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The 44 Year Old Virgin

I was always a bit jealous of friends who knew their calling at young age. “I’m going to be a fireman when I grow up!” Not me. I floundered. I had vague ideas about being a journalist for National Geographic, but I had no clue how to get started down such a path. It seems impossible now, but growing up in my small town, I really thought career options for women were limited to teacher, nurse or secretary – all which I considered noble professions, but nothing really excited me. Not knowing what to do with my life left me with a strange, deep sadness. It was like desperately wanting to fall in love, but not being attracted to anyone.

It took me a long time, 42 years to be exact, to find my purpose. But just like finding true love, it struck me like a lightning bolt and I became willing to take big risks in order to follow my passion. Now, knowing my purpose is a huge relief in itself, but that doesn’t mean things get easier. Today, I am starving student, living off my life savings and the tiny paycheck I get at working part-time at a wonderful, lean, results-driven NGO based here in Geneva.

I am just beginning to learn the skills needed in my newly chosen field, and am immensely grateful for the opportunity, but basically I am a 44 year-old intern. The rookie. A fumbling-clumsy-inexperienced newbie. It’s humbling, but I am excited to go to work every single day! I want to shout from the mountain tops and that deep feeling of sadness has been replaced with something better than I imagined: warm contentment and knowing, that even though I sometimes struggle, I am on the right path, finally. Blissfully. Finally.

My career wilderness years were uncomfortable; I failed a lot and often lacked motivation. Even though I had success at times, I never felt like I was living up to my potential. I buried that deep feeling of sadness, trying not to ask myself any tough questions, until I finally couldn’t take it anymore.

For those who are just starting out or, like me, wondering how to start over, I think it’s good to embrace being uncomfortable, even if you are naturally quite good at what you are currently doing. Being uncomfortable pushes you to make changes and will open doors you can’t believe. The opposite would be to settle, and no joy ever came from accepting less that you what can possibly be. If you haven’t found your purpose, keep looking! Try new things. Volunteer. Moonlight. Invent. New fields and opportunities are emerging every day. Your dream job might not even exist yet.

The legendary Julie Andrews delivered a wonderful commencement speech to graduating class of 2013 and, as usual, she has the best advice:

The best thing for being sad, is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn. – T.H. White, The Once and Future King

Posted by  |  May 16, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized, Diplomacy, Inspiration, Life, lessons | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Improv Class: life lessons from a 92 year old up-and-comer

I called my firecracker Aunt Toodie to check in:

Me: I hear you filmed a TV show?!
Aunt Toodie: The premiere is tonight! In Brentwood! At a mansion!
Me: wow, so this is a big deal?
Aunt Toodie: It’s just a pilot. Let’s see if it gets picked up by one of the networks first. But if it is, the producers promised me a role.
Me: As what? What’s the plot?
Aunt Toodie: I’m the maid!
Me: Wait- they cast s 92-year-old maid?
Aunt Toodie: Yes, but you know I feel 43, so…
Me: haha! *uncomfortable pause as I sit up just a bit straighter*
Aunt Toodie: It’s called “The Vices”. I play the ‘nice’ one! Everyone else is horrible: the governor is a skirt-chaser, the wife is an alcoholic, the kids are selfish, the cook is mean.
Me: How did an up-and-comer like you you get this part?
Aunt Toodie: My improv coach recommended me. I’ve been taking improv classes for the past 1.5 years. I learned so much!
Me: wow, so what did improv teach you?
Aunt Toodie:
1) don’t judge others
2) wait until people respond
3) give people the benefit of doubt
4) watch how they treat people/situations before you react
5) rely on your instincts
6) be naïve
7) have fun!

“Up-and-comer”
Main Entry: up-and-comer
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: comer
Synonyms: VIP achiever affluential catalyst doer dynamo enterprising person entrepreneur generator go-getter heavy hitter heavyweight leader lightning rod man of influence mover palpable presence pathfinder player presence producer rising star spark plug trailblazer upstart wheeler and dealer whip

Me: Can we add “firecracker” to that list?!

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Posted by  |  May 5, 2013 | Categories: community, family, Inspiration, lessons, Life, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment »

Hacker Diplomacy

Can a bunch of geeks sitting in their parent’s basement help solve world hunger? End illiteracy? Cure cancer? Bring faster, smarter, better disaster response? Advance gender equality? Fight terrorism? To some degree, they already do. With better access to open data, they could do a lot more. But why? And as (newly Swissed citizen) Tina Turner asked; “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”.

To understand just how much nerds love data, just take a look at the miracle of the free internet to understand why we all aren’t inserting coins into some payment device every time you check your email, like making an international call from a phone booth from the 1970s: The World Wide Web is 20 years old! It’s free and open to everyone!! Think about that. From the start, CERN researcher Tim Berners-Lee gave up all patent claims and royalty rights. Amazing. They wanted global adoption and to foster a culture of openness and innovation. Why? They did it for the love of knowledge.

“From research to business and education, the web has been reshaping the way we communicate, work, innovate and live. The web is a powerful example of the way that basic research benefits humankind.”

Yay, Nerds! Thank you!

Now, there’s a push to get governments, scientists and institutions to make their raw data openly available on the web. Researchers, educators and regular people interested in using data to solve some of the biggest challenges in the world are collaborating in new and interesting ways. Recently, the cities of San Francisco, Zürich and Geneva joined together to launch the “Urban Data Challenge” at Lift13, in an unprecedented bilateral, cross-border project to share transportation data from each city, something I (with a bit of tongue-in-cheek) called Hacker Diplomacy, but it’s no joke. Most hackers and scientists operate with a global view, driven by a straightforward interest in using data to solve problems, often without nationalistic barriers that politicians have to navigate. Unlike scientists and politicians, however, hackers are almost never paid and will spend untold hours on a problem set for which they will likely never will see any recognition or glory, outside of the hacker community. Why? Hackers simply love to use data to solve problems.

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Much like trying to grasp the value of the internet in 1989, we can’t yet imagine what solutions might come from Hacker Diplomacy, but we know for a fact that innovation is exponential, and by sharing data, we become more educated and adaptive. We also know that there are bad guys who use data to hurt innocent people, and others who target the vulnerable and those who feel disenfranchised. But there are amazing groups like Random Hacks of Kindness, who are already partnering with MSF/Doctors Without Borders to create new tools to help people caught up in natural disasters, wars and emergencies. Hacker Diplomacy is a legitimate resource for any government or organization willing to embrace transparency, share raw data and take time to understand…what’s love got to do with it…

Posted by  |  May 1, 2013 | Categories: community, Diplomacy, Inspiration, Life, TED, TEDx | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

In search of….Swissness

What does it take to become the #1 trusted brand in the world? To be the most environmentally friendly and innovative country on earth? To have the most Nobel laureates per capita and the highest quality of life? To answer these questions, one has to ask, “what does it mean to have Swissness?”

When one tiny country has that much going for it, the search for Swissness becomes almost mythic and can spawn strange theories and a bit of subjective humor. While other nations spend millions on fancy consultants to come up with splashy campaigns that try to instill elusive Swiss qualities into the collective consciousness, the Swiss just do what comes naturally. How did a previously poor people with limited natural resources rise to the top in so many ways?

Well, look no further, Fancy Consultants of the world. In my previous post, The 11 things Americans can learn from the Swiss, I attempted to highlight versions of “Swissness” in the lessons noted. Taking that a step further, I’ve analyzed dozens and dozens of TED and TEDx talks, and have curated the talks that best represent what Swissness really means. Take a look and let me know: what are your favorite TED and TEDx talks? What else captures Swissness to you?

1. Pioneers: hitch up your wagons, then throw everything overboard!

 

The Swiss know they must adapt to preserve. Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss adventurer, pilot and co-founder of Solar Impulse, is on a quest to achieve the first round-the-world solar airplane flight. He explains how to make the impossible quite possible: “If we want to change our trajectory in life, we have to change our altitude….Pioneers are not the one with new ideas. Real pioneers allow themselves to throw overboard old habits, certainty, convictions, paradigms, and dogmas.”

 

2. Idea Sex

 

Actually, an idea orgy. Whaa? Wait, wait- the Swiss speak publicly of sex? Here, the European Curator of TED global, Swiss-born Bruno Giussani, shares how open minds and new technology- in multiple languages – can create space to engage. And, yes, it’s exciting.

3. Precision over Pretense

 

In this great talk, successful Swiss entrepreneur Jesús Martin-Garcia explains why design trumps vision. He explains how, like opinions, everyone has a vision. On his key competitor: “We could have exchanged vision statements. The key difference was design.”

 

4. Prepare for Battle (and when to go to war)

 

Swiss people fighting? Yes- fervently and passionately, when it comes to conservation and our environment. Watch Vera Weber show how bio-diversity matters in our business and social values. “Nature is a global enterprise that we call bio-diversity. Nature is the best run business on this earth, and the riches and the wealthiest. She has power and is on top on everyone and everything.”

 

5. Join the Geneva Convention

 

Originally founded by five Genevois families, the ICRC was created to provide protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and strife. In his compelling talk, “No Scraps of Men”, the head of ICRC orthopaedic programmes in Afghanistan, Alberto Cairo reminds us; “Dignity can not wait for better times.”

Posted by  |  April 8, 2013 | Categories: Life, Swiss Life, TEDx, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

No Stupid Questions: an interview with Stephen Hawking

They say there are no stupid questions, but if you ask 1000 people what’s the one question they might pose to the world’s most lauded physicist, I doubt many would have chosen to ask the brilliant mind of Dr. Stephen Hawking about Twitter, of all things. Stupid? Maybe. But I did. Here’s what happened.

The Who’s Who of physics, dressed in black tie attire, gathered in Geneva, Switzerland for the inaugural Fundamental Physics Prize ceremony. Hosted by US actor Morgan Freeman (who humorously pointed out he had twice played god on screen), with concert pianist Denis Matsuev and singer Sarah Brightman both giving electric performances, the event had glamorous, formal elements of the Oscars, the Olympics and a Nobel Prize ceremony. Scientists were recognized for their work in string theory and pushing the boundaries of physics. The leaders of the LHC project, CMS and ATLAS experiments at CERN, based here in Switzerland, were recognized for their amazing discovery of the Higgs boson particle.

It was an exciting evening, but the biggest wow for many came when billionaire Yuri Milner presented the Special Fundamental Physics Prize (and a US $3 million cash award) to Stephen Hawking for his discovery of Hawking radiation from black holes, and his deep contributions to quantum gravity and quantum aspects of the early universe.

Dr. Hawking’s theories have been called audacious and, even confined to a wheelchair, he’s got some serious swagger. He wore a jaunty black and white dotted ascot and reveled in his peer’s raucous applause. He spoke, with his strangely lyrical computer synthesized voice, about his ongoing research and anticipation of future discoveries- this from a 70 year-old man suffering from a crippling, fatal-to-most disease; a neuro-muscular dystrophy known as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) that he’s battled since his early twenties. It was the metaphorical equivalent of smashing a guitar on stage at the end of a hot set.

Most scientists never feel the limelight, but Stephen Hawking is a genuine pop culture icon. He has fans, much like Albert Einstein did in his day. No doubt that if Einstein were alive today, he would have given his ok to have his character drawn up and spoofed on an episode of “The Simpsons” as Dr. Hawking has. Why? Because a large part of what has driven them both is to communicate and inspire the common person to become curious about the wonders of our universe.

“It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking

Knowing he’d already been interviewed countless times about and god, aliens and the after-life, and also understanding that it would not be possible to ask questions that required more than a yes/no answer, when given opportunity to interview the preeminent scientific mind of our generation, I decided to go a bit gonzo. We were introduced, and he looked directly at me with his clear blue eyes.

Q: Professor Hawking, you’ve put a lot of effort into breaking complex ideas down into concepts the general public can understand, yet I noticed you aren’t really active on social media. Do you use social media at all?

A: No

At this point, one of his assistants politely interrupted, stating they had considered a Facebook page, but he was far busy for this kind of thing.

Q: You know that roughly 52% of the world’s population is under 30 years old and that about 75% of the world has a mobile phone, including those in developing nations. These young people might never have the opportunity to read your books, but they could learn from and be inspired by you- if you reach them though social media. (I pause, to take a nervous breath) So, I guess my question is: will you reconsider using social media?

Stephen Hawking looked me straight in the eye and held my gaze. Many long seconds ticked by and then,

A: Yes.

Author’s note: Currently, there are numerous faux Stephen Hawking accounts on Twitter and Facebook, many linking to his official website to make it seem legit, but don’t be fooled these social media black holes…for now, it’s only Rock ‘n Roll…

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Posted by  |  March 22, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments »

Preaching to the Choir

“Sing it!” said The Preacher, passionately evoking the audience from the huge stage, while he strummed a guitar. We swayed to the rhythm and at the appropriate moment enthusiastically sang out the gospel: “Scooped! Scooooped!”

Scooped?

The Preacher was actually a mild-mannered science professor, Dr. Uri Alon, who was here to share his talk “What science can learn from improvisation theatre” at TEDxLausanne. Science and religion rarely mix, but in this case, the choir nodded along during Professor Alon’s talk and practically shouted hallelujah when he closed, sending his flock off with the message that “the moment you are in your deepest cloud of confusion is when you are closest to significant discovery.” Unless you get scooped, of course.

Amen.

You may have heard of TED or TEDx talks, as they’ve become incredibly popular in the past few years. TEDx events are independently organized full or half-day programs designed to share ideas through short talks with interesting speakers. TED initially stood for Technology, Entertainment and Design, but since has expanded to cover a plethora of topics from creativity to citizen diplomacy.

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Like most TED events, TEDxLausanne was a sell-out, the crowd eager to hear new ideas, have their assumptions challenged and meet like-minded folks during the networking breaks. The theme of TEDxLausanne was “What If We Do(n’t)” and the speaker list included a wonderfully electic mix of artists, entrepreneurs and entertainers. There was world-champion tap dancing, jazz, and a young spoken word poet that moved me to tears. Another speaker, Fabrice Leclerc, centered his compelling talk around the idea that business leaders must approach innovation as a holistic practice that connects basic human instinct in order to achieve commercial results. His message was esoteric, but in a completely believable way. You walk away from a talk like that agreeing whole-heartedly, but finding yourself wondering what the next steps actually are. This is the genius of TEDx. Local speakers inspire, energize and make you think about your own challenges and contributions. But inspiration can wane. You want to go back for more. Fortunately, like all good sermons, you can study the doctrine. Hundreds of TED and TEDx talks are available online to watch- for free.

Switzerland is a small country, yet there were 19 separate TEDx events in 2012 and currently ten planned for 2013. Whether you live in Geneva, Zürich or Martigny or work at CERN, there is an event for you. Now, I’m not able to prove that Switzerland has more TEDx events per capita than any other country, but I suspect it does. A quick search of the TEDx website supports my theory: South Sudan, which has slightly more people than Switzerland, had exactly one TEDx event in 2012 (not bad for a brand-new country!) and Israel, with slightly fewer people than Switzerland, currently has just one event currently scheduled for 2013.

Perhaps it’s Switzerland’s thirst for innovation. Perhaps it’s Switzerland’s multi-cultural population that thrives off these types of events.

Perhaps it’s just preaching to the choir.

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Posted by  |  January 23, 2013 | Categories: Inspiration, Swiss Life, TEDx | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Open Letter to Hockey Legend Don Cherry

Dear Mr. Cherry,

You recently tweeted your objection over the aid money Canada sends to Haiti and posed the question, “shouldn’t charity begin at home?” Well, as a Habitat for Humanity Global Village team leader, I get that question all the time and- this may surprise- I agree with you. Times are tough. In addition to Canada’s health care challenges you mention in your tweets, Habitat for Humanity Canada states over 1.3 million Canadian families struggle to get by without a safe, decent and affordable place to live. Why should we send money or volunteers off to help fix other people’s problems, when we have problems to deal with at home?

The question then becomes, where does “home” begin and end?

The slight difference is that I believe Haiti is part of our home and we are just as connected to the Haitian people as we are to our First Nation neighbors or even our own nuclear families, therefore our imperative is to provide humanitarian aid and help alleviate suffering where ever it occurs, without regard to geography or even political differences.

I know you have a generous heart, Mr. Cherry, and have made a continual practice of supporting worthy causes - without seeking any publicity – but your uncharitable comments on Twitter influence your 124,000+ followers, then further reach their followers when they retweet your comments, and so on. This effect is called “going viral” and, suddenly, a single tweet can reach potentially millions of people around the globe. It’s fair to challenge how aid is disbursed, to demand accountability from the government on both sides, to question results, seek transparency and have clarity around long-term planning, but humanitarian aid and post-disaster recovery are not so simple that we can parachute in, after the worst earthquake in Haiti’s history, drop off a few tents, some bottled water and call it a day.

What many people don’t know is the humanitarian crisis is ongoing in Haiti, now at the third anniversary of the earthquake, intense hurricanes, flooding and what’s become the world’s largest cholera epidemic (which has already killed some 8,000 people in addition to the more than 230,000 who perished in the earthquake) but also from decades of desperate poverty, lack of basic healthcare, massive unemployment, illiteracy, political turmoil and environmental disasters. Haiti is literally the poorest country in the world- yet you can depart Montreal around 8am and get to the capital, Port-au-Prince, before lunch time, in less time than it takes to fly from Toronto to Vancouver. Is that close enough to be considered “home”?

You also might not know that Canadian businesses (along with the US and other developed nations) are profiting from Haiti’s recovery. Before the earthquake, Canadian companies Bank of Nova Scotia, Air Canada and Gildan Activewear Inc., and others had successful operations in Haiti. Today, while Haitian people live with open sewers and malnutrition, Canadian companies are “Seizing Global Advantage” in Haiti’s infrastructure and reconstruction projects, while lining up agriculture, food & beverage, information & communications technologies, service industries and capital investments. Haiti is being called a bonanza for foreign mining companies.

“Canadian explorer Majescor owns permits to explore 450 square kilometers. Last August its stock doubled in a single day after it a reported a high level of gold in some drill samples from Haiti’s northern coast. Canada’s Eurasian Minerals owns permits to 1,770 square kilometers—about 6 percent of Haiti’s entire land mass.” - Jacob Kushner, author of “Haiti’s Gold Rush”

I’m not saying this is a bad thing. On the contrary, if Canadian business invest in Haiti, they will need to hire and train skilled workers. Economic development and education are key for Haiti to lead itself out of poverty and it’s the best way to break the cycle of aid dependence. It is concerning to many, however, that Haitian people be paid a fair wage and natural resources are managed for sustainability and provide equitable returns. It’s a sad fact that desperate, uneducated people have sold their land and given up their rights. The challenges Haiti faces are complex and messy, but the people have dreams of a better future and they are willing to work hard to improve their lives, given the opportunity. When we know better, we must do better. This is why it’s crucial that Canada never turn it’s back on Haiti’s recovery.

Mr. Cherry, I’d like to offer you a trade. Call it a scouting trip for potential. I’ll come work with you on a Habitat for Humanity build in Toronto (or anywhere in Canada), if you’ll join me in building houses and hope in Haiti. You can see for yourself the real impact of aid money and what a safe, simple decent home can mean to a family facing extreme poverty. You often say that you think of yourself as a construction worker, not an entertainer. Well, no construction skills are needed to join a Habitat for Humanity build team, just an open heart and willingness to work hard. After all, doesn’t charity begin at home?

With warm regards and all the best for a great NHL season,

DJ Forza

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer

Posted by  |  January 13, 2013 | Categories: Diplomacy, Habitat for Humanity | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

10 Things Americans Can Learn From The Swiss

I recently read Erin Faber‘s excellent article, “10 Things Americans Can Learn From Amsterdammers” and thought I’d share some of the observations I’ve made since moving to Switzerland. Most Americans relate Switzerland to clever knives, Heidi, and secret bank vaults, but there’s a lot more the Swiss can teach us about how they achieve such a high quality of life. Here are my top 10 things to yodel about:

1. Power to the People. Switzerland looked to the US constitution when drafting its own constitution in 1848, but they practice a different form of national government- direct democracy. Like the US, most laws are made and voted on by representatives. However, any citizen can (with enough supporting signatures) put a law forth to a vote of the people. Swiss citizens vote on national referendums, policies and ballot initiatives and they vote often, about four times per year. Swiss citizens also have right to propose almost any constitutional amendment, as long as it does not violate human rights or international law. With these comprehensive checks and balances, Swiss legislators know their constituents can recall them or vote out their pet initiatives; therefore limiting the power of lobbyists and reducing the possibility for corruption.

“From the Swiss experience we can all learn that representative democracy can do much better, if it includes comprehensive and citizen-friendly methods of participation. In Switzerland, the most important – but a relatively few – issues are decided by the people, important and more numerous matters by parliament, and the least important but very numerous issues by the government. That’s what they mean by democracy.” – Bruno Kaufmann, President, Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe

“In history, Switzerland will have the last word” – Victor Hugo

2. Add ‘long-term thinking’ to your shopping list. It’s 6:30 pm…what’s for dinner? Well, in Switzerland you need to have a plan and a well-stocked pantry, because nearly every store will be closed by 7pm and almost nothing is open on Sunday. The Swiss regularly vote against extending shopping hours, as it’s considered unfair to the working poor and family run stores, who otherwise would miss out on community activities and family time in order to compete with big retail.

Yes, shopping in Switzerland can be expensive, partly due to the lack of big box stores, but when I explained the concept of Black Friday (and what’s unfortunately turning into Black Thursday) to my Swiss friends, they shook their heads in pity and slight disgust. To the Swiss, somewhat inconvenient shopping hours and supporting local businesses are a price they are happy to pay.

3. The best defense is a Spiritual Defense. “Our differences make us stronger” may be truer in Switzerland than anywhere else in the world. Recognizing, accepting and protecting cultural differences while promoting uniquely ‘Swiss’ values and customs was an actual formal defense strategy employed by Swiss authorities, press, scholars, and intellectuals from the 1930′s through the Cold War era. Despite prior religious and regional tension amongst Protestants, Catholics and the French, German and Italian-speaking regions, Swiss national pride strengthened, which led to popular support of a well-armed national militia. Knowing that virtually every Swiss male was ready to defend their homeland ultimately thwarted Hitler and Mussolini from their planned invasion during WWII.

Today, although less than 1% of the Swiss population speak Romansch (an endangered language that descends from Latin) the Swiss government spends about four million Swiss francs per year to promote it. Romansch was declared one of the four official Swiss languages by national referendum 1996, meaning Romansch speakers have the right to correspond with the government in their native language, and expect an answer in Romansch. Winning hearts and minds by respecting cultural differences keeps the diverse population deeply rooted in Swiss pride.

4. Talk is cheap, but R&D is expensive. While US politicians promise jobs and economic growth, to varied degrees of success, Switzerland has created an ecosystem that fosters innovation and investment, which is key for staying competitive in our global economy. By creating conditions such as favorable tax and investor policies, a strong emphasis on higher education and promoting a high quality of life; Switzerland is able to develop, attract and retain some of the best talent in the worlds of science, engineering and technology. These factors, along with its pioneering spirit and highly efficient workforce make Switzerland the most innovative nation in the world, for the second year in a row, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.

5. What makes you tick? Would you spend $200k on a watch? If you did, you’d want to be darn sure you were investing in a quality product. Having “Swissness” is related to having quality, precision and reliability. Quality that goes beyond luxury watches and elite private banking- it is part of the soul of being Swiss. In a recent survey, Swiss people rated “quality” as the country’s main strength, on par with neutrality.

According to FutureBrands 2012 Country Brand Index, Switzerland is the highest perceived country in the world. “Switzerland’s Rise as a Model Nation: As a symbol of economic, cultural and social stability, brand Switzerland shows that the cultivation of freedom, tolerance, transparency and environmentalism can put a country’s brand ahead—even in difficult economic times.”

5. Make common courtesy more common.  When I first moved to Geneva, I felt a bit like Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” in the scene when she goes out in the morning and walks through her village, every single person who crosses her path greets her with a cheery “Bonjour!”. When sharing an elevator, your fellow passengers will always say “Bonne Soiree.” (Have a nice evening) when they step out. Even the cut-throat mobile phone stores full of young hustlers will offer customers a fresh espresso and patiently wait will you fix your perfect coffee before selling you a calling plan even a 13-year-old girl couldn’t max out.

6. Find you inner Greta Garbo. While most of my Swiss friends have a Facebook page, they limit their online friends to only their closest contacts and wouldn’t dream of posting anything close to an “overshare” moment.  Swiss people are notoriously private and do not pry into the affairs of  neighbors or co-workers. When a close friend chooses share some personal details about a romance, ideas for a new venture or  health concerns, it is a given this news will be treated with utmost discretion.

7. Keep it clean. According to Yale University’s 2012 Environmental Performance Index, Switzerland is the most environmentally friendly country in the world. Factors including overall health, air quality, water, biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, fishing and CO2 emissions were all considered. Yes, the Swiss are notorious neat-freaks, but more so, they feel a deep connection to their mountains and lakes. To the Swiss, recycling isn’t just a matter of civic duty, it’s simply one part of the overall stewardship they feel towards protecting the beautiful land that gives them so much.

8. Give more kisses and get more face time! Here in Swiss romande, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, friends always greet each other with three light kisses on the cheek, and again (even if it’s just 15 minutes later), another three kisses upon departing. The Swiss might have a reputation for being a bit standoffish, but once you make a connection,  you can count on your Swiss friends to be warm, funny and exceptionally caring.

Speaking of friendships, the Swiss tend to have less friends than Americans, but they put effort into each relationship. My Swiss friends are really invested in each others lives, and make time to meet often. Email doesn’t cut it for Swiss friendships, which brings me to #9, the wonderfully Swiss way to get quality time with friends; organize an Apéro. 

9. Connect the (Swiss) Dots. More than a mere Swiss version of an American Happy Hour, an apéro is a social gathering of friends and colleagues. The Swiss take their apéro seriously, and use the time before the dinner to open a bottle of wine and share small nibbles with friends as they catch up on their day. An apéro can be organized in a private home, local bar, along the lake or in the park. Not only is it the Swiss way to stay connected with friends, it’s how most romantic relationships begin. Friends are introduced through mutual contacts, and a good apéro often segues into a relaxed dinner- probably a cozy fondue.

10. Eat more chocolate, win the Nobel Prize! According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Swiss have the most Nobel laureates per 10 million people, and also are the nation with greatest chocolate consumption per capita. Chocolate contains flavanols which are linked to cognitive ability. Conclusion: if you want to improve your cognitive functioning (the intellectual process by which one becomes aware of, perceives, or comprehends ideas, and involves all aspects of perception, thinking, reasoning, and remembering) and up your chances of winning the most prestigious intellectual award; the Nobel Prize, then eat more chocolate! Make that yummy Swiss chocolate, naturally.

 

Posted by  |  November 23, 2012 | Categories: Inspiration | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Fight Club

The local Starbucks just across the Geneva Gare (train station) – where expats, travelers and Swiss folk meet to sip fancy coffees and enjoy free wifi, doesn’t seem like a place where a fight would break out- but it did.

Let me back up.

I started the GTD Study Group as a way to meet like-minded people; to share what I’ve learned and to keep myself on track- to be accountable, and maintain my newfound time management discipline. I was excited, but knew I’d be lucky to find 5-7 committed GTD’ers to study with, encourage and learn from.

I created an event, shared the basic philosophy with key links, and put out an open invitation with some basic parameters: read (most) the book, GETTING THINGS DONE, and bring a notebook and pen. That’s it.

Right away, I had numerous sign-ups: attorneys, bankers, professionals working in non-profits. Yeah! GTD in the Swiss House!!

I sent an email to my potential group members and reiterated the meeting parameters (rules) to participate. Crickets. I quickly realized I needed to host an “Introduction to GTD” meeting to get those interested through the basic GTD principles. So I did it. I hosted three separate sessions, breaking down GTD to the simplest beginner steps. I had hand-outs and everything. We started each meeting in a semi-circle, sitting on a cozy Starbucks faux-suede sofas, and I explained that GTD was much more than time management, and that they could use GTD – not to do more stuff- but to do the right things and unlock their potential. We, I promised, would have mind like water. Everyone smiled and nodded. Yes!

I asked each group member to introduce themselves, when they first heard of GTD, what they currently used for task management and what they hoped to get out of the group.

And. So.

What I learned is NO ONE CARES about time management, unlocking their potential or having a mind like water.

What people want is to just hang out. Be with another human (not from the office) and talk about their day. In minute detail. To total strangers. That is all.

I got frustrated.

I wanted to fight.

WHY would you give up a significant part of your evening, come to out to Starbucks, and not care about the purpose of the group? Who has that kind of time to waste? And why would you bother to fake care about something you obviously do not want to improve?

So I pushed. When we got off-topic, I tried to steer us back. When one group member rambled on and on, I cut them off- like Bruce Lee. Whoosh. Fast, but in a way that I know will sting later.

Not great. Actually, pretty uncomfortable. I sat there, annoyed. My group talked on and on – about everything but GTD. I interrupted again. Just when I thought my own group would walk out on me, they asked what to work on next and when could we meet again. Huh? They want to meet again??

Wait- have I seen this before? Oh yes, forgive me a moment while I violate the The First Rule of Fight Club:

In the movie, Fight Club, two of the main characters meet while attending various group therapy sessions (testicular cancer, brain parasites, etc…) for issues they don’t actually suffer from. One character, Marla, goes because “It’s cheaper than a movie, and there’s free coffee.” and “The Narrator” goes to these groups because he can get a release (crying) that helps his insomnia.

Check out this super-awesome reenactment of “Fight Club”

_

I know the world can be a lonely place. Sometimes, all you want is to feel like you “belong” to a group. A community.

So.

I decided to let ‘em in.

_

Welcome to Fight Club….er, GTD Club. The NEW first rule of Fight Club is:

Posted by  |  October 31, 2012 | Categories: GTD, Inspiration | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Bad Karaoke And Other Life Savers

Tick-tock.

The countdown is on!

We put on our best (cleanest) clothes and head to the party. Our favorite annual conversation: WHERE are we going to spend New Year’s Eve next year? We throw out ideas…hatch plans…dream about exploring exotic destinations and far-flung places. It’s become a tradition.

It’s so fun to see how other countries ring in the new year. We typically take part in whatever local celebration are happening: fancy-ish dinner, dancing, awesomely bad karaoke with the locals, funny hats, streamers – and we do it up in style! Most of us wouldn’t be caught dead at a party like this at home, but away in a developing nation, we revel in the absurd and delight in the silly.

Somewhere in the middle of the iffy international buffet (fish balls?!) and the local beverage of choice we discuss our surroundings: the poverty, the progress and the hope we’ve gained over wheelbarrows full of dirt and shovels full of concrete. To work and live among whole communities dwelling in extreme poverty naturally drives deep introspection, but when you add new year’s eve to the mix, a whole new level of personal appraisal happens.

It’s interesting to see how many  teammates (myself included) have made major life decisions/commitments (calling them “resolutions” doesn’t do justice…) on our annual Habitat For Humanity New Year’s Eve Builds. We share, in our trusted circle, what’s holding us back and where we truly want to go. We admit what’s working and what’s not. We find real accountability partners, mentors and a safe place to finally verbalize what’s been locked away in our hearts for months or even years. We self-impose deadlines, ask for help and share ideas.

What’s even more interesting is how many teammates have actually follow through on these personal challenges. And, I’m talking about people making BIG changes. Some of us would even say life-saving changes: love, life, health, career, education, family, finances, fitness, sprituality…all of the things we want to change/improve/grow, but never quite knew how to start- actually take root and blossom during our NYE Habitat Week. In fact, I would bet that we have a 20% higher average success rate for keeping new year’s resolutions than the average. Eh…make that 50% higher. I wondered…what was it making all these positive changes possible?

Maybe its because our team bonded over trivia contests during very, very long bus rides.

Maybe it’s witnessing the quiet strength of a single mother raising three sweet, funny, bright children in a dirt-floor shack with no running water or indoor toilet.

Maybe it’s teaching an entire village how to give a perfect high-five; and blow it up Cali-style.

Maybe it’s seeing the way Habitat treats the (impoverished) families with dignity and respect.

Maybe it’s the way the mason’s helper shyly asks for help practicing his english, while expertly laying his 150,000th brick.

Maybe it’s how living and working together 24×7 reveals the “real” you.

Maybe it’s the way the night sky is different, and yet the same here.

Maybe it’s freaking adorable baby goats you can’t NOT touch.

Maybe the semi-crappy internet and time zone issues keep you off your smart phone, and focused on the present moment.

Maybe it’s the way the teachers blinked back tears when you delivered 400 note books, 600 colored pencils and 85 geometry kits.

Maybe it’s the way the tea lady sneaks you an extra dessert, because she saw you give yours to the curious neighbor kid yesterday.

Maybe it’s because agreeing to come to this location felt like a bit of a risk to start with.

Maybe it’s the awesomely bad karaoke.

Or.

Maybe.

Maybe it’s having something to believe in.

The best things in life aren’t things
They’re living and breathing
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re something you can believe in

p.s. Our NYE 2013 Habitat Build will be in VIETNAM! Yes, Vietnam is waiting for you, for me and for our team to help a deserving family out of poverty housing and into a safe, decent home. For more info visit our team facebook page. 

The countdown is on!

Tick-tock.

Posted by  |  August 22, 2012 | Categories: Diplomacy, Habitat for Humanity, Inspiration, Music, Volunteer Spotlight | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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