How to Find Inspiration – Coaching Vlog (with Filmmakers!)

Quick summary: Join me on my new vlog adventure as I follow Berlin filmmakers and musicians, capturing the behind-the-scenes of pitching at one of Europe's largest documentary film festivals – while I’m in my own creative process as a coach. It’s all guided by one pivotal question: what’s the true essence of inspiration?

As I see it, inspiration is the quiet secret sauce that helps us solve problems, make decisions, start new projects, shape how we work, connect with others, and make real changes in our lives.

So, how do we get inspired?

When I notice that my creative spark is low, I go out and look for inspiration on purpose. I change my routines or my surroundings, dive into the work of other creatives, or throw myself into things that feel new and a bit strange. And sometimes I do all of that at once.

That’s exactly how I approached my new YouTube video!

My partner and our friends applied for a documentary music film award at the DOK.fest 2022 in Munich, one of Europe's largest documentary film festivals. I joined their journey with my camera and hit record without a fixed goal in mind – other than to document the experience, to vlog what unfolds.

But… why?

In my work as a coach, people wrestle with questions around leadership, purpose, relationships, and other big life themes. They need to be open, creative, and innovative every single day – and so do I.

I’m convinced the best way to stay inspired, creative, and ready to improvise is to step into all kinds of experiences, welcome that newbie feeling, and stay awake to what you learn while you’re in the middle of it.

So, what did I learn?

I moved through a lively process of not knowing what to film from one moment to the next, simply tracking the creative flow around me while I was in my own creative journey. Looking back, I learned a lot about storytelling, film shooting, editing, sound, color, myself – and, of course, about inspiration.

Would you like a little spoiler?

The film and its music that was pitched at DOK.fest 2022 had its world premiere at Berlinale Forum Expanded 2024. I Don’t Want to Be Just a Memory is a community‑driven, highly collaborative short documentary on queer mental health and grief in Berlin, and it gained recognition both in the queer community and beyond.

Both as a psychologist and as a human being, it’s a joy and honor being part of this movie’s journey – far beyond my vlogging experience.

Since our days in Munich, we've shared laughter and and tears while working on this movie. On set, I was responsible for set management, as well as set awareness and ethical guidelines. There’s more to say about that – another time.

So, what’s this vlog?

Observe the beginning of this journey and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek. Special thanks to my partner Klaus, producer at Nordic Media House, for continuously encouraging and challenging me in creating this vlog. As well as thanks to music producer Bráoulio Bandeira, musician Kei Weitanabe and director Sarnt Utamachote, who allowed to me to trust and follow the process, and for sharing their unique perspectives on the project, creativity, and inspiration.

After all, maybe it’s not really about finding inspiration, but… —

watch for yourself!