When I was about five years old, my parents took me to California.  We stayed in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, known for its beautiful climate, abundant sunshine, and numerous swimming pools.  I learned to swim quickly as a child and loved running around the pool.  I was even tempted to learn how to dive—small steps: standing on the edge of the pool, putting my hands by my head, and gently leaning forward until, with a gentle push, I could fall into the pool, fingers first.   

When working for myself, I was willing to work absurd hours on absurd occasions because I felt it was all for me.  But when I entered big international consulting and joined the Andersen Business Consulting organisation, I realised that they believed they owned you, in principle, every waking hour of my life. 

It was a famous American president who, during the Great Depression, said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

When I speak to people about finding freedom, they often mention various fears—reasons why they can’t, mustn’t, or shouldn’t do something. However, these reasons are usually just a reflection of fear itself. So, how can you examine and assess the reality of your fears? Allow me to outline the ones I observe most frequently.

It may not be the most attractive metaphor, but I often talk to people about living in a gilded cage or being held in golden handcuffs.