Transformation expert Carolien van den Akker
Carolien van den Akker helps talented professionals find satisfaction in their work. She connects them with their inner compass and teaches them how to take small steps in their professional career accordingly. Peace of mind, clear choices and a sense of direction are the results.
Carolien has an MA in Public Administration and Art History from Leiden University and studied Museum Studies at George Washington University. She is a trained coach from the School of Coaching and a certified Focusing Trainer from the Focusing Institute in New York.
You can access Carolien’s LinkedIn profile here for a full description of her background and experience. While Dutch is Carolien’s first language, she also speaks fluent English.
My personal story
It’s possible! It is really possible to dedicate my professional life to matters that are truly important to me. Work can be 100% purposeful!
Deep inside, I’ve always known that it was possible — also for me.
But for a long time my reality was completely different. Because I get excited about all kinds of subjects and because I have been trained in different fields of study, for over 12 years I had many various jobs.
I worked as assistant curator at a museum, was a lecturer at Willem de Kooning Academy, was a freelance writer on Modern Art and worked as an arts and culture consultant. I combined that with many board functions. And from my lectureship, I initiated and managed different large projects. I wanted to get ahead of the game in life. Climbing the career ladder, building my network and steadily climbing up that ladder.
Did I feel happy? Not at all. What I did feel was tired from an overbooked schedule. Extremely tired. But I didn’t even realize it, because I was too busy with the next big project. There was no time to be tired.
Starting a family can be life changing. At least it was for me. The birth of my eldest son Alt forced me to stop. Due to the financial crisis, my job as arts and culture consultant at Amsterdam-based firm LAgroup came to an end. In retrospect, it was a golden opportunity, because it gave me the permission to reinvent myself.
This time, I allowed the strategic career moves and prestigious cooperations pass. I put myself as a priority and started from my talent, my wishes and desires, guided by my intuition. My coaching business became a fact.
What a relief!
Suddenly I felt free to do what I loved: coach talented professionals to find peace and a sense of direction in their work by trusting their own inner compass.
Transformation coach? What is that?
In my coaching, I invite you to undergo your own transformation. This means you stop listening to the various conversations going on in your head and start trusting the signals and wisdom from your body. I make use of focusing protocols along with other tools and techniques.
How am I different from other coaches?
I teach you how to use your body to make the right decisions. You will discover how you can use the wisdom of your body any time you need it. You’ll take your next steps in full confidence because you know they’re right for you.
I enable you with more understanding and clarity of your recurring patterns and limiting beliefs, which is valuable for your development. If you really want to change, your body needs to become an integrated part of the process. I guide you to make these shifts on a physical level. You’ll feel the difference.
I have a well-developed antenna for the first small steps you can make on your track. The first steps that will bring about change. Fast, tangible results create momentum.
About my talent and qualities
I’m a very adept listener. I also know how to get to the root of something quickly. With my clear and open coaching style, I am able to help people create change.
My talent is helping people find the light within themselves. I love to help them start doing things that really matter for them.
Who are my clients?
My clients are highly educated and talented professionals. Work is important to them. They are good at what they do and have an inner drive. They are positive about life and believe 100% in the product or service of the company they work for. They work for government and corporates, as employees, consultants or freelancers.
I exclusively work with professionals who are willing to invest their time, money and energy in their growth and who have the courage to take the steps necessary for reaching their goals by, for example, taking a deep dive within to discover their inner selves.
What are the results my clients can expect to get from coaching with me?
You’ll find your sense of direction and will know you’re on your own track;
You’ll make flawless decisions easy and fast;
You’ll have plenty of time because you only put your energy into the things that really matter to you;
You’ll use your intuition to attain your goals in addition to your intellect;
You’ll experience more peace of mind and can enjoy life;
You’ll feel fulfilled.
Read here about the experiences of previous clients with my coaching.
What is the easiest way to get to know me?
If you are interested in my coaching and willing to invest your time, energy and money in you, book your connection call with me here in my online calendar. It’s free. Would love to get to know you.