One of my strength is that when I decide to do something I don't easily give up. But this is also my biggest problem. I'm so focused on the things I want to achieve, that on my way to reach my goal I miss the point where it should be better to stop and ask myself "do I still want this?"
This is what happened when I decided to become a coach. Sometimes between studying and setting up a practice I lost my passion for this goal. I did what I thought I have to do e.g. training, building the website and so on, but no matter what I tried nothing really worked out like expected. "But it has to!" you would hear me say, I tried to force the flow.
Because other people knew about my plans and asked me "how is the coaching going?" how could I tell them, that I'm no longer really interested to have my own coaching business. What would they think?
I ignored the signs that showed up the last year over and over again. I've spent most of my days exhausted, sick and genuinely unhappy.
So, how come that I realised now what I tried to ignore in the past? Well, I had a coaching session myself a few days ago and one part of my homework was, to imagine how my life would look like in 5 years from now. The other part was to think about ways to get a client by the end of the month. It suddenly dawned on me that I have absolutely no interest to do the same things I did so far to get the business off the ground. The mere thought about how much I struggled in the past makes me stay under the duvet.
Therefore it is no longer necessary to think about ways to attract clients. My goal no longer excites me and I don't care what other people think. If there are clients in the future I'm happy to coach them, if not, so what.
I appreciate what I have learned so far, I always wanted to have my own website, as well as a blog and I wanted to write articles. But it is time to let go of what no longer works for me and make room for something new.
What I really want is being happy and healthy. I like to travel and have a long vacation. Oh yes, and thought of writing a bookd makes me really go "Wow!"
I want to spend enough time with my Dad, enjoy the weekends without feeling guilty that I haven't worked enough on my goal. I want to meet up with friends after work, go clothes shopping and not asking myself afterwards, if I had better spent the money for my coaching business.
I just want to have fun with what I'm doing and whenever a goal no longer excites me, I won't pursue it any longer.
X
Christina
Monday, 28 January 2008
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Happy New Year to you all!
I'm back from my much needed vacation.
I've spent two weeks with my Dad, away from the bustling city of Munich. My days were filled with sleeping, eating, drinking, reading, spoiling the cats.... and sometimes I took a walk outside. It was the first time in years, that I didn't miss my life back home in Munich.
That made me think how I would love to spend the rest of my life? Definitely I want to enjoy life more and take more time off to relax. Because I feel I need more time to rest.
And since I saw a picture of the Maldives I dream about spending my next vacation there! For me, this is an adventure, because I always chose big cities near a beach but also near a shopping mall to prevent I'm getting bored.
Now I imagine lying on the white sandy beach, listening to the soft sound of the waves, a cocktail in hand. My beach bungalow is only a few steps away with an open shower and a jacuzzi on the terrace, where I relax after writing a few pages of my bestseller. Food and drinks are delicious and all-inclusive and from time to time I take a plunge in the ocean, where a colourful underwater world awaits me. Ahh.... bliss!
Of course, there are other plans for 2008 too, but this one is more exciting than anything else! And nobody says I can't work and have fun too.
So if you make plans for 2008, make having fun and enjoying life your number one!
X
Christina
I've spent two weeks with my Dad, away from the bustling city of Munich. My days were filled with sleeping, eating, drinking, reading, spoiling the cats.... and sometimes I took a walk outside. It was the first time in years, that I didn't miss my life back home in Munich.
That made me think how I would love to spend the rest of my life? Definitely I want to enjoy life more and take more time off to relax. Because I feel I need more time to rest.
And since I saw a picture of the Maldives I dream about spending my next vacation there! For me, this is an adventure, because I always chose big cities near a beach but also near a shopping mall to prevent I'm getting bored.
Now I imagine lying on the white sandy beach, listening to the soft sound of the waves, a cocktail in hand. My beach bungalow is only a few steps away with an open shower and a jacuzzi on the terrace, where I relax after writing a few pages of my bestseller. Food and drinks are delicious and all-inclusive and from time to time I take a plunge in the ocean, where a colourful underwater world awaits me. Ahh.... bliss!
Of course, there are other plans for 2008 too, but this one is more exciting than anything else! And nobody says I can't work and have fun too.
So if you make plans for 2008, make having fun and enjoying life your number one!
X
Christina
Saturday, 15 December 2007
2007 - what a year!
2007 was a year of big changes for me. In fact, I changed more things that haven’t worked for me anymore than I did in the last years.
I changed work assignments twice; I changed my hair colour and my hairstylist. And I decided to end friendships with people who drained my energy for a long time. And until now it hasn’t stopped.
I feel like a snake throwing off the old skin. It was also a painful time, because I had to let go of plans I thought they would work out, but in the end they haven’t and it is better to stop what keeps you from moving on.
Clearing off clutter in my home is next on my to-do-list. I don’t want to start the New Year with old ballast.
What will 2008 bring for me? On my wish list for the next year are:
Writing more articles and getting paid for. A new job that not only pays the bills but provides me with a decent income. Working with optimistic people, who have goals no matter what age they are. Spending my vacation (if there is any vacation) in Dallas. Winning a makeover from one of my favourite magazines. And of course, health for friends, my family and me.
Oh and there are my secret wishes, buried for a long time now, but who knows, maybe they will be fulfilled next year.
Whatever your wishes for 2008 are, I hope you get everything you dream of!
X
Christina
I changed work assignments twice; I changed my hair colour and my hairstylist. And I decided to end friendships with people who drained my energy for a long time. And until now it hasn’t stopped.
I feel like a snake throwing off the old skin. It was also a painful time, because I had to let go of plans I thought they would work out, but in the end they haven’t and it is better to stop what keeps you from moving on.
Clearing off clutter in my home is next on my to-do-list. I don’t want to start the New Year with old ballast.
What will 2008 bring for me? On my wish list for the next year are:
Writing more articles and getting paid for. A new job that not only pays the bills but provides me with a decent income. Working with optimistic people, who have goals no matter what age they are. Spending my vacation (if there is any vacation) in Dallas. Winning a makeover from one of my favourite magazines. And of course, health for friends, my family and me.
Oh and there are my secret wishes, buried for a long time now, but who knows, maybe they will be fulfilled next year.
Whatever your wishes for 2008 are, I hope you get everything you dream of!
X
Christina
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Don’t burn the candle at both ends - relax before you burn out
Last week I did something very unusual. On Wednesday I went straight home from work without stopping to run any errands. At home I turned on the TV curled up on the sofa and for the rest of the evening I did – nothing!
“So what,” you might say “I do this every day” but for me it is highly unlikely to come home and simply relax. The reason for my strange behaviour was, I didn’t feel well. I had a cold for two weeks and it wasn’t getting any better. Overall I had a problem at work and I couldn’t find a way out, a situation I genuinely hate.
Burnout syndrome – not only manager and so-called high achiever are suffering from it. A survey found out that this syndrome could befall everybody in every profession. Especially people who define their self-confidence and self-worth through their jobs.
Also the year is coming to an end and there are only 3 weeks left until Christmas and for many this is a very hectic and stressful time. There seem to be a heavier workload at the office, there are Christmas Parties to attend and gifts to buy. Not to forget the decorating of the house and the tree.
Why don’t we allow ourselves enough time to relax and recharge our batteries before an illness forces us? From childhood on we are told to be perfect and strong, that we only can achieve something when we work hard. No wonder, that we don’t allow us the “weakness” to call it a day and enjoy our leisure time.
We don’t have to do everything. It is true that nobody else can do a job as we would do it, but it is healthier to delegate things and accept that nothing has to be perfect, so let go of the need to be in control. This way we have much more time and energy for our other interest. The time before Christmas should be a time to enjoy and not a time to run us into the ground.
My to-do-list for the coming week contains things I like: meeting with my former colleague for shopping and fun, treating myself to a new nail polish, spending the next weekend with my Dad and spoiling the cats.
And most important having a good time and relaxing!
“So what,” you might say “I do this every day” but for me it is highly unlikely to come home and simply relax. The reason for my strange behaviour was, I didn’t feel well. I had a cold for two weeks and it wasn’t getting any better. Overall I had a problem at work and I couldn’t find a way out, a situation I genuinely hate.
Burnout syndrome – not only manager and so-called high achiever are suffering from it. A survey found out that this syndrome could befall everybody in every profession. Especially people who define their self-confidence and self-worth through their jobs.
Also the year is coming to an end and there are only 3 weeks left until Christmas and for many this is a very hectic and stressful time. There seem to be a heavier workload at the office, there are Christmas Parties to attend and gifts to buy. Not to forget the decorating of the house and the tree.
Why don’t we allow ourselves enough time to relax and recharge our batteries before an illness forces us? From childhood on we are told to be perfect and strong, that we only can achieve something when we work hard. No wonder, that we don’t allow us the “weakness” to call it a day and enjoy our leisure time.
We don’t have to do everything. It is true that nobody else can do a job as we would do it, but it is healthier to delegate things and accept that nothing has to be perfect, so let go of the need to be in control. This way we have much more time and energy for our other interest. The time before Christmas should be a time to enjoy and not a time to run us into the ground.
My to-do-list for the coming week contains things I like: meeting with my former colleague for shopping and fun, treating myself to a new nail polish, spending the next weekend with my Dad and spoiling the cats.
And most important having a good time and relaxing!
Don’t burn the candle at both ends - relax before you burn out
Last week I did something very unusual. On Wednesday I went straight home from work without stopping to run any errands. At home I turned on the TV curled up on the sofa and for the rest of the evening I did – nothing!
“So what,” you might say “I do this every day” but for me it is highly unlikely to come home and simply relax. The reason for my strange behaviour was, I didn’t feel well. I had a cold for two weeks and it wasn’t getting any better. Overall I had a problem at work and I couldn’t find a way out, a situation I genuinely hate.
Burnout syndrome – not only manager and so-called high achiever are suffering from it. A survey found out that this syndrome could befall everybody in every profession. Especially people who define their self-confidence and self-worth through their jobs.
Also the year is coming to an end and there are only 3 weeks left until Christmas and for many this is a very hectic and stressful time. There seem to be a heavier workload at the office, there are Christmas Parties to attend and gifts to buy. Not to forget the decorating of the house and the tree.
Why don’t we allow ourselves enough time to relax and recharge our batteries before an illness forces us? From childhood on we are told to be perfect and strong, that we only can achieve something when we work hard. No wonder, that we don’t allow us the “weakness” to call it a day and enjoy our leisure time.
We don’t have to do everything. It is true that nobody else can do a job as we would do it, but it is healthier to delegate things and accept that nothing has to be perfect, so let go of the need to be in control. This way we have much more time and energy for our other interest. The time before Christmas should be a time to enjoy and not a time to run us into the ground.
My to-do-list for the coming week contains things I like: meeting with my former colleague for shopping and fun, treating myself to a new nail polish, spending the next weekend with my Dad and spoiling the cats.
And most important having a good time and relaxing!
X
Christina
“So what,” you might say “I do this every day” but for me it is highly unlikely to come home and simply relax. The reason for my strange behaviour was, I didn’t feel well. I had a cold for two weeks and it wasn’t getting any better. Overall I had a problem at work and I couldn’t find a way out, a situation I genuinely hate.
Burnout syndrome – not only manager and so-called high achiever are suffering from it. A survey found out that this syndrome could befall everybody in every profession. Especially people who define their self-confidence and self-worth through their jobs.
Also the year is coming to an end and there are only 3 weeks left until Christmas and for many this is a very hectic and stressful time. There seem to be a heavier workload at the office, there are Christmas Parties to attend and gifts to buy. Not to forget the decorating of the house and the tree.
Why don’t we allow ourselves enough time to relax and recharge our batteries before an illness forces us? From childhood on we are told to be perfect and strong, that we only can achieve something when we work hard. No wonder, that we don’t allow us the “weakness” to call it a day and enjoy our leisure time.
We don’t have to do everything. It is true that nobody else can do a job as we would do it, but it is healthier to delegate things and accept that nothing has to be perfect, so let go of the need to be in control. This way we have much more time and energy for our other interest. The time before Christmas should be a time to enjoy and not a time to run us into the ground.
My to-do-list for the coming week contains things I like: meeting with my former colleague for shopping and fun, treating myself to a new nail polish, spending the next weekend with my Dad and spoiling the cats.
And most important having a good time and relaxing!
X
Christina
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Reasons to celebrate
On my way to work this morning I thought about the fact, that my day job is still the same for 6 month now. Today exactly 6 month!
Well, this could be a reason to be frustrated, or even depressed, but I decided it could also be a reason to celebrate. The same day 6 month ago I started my job at this company and I have successfully resisted the urge to quit. Enough to be proud of, because I was tempted to no longer show up there many times in the past.
But the good things about this day job are the short way to commute, the flexible working hours and more important it brings in the money while I follow my new career.
So, I raise a glass of Champagne to my success!
X
Christina
Well, this could be a reason to be frustrated, or even depressed, but I decided it could also be a reason to celebrate. The same day 6 month ago I started my job at this company and I have successfully resisted the urge to quit. Enough to be proud of, because I was tempted to no longer show up there many times in the past.
But the good things about this day job are the short way to commute, the flexible working hours and more important it brings in the money while I follow my new career.
So, I raise a glass of Champagne to my success!
X
Christina
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Are you sure, you are on the right path?
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.
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.
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