Working Mothers in Career Positions: How to Navigate Challenges

Uncategorized
Mothers who pursue a career aside from their family are facing a series of unique challenges. As it goes, people often feel so stuck in their challenges that they don’t seek help. Oddly, they think the challenge is unique to their life, and nobody would understand or be able to help. The general vibe in our societies, the expectations we associate with both roles (the working female & the mother) can be so dissociated, that any particular female might experience the consequences of the following statement: We expect women to work like they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work. - Eve Rodsky (2019) What do you think? What feelings come up for you? Please send me a comment. I’d love to read what associations come…
Read More

How to get your VISIONS & MOTIVATORS ALIGNED

Uncategorized
Sometimes I discover wondrous things about the motivation that lies behind the wanting of things, by inquiring about what it would mean to the person to have what they desire. And sometimes, it becomes refreshingly clear that a person already has all they strive for. The Story of the Mexcian Fisherman* (A Parable) An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large fresh fish.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he…
Read More

The Aspiring Writer (A Coaching Story)

Uncategorized
I know this woman, who is wonderfully talented in many ways: Always striving to learn, to better herself, to live up to her values of freedom, peace, and equality. She deeply believed in sustainability, in flourishing both inside and out without destroying our resources. She had been writing a book. For a long time, she had been planning, conceptualizing, writing and not writing, contemplating and motivating (herself), without making much progress. She consistently moved all kinds of other areas of her life forward: she learned, she worked, she raised her child, but her book had not been thriving. One day, she spoke about this with her coach. She realized that she had a conflict within herself: She believed that we (as humans) do not have to destroy the world we…
Read More
Powerful Speaking leads to Freedom

Powerful Speaking leads to Freedom

Uncategorized
From „I have to“ to “I will”Have to > Can > Prefer to > Want to > Intend to > Will When was the last time you said “I have to [verb]”. And what was the feeling that accompanied that statement? The thought I am inviting you to think with me today is about the connection between how we speak, how we feel and how much power and freedom we give ourselves:Step 1: Obligation | “I have to” / “I must”When we say “I have to” or “I must”, we are expressing that there is an obligation, or an external locus of control. We do not have much choice, and our freedom is at best very small.My example sentence is “I have to do the dishes!”. Because I have been…
Read More
Walk 4 Change

Walk 4 Change

Uncategorized
Walk for 20 minutes | In a natural setting | Without technological distractionsExperience the Changes in your body and mind WHERETo start with, think about a place near you that is or represents "nature" for you: A place that is easy to access, is quiet and untouched if possible Where you can be undisturbed by other people (if other people are present, don’t worry; be prepared to tune them out though) HOW ... to prepare mentally: All technological devices have to be turned off, muted or not brought along, so you are free to experience the sensation of "unplugging" and "reconnecting" Walks 4 Change always do something for me: Sometimes, as I find myself taking a deep relaxing breath, I realized that I had not even been aware of the…
Read More

Unplug 2 Reconnect (INTRODUCTION)

Uncategorized
Do you experience stress that has a negative impact you can feel it in your body? Do you feel like you are on a hamster wheel without the opportunity to follow your heart and do - or even think - what you long for? Have you had experiences in nature that have deeply moved you and that you still remember? This coaching series is all about unplugging from stress & living your vision: focusing on the future you long for, and sustainably tapping into positive feelings by focusing your attention on emotionally relevant events in the past, present and future. And that works! You have probably heard quotes like "We are what we think." You may have already told yourself, “I can’t do that” (and consequently, you have proven to…
Read More
Challenging Compassionately & Directly

Challenging Compassionately & Directly

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Uncategorized
Coaching is pointing out what I sense, hear and see to benefit the client.* The magic of coaching is in the set up and in the intentions. And it works. My superpower is that I am very empathetic and I listen exceptionally well, which creates an open and safe environment that bubbles with prospects. Another potential lies in the way coaching challenges a person’s thinking and beliefs compassionately and directly. Here is an example: Imagine someone who keeps putting off making arrangements regarding the succession of their business. Said person is in their 70s and their health has become a bit fragile. Asked in the right context with a compassionate intention, a direct challenge would be: “What if you were not able to attend to your business, starting tomorrow and…
Read More

What goes around comes around

Uncategorized
The expression What goes around comes around is backed up by neurological research. Because of neurons in our brain, if we are in sage mode, like joy, curiosity or peace, the person interacting with us will gradually shift to the same mode, which then will fuel our own sage, creating a virtuous cycle. If you look into a happy face and genuinely connect with that person, you will feel happier. How can you easily and authentically make people - and yourself - happy? It can be small things: Really connect with people from your heart, for just 10 seconds. Bring a smile to the people in everyday encounters. Tell someone you know a thing you recently appreciated, but have not mentioned yet. Tell a co-worker a strength in them that…
Read More

Two Caterpillars

Uncategorized
Two caterpillars were sitting on a cabbage leaf having a chat. Suddenly, they heard a loud swishing noise, and looking up, saw a beautiful butterfly flying overhead. The first caterpillar looked to the other, shook his head and said, ‘You’ll never get me up in one of those things.’ (by Scott Simmerman) __________ Question: What represents the butterfly (or change) for you? __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
Read More

Judgement or compassion

Uncategorized
“Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.”- Wayne Dyer __________ “What you see is evidence of what you believe.”- Wayne Dyer __________ Ask yourself: -Is your opinion the truth (or is it a hypothesis)? -Does what the other person is doing really matter to anyone but them? Does your opinion really matter to anyone but you? -Do you have compassion? __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Mental Fitness Coach
Read More

Neuroplastizität bestätigt: Wir können das Leben kreieren, das wir wollen!

Uncategorized
Are your familiar with the term Neuroplasticity? – It refers to the brain’s ability to adapt, form new neural pathways, and change the wiring of brain circuits. Metaphorically speaking, this means that certain pathways become highways, and other just gravel paths. It also means that we can develop the gravel paths into highways. Practically speaking, this means that we can train our brains. It means we can change our thinking. It means we can change our habits, how we think, speak and act in the world. As a life coach, I would like to point out the great possibilities this approach holds for the world of coaching: We can train our brains. A good life coach can help establish new habits. I am accepting new clients. Contact me today for…
Read More

Wie lebt man in einer scheinbar kleinen Welt

Uncategorized
I find that with the restrictions imposed on us during COVID, my world is shrinking to the size it was when my daughter was born. Back then, we were living in the wilderness, and I was the only person taking care of the baby. I could not leave the house or have any time to myself for a seemingly long time. I learned how to carve out a space in my life that would hold who I was, so I would not loose myself. And it worked. For example, instead of going for long walks or do the outdoor chores (like getting water from the creek), started Yoga, which I could do inside with the baby around. I also reframed – that is, give different meaning – to seemingly tedious…
Read More

Emotionale Ansteckung

Uncategorized
You might have noticed that you are affected by the emotions of people around you. If someone expresses worry, frustration or anger, it will be picked up by you and others around. The same principle applies to positive emotions. Social Psychologist Elaine Hatfield calls this phenomenon emotional contagion. If you read about it you will find out that humans need the pack and from an evolutionary perspective, it has been safer to play along with the group rather than being left alone in the wild. I want to focus on an empowering aspect: Every person can be that catalyst! If other people’s emotions affect ME, then my emotions affect OTHERS. Isn’t that wonderful? Here is a current example from my life: This morning, I was walking to the school bus…
Read More

Die Welt der kleinen Dinge: Samen

Uncategorized
Again, I was walking home from the school bus, when my gaze fell upon a little milkweed seed on the ground. It was glistering with dew drops. While the general scene, albeit sunny and not too cold, was rather brown – mind you, it is November and nature supposed to be brown – that little seed was a sparkling messenger of life and hope. Have you ever thought of all the beauty we might miss, by focusing on the big picture only?
Read More

Glücklich sein, hier und jetzt

Uncategorized
"Happiness is a Value, not a Goal!" That means, happiness is not something to look for, to try to reach, a goal, but a value, something to believe in, a moment-to-moment way of being! Does this sound familiar? - “I will be happy when _______” (fill the blank). What did you wish for as a child? – Your next birthday gift? As a teenager? – Your driver’s licence? As a young adult? – A good job? / A wonderful partner? – And once you got what you were wishing for, how long did your happiness last before you filled in the blank with something new, a new condition for your happiness? What are you longing for or chasing today? – Do you think this ____ (fill the blank) will make…
Read More

Die Welt der kleinen Dinge: Eiskristalle

Uncategorized
We had a few frosty nights. In the mornings, on the way to the school bus, I keep finding the most beautiful ice crystals. I keep thinking how intricate they are. I realize that the world does not end where my attention ends. And I am in awe. What do you think? What’s a seemingly little thing that you were in awe of? Please share a comment or a photo!
Read More

The Benefits of Laughing

Uncategorized
What makes you laugh? –  For me, it is quite frequently my husband, who has a gift of seeing and pointing out the humor in things that I sometimes take (too) seriously. Laughter is beneficial for our physical and mental health. It can lower our blood pressure and improve concentration. In an emotional way, laughing can it can alleviate stress and anxiety. Even spiritually, laughter can help us feel more connected and whole. You don’t feel like laughing? – Even so, try doing it anyway, because our body does not know the difference between fake and real laughter. Please share what make you laugh happily!
Read More

Grounding Myself In Nature

Uncategorized
Much has been said about how our modern life tends to create a disconnect with nature. In my coaching (and in my life) I seek to keep things simple: I need nature to survive: It gives me food, it gives me air, it gives me space to move and space to experience my connection with all other living things. When I get really calm I experienced that I AM PART of this wonderful world. What does it look like for you when you feel grounded? - Please drop me a note!
Read More