I usually wake up between 7:00 and 7:30, which sets the tone for the day. It depends on whether I’m working from home, heading to the office, or going to a client site. Each place brings its own energy and pace.
I work in a hybrid setup, splitting my time between home, the Valcon office, and the client’s location. I appreciate the flexibility, but I tend to prefer being in the office. It helps me focus, and I value the spontaneous chats and moments of collaboration with colleagues. My commute varies depending on where I’m working. I live in Utrecht, so I usually cycle to the Valcon office. If I’m working in Groningen, I drive. It adds some variety to the week.
My role is quite mixed. I work as a management advisor, shaping and tracking strategic plans, suggesting areas to focus on, and challenging existing ways of working. I also take on the roles of business analyst, project manager and facilitator, running sessions like Obeya and Brown Paper workshops. It can feel hectic at times, but the variety keeps things interesting.
I like to start the day with some structure. I jot down my meetings, to-dos and the key goals I want to tackle. It’s a habit I picked up from colleagues at Valcon, and it really helps me stay on track. When I’m not in calls or sessions, I’m usually preparing for them, following up on actions or developing new ideas. Right now, I’m working with a public sector client in Groningen. My role there is a mix of advising, analysing and facilitating to help the organisation improve how it works and manage change more effectively.
When I started, the role didn’t really exist yet, so there was a lot to figure out. I began as a junior advisor, but over time, especially after a colleague left and I stepped in, I grew into a full advisory role. It was overwhelming at first, but it turned out to be a great learning experience. I’m not tied to one big project at the moment. Instead, I’m involved in several smaller initiatives. My focus is on making improvements where I can. It’s less about major deliverables and more about driving meaningful, lasting change.
Over the past year, I’ve become a lot more structured in how I handle busy periods and meetings. I’ve gained more experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation. One thing I’ve been working on is guiding people to their own conclusions in workshops, supporting without giving the answers. It’s a rewarding challenge.
At lunch, I try to get outside for a walk. It’s easy to stay seated all day if you don’t make the effort to move. I don’t always manage it, but when I do, it helps me reset and come back with a clearer head.
I usually finish work around 5pm, depending on the season and how busy things are. Since my client is in the public sector, their team typically finishes then too. Sometimes I wrap up at the same time, or I use the quieter hour to reflect and prep for the next day. Evenings vary. If I’m in Groningen, I’ll often meet colleagues for padel, cycling or running, followed by dinner. Back in Utrecht, I like cooking, relaxing, going for a walk or seeing friends.
Outside of work, I’m a big fan of cinema. Watching a great film makes me genuinely happy. I also enjoy sports, reading, cooking and sharing good food and drinks with others. Weekends are usually a mix of hobbies and downtime, although there’s often something to do around the house.
As for what’s next, I don’t have a fixed five-year plan and I’m OK with that. I’ve always been interested in living and working abroad at some point, so maybe I’ll explore that. For now, I’m happy where I am and open to what comes next.
