Stock taking

At the end of the week, I take stock of my results and experience.

I am more focused on results now, especially positive ones. Living forward needs keeping track of the road traveled, and what I experienced along the way. Doing that regularly is a good thing.

In fact, the end of the day, and the end of the week are good times to reflect and taking stock. Celebrate and enjoy the successes. And learn lessons from what did not go as expected, and then let go of it.

A friend shared this week how coaching was helping her move forward with her life, with some important changes coming up. And these changes had been triggered by some unexpected tough experiences.

Another friend started to discover how focusing on personal talents and strengths with a positive attitude might help to get a new job with a better salary.

And I was touched by the initiative of a colleague at work who arranged dinner to “reach out” to a friend who was going through a rough time. He told me later how friends had done the same for him years ago, and he had never forgotten how it had helped him.

I read a good book on coaching in China that focused on the person (Ren) rather than on the issues.

And my friend Jim Paredes announced the publication of his latest book, As Is Where Is, through Lulu.com.

In Ubud, meanwhile, an architect took a look at the land I am interested to buy, to advise on what could be built there. As a result, some more questions need to addressed.

And creative ideas for new enterprises were born involving designer jewellery and yoga training.

Today I bought a screen protector for my new Nokia phone. And I got myself a pair of new Merrell sandals, nice and comfortable.

And I kept reading more and more about life coaching training, the topic that keeps attracting my interest, and which I have included in my goals for this year.

Sadly, the family driver left this monring. I released him and he released me. Continued squabbling between driver and helpers was affecting the atmosphere in the house.

For most of the week, I was able to maintain a positive attitude. And yet I learned that actions taken with a positive intent can still be perceived differently by others. Even with a positive mind, I need to try and understand how my actions come across to others, and tune in to their feelings.

It’s good to keep track of what happens in and around me. And now I realize I should do it every day, because it is so much easier to do when it is still fresh.

Photograph: Woman carrying light, Hanoi Hilton Opera hotel.