And there you are, at a crossroads....

There are those moments in life when you feel: this is not it anymore. You have already achieved a lot, you are strong in your feet, but deep inside you know that there is more to be gained in you and in life. You long for something different, a next step. Not just any step, but one that really makes a difference. For yourself, your family and the world around you.

Just for you, at this intersection, I was standing there too. 

The radical decision that turned my life upside down.

It was 2020. I was about to sign a very good contract. Just needed to sign it, but I couldn't do it. Everything in my body was struggling. And I decided to listen. After 20 years of hard work, I left my permanent job in international corporate business. I had built an impressive career, with a second job in the sports industry on the side. Still, I decided to take a different path. The move was anything but easy. 

On the outside it seemed like I had everything - financial security, a good reputation, status - but inside I felt the urge to change something. I was stuck in the golden cage of security and routine, without the space to really grow and make an impact. Living I always did it in sixth gear. I am a whiz at tight planning, getting my affairs done in a timely manner and looking ahead. My over-regulated life worked like a well-oiled machine. In fact, it is my strength, but in the end I raced along too fast, without dwelling on things that actually matter.

• What am I doing this for?
• What do I really have to do here?
• What is my legacy?

I did not allow myself the time for those kinds of questions. As a result, I became further and further removed from myself and my inner motives. My life felt more like survival. I was working on someone else's mission and lost all challenge and intrinsic satisfaction in my work....

I knew I wanted to make a change, but something held me back. Because the corporate world also gave me stability. A familiar rhythm and a predictable and very good income. But I also realized that this same security was precisely my biggest obstacle. I only really dared to take new steps when I asked myself the questions:

'What's the worst that can happen?'

'What if it did?'

If I did succeed, I would experience the freedom to schedule my own time, feel the satisfaction of pursuing my dreams, and have the opportunity to make an impact in my own way. All things that I did not experience in my then career, but so deeply longed for.

I started working with myself. And today I have left behind my old "MORE, MORE, MORE" mindset from the corporate world. I no longer pursue more status, more stuff, or more money. I am chasing a different 'more'.

• More impact
• More quality of life
• Greater financial independence

Now I am helping other women leaders and established entrepreneurs achieve the same in Life, Leadership & Legacy.

Because you want to get more out of yourself and life

Every day I speak with visionary leaders and entrepreneurs like you, who know that growth is not just about revenue or status, but more importantly about meaning, health (mental/physical energy) and freedom. About having the space to do what you do best, make an impact and live life on your terms.

Because despite all your successes, you lack satisfaction and challenge. You sometimes feel trapped in your own success. You know: it's time for change. Time to grow again, but from peace, space and to achieve more efficiency. So that you don't just work harder, but smarter, with more impact, revenue and freedom.

Change is exciting, but also necessary. It requires letting go of what is now and choosing what you desire. You are choosing for yourself. You choose for life. You choose to grow again: personally, professionally and financially.

For that reason, I developed the Life, Leadership & Legacy Audit. A powerful, holistic tool that helps you gain insight into your personal growth, business impact and legacy. What do you have to do? So that you can become the leader of your life AND your business again.

The Life, Leadership & Legacy Audit: Your mirror for growth

This audit is not a superficial test, but an in-depth self-reflection. It helps you discover where you are now and where your greatest opportunities for growth lie. To take an honest look at yourself, your leadership and the impact you want to leave behind.

Of course, this is not a quick and one-time exercise. And it needs time and space to really get to the core. But here is a list of 30 questions you can ask yourself about Life, Leadership & Legacy to get a first insight into the essence of your life:

Life - Personal Tranquility & Space

1. How often do you feel energized and fulfilled at the end of the day?
2. How much time per week do you spend on activities for yourself, activities that give you energy (sports, hobbies, relaxation)?
3. To what extent do you experience peace and space - a good combination between work, family, social contacts and time for yourself?
4. How well can you set boundaries and say "no" to requests that don't suit you?
5. How often do you consciously take time for reflection, rest or silence?
6. How satisfied are you with your physical health and vitality?
7. To what extent do you feel mentally resilient in the face of adversity or stress?
8. How well do you manage to let go of work outside of work hours?
9. How often do you experience feelings of peace and space in your mind?
10. To what extent do you feel your life is aligned with your personal values and desires?

Leadership - Business Impact & Growth

1. How clear is your vision for the future of your career/business?
2. To what extent do you spend more time on strategic work than on operational tasks?
3. How effectively can you delegate without losing control?
4. How independently and proactively does your team function?
5. To what extent do you dare to make important decisions, even when they are exciting?
6. How well are you able to maintain focus on key goals?
7. How often do you take time to work on your business instead of in your business?
8. To what extent does your career/business create impact beyond financial results (social, inspirational, innovative)?
9. How well can you handle change and uncertainty in your leadership and entrepreneurship?
10. To what extent do you feel you are an inspiring leader to your team and environment?

Legacy - Freedom & Inheritance

1. How much freedom do you currently experience in your life thanks to your career/business?
2. To what extent is your work/business scalable without demanding more of your time?
3. How much of your income is passive or independent of your direct efforts?
4. Do you have a clear strategy for what you want to bequeath (impact, values, financial)?
5. To what extent are you building a legacy beyond yourself?
6. How well prepared is your business for transfer, sale or next generation?
7. To what extent do you invest in personal and business growth with a long-term view?
8. How conscious are you of creating impact for others (customers, employees, society)?
9. To what extent do you feel your business is a tool to facilitate your ideal life?
10. How confident do you feel about your financial future and that of your loved ones?

Score & Interpretation

• Scale by question: 0 = Not at all / Never, 5 = Neutral / Sometimes, 10 = Completely / Always
• Score by domain:
  • 0-30: Great opportunities for growth, start with targeted guidance, you are at the beginning of a new chapter.
  • 31-70: You are on your way, focus on optimization and reinforce what is already going well.
  • 71-100: You live, lead and build your legacy from freedom. Time to accelerate and expand your impact.

This audit is your first step to a life and business on your terms. A life where you decide where to spend your time, energy and money. In which you do what you are good at, what energizes you and what makes an impact.

And I know, your bar is high, your expectations and ambitions are great. Do you now score lower than 7 on several questions? It is important to stop, reflect and choose what is really important and what you can change in order to achieve more. Not to work harder, but to work differently, smarter and more strategically. From leadership and innovation not only grow in turnover, but especially in impact, freedom and satisfaction.

Building a scalable business that supports your life and legacy. And not the other way around. A future-proof and relevant business in which you as a leader free yourself and spend your time and energy on the things and people that really matter, and you can make the most impact. So that you are not only successful, but above all happy and free. On a personal, business and financial level.

I wish you a successful week,

Gerdi

Your success. My mission.

"Through Gerdi I have learned to think strategically and make plans. As a result, I now feel much stronger as an entrepreneur. I have made important decisions and experience confidence that I can achieve my goals. Gerdi's mindset and energy have been a tremendous example for me."

- Heleen Kruitbosch

"Each meeting, Gerdi brought me closer to my own values. I learned beautiful actionable steps that I can use for each step in the future. Its energy I cannot describe-that you have to experience for yourself."

- Myerle Hendrix

Are you at a crossroads? Ready for the next step, a new phase in your life, in your leadership and in business? Do you want to grow from peace, space and greater efficiency?

Know, you don't have to do it alone. I'm here for you-as a strategic business mentor, sparring partner, activator and inspiration. Not with open questions, but with clear answers, strategies and tools that you can apply immediately. So that you get everything out of yourself, your business and your life.

Because you are a visionary. You have grand plans. You know there's more to it. It's time to take that next step. To be challenged again, to deepen, connect and grow. To do what you do best and make an impact your way.

One Life. Lead It. Live It.

Women, it is time to step up.

Set your new standard. Scale to freedom and success on personal, business and financial level.

Whenever you are ready:

✅ Ready to start doing things differently, but want to do it completely yourself? Start to Lead 

✅ Want more time and freedom for yourself and grow your business?  Scale to Freedom

✅ Working together on the new future and focusing on healthy living, leadership and entrepreneurship? Life, Leadership & Legacy including Health & Business Club

✅ A 4-week Sprint collaboration for your specific strategic issue: Whether it's your LinkedIn Sprint, Strategic Positioning Sprint or Growth Sprint.... Your strategic issue worked out into a clear plan with the right actions to achieve your results. 

Because you want to get more out of yourself and life from peace and space 

Profitably grow personally, professionally and financially

Book tips:

Strategy

John Lewis Gaddis - On strategic thinking
Patrick-Bet David & Greg Dinkin - Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy
Alex Hormozi – $100M Leads
Alex Hormozi – $100M Offers

Leadership & Entrepreneurship

The Diary of a CEO - Steven Bartlett
Tribes - Seth Godin
Principles - Ray Dalio
The Lean Startup - Eric Ries
Leaders Eat Last - Simon Sinek
Leading From The Emerging Future - C Otto Scharmer
Transformational Presence - Alan Seale
The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks

PS. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite books list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list. 

Divide = multiply.

As Leader of Your Future = Living and Entrepreneurship on Your Own Terms