Tell us a little about your book "FlowPower - more focus and less stress". Why did it come about and what was the journey like before it was finished?
I have experienced what it is like to work with very high stress levels for many years as I have been in senior positions in various companies and industries for 15 years. This has meant that my interest in stress, the brain and recovery is very genuinely rooted. I made a major career change 13 years ago and started training in health, nutrition and neuro-leadership (a field of brain and behavioural science that focuses on (self-)leadership, behaviour and organization). Since then, I have worked with lectures and coaching in many different types of companies and with different groups.
I know that it is possible to find a hidden potential in everyone and that health can be improved with small adjustments. My motto is that achievement is something good and fine and that it develops us, but it must not be at the expense of reduced recovery. When we learn to live and work sustainably, we not only get more quality in (working) life, but we also get more done. Focus training works wonders, as does learning to get into flow. Flow is a state that everyone can be in and that can be trained. It means forgetting time and space, being deeply focused and productive. The state of flow increases our performance and creativity while reducing stress. Hence the name of the book, "FlowPower".
As I wanted to spread knowledge to more people, I decided to write a book that collected the most important lessons for individuals, leaders and employees.

How do you want people to "use" the book, what is your dream scenario?
My dream scenario is that people will be inspired and actually start making concrete changes in their own lifestyle and way of working. Since the book is intended as a development journey that you go through in different stages, it requires thought, practice and reflection.
Before you start the development journey, you get to work on developing your "why" and the values that are important to you. Once this is done, you will have a clearer life compass and find it easier to make decisions and live in the direction of who you are at your core. The paradox, however, is that many people do not know which values they are guided by, so this work is hugely important.
In the book, you also do a lifestyle test (which is also repeated at the end) that shows which areas work well and less well in your life. For example, it's about stress, energy, focus, movement. You then work on one area at a time through various exercises.
Some time ago I learned that several companies have purchased "FlowPower" for entire "departments" or various "groups" and so they work on one area at a time. This is really a dream scenario to work with the book in that way! What power we get when we work in groups on the same issues and can support each other.
This is your second book, what will the next book be about?
My two books that I have published are very different from each other. The first book, "Healthier Life with the Right Food", is all about sustainable dietary changes and "FlowPower" the second book is a non-fiction book with a broader perspective on health.
I have an idea for a third book I would like to tackle, but first I need to land properly for a long while from writing. FlowPower needs to get out more on the market first. But the title and cover are already clear in my mind. And when the time comes, I can't wait to get my hands on that project.

Link to the book FlowPower here.