Volker’s blog

Welcome to my personal blog. I have been writing this blog for over 15 years, and love sharing my views of the world. I work as transformational coach (career, life and business coaching), a trusted advisor and business consultant; this includes mindfulness trainings. I also host a podcast on success, wrote a bestselling book and published an online coaching course on how to #BeBetter. Feel free to follow the links on the left-hand side, or reach out to me directly!

Living in a new world – Days at home (39)

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It’s always a long day when you had a glass too many. But that’s fine, the day flew past in the end being busy and in calls most of the day. To be honest, the whole week passed very quickly which is good.

I am hopeful that, as promised by our PM, we will see a plan next week to come out of lockdown, and that it will start week after next. Whilst I am not an expert, that is what I am wishing and hoping for.

This charming picture of me will be the ‘normal’ I think. That’s me going to the supermarket, to work, commute – whenever I go outside really. FaceID on my phone and iPad is overrated I suppose.

Let’s see what happens…..

Anyway, I promised an update on the kids. Another few zoom sessions for the little one, and some more help from us concluded a busy week for them. It’s not easy, and it’s great to see them getting along so well, playing and entertaining each other. Even I have a Roblox and Minecraft account now.

Let’s hope they all go back to school again soon and end up having more time with their mates.

Have a fantastic weekend, stay safe.

Living in a new world – Days at home (38)

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The days seem to get longer. Given the occasion, I took today off. Much needed tbh, the last few days have been intense. Having said that, I did attend a webinar this morning which I found very useful. And I made pizza dough too. Tonight is pizza night, mummy is at work 🙂

My day started with a half marathon on the treadmill, and I finish watching John Grisham’s ‘The Firm’ on Prime. Not prime TV really, but entertaining, which is what I enjoy at the moment. I haven’t quite decided what to watch next, but Bosch has a new season out 😉

I like challenging me to a few exercise goals here and there; it was followed by a lot of quality time with the family. And I watched the rain.

On the note of watching, this video was shared on Facebook the other day. I love it, it captures the spirit of these difficult times for me. Beautiful:

As you might have noticed, I have some time today. A new device too, so I must get used to it and type a bit more on the blog today. Apologies.

My online coaching course is 99% there. If you would like a preview, try www.be-better.thinkific.comwww.be-better.thinkific.com. I hope to go live early next week.

That’s about it to be honest. It’s nice to take some time off. Whilst a lot of people have been less busy, I haven’t sat still since the lock-down. Then again, that’s not what I do.

Maybe I have more news about the family tomorrow. 1st of May too! Time to get out of here!

Stay safe, and Happy Birthday Colonel Tom!

Living in a new world – Days at home (37)

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Hump Day. Middle of the week. Half way there.

A few early pressies arrived and it was a stay at home day. Sorry, bad sense of humour here, but to be honest, today was a bit dull.

That wasn’t in terms of work, actually I have been in calls since 7 am, ploughing through staff from mindfulness, technology, webinars, team chats and partners. Then a coaching session, discussions around my online course etc. It was more because of the weather.

And, without saying, the boys seem to feel it too. They are keen on their computer games, feel a bit down, and I believe they miss their mates at school. That is all fair enough and understandable. I guess we all love this to end sooner rather than later, and given developments in other countries it looks really good, doesn’t it. Fingers crossed.

But what will be next? And how?
Distancing in schools? Distancing in trains? Commute, work? And what about jobs?

There are so many things to worry about, but we will get through that, and get out stronger on the other side!

Believe in tomorrow they say, and better weather 🙂

Stay safe,
Volker

Living in a new world – Days at home (36)

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Make it 5 weeks. Yesterday already, actually. That means 3 weeks of lock down with the children and 2 weeks of lock down as ‘holidays’ or school break. It’s difficult to juggle both. No holiday for me anyway.

This morning started off with a podcast recording I cannot wait to put live. Amazing person, great chat, and lots I learned. Those are the best!!!

And now…rain 🙁 I am staying optimistic though. It feels like we are getting out of here soon, doesn’t it. No reason, just my gut.

I want to be honest, I am starting to struggle a bit. So maybe I need to tell me that I we get out soon.
It’s a lot of things to juggle, doing a lot of things to tick over, and working on different projects.
We will get through it though and it will end.
It must end.

It is encouraging to see how other countries come out of lockdown, and we will too. Be patient. It all will be good at the end.

On the home learning front, the boys seem to have even more time, less opportunities to get out and it might get more difficult. But hey, we managed so far, we will manage the rest.

Onwards and upwards!

Living in a new world – Days at home (35)

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How was your weekend?

Ours was great for the most part. Something happened on our walk on Saturday though. We came back with VERY strong hayfever symptoms, almost thinking it could be Covid19. You can’t but panic for a minute. Symptoms all disappeared came Sunday, yet a bit of a weird experience. A good night’s sleep and some antihistamines later I suppose.

I only discovered my hayfever a few years ago, interesting enough I had similar symptoms to this weekend. Then I didn’t know it was hayfever, and thought I was hungover. That wasn’t the case then or now. Moving forward I decided that if there is a high pollen forecast, I will always take my tablets. No more of that malarki!

Other than that….a nice BBQ, nice weather, a chilled out Sunday and the aforementioned walk. We played Scrabble, read a lot and just enjoyed ourselves.

‘Die Seele hängen lassen’, is what you say in Germany. To let the soul chill.

Below are a few impressions.

Now back to normal, yet work is quiet atm. Which is fair enough, given the situation.

If you hear of any contract or permanent roles, feel free to reach out. I have capacity!

Thanks all, and have a wonderful day.

Volker

Living in a new world – Days at home (32)

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Happy Friday.

As I keep telling everyone, I am launching an online coaching course week after next. I am reviewing videos, and start promoting soon. Just to let you know, in case you know of people interested in discovering their values and purpose in life, then please let me know, or send them my way!

Ha, I love those conversations I had today: “I read your blog every day, and the content you put out is really good.” Hence, I want to give a shout out to James G today. Great to chat as always!

Then I had another lovely conversation, this time with someone who probably doesn’t have time to read this. So no name dropping, but how great to catch up after all those months. That happened twice actually today. Social connections, business connections, it’s all blending in, isn’t it. Great to see and hear people.

Oh did I mention the weekend is saved. We got Majestic delivered and by recommendation ordered some wine from Aldi too. Online delivery from 6 bottles…what’s not to like.

So the world is for us. Home schooling is getting more structured and today I made progress on my todo list. On home schooling, year 4 had another zoom call and loved seeing each other again.

Now I look forward to the above (glass of) wine and of course a relaxing weekend.

I’ll be back again Monday.

Have a good one, please stay safe.

Volker

Living in a new world – Days at home (31)

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One day blends into another. A cracking week in terms of the weather, and whilst I complain it’s too cold for the BBQ, my wife keeps reminding me it’s only April 😉

Today just ran away. I am super busy with my online course and discussing things with both the videographer and the social media agency. It’s great to see how a project comes together.

I arranged for a few virtual drinks next week. I had to skip the walk today, so in that sense it is actually great that the wife is home a lot.

What I realise more and more is that I am not a born teacher, e.g. it is a lot of hard work to home-school the children whilst balancing all other activities. I am sure this is only temporary, the question is how long temporary is 🙁

Stay safe, the week is almost over. The weekend is almost here 🙂

Living in a new world – Days at home (30)

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Thanks for reaching out to me, those who did, as I was writing about my job yesterday. Yes, I enjoy the creating of the online course – I actually just reviewed the final cuts from the week 1 videos. It is so much fun, and I hope it pays off. It makes me interested in the whole online learning space and technology behind it.

But yes, I am glad I was asked to do more work for a company to build deeper relationships driving sales. When a mate asked me why I enjoy it so much, I explained that whilst I have enjoyed my leadership positions, and management positions, it is nice to be the one owning a number, owning a company and being the sole contributor. I wouldn’t call it less responsibility, but being more in charge of what I do, less reliant on others. In my early sales days I was called a ‘pitbull’, I since learned to let go if there is no deal 😉 It’s muscle memory sometimes, but with experience comes what the German call ‘Fingerspitzengefühl’ – nothing like a good German word. It translates as instinct but it’s not quite the same. Literally it means ‘feeling in the tips of your finger’. Just knowing I guess.

Also, as you get experienced, you value the longer sales cycles. Yes it is more at stake, but it is also more fun, closing the million pound strategic sales deals rather than the transactional small ones. But I am just saying.

It also makes me think what I want to do moving forward. I guess it depends how various industries recover from the crisis, how deep the recession is, and what’s out there. But the more I discuss this with friends, the more I believe it is back into sales.

Anyway. Aren’t we all in sales all the time? It’s also puzzle time at the Ballueders.
We are quite far along, but I thought I share it with you. A great puzzle to do. It even slows me down, and I truly enjoy it.

Quick update on the boys. They are good, and they are happy. The work isn’t sufficient to fill the whole day, but it keeps them busy a significant amount of time.

Have a good one,
Volker

Living in a new world – Days at home (29)

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Tuesday – what already?

Yes it is. A great day to have conversations with friends and family. And doing some work too 😉
Actually, as a matter of fact, I extended a work commitment and started another. Things are looking great! Different to how I envisaged 2020, but I am not the only one.

Looks like the pandemic is easing in Europe. Fingers crossed. We are all in it together!

For now I am busy enough, which is great. And I keep adding calls to my diary, conversations leading to ideas. Who knows where are in the next 3 or 6 months.

Also, my podcast is making progress. A new episode this Thursday, and from the looks of it, all content for season 3 is scheduled to be recorded. Progress on all fronts I’d say.

Bit of an update on my side, sorry. However, the kids are well. No new or noteworthy pictures. Maybe I take some later, it is BBQ weather – given I went vegetarian, I am exploring the variety of sausages, cheeses, burgers and non meat ribs 😉 It’s a fun journey and I enjoy it a lot so far.

Stay safe!

Living in a new world – Days at home (28)

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Yes, we are back…to school anyway. And no, it is all remote working.

The workload for the kids seem to go down, mine is undefined, and yes things are still slow. With Germany coming out of the lock-down, if slowly, we are all hoping similar will happen here soon too. We might be able to start planning again from in a couple of weeks’ time. Let’s see. Keep your fingers crossed.

In the meantime we continue our daily routine. Exercise, in terms of walks. I am on my path to the 2nd half marathon this month which I want to run (on the treadmill) on my birthday. An 18K warm-up this morning went well, so it’s the rest of ‘The Firm’ on Amazon that I need to finish. Nothing like entertainment during a 2 hour exercise 😉

Below is a Rainbow Sheep. We found it on one of our walks over the weekend.

Life seems peaceful, quiet and bearable atm. Like anyone I speak to, we enjoy too much wine and food. As someone said, we all get out joining the AA and WW. Who knows, keeping fit definitely helps to keep both in check for me.

Enjoy your start to the week.
Stay safe.