The hard part about going from Vilvoorde to Hong Kong isn’t getting to Hong Kong—it’s leaving Vilvoorde. A memorable quote from the great Jacques Brel, dating back to 1971, which—judging by your reactions—has lost none of its relevance. “Leaving Vilvoorde” is an ironic observation that, like many truths, stands out as much for its obviousness as for its significance. A relevance that applies to both personal and professional life.
“Leaving Vilvoorde”—what does it really mean?
We all have dreams and projects. But bringing them to life… that’s another story. More often than not, it’s the first step that’s the hardest to take. In life, we frequently face situations that demand a choice, a decision. Changing jobs, for example, radically shifting our lifestyle, or launching a business.
That first step is so difficult because it forces us out of our comfort zone. We’re constantly facing countless obligations. Our “life choices” can have a significant impact on our partner or family. Yet, once the first step is taken, everything gradually becomes easier. A few years later, “having left Vilvoorde” seems like a no-brainer. You even find yourself thinking you should have done it sooner.
Failure: the perfect springboard
Strangely enough, failure is a crucial step in one’s journey. That is, if you see it as a springboard for taking the plunge. Losing a job, for instance, forces you to bounce back. But the timing rarely feels ideal, as the initial reaction is often to take the hit and shy away from risk. And yet, this is a golden opportunity—because really, what do you have to lose?
Whether you take that first step or not is entirely up to you. Your projects and dreams are your own. Nowhere is it written that you must make them happen. However, once you do make that decision, the key question becomes: “How do you increase your chances of success?”
The starting point? Solid preparation. Gather all the information you need to fully understand the situation. Then, once your project is underway, stay determined and focus on the essential: your goal. Are there other ingredients for success? Absolutely—your attitude. Learn to create your own momentum. Don’t wait for external conditions to align. Those “external factors” will always exist, but you have far more influence over them than you think. At Archetype, we place great importance on helping people understand that they can control outside forces more than they imagine. We’ll explore this further in an upcoming article.
Every situation comes with unknowns. That’s what makes life exciting. But you can manage those unknowns through careful preparation, thereby reducing the risks involved in taking that first step. We call this approach “the art of change”: minimizing uncertainty and calculating risks through meticulous planning. After that, it’s simply a matter of boldness. To take the leap, you have to dare to jump!
And what about Jacques?
Jacques Brel always followed his dreams. He “left Vilvoorde” at least three times. Three times, he deliberately stepped out of his comfort zone. Born into a bourgeois family and employed in the family’s cardboard business, he decided to take his shot and move to Paris—leaving behind his family and three children to pursue his dream of becoming a singer. Later, at the peak of his fame, he ended his singing career to become a film actor—a passion to which he gave his all. In 1974, his third great shift—literally and figuratively—he bought a sailboat and set off to sail around the world. This journey led him to the Marquesas Islands in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, where he spent his final days, far from the maddening crowd.
What HR lesson does Jacques Brel teach us?
The world of human resources is evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. To stand out, professionals must acquire new skills and competencies, but also new attitudes and mindsets. As a specialist in the training and recruitment of Sales & Marketing profiles, Archetype pays close attention to the following qualities: flexibility, adaptability, self-questioning, and boldness. These four virtues are now essential. Far from being a passing trend, they reflect a new mindset. In the future, each of us will need to dare to leave Vilvoorde. Now more than ever.
Marc Diamant, Managing Director, Archetype
