I came up with the idea of Personal Design Patterns while talking to my friend Mariusz at resonate's Annual Gathering in his coaching hut on March 13, 2025. Personal Design Patterns aim to shape a better version of you and serve as a compass to make your personal journey easier by keeping you aligned with your true self.
1. Define your anchor and anchor yourself.
Create one point on your agenda that you will stick to in the long term—whatever it is. It must serve as your anchor, a safe place for you to return to from the various short-term gigs you engage in. This way, you own a place you can always return to. It does not need to be your MTP; it is okay to leave your options open here. The anchor prevents you from drifting too far from your center, fulfilling your need (and also your loved ones' need) for stability. You do not want to keep an open loop in this area—it will drain your energy and exhaust your partner if you don't have your "home." The anchor will remind you not to aimlessly drift and lose yourself in distractions.
2. Balance yourself.
Each of us needs to see ourselves in a mirror. This mirror must provide the highest-quality, fully trusted feedback on ourselves. Have a sparring partner that you trust and who will enrich you with a personal perspective on your ideas. Prefer a friend over a coach—friends are committed through relationships.
3. Select Sponsors based on their target client portfolios.
Their clients need to match your personal profile and mindset. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset but the client portfolio consists of legacy institutions, a gap will arise over time between what your sponsors expect you to focus on versus what truly aligns with your interests. One day, you may realize you are simply executing someone else's agenda.
4. Select business Partnerships based on reciprocal benefits.
The selection of business partnerships needs to be based on mutual trust and respect for each party's journey. You need to be sure it is not just about the money and that you are not being treated as a tool to execute your partner's agenda. The money split must be mutually beneficial, ensuring a fair and balanced outcome for both parties. If you are offered only 1% of the shares, or just an hourly rate, then you are clearly not a partner but merely a replaceable tool.