Moving Up the Career Ladder?
Done.
But how does that make you feel?
Hello, I am Anke Berning.
As Life & Career Coach I help to you to avoid trading off your career for your wellbeing. Don't lose track of the important things in your life: yourself, your health, family and friends.
I strongly believe that a career is only successful if it serves you well on various levels.
Work hard first, then enjoy life later? That's not how it works.
My father died of cancer at the age of 66. He had subordinated his life to his job, with long working and commuting hours. As a sports loving and musical person, he had so many plans for his life after retirement. But he did not get the chance to realize any of them.
Unknowingly I had started to follow in his footsteps. I had adopted his Protestant work ethic and believed that this was the way it had to be: long working days, undisputed levels of commitment and high expectations. I put myself under pressure to “build a career” - which I measured by earning more money, increase responsibilities and putting my health on the back burner. With the result that many years later I ended up on the verge of burnout.
Plagued by massive back pain, with strenuous commuting times, I finally realized in the summer of 2013 that I was repeating my father's example 1:1.
That was the turning point.
I started to listen to my body's signals and think about what was really important to me: my creativity, my work with people in intercultural exchange and coaching, time for exercise and better nutrition. And working hours on my own terms.
Today, at over 50, I love my work and am also making time again for my passion for Japan. My enthusiasm for the people there, the country and its way of life and thinking flows into my coaching work time and again.
Are you feeling stuck in life?
Do you feel that your life is on the right track? Check it out in my free and easy online test.
My Path
As a certified Life&Business Coach I love to change perspective. This is also the result of living and working in various countries and cultures.
Chronology
GERMANY
Origins
From the Lower Rhine Area to Düsseldorf, also called "Little Tokyo". My subjects: German Literatur and Modern Japan Studies. Each new language opens the door into a new world, and lets me grow way beyond learning new words. In "real" Tokyo I share a flat with five Japanese girls. Total Immersion! I learn to think outside the box, beyond cultural and national boundaries.
JAPAN
Between Cultures
After graduation I move to Sapporo as a Coordinator for Intercultural Relations. I give presentations, hold workshops and organise cultural exchange activities. I translate and write. My work is versatile and challenging. Mediating between cultures and ways of thinking has become a common thread in my professional career.
BELGIUM
Gateway to Japan
Building trade relationships between East and West: I go to Brussels as a Deputy Project Manager for an export promotion campaign to Japan. It is an interesting job, but I do not feel at home in Belgium. I experience culture shock. For the first time in my life I realize that I need to do something for my health. An important lesson for my later work as a coach.
ENGLAND
London Calling
Looking for change, I work first in an Internet Startup and then in the finance sector. From a materialistic point of view, all is well. But the work does not satisfy me. A phase of restlessness, that I need to navigate.
SWITZERLAND
Financial World
The mountains are beckoning - and I move to Switzerland. In Zurich I work over 17 years as a client manager and compliance officer in a small, international wealth management company.
2012 I switch to part time and start to build expertise as an intercultural trainer and coach. I experience a deep satisfaction by being able to combine two different sides of me. It works!
2024 a new step: I start out into self employment. No long commutes anymore, no more anxious ruminating at night. My new energy is benefiting my work as a coach.
GLOBAL
Life & Job Coaching, on an international scale
I coach online and in multiple languages. My clients are based in various areas of the world. I support them to adjust their careers in alignment with their down needs and requirements.
You've come to the right place if...
... you want to prevent burnout and finally set healthy boundaries.
Your own health is non-negotiable. Don't postpone your wellbeing until some far away time in the future. Create space for yourself - now.
... you want to decide for yourself how to work from now on.
That does not mean that you are selfish. Only if you are aligned with your values, you are able to make a difference in the world - rather than be at someone else's beck and call.
... you believe that the first step for change can start with you.
Are you ready for a thorough review of your life and career direction? You can define words like career, success and happiness on your down terms!
Book Your Free Discovery Call
Find out if we are a match and schedule a 30 minutes online session.
BOOK YOUR TIME SLOT