Something is happening. In our heads and on the streets. Change is in the air.
Change is also what´s happening here on the blog. And maybe something that many of you want to achieve in your own life. It´s not easy. Not at all. But fortunately there are friends you can ask for advice. And when Maren, communication psychologist, coach and my “golden guidance” told me that one minute a day can change my life, my thoughts began to shift.
Of course I love to share my knowledge – Maren´s knowledge – with you. So if you ask yourself
“I want to do everything differently this year. Where do I start? “, here´s Maren’s answer:
“It´s actually quite simple.
Start with yourself. And one minute.
Ask yourself in this minute: Why do you want to do everything differently?
Without knowing you, I know the answer: Because you want to feel differently.
This is our dynamo, this is what drives us. Not the goal as a goal, but the feeling on the way to achieve our goal.
Ask yourself right now, in this moment: How do you want to feel?
And trust your first impulse.
When you have your feeling figured out, let´s get started. With just one minute. In this minute, do whatever brings you closer to your desired feeling. Close your eyes for a minute when you want to feel more relaxed. Become aware of your breath to feel more connected with yourself. You want to be braver and risk something – take a step towards it, maybe with a phone call or a Google research, a millimeter is already a movement. Pluck up all your courage – by the way, the root of “courage” is “Cœur” which is the french word for heart – and do what really matters to you. And if you want to feel light-hearted and free, just dance for a minute.
Whenever you feel that you want to do something differently, take your minute.
You don´t have to manage the whole year, only your one minute. And you´ll make your hour, your day, your week, your month and your year yours. You have always time for a minute and there is so much potential in this.
The writer Annie Dillard says, “How you spend your days is how you spend your life.”
Yes! And here you go …
You are in the middle of the change process. And if you repeat your one minute at least 21 days, you will change the neural pathways in your brain. That´s how real and sustainable change ensues.
One more golden idea:
Set an intention every month. A single one. Spontaneously. Something that whispers inside at the last day of the month. Maybe it´s more yoga. Detox from TV or social media. Less sugar. More time to kiss. Follow the 1 and 21 rule and you´ll get your different life, inside and outside. Enjoy!”
More motivation, inspiration and practical guidance by Maren: here and here. Thanks so much for the inspiration, dear Maren.
Photos by David Haase

Maren Lunkenheimer, “Gold von morgen”. Foto: David Haase