Truly a gift,
this development advice!
In March, Manon van Gaal saw all her assignments disappear from her calendar. As a freelance event manager, she relied mainly on her work at festivals, theaters, and events. It was a massive blow. And afterward, the huge black hole. She seized the subsidized development advice with both hands. Together with her coach Marieke, she is taking steps and now a lot of puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place.
The same thought kept running through my mind: What now?
‘I just kept tossing and turning on the couch,’ says Manon. ‘The same thoughts kept repeating in my mind: What now? Should I retrain? Or just sit and wait? My mind was going in all directions. I couldn’t find peace, and I wasn’t getting anywhere. Until I was tipped off by a friend, who also works in the event industry, about the development advice. I ended up at MEPD, with Marieke. It really clicked. She understands me as a self-employed entrepreneur and always goes the extra mile.
A better picture of myself and confirmation
I found the personality test especially enlightening. I now have a clearer picture of my qualities and motivations. And I also see that these are highly applicable outside the events industry. Additionally, the test shows that I truly function best as a freelancer/self-employed professional. I love freedom and autonomy. That’s a great confirmation. I now better understand why my energy drains away when working for an employer, when I can’t make 100% of my own choices.
More peace of mind and a clear idea of what needs to be done
I notice that I am feeling more at ease and have a clearer sense of what needs to be done. I don’t have to decide now what I want to do for the rest of my life. I choose what feels right now, and for me, that has provided a solid foundation. I’ll keep experimenting throughout my life with the form that takes. Some ideas are already starting to take shape in my mind. And some random thoughts can even be combined into a unique product. For example, my interest in psychology and human behavior could still lead to a beautiful event. We’ll see how it goes. For now, at least, it gives me confidence in the future,’ says Manon.
Marieke Vennik
Career advisor
I truly believe that everyone can work with enjoyment. When I talk to people, I’m curious about their story: Who are they, what do they love, and do they see that reflected in their work?
