Julie Schladitz: On the road to happiness

Happiness is something that everyone values, but often, things like money, a promotion or a new car may seem more important than taking the time to really look inside our own heads and hearts. To help clients find their true source of happiness, coach Julie Schladitz has developed the course ‘Happiness revisited – six weeks to a more fulfilling life’.

The course accompanies participants as they explore what defines them as an individual and what they want out of life. The answers to these questions may be very different for each person, and it takes a sensitive approach to discover how an individual can actually find happiness. Over the course of the six sessions, clients gain an understanding of what happiness means to them, allowing them to make happiness-enhancing decisions in their lives. At the end of the course, clients will have developed a road map: a guide they can follow on their individual journey towards a more fulfilled life.

Identification of individual values is key: “We have an inborn need to find meaning,” says Julie Schladitz. To know what is important to them, allows people to actually take control of their lives. Additionally, clients are encouraged to identify their unique strengths, which means concentrating on what they can really do without the restrictions society – or even family ties, the workplace and other social factors – have mentally put on them. During the six sessions, participants learn coping skills to build resilience for times when life might get tough. They will further discover that being kind – not only to others but also to themselves – is essential for their well-being.

The focus also turns to relationships. “Nurturing social connections makes us happy,” explains the consultant. But, of course, they have to be positive, and this is why discussing existing relationships is so important during the six-week course. The last important step is to take all the aspects discussed and discovered in the previous weeks into consideration and then create a road map. The key question for clients is ’what do you want in your life?’, and not ‘what do others want for you?’.

Clients will then set their goals accordingly, ensuring that the focus is not only on achievements: it is important to enjoy life, as well, after all. For Julie Schladitz, this is comparable to a boat trip: “You would not like to be so intent on reaching your destination that you don’t appreciate the dolphins playing by the boat, the scent of the sea air and the sun glistening on the water.” The key to happiness is not always focusing on the end goal, but enjoying the journey with all its ups and downs, instead.

That is something Julie Schladitz has realised after working in senior HR positions for more than 20 years. The British and Swiss national was born in the UK, but has been living in Switzerland for many years. In addition to a MSc in Organisational Psychology, Julie Schladitz is a certified coach and mindfulness trainer.

As a qualified coach, Julie Schladitz accompanies people through important transitions in life – from difficult situations at work to a new career path, and from professional to private development. This includes working with former military personnel and athletes focusing on a new career path, for example, where transition can be particularly tough.

Julie Schladitz’ experience as a consultant also helps her to take people on a journey towards a happier life. Being happy has other positive side effects, as well: “Research into the science of happiness is now showing us that feeling good helps us perform better at work, it boosts our physical health, strengthens our relationships and inspires us to be creative.”

www.sc-careertransition.com