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Paul was 24 when he joined a graduate program offered by a global investment bank in New York. Growing up in Turkey, he struggled with English and wondered why he was there, as his main job was collecting papers from printers. Without guidance or a structured work plan, he felt disconnected and, after two months, considered quitting and moving back home.
[Read more…] about Banking on Health: Two stories from the Edge!
The Boeing B-17, known as the “Flying Fortress,” earned its nickname for its role as a fast, high-altitude bomber that delivered more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. Its exceptional capabilities were crucial in supporting the Allies’ campaign against the German army. Capable of accommodating a crew of 10, pilots held great affection for the plane. As one account goes: “She’ll not only get you to the target and do the job, but she’ll fight her way out, take terrific punishment and get you safely home.”
But there was one big problem with the “Flying Fortress” … the landing. [Read more…] about A change of switches as live-saver
Exactly a decade ago, in April 2014, I took the leap and founded my coaching company in Singapore. Fuelled by enthusiasm and exhibiting perhaps a good portion of naivety, I began the journey of self-employment. As I celebrate the milestone of being in business for 10 years, I’ve taken a moment to reflect on 5 lessons I’ve learned.
1. “Vitamin E” and “Vitamin F”
My journey as a self-employed coach nearly stopped before it even started after my employment pass (EP) application was rejected twice in Singapore. Suddenly, I was a tourist in a place I had called home for nine years. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) required actual coaching contracts to verify my commitment.
Thankfully, with the help of an EP expert and the support from my football family, I secured some initial contracts and obtained my EP. However, my assumption was that now that the shop was open, clients would flock to me en masse was completely wrong. Nobody was waiting outside my door. So, I invested in an expert business coach, Denise Hedges. Her emphasis on leveraging personal networks, forming strategic alliances, and public speaking would become instrumental in building my practice step by step.
With Denise’s help, I made some challenging asks and I am happy to say that during the toughest times it was my football network that came to the rescue. Their recommendations and support went beyond my expectations, enabling me to get started as a coach. And that support has not stopped since. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Khun Rob, Air-Plane-Roland, Warm-Water-Roland, Denis, Markus D., Katze Klaus, Tommy, Nocki, Madse, Christian, and many more.
Vitamin F (Football network) and Vitamin E (Experts) have been crucial. That fact was reaffirmed recently when we got together to celebrate the invaluable support all these experts gave me during the writing and publishing of my book.
2. Do it like Paul Smith
My second learning is closely related to life-advice offered by successful British fashion designer, Paul Smith. At the start Paul did not have the cash to get the business off the ground, so he made the strategic decision to work from Monday to Thursday to make money in areas he had existing experience and knowledge. During the other 3 days, he would focus on developing his fashion business with the funds earned earlier in the week. The rest is history, as he built a successful world-wide fashion brand.
When looking back at my self-employment journey I realise that I am earning my base income as a consultant using skills which I had learned during my time in supply chain management in Procter & Gamble. I always felt that I should separate myself from my consulting past and focus 100% on coaching. But the truth is the time spent consulting has not only become an established practice I enjoy and which “pays the bills.” It also helps me become a better coach, because as a consultant, I get to “walk in my clients’ shoes,” feeling the heat and pressure their work brings.
3. Know thy why … being a gardener
The German word for self-employed is “selbstständig,” consisting of the 2 phrases … “selbst” (self) & “ständig” (constantly), meaning one could / should work constantly. Yes, I certainly experienced the trap of always going on to the next thing that needs to be done, leaving myself little or no chance to rest. It’s been tough, and on several occasions, I came close to burn out.
During the most difficult times, it was crucial to remind myself of my “why.” Why did I want to operate my own business? My why is based on the following quote: “If you want to be happy for one hour, get drunk; if you want to be happy for a week, get married; if you want to be happy for ever, get a garden.” Pondering this quote, I had a remarkable visualisation and epiphany, because working with coaching clients is like supporting flowers in a garden. Instead of plants, I work with “human flowers,” supporting them, caring for them, and nurturing them.
Doing this work, I could be happy forever. To this day, this realisation gives me the reason to get up every morning. I work in my garden and see which human flower needs a bit of “watering” or “care” to help them bloom or get through a challenging dry spell.
4. Get your cheerleaders!
Being self-employed can be a very lonely endeavour, even though, as a coach I speak to lots of people every day. In hindsight, I realise it was crucial for me to have a group of cheerleaders … people who are there in the tough times with a word of support, reassuring me that things will be alright. I’m lucky to be able to think out loud with some close friends and my supervisor Steve. And yet, we all need support on the home front, and, on that score, I am happy to say that my wife Anne is my biggest cheerleader, helping me through the toughest of times.
With all this support. I am proud to look back at 10 amazing years full of learning, growth, and challenges, but also making a difference in the world.
Sure, the going was rough at times, but my fifth learning is that it definitely was all worth it and with this I am very much looking forward to the next decade of “gardening human flowers.”
Eric sits in his glass office, utterly hopeless, bored, and confused. He is an accountant who has arrived mid-life in a job that makes him fall asleep. His wife is thriving in her career as a local politician and is rarely there for Eric. His teenaged son does not like him very much. He wonders what life is still about. He is stuck in a proper mid-life crisis. The only respite Eric gets is in the evenings when he swims in his local pool.
This is how the English comedy-drama, Swimming with Men, begins.
After finding his wife and her boss enjoying a glass of wine at his home, Eric loses it and moves out. Life from then on feels even more meaningless. During one of his swims, he sinks to the floor of the pool, wanting to end it all. This is when he discovers a strange group of men on the other side of the pool … under water … doing very weird things while holding hands.
I met Angelina (name & background changed for confidentiality) as part of a team coaching exercise with a health care provider in Singapore several years ago. She was the lead nurse in a high pressure, highly stressful ICU department. As the long and stressful shifts had started to take a toll, the coaching was targeted to find ways for the team to work more sustainably, whilst maintaining the kind of agility and good results the unit was known for.
As the coaching project progressed, I got to know more about the personal side of some team members. One stood out for me … the lead nurse, Angelina. She clearly was the centrepiece of the unit, supporting everyone, especially the younger nurses and doctors, in a caring way. At times, she could also be tough. For me, she was the “tiger-mum” of the organisation, making sure things got done and nobody was lost along the way
After one of the workshops, Angelina opened her heart and told me her story. I was stunned and, honestly speaking, quite taken aback. [Read more…] about The gift beside the rubbish bin
