A couple of things conspired for this post.
Recently, a CE mentioned a desire to ’scare to his senior team by doing something new (but relevant)’. Later another client shared a perspective about New Zealand. She makes films. She talked about ‘a freshness’ of New Zealand film and art. I agreed with her. In Africa, I felt proud to be a kiwi. I felt that kiwi’s seem to be more interested in people, life, and experience. Freshness is a good word for it. I guess it helps that we are a small and relatively new country.
In a world that seems cynical, homogeneous, pessimistic and somewhat tired. Freshness is an appealing diffentiator – individually, organisationally and nationally. So here are my top five suggestions to stay fresh:
- learn something new – language, singing, surfing, etc
- ask provocative questions of yourself and others.
- live in the present – what are you enjoying right now?
- tell someone you love, that you love them.
- watch comedy.
Any other suggestions out there?
Great post Bernie … here are some of my thoughts.
Do stuff that scare you … handled properly, fear can be one of the best gifts we get from the universe.
Engage in a conversation with someone totally different to you. At the end of your conversation, you will be amazed by the similarities you found with this total stranger.
From time to time, agree to go on a journey even if you are not sure where you are going. As long as right people are in the bus, you will learn and discover something valuable from your fellow travelers.
Hi Bernie,
Welcome back! What you call freshness, I call enthusiasm – it is the most attractive quality to me in a person or an organisation.
I agree with all your suggestions and would add getting out into nature to your list. Whether it be a walk on the beach, a tramp in the hills or a stroll in the desert (we have just got back from Death Valley – wow, what a place that is!), there is so much inspiration out there.
Plus you get the benefit of fresh air and exercise and just knowing that stuff has been around for thousands if not millions of years is exciting, humbling and pacifying all at the same time.