The first time we travelled to the Nordic countries to deliver training, we were introduced like this: “The FASE METHOD team has come all the way from Spain to help us be more productive and effective.” The looks they exchanged spoke volumes. Some thought it was a joke; others suspected a hidden camera. Spaniards teaching productivity in northern Europe? It sounded like a paradox.
But over time, they discovered something we consider fundamental: FASE METHOD is global because it has been co-created over more than ten years alongside hundreds of clients from vastly different cultures, styles and personalities. That diversity is its greatest strength. Every country, every team, every individual has left their mark on the methodology.
And perhaps that is why, after so many hours working side by side with Joris, one of our coaches from northern Europe, an idea emerged that felt as motivating as it did natural: to write a book together.
That is how Work Like a Nordic, Live Like a Mediterranean came to be — a provocative title that conceals a powerful truth: effectiveness is about more than not wasting time or spending it on the right things. It is about cultivating the best version of ourselves, understanding that change is necessary, accepting that the path ahead is winding and that there is always room to grow. It is about humility, honesty with oneself, a hunger for improvement and the ability to apply common sense to ever-changing circumstances that shape our lives. The more complex our environment, the more effort we must invest in finding the formula that will make Work Smarter, Not Harder a reality.
In the book, we have developed the 10 commandments for getting organised and achieving balance — combining the best of both perspectives: the clarity, structure and focus of the north; the flexibility, creativity and vitality of the south.
This book, which will be published in the first week of May, is born out of a desire to help us overcome the most common mistake we make: failing to dedicate time to thinking about how we organise our time. It may sound contradictory, but it is the first step towards greater effectiveness — to pause, reflect and design the way we want to work and live.
We would like to extend our particular thanks to Pol Codina for his inspiring foreword, which captures with both precision and generosity the spirit of what we set out to convey throughout these pages.
We hope that, for some readers, this handbook marks the beginning of a life in which the personal and the professional sit in harmony — whatever the circumstances, however complex they may be.