Estee Chaikin

Sharing the new currency of meaning

Hi there, thanks you for stopping by. I love designing new services and disruptive business models. Originally from the USA, I am currently living in Amsterdam.

40 most relevant life learnings

Turning 40, I wanted to reflect a bit about life – the good, the bad and the ugly. This exercise helps me to cement the experiences that have shaped me personally and professionally. Why not look at 40 most relevant learnings to take in my ‘toolkit’ as I switch gears into my next decade of life.

Personal

  1. Create an environment of playfulness
  2. Change your routine from time to time to avoid becoming creatures of habit
  3. Think about what you are grateful for, even the small things, everyday
  4. Just do it
  5. Keep composure, kids will always touch push you to your limits
  6. Ensure a good balance between family and friend time
  7. Laugh and be silly together
  8. Make sure to adventure a few times a year
  9. Think of new/better ways to create experiences together
  10. Have those tough conversations for the right reasons
  11. Don’t hold a grudge
  12. Live in the present, but discuss what type of goals you have for the future to encourage each other to discuss what gives you energy for the future
  13. Listen to your partners advice and be clear whether you are going to take it on board or not as they know you the best
  14. If you are tired, admit it and go get some rest
  15. Cooperate with the inevitable
  16. Communicate openly and honestly
  17. See your relationship as a team effort, both need to contribute equally to make it work
  18. Make sure to have time for yourself and agree on boundaries on what works best for each other
  19. Create house rules that are followed
  20. Ensure a healthy home – eat well and maintain a good level of fitness, ALWAYS

Professional

  1. Remember to smile at the right time in the right place.
  2. Ask or you will not get
  3. Treat others as you wish to be treated
  4. Admit when you make a mistake
  5. Don’t take remarks personally, rather see the positive side for the business
  6. Explore all options on the table
  7. Focus on solutions, not problems
  8. Be genuine and honest
  9. Give authentic feedback, even if it puts you in a vulnerable position
  10. Put yourself in other’s shoes
  11. Be a good listener and ask relevant questions
  12. Create happiness for others
  13. The past is the past, move on to improve the future
  14. Check in to make sure you are executing on what is important and priority
  15. Get all the facts
  16. Don’t assume as that makes an ass out of  you and me
  17. Encourage, encourage, encourage
  18. Throw down a challenge
  19. Talk in terms of others interests
  20. Praise every improvement

The Archive

  1. 2020August

  2. 40 most relevant life learnings

  3. January
  4. My learnings in 2019: Time to create a more impactful road ahead
  5. 2019April
  6. When passion meets purpose: How my professional leaps got me to where I am today
  7. 2018February
  8. The hidden talent of a global citizen: Cultural intelligence
  9. 2016December
  10. Yes, yes, yes.
  11. June
  12. Smart Citizenship challenge
  13. May
  14. Lost in translation..perhaps?
  15. April
  16. The future human
  17. January
  18. Big.Energy.Data.Marriage
  19. 2015December
  20. Eye spy…the wanderlust trend
  21. May
  22. THE Biggest Barrier
  23. January
  24. Luffa: On the Sustainability Materials Radar
  25. 2014June
  26. Is it really about understanding evolution?
  27. Making solar mainstream
  28. March
  29. Earth Hour…say what?
  30. Recipe for Driving Sustainable Behaviour Change
  31. Turn the page
  32. 2013October
  33. London Sustainability Jam…nearly 1 month away
  34. August
  35. Proud to be 33!
  36. April
  37. Get up and create something
  38. March
  39. London Service Jam …what makes it special?
  40. January
  41. The future…
  42. Sharing is caring…right?
  43. 6 daily rules to reach your potential
  44. 2012December
  45. Our next raison d’etre…
  46. October
  47. When do you invent?
  48. July
  49. The importance of connection
  50. May
  51. What’s your little red paperclip?
  52. February
  53. The future of community energy
  54. January
  55. Iteration is a Lifestyle
  56. Believe in the drift
  57. Trend-oids
  58. 2012 Vow: Live in the ‘Wow’
  59. 2011September
  60. Lisa Frost.
  61. August
  62. The “Me-Too” Attitude
  63. May
  64. Intro to Paris: For newbie’s
  65. An idea…
  66. February
  67. Random acts of Thank You…like ya mean it!
  68. 2010December
  69. Time to put up and shut up. Bring it, 2011
  70. November
  71. Creating Change…
  72. Air BnB at Startup School
  73. October
  74. Work: A new found freedom
  75. January
  76. Free Events in London. Bliss.
  77. 2009December
  78. Get Excited and Make Things
  79. Internet Stats Galore – Just one Day
  80. November
  81. Giving Thanks Tribute
  82. Let’s combine global tastes for COP15
  83. Future of Green
  84. October
  85. 365 Ways to Change the World – Post for 31 October
  86. For all confused on the term social business and sustainability
  87. August
  88. Yes Please. Me likes these.
  89. July
  90. Co-Creation of Value = Necessary Change
  91. Interested in starting social change?
  92. June
  93. The Becoming of a Design Society: A New American Renaissance
  94. Best in Show – KitKatt Nohr Photo Competition
  95. May
  96. Great Solution for Closed Loop Recycling
  97. Re-think Play
  98. March
  99. Simple
  100. February
  101. MakeMeSustainable
  102. January
  103. Personal Dream Box
  104. 2008December
  105. Dream Box
  106. September
  107. Fresh ideas. Welcome.