Sacrificing yourself harms everyone

25 years ago, I was at a turning point. I had a dream job at an international organisation with lots of exciting projects and conferences.

Then I lost my job. Not because I did anything wrong. But as a result of bullying. It was terrible. 

The venture 

I cried and suffered. I licked my wounds and then decided to take the plunge into self-employment.

My dream was to inspire people and give them tools for a better life. So I founded Down to Earth in 2000.

It was an exciting time, but also full of challenges. In the beginning, I did almost everything myself.

I lugged all the parcels to the post office and said that my small company's turnover was directly proportional to my upper arms. They were quite slim.

It was and still is a journey full of uncertainties. I had no idea where the path would lead - only the belief that it was worth pursuing this dream.

Through the books we've published, I've seen people find hope, clarity and new perspectives. I've met great authors, heard incredible stories and been a part of something bigger than myself.

I am so grateful for everyone who has accompanied us on this journey - readers, authors, employees and fellow travellers. You are all the reason why this dream has become a reality.

Human lives change

There have been wonderful changes in people and great successes: thousands of people we have been able to help through projects in Afghanistan and Tanzania.

And a ship that gives people who need it the opportunity to take time out for healing and reorientation. Just as I had a safe harbour with friends during my crisis. 

Or people like Andrea*, who wrote to me after a coaching session:

I had an individual coaching session with you 5 weeks ago because of a longstanding (25 years!) stupid habit that has been weighing me down.....

So far I haven't had a single day of problems with it and if I start unconsciously and realise it, I can stop straight away.

Such a change from just one hour of coaching. I often experience that. Nevertheless, I am always amazed at how quickly stuck fears and unpleasant, bad habits can often be dissolved.

What I have learnt

The last 25 years have been a mixture of highs and lows. There were days when I was filled with joy and gratitude because I could see how our books and courses were changing lives.

These 25 years have shown me that it's never just about numbers or success. It's about touching hearts, enriching lives and leaving a trail of inspiration. 

But there were also times when I lay awake at night because the challenges were overwhelming. 

It wasn't always easy to persevere, but I learnt and grew at every stage.

Above all, I have experienced how much is possible when you don't focus on what you can't do, but on what you can do.

When I look back, I'm proud. Not because everything was perfect - it wasn't. But because I always found the courage to keep going. 

My biggest mistake 

People often want to know if I have made mistakes.

One? Thousands!

What was my biggest one?

I actually believe that my biggest mistake was that I was sometimes too nice to others - and paid the price for it myself.

In a quite literal sense.

I wanted and want everyone to Books, Impulse booklets, Calendar, Quadrosbut also Courses or Coaching can afford.

I therefore often set the prices too low, so that only a small profit margin was included.

Even when things got tough economically, I preferred to do without a salary myself for a while and thought: I'll manage.

Until it was no longer possible. With books, impulse booklets and quadros, the costs for storage, dispatch, personnel, bookkeeping and software exceeded the income. For months on end.

This is due to the fact that people are buying fewer books.

But it was also down to me.

I wanted to be nice and made a lot of special offers and - especially with the Quadros - didn't increase the prices.

As a result, I now have to discontinue many titles because storage and distribution ended up costing more than they brought in.

And now can no longer continue the publishing house in its current form. Many titles can no longer be continued .

That hurts. 

You can learn from my mistakes 

What I have done in business, others also do professionally or privately. 

They sacrifice themselves. 
They focus more on others than on their own capacities. 

You think: "I can already carry it."

And it goes well for a while. 
Until at some point it no longer works.


My tip: 

• Considerwhere you are wearing more than you really want to or can carry.
• Explore: Try to find out your motivation for being too nice. Perhaps with a Coaching.
• Alternatives: Then look for ways to become stronger inside until you can draw clear boundaries: I can and want to carry this. Not that.
• Practical solutions: And then try to equalise the burdens in a very practical way. To give things away. And to have to carry less. To have a buffer. 

What you can learn from my successes

I have just written openly about my mistakes.

But perhaps you are comparing your failure with my success, my fame and my successes. In other words, all the things that have gone well for me.

I think my biggest factor in many of my successes was that I didn't give up. I kept going and simply put one step in front of the other. Until the tide turned again. And that I trusted: I will find a way. 

Maybe you're in a phase right now where you don't know what to do.

Then remember that every phase ends. Really every one.

And that stones that are put in your way can become steps to something new that you never dreamed of.

And that it is possible to start again and create something valuable. 25 years of growth, inspiration and change. I look forward to everything that is yet to come.

And: If you want to make me happy. Have a look in the Shop and find something that strengthens you. That is the greatest joy you can give me.

Success. simple + poignant | Kerstin Hack