For a few weeks now, I'm more confused than ever. I think about my coaching business, that I'm still struggling to get it off the ground. I also think about my day job, when will this assignment finally end?
I wonder if I'm following the wrong path. What if coaching other people was never meant to be for me? Why am I stumbling from one bad assignment to another?
Now the fog around these problems lifted a bit. I will keep up the website for my coaching business, but I will try out more other things, like writing articles. And I will follow more my intuition, when it comes to making decisions.
I remember when I went to the Temping Agency to sign the contract. I had a terrible feeling in my gut, everything screamed this is wrong. But stupid me wouldn't listen, I wanted a new job, no matter what. And now I have to pay the price, I'm feeling miserable.
But the main problem was, I left the decisions to other people. In my case that is always wrong. I have to be in charge whether it is in business or regarding the day job.
Now I have finally decided I will stay at this assignment until Christmas, than I have two weeks off and I'm not going back. I know I find something else to support myself, maybe the Temping Agency finds something too.
I hope I remember next time, that I'm the only one who can make the decisions about my life.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Is your net working?
I wonder how many people have a so-called network of business contacts they can turn to. Networking groups on the Internet, or business clubs whose members attend regular meetings should bring them new contacts and of course, work.
I belong to a business club a few months now, but the mere thought of walking in a room full of strangers makes me cringe. I have attended the club meetings two times in the past and although there were great guest speakers and delicious food, there was no time to really talk to others and I was forced to move on and talk to the next available person.
My ears were ringing because of the noise from too many people talking at the same time and I left with a bunch of business cards in my purse and had no idea who these people were.
Obviously the speed of speed networking is not working for me.
After these meetings I asked myself, if the main purpose of business clubs is only to make money through membership fees and not helping their members to make money.
What happened to the good old chat with people on the way to work, at the train station or in the grocery store? Are our lives so busy that we don’t have time for a few words that can lead to a great friendship and instead spend precious time and money at speed networking or speed dating that leads to nothing?
My 82-year old Dad is great in networking, no matter where we are, he always knows somebody. He even flirts with women in the bakery who are much younger than I am and they love to treat him to free piece of cake or a cup of coffee.
Another good example of a successful net-worker is his friend. He is self-employed, sells decorating items on trade fairs and without a website or email account, he has a flourishing business. His secret? He is open and friendly and always finds time for a little chat, no matter how busy he might be. If I would suggest to him that he should join a business club, he would think I’m out of my mind.
What both have in common is, they network all the time. Not in scheduled meetings, not with the intention to make business or to schmooze their way to a free meal. I guess we can learn from them, you never know who knows whom.
I belong to a business club a few months now, but the mere thought of walking in a room full of strangers makes me cringe. I have attended the club meetings two times in the past and although there were great guest speakers and delicious food, there was no time to really talk to others and I was forced to move on and talk to the next available person.
My ears were ringing because of the noise from too many people talking at the same time and I left with a bunch of business cards in my purse and had no idea who these people were.
Obviously the speed of speed networking is not working for me.
After these meetings I asked myself, if the main purpose of business clubs is only to make money through membership fees and not helping their members to make money.
What happened to the good old chat with people on the way to work, at the train station or in the grocery store? Are our lives so busy that we don’t have time for a few words that can lead to a great friendship and instead spend precious time and money at speed networking or speed dating that leads to nothing?
My 82-year old Dad is great in networking, no matter where we are, he always knows somebody. He even flirts with women in the bakery who are much younger than I am and they love to treat him to free piece of cake or a cup of coffee.
Another good example of a successful net-worker is his friend. He is self-employed, sells decorating items on trade fairs and without a website or email account, he has a flourishing business. His secret? He is open and friendly and always finds time for a little chat, no matter how busy he might be. If I would suggest to him that he should join a business club, he would think I’m out of my mind.
What both have in common is, they network all the time. Not in scheduled meetings, not with the intention to make business or to schmooze their way to a free meal. I guess we can learn from them, you never know who knows whom.
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Confessions of a Beauty and Fashion Addict
I’m happy to renew my subscription to three women’s magazines every year and I can’t await the arrival of my trusted beauty and fashion advisors.
Nothing beats an evening curled up on the sofa with my favourite magazine and a glass of something sparkly. Who needs a social life when beauty forums are just a mouse click away? Nobody else would understand the excitement about the hottest nail colour or why it is necessary to have more than one eyeshadow. Other people might collect art - I collect lipsticks, I only wonder why their colours are not very different.
Who said that men are hunter-gatherers has never seen a woman on the hunt for the latest fashion item.
Mulberry, blackberry, elderberry – when it comes to fashion, purple is the new black for me this season. Every woman needs to update her wardrobe and no matter what dress size I am at the moment, a new handbag will always fit. I remember how happy I was when I carried my new bag home and it was a bargain too! Not to mention the envious looks my colleagues gave me, the first time I had it with me at the office. What I still need is a matching pair of shoes - and gloves maybe?
Cashmere sweaters? Give it to me! With cashmere sweaters in all the classic colours a girl is always in style. When I see the colour-coordinated piles in my favourite department store, I would love to roll around in them.
I don’t like to workout, but browsing through the drugstores in search for a new perfume is like an exercise for me. I’m sure this way I burn off a lot of calories and have fun too. I can spend hours testing all the new arrivals and convincing the salesperson that I need more samples before I can decide what scent will have the honour to grace the shelf in my bathroom. Along with the other countless perfume bottles which found their way into my home over the year.
And who can resist scents that claim to be “voluptuous feminine, floral, rich sensual and full-bodied, with sweet musk and powdery amber.” They promise to wrap you in like a warm blanket on a cold winter night and before my mind clears and reality kicks in, I see myself handing over my credit card.
I hear you Sarah Jessica Parker – I had to have it too!
X
Christina
Nothing beats an evening curled up on the sofa with my favourite magazine and a glass of something sparkly. Who needs a social life when beauty forums are just a mouse click away? Nobody else would understand the excitement about the hottest nail colour or why it is necessary to have more than one eyeshadow. Other people might collect art - I collect lipsticks, I only wonder why their colours are not very different.
Who said that men are hunter-gatherers has never seen a woman on the hunt for the latest fashion item.
Mulberry, blackberry, elderberry – when it comes to fashion, purple is the new black for me this season. Every woman needs to update her wardrobe and no matter what dress size I am at the moment, a new handbag will always fit. I remember how happy I was when I carried my new bag home and it was a bargain too! Not to mention the envious looks my colleagues gave me, the first time I had it with me at the office. What I still need is a matching pair of shoes - and gloves maybe?
Cashmere sweaters? Give it to me! With cashmere sweaters in all the classic colours a girl is always in style. When I see the colour-coordinated piles in my favourite department store, I would love to roll around in them.
I don’t like to workout, but browsing through the drugstores in search for a new perfume is like an exercise for me. I’m sure this way I burn off a lot of calories and have fun too. I can spend hours testing all the new arrivals and convincing the salesperson that I need more samples before I can decide what scent will have the honour to grace the shelf in my bathroom. Along with the other countless perfume bottles which found their way into my home over the year.
And who can resist scents that claim to be “voluptuous feminine, floral, rich sensual and full-bodied, with sweet musk and powdery amber.” They promise to wrap you in like a warm blanket on a cold winter night and before my mind clears and reality kicks in, I see myself handing over my credit card.
I hear you Sarah Jessica Parker – I had to have it too!
X
Christina
Monday, 8 October 2007
There is a life out there
Last time I asked "How much fun do you have?" and I did this on the Internet in several forums.
A few women replied to this and there was one who was in the same situation like me. To make a long story short, we met up last week and we found out that we have quite a lot in common.
What I never could imagine happened: it is really possible to find new friends over the Internet. I only wish it would be easier to find friends in the "real" world!
X
Christina
A few women replied to this and there was one who was in the same situation like me. To make a long story short, we met up last week and we found out that we have quite a lot in common.
What I never could imagine happened: it is really possible to find new friends over the Internet. I only wish it would be easier to find friends in the "real" world!
X
Christina
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
How much fun do you have?
Do you remember the series "Sex and the City"?
I saw pictures on the Internet the other day, they are currently working on the movie in New York. What I liked best about this series was, when the four girls met for a drink or two in a fancy bar and simply had fun. That's what is missing in my life. A regular girls night-out to have fun.
Well, I can't say that I lead a boring life. I'm living in Munich, have a full time job and I'm working on a second career. I visit my Dad in Ingolstadt almost every weekend to help him with his house and garden and I'm also renovating my home there, in the time that's left.
Not to mention the many hours I spend in the evening, searching the Internet for information, posting to forums and writing new entries for my blog.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my life like it is now, but I don't have any friends in Munich, the only people I meet are the ones at work, not the kind you want to have as friends. And I don't have friends back home anymore, the interests have changed over the years.
So, what about your lives? Do you miss something, maybe more fun?
X Christina
I saw pictures on the Internet the other day, they are currently working on the movie in New York. What I liked best about this series was, when the four girls met for a drink or two in a fancy bar and simply had fun. That's what is missing in my life. A regular girls night-out to have fun.
Well, I can't say that I lead a boring life. I'm living in Munich, have a full time job and I'm working on a second career. I visit my Dad in Ingolstadt almost every weekend to help him with his house and garden and I'm also renovating my home there, in the time that's left.
Not to mention the many hours I spend in the evening, searching the Internet for information, posting to forums and writing new entries for my blog.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my life like it is now, but I don't have any friends in Munich, the only people I meet are the ones at work, not the kind you want to have as friends. And I don't have friends back home anymore, the interests have changed over the years.
So, what about your lives? Do you miss something, maybe more fun?
X Christina
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Writing a book?
My cry for help regarding my writer's block has found answers, a big Thank You to everybody who helped me with this problem.
Now my article is ready for posting and I´m brave (or stupid?) enough to think about writing a book. OK, maybe a small one for now, maybe a book that will never see the shelves in the book stores. I can write a book only for myself, just for fun.
Of course, it would be great to land a book-deal, but had J.K. Rowling that in mind when she sat in a coffee shop and wrote "Harry Potter"?
Well, it might be better when I take a writing course first, EVE magazine has a special offer for their readers. If I can manage to book the course in October, I would love to fly to London for that. And it is a good excuse for a shopping trip too.
Millions of books are published every year and I have purchased so called best-seller, e.g. for coaching, because of recommendations in magazines and reviews from readers. But sometimes I was very disappointed.
I wonder, who decides what is interesting for the readers? Agents? Publishers? Are there polls to find out what is "in", what sells?
Is it possible for everybody to write a book and sell it? What is the secret for creating a chart-topping novel?
Let me know, what you think!
X Christina
Now my article is ready for posting and I´m brave (or stupid?) enough to think about writing a book. OK, maybe a small one for now, maybe a book that will never see the shelves in the book stores. I can write a book only for myself, just for fun.
Of course, it would be great to land a book-deal, but had J.K. Rowling that in mind when she sat in a coffee shop and wrote "Harry Potter"?
Well, it might be better when I take a writing course first, EVE magazine has a special offer for their readers. If I can manage to book the course in October, I would love to fly to London for that. And it is a good excuse for a shopping trip too.
Millions of books are published every year and I have purchased so called best-seller, e.g. for coaching, because of recommendations in magazines and reviews from readers. But sometimes I was very disappointed.
I wonder, who decides what is interesting for the readers? Agents? Publishers? Are there polls to find out what is "in", what sells?
Is it possible for everybody to write a book and sell it? What is the secret for creating a chart-topping novel?
Let me know, what you think!
X Christina
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Writing Tips
No, I don´t have any, instead I could use some myself.
I try to write my first article and although I have read inspirational self-help guides such as "Ten ways to get in the habit of writing," there is nothing written about how I can overcome writer´s block.
I have followed the recommendations to get myself into a regular routine of writing, I try to write on my way to work, in my coffee and lunch break. But what can I do, when my mind is so occupied with the daily distractions of my job, or simply as blank as the piece of paper I´m staring at?
A lack of creativity combined with poor writing skills adds to that and is not a good foundation for writing a bestseller either.
And above all there is the nagging feeling, what if I don´t have a talent at all for writing, whether it is a blog or an article? OK, as a coach I should know better, how to change a limiting belief, but I´m only human.
So, everybody who reads my cry for help, if you can give me any practical advice, or if you like to share your story, how you became a successful writer, please let me know!
X Christina
I try to write my first article and although I have read inspirational self-help guides such as "Ten ways to get in the habit of writing," there is nothing written about how I can overcome writer´s block.
I have followed the recommendations to get myself into a regular routine of writing, I try to write on my way to work, in my coffee and lunch break. But what can I do, when my mind is so occupied with the daily distractions of my job, or simply as blank as the piece of paper I´m staring at?
A lack of creativity combined with poor writing skills adds to that and is not a good foundation for writing a bestseller either.
And above all there is the nagging feeling, what if I don´t have a talent at all for writing, whether it is a blog or an article? OK, as a coach I should know better, how to change a limiting belief, but I´m only human.
So, everybody who reads my cry for help, if you can give me any practical advice, or if you like to share your story, how you became a successful writer, please let me know!
X Christina
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