts from lifestyle, from the way you think and see the world, and your own relationship with your body and other people's bodies.

Science is good, and I use lots of it in my day-to-day life. But I am aware it can't replace reality. Reality is still outside this blog, this connection and this computer.

As an author, I like to provide new perspective.

A symbol of status

During a training I've went through in Barcelona, Spain, I was given a notebook. It did look like a very common one for me, nothing really special, until they started to use its brand as an example of status, or people wanting to take the course just because of it. Check about that in YouTube, where there are lots of examples of that specific brand.

I was surprised because not only I never heard about that (sorry for it!), but it really didn't look, well, a symbol of status for me. It is just a simple notebook, nothing really fancy or special.

I was reminded of old movies where they used to show tribes where to have status meant to have a bigger mouth, or a bigger piercing in your nose. Isn't it strange how we define status?

How much do you buy things just because they will give you status?

On the other hand, when you use something so much, and it is practical and useful, it is natural that becomes part of your life. Objects are there to help you to be a better man or woman, to help you to understand life in different ways.

When I realise fully the reason to use objects, then naturally I will become someone happier and greater. In fact, I will get a status nothing else could granted me.

As a coach, I help people to feel great!

The leadership mystique

One of the things thay attracts me a lot towards leadership is a sense of almost magic in that. True leaders can make people do things they would not believe they could and they transform our world in a way that only a magical person could do.

The drawback in that idea is that when leaders are not present, people really don't dare to do anything out of the ordinary. It is like living in a sunless world, cold and boring. Or worse: even the easiest crisis turned to be terrible in a world without leaders.

However, a few years back, when I was just starting to research on the topic for a brief time when I was a professor in a prestigious university near Bogota, I remember clearly one factor out of many that defined leaders: they create other leaders.

In fact, the real mystique in leadership is when leaders are able to create other leaders. In that way, even when a leader leaves, the sun is strill bright there.

The question is, why is it that even big leaders are unable to create other leaders? That is one aspect that all leaders should pay more attention. Leaders are not born as such, leaders are generate by an intricate powerful education process.

Until leaders are able to create other leaders we will have to endure a cold weather in the leadership landscape.

As a coach, I can help in developing a leadership which is sustainable in the long term. Do you want me to help? Just get in touch.

A chai in the morning

In many different countries, the term chai is already know as tea with (or "in") milk. However, there is no chai as in India.

Some days ago, drinking chai in the mountains of Northern India, I was thinking about its recipe. It is pretty simple: you boil milk, add tea herb, sugar as you like and spices (ginger is probably the most used). ¿Easy? Yes, but for some reason...

Well, nobody prepares a chai like Indians do!

It is just like the Southamerican arepa or the Brazilian farofa - you can have the recipe, but there is something deeper. Genes? Not sure, but there is something more than the recipe, definitely.

In the same way, every person, every community or country, has a chai recipe, something which is unique to them, which cannot be replicate by anybody else. It is the "special" speciality everyone has, something we have been preparing and cultivating inside our beings for years and years.

For me, human kind is like a vitral: not only it is beautiful as a whole, but each piece in itself is a wonder.

Your chai can be the way you speak, a skill, art, the fact you know how to cook pizza or smile, not matter what happes around you. Perhaps it is the way you deal with stress, your profession, love or being a mother. Your chai can be the fact you know stadistics by heart or you sing in the shower.

And that chai has a deep effect in everything that happens around you. It is the colour and shape of you, in the vitral of humanity.

Well, do you recognise your own chai?

I am Harry Potter

Literature has given us many heroes whose deeds are not as heroic as themselves. You can remember Ishmael from Moby-Dick or even Joshua from the Bible - they were loved because they were different from others.

They dared to be different and in their own way, they became leaders, kind of heroes. Not as someone who frees a country or who saves lives, but more like people who overcame deep inner challenges.

Nowadays, when everyone tries to be similar to the next, Harry Potter emerged as a different paradigm. And he conquered the world, there is no doubt about that. His magic was to "touch a nerve" and make the character, who was refused by his own people, become a heroe.

At some point of J.K.Rowling's books, Harry mentions that he never intended to do something to be a heroe, it just happened like that. The reason is simple: when you are different, you tend to be a heroe everytime.

The world is still not ready for different people and it tries constantly to make others to be like the main stream. Harry Potter showed a kind of path for those of us who are different, who are leaders, to-be or de facto.

The first thing was to give himself a chance, when the opportunity emerged. As soon as he knew he was a wizard, even though that could be the most absurd thing in the world, he accepted the opportunity, with all the risks envolved.

Second, balance emotions and reason - this is a constant in the life of this modern hero. Balance is a key for success and failures come due to its lack. Listen to the heart, but also to the head.

Third, life is a big and interesting school! Whoever has read those books started to wonder why was that schools cannot be that fun. In fact, our own lives happen in a huge school and each step is incredible, it is a powerful lesson.

Fourth, magic is ALWAYS the solution. For those of us who are leaders, different from the rest, rules are not so strict, especially concerning to how to get success. We rely a lot on pure "magic" - not the wand-kind of magic, but the one that emerges from talent and energy.

Fifth, last and you can complement if you want, no matter what, you have to stick to your vision, objectives and aim. That is a big challenge, but leaders cannot afford to wander from their destination, even though sacrifices are high!

And let's not forget that Harry Potter, because of all of that, received constant help until the end.

Take care.

One hour

I have already written about it before, but I cannot help thinking back on the powerful experience I had last year when I have met a person in terminal stage - a few months later she has gone. The most powerful was watching her mood and energy, her desire to continue to be what she has always been, and I will never forget a phrase that more or less said:

"Marcelo, all I do is negotiate with God a few days more."

So today, my birthday, which celebrates the time when I first saw the world in this life, I want to be the beginning of the deepest stage of my existence here.

If my whole life would correspond to just one hour, how much do I have to live yet? Half an hour? A quarter of an hour?

What happened, happened, and it will not return no matter how great it was. But there is what lies ahead, and this is far more important than what I have lived until today - those years I am about to start living.

By thinking like that, I noticed something quite disappointing: most of the time I lived, and possibly the time I will live, was spent in "physiological activities." As a human being, I spent most of my three quarters of an hour or so, eating, sleeping, bathing, etc.. and so on.

But now, as I write, while my body (human) is involved in the physical act of typing these words, my mind flies high. Even a part of my body, my eyes, look out and send other messages to the mind. That is, the hour we have on the planet is not only human. There is also the BEING.

As a BEING, I think I spent more time reflecting on my life. What once was considered bad and negative by many who saw me, today I feel that's what helped me to become who I am today. My reflections, thoughts, imagination, ideas, values, creativity, love, peace, and all that you cannot see, touch, hear or feel physically, are part of three quarters of an hour, and will be part of the minutes that I am starting to live today.

And this I can control. I can choose between being angry and loving, between being discouraged and excited about a new challenge, between being happy or feel sad.

I know that the physical part of whatever will happen is variable. I know many things will happen to me. But I also know that the brightness of my existence depends on that inner dimension of the Being who is me.

And the same goes for you: you can choose to do whatever you want with the time you have remaining, the fifteen minutes or half an hour which is yet to come. Reflect, think, be very light and enjoy everything that comes your way.

So the wonderful hour we would spent on this planet would be worth of it. For you. For me. For all.

Branding, ¿to be o not to be?

When I took the decision to leave a successful career at the moment in IT and brave myself in a world I used to call in a generic way as "consulting", I had many ideas and dreams.

One thing I used to think was that I could do whatever I wanted and what I was offering were not "products" or "tools", but a serious work to help people to change and to become better human beings. In my mind, by taking the decision of career change, it was clear for me that if someone is a better human being, he/she will be a better boss, employee, mother or father.

Years passed by and life made me change many of my ideas and dreams. For finantial reasons, I started to work in a different way, and I have learnt to use words like "tools" too. After all, a few organisations in the world invest in making people "better human beings".

Even though, with all the effort to adapt myself, I saw my own work fading away before my eyes. No illusions here, I know physicially there are also reasons, mainly that I am pretty bad in marketing. Yes, I don't know how to "sell myself", another idea I did not want to use. All my professional projects emerge as something almost magic, divine and it seems God finds me a grown up now, so that I can get things by myself.

However, during the adaptation process, I've noticed that each time I had to work in something that was pushed into me and it didn't please me, ideas which were not mine, I have learnt. Yes, I've learnt many things, even to remove the quotation marks from tools and live with them, fearlessly.

I have learnt I can keep my dream to help people to improve and at the same time, give them practical things for their day-to-day lives.

I have learnt if I want to reach thousands of people, I must change my perspective, without changing the original dream.

It has been a long learning! Probably the longest MBA course and the most expensive one, with many ups and downs and threatens to my self-esteem. But I feel, inside, now I am getting into another course for I am not going to stop to learn. I feel my former course certificate is about to arrive, at any moment.

A friend of mine suggested me to "make my branding", so that I could understand what I can really offer which is unique in the market. I feel that by doing this "branding" process, this helped me a lot to resume my dreams into the reality I live, even to make other dreams to emerge.

So that I take advantage of this space to introduce a bit of what I will do from now on.

Yes, definitely I am in another course... I look forward to count with you in this new stage of my life, and count with me in this new stage of your life.

A big hug, from my heart.

My branding:

I exist  to enable the best from you to make History.

As a person, I deliver

• CREATIVITY
• SPIRITUALITY
• TRUST
• CONFIDENTIALITY
• DEDICATION
• PERSEVERANCE
• CONTINUOUS LEARNING

As a professional, I make use of

• COACHING

• It is fundamental for me to help you to find out the magic you have within yourself, in your team and your organisation.

• CONSULTING

• With a different perspective, I help your organisation to set itself in the globalisation process, increase effectiveness by having more committed individuals and to become a leading edge school for leaders who are able to solve and face modern challenges.

• AUTHOR

• Through text and images, I want to share my experiences and transmit learning, so that these can be used by individuals and organizations during their transformation process.