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I hear my heartbeat loud and clear.We have just been inserted into the Iraqi desert.
Me and my Special Forces team. 2 Vehicles. Delivered by helis. The Chinooks have left us and are out of sight and hearing. We are stationary, vehicles off. All alone. Weapons manned. Silently scanning the vast desert for threats. “Damn, it’s quiet here,” I think. There is no surrounding sound in the empty desert. Just…
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You wake up. Your house is on fire. What do you save?
Obviously anything with a heartbeat. For most of us, photo albums make the top 3. Why? Because memories are the only true wealth we can’t replace. They’re priceless. Think about those irreplaceable moments:• Childhood adventures• Family gatherings (including those no longer with us)• Adventures with friends and loved ones• Life-changing experiences “The business of life…
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As a former Royal Dutch Special Forces Officer, I learned:Every military objective comes with a casualty forecast.We call it “acceptable losses.”
Ideally there are none. But that is not the reality. Now I see successful high achievers making the same calculations. Often without realizing it. In business, you’re running operations too. But are you doing the correct strategic assessment? Your ´casualties´ might include:• Physical reserves drained• Mental status overstressed• Family connections destroyed• Life purpose lost In…
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I plan every minute in Paradise, but waste hours at Home – A Wake-Up Call
7 Days ago, I was freediving in Bali. Today I’m back in the Matrix. What happened? In Bali, each day was carefully crafted:• Sunrise family workout in Ubud• Breakfast at hidden gem cafes• Afternoons exploring secret temples• Sunset dinners at perfect restaurants Optimizing for peak experiences. Always thinking: “What more value can we get from…
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The #1 overlooked Priority from my Special Forces days – And what I learned…
During my time with the Korps Commandotroepen (Dutch Special Forces), I gained many invaluable skills: i.e. endurance, mental toughness, adaptability, and… a brotherhood for life. But there was a surprising gap: Proper nutrition. Think about this:Elite operators performing at Olympic levels.Making critical decisions under extreme fatigue.Pushing physical and mental boundaries daily. Yet we ate standard…
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The Bali Secret nobody talks about…
Just returned from Bali, and I’m struck by something profound. Beyond the warm weather…Beyond the stunning landscapes…Beyond the incredible value for money… It’s the people that make Bali extraordinary. The Balinese friendliness isn’t just surface-level hospitality. It runs deeper: • Construction workers pause their work to smile• Women sweeping their yards look up to say…
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I am 50. 20 Things I wish I would have known at 40.
Life Wisdom:1. There’s (always) a storm coming – but you’re stronger than you think2. Too much cash makes you complacent (and sometimes foolish)3. Always play the long game – short-term thinking is a trap4. You get exactly what you tolerate in life Personal Growth:5. Self-learning is your ultimate superpower6. Daily meditation isn’t optional – it’s…
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Frozen toothpaste. Yesterday was a day of extremes for me.
My day lasted 31 hours.We flew from Bali to Barcelona. Seven-hour time difference. I was awake for 26 of those hours. Some people can sleep on planes. I can’t. Picture this:Cabin lights off. All screens dark. Everyone asleep or faking it perfectly.Every position imaginable. Me? Wide awake. Not great for someone who loves their sleep.…
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Today I am flying from Bali to Barcelona.What happens if the pilot is just 1 lousy percent off course…
I’ll either end up in Valencia or Marseille, both 120 km from where I need to be. This is a problem for me, because I parked my car at Barcelona Airport 😉 However> It does show the Power of minor adjustments. Everybody thinks it is only the Big Changes that matter. Not true. Just consistently…