Bachir Bastien's Blog, page 9

What My First Scuba Diving Experience Taught Me about Fear

Every summer, I challenge myself by engaging in an activity that scares me. Last year, to overcome my fear of heights, I paraglided for the first time. Given how successful and satisfying the experience was, this year I decided to carry on with the tradition. So, I chose scuba diving to overcome the fear of […]

What Scuba Diving Taught Me about Fear

Every summer, I challenge myself by engaging in an activity that scares me. Last year, to overcome my fear of heights, I paraglided for the first time. Given how successful and satisfying the experience was, this year I decided to carry on with the tradition. So, I chose scuba diving to overcome the fear of […]

No, Self-Discipline Isn’t a Lack of Freedom

Many of us equate self-discipline with a lack of freedom. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Collins Dictionary defines self-discipline as the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do. By deciding to do away […]

How to Engage Your Audience in an Online Presentation

Engaging your audience is critical for presenters — especially those who are addressing audiences online. While most of the techniques we learn about leading a live crowd to apply to online events, there are a few strategies that are specific to virtual presentations. If your job involves web-based presentations, here are six approaches you can […]

How to Remain Calm and Level Headed Under Stress

Whether it’s a job interview, talking to your crush, or speaking in front of an audience, we have all gone through the uneasy feelings that characterize dealing with stressful situations. While moderate level of stress can be helpful by making us more vigilant, chronic stress, if left unchecked, can harm our performance and ruin our […]

You Need Help? Just Ask

Many of us equate seeking help with weakness without realizing it’s a sign of strength and humility that, if done well, can help us achieve our goals. Ancient Scripture even advises us to ask for help; Ask and you shall receive. Most people will give given you are willing to ask. There is a caveat, […]

7 Common Reasons Most People Fail to Build Good Habits

How often have you tried to build a positive habit and failed? I’m no expert in the science of habit-building, but my repeated failures at maintaining strong habits have taught me that eighty percent of people fail to build habits eighty percent of the time because of the following seven reasons. Hopefully, you can use […]

You Think You Are Not Good Enough, So What?

In my six-year-plus coaching experience, I realized that most of my clients get stuck because they think they are not good enough. Chances are you do, too. I am leaving my usual inspirational tone to be more direct here. Whether you think you are excellent, mediocre, or inadequate, your job isn’t to make assumptions but […]

Five Quotes to Commit to Memory When Fear and Doubt Overpower You

There are many ways to cope with doubts and uncertainties. A short, powerful quote is one of them. Here are five quotes that work for most of life’s challenges. These quotes won’t solve your problems, but they can give you a much needed morale boost when faced with setbacks. “God, grant me the serenity to […]

Are We Really What We Do?

A while ago, I attended a presentation by a prominent doctor turned politician who stated flat out: “We are what we do.” This statement has never left my mind since then. Think about what makes you… you. Is it your action? Your beliefs? Your personality? Is it your dream? Your possessions? You might find it […]