This blog post is a very personal one. It is my vision, my belief. I am actually writing this blog post from the balcony of my hotel room with ocean view, from where I can hear guitar sounds and singing people on the street as waves hit the shores. Being on holiday made me think about holiday…

In western society, most people only have a couple of weeks a year to enjoy a relaxing holiday, during which they are supposed to recharge physically and emotionally. Disappointment strikes as after a week back in business, the holiday feels like an event long gone. You must have heard the following line, if not from your own mouth: “Uff, back at work just a week and I already feel like I can use another holiday.”

Why is that so? Why is the effect of a holiday so minimal for many people? I gave it a thought, and I think I figured it out: Most people switch off!

You go on holiday, try to think as little as possible about… well, anything. You just try to relax, while keeping your brain clear from thoughts, fully focusing on food and drinks, the beach, the pool side and good-looking people that pass by. You switch of your system, and as soon as you get back to work, you switch it back on… To find yourself in the same state as you were before you shut it down.

I spend my holidays doing the same things as most people do – eating, drinking, sunbathing, swimming, exploring new places… But at the same time, I think. I think a lot! I use my holidays to reflect on my life, to find out what I enjoy and what I’d like to change. I literally look at my daily life from a distance to figure out if I’m still at the right track. I keep notes, scribble down rough ideas that pop up in my mind and organize my thoughts. When I get back and engage in day-to-day routine again, I am not just more energetic because I took a physical rest, I also feel happier, more organized and more focused.

This might work for you as well, or not. All I would like to recommend you is to spend some time consciously thinking about the way you spend your holidays so you can find the most effective way to spend those few precious weeks a year. A more effective holiday can literally change your life forever!

Photo by offnowgirl

YouTube is a great resource featuring millions of videos and comments from as many viewers from around the globe. Over the years, I’ve probably seen hundreds, if not thousands of videos covering a wide range of topics. From politics to self-development, and from videos related to the Eurovision Song Contest (which I have the privilege to work for) to childhood cartoons. In this post, I would like to share with you five videos seen on YouTube that had such a great impact on my life, that I can say without doubt that they actually changed my life and the way I look at things.

Tony Robbins – Why We Do What We Do (TED 2006)
This video was my introduction to Tony Robbins, the world’s greatest and most inspiring coach and speaker alive today. Not only his story is remarkable, he is extremely down-to-earth and energetic. Ever since, Robbins is one of my great examples.

Randy Pausch – The Last Lecture; Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture. With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that is devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months. Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. When I found this video and checked if Pausch was still alive, somewhere over the course of summer 2008, I found out he had just died a few weeks earlier.

The Secret (first 20 minutes trailer)
The Secret reveals the most powerful law in the universe – the law of attraction. Rhonda Byrne’s discovery of The Secret began with a glimpse of the truth through a 100 year old book (The Science Of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles). She went back through centuries, tracing and uncovering a common truth that lay at the core of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and religions in the world. What Rhonda discovered – though not really a secret – is now captured in The Secret, a film that has been viewed by millions around the world. Despite some remarks, it was truly inspiring to me. This is the 20-minute preview to the documentary film that introduced me to it.

Barack Obama – Highlights from the 2004 Democratic National Convention
This video was my first introduction to Barack Obama, when he just announced his run to become President of the United States. I was inspired by his speech, as well as his eloquence and presentation. Ever since, I followed and studied the Obama campaign closely.

Discover Tallinn
This wonderful promotion video of the Estonian capital Tallinn made me decide to move there, after considering it for some time. My then-girlfriend was Estonian and was, work-wise, bound to her geographic location. I was not, and thus decided to move to Tallinn in August of 2007. I moved back to Amsterdam in early 2009, but still consider Tallinn as one of my home cities.