Happy Friday! ☀️
I read somewhere that the week between Christmas and New Year is considered the “dead week”. I assume it’s meant from the perspective of being productive in your work life. To me this week feels more like “alive week”. This week shows me that my mind and my body need rest and that slowing down is necessary. I’m active–spending time with my family, watching my nephews meet her cousin for the first time, and running some errands connected to my move from Berlin to Vienna. But it’s in a state of slowness and presence in perhaps the only week of the year that is not governed by my calendar.
What I’m reading 📖
2023 has been a year of changes for me. I got married, welcomed our first child, and moved to a new city. All three processes were action-packed and smooth throughout. My mind and body are slowly catching up and I find myself in a state of transition. One of my strengths is that I can easily adapt to change and that strength comes with the pitfalls of underestimating the transition that ensues. The transition into new realities and the way I can respond and embrace them. The book by Susan and William Bridges is a good frame that helps me during these transitions.
What I’m listening to 🎧
The first time I saw Esther Perel speak was at an an outdoor conference on a mountain in Utah in 2013. Since then, I’ve read her books, listened to her podcasts, seen her speak at a salon in Berlin, and I’m a fan of her decades-long work revolving around relationships–both at work and in (romantic) life. Her recent interview in Diary of a CEO is a great summary of where she’s at now and the work she’s been doing for many years. She’s a fellow Belgian based out of New York and her Belgian accent makes me smile. Highly recommended.
What I’m watching 📺
This week was a week of rewatchables for me. No new shows, no new movies, and no new documentaries. I went back to binge-watch the series Homeland with Claire Danes and Damien Lewis while the show is heavy on the subject, rewatching it felt like a relaxation. I am sure you have seen it. If you haven’t, here is the trailer.
What I’m thinking about 🧠
“Change is an event but a transition is the process that you go through in response to the change.” – William & Susan Bridges
What else?! 💯
Acquired has become one of my favorite podcasts. I love how the two hosts Ben and David investigate the great companies of our time with the aim to learn from them. The final episode of the year is a fantastic way to review their podcast year, including sharing lots of data, deriving insights, and making decisions about their future. Plus, when they speak they always seem to smile. Which makes me smile.
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!
David
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