{"id":49139,"date":"2025-03-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/?p=49139"},"modified":"2025-03-26T16:36:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:36:24","slug":"those-who-sacrifice-themselves-harm-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/en\/wer-sich-opfert-schadet-allen\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacrificing yourself harms everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image49139_3a7194-c4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image49139_3a7194-c4 size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash.webp\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-1024x768.webp\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-56316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/antonio-feregrino-L57L1mlKoM8-unsplash-2048x1536.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>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.<br><br>Then I lost my job. Not because I did anything wrong. But as a result of bullying. It was terrible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The venture&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I cried and suffered. I licked my wounds and then decided to take the plunge into self-employment.<br><br>My dream was to inspire people and give them tools for a better life. So I founded Down to Earth in 2000.<br><br>It was an exciting time, but also full of challenges. In the beginning, I did almost everything myself.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Human lives change <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><br>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or people like Andrea*, who wrote to me after a coaching session:<br><br><em>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.....<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What I have learnt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image49139_cb8838-29 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image49139_cb8838-29 size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash.webp\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-1024x682.webp\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-49142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><br>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there were also times when I lay awake at night because the challenges were overwhelming.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It wasn't always easy to persevere, but I learnt and grew at every stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><br>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>My biggest mistake&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People often want to know if I have made mistakes.<br><br>One? Thousands!<br><br>What was my biggest one?<br><br>I actually believe that my biggest mistake was that I was sometimes too nice to others - and paid the price for it myself.<br><br>In a quite literal sense.<br><br>I wanted and want everyone to <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/product-tag\/buecher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/product-tag\/impulshefte\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Impulse booklets<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/shop\/365-verheissungen-gottes-gottes-vielfaeltige-versprechen-entdecken-immerwaehrender-kalender\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Calendar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/product-tag\/quadros\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Quadros<\/a>but also <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/product-tag\/onlinetraining\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Courses<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/en\/coaching\/\">Coaching<\/a> can afford.<br><br>I therefore often set the prices too low, so that only a small profit margin was included.<br><br>Even when things got tough economically, I preferred to do without a salary myself for a while and thought: I'll manage.<br><br>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.<br><br>This is due to the fact that people are buying fewer books.<br><br>But it was also down to me.<br><br>I wanted to be nice and made a lot of special offers and - especially with the Quadros - didn't increase the prices.<br><br>As a result, I now have to discontinue many titles because storage and distribution ended up costing more than they brought in.<br><br>And now can no longer continue the publishing house in its current form. Many titles can no longer be continued .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That hurts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You can learn from my mistakes&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image49139_da43ec-81 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image49139_da43ec-81 size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash.webp\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-1024x730.webp\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-49143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-1024x730.webp 1024w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-300x214.webp 300w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-768x547.webp 768w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-1536x1095.webp 1536w, https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ally-griffin-q8duh_mq0hc-unsplash-2048x1460.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Find your way and remember that mistakes are also part of the journey. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What I have done in business, others also do professionally or privately.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They sacrifice themselves.&nbsp;<br>They focus more on others than on their own capacities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You think: <em>\"I can already carry it.\"<\/em><br><br>And it goes well for a while.&nbsp;<br>Until at some point it no longer works.<br><br><br><strong>My tip:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Consider<\/strong>where you are wearing more than you really want to or can carry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Explore: <\/strong>Try to find out your motivation for being too nice. Perhaps with a <a href=\"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/en\/coaching\/\">Coaching.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alternatives: <\/strong>Then look for ways to become stronger inside until you can draw clear boundaries: I can and want to carry this. Not that.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practical solutions: <\/strong>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.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What you can learn from my successes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have just written openly about my mistakes.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe you're in a phase right now where you don't know what to do.<br><br>Then remember that every phase ends. Really every one.<br><br>And that stones that are put in your way can become steps to something new that you never dreamed of.<br><br>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And: If you want to make me happy. Have a look in the <a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Shop <\/a>and find something that strengthens you. That is the greatest joy you can give me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-wp-embed is-provider-down-to-earth-de wp-block-embed-down-to-earth-de\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"rNDCnlsbfv\"><a href=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/shop\/erfolg-schlicht-ergreifend-kerstin-hack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Success. simple + poignant | Kerstin Hack<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&quot;Success. simple + poignant | Kerstin Hack&quot; - down-to-earth.de\" src=\"https:\/\/down-to-earth.de\/shop\/erfolg-schlicht-ergreifend-kerstin-hack\/embed\/#?secret=kuAW9cV5rd#?secret=rNDCnlsbfv\" data-secret=\"rNDCnlsbfv\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I actually believe that my biggest mistake was that I was sometimes too nice to others - and paid the price for it myself. Quite literally.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":56312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49,1078,626],"tags":[20,1950,35,1062,2078],"class_list":["post-49139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coaching-kerstin-hack","category-vision-ziele-kreativitaet","category-nachhaltigkeit-umwelt-klima-fmnr","tag-erfolg","tag-fehler","tag-inspiration","tag-lebensweisheit","tag-risiko"],"featured_image_data":{"id":56312,"url":"https:\/\/kerstinhack.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Blog-Fehler2-150x150.webp"},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":49,"label":"Coaching - 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