Savoir Vivre Vignettes
Introverts Are Especially Prone to Burnout
Burnout is a Boundary Issue: not a Work-Ethics Issue I. Introduction Have you ever been praised for being the one who “just gets things done” without fuss, only to find yourself drowning in expectations you can never meet? If so,...
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Coping with an Empty Nest
Case Study 21966 "Hello and welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m Diane, a not-so-young mom in my fifties who’s been on a wild roller coaster ride over the past few years—specifically, the ride called “the Empty Nest.”...
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20 Unconventional Ways to Experience Bordeaux
The Rise of Alternative Tourism Introduction My Camino de Santiago walking retreat guests often ask me if it is worth visiting Bordeaux before or after their retreat. "Of course it is," I answer, with unshakeable conviction, "Have a look at...
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The Valentine’s Day Litmus Test: Signs of a Supportive and Lasting Relationship
Beyond Romance: 12 Qualities of a Loving, Lasting Relationship If you are struggling through a major life change due to a relationship ending, you are probably viewing the approach of Valentine’s Day with trepidation. The 14th of February is just...
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The Wild Swimming Renaissance and Its Connection to the Camino
What long-distance walking and open-water swimming have in common - a journey through history, health, and the healing power of open water. #whisperingwoods #wildwater Introduction "The first time I waded into an icy lake for a wild swim, I laughed....
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The Currency of Connection: Why Your Network, Not Your Net Worth, Determines Your Future Happiness
Social Wealth and the Value of a Strong Support System Introduction Imagine this: You wake up in a gorgeous home, sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Your bank account is thriving, your investments are secure, and you’ve achieved the financial success...
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Enrich Your Camino de Santiago Walking Retreat: The Art of Forest Bathing
Introduction: An Unforgettable Hiking Adventure Picture this: You’re walking the Camino de Santiago through southwest France, where rolling hills unfurl like a medieval tapestry. Stone villages cling to cliffs, sunlit vineyards rustle in the gentle breeze, and ancient trails hum...
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From Burnout to Breakthrough: How a 50km Hike Solved A Problem Coaching Couldn’t
Walking Long Distances can Lead to Life-Changing Epiphanies Introduction: The Problem With Overthinking Have you ever spent hours—days, even—trying to think your way out of a problem? You analyse it from every angle, create action plans, hire a coach, read...
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Mentoring or Coaching in the Quest for Emotional Resilience
Creating Professional and Personal Resilience Ever found yourself wondering whether you need a mentor or a coach? You're not alone. In fact, this question pops up more often than unsolicited LinkedIn connection requests. Let's dive into the confusingly complex world...
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21 Unconventional Ways of Coping with the Winter Blues
Because sometimes, hot cocoa, reading under a weighted blanket and candle-lit bubble baths just don’t cut it. Winter. I keep telling myself how spectacularly beautiful winter is this year, and how much I have to be grateful for, despite stepping...
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‘Coming Out’ as an Introvert After 50 Is the Ultimate Act of Rebellion
Introverts vs Extroverts: Many introverts spend decades pretending to be extroverts to fit in but according to Laurie Helgoe, "Introverts are more effective leaders of proactive employees. When you have a creative, energetic workforce, an introvert is going to draw...
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10 Unconventional Ways to Figure Out Your True Calling
Without necessarily Meditating on a Mountain Top Trying to “find your true calling” can feel like looking for a needle in a philosophical haystack. And while classic advice like “determine your values” or “write a mission statement” works for some,...
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Beyond the Bucket List: Finding Meaning in Everyday Micro-Experiences
Introduction: Rethinking the Bucket List For years, the bucket list has reigned supreme as the ultimate blueprint for a life well-lived. Scaling Everest? Check. Sipping champagne in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti? Done. Absolutely. Dining at a three-Michelin-star...
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What Would Knowing What Your Life Purpose Is Do for You?
Summary This article reframes life purpose discovery as a cutting-edge strategy for amplifying success rather than an esoteric or "new age" concept. It challenges the assumption that life purpose is secondary to professional achievement. Introduction: The Missing Piece in the...
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Having A Midlife Crisis Is So Last Century: Why Life Recalibrations Are the New Power Move
Introduction The midlife crisis—a cultural relic that once inspired impulsive sports car purchases, drastic career overhauls, and soul-searching trips to far-flung destinations. For years, it served as the poster child for life transitions, often wrapped in a haze of regret...
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The Grand Adventure of Becoming You 2.0
Alright, readers, buckle up! We're about to embark on a wild ride called Identity Shift: From Zero to Hero. I have written a number of very SERIOUS articles recently, in an attempt to be helpful (one is nearly 3000 words...
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Redefine Success: not by External Metrics, but by Internal Resonance
“The greatest tragedy in life is not untimely death, but to live a life of emptiness.” – Debasish Mridha Imagine finally reaching the summit of success, surrounded by every external marker of achievement, and feeling… nothing. Not triumph, not joy,...
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Why Traditional Self-Care Is Failing You—and the New Paradigm You Need
Introduction From bubble baths to binge-watching Netflix, traditional self-care has been reduced to a checklist of indulgences that often leave us feeling more drained than rejuvenated. For all its popularity, the "treat yourself" culture has become little more than a...
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A Grateful Mindset vs a Growth Mindset – the Ultimate Soft Skills Combination?
Introduction Have you ever noticed how some people seem to navigate life with quiet strength, no matter the circumstances? It’s not because their lives are easier or free of challenges. Their secret lies in their perspective: they live with a...
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How to make Decisions under Pressure when Standing at a Crossroads
Strategies for Introverts Introduction Time is ticking, the pressure is mounting, and a decision must be made. Whether you're a leader steering your team through a critical juncture, a professional juggling multiple priorities, or simply navigating life’s daily challenges, the...
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Finding Purpose in the Pause
Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on the object we’re waiting for. Charles Stanley In Praise of the Pause We've all been there – stuck in life's waiting room, checking our metaphorical watches and wondering when our...
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12 Unconventional Ways to give Your Life more Meaning
What is the Secret of Living a Meaningful Life? The secret of living a meaningful life isn't really a secret at all - it lies in understanding that it is up to us to make our lives meaningful. How you...
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Extraordinary Lives Transformed by Life’s Challenges
A Light-hearted Guide for Trailblazers, Visionaries, Groundbreakers, Guidinglights, Empire builders, Torchbearers and Pathfinders Sausan, a brilliant CFO I worked with, found herself staring at her reflection one morning, wondering why her recent promotion to a coveted board position felt more...
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Burnout Is NOT a Badge of Honour
When did burning out become something to brag about? Picture this: You're sitting in a meeting, bleary-eyed and clutching your third cup of coffee as if it were a lifeline. Someone casually remarks, "I haven’t had a proper vacation in...
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Rewrite Your Life: How Storytelling Can Make Your Life More Meaningful
Especially during Life Transitions Introduction Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful tools for making sense of life. Beyond entertainment, stories provide structure, convey values, and reveal truths about our lives. By adopting storytelling techniques, we can infuse...
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The Unexpected Return of Imposter Syndrome: Life can Transitions trigger Self-Doubt
Major Life Changes can make even Seasoned Professionals feel like Anxious Amateurs You've spent decades mastering your field, earning those battle scars of experience, and finally feeling like you belong with the best. Then suddenly, a seismic shift occurs –...
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Time is Your Most Valuable Resource
Don't Spend It, Invest It. Harry sat in his sleek, glass-walled office overlooking the city, the rhythmic clicking of his Montblanc pen against the desk filling the sterile silence. The faint scent of leather from his chair mingled with the...
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Do You Need a Mentor?
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” — Isaac Newton Potential clients often ask me what happens during an iNFINITE iMPACT mentoring consultation. Below, I share an example of such a consultation, entirely...
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Why Life Changes/Transitions Make Us Question the Meaning of Our Lives
Turning Points and Existential Questions Life transitions: they’re the moments when the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Time for a Change.” Whether it’s a career pivot, the starting/selling of a business, part- or full retirement, the loss...
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When Success isn’t Enough
Why Successful Professionals Secretly Question Their Accomplishments (And What They Can Do About It) Part of the #12 Strategies Collection Introduction In my years of working with the impressively accomplished, I've observed that many of them (though not all, mind...
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