Interview with Miranda Berkhof, Owner of BeyoUnd Transformation

Miranda Berkhof is the owner of BeyoUnd Transformation. She works as a consultant and coach in the space of business transformation, culture change, leadership development, and personal growth. She guides individuals and teams in their journey of growth and transformation.

Her firm belief is that business transformation is always personal and life is about learning & growing. Clients and partners refer to her as a growth architect, a positive conscience, and an energetic guide to embark on the travel together.

For more details, visit their website here.

Here we sit down with Miranda, to know a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.

Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Miranda: My career has been very fulfilling. I got the opportunity to learn so much and develop myself as a professional and as a leader. At the same time, my hunger for impact and connection was greater than the companies I worked for and the colleagues I interacted with every day. My experience with the function titles I proudly wore shifted from giving me the liberty to guide and coach to creating a distance between me and my colleagues. The next learning in my personal growth journey was to go independent while staying connected with others and broadening my impact without losing the depth in connection. My inspiration came from my own reflection on my life and a conscious choice to renew.

Q. How did you get started?

Miranda: As long as I know myself, there has always been immediate action when I got clarity.

So when I knew this had to be my next step, I quit my job as a CEO and started from scratch. I started to develop content and my own approach, onboarded my first clients, and all the while attending to my own transformation journey. It was not always pretty — very impatient with myself, negative self-talk, doubt if it was going to be successful, regrets about throwing away my career — but in the end, you can’t help others in their transformation, if you don’t embrace your own. What helped me a lot was the perspective that if this is good for my career or not is not even a relevant question, it is the best choice for my life. The worst thing that can happen is that I learn and grow. Luckily, I have fun, enjoy what am I doing, and reach a new level in my own learning journey.

Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?

Miranda: In my first months I really had to shift my perspective. I had to move from being impatient to celebrating progress, so now my keywords are patience and progress.

The biggest mountain I had to overcome was myself, my old beliefs and keys to success had become limiting. For example, I always felt great when I would close after a productive day, but as an entrepreneur you also need time to think, connect, to develop and that is not only hard work and grinding beyond your computer.

So what I considered ‘downtime’ was actually the time when I got my most creative ideas and creativity is key for an entrepreneur.

I also needed time and space to change my beliefs from being limiting to unleashing. It is my work these days to help others, but again: always oxygen mask for yourself first.

Learning to trust the process, take a break, and enjoy what I was doing was my biggest challenge.

Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?

Miranda: The most memorable thing is the realization that the things that interest me most I now call work. I don’t have to do anything else or be anyone else.

I remember one of the first team sessions I facilitated for leaders of an international company, where people dialed in from all around the world. It was online which can be challenging at times when you are working on personal growth.

When we ended the session, however, there was this massive glow on people’s faces. We managed to build a deep personal connection beyond places and content where afterward there was a relief. Relief by recognition of fellow leaders and fellow human beings.

That was the first time I realized ‘this is my work now’ — what an absolute privilege! I also felt like coming home after a long journey. And I was lucky to have seen it many times ever since.

Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?

Miranda: I read so many books that I couldn’t recommend one. For me reading is a hobby and a habit — and what I read is where I am mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I just finished a shift in being’ and ‘the untethered soul’ — I guess I am now open to learning more about the spiritual journey, but I also read fiction, biographies, business books, poetry, etc. My recommendation would be: read the book that appeals to you, when finished choose the next…I open your mind and your world.

Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?

Miranda: I love the Health app on my iPhone as it measures just simple steps to stay fit while also providing me insight on if I have prioritised movement that day and if I progressed my fitness over time.

I love LinkedIn — there is so much inspirational content and people on that platform. If you are able to look through the clutter, there are like-minded souls to be found from all over the world with who to connect, exchange thoughts and keep each other accountable. It is a place for colleagues without an office.

I use Spotify a lot — for music, for meditation, for podcasts. It is where I go for an energy boost in whatever form — upbeat or calming down, content or just sounds. I like to be outside, just to go for a walk in the city or nature, and often I tap into the Spotify app to look for accompanying sound.

Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?

Miranda: I look back at my days -and therefore my life- with deep satisfaction if
- I inspire other people to think about things about themselves and in the interaction with others they didn’t think about or knew before,
- I support them to make conscious choices in their lives — to be more aware and truly present,
- I walk next to them in their journey to make the most of their time here on this earth.

What makes a life worth living is for everybody different, but it helps if you make conscious choices about who you want to be and what you want to do while keeping it light, positive, and fun.

For real awareness, presence, and consciousness in your life and in the relationship with others, you need to embark on a journey to discover yourself — your drivers, your needs, your (hidden) beliefs, your commitments, and counter commitments.

As long as you are breathing you are on a journey of learning. Learning is life.
It is not about adding more days in your life but adding more life in our days.

And while all of this might feel heavy and deep, it is the perspective of learning that keeps it light. That is what I want to do for others, that is the gift I give myself.

Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?

Miranda: Set out on your own journey — validation is not to be sought with others, but with yourself. Tune in to your feelings, check your stomach and keep going. Choose patience & celebrate progress.

To keep up to date with Miranda and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn.