I did apply for a job …
It feels like a long time since you heard from me. I was applying for a job that seemed to unite all my old and newly learned capacities.
It was a thrilling experience from Day 1: Somebody publicly proposed that I should become the CEO of a company that wishes to change the world for the better. I knew the founder and had liked his ideas already before. However, was I looking for a job?
I took it as a call from the universe. If it showed to be my next step in life, I would give it a chance and do anything to get it. And so, my journey began.
How do you apply for a job? I never did that. I bought software that brought all my bio entries on LinkedIn into a beautiful structure. Then I started filling the gaps.
I noticed that who I am today directly connects with the Caty I was as a child. An over energetic, joyful little being, bringing happiness and overwhelm to neighbors, friends, and family, always knowing intuitively where energy and truth were.
Later, a competitive swimmer with the best results when swimming for the whole team. I learned to focus, travel in groups with little comfort, give up pleasure for later rewards, and appreciate my first coaches. With their help, I learned not to give up prematurely and became resilient. To study sport after this time was a given.
During university, I helped people by teaching body awareness to relax and get more sensitive to the many early signs the body gives us. I included those uncommon ideas in my sport and gymnastic courses. (today’s embodiment movement).
Some years later, intrigued by Buddha’s teachings and my meditation practice, I understood that everything we experience is fluent, and only the mind is a constant in everybody’s life. The body, impermanent as it is, lost my primary interest. Bringing awareness to people’s minds seemed worth my full attention.
I started building an international Buddhist organization for my teacher and school. I traveled the world and got to know more than 60 countries and their multifaceted ways of thinking and doing. I edited books, created fundraising campaigns, and organized huge international events. However, foremost I advised people non-stop in their private and business life, showing them how to apply Buddhist teachings to become happier in life.
Twenty-five years later, my leadership and apparent life purpose ended abruptly. It took me some time to understand what happened. And how to explain it in a CV? Best with the benefits/learnings of my sudden life crisis:
With the help of the Integral world, I developed a sensitivity to people’s different motivations and behaviors, so I could understand and learn from that experience. I did shine light into areas of my being, strength, shadows, and premature judgment with the help of remarkable mentors, coaches, family, and friends.
I also used my organizational skills and supported two tech start-ups. For one, I organized a business conference and helped create a huge tech festival. However, whatever I did, my strength was to advise and bring out the best in people, motivate the teams and CEO’s not to give up, and stay with their strengths and good intentions.
Again, my life experience, compassion, and clarity were vital. Eventually, I understood that I should professionalize my skills by becoming a certified Integral Coach. From a retro perspective, I see much wisdom in this initially felt detour. My internal process and formal education formed the conditions for coaching.
Being an Integral Coach today is a natural consequence of all the former experiences in my life. I love looking through my clients’ eyes and their way of behaving and shining light into areas that need more of their attention. To give them a hand in their next steps to grow into fuller human beings: integrated, authentic, and happy.
My coaching is founded on my 30 years of meditation and life experience during my travels, the Buddhist teachings, and the newly learned integral perspective. By that, I could remain faithful to my primary motivation to benefit others. My thread of life made yet another turn, and the outlook is genuinely satisfying.
After my job interview, I knew the imagined work was not for me, and so they thought. It wasn’t a calling of the universe to go out again and create a worldwide network by supporting its founder.
It was my chance to see the glue between all the different milestones, acknowledge my achievements and failures, and understand my life’s purpose to benefit others. I understood that my intuition, inner joy, and resilience made me the coach I am today. My conviction that people just sometimes need a hand or other perspective to grow into their best version manifests in my activity. It was a great process and reassurance.
Additionally, three people honored my way of being and added their perspectives in their recommendation letters: one Buddhist teacher, one mentor, and one coachee. With joy and thankfulness, I took their kind words in and accepted their generous and beautifully written perspectives.
So here I stand, reassured and happy. Any needs? What would you write if you applied for a job? What are you good at, and what areas require attention?
I am looking forward to hearing from you. Be well and have a great summer.
