Am I Simply Better Than the Rest...??

Okay, let's clear the air right away. Before anyone chokes on their coffee or begins typing THAT feverish comment, let's acknowledge the audacity of that title. It's a tad cheeky and perhaps a bit bold, but bear with me. My story might just give that provocative headline a fun little twist. Or not...

A sausage a day...

Every career journey has its defining moments. For some, it’s their first paycheck ???, for others, a monumental promotion ??. My tale? It all started in the exquisite world of... sausage making ??. Yep, you read right. As a high schooler, amidst the bustling machinery and that distinct aroma, I discovered a love for dreaming big and aiming even higher ??. Higher back then meant a warehouse worker job at a local super market - it payed almost double!

Fresh out of high school, while most of my peers were just getting to grips with university life, I was hustling in two worlds simultaneously. Yes, I was hitting the books, but I also had one foot firmly in the airline industry; loading and unloading airplanes ;-)! Great to align with studying, many night shifts, good money.

Crafting niches

Only by doing so I found out about a ground handling job and I won the assessment for it a few weeks later. A couple of months into the job and in midst misplaced luggage and frazzled passengers, I discovered a gaping hole: long-haul flight logistics problems. You wouldn't believe the number of luxury bags that were playing hide and seek! These on-ground experiences were gold. After approx. 9 months in the job it gave me a deep understanding of our travelers, and a hunch that our marketing could be more aligned to their needs. A chat with the airline's marketing boss, some brainstorming, and voila! I crafted a niche for myself in the marketing department.

University wasn’t just a degree; it was a masterclass in juggling and innovation. By the time I finished my master, not only did I have a diploma but a series of roles I’d created, refined, and aced. Parallel to university, I soared from marketing into the PR world, landing a gig at a posh PR agency. Within a year, I was the one calling the shots after my boss left the agency. The owner made me (most likely out of a lack of alternatives at first and after I proposed an overnight drafted business growth plan to him) leading the PR efforts. And I kept leading and growing them for another 3 years until I left for Japan. The takeaway? Life isn't just about seizing opportunities; sometimes, you've got to create them! ??????

Japan - too far fetched...!

Just having turned 32 a close friend informed me about an outstanding opportunity: the Austrian Ministry of Economic was looking for a marketing and PR savvy co-lead of the World Exposition program in Aichi/Japan. First tempted to say "unreachable" I found myself little later battling through a seven-stage assessment with 270 contenders ?? finally bagging this dream role in Japan ??. First time managing over 50 people, making extraordinary amounts of money, having my own skyscraper apartment, personal driver and all the expat glitter you can think of, it cemented my belief: with the right amount of grit ??, any goal is within reach. After returning home from Japan a year later, high level offers came my way, including a tempting PR agency partnership, but I turned it down ??. Why? Bigger dreams awaited.

Building and busting

At 33, fueled by ambition and maybe a tad too much caffeine, I founded my first company. A dot.com company. It... didn't go as planned. The result? A catastrophic failure. But, like any plot twist, it set me on a path of relentless growth. Four years later, as my firstborn son slept peacefully in his cradle, my wife and I poured over business plans, birthing my second venture together ??. Balancing this with my then C-Level management role in an international industrial conglomerate, the journey wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. That venture still is family owned and stands tall today.

Seizing Formula 1 ???

Fast forward a little more: Switzerland ???, top-tier industry conglomerates, and then, the ultimate cherry on top: Ever since I can remember, Formula One was the dream. The roar of engines, the rush of speed – it all called to me. One day, while chatting about my aspirations, my wife and a friend, almost in unison, half-jokingly said, "Why not just apply there directly?" I thought, why not indeed? Challenge accepted (and fear initiated)! I put together an application to the nearby Sauber F1 Team, offering my perspective on elevating their marketing and sponsorship game prepared to never hear back from them. only to find an email in my inbox days later, saying I was invited for an interview. But here's the kicker: instead of a formal meeting room, it was at a tiny pub near the F1 team's headquarters. And who should walk in? None other than the CEO and 20 minutes later and without any notice, the owner of the F1 team himself. Fast forward a bit, and there I was, landing a spot on the executive board of the very F1 team I'd always admired. Dream job? Oh, absolutely secured! ????

Pioneering AI

A few years later, at a time where most relegated AI to the pages of science fiction, my university buddy and I glimpsed the future. Harnessing our collective expertise, we birthed an AI business consulting firm. And guess what? It wasn't just a shot in the dark; it was a success. When we eventually sold it (too early), we didn't just pocket a substantial sum, we made a statement. But here's the thing: once you taste the thrill of creating, that fire, that drive? It never really fades. ????

Creating dream jobs in less than 10 weeks

After that I wanted to do something that really fits a great purpose. Empowering others authentically and convinced. Based on my 2 decades of experience in landing my dream jobs I started developing my proprietary career coaching method aimed at empowering people to create, find and seize their dream job in less than 10 weeks. And as my entrepreneurial spirit never truly left, I this year laid the foundation of a new enterprise aimed at scaling my coaching endeavors. All, in order to accomplish my mission:

"To empower people worldwide to improve their lives by finding deeply fulfilling work."

Too bold you think? This spring, I penned down my coaching methodology into a self coaching book ??. Set to hit the shelves later this year.

Key take-aways ??

So what's my advise to those of you aiming to find their vocation:

1. Dream Huge: Envision goals so grand they scare you ??.

2. Relentless Strategy & Execution: A dream without diligence is but a fleeting thought ??.

3. Stand Out: Forge your unique path, even if it goes against the grain ??.

4. Be Bold: Opportunities don’t wait; you’ve got to chase them ????.

5. Execute Your Role: Once that dream role is here, make it legendary ?.

Now, am I simply better than...

Alright, about that bold headline ??: am I really special? Not important, believe me. Here's the deal: I've found my groove, celebrated the ups, grown from the downs, and truly enjoy the ride. And guess what? I'm on the a constant path, chasing new dreams and empower others to fulfill theirs with my career coaching method. Time boxed, fast track, proven time and again successful. If the title made you curious and you're still here, then maybe there's something to it.

?? Cheers to YOUR journey! ??

Michael

#dreamjobcoach

www.career-bootcamp.net