I’m Mieke Haveman, and This is How I Work
An obvious question, what is your name?
Mieke Haveman and this is my website
Tell us a little about your background and how you got to where you are today
I am from the Netherlands and have always been interested in the UK, language, history etc. I once studied to become a teacher of English
but found I did not like teaching grammar to 13-year-olds. After a detour, I finished a counselling degree and then decided I would love to work online. At the time 2009, I could not find any training in the Netherlands. I did find Anne and Gill’s book, ordered it and read it in one day. That’s when I got in touch, loved the feel of OLT and did both the general and diploma in 2010. A year later I became a tutor on the diploma. But I was also gripped at the practice building side of the business. It was just not covered in most trainings. I made it my own and then became an online business coach to other online therapists.
What apps, gadgets, or tools can’t you live without?
I can’t function without google calendar. All the rest I can do without if I absolutely have to. Yet you can find me on Facebook most days. And for two months I have a fitbit.
What’s your workspace setup like?
I live with my father as I am his primary carer. But the attic is my living/work room. Part of it is my desk that is used for work. I am a messy person so I can’t work with a clean desk. My decorations are personal so it is always a bit of a chore to find a good angle when doing video.
How do you keep track of what you have to do
Google calendar + bullet journal
How do you recharge or take a break?
A long hot shower a boardgame afternoon with friends. My favorite movies or music, a short cultural break, weekend breaks with friends, a good book
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
There are two lines from a poem that I always have open on my laptop and which makes me feel stronger and in control of my own life.
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
What’s a problem you’re still trying to solve
Hours in the day. Between chronic pain and carer work, there is sometimes not enough time for work and friends.
As life is busy enough at the moment, I have reduced the price on one of my courses just for the summer.
Originally published at https://www.onlinetrainingforcounsellors.com.
