Creating Lasting Change, Purposeful Living + Resiliency with Ingo Schulmeier (Part 2)

The episode explores the importance of evolving goals and personal resilience through the transformative three-step process of Release, Rediscover, and Rise. Ingo Schulmeier shares methods of visualization and practical exercises that encourage self-discovery, emphasizing that real change comes from within.

• Discussing the significance of evolving goals
• Focusing on process over outcome in goal setting
• Introducing the three-step process: Release, Rediscover, Rise
• Engagement through visualization and daily practices
• Encouraging self-reflection and understanding personal values
• The impact of personal transformation on community
• Emphasizing the lifelong journey of personal growth

About Ingo Schulmeyer:
Free Spirit, Financial Freedom Coach, World Citizen, 6x Ironman, happy family father
https://www.thesmallreset.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@theSmallReset,
https://twitter.com/Coach_Ingo,
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingo-schulmeyer-10245294

The Quiet Gift: A Journey of Self Worth and Resilience is now available for download as an audible.  Check it out!

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:06

All of us reach a point in time where we are depleted and need to somehow find a way to reignite the fire within. But how do we spark that flame? Welcome to Reignite Resilience, where we will venture into the heart of the human spirit. Resilience where we will venture into the heart of the human spirit. We'll discuss the art of reigniting our passion and strategies to stoke our enthusiasm. And now here are your hosts, natalie Davis and Pamela Cass.

Speaker 2 0:41

Welcome back to part two of our two partpart conversation with Ingo Schulmeier. We are going to dive right back in, where Ingo will continue to share with us information about his formulation of a modality that encompasses three steps Release, rediscover and rise. How can you apply that to your life? We hope you enjoy, ingo. You mentioned something that I think is such key is the evolving goals that individuals have. Talk to us a little bit more about that, because you're talking about it from the sense of setting goals for the physical competition piece. Right, I mean even as extreme as teaching yourself to swim or be a competitive swimmer in a year's timeframe, which seems like a huge undertaking for most people. But that can pop up in our personal lives, our relationships, our profession as well. Talk to us a little bit about evolving goals and what that looks like, so that our listeners can start to pinpoint if they themselves are actually evolving their goals over time or if they're sitting stagnant on the same ones.

Speaker 3 1:42

Yeah, I think for me, goals are still important, and they were for many years. Even today, I think a little bit different about them and I use them in a different way. I mean, the other thing that happened when I crossed this finish line in Hawaii in 2018 was, at this moment, somehow I knew actually I can achieve anything. Right, because if this was possible and it was clear for me, I can achieve everything. And I worked a lot with visualization and with manifestation of the goals, and I think that's something very powerful that works very good.

Speaker 3 2:17

The other thing is, I think you should really dare to have big goals. I think many people are maybe. You know, they set a little goal just to make sure they also achieve it, and I think I would rather set a really big goal that you really want to achieve, even if it's just, even if it's very seems to be very far away and if it seems to be very unrealistic. But usually, I mean, if you set the goal and if you manifest that, you will find ways to achieve that, and I think that's very powerful. And the other thing you need to do is you need to separate the outcome, or the achievement of the goal, from the process to get there right.

Speaker 3 2:48

So today I see the goals more like they're guiding me. You know they're like a lighthouse. You also need to be flexible on the way to achieve that. I mean, don't stuck to the goal and, if you see, maybe it changes in a different direction. So accept also that. But if you start to celebrating the process to the goal, then first of all, you have much more opportunity to celebrate and you will get much further because you're not so focused on this goal anymore, because this can also hold you back from Because, if you see, maybe I will not achieve it, and then you're becoming all these blocks, these mental blocks. So yeah, but if you're focusing on the process and just doing one or doing the right things every day, so I think that's much more helpful.

Speaker 4 3:36

Yeah, I like that. It's that just focusing on the process of getting there and celebrating those wins as you're going through those processes and not as much focusing on that goal at the end there. Yeah, I like that.

Speaker 2 3:50

I think it creates for more adventure, because we have no idea what other possibilities or routes there are that exist to get to that big goal and if we get so fixated on that we lose I think you lose that sense of enjoyment about the entire journey to get there, to achieve the goal, yeah, and then, starting with the vision of what that ultimately looks like too, I think is key.

Speaker 4 4:13

How do you help people kind of walk through, or is there a process you walk through for visualizing what that looks like, that goal, achieved goal?

Speaker 3 4:21

so I developed my own coaching process. I call it the three steps. Basically, I call them a release, rediscover, rise. So so the first step in the release phase, it's where we start to working on really finding your inner truth and everything, and really also release from this, from all these beliefs that we had from the past right that are eventually holding us back. And then in the second phase, in the rediscover phase, then we're really defining this vision and this purpose. This is the element that's really like pulling you in one direction and and when you have these two points right, you have the one that's really your inner truth, that's coming from yourself, that's your what, whatever? Your inner motivation or your inner drive, your inner energy that can bring you somewhere. And and you have this let's call it this lighthouse goal that you can shoot for. Then we go into the rise phase, and in the rise phase we are then actually making the game plan, where we set specific goals for one year or two years, three year timeframes.

Speaker 3 5:16

I think the problem is, many people are today very good in the rise phase. They're good at setting goals and say, okay, next year I want to be a millionaire or I want to run a marathon, I want to lose 10 pounds or whatever, but they're missing somehow the first two phases that are really like this alignment with why do I actually want this, what I want, right? These questions. And yeah, for goal manifestation I did for many years, but also for this Ironman and for my professional careers, I used the method that I really like.

Speaker 3 5:46

I call it the three-by-three matrix. So every morning I'm writing down my three most important goals it could be a long-term goal or a one-year goal or longer-term goals and you write them down three times. Just when you stand up you write them down. So you basically write nine sentences. So three times each. Each go three times. Very cool and based on that, yeah, you're setting yourself really in this. You're starting the day really with what's important for you and you're setting the day for walking in the right direction I love that and so kind of the three r's.

Speaker 4 6:18

So the release rediscover rise and it goes to what you said a little bit earlier, where you figuring out what success means to you because you're setting goals but it's not really what success means to you. It's something that you've seen on social media, it's something society has told you, your family has told you.

Speaker 3 6:37

Figuring out what that really truly means to you yeah, I think that's that's the main key is all of that, because otherwise it's not sustainable. I mean we all can achieve a goal in one year and we all can be somehow successful in a career or maybe lose 10 kilos or maybe run a marathon. But if we don't really know why we're doing it and if we don't really enjoy the path, so then it's a little burnout or, in the worst case, we just don't enjoy it.

Speaker 4 7:03

Yeah, or we do it and then that's it. It was like we achieved the goal and then we go right back to where we were before, because we're like you know which I think a lot of us do we set that goal Me run a half marathon. I train for an entire year, I do it, and then I'm like okay, I'm done running. So it's like yeah so it's like, yeah, many people want to run marathon. They don't even like running right and I did it. And then I'm like, well, okay, I'm done with that.

Speaker 3 7:31

So I mean, I love running. I love running here in the fields. I have two dogs, though, and running with them in the fields and it is long distance endurance stuff. For me, it's also kind of meditation, right, because with yourself, with your body, with your, with nature, yeah absolutely Well and that model that you've created, Ingo, the release, rediscover, rise.

Speaker 2 7:54

I am envisioning that, that the three of those are constant. Right, it's not that you do the three, you get to the end and you've arrived. You're constantly looking at releasing and rediscovering because you have now unlocked a new version of yourself. Once you've, once you hit the goal, or you come close to the goal, or even just along the journey along the way, the person that's showing up in that space now has new goals, new vision, probably greater understanding of what it takes to fulfill their purpose in life.

Speaker 3 8:24

Yeah, I mean absolutely, and I think our personal growth or development, and also our personal transformation, it's a lifelong journey, right? I mean, yeah, we shouldn't look now for, or yeah, building our wealth now or whatever, and building our house and trying to sit there for the next 20, 30 years till the end of our lives and doing nothing anymore. It's not working like that, right? Life is a constant transformation and I think what also many people don't get is whether you choose to work actively on yourself or you choose to not do it, anyway you will change. I mean nothing. Nothing remains unchanged, right, and yes, so you just have the choice if you do this, if you let the change happen to you and if you let the things happen to you and you just grow reactive, or if you want to actively form or create your, your destiny in your life, and that's the choices you have. And whether you make a decision to change something or not, the decision will be made for you if you don't do it.

Speaker 2 9:19

Yeah, that's huge. Ingo, are you able to share maybe some of the questions that you ask your clients when you're taking them through these three phases of release, rediscover, rise? What are some things that our listeners can start to process on their own or questions that you would pose to them if they are realizing that they're wanting something greater, something more? Maybe something more is the better word.

Speaker 3 9:41

Yeah, so I usually start with two exercises when we're starting and they're based in this release phase, and the first thing is I'm asking them basically, I think, four or five questions. And the interesting thing is, I'm asking them basically I think four or five questions, and the interesting thing is I'm just repeating the same question, right? So I'm asking them what do you want?

Speaker 2 9:59

And then they think, they start to think and then the hardest question you could have asked me a few years ago.

Speaker 3 10:05

Whatever money and good job and whatever they want. And then you ask again and what do you want? And you continue a little bit and then after a while you change it a little bit and then you ask, okay, so what do you really want? And it starts this thinking process, right. And then after a while I'm asking so what's the next question? I think, what are you afraid of? And then you ask a few questions like what is holding you back? From there you start. This is usually the first session. It's very powerful because people start really to think, usually if they yeah, I mean sometimes it takes time, not everybody. That's why usually this coaching process, I mean it's also a relationship of trust, right. So usually some people need a little bit longer to open, but once they open it's usually becoming very powerful.

Speaker 3 10:49

And the second exercise I do usually is working on values and therefore you know that there are different areas of life.

Speaker 3 10:56

I have my own model of that, but different areas of life, like just the area of your relationships, your network, your financial success, your physical environment, your whatever. There are like six or seven areas of life and I start with the people. I ask them to rate themselves in each area. So, for example, your relationship with money, and they give themselves whatever. They give them on a scale of one to ten and they give maybe a five or a seven. And then we start from there and then you analyze it. So why do you give yourself a seven? So what would you need to do to get to an eight? And then you see usually how there's also balance right. I mean, for some people they could be very good in their job, but maybe they have some problems in their relationships or in other areas of life or their health. And if you do this for each area of life, you usually see where there are gaps and where you should improve.

Speaker 2 11:49

Mm-hmm. Those are powerful tips and I think that those are things, then, that individuals can do just by journaling and even doing some visualization. But I think journaling would be a little bit more powerful in anchoring those thoughts, especially as you're capturing, like what do you want? The most paralyzing questions that you could ask me, followed by what do you do for fun. Those are the two questions that I never wanted to answer. I've become more clear in those areas, but it's nice to dig deeper, like continue asking the question what do you want? Right? And ask it again Now what do you really want? Like digging deeper because it's more than the house, the car, the money, the career, the significant other right. It's not the partner and the pets and the things. It's never the things. I'm assuming I don't do this work, but I'm assuming it's never the things, based off of my own personal journey.

Speaker 3 12:44

I mean, maybe some people believe things make them more happy. That's possible, but usually if you buy enough things, you will figure out the exit.

Speaker 4 12:53

It's not the things.

Speaker 3 12:56

One exercise I also like to do is and this can do anybody at home also is just imagine what happens if you're at the end of your life, on your deathbed. It's your last day and if you look back on your life, what will you see? Will you be proud of your life? Is that what you missed? And in this situation, usually nobody will say, oh, I wish I had made more money, or I wish I would have a better car, or I wish I would watch more Netflix movies. So there are usually other things, and these are then actually the important things.

Speaker 2 13:28

That's powerful. That exercise to our listeners, that's super powerful. If you've never taken yourself through that Powerful, that exercise to our listeners, that's super powerful. If you've never taken yourself through that, I would recommend that you do so. But, Ingo, I would like to know if our listeners would like to get a hold of you or if they're curious about working with you. How do they go about doing so?

Speaker 3 13:45

Yeah, I think the best way where they can find me is my YouTube channel. It's called YouTube at the Small Reset and I also do interviews. I have a podcast format, but I also do like individual videos where I talk about these things, about mindset development, about how to free yourself or how to live life on your terms. This is a good stop where you can learn a lot. If you're more interested in the coaching approach, you can look on my website. It's also called thesmallresetorg. They will find more info on my coaching approach, on the release, rediscover, rise process, and also you can book there a free half an hour consultation discovery call, because I think coaching is always. I mean there needs to be a trust right, there needs to be the right chemistry, so it's a relationship. So you always need to figure out first if there's a fit. So that's why usually the first one or two calls are for free and that's the best places to look for me.

Speaker 2 14:37

That's great. The Small Reset so YouTube, and then thesmallresetorg is your website. Ingo, do you have any words of advice, tips, tools, models that you'd like to share with our listeners that we haven't discussed?

Speaker 3 14:54

Yeah, I think the only thing, or what was also a big change for me was, if you're looking for anything, start within yourself and go back and find this connection with yourself. And therefore it's good to really disconnect, because I think today we're living in a world where we just have too much information right there and I think you don't have to read. I don't know how many you read, but you don't have to read another personal development book or watch another guru on youtube. It's more like, I think, as I said, the truth is within ourselves and that's where we should start seeking it, doesn't? I mean usually all this advice books.

Setting Meaningful Goals and Taking Action

Speaker 3 15:31

Once you read one, they're basically giving all the same advice, right, but you need to find your own way and there's no your way. You need to first build it and then you can walk it right, or you need to build it while you walk it. So it's not that you can follow anybody's. Yeah, redefine the path of, so just find your own way and therefore, yeah, I really encourage people to disconnect and reconnect with themselves. I think that's very powerful.

Speaker 4 15:57

This is such a great time of year. To do this, when you're thinking about setting those goals for 2025, is to just disconnect and ask yourself those questions. You know, what is it that I want? And to some of us, it's hard to answer that question, especially if you've just been kind of living this life that you think has been expected of you, and so I love it. Fabulous, thank you.

Speaker 2 16:19

I love that Well, and you set a spark for me and just asking that question or saying that you don't need to read another self-help book, because that's that's sort of a thing that I've set for myself. The last couple of years is that I have a goal of reading at least one book per month, which is not a ton. Myself, the last couple of years is that I have a goal of reading at least one book per month, which is not a ton. I have friends that I think read four books per month, or some that read four books per week, but there's no action that ever follows that, making that a me statement. I read those.

Speaker 2 16:43

I end the year with reading 12 new books and the action that I've taken the intentional action that I've taken at the end of that is slim to none, none at all right In terms of what I want to do. So what is the actual goal that I'm striving for? Is it to read 12 books? That's not going to change my life. If it's to take action based off of what I'm learning, I think that's going to change my perspective, and I think that's the missing part, right?

Speaker 3 17:07

Don't misunderstand me I'm not against reading books, yeah.

Speaker 2 17:09

I agree, yes, yes books.

Speaker 3 17:11

It's a great thing, but, yeah, I think, as you're doing right, most people read the books including myself, right, and then you put it aside and three weeks later you don't remember anything about the book, even though it was a great book. So, yeah, maybe read less books and start to embody what they're writing in the book and really work on that. I think that's much more powerful. You said it absolutely correctly.

Speaker 4 17:31

I love that Fabulous. That is fabulous, great advice.

Speaker 2 17:35

Ingo, what's next for you? What's on the horizon?

Speaker 3 17:38

There are a few exciting things. We're building, actually, a house here. We bought a land here, a little bit bigger land, where we also want to grow some stuff and have our own food and some chicken and stuff. We're building that I'm just planning right now. For Christmas, I'm going with my two sons. We're going to Germany and to the Alps for skiing. We do a skiing vacation and I also visit my family. So I want to visit my grandmother. She is 96 years old, so I need to see her. I don't know how many chances I will have to see her, but yeah, that's the plan for the next two months and let's see what life brings us.

Speaker 4 18:13

Is this your first time back to Germany, since you've been in Mexico?

Speaker 3 18:18

No, I was one time before, but my mother was here twice. My father was here once.

Speaker 4 18:24

So they've come to visit Nice. Yeah, love that.

Speaker 2 18:28

Well, enjoy the what's next and I have to say that's probably the most beautiful answer. When I hear what's next. Usually we ask that question of what's next and it's the next offering, the next book, the next something career focused. We can feel your sense of priority that you place on the things that are important to you. So enjoy your time with your grandmother and you're exactly right, I mean and great grandmother for your kids, how special is that for them to have that relationship? Grandmother for your kids, how special is that for them to have that relationship?

Speaker 2 18:54

Yeah, oh, my gosh, ingo, it has been an absolute pleasure and a joy to have you on the show today. Thank you so much. Thank you for sharing your insight and your work that you're doing as well. I know that what you're doing is going to continue to ripple on, not just through the lives of the individuals that you're working with, but for generations after. So thank you for investing and actually figuring out your purpose and living in alignment with it. So carrying that knowledge and that fruit to us and sharing that with our listeners. We will make sure that we put all of your contact information in our show notes as well. Do you have any final words that you'd like to leave with our listeners.

Speaker 3 19:28

I would like to thank you also. I think it was a great conversation. Thank you also, I think it was a great conversation. You're doing a great job you two guys. So I really enjoyed the conversation. Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 19:36

Thank you, same here, same here. Well, we will leave all of the contact information for Ingo in the show notes and, as usual, if you all are looking for more information with what's happening in the world of Reignite Resilience, head on over to reigniteresiliencecom and, if you have not already done so, subscribe to our weekly think letter, where you will get additional insight about our episodes and tips and practices for you to apply to your life as we are continuing to light the fire within Until next time. We'll see you all soon. Thanks everyone.

Speaker 1 20:08

Thank you for joining us today on the Reignite Resilience podcast. We hope you had some aha moments and learned a few new real life ideas. To fuel the flames of passion, please subscribe on your favorite streaming platform, like or download your favorite episodes and, of course, share with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you again next time on Reignite Resilience.