Stuff I want to share with the world… in English
Category: personal
I started using Gretchen Rubin’s framework on the four tendencies a couple of months back, first with my team members. It has been transformative for my 1:1s, taking a lot of stress out of the interactions. Knowing what motivates them (and me) has brought clarity: clarity that I’ve channelled into more effective communication - and patience. This is how I apply it in my day-to-day (and why I tend to ask everyone around me to take the quiz).
Being myself isn't as easy as it sounds. So I have devised these seven rules to help me stay on track and ever more true to myself. This is how to Be Valentina!
This question ranks very close to "Honey, we need to talk" in my personal list of worst openings for a conversation. And here I am, musing on the same question for a second time.
With three friends we've decided to collect these €2,000 (or more) to add our grain of sand. On April 1st (and 2nd) we'll run 100km from Olot to Platja d’Aro, to celebrate that we made it. I won't ask you to run with us. But...
Receiving a postcard is a trigger of happiness for many people, and for me writing them is a source of joy in itself. If only I could remember everybody’s birthday ahead of time!
I am not particularly religious even though I have been raised by highly religious parents. However, this year I am doing my own version of "7 weeks without xxx" which many Christians do between carnival and Easter Sunday. Basically you pick one thing you think you can't live without and stop it during this time … Continue reading Going minimalist
Sometimes, a little more perspective helps to do the right thing. A little more knowledge about how things are interconnected. They should teach it in school, to see the big picture. For example: People in my neighborhood are upset about the amount of dog excrements on the sidewalk. They have dogs themselves and do not … Continue reading Put it into perspective
Yesterday Barcelona became paralyzed by a formidable snow storm. At three in the afternoon the city was covered with a beautiful white powder. At 17h the buses and short distance trains were suspended and the highways around Barcelona were closed. By 18h in the afternoon, when I left work, the streets in the upper part … Continue reading A city without cars
[This post is part of the series on navigating stereotypes that are ascribed to me because of my nationality.] This time I have been both inspired by the newly introduced organic recycling containers in Barcelona, as well as by the following video comparing Germany's recycling affinity with their love for their cars. Apparently yes, we … Continue reading Cultural stereotypes as assets: ecological awareness
[This post is part of the series on navigating stereotypes that are ascribed to me because of my nationality.] In Spain they call German people “cabezas cuadradas” which means approximately “square head”. We are seen as taking everything serious and being very structured both in our way of thinking and in organizing stuff. Maybe, maybe … Continue reading Cultural stereotypes as assets: structure
