Improvisation as a Life Strategy
Inspiration Shot August 2026
I used to think success mainly came from planning, systems and discipline. More and more, I’m discovering that the most beautiful things emerge when you leave room for improvisation and allow yourself to be guided by whatever comes your way.
This month was all about that. I found myself on a remote private island with a group of wonderful people, experimented extensively with AI and once again consciously stepped into unknown territory. Then that thought suddenly took on a much deeper and sadder meaning: while I was creating this Inspiration Shot, my dear father passed away.
That is why I am writing this edition from Miami, with intense sadness, relief and gratitude. I will tell you more about that at the end.
Perhaps curiosity is not the only important skill you can develop. Perhaps it also means accepting life as it comes, especially when everything suddenly turns out differently from what you had imagined.
The Surrender Experiment
On a whim, I decided to join Beyond Success, an ‘unconference’ on a private island in the middle of nowhere in Estonia.
It was organised by Michelle Maree, who also organises the wonderful Founder Island Fest in Madeira (PS: Use code ESTHER100 for €100 off). I joined last year and will be there again in December. Michelle brings remarkable people from all over the world together in unique places. A kind of Heart Valley, with more connection, depth and real conversations.
I immediately fell in love with the island: its simplicity, nature, peace, silence and magic. I also wrote an Instagram post about it.
During that same week, the idea emerged to rent the entire island next summer for The Surrender Experiment. A week to explore what happens when you loosen your grip on control and make room for the unexpected. More on this later.
AI as a playground
AI is developing incredibly fast. Most people have no idea just how fast. In almost every conversation, I manage to inspire a few people to start using what is already possible, in surprisingly simple ways. I am constantly learning from other users and experts too. Sometimes I discover something new that completely blows my mind.
My main tip: stop typing and use detailed voice prompts. By explaining out loud what you want, you provide much more context and get surprisingly better results.
For Dutch career platform Intermediair I recently wrote an article about whether you should disclose when you use AI for an article.
In September, I will give an international online workshop, ‘Write your book in one week with AI’, during the AI Writing Summit. On 29 September, I will also host my final hands-on AI workshop at my home in Amsterdam. One place is still available.
The power of a small gesture
At the beginning of July, I met Avi in Amsterdam, a homeless man who, despite his situation, struck me as dignified. I bought him food, gave him some money and shared his story in an Instagram post.
To my surprise, the post was viewed almost 60,000 times. It warmed my heart to see how many people wanted to contribute. Some offered help, shared advice or donated money.
During Pride, I met Avi again. Thanks to all that support, I was able to give him a substantial amount of money. Someone had even arranged a ticket so he could return to his family in Italy on 13 August.
Maybe that is the lesson: you do not have to save the whole world. You only have to do something for the people who cross your path.
Inspiration bites
FILM
The Invite
A film about relationships, monogamy, polyamory and everything in between. The cast lived together in a villa for six weeks and, without a fixed script, created their own interpretation of the original film. The result is uncomfortable, confusing, funny and surprisingly real.
Even better: psychotherapist Esther Perel, one of my greatest sources of inspiration, was involved as a consultant.
PODCAST
Where Should We Begin?
Psychotherapist Esther Perel lets you listen in on real, anonymous coaching sessions about love, desire, conflict and connection. Brilliant how she uses a few incisive questions to reveal what is really going on. Almost every episode gives me new insights into my own relationships.
I have recommended this book before, but it remains a favourite and fits this month so perfectly that it deserves another mention. Michael A. Singer describes what happens when he stops trying to control everything and lets himself be guided by whatever comes his way.
Exactly the experiment that inspired my plans for the Estonian island: what emerges when you steer less and say yes to the unexpected more often?
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOOK!
Doelgelukkig!
Teddy Raatgever-Lens used, among other things, the step-by-step plan from my ‘Reverse Writing’ book and my workshops to write and publish her coaching book Doelgelukkig! (roughly: Happy Through Your Goals). It explains the steps you can take to achieve your goals, with a solid foundation in cognitive behavioural therapy.
Where is Esther?
While I was putting this Inspiration Shot together, I received a phone call telling me that my father was nearing the end of his life. I immediately booked a ticket to Miami, but sadly, by the time I arrived, he had already passed away.
I am now in Miami with my brother and sister, my father’s wonderful caregivers, friends and family. It is a very special time. Of course, we are sad that this extraordinary man is no longer with us. But we are also grateful that his battle with Alzheimer’s, which lasted more than ten years, is now over and that he has finally found peace. That brings us a great deal of peace too. So in a way, we feel ‘deeply sad and relieved’…
We are grateful for all the beautiful moments and for all the ‘bonus time’ we have had with him over the past few years.
I’ll be here for a while to arrange everything and let it all sink in. This is the post my brother, sister and I made about the farewell this coming Monday, when we will celebrate his life.
This extraordinary man had a huge impact on me, on my brother and sister, and on so many people he met throughout his life. That deserves to be celebrated.
So I am saying goodbye to you from Miami. For the time being, I will let the moment, the unexpected and the universe guide me.
Inspiration in your inbox
Join more than 14,000 readers in 42 countries and receive a free Inspiration Shot every month. You can subscribe via the footer of my website.