Have you ever read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? If not, I highly recommend it—it’s a beautiful book, one you can enjoy on your own or read with your kids. But beyond that, Saint-Exupéry was a poet, journalist, and aviator who helped open air mail routes across Europe, Africa, and South America. Tragically, he disappeared over the Mediterranean in 1944, but his words still resonate today.
One quote of his has always stuck with me: “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”
In this video, I want to share communication at a personal level.
Right now, I’m in New Zealand with my wife, TK, getting ready to do a four-day hike along the Kepler Track with two friends. We actually did this same trek 25 years ago—when we were younger and (let’s be honest) much fitter! Let’s see how we go this time.
Being here, away from the noise of everyday life, got me thinking about something I’ve been asked a lot.
I spend my time helping leaders manage their workload, set priorities, and communicate effectively at work. And often, people ask me: “Do you use these same principles in your personal life?”
The answer is yes. 100%. In fact, I believe they matter even more in our personal lives than in business.
Over the years, TK and I have developed three simple routines that help us stay connected and communicate better.
Yearly: A Planning Dinner
At the start of each year, we go out for dinner, pen and paper in hand, and map out the year ahead. What do we want to do? What’s important to us? It’s a chance to align our priorities and set some intentions for the months ahead.
Monthly: A Date Day
Once a month, one of us organises a fun day out. It’s a way to make sure we’re spending quality time together—not just talking about work, kids, or responsibilities, but actually having fun and reconnecting.
Weekly: Walk & Talk + The “Passion Planner”
Every week, we do two things:
1️. A morning walk—just the two of us, chatting about life, plans, and anything on our minds.
2️. A Monday lunch we call our “Passion Planner” (a friend once misinterpreted this hilariously). It’s not about planning passion—it’s about checking in. We reflect on the past week, talk about what’s coming up, and make sure we’re on the same page.
Are we perfect at this? Not at all. Sometimes we skip a walk, forget the planner, or life just gets in the way. But having these little habits in place has made a huge difference. It’s not just about better communication—it’s about building something stronger together.
After 25 years of marriage, I can honestly say my love for TK is deeper than ever. And I believe it’s because we choose to nurture it.
So, my question to you is: Do you have simple routines that help you and your loved one stay connected? How do you make space for conversations about life, love, and what really matters?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Hope you have a lovely day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
