From pressure and panic to positive

I think we all can relate to feeling pressure and panic but somehow, “when I look at myself” I always find my way to the positive side. Does this implicate I am a natural optimist? Maybe… But it was not always like this I have had my darker moments in life. The radical change in thinking about life in general and my feeling towards pressure and panic and how to handle these situations started when I was approximately 18 years old.

My childhood life had been until that time like a nice warm bath, mom was always home. Dad had a nice job, he travelled a lot so we did not see him that often but when he was home he was an amazing and available dad. I had many friends. We did move several times to a new upgraded home, but this provided us with more friends. Being able to contact others this never has been any issue.

At the age of 18 there was a fundamental shift in my life balance, one of my best friends passed away unexpected. Later that year I also lost my grandfather who I loved very much. These factors became the bases for my view of life and my view on how to handle life in general. I had to find my balance again, who am I and what do I want from life.

I figured out I had to base my personal and later business life on several basic principles. These principles gave me the power and strength to face everything life was throwing at me.

My principles

• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Respect
• Love
• Faith

If you are dishonest in life or business you will not go very far, dishonesty will also make you less loyal. When you are not able to trust yourself, how would you be able to trust anybody else. Loyalty was loyalty to myself and my loved ones, but also my employers. This is exactly the same with love. Respect others and you will gain respect. And these 4 give you faith that it will all come together in the end. You often need faith to let things go, being convinced you are too small to influence it all.

The use of these principles gave me a way to make sure I had no pressure and no panic and could always find the positive angle how hard the topic was. Also, now in the COVID 19 period i am positive and 100% certain we all will come out of this Crisis stronger. The glass is never half empty and never half full, always look for the tap so you can fill your glass whenever you need to. This is also the way I think in business. We always have sold frozen food but now we have a whole range of ambient products as well as COVID 19 protection kits face masks gel etc.

So, my advice NO Pressure NO Panic always look for the POSITIVE angle…

Threats are also opportunities!

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Jeroen Kosterman
Husband, dad, Entrepreneur

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