Kerstin Gruenling

Here’s the bit you might not have considered when you become a professional speaker Professional speaking is a business and when you start any business you’re excited, full of optimism and all the possibilities your new life will bring and so it’s tempting to believe you’ll be profitable from day one. Unfortunately, the reality is a bit different, it takes time. In the first months, you’ll probably be: - Investing in your learning - Creating materials and assets - Building your website and positioning - Making a showreel or video content - Setting up systems and processes (these don’t stop, you’ll keep investing in these as your business grows) This is the foundation phase and you may find yourself eating into your savings to make it happen, but it’s what makes profit possible later. I’ve seen too many speakers start with no financial cushion, max out their credit cards, and then feel pressured to succeed immediately. That pressure doesn't usually lead to good decisions. Don't do it. If you can, give yourself six months of living expenses in the bank before you start, or build speaking as a side hustle (sorry I’ve gone American again) while keeping another income stream. It’s far less stressful, and it gives you space to think and be strategic. Give yourself the best possible chance of turning those first steps into long-term success. And whatever business you’re in 6 months living expenses should be your minimum – put money aside for a raining day. Goodness knows we are getting more and more of those these days – and no I’m not talking about climate change. Photo is from recent photoshoot, totally unrelated but hey I paid for it, going to use them.

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10 research-backed ways to clear your mind… Overthinking doesn't shout.  It hums; draining your energy and clouding your next move. “What if I’m making the wrong move?” That’s the quiet thought running underneath so many of the conversations I have with women leaders. (Break free from overthinking with my free guide: https://lnkd.in/gZJrJxhm) They want to grow.  They want to lead at the next level. But the path forward feels murky, and the stakes feel high. They’re wondering: 🔸 “If I stay where I am, am I stunting my growth?” 🔸 “If I leave, will I lose the trust and reputation I’ve built?” 🔸 “Is there even a place for someone like me at that next level?” Underneath it all is a fear that showing up with too many ideas, too much ambition, or too strong a voice might make them “too much” — or worse, irrelevant. So they wait. They overthink. And they quietly carry the burden of uncertainty alone. 1. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆  → Instead of trying to avoid your worries, have a “worry session”.  ✍️ Write down your thoughts to bring clarity and calm. 2. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  → Break the loop of repetitive thoughts by reflecting on what you can control.  ❓Ask, “What’s really bothering me?” to reframe the situation. 3. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿 → Create distance between you and your thoughts by using humor.  🙊 Try something like, “Thanks, mind; that’s helpful!” and use the ‘silly voice’ trick from CBT. 4. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 → Overthinking narrows your focus to just one aspect of reality.  ❓Step back and ask, “What else is true?” to see the bigger picture. 5. 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 → Avoid using extreme words like “always” or “never.”  🗣️ Try: “This is tough, but I can improve.” 6. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ❓Instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?” ask “What can I learn from this?”  → This will open your mind to new possibilities. 7. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀  → Shift your focus from ‘fear ‘to ‘hope’. ❓Replace “What if I mess up?” with “What if I learn and grow from this?” 8. 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵  → Deep, slow breaths calm your nervous system. 😮‍💨 Inhale for 2 counts, holding, exhaling for 4 counts; repeating 3 times. 9. 𝗚𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 → Nature grounds and reminds us that there is more to life. 🌳 Go outside, walk, or sit in a park to reset your thoughts. 10. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → Stop the cycle by taking small, actionable steps.  ❓Ask, “What’s the smallest thing I can do right now?” Create an “I CAN” list. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start moving forward. Sometimes the most powerful move is simply giving yourself the space to ask: What do I actually want?  What’s the boldest next step I can take today? PS. Which one will you start with? 💬 Curious how this applies to you? DM & let’s chat. ♻️ Pass it on

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Think resilience is just a buzzword? Think again. It's the backbone of thriving businesses in 2025. Resilience is not a 'nice to have'. It's a business imperative. In my work with global clients across industries, I've seen a clear trend: Soft skills didn't just gain importance in times of crisis. They're still at the top of the list in 2025. Emotional intelligence and resilience are no longer optional. They've become must-haves in today's workplace. Why? Because when emotional resilience is low, it leads to: ❌Poor communication, leading to misunderstandings ❌ Increased fatigue and errors ❌ Rising conflict and disengagement In contrast, resilient professionals drive: ✅ Enhanced performance through clear communication ✅ Stronger collaboration, even under pressure ✅Continuous growth, turning chaos into opportunity So what does resilience look like in action? 👉 It shows up as empathy under pressure. 👉 As the ability to stay accountable without blame. 👉 As a mindset that sees change as an opportunity, not a threat. 👉 As a calm focus on solutions and 👉 As a habit of directing energy only toward what can be controlled. Here's the good news: resilience isn't a trait. It's a trainable skill. And many of us have already been resilient (we just forgot how). Start with these three simple practices: 1. Check in with yourself daily → Notice your energy, emotions, and needs. 2. Reframe challenges as data → Every difficulty offers insight and choice. 3. Practise micro-recoveries → Short pauses, movement, and breath work recalibrate your system. Resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about moving forward with intention. How has resilience helped you at work? Could you share in the comments? 👉 Follow Maria Luisa Engels for visuals that teach and personal growth insights. Share with your network if you liked this post. 👉 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 to my newsletter and learn to create your visuals. https://lnkd.in/eZ9jUrKk

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Ever feel like there’s never enough time in the day? You’re not alone. But the problem might not be time… it might be how you’re filling it. I used this simple visual of a jar in a recent workshop, attended by some of the business owners I coach in Essex and Suffolk, to illustrate my point to. Imagine your time is like a large glass jar that you need to fill with the right elements in the right order. The correct order to fill it is: -  With big rocks - Then you add pebbles – they fill the gaps - Finally, you pour in sand – it trickles into the tiny spaces. BUT if you start with the sand, there’s no room for as many rocks. Your time works the same way: ✅ The rocks are your priorities – the things that move your business forward. These may be your regular activities, meetings and fixed time activities. ✅ The pebbles are the day-to-day tasks – important, but not critical. These include personal important activities, planning and business development. ✅ The sand? That’s the time-wasters and distractions. These may be personal development, routine reviews and team development. If you don’t schedule the big rocks first, they’ll never fit properly and you won’t be able to get as many rocks in the jar. For the remainder of this week, try flipping your approach: 🔹 Block out time for your high-impact work 🔹 Let the routine tasks work around them 🔹 Save the "sand" for last – or not at all. What are your “big rocks” this week? I’d be interested to know. If you would like to discuss how to improve your time management, send me a DM. As a business coach, I often share tips on this platform to help business owners grow their organisations, so follow my profile to see my future posts. #Productivity #TimeManagement #BusinessGrowth

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𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥? You speak, and it’s like no one heard you. Moments later, someone else says the same thing and they get praised. It’s frustrating. It’s demoralising. And it happens far too often to brilliant, capable professionals. You see, being smart isn’t enough. You need 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. It’s that magnetic combination of gravitas, confidence and an aura that makes people stop, listen, and trust you. Growing up in the media world, I was surrounded by celebrities who had that presence. And many who did not. In this podcast ep of 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, I dive into this crucial skill that many don’t understand in corporate development. Yet it’s essential for leadership, influence, and promotion. I share 5 science-backed ways to start building it today If you’re ready to develop your powerful 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞., this ep is for you. ♻️ Repost if you know someone who needs to increase their executive presence. Follow Georgina Chang for more strategies on public speaking confidence and projecting presence.

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3 steps that stop burnout before it stops you Burnout means you’ve been putting yourself last for too long.   You can’t keep running on empty, giving what you don’t have or help others if you’re running on fumes.   Jess - Name changed - of my clients reached out when she was just on the edge of this not realising how close she was. Here's what we did. She started to give herself the same priority as she gave her work.    We worked on how to value herself more and not confuse that with super humans standards she was putting up for herself. Burnout hits hardest when you forget that.   She was saying yes to everything and wasn't sleeping well at night.   We put in boundaries so she could say no, even when it’s hard. Here’s how we and you can start:   ➊ Block time for yourself.   Treat it like a meeting. Don’t cancel.   Even 10 minutes counts. Breathe, read, listen to a podcast, go for a walk. ➋ Say no without guilt.   You’re not letting people down, you're maintaining the quality of your work. You’re showing others that you value your time and what you're able to produce within it. ➌ Check in with yourself.   Ask what you need, not just what others need.   Ask What am I tolerating that I no longer choose to? Listen. Act on it.   You’re not a machine.   You’re a person.   You deserve the same priority you give everyone and everything else.   —   🔁 Repost if want to help other break free   🔔 Connect if you want strategies that work You've got this and I've got you. ❣ ----------------------------------------------- Not only am I a Career Coach giving you science backed strategies that work to help you, get promoted, to value yourself more and have others see it... I'm a Mum to 3 Teens sharing my reflections so you can get to know me too. 💕

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