Lessons from winter
I am so ready for spring… It has been a long, cold, and dark winter. Still is. And I’m really looking forward to spring!
But before it arrives, we had our winter holidays with the kids — and in Austria, people typically head to the mountains. We’re not that typical, but this year we went to the Alps too.
You might have sensed already that I’m not a fan of winter. Nor of winter sports… Nevertheless, when you’re in the Alps, you can’t really ignore all the skiing and sledging going on. And so, instead of catching some sun on the slopes, casually sipping Skiwasser, I ended up on the sledging run.
Five kilometers long. Downhill. Several time. Also in the night.
I don’t want this experience to go completely unnoticed, because in my 43 years I’ve never done anything like that. So let me brag a little and soak up the pride of overcoming my fear. And maybe, just maybe, let me inspire you a bit and offer a perspective that reaches beyond the lovely, icy sledging slope…
Sledging on a slippery, icy run is scary. I was so focused on keeping my speed under control that my leg muscles hurt like hell! But that’s the rule up there: always adjust your speed to your skills and capabilities. Moving downhill — even if you’re the slowest person on the slope — is much more fun than lying in a pile of snow. So keep your own tempo. Don’t mind the more experienced people whooshing by.
Still, falling and ending up in a pile of snow is part of the process. My son told me it’s better to land in the snow than in the forest, and he was absolutely right. If you can’t brake, aim for snow!
Look - it will happen. No matter how hard you try. Maybe it won’t even be your fault. Maybe someone will push you off course. Some things are under your control, but not all of them. For example, you can’t control how icy it is. And you definitely can’t control other people.
And even if you land in the snow — or in the forest, or under your sled — the overall experience might still be totally worth it. I agree: that moment when you realize you’re going to crash, or when you try to stand up with grace and dignity from under your sledge while others happily pass by… it sucks.
But at the end of the day, you made it. And it can still become a great memory — even if some parts were hard or even a little dangerous.
And let’s not forget the best part of sledging or skiing in the Austrian Alps: Germknödel with vanilla sauce! People say it’s about the rush, the excitement, the views… but the real reason is the Germknödel you eat while resting in the sun on the slope.
That’s winter for this season.
I’m getting ready for spring already - and you can meet me at the Sprechen Sie Success event by NIWA in Vienna, March 7–8, 2026.
I’ve already mentioned how much I loved the vibe last year, especially as an expat. And this year, I’ll be delivering my own workshop:
Find Your Path to Success
A practical guide to navigating the deep forest of business decisions
If you’re in Vienna, here are the tickets!
I’m also opening four free spots for business guidance and navigation. So if you feel your business needs more clarity and focus, if you want to know where you’re going and how to make decisions that truly make sense — book a free call and tell me what’s bothering you.
No fees, no commitments — just a conversation.
This offer is valid only through February and March, as long as slots are available. I’m looking forward to meeting you and supporting you on your journey!