Fun Facts about me! :)
Ok, so maybe more facts than fun... But as marketer I know all about the power of over-promising in headlines. It worked, didn't it :)
Anyway, since a big part of Life Done Differently is about my life and my journey, I thought it would be good to tell you a bit more about myself.
So, let’s start at the beginning. It was April 1984 when a little baby girl with lots of dark hair arrived in this world…
Just kidding, I’m not bore you with a detailed account of the last 33 years of my life. What I thought I’d do it give you ten facts: The ten things that I think most define who I am today.
So here it goes.
Saltwater addict!!!
I absolutely love the ocean and anything in, on or near it. Kitesurfing is my favourite thing in the world. I love paddle boarding, SUP-surfing and just bought a long-board so am now on a mission to learn to surf it. I plan my weekends around the weather and I usually commit to plans with a “but if it’s windy I probably won’t make it…”.
In love with New Zealand
I grew up in Germany and moved to NZ when I was 22. I love this place so much I actually wrote it a love letter for our 10 year anniversary.
Textbook INTJ
If you’re thinking WTF is that; it’s one of the personality types as defined by Myers-Briggs. Understanding personality types and how they are different is something I’m really interested in. I’m pretty much your text book INTJ (as per this definition anyway). If you’ve never done a Myers-Briggs personality tests, I highly recommend it. Super interesting to learn more about yourself. I'm pretty sure I'll be writing more about personality types soon.
Outgoing Introvert
People often confuse being introverted with being shy even though they are actually quite different things. I’m definitely not shy. I’m known to speak my mind, I don’t have any problems striking up conversations with strangers and I can deliver presentations in front of hundreds of people. But I’m definitely an introvert in the sense that being surrounded by people, especially ones I don’t know very well, takes a lot of energy and I don’t have any problems being on my own for longer periods of time or going out on solo-adventures.
It's all about Passion!
I believe the best thing in life is finding something you’re really passionate about and then giving it all you’ve got!
Used to be unhealthy & fat
I turned my life around, lost over 50kgs, got fit and healthy and, most importantly, happy. Now, this is not a weight loss blog! The reason I put this here is because even though I’ve managed to keep a healthy weight for over 4 years now, having been that overweight for most of my life is still one of the most defining things about me. The fact that I managed to turn things around is something I am incredibly proud of and that taught me how strong I am. But just as importantly, it defines me because food and health continue to be a major struggle for me every day. I can control it better today but it’s still a fight (something else I’m pretty sure you’ll read more about soon).
Grew up in Germany
as much as I’m a Kiwi at heart these days, there’s definitely still a German inside of me as well (not many can beat me when it comes to finding the most efficient way to do something…)
Love animals ...
... and have a reputation of forming (overly) close bonds with other people’s pets (the neighbour’s cat, a friend’s dog…). Yip, I’m one of those people that stops to pet random dogs on the streets :)
Always learning about somthing
I actually get up an hour earlier than I have to each morning and spend that hour learning about something. Right now it's investing. Before that is was goal setting, nutrition, personalities, business strategy, design thinking, the list goes on...
Determined & fiercely loyal
(some might call it stubborn). While it took me forever to learn kitesurfing, I never gave up. If I really want something I’ll do what it takes to get it. And while I’m not one to make new friends fast, when I do it’s friends for life. Yes, this last one probably should have been two bullet points but I promised you ten and the German in my will deliver 10 :)