Heike: Her job as an IT specialist was making her sick
Diagnosis: Depression. After her nervous breakdown Heike’s doctor pulled the emergency brake. The IT job was making her sick. This was the start of her journey from an IT specialist to a professional clown. Read More
Matt: It’s the little things which are the most important ones
“The little things are the most important ones” was becoming kind of a life motto for Matt who had an accident with his motorbike. All these things brought him to New Zealand where he travels on his motorbike with his surfboard strapped to his bike. His destination: Wherever the waves are good! Read More
Fabian: It’s better to fail than never to try at all
Fabian tried many jobs, but he was never happy. This was when he realized: “It’s not the job, it’s me!” So he took off on a trip to New Zealand – and a journey of self-discovery. He claims: It’s better to fail than never to try at all. Read More
Sean: One day you will look back and think: It was worth it!
Sean: Artist, teacher, surfer. A man with a big dream and a big plan. He wants to set up his own art gallery with an ice cream shop to be able to live his dream: Paint, surf, have ice cream. In his words: One day you will look back and think: It was worth it!
Andini: If you really want to change something take a first step
Andini loved her job as an event manager in Jakarta. Lots of business trips, good money, interesting clients. One day she woke up and thought: I have to change my life. And she learned: If you really want to change something take a first step. Read More
Bhummy: The accident changed my life
The accident changed her life. She nearly died: Meet Bhummy, former researcher, shooting range manager and sales representative with one big passion: Coffee!
What was the turning point of your life?
I had a bad accident. I nearly died. My brain was bleeding. This moment has changed my life. I thought: You never know how long you are going to live. That’s why I decided to do what I love. To live with no regrets!
How did the accident change your life?
I did a lot of research on the brain. How it functions. And how our thoughts, our way of thinking influences our daily life. Our thoughts are so powerful. When I realized that I started to get all the crap out of my mind. For the first time in my life I asked myself: What makes me happy? What do I want to do with my life?
What makes you happy?
Coffee and coffeeshops! Writing and blogging about coffee topics. Meeting inspiring people, people with a similar lifestyle and mindset. And I like languages and writing. Some day I will write a book!
Tell us about how a latin dance class made you re-think your life?
Your research job was safe, interesting, good money. What was wrong?
I wasn’t really unhappy as a researcher. But at some stage it wasn’t a challenge anymore. I wanted more. Wanted to try new things, learn more. So I quit and did exactly that: I tried out many things. I changed my life.
Researcher, shooting range manager, make-up artist. Are you serious?
Yes! I know it sounds ridiculous! But I was interested in all these things! So after quitting my research job I became a sales executive in a silk factory. And then I worked as a shooting range marketing executive, a make-up artist, a Ted-X volunteer. And again as a researcher. I wanted to try everything I was interested in!
What have you learned from these jobs?
The last job, another research job, simply came into my life. It was a great job and on top of that I had the chance to work with Asia’s best researchers. I’d say that I did a good job. But I quit again. Why? Because I finally realized that this just wasn’t me. It didn’t make me happy. I don’t want to work to make other people successful anymore. I want to do my own thing. Life is short – so I want to be my own boss!
You want to do something with coffee. What’s your plan?
Why did you turn down job offers?
What have been your biggest learnings?
1) Doing so many jobs showed me: I can do anything I want. You don’t need a degree, but passion. I can teach myself anything, when I am interested in it. So I think trying out new stuff is great. But at some point you have to focus on one thing and just make a plan.
2) My business degree at university was just theory. It was interesting. But for all my jobs in marketing and sales it didn’t help me at all. Everything I needed for my daily work I learned on the job.
3) After my accident I started to look at my dreams and fears. I asked myself: What makes me happy? Asking yourself this question ist the most important thing in life. It changes everything! And I realized: If I can change something, I need to do it. If I have no control about something, I have to accept it without wasting any energy. If want my life to change, I have to change myself.
4) I decide who I spend time with. And what I do. For example being on my phone all day totally distracts me. That’s why I started checking my messages only at certain times. Every day, every second exists only once. Live the moment!
What inspires you?
Coffeeshops. My favorite coffee? I don’t have one. When I am feeling fat, I drink an Americano. When I am feeling great: Latte. Coffeeshops inspire me. The vibes, the atmosphere. Every day I choose a different coffeeshop – depending on what I want to do on that day. Sometimes that’s a café with loud music which motivates me. If I want peace and quiet I go to the Omnia Café in Chiang Mai. Another reason why I like working from coffeeshops is that I always meet people with a similar lifestyle: Artists, digital nomads, writers.
Your book recommendations
“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”
Bhummy: This book changed my life. I tidied up. My room and my thoughts. Now I am more organized, more focused and I know what I want.
“The Happiness Planner”
Bhummy: A life-changing book. A must-read read to find out what you want to do with your life. 14 questions that changed my life – and my mother’s life. For the first time my mum asked herself what she really wanted to do with her life.
Bhummy, the best of luck for your coffee journey – keep on rocking!
Hedwig: I had a great job but I wasn’t happy
Who is the girl living in an old van in front of a hostel in New Zealand? Meet Hedwig from the Netherlands. A woman who had a great job in Brussels, but wasn’t happy. Finally, she had the courage to quit… Read More
Moritz: The doctor who became an extreme hiker
90 Mile Beach New Zealand. It’s pouring down. Suddenly: A black spot on the horizon. It’s Moritz, extreme hiker from Germany. And doctor. A man who’s been hiking for two years. Full-time.
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