Bits of Advice to Step Towards Your Dreams — An Interview with Coach Anna Vogel

Anna Vogel is a coach, mindfulness instructor, and artist based in Stockholm, Sweden. She's passionate about helping women create a work-life they love and support individuals and teams in accessing more health, creativity, and internal motivation. Anna is the founder of Hey Maker, a company she runs with copywriter and producer Jörgen Kjellgren, and her brand By Annavogel, which is her space for online courses, one-on-one coaching, speaking engagements, and educational programs, "With a higher degree of self-awareness, we can work proactively with our health, goals, and mission in life. Let's say goodbye to burnout, overwhelm, and pressure. And let's say hey and hello to creativity, playfulness, and ease."

Anna Vogel, Coach

Who is Anna?

I'm a coach, mindfulness instructor, podcaster, and artist who run my companies, By Annavogel and Hey Maker. Before I started to work with coaching and human development, I ran my own production company and produced tours and shows with comedians, musicians, and speakers. I was also the creative director for an art and culture center for youth, supporting young people in their creative development. When I was younger, I worked as a professional dancer and choreographer. So my background is in the culture -and entertainment industry, but I have always been passionate about human beings, psychology, what motivates us and makes us thrive in life.

I live in Stockholm, Sweden, but my heart is always in Spain, where I lived in my twenties. I try to go back as often as I can on holidays. I'm married to a copywriter and musician/producer, Jörgen – he's the second half of Hey Maker and our pop duo Little Boxes. We have two teenagers at home, Viola and Dante, and a fluffy cat, Kurre. Besides having a passion for personal and professional development, I love interior design and sustainable fashion. You'll find me browsing the internet for furniture, handbags, or clothes that are preloved by someone else.

I'm blessed to have fun, female friendships in my life. I spend my free time at the gym, out in nature, at home with my family, or sipping on some wine or coffee with a few of my friends.

What is it that you do for your clients?

I coach individuals to more inner power, creativity, health, and inner motivation. I help companies be more sustainable and have happier and healthier employees.

I run two individual coaching programs. Women in Business for women who want to grow, find clarity, and be more confident and grounded in their careers. The other program is for individuals who seek to find their inner power and purpose and live more from the inside out, tending to their own needs and dreams. In my online course, Sju strategier för inre kraft och hållbarhet (in Swedish), you get to create healthy habits, manage your energy and be more in your strengths.

I'm also setting up a program for creativity together with a friend who is a creative mentor. I love to work with clients and connect the dots between personal development, creativity, and health.

My podcast En kaffe med Vogel, is an extension to my work. I interview entrepreneurs, experts, and artists on topics like personal development, entrepreneurship, and creativity. To drink coffee and have deep conversations with interesting people is one of the best things in life!

Who should hire or work with you?

Females who want to start or grow their own business.

Creative females who want to make space for their creative dreams and projects.

Leaders who wish to begin leadership coaching or employee coaching.

Organizations that want happier, healthier, and more engaged employees.

I have many awesome consultants and changemakers I collaborate with to create the best experience for every client.

What is your big goal? Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Oh, I love to answer that question! I have a clear picture of myself in my holiday home in Spain, sitting on my terrace overlooking mountains and the ocean, with a pile of books and notebooks on my table. I love to read and learn and give myself time for that.

Other than that, I want to do what I already do, with sustainable scaling over the years. I'd love to create more online courses, have a small team working with me, and release more music as a solo artist and with my band. I hope that in ten years I have written one or more books too, since I love writing.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take steps towards their dreams?

A clear vision

I would encourage you to create a clear vision. Use everything you can to move that future dream into the present moment. Whether that is creating a vision board, stepping into the feelings you look for or asking yourself who you need to be to create that dream. Identify how the goal aligns with your values, and make sure you know why you want to reach that dream. When you have a clear vision, it's usually easier to move past obstacles, the inner critic, and fearful thoughts that will get in your way. You want to FEEL your vision even before you get there.

Get out of your head and start to take action.

Then, I suggest taking small steps every day or every week that moves you closer to the dream. They can be as small as having lunch with someone who has done what you want to do, dedicate half an hour every day to your goal, or sketch out a concrete plan for the month. You'll learn as you move forward, so don't try to figure everything out before starting. Start before you feel ready and learn from the process.

Sustainability, self-compassion, patience, and a growth mindset.

Many people give up when the results don't come fast enough. To have patience and be kind to yourself when you slip is a good idea. The road to a dream or goal can feel like two steps forward and one step back, so it's wise to see it as a part of the process. A growth mindset focuses more on learnings than just the result, which is a good approach. And don't forget about your health and the other parts of your life when moving towards a goal. It's not worth sacrificing your well-being in the long run.

Allow yourself to be flexible with your goals.

Sometimes we cling to goals just because we decided something many years ago. Sometimes you grow out of your dreams, or your situation changes. Be willing to have some flexibility and adjust your sails when needed. I review my goals every quarter to check in with myself and see if I still want to move in that direction.

Thanks for reading my story, and don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website! You can also visit Hey Maker studio on Instagram or directly send an email.

For Swedish readers: Join my online course Sju strategier för inre kraft och hållbarhet!

Read more from Anna!