comes to the topic of careers, she also thinks of the possible downsides. What does the next step mean for Patrick's relationship with his wife? Is there still time for children? If there isn't, will they regret not having children later on? Patrick has to decide what's important to him. As a personality with a decisive rebel component, he can focus on himself and what he enjoys. Still, at the same time he needs interaction and communication to make a decision. Patrick's childhood girlfriend encourages him to take the next step in his career – but to play by his own rules. This might be good for his battery, as it corresponds to his rebel base. And maybe Patrick's 15-year-old self can also get used to this option?
Your origin still has an influence – but now you get to decide!
In this chapter I have given you various suggestions to deal with your background. No matter what your success is today, the source of your success is always in the past: the family system and your cultural and social imprint are as much a part of it as the permanent base of your personality. From the time you were a child, whether you wanted to or not, you received an unmanageable amount of values and beliefs. As a teenager, you may have increasingly formed your own opinions, made your first individual life decisions, had dreams, maybe even vowed, like Patrick, to do certain things but never others. Our life is always changing and that is why we are allowed to examine everything continually. Self-reflection and awareness are the key. Those of us who know their origins know themselves. And those of us who know themselves know what is good for them and what isn't.
Beyond specific occasions, personality models help us understand ourselves better, communicate more successfully and make more conscious decisions. I will return to the Process Communication Model®, which I have presented to you in this chapter, in subsequent chapters. If you are interested in receiving a comprehensive PCM analysis, you will find information on the annex subject. Of course, this is not necessary to continue reading this book. In general, the models and theories in the book are always a means to an end. I hope you will understand the next step of your career in its entirety and act on the next level in a way that best suits your personality. Ultimately, we are all the architects of our own happiness, within a framework set by our environment and our own beliefs. For the most part, success is what we make of what we have been given. So, don't wait for your next reincarnation – there might not be one, who knows. Do something with your life! And if you're enjoying the book, keeping reading. The next chapter is about what you have achieved so far.
Chapter 1: Questions for reflection
● What comes to mind when you think of your childhood and youth?
● How would you characterize your family of origin from the present perspective?
● What values were conveyed to you in your childhood and adolescence?
● How did you want to be in your youth and how do you see yourself today?
● What do you do in order to satisfy the basic needs of your character?
Chapter 2
Achievements: What you have accomplished
Reflection on what you have achieved in your life so far and how many situations you have already successfully mastered is one of your most significant strength sources. The awareness of what you have achieved will allow you to face new challenges with renewed strength. This becomes especially true as soon as you recognize the strategies behind your success and are able to draw on your resources in the future.
"Wanna drive?" Patrick asked and held the car key in front of Laura's face with his arm stretched out. "Women are better at parking anyway."
Really funny, Patrick, Laura thought. But she smiled sympathetically, nodded briefly and grabbed the key. As soon as she had come through the baggage claim doors into the lobby and saw Patrick waiting for her, she already guessed how he was feeling. Patrick seemed kind of excited and nervous and unfocused at the same time. Like someone who partied through the night and went straight to work. To welcome her, he had embraced Laura as if she had been in Seattle for six months and not six days. It was unusual enough that Patrick took the time to pick Laura up from the airport in the middle of the week. Their jobs did not allow for romance during peak business hours. Patrick seemed very eager for contact.
The day prior he had received the official offer for his new top job in an email from HQ in Japan. Everything was just as his boss had told him almost a week ago. Now Patrick had to make a decision.
Laura quickly got on the highway and then changed into the left lane. Patrick had moved the back of the passenger seat far back. He was searching for the right music on his iPhone for a long time and in the end, he couldn't decide on anything. After checking his emails and WhatsApp, he put the phone in his pocket and looked at Laura.
"What should I do?" Patrick asked.
"I can't tell you that," Laura replied without a second thought. "I can't make that decision for you. If you accept the job offer, it will affect me as well, because then we will probably see even less of each other. Still, it is your decision. So, ask yourself if the new job is what you want to do."
"Well, I don't know right now." Patrick started playing with the air conditioning controls. "Two weeks ago, I was thinking: Yeah! This is my dream job. Finally, the big opportunity. But now that the offer is official, I just want to run away."
"So, run away!"
"Excuse me?"
"Not forever, of course. But maybe over the weekend. You know I'm completely booked up for the weekend anyway."
"The annual BFF weekend with your classmates. Yeah, I know. But I'd also like to hear your opinion before I decide."
"As you should, of course. But only after you've decided what you want to do. You've done so much already! Do you even realize that? For someone who almost got kicked out of school at 16, you've come a long way. Sometimes I wonder how you always manage to get your successes. It all seems so easy to you."
"I don't know how I do it. I never ask myself that question."
"Look at this!" said Laura, pointing at a billboard on the highway's side with her finger. She read the advertising slogan aloud, which was written in big letters: "Our greatest success is our enthusiastic customers." Below was the logo of one of the world's largest IT companies. Laura briefly glanced over at Patrick. "What are your greatest achievements?"
"I've never asked myself that before." Patrick pulled his iPhone back out of his pocket and resumed the search for the right music.
"Why don't you hike to the Drachenkogel this weekend? We've been there before. There's this great hotel in the valley, remember? If you reflect on what you've achieved so far, you'll have more clarity afterward."
"I got it!" Patrick said and kept staring at his smartphone. "Arctic Monkeys." He pressed to play the first song via Bluetooth. "What did you say? Drachenkogel? Yeah, great idea. Maybe I will."
Consciously perceiving past achievements and successes
Now, if I ask you to consider three notable achievements you have had in the last 12 months – how easy or difficult
