Sandbox Consulting: Be the Master of Your Cheese in 2010

Once a year, Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Swiss watch company Hublot SA, makes cheese. Collecting milk during a certain time of year in the Alps, and using a very painstaking process, he creates a cheese that apparently has some of Switzerland’s best chefs calling for more.

But his cheese is not for sale. In fact, Mr. Biver refuses payment and maintains that he will never sell it, that, quite literally, he “will be the master of [his] cheese until the last piece” (Source: The Economist, Nov. 14, 2009, p. 76).

Something really struck me about this story. Maybe it’s because I love cheese. Or maybe it’s because I love the way Mr. Biver is 100% committed to never ever selling his cheese – not even for a million dollars, I imagine.

In a day and age when it seems like everything has a price tag, it’s refreshing to remember that there remain those pieces of our lives that are not for sale – our metaphorical cheese, if you will. For some, time with family is one of those areas. For others, perhaps it’s healthy and happiness. And for others, maybe it’s about self-care. Yet I’d hazard a guess that time and time again, we allow the pressures of work, family or friends to slowly erode the sanctity of that space.

Take a moment to jot down a few areas of your life which are not “for sale.” People often call these the non-negotiables in life. These can be values or commitments that you’ve made to yourself or to others, areas or principles in which you will not compromise.

Being the master of your cheese is really about drawing the line and creating boundaries around what you value in your life.

As you look at the list you’ve made, take stock of the number of time you’ve allowed those lines to be crossed. How many times, for example, have you said the following?

“Just this once...”
“I’ll make up for it later…”
“This one time won’t hurt.”
And the list goes on.

When you look at things from this perspective, there’s probably room for improvement. I know my list has shown me some huge gaps between what I claim is sacred, and what I’m actually allowing.

So this year, instead of writing up the same old New Year’s resolutions, I invite you to join me in creating a list of your non-negotiables for the year. Share them with me or with your friends and family, check in with me from time to time, and let’s make this next year one of value, fulfillment, and mastery of our cheese!

Warm wishes,
Carolyn