Prevent Family Separation
Prevent Family Separation in Global Mobility
Stop me if you have heard this before. Still, the general belief among people seems to be that separation rates among expatriates are higher than those among native (aka stay-at-home) professionals. I want to point out that this is not the case. The reality is that this idea comes from the fact that the impacts of family separations are much more significant. Consider the difficulty of handling separation and potential custody disputes through geographical boundaries. Discussion among multinational Global Mobility circles is centering on the issue of Dual-Career Expat Couples.
Why You Need To Care About This
You may be wondering how their relationships and related problems impact businesses. The answer is simple:
People would choose to leave their international assignment to save their marriages or, as one Partner in one of my former GM Leader roles once said, “Happy Wife, Happy Life.”
A McKinsey study shows that 70% of expat assignments fail, meaning the position gets vacated, and companies have to spend extra money to replace and train personnel, meaning their growth slows down. Businesses, therefore, have a vested interest in seeing these relationships succeed.
To get the professionals’ perspective, research conducted by PwC found that most employees listed the spouse’s career as a barrier to mobility.
Many would not choose to disrupt their spouse’s established careers and move them to another country.
Reports from Crown and Brookfield pointed out that family challenges of international relocation remain a top reason for assignment refusal and failure. At the same time, a growing body of anecdotal evidence suggests that many expatriate marriages often fail at massive cost to organizations (McNulty, 2015). Nearly 70% of expatriates and their spouses reported “marital breakdown” as the most crucial reason relocations fail (Lazarova et al., 2015; Lazarova & Pascoe, 2013).
The reasons for Expatriate Failure are usually not well captured. There is a data hole here, and we must assume that family reasons are a significant reason for expatriate failure rates. This lack of data needs to be addressed shortly as the importance of this issue rises, as a recent survey from Mercer highlights. According to the NetExpat and EY Relocation Partner Survey, 71% of the companies surveyed claim that Expat Spouse’s unhappiness is the primary reason for Expatriate Failure.
In light of all these findings, improving spouse and family assistance as well as spouse career support clearly needs to feature at the top of the list of challenges and priorities of Global Mobility programs.
Regarding Expatriate Failure rates, one example that I tend to criticize is that assignments often end prematurely because of business considerations, expats accepting a new role in a new location, or ending school years. However, the project was still a success.
The current definition of Expatriate Failure would categorize such an assignment as a “failure.”
In contradiction to “Expatriate failure,” “Expatriate Adjustment” is used as a common way to measure the “success” of an international project and is often equalized with carrying out the assignment during the assigned period.
There isn’t a quick or easy solution to this issue, especially with the data hole present. Let us look at possible solutions to this issue, how to improve the Expat Experience (XX) for your spouse or life partner, and how best to handle the problem in case the worst outcome becomes inevitable.
Besides Expat Spouse’s career, KPMG identified another main demographic reason that leads employees not to take up an international assignment: sexual orientation.
In 2018, only 40% of the companies they surveyed had Diversity and Inclusion objectives as part of their Global Mobility strategy, while only 20% had actually planned to review their policies after reassessing the demographics of their globally mobile employees based on diversity.
Additionally, excluding gender, other points such as ethnicity, age, religion, and disability status have not yet been captured in the global mobility space.
Like in most of today’s international companies, you have probably come to recognize the proven benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace. However, if you are in a same-sex relationship, the reality of Global Mobility can be complex. Even if your Global Mobility Manager is open, you could face immigration challenges and prejudice in the host country.
How do we Define Expat Spouse?
As most countries require you to be legally married to enter their borders, I will also use the term Expat Spouse for life partners. Also, this term applies to all genders and same-sex relationships. For clarity, the gender-neutral ‘spouse’ is the expatriate’s life partner, and the word is also commonly included in contracts and policies for international assignments. We will also use the time Expat Couple. For further definitions and terminology, consult “The Global Mobility Workbook”(2019).
What you can do: Eight Ideas to Avoid Family Separation on Your Expat Assignment
1 – Involve Your Spouse
You (the Expat) must appreciate and contribute in any way possible to not let your Expat Spouse compromise their career. Many Expat Spouses can probably relate to the experience of living in a country that is not always of their choosing.
Often, they also have very high professional qualifications and years of solid work experience behind them. Suddenly though, they are left without any employment despite real efforts to find work and might even struggle to have their degrees recognized in the new country.
The most crucial point here is that you involve your Expat Spouse in the decision-making process from the beginning, not only when the moving truck pulls up the driveway.
2 – Understand Immigration
Many countries do not automatically grant the right to work to the Expat Spouse. You need to check if your company will support your Expat Spouse with obtaining a work permit. You can check the host country’s immigration websites for initial guidance.
3 – Support as long as necessary
Assist your spouse in getting a job or starting their own business by being financially supportive. You can agree on a temporary loan so they don’t feel dependent on you. Discuss the financial situation during the assignment and what it will mean for their old-age pension and other saving plans they might have. Make sure you aren’t troubling them by overemphasizing.
4 – Spend Quality Time Together
A new place can feel daunting and scary, often lonely. Spend quality time with your spouse so they don’t feel alone in a new place. Plan weekends away to learn the positives about living in a new culture, not just daily life. Explore the new culture and meet other people to build a network of friends fast.
5 – Consider Joining A Support Group
Joining a support group of people going through similar experiences can also guide your Expat Spouse in adjusting to change. Several online and physical communities around the world are worth looking into. And when it comes to Switzerland alone, the choice is large: from the well-known Internations to Expatica and from the Zurich Spooglers to the Hausmen of Basel, the opportunities to connect with fellow Expats and Expat Spouses in the country are plenty.
6 – Help Your Spouse In Finding Volunteer Work
In Switzerland, a lot of associations depend on volunteers. Search for English-speaking groups your Expat Spouse could support, like SINGA Switzerland or Capacity Zurich. If you have children, you can also help international schools and kindergartens. Generally, this is easier done by joining parent associations like the ones at the Zurich International School or the Inter-Community School Zurich.
7 – Give them a Coaching Voucher for a Session with Angie Weinberger – Expat Coach
We have a lot of experience helping clients mend their broken relationships. One session can help shift the Spouse’s mindset from victim to self-reliant, strong, and active professional. You can also buy “The Global Career Workbook” (2016).
8 – Step Back For The Next Career Move of your Spouse
Even though this one idea is pretty self-explanatory, it is hard to do in practice, especially if your income is a lot higher than the income of your Spouse. Take turns in whose career is leading the decision for the next assignment. That means stepping back when it is your spouse’s turn to advance in their career.
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Resources
Top 10 Tips for a Killer Linkedin Profile
References:
Black, S. J., Mendenhall, M. E., Oddou, G. (1991). „Toward a Comprehensive Model of International Adjustment: An Integration of Multiple Theoretical Perspective”, The Academy of Management Review, DOI: 10.2307/258863
Bruno, Debra. (2015, March 18). „Divorce, Global Style: for Expat Marriages Breaking Up is Harder to Do”, The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 29, 2020, from https://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/03/18/divorce-global-style-for-expat-marriages-breaking-up-is-harder-to-do/.
KPMG. (2018). „Inclusion and Diversity in Global Mobility”, KPMG. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://assets.kpmg//content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2018/06/global-mobility-inclusion-and-diversity-how-gms-can-help-move-the-needle.pdf.
Hsieh, T., Lavoie, J. & Samek R. (1999): „Are you taking your Expatriate Talent seriously?”, The McKinsey Quarterly. Retrieved April 29, 2020, from https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-63725939/are-you-taking-your-expatriate-talent-seriously.
Lazarova, M., McNulty, Y. & Semeniuk, M. (2015). „Expatriate family narratives on international mobility: key characteristics of the successful moveable family”, in Suutari, V. and Makela, L. (Eds), Work and Personal Life Interface of International Career Contexts, Springer, Heidelberg, pp. 55-76.
Lazarova, M. & Pascoe, R. (2013). „We are not on vacation! Bridging the scholar-practitioner gap in expatriate family research”, in Lazarova, M., McNulty, Y. and Reiche, S. (symposium organizers), ‘Moving Sucks!’: What Expatriate Families Really Want (and Get) When They Relocate, Symposium at 2013 US Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Lake Buena Vista, FL.
McNulty, Y. (2015). „Till stress do us part: the causes and consequences of expatriate divorce”. Journal of Global Mobility, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 106–136. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-06-2014-0023
McNulty, Y., Selmer, J. (2017): Research handbook of expatriates.
Weinberger, A. (2019a): „The Global Mobility Workbook, “Third Edition, Global People Transitions, Zurich.
Weinberger, A. (2019b): „The Use of Digital Intercultural Coaching with Expats and Implications for Transition Plans in Global Mobility”, Master’s thesis, The Institute for Taxation and Economics, Rotterdam, from https://feibv.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Master-Thesis_Weinberger-Angela_Jan-2019_Final.pdf
Planning Cash Flow for Female Expats and Founders
Planning Cash Flow is not only critical; female expats, like anyone living abroad, may experience concerns about cash flow. The financial aspects of expatriate life can be complex and influenced by various factors.
Here are some common considerations:
1 – Understand Currency Exchange Rates
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact the purchasing power of expats. Female expats may worry about how currency movements affect their income, savings, and overall financial stability.
https://www.expat.hsbc.com/international-banking/what-makes-exchange-rates-move/
2 – Consider the Cost of Living in Zurich, Switzerland
The cost of living in a new country can differ significantly from one’s home country. Female expats may be concerned about managing expenses within their budget, including housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however, if you have a good managerial job your net take home also tends to be high.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Zurich
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/zurich
3 – Learn about the Cost of Childcare
If you have young children or plan to have babies soon, the cost of childcare needs to be taken into account.
4 – Check Employment Opportunities
Securing and maintaining employment in the new location is a critical factor. Female expats may worry about job stability, career advancement, and the potential impact on their overall financial well-being. Generally, there are a lot of open jobs in Zurich. However, since Switzerland is not English-speaking, many jobs require the local language (Swiss German, French, or Italian). In most companies, you must show at least that you have started learning the local language.
5 – Work with Taxation and Financial Regulations
Understanding and navigating the tax and financial regulations of both the
home country and the host country can be complex. Female expats may seek advice to ensure compliance and optimize their financial situation.
6 – Retirement Planning:
– Expatriates often face unique challenges in planning for retirement, especially if they move between countries. Female expats may worry about building a retirement fund that aligns with their long-term financial goals.
https://www.kerenjothomas.com/focusedfinancialconsultingservices
7 – Healthcare Costs:
Access to healthcare and the associated costs can vary widely across countries. Female expats may be concerned about health insurance coverage, medical expenses, and the overall quality of healthcare in their new location.
8 – Emergency Funds:
Maintaining an emergency fund is crucial for unexpected expenses or sudden changes in circumstances. Female expats may worry about building and maintaining an adequate financial safety net.
9 – Support Systems:
Establishing a support system, including financial advisors or expat networks, can be valuable. Female expats may seek guidance on managing finances, understanding local banking systems, and making informed financial decisions.
10 – Family Financial Planning
If female expats have families, they may be concerned about providing for their children’s education, extracurricular activities, and other family-related expenses.
It’s important for female expats to proactively address these concerns by conducting thorough research, seeking professional advice, and building a financial plan that aligns with their circumstances and goals. Establishing financial stability can contribute to a more positive expatriate experience. Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and for start-up founders, managing it effectively is paramount to ensure sustained growth and success. In this post, we’ll explore why optimizing cash flow is crucial for start-ups and provide actionable strategies to achieve this.
Further Resources:
https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/working-teaching-and-research/welcome-center/services-and-downloads/cost-of-living.html
Burnout in the Swiss Workplace
In the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, known for its efficiency and quality of life, the issue of workplace burnout may seem paradoxical. However, the Swiss workplace is not immune to the global burnout epidemic, with employees facing high expectations, long working hours, and intense competition. We aim to illuminate the symptoms of burnout in the Swiss workplace and provide practical steps individuals can take to move forward and find a healthy work-life balance.
Embarking on an expatriate journey is often portrayed as an exciting adventure, promising new experiences, cultures, and personal growth. However, beneath the surface of this exhilarating chapter in your life lies a lesser-explored aspect – the risk of expatriate burnout and trauma. When moving to the land of cheese and chocolate, many of us had an idea of a dream country, and I used to remember my favorite childhood cartoon series, “Heidi,” as a mental reference. During the transition phase I soon realized that there is another reality about Switzerland.
The Swiss Reality
This is a reality you might not be familiar with when you listen to touristy advertisements, and it’s probably not the issue you had in mind (e.g., the high cost of living is a lesser issue when you make a Swiss salary).
- Swiss German is not German. It’s a language of its own, with grammar and words that deviate from High German.
- The Swiss culture is not like the German culture, French culture, or Italian culture. It’s a culture of many cultures, diversity, and regional nuances that is often hard to grasp for foreigners.
- We have long winters and hot summers. There is hardly anything in between. It snows in April and in October. There is a lot of fog during the winter months so you spend a lot of time inside the house.
- Women are not treated equally in the workplace. As a mother, you are expected to stay home a lot more than your husband, take care of lunch and other school-related activities, and take long school holidays.
- There is a hidden “circle of trust” you can only access through a person of status in the network. Status is not always clear at the outset.
- There are underground processes for almost everything. When you are new, you first need to understand how everything works to be able to trust that it is actually working. You can’t be impatient, pushy, or assertive.
- The rules are either implicit, or you get a 60-page manual to understand them (usually called “Wegleitung” in Swiss-German).
- You will feel like second class even if you have high status in your home country.
- The Swiss workweek can feel long, lasting 42 hours.
- People aren’t very open to foreigners so you might have a hard time making friends here.
https://lenews.ch/2022/07/15/switzerland-unwelcoming-to-expats-shows-survey/
https://www.expatica.com/ch/living/integration/life-in-switzerland-476690/
Identifying Burnout Symptoms in the Swiss Workplace:
1. Increased Physical and Emotional Exhaustion:
– Prolonged periods of fatigue, feeling drained, and an overall lack of energy.
– Emotional exhaustion leads to feelings of emptiness and detachment.
2. Reduced Performance and Productivity:
– A decline in work performance, increased errors, and difficulties concentrating.
– Persistent feelings of incompetence despite achievements.
3. Cynicism and Detachment:
– Developing a negative and cynical attitude towards work and colleagues.
– Withdrawing emotionally from colleagues and responsibilities.
4. Physical Symptoms:
– Headaches, stomach problems, and other physical symptoms without apparent medical cause.
– Frequent illnesses due to a weakened immune system.
5. Disturbed Sleep Patterns:
– Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
– Restless nights and waking up feeling unrefreshed.
Understanding the Swiss Work Culture:
1. Long Working Hours:
– The Swiss work longer than many European countries, contributing to burnout.
– Encouraging a culture of work-life balance is essential.
2. High Expectations:
– Swiss workplaces often have high expectations, increasing pressure on employees.
– Establishing realistic goals and open communication can help manage expectations.
3. Competitive Environment:
– The competitive nature of Swiss industries can create stress and anxiety.
– Fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment is crucial.
Moving Forward: Practical Steps to Combat Burnout
I will conduct a free workshop on 16 May 24 at ETH Zurich to support you with Mental Well-Being: TICKETS.
1. Prioritize Self-Care:
– Schedule regular breaks throughout the day.
– Allocate time for hobbies, exercise, and relaxation.
2. Set Boundaries:
– Clearly define work hours and stick to them.
– Learn to say no when necessary to avoid overcommitting.
3. Seek Support:
– Talk to colleagues, friends, or family about your feelings.
– Consider professional coaching.
4. Develop Coping Strategies:
– Learn stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation.
– Identify and challenge negative thought patterns.
5. Communicate with Employers:
– Discuss workload concerns with supervisors.
– Explore flexible working arrangements or reduced hours if needed.
6. Take Breaks and Vacations:
– Ensure regular vacations to recharge and disconnect from work.
– Encourage a workplace culture that values and supports time off.
Recognizing and addressing burnout in the Swiss workplace is crucial for individuals’ well-being and the workforce’s overall productivity. By identifying symptoms, understanding the unique aspects of the Swiss work culture, and taking proactive steps to prioritize mental and physical health, individuals can move toward a more sustainable and fulfilling professional life. Creating a supportive work environment that values well-being benefits employees and contributes to the long-term success of Swiss businesses.
I will conduct a free workshop on 16 May 24 at ETH Zurich to support you with Mental Well-Being: TICKETS.
Resources
- Expatriate Health and Wellbeing Services:
- International SOS
- Cigna Global – Health and Wellness Resources
- Mental Health Support for Expatriates:
- Books on Expatriate Life and Mental Health:
- “The Emotionally Resilient Expat: Engage, Adapt and Thrive Across Cultures” by Linda A. Janssen
- “The Art of Coming Home” by Craig Storti
- “The Expert Expat: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad” by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman
- Online Communities and Forums:
- Cultural Training and Resources:
- Podcasts:
- The Expat Happy Hour
- Expats on Air
- Nomadic Diaries
- Local Support Networks:
- Check if your area has local expatriate support groups or community organizations.
Remember, seeking support and resources is a proactive step toward maintaining mental well-being during an expatriate experience. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out to professional counselors or mental health services can make a significant difference. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and assistance. Global People Transitions is a consulting firm specializing in expatriate coaching, intercultural training, and support for professionals navigating international transitions. They offer services aimed at helping individuals and organizations manage the challenges associated with global mobility.
Digital Intercultural Coaching – Hype or Hip?
A digital intercultural coaching practice is a great idea if you want to become a digital nomad as a grown-up. In 2017, I offered a barcamp session at the SIETAR conference (rather spontaneously). I later wrote an article for the SEU Journal titled, “Digitalizing Your Intercultural Coaching Practice – Ten Steps to a Digital, Global Coaching Practice.” The article is so old that I can’t find it online anymore. Who would have thought that I would be a trendsetter (again)? It scares me how I sometimes foresee an idea like coaching an expat via a smartphone, and ten years later, this has become a reality in my world. I remember that, at the time, the participants were a bit skeptical. I had other reasons to move forward with digitalizing everything. I wanted to decrease my cost base and move out of my costly Zurich practice room. (Which, luckily, I accomplished about a year later…and way before the global pandemic.)
A Digital Intercultural Coaching Practice
Every year, I revisit the status of this article and update it for trends, and I have decided that this article will be the basis for my next workbook. The current working title is “The Global Coach Journal”. I plan to explain all the steps for becoming a global coach with intercultural understanding and working with expats, migrants, and TCK. In short, I will summarize my business journey for others to follow. As with all my workbooks, this will accompany a new program I have been making for a while. If you want to discuss this with me, you can reach out via angela@globalpeopletransitions.com or book a meeting on Calendly. My current policy is that I offer one free call of 20 minutes. Every follow-up conversation will be chargeable. You can also request a free account on the RockMeApp, as I offer special rates to existing clients.
Status Update 2024
I have made further progress and hope to answer your questions on delivering digital, intercultural coaching. What it means for your business model as a coach, trainer, or consultant—many lessons learned also work for consulting. You probably don’t know this, but I used to spend much of my week working as a Global Mobility Project Manager inside companies. In 2024, I mainly work from home.
During the Pandemic, I converted our living room into a spaceship that could easily compete with the Millennium Falcon. We divided the space into three sections: Eat, Work, and Play.
Most executive and business coaches prefer to work face-to-face with their clients. This is usually possible because classical coaching happens within the same city. Like with a therapist, a client builds a relationship with a coach over a relatively short period to follow specific goals. However, many coaches are passed on between clients based on good old word of mouth. It’s not a topic you openly write a review about on LinkedIn. Hence, asking my clients to write an honest review is hard. I feel it breaches our confidentiality agreement.
Digital Intercultural Coaching is still new in the Swiss market. I’ve been running a coaching practice since 2010. My clients are all international, and they are all busy with their global lives.
In the early days of my business, I used to travel to a client in Basel for two hours for a 1.5-hour coaching session. I sometimes coached up to 15 clients in one week. That was the maximum I could manage with a good distribution of hours, without exhausting myself entirely, and with good quality for the clients. Despite having a 60-hour workweek, my income dropped to one-third of what I had made as a Global Mobility Leader earlier. Nowadays, I coach up to 25 clients in one week, which does not drain me. I still find time for new creative endeavors.
I just read in this Global Digital Coach Guide that less than 28% of coaches can make a living from coaching. Now, you have to be careful about such data, as the term “coaching” is used in such a widespread JOB LABEL that it is like saying your last name is “Mueller” in German or that you are a project manager.
However, becoming a successful “Executive Coach” (where you coach global leaders and international mobile executives) is probably best done alongside a part-time lecturing role or another way to earn a living. You can combine it with “Executive Search,” Leadership Development Consulting, Organizational Change Consulting, Outplacement, Intercultural Awareness, or Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Training. Just know that if you are struggling financially, you are not alone.
If you want to build a coaching model with the potential to scale, you need to adopt digital practices to serve more clients in a shorter time frame. I had already experimented with Skype coaching and other online methods, and I figured out that many of my coaching methods would work online, too. We just needed to adapt to the technology.
The 10-Step Plan for a Digital Intercultural Coaching Practice
Step 1: Understand Your Ideal Client
You are not in business for yourself. If you don’t work with a client, as in a person who is willing to pay for your services, you probably have a hobby. Before you think about your positioning in the market, you should know what your ideal client looks like and how she or he lives and works. It’s a good idea to write a story about your ideal client.
Key Factors to Consider When Defining Your Ideal Client as an Expat Coach
Step 2: Have a Profile on LinkedIn
It would be best if you had an authentic online presence. Even if you work as a freelancer, you need to be able to show your qualifications and approach online; you need to connect with clients and potential colleagues online. At a minimum, you should have a good and solid LinkedIn profile. We have several articles on how to improve this, and LinkedIn also has courses on it.
Top Ten Tips for a Killer LinkedIn Profile
The Social Media Newbie Series – Part 1 LinkedIn
Top Ten Tips for a Killer LinkedIn Profile
Step 3: Develop a Mobile-Friendly Website
If your website dates back to 1990 and is not mobile-friendly, you should invest in making it mobile-friendly. You can easily have a WordPress or Google site without investing much money.
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Best-practices-to-make-a-mobile-friendly-website
Step 4: Work from Home (with Boundaries)
One advantage of a digital coaching practice is that it becomes location-independent. If you now think that you can work from coffee shops and the beach, I would say that yes, in principle, that is possible. You will still want to take calls from clients, but you might be able to have those during specific hours of the day when you are in a disturbance-free area.
If you can work from home without feeling distracted, this is your chance to move to the mountain hut you dreamed about. However, in my experience, you can get lonely quite quickly. I prefer to work in Zurich to engage in offline networking and still offer physical meetings with my clients when they are close to my office.
To hold Zoom calls, you will need a reliable Internet connection. We finally invested in fibre about two years ago, after a few days of downtime because of a tech issue at my provider.
It’s worthwhile to invest in good headsets and a comfortable office chair.
Step 5: Work with an Email Marketing Provider
It took me a long time to figure out the best tools and media for sharing my messages with my clients and readers. I read a lot of blogs and reports, and I curate content and events for my readers. Instead of digging through the social media circus, they read interesting posts or watch relevant videos. I always enjoyed sharing interesting content, and now I use this skill professionally.
It’s important to understand that you must build an email list for your clients and prospects despite social media marketing. I recommend a two-list approach. One list is for everyone who is vaguely interested in what you do. This is where you let people join when they sign up for free on your website. In my view, you must have such a sign-up option. In WordPress, you could start with Magic Action Box, for example.
You should also have a list of paying clients. This list is essential for your targeted marketing campaigns. It’s also possible to “segment” lists if you have several programs to advertise. Our readers are usually Expats and Expat Partners. If you aspire to be a digital nomad with a coaching, training, or consulting business and enjoy this post, please sign up here for more.
Step 6: Invest in tech and your user platform
We developed our web application, RockMeApp, to run sessions without paper and in parallel to an online session. Clients can enter their coaching targets, and I can follow up on their weekly progress. Some platforms offer similar options, but you can not influence their layout and design. If you are starting you might want to work as a sub-provider first and invest in your own technology later, when you better understand what is out there. You can use an electronic calendar such as Calendly.
https://calendly.com/angieweinberger/exploratory-session-clone?back=1&month=2024-04&date=2024-04-26
Step 7: Focus on Selected Social Media Channels
I could spend all day on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube. So, I have hired a DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER to help me. The main reason is that I want to focus on writing content and creating rather than sharing and discussing. With good organization, you can spend less than two hours daily on social media.
I advise you to focus on the channel that most speaks to your ideal client. I assume that most of my clients hang out on LinkedIn, and this platform also serves to connect clients and contacts. Also, I often find inspiring articles there by following the hashtags I work with. You can now use ChatGPT to help with content production and other AI to help your writing.
The Social Media Newbie – Part 5 – YouTube
Step 8: Organize with a Shared Cloud Drive and Master Sheets
One of the challenges of today is that we all share everything. It is more difficult to find what you need, especially if the documents are not tagged correctly. I use a system where I try to sort all my work according to event date because I have a lot of events. I also use names and tags on my documents.
As a shared drive, I work with Google Drive because it allows me to share work with my global, virtual team without sending emails back and forth. It also works with corporate clients if they use Google Drive. To keep overviews of projects and tasks, I developed straightforward master sheets in Google Sheets. I like to use sheets as I can post a link (URL) to the relevant document or website there.
We are also using SLACK so that our team can message each other and keep track of progress. However, for me (probably because I am Gen X), a simple spreadsheet is a lot easier to work with.
Step 9: Clarify your Purpose of Digital Intercultural Coaching
One of my principal enjoyments in having my own company, in addition to working with incredible expats, expat spouses, and global mobility managers, is that I have the time and capacity to write and edit. I have been pretty good at maintaining a weekly blog called the “Global People Club Sandwich.” I regularly get requests for guest posts, and together with collaborators, my company has published two workbooks in different formats and editions. My third workbook, “The Global Rockstar Workbook,” was published in 2023. I am currently working on the fourth workbook.
Angela Weinberger – Leadership Coach, Global Mobility Lecturer and Author
Changing Lives: Finding Your Purpose as an Expat Coach
Step 10: Use Paper as a Strategy
As mentioned, my final step to complete digitalization will be to reduce all the paper in the office. To do that, I do not allow myself to print a large quantity of paper in the office. To be more environmentally conscious, I try to have flyers, seminar presentations, and folders printed by professional printing companies. One issue is that I seem to need paper to remember information better. So now I use paper, for example, to write “morning pages” or “have-done lists.” I also use paper to write my coaching notes. To avoid printing, I defaulted my printer to “print to .pdf” and worked on a big screen in my home office for editing. I have noticed that if I cannot read a document online, it might be because it was formatted for print. In that case, it helps to return to the source and check if the same article has an online version.
Thinking about Starting a Business as an Expat Coach?
Entrepreneur of the Month – Meet Angie Weinberger | An Expat Coach in Switzerland & a citizen of the world
Five Steps to Overcome Your Cinderella Complex
I’m not happy with my weight; the last time I was happy with my weight was in 2004. I did a lot of research and there is a theme that I have come across that might help you as well. One reason I am very passionate about this topic is that it has bothered me almost all of my life. It started probably right when I left high school after my German “Abitur” at 19 years of age. I moved to the UK, where I was an Au-pair and put on five kilos in six months (I know the toast and English food was probably not the healthiest). The same happened when I moved to Australia when I moved to India when I moved to Switzerland, and again, it happened over the Pandemic and my broken foot incident in 2021. I always put on more and more weight. And believe me, this is hard for me.
In 2004, I went through a separation and joined Weight Watchers. I went to Esprit and wanted to try on pants in a German size 42, but I was a size 38 then. I was still not a model, and in online dating, I got feedback that my weight was not in the proper range to be considered for a partnership (!), but for me, this was the best weight I have had in a long time. So, let’s say it took 14 years to get from what I would call a “dream body” back to an “acceptable body,” and for the last almost 20 years, I could not honestly say that I was happy with my weight. I never wanted to have my photo taken.
I usually lost weight when I went through a separation, and I put on weight while I was in a relationship. I also think stressful times like cultural adjustment, a death in the family, or a global Pandemic can trigger weight gain. I learned that weight gain could also be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You can follow the “Crappy Childhood Fairy” for more related insights.
Maybe You Suffer from Adverse Childhood Experiences
When I was a teenager, I experienced two traumatic experiences. The first one was that my parents separated when I was 13, and the second one was that my father and sister died in a car accident when I was 16. And I believe to date that this was the worst day of my life, and it could not go further down from there. Sometimes, I tell myself I had to be an adult at 16, and everything that followed was happening in survival mode until I completely turned my life around. This was the year we moved to Switzerland, and I started my coach training. I’m not saying that nothing wrong happened to me in my twenties, thirties, or forties, but honestly, these issues seemed small compared to adolescence. People who know me well might confirm that I usually have a lot of energy and a strong sense of purpose. I get up early, do my thing and many of my clients confirm that they are supported through our process together. If you want to understand more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) read this article.
Maybe You Are Trapped in a Cinderella Complex
You might occasionally get hung up in a Cinderella Complex if you are a “creative daydreamer” like me (Check Joines, V. 2022 for further personality types). What is that?
“What is the Cinderella Complex? The Cinderella complex is a hidden desire to be saved. Deep down you don’t want to be responsible for yourself, and fear independence. The term was made popular by author Colette Dowling back in the 1980s, when she published a book of the same name.”
So, when I was in a relationship with a man, I would probably expect that this man would change my life significantly. Whenever I ended a relationship, I felt more clarity on who I was and what I wanted to pursue. I’m now practicing to follow my passion and purpose irrespective of the relationships and dependencies in my life. It is easier now than in my 30ies because the idea of having children is no longer around. I feel I’m in the best phase of life ever, and more is yet to come. I have a sense of ownership of my life and work that I never had before. I can do even hard things like losing weight now (I have other ideas in the pipeline, but I don’t want to share them yet). It’s time to reap the rewards of past labor.
I want to continue growing, learning, and self-improving, and I will continue to do what I recommend to you here. I will let you know once I have my dream body again. (It’s not there yet, but it’s a lot better than a year ago.)
1 – Seek a Group of Sisterhood
When we are going through a transition and would like to change or heal, we often have a harder time doing this alone. I recommend you seek a support group or enter a course to help you understand yourself better while others support you. Often, suppose you have been traumatized as a child. In that case, you will not have experienced the feeling of safety, and reproducing safety in your adult life will be key to integrating all aspects of your personality into your awareness. You can join a group with similar interests or seek a professional support group. Let me know if you want to join my group. I will start the next one after the summer break.
2 – Fast and Reduce your Clutter
If you are unsure where to start, reduce all your clutter and clean your home. I usually declutter at least twice a year, but last time, I did not go all in, and now I have more time on my hands again and feel I would like to take another go at de-cluttering. Fasting is also helpful, and you could think about fasting because of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. For that, you first need to identify the stressors for you and find out what keeps your nervous system calm. You might be more sensitive to noise, smell, and light than others. Maybe you have a hard time focusing in an open-plan office environment. Or maybe you have a hard time being at home every day. Feel what you need to stay calm and at ease. I have finally found an excellent app called YAZIO. It helps my fasting process. Check “A to Zen Life” for related videos on Decluttering and Healing from Toxic Stress.
3 – Apply one Minimalist Rule to Your Life
I was reminded how often I do this: “I will do x when y happened.” or “I will not do x until y happened.” I do this not only about not buying nice clothes, books, or other stuff but also about making decisions about relationships I know I should probably not engage in any longer. To overcome impulse buying, you might want to consider the “Wish Book.” Noting down wishes for the week also helps me to prioritize. If you feel you can’t afford an investment in something that would make you happy, you might need to trade it for something else. For example, you could sell an item before buying a new item. I like the minimalist rule of “One in, one out.” Or you could buy a piggy bank and sell items until you can afford that thing or piece of clothes or furniture.
4 – Tend to a Sacred Safe Space
One of the external stressors in your life could be that you have not yet developed healthy boundaries, and one way to practice that is by having a space in your home that you reserve for yourself or a small part of the garden that you tend and care for as your sacred space. You might also need to declutter relationships that no longer serve you. Add your style and artwork to the “sacred space.” Give it your signature touch. Make sure that other family members respect your space and don’t touch it.
5 – Develop a New “Me First” Work Routine
If you haven’t learned to set boundaries, chances are very high that you will always serve others first before you take care of your priorities. Over the long run, you might feel used and depleted. While it is okay to help others and be a giver, if you have been traumatized as a child, you will need to learn to stand up for yourself more and own your calendar at work. This is not always easy in the corporate world. Hence, I recommend starting with a baby step similar to the sacred space. Reserve 90 minutes in your calendar in the morning to work on your most important task of the day. Allow yourself not to be reachable and go to the gym or exercise before you do other work. These are five steps for overcoming your Cinderella complex. They will probably sound more accessible than they are. If you want to talk to me, schedule an appointment via Calendly: https://calendly.com/angieweinberger.
Book:
Shahroo Izadi (2018): The Kindness Method – Changing Habits for Good
Dowling, C. (1981): The Cinderella Complex – Womens Hidden Fear of Independence – https://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Complex-Womens-Hidden-Independence/dp/0671733346
Joines, V. (2022): Insight Out
https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Out-Personality-Success-Relationships/dp/1977244629
Videos:
