June 2021 was special in many ways this year. Not only were restrictions eased and my social life could finally pick up speed again. But also because, similar to the previous month of May, this month also brought many "firsts." I had many special experiences that I would like to share with you here, for the most part. The many hours of work online and at my desk in my normal work routine, as well as the many hours of data collection and analysis with SPSS and Excel, meetings, and confidential meetings and moderation sessions, are not included. That would be boring anyway 😉
Finally, real social contact again
Throughout the entire pandemic, I was very careful not to put myself or others in unnecessary danger. I've reduced my contacts to a minimum over the last 1.5 years. I primarily attended appointments at companies online and also rarely met friends in person. Sports took place at home or alone in the park, and I didn't travel. Accordingly, I could hardly wait for the day when regulations would be relaxed in Austria. And in June, after initial hesitant relaxations in May, the time finally came. Furthermore, after my first vaccination at the end of May, I also had proof of safe protection by mid-June, in addition to all the PCR gargle tests that we can do at home multiple times a week for free here in Vienna. So I could finally, with a clear conscience, re-engage with people. By the way, something I had to re-learn: small talk, interacting with many people at once... was it like that for you too?
Going out to eat: A social and culinary luxury of enjoyment
Finally, it was possible to go out to eat with friends again, the "
Running Curry"is a daily chore, but a delicious one and my absolute insider tip, which I'm happy to share. I myself learned about it through my friends Julia and Martin. A relaxed 4-hour mini-portion-variety-pleasure-Saturday with dishes from authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in the middle of Vienna. And all this in great weather and linked to a long-awaited reunion with Julia and Martin. Simply wonderful. Unfortunately, in our eagerness to enjoy, we forgot to take photos. That was the start of many subsequent café and restaurant visits. Because from then on, I also started to give the Viennese coffee house culture its due place in my weeks again. I really missed that. It's nice that this is possible again.
The Samba Batucada rehearsals continue
Of course, samples from my
Baturim Samba School occurred. Drumming is probably what I missed the most in the last six months. A few hours of music every week with many other wonderful people, moving, laughing, dancing, celebrating life. That's an important part of how I recharge my batteries during busy and challenging times. The fact that this hasn't been possible for so long definitely took a toll on my energy. Something was missing. It's good that it's back now and hopefully will stay 🙂 Again, there's no current photo here. But since I've been doing this for 9 years, here's an older photo. Not from a rehearsal (those usually result in underexposed photos that don't show much), but from one of the last shows before Corona in the spring of 2020. That way, you at least get an impression of what it's like when we perform after many rehearsals. I'm all the way in the back right with the big drum and the long braid. Since last year, I've also been practicing dancing. At the performance you see here, incidentally, is also my
Photo taken from my About Me page as a dancer (Section "What Few People Know About Me").
Image of
SamBrazilShow
Now that rehearsals are possible again, who knows, maybe shows will be back soon too. First, I'll be at the
August 15, 2021, in Berlin at the "Carnival of Cultures" with the wonderful, unique samba school
"Sapucaiu no Samba" Looking forward to it with great anticipation, even though it's this year in August instead of Pentecost and will only take place in a comparatively mini format.
Enjoying precious voice time
I also have my voice training weekly with the wonderful Svenja Schreiber, who is not only a wonderful musician but also a
Dog coach is and with which I can also explore my voice in singing, among other things. In every hour, I get to learn more about myself here. There are usually no photos here, which is a bit of a theme throughout all these experiences, in which I am very much in the here and now and which are also very personal to some extent. Today, however, I had a lesson again and would like to share a photo of me singing with you. At some point, there will likely be a video too. But that will take a little longer.
When writing this recap, I posted a thought prompt on Instagram asking what song was the theme music for your last month. My theme music for June would probably be a mix of
Rolling in the Deep by Adele (because that's the one I've had stuck in my head the most, as I'm currently learning the song) and
ZAZ What will come 🙂 because it fits my current life situation.
In Vienna for the Rainbow Parade
I almost didn't think it was possible anymore, but it actually happened! The Rainbow Parade finally took place in Vienna again this year! With plenty of distance, colorful masks, and some of my favorite people (all vaccinated and tested), I took to the streets with many others for more diversity, equality, equal opportunities, and against discrimination. It felt really good after everything that has been happening in Vienna this year alone regarding femicides, and also what is currently happening in neighboring European countries (especially in Poland and Hungary). Finally being able to raise my voice with many others on the streets for a better world was very moving (yes, I shed a few tears of joy, the energy was simply incredible). And after the parade, cooling off in the fountain in City Hall Park was also not to be scorned.
On June 30, 2021, my friend and the entire drumming group wanted to go to the show with me.
"Handmade" by Paul Sommersguter and finally, experience art again. Unfortunately, after a massive heatwave in Vienna, a storm broke out that very evening, just in time for the show: wind, rain, and thunderstorms. This is naturally difficult for open-air shows on the
Prater stage Less than optimal. Unfortunately, the show was canceled, and we went for dinner instead. As soon as there's a rescheduled date, we'll be on our way. Because this show is highly recommended. If you like magic and enjoy laughter, Paul is the right person for you.
Photo 1 from the show Handmade, posted by
Michaela Taberhofer Agency, from the
Paul Sommersguter's Facebook Page. Flyers from Paul Sommersguter's homepage.
Fortunately, professionally, it's moving more away from the computer and back into "real" (lived) experience.
I consciously chose the profession of business consultant, trainer, and coach several years ago for various reasons. Of course, because it appeals to me professionally and it comes naturally and is fun for me. But also because I love working with people and a desk job – like in research before – does not suit my nature at all. A little desk work is okay, it's part of it, it's important. But not too much, please. Since the start of the pandemic, my personal ideal balance of activities has unfortunately shifted more and more towards the desk. Of course, because meetings were only possible virtually, as was everything else. That's why I was all the happier that in June the other side of the scale was finally filled again: appointments with people, on-site, live, in the middle of it all. How much I missed that!
The first in-person training in what feels like an eternity
I am a business consultant, coach, and trainer in addition to my self-employment, and I am also a
Healthy Business Consultant for "Tut gut!" Health Vorsorge GmbH in Lower Austria on the go. Here, together with 12 other colleagues, I support and guide companies in the private and public sectors on their journey of occupational health promotion. Within the companies themselves, our contacts are the so-called health representatives. We offer advanced training for this role annually. This year, together with my colleagues Wilma and Andrea, I conducted the seminar "
Communicating for Success in Routine Operations"conceived. For a long time, it was uncertain whether we would be able to hold it online or in person. Ultimately, we were actually able to hold it in person. Finally, being able to hold a training session together in one room with the participants again, despite masks and social distancing, was a great feeling that I had really missed during lockdown.
Photo of Melanie Berger,
Source: Homepage "Tut gut!" Gesundheitsförderungs GmbH
Finally, participatory observations outside the virtual world again.
A core activity of mine, in addition to coaching and training, is also evaluation and process consulting. I am currently evaluating 3 funding projects on behalf of the
"Institute for Systemic Organizational Research". Below, for 2 years, the projects
"Mindful 8." and
"Fit Calves - Fit Environment".Data collection is essential for evaluations, serving as the foundation for analyses of the status quo and potential future approaches. In addition to questionnaires, qualitative surveys are particularly central to my knowledge acquisition. This is especially true when addressing how specific activities are received by target groups, what impact measures are achieving, or what potential for optimization still exists. For this, I often conduct guided interviews, but my preferred method is participant observation. This allows me to observe and document the dynamics of events on-site. I can directly gather feedback and reflections from a diverse range of stakeholders (who are otherwise often difficult to access), conduct brief interviews, and simply immerse myself in the field. These insights complement the numbers and graphics from quantitative surveys, enabling holistic results and reflections.
Although all funded projects continued during Corona, everything was understandably limited to virtual formats. Consequently, a crucial element of my evaluation data collection was absent. This finally changed in June. For those who follow my
12 out of 12 blog posts on June 12 For anyone who read it or followed the day on Instagram, they were live for a whole day of participatory observation. And as part of the mobility breakfast at the BioCenter in the "Fitte Wadl - Fitte Umwelt" project of FH Campus Wien, I was also finally able to collect data on-site again. It became very clear once again how little the virtual world – while it's great to have this option – can replace experiencing and working live.
All the more I'm currently enjoying every live appointment, be it a closing ceremony of a corporate health promotion project, like the one from
Jewelry Auto House or surveys like the ones just presented. Another great "first time in ages" was a day I spent with my
Colleague Bianca Engelmann from Germany I've dedicated myself to the conception of a training. Live, on-site, in my office in Vienna, together. And WITHOUT computers, just with a flip chart. Simply brilliant.
Since June, I've also been a member of
Hypnosystemic Forum Austria and I also had my first day on the forum here. That too: a highlight! I had almost forgotten how it feels to meet new colleagues from your own industry and exchange ideas both professionally and personally. So comforting, simply wonderful.
What else was going on in June 2021
- The 3rd module of the course "..." also went live again."Psychological Training"at the wonderful Christine Hoffmann. In this course, I am currently refining my didactic skills and am currently developing various training sessions with different colleagues, which will take place in the future. Formats: online and offline, half-day to week-long seminars. You can look forward to it, as there are many new things in the pipeline. Of course, I will announce all of this here on the homepage as soon as it becomes concrete. And who knows, maybe we'll see each other at one of my training sessions then.
- Furthermore, the 2nd module of the Flint Masterclass also took place, during which I was able to sharpen my mindset even more towards the desired future.
- Also, I have at the FGÖ Health Promotion Conference participated online and was able to exchange ideas with other colleagues on the topic „Stay Healthy! Learning from FGÖ initiatives for the future“ and listen to great presentations.
- I have been at""Choose Your Business Style" by Lena Busch participated, also to make my business even more concrete.
- Furthermore, it went TheBlogBang start and I have decided to TheContentSociety bravely continue blogging. Let's see what all happens in the coming year, starting now. The starting point was an interview that Judith Sympatexter Peters conducted with me.
- I have written my very first rant on the topic of femicide, that occupies me greatly and that I carry out into the world because something urgently needs to happen here. Misogyny affects us all!
- I have the first time at 12 of 12 participated and it was fun! On July 12, I'll give you another glimpse into my day with 12 photos.
- I distanced myself from Nicole Borho be inspired and, through a trance, sought and found my spirit animal. She then immortalized it for me in wonderful cushions.
Looking at the article now, a lot happened in June besides the usual daily work routine! Crazy, I wasn't aware of that before.
And that awaits me in July 2021, among other things...
- The 2nd Corona vaccination right at the beginning on 7/2/21
- Co-trainer with Christine Hoffmann on the Workshop "Me as an Entrepreneur" for Coaches and Trainers in Vienna (P.S.: still a few spots left!).
- Many more blog articles and posts, as well as homepage extensions, including a photo shoot.
- My annual vacation is starting: relax, recharge my batteries, and be online as little as possible 😉
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