MindSpeaking

We've trained 15,000+ people on Data Storytelling. 
Let's talk about training for your team — or your entire organization:

Founder & Trainer

Author of the bestselling book: People Skills for Analytical Thinkers

The Essential Workshops

Member Of The Board Of Advisors

Capgemini

•	Combining Behavioral Science & Data Analytics to improve customer experiences

Managing Consultant - Data & Digital Analytics

•	Lead of Digital Marketing & Analytics capability in the Netherlands 
•	Coach for 8 consultants who reported to me

Senior Consultant

Capgemini Academy

Trained 300+ people on topics like: 
• Storytelling
• Presentation skills

Trainer

Personal development

Traveling, Spanish classes, and writing a book.

Sabbatical for 6 months

Cognizant

Trainer - Interpersonal Skills

Consultant - Digital, Data & Analytics

Junior Consultant - Digital, Data & Analytics

Maastricht University

Taught the course Behavioral Economics to second-year Economics students.

Student Assistant, Behavioral Economics

Gazprom Marketing & Trading

Marketing Intelligence Internship

Research Project Maastricht

•	Conducted contractual market research for multinationals in Brazil for 4 months;
•	Trained by consultancy firms (BCG, KPMG, McKinsey).

Market Researcher - Brazil

Student bar De Uni

President

Data Storytelling & stakeholder communication training | MindSpeaking | The Human Side of Data

Many Data professionals are brilliant.

Their analysis? Razor-sharp.
Their models? Sophisticated.
Their attention to detail? Exceptional.

But translating insights into a story that non-technical stakeholders understand…
 
That’s a different ball game.

In 2015, I presented insights to a group of Marketeers. 

I expected: 
Applause.
Approval.
Action.

But I was wrong. 
Nothing got implemented. 

That’s when I learned the hard truth: technical skills don't drive impact—communication does.

🔹 Stakeholders don’t care about dashboards. They care about decisions.
🔹 Insights mean nothing — until people see why they matter.
🔹 Numbers get forgotten. Stories get remembered.

That’s why I founded MindSpeaking in 2020.
Since then, we’ve helped 15,000+ Data professionals transform from data providers to trusted business partners.

🚀 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠
Want your team to move from presenting numbers to influencing decisions?
Let's talk: 
MindSpeaking.com/companytraining



Free Resources: 

📙  𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞
People Skills for Analytical Thinkers 
#1 bestseller — read a free preview:
▪️ MindSpeaking.com/book

🧠  𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘
Want to turn Data into compelling stories? 
Join 4,100 Data pros and take my free email course (only 2 min/day): 
▪️ www.mindspeaking.com/datastorytelling 

📊  𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙-𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧
How skilled are you at Data Storytelling?
Take the free self-assessment (5 min) and grow to the next level:
▪️ MindSpeaking.com/maturity-model

Gilbert Eijkelenboom

Stop dumping data. Start telling a story. 
Here are 4 tips:

Most data professionals think their job is to present numbers.

But numbers alone don’t create impact. 

If stakeholders don’t get the message instantly, they’ll tune out.

Before: Data Dump
❌ Lots of colors → No clear focus. 
❌ Just raw numbers → No clear message.
❌ No direct labeling → Hard to read values.
❌ Stakeholders confused → “What’s the takeaway?”

After: Simple Storytelling
✅ Fewer colors → Only for emphasis.
✅ A clear title → Explains the insight.
✅ Simple annotation → Highlights the key change.
✅ Direct labeling → No guessing, numbers are clear.

If people have to decode your charts, you've lost them.

Be the guide. 
Tell people where to look. 

Agree? Share your #data visualization tips below.

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for more Data Storytelling tips.

Data Storytelling training | Bestselling author: People Skills for Analytical Thinkers | Founder of MindSpeaking | Building the Human Side of Data

🤬 Data pros…
 Heard any of these before?

“Can you export to Excel?”
“Make the data support my decision.”
“I need it today.”

Happens.
A lot.

Here’s how to push back without friction:

1. Ask the “hidden question”
 ↳ Stakeholders often ask for a solution instead of the problem.
 ↳ Say: “What decision will this help you make?”
 ↳ This shifts the conversation instantly.

2. Reframe urgency
 ↳ “I need it today” usually means “I’m under pressure.”
 ↳ Respond with: “I can give you X today, Y tomorrow. Which helps you most?”

3. Use the “menu method”
 ↳ People love options.
 ↳ Offer 2–3 clear paths with trade-offs.
 ↳ It reduces endless back-and-forth and builds trust fast.

4. Translate gut feelings
 ↳ When someone says “the data doesn’t fit my gut”…
 ↳ Ask: “What outcome were you expecting?”
 ↳ Now you can compare reality vs. expectation.

Do you hear these lines often?

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for more Data Storytelling tips.

Most trainings feel great in the room.
Two weeks later? Nothing sticks.

That’s not you. That’s your brain… roasted.

One-off training dumps everything at once.
Feels useful in the moment.
But then you get back to work.
Back-to-back meetings.
200 emails waiting.

And all those “new skills”?
Gone.
That’s why lasting change needs a different recipe.

Here’s how we build communication skills that stick for data professionals:

1. Time in between workshops
↳ Spaced repetition beats cramming.
↳ Spread learning over days, not one long session.

2. Learn > Apply > Learn > Apply
↳ Theory alone fades. Practice makes it stick.
↳ Learn a little. Then apply it in your work.

3. Specific for the audience
↳ We practice with your real stakeholder challenges.
↳ That’s how skills transfer to your day-to-day.

That’s how habits form.
That’s how skills stick.

That’s how Data professionals stop being seen as order takers.
And start being seen as trusted partners.

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom to learn Data Storytelling skills that stick.

JSESSIONID

Feed | LinkedIn

li_at

linkedin.com

🪦 RIP Dashboards: 5 Psychology Hacks to Stop Your Work from Dying

You spent weeks building it.
Stakeholders said, “Looks great!”

And then… silence.

❌ No one opens it.
❌ No decisions.
❌ No impact.

Your work deserves to be used.

Here’s how to make sure your insights don't die 👇

1. The Think-Aloud Protocol
🔹 Stop asking, “Is this useful?” people don’t know. Instead:
🔹 Hand them the dashboard. Let them talk out loud as they explore. 
🔹 Watch where they click, pause, and get stuck, this reveals problems.

💡 Usability expert Jakob Nielsen: 
“Users will never tell you what’s wrong. But they’ll show you.”

2. The IKEA Effect
🔹 Ask early: “What do you think?”
🔹 Show them drafts, not just the final version.
🔹 Let them tweak a few things, it makes them feel ownership.

💡 The more they’re involved, the more they’ll use it.

3. Design Thinking: Build for How They Work (Not What They Ask For)
🔹 Watch how they work today, where’s the friction?
🔹 Prototype early. Refine fast. 
🔹 Don’t spend weeks working on the wrong thing.

💡 If they struggle to use it, it’s not them, it’s the design.

4. Hick’s Law: Simplify or Die
🔹 Cut 20% of elements right now.
🔹 Highlight one key insight they should act on.
🔹 Pre-set defaults instead of making them tweak everything.

💡 Less friction = faster decisions.

5. The “Last Mile” Problem: Put Insights Where They’ll Be Seen
🔹 Push critical insights where people already work (Slack, email, CRM).
🔹 Example: Sales gets an alert when revenue drops below target.
🔹 Meet them where they already work, so data doesn’t get ignored.

💡 Make insights part of their workflow, not an extra step.

In short:
- Make it simple.
- Make them part of the process.
- Make sure it drives action.

Ever built something that no one used? 

♻️ Liked this image? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for more data tips.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 
“Urgent data request! Stakeholder needs it TODAY!”

The newsroom goes wild.
Data teams scramble.
Dashboards, reports, insights, rushed out at record speed.

Mission accomplished.

Three weeks later…

Silence.

Nobody touched the report.
Not even once.

Why?

Because urgency ≠ importance.
Because half the time, stakeholders don’t even know what they’ll do with the data.
Because “ASAP” often means “I just want it off my plate.”

And yet, we drop everything.
Again and again.

Here’s the thing, data isn’t breaking news.
It’s decision fuel.

So next time?
Push back.
Ask what decision this will drive.
Ask when they actually need it.
Ask if it’s worth dropping everything else.

If they don’t have a clear answer?
It’s not urgent.


Have you received many urgent requests? 

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for Data Storytelling tips.

90% of Data Analysts miss this.
It’s how they talk to stakeholders.

Not the tools.
Not the tech.

The conversations.

Here’s the cheat sheet I wish every Analyst had:

📝 When a request is vague
 – What decision does this help you make?
 – If you had the answer tomorrow, what would change?
 – If we could only answer one thing, what matters most?

🚫 When you need to push back
 – How does this request influence a decision?
 – What happens if we don’t do this?
 – To move forward, I need [data/input/approval]. Can you provide that?

🎯 When aligning on goals
 – What does success look like to you?
 – Who will use this insight?
 – What outcome makes this worth it?

📊 When presenting insights
 – Here’s the key takeaway…
 – If you remember one thing, let it be this…
 – Here’s what this means for the business…

⚡ When stakeholders disagree
 – I hear you. What’s behind that concern?
 – Which part doesn’t match your experience?
 – Let’s explore where we see it differently.

🤝 When building trust
 – What are your priorities this quarter?
 – What’s your team’s biggest challenge?
 – What would make this a win for you?

Because great communication doesn’t start with answers.
 It starts with better questions.

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
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It’s 2015, and I step into a meeting room in Seoul 🇰🇷. The commercial director is Korean. He shakes hands with my Dutch colleagues, all in their 40s. I extend mine too, but with my babyface, I look like a 20-year-old who just came to take notes. He leaves me hanging.

In that moment, I feel invisible.

But after a minute I realize, it’s not about me. It’s more about cultural differences, assumptions, and expectations.

The next time a colleague snaps at you,
Don’t take it personally.

Chances are, it has more to do with them than with you.

Maybe they missed a promotion.
Maybe they had a bad night’s sleep.
Maybe they’re juggling too many deadlines.

Yes, we can set boundaries.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

The more we realize the world doesn’t revolve around us,
the easier work and life become.

Do you agree?

♻️ Repost to help fellow data professionals.
Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for tips on Data Storytelling.

Your dashboards need a diet.
Here’s how to trim the fat:

Many dashboards are stuffed.
Every metric. 
Every filter. 
Every chart.

Just in case.

But here’s the problem
Too much info = No focus.
No focus = No action.

A great dashboard is like a Michelin-star dish.
Balanced.
Curated.
Easy to digest.

The best data professionals know this.
They don’t dump data.
They craft a story.

Next time you build a dashboard…

Ask yourself:
What’s the main question end-users need answered?

Then serve that.

Have you seen this happen?

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#data #analytics #bi

#Data storytelling done right.
Here’s the step-by-step process to turn data points into a clear, action-driven story.

From table to takeaway:

Step 1: Define the goal
↳ Write the one decision you want to influence.

Step 2: Understand the audience
↳ What is the decision they want to make with this data?

Step 3: Extract the key message
↳ Scan the table. What’s the one thing relevant for my audience?

Step 4: Write the headline
↳ Turn the key message into a sentence on top.

Step 5: Choose the right visual
↳ Replace the table with a simple chart that fits the message
(comparison → bar, trend → line).

Step 6: Put everything in grey
↳ Set all bars, lines, axes, and labels to light grey.

Step 7: Highlight the key point in color
↳ Color only the critical bar or line segment
(e.g., Online in Asia = red, -8%).

Step 8: Label the insight on-chart
↳ Add a short callout: “Online -8% drives Asia decline.”

Step 9: Add the recommendation
↳ One sentence that tells them what to do next.

Step 10: Trim the noise
↳ Remove gridlines, extra decimals, duplicate legends.

Step 11: Sanity check the story
↳ Read the slide top-left to bottom-right. Does the path make sense?

Step 12: Test with a colleague
↳ 10-second test: “What’s the message?”

That’s it.
From table to takeaway.
From noise to narrative.

Question:
Which step do you like most?

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Stop speaking data.
Start speaking business.

Because here’s the thing:

When you say “accuracy improved to 85%”…
…your stakeholder doesn’t know what that means.

Will it save time?
Grow the business?
Make customers happy?

If they don’t see it, they won’t act.

The solution?
Translate data into business language.

Here’s how:

Example 1 — Model accuracy → Business
❌ “Our fraud detection model improved from 78% to 85%.”
✅ “700 more fraud cases caught, saving $2M annually.”

Example 2 — Operational data → Business
❌ “The average response time of our customer service chatbot decreased from 17 to 11 seconds.”
✅ “Customers now get answers 35% faster. That keeps them from dropping off and boosts retention.”

Example 3 — Marketing metrics → Business
❌ “Conversion for campaign B was 2.1%, compared to 1.4% on campaign A.”
✅ “Campaign B brought 3,000 extra people to visit our product page. That’s $450k in potential new revenue.”

That’s the shift.
From numbers.
To impact.

Do you think speaking business language is important?

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
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Data storytelling doesn’t start with slides.
It starts with a goal.

If you want people to value and use your insights…

Do THIS, before your meeting 👇

1. Write your goal in one sentence
↳ What decision or action do you want?
↳ Phrase it as: “After this meeting, I want them to…”

2. You’ll walk in with clarity. And so will they.
List 3 questions you’ll ask
↳ To uncover what they really need.
↳ Use open-ended ones: “What would success look like for you?”
Helps you steer the talk instead of reacting.

3. Prepare objections
↳ Where might they push back?
↳ Draft 1–2 plain-language answers.
Saves you from getting defensive or lost in technical detail.

4. Reach your goal
↳ If they remember one thing, what should it be?
Write that takeaway on a sticky note.
Keep it in sight.

That’s how to make your data story land.
Do you set your goal before your presentations?

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Most data presentations fail.
Too much detail.
Too much jargon.
No clear message.

Stakeholders tune out.

The problem?

You spend weeks on analysis.
But the slides kill the insight.

That’s why I made this:

Top 7 Data Presentation Mistakes
❌ Data dumping
❌ Buried insights
❌ Color overload
❌ No business link
❌ Weak chart titles
❌ Lost in translation
❌ No recommendation

✅ With fixes you can apply today.
Save it.
Share it.
Use it.

Because your insight is only as strong as your presentation.
👉 Which mistake do you see most often?

Stop giving stakeholders homework.

❌ What most Data professionals say:
“This slide shows all the metrics for Q1, split by channel and segment.”

What business people hear:
Homework.

The message?
Blurry.

The insight?
Lost.

Here’s the clear version:

🌎 Context
Overall, sales grew in Q1.

⚡ Problem
But when we look deeper, sales dropped 13% in Europe.
Especially online sales is underperforming.

➡️ Recommendation
I recommend reviewing the campaign strategy.

Clarity beats complexity.
Every time.

Do you think data storytelling is a must-have skill today?

Stakeholders keep asking for dashboards... but do they actually use them?
Don’t just serve more dashboards. Take these 3 steps instead.

For all new requests, use the 3 C’s:

1️⃣ Connection
Build trust first. Show you care about their needs.
↳ Acknowledge their request: "I see these insights are important to you."
↳ Set the tone: "Let’s dive deeper to discover how I can best help you."

2️⃣ Curiosity
Ask the right questions to uncover the real need.
↳ "What business problem are we solving?"
↳ "What does success look like?"
↳ "What decision are you trying to make?"

3️⃣ Clarity
Set clear expectations and push back when needed.
↳ Reframe their request to avoid endless rework:
↳ "Instead of tracking every KPI, let’s create a simple dashboard showing which channels drive the most revenue, so you can optimize your budget."

💡 Next time a stakeholder asks for a new dashboard...
Don’t just serve it right away. 
Start with the 3 C’s and deliver insights they’ll actually consume.

Can you relate? 
Have you ever seen dashboards go unused?

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Stakeholders aren’t analysts.
Don’t make them act like one.

❌ How not to present data:
“We analyzed revenue by channel in Q1.
First, we cleaned the data.
(…)
You’ll find all breakdowns for stores, e-commerce, and wholesale.”

✅ Data Storytelling:
“Revenue dropped 12% in Q1.

What we saw:
Offline sales down 20%.
Online sales up 8%.

Here’s the surprise:
Our customers tell us they are willing to spend more online.
But we see 30% drop at checkout.
That’s lost money.

We need to fix checkout.
Then two things happen:
→ Online grows faster.
→ We recover lost revenue.”

That’s the shift.
From analysis.
To action.

♻️ Repost to help fellow data professionals.
Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for tips on Data Storytelling.

😈 Data brain says: “Add more detail.”
👼 Business brain says: “Get to the point.”

Ever feel this?

Welcome to the inner war:
Data brain vs Business brain.

If you’ve got both, congrats.
But if you lead with the wrong one
You’ll lose your audience.

Here’s how to balance both 👇

1. Start with the impact
↳ Your audience’s brain is noisy
↳ Hook them in 1 line: “Sales dropped 28%, here’s why.”

2. Then give data as proof
↳ Now that they care, show the logic
↳ “Conversion rate fell after we removed the free trial.”

3. Keep details optional
↳ Add depth… but let them pull, don’t push
↳ “We’ve got a breakdown by channel if needed.”

You don’t have to choose sides.
Just pick the right one to speak first.
That’s the trick.

Who wins in your mind?
Data or Business brain?

♻️ Liked it? Repost to your network.
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Most analysts don’t know how to persuade.
They share the numbers.
They show the charts.
Still… stakeholders don’t listen.

The problem?
Persuasion isn’t about giving more data.
It’s about making people feel heard.

That’s where the AVP Framework comes in:
👂 Ask
✅ Validate
🚀 Persuade

I put together a one-pager with a real example.
Save it.
Use it.

Because the analysts who build influence…
Are the ones who make the biggest impact.

Do you agree?

♻️ Repost to help fellow data professionals.
Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for tips on Data Storytelling.

I love this image.
Same outfit for 40 years.

In data teams…
People keep evolving their tech stack. New models.

New tools.
New frameworks.

But when it’s time to explain their insights…
they fall back on the same old patterns.

Too much detail.
Too much jargon.
Same beige sweater.

This makes our audience fall asleep.
And that’s why brilliant work still gets ignored.

We need to present our data so that stakeholders say:
Tell me more!

The best way to do that?
Storytelling.

👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for more Data Storytelling tips.

Here's an example: 
> Do you ride a bicycle regularly? Tamara did too. But one day in 2018, that changed.

She biked to work, thinking about her next meeting.

Then, all of a sudden, a car appeared. 

The car hit Tamara from the side, her head smashing on the street. 

She got into a coma.

I sat beside her hospital bed, holding her hand.

Days passed by. 

Weeks passed by. 

Months passed by.

I thought she'd never wake up. 

After 6 months, she opened her eyes. Luckily, Tamara survived.

But until today, she's unable to read.

Tamara isn't an exception. 

Accidents with bicycles are on the rise. 

People with a helmet have 88% less risk of brain injury.

So when you go out on your bike today 

Wear a helmet.


Why is this more persuasive? 
✅ Helps the audience visualize
✅ Includes tension and emotion
✅ Brings the data to life by zooming in on one character
 
More tips: 

1. Bonus points for personal stories

2. Business story? Use customer personas.

3. Use cognitive biases to your advantage. Example: loss aversion. Instead of telling people what they will keep (safety), tell them what they risk losing (ability to read). 

4. Know your audience. Don't even try convincing Dutch people to wear a helmet 😉

Most data professionals stop at Earth View:

“Here’s everything. Good luck!”

But stakeholders don’t want the whole planet.
They want the street they’re standing on.

That’s the shift:

From showing all the data
→
to highlighting what matters now.

Data storytelling isn’t about more data.
It isn’t about more charts.
It’s about zooming in.

Get on the street.
Show them the red light.
Show them what’s urgent.

Because presenting data isn’t about informing.
It’s about influencing decisions.

♻️ Like it? Repost to your network.
👉 Follow Gilbert Eijkelenboom for grounded storytelling advice.

Het Rotterdam Collectief

Freelance designer and visual artist based out of the beautiful RoCo community in the heart of the city.

Freelance

Monkomon

I am a passionate and optimistic multi-hyphenate designer specialised in UX/UI, visual design, print, marketing and branding.

Authentic, no-nonsense, empathetic, positive.

Trust in the process and trust in the brand.

No BS. Ever.

Freelance Designer

Kraft Heinz

Improving and identifying growth opportunities in E2E pack design.
Collaborating with internal agencies (the Kitchen) and external partners, with artwork and with omnichannel teams internationally. 
Storytelling with data. 
Owner of Marketing Services technology.

Design Project Manager 

BIGPOT 🥙

BIG POT was a social enterprise driving food mindfulness through a delicious plant-based proposition.

I crafted stories, created social media and print visuals, and planned communications. I also regularly served the food and interacted with our customers. 
It was a lovely project I helped to build almost from scratch.

Marketing Specialist | Designer

Unilever

Led the range refresh for Comfort fabric conditioners in the UK and Ireland.

Product design and strategy.
Creative briefing. 
Managing communication and project scope for the UK&IE market.

Global Assistant Brand Manager - Comfort/Snuggle

Part of Global Marketing Services. Fabric Enhancers category. Ownership of projects from start to finish. 

Initiating and leading artwork projects from strategic design to market.
Providing technical expertise. 
Working with internal teams (Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain) and external stakeholders (print management and design agencies, printers). 
Supervising creation of digital e-commerce assets.
Advocating for process compliance and driving efficiency (category- and team-wide KPIs).

Other things I managed: 
creating a design-focused newsletter with cross-category reach; 
monthly team knowledge sharing sessions;
content creation for employer branding.

Artwork Production Specialist - Home Care Europe

Part of Global Marketing Services. Ice Cream category. Ownership of projects from start to finish. 

Initiating and leading artwork projects from strategic design to market.
Providing technical expertise. 
Working with internal teams (Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain) and external stakeholders (print management and design agencies, printers). 
Supervising creation of digital e-commerce assets, ensuring consistency and legibility of Mobile Ready Hero Images. 
Advocating for process compliance and driving efficiency (category- and team-wide KPIs).

And while I had some extra time, I also provided value by: 
editing, typesetting and designing an annual report for the works council;
doing UX research for an internal learning platform;
taking over a part of the Laundry platform to cover a maternity leave.

Artwork Production Specialist - Refreshment Europe

Managed creation and approval of packaging artwork from design to market. 
Initiated and led artwork projects. 
Provided technical expertise to ensure brand quality and consistency throughout the entire process. Created promotional material for the European Artwork Excellence team.

Artwork Production

Marketing Association EUR

Designed banners, icons and the 2016-2017 yearbook, whilst preserving the association's uniformity in corporate identity.

Visual Designer

Graphic design, DTP, translation and content assignments.

Freelance Designer/Editor/Translator

Costa Coffee

I know my flat white from my cortado, trust me.

Barista

Khan Academy

Translated PL-EN/EN-PL segments for Khan Academy's courses in mathematics, specifically for elementary school. I collaborated with other translators, and made sure the text strings were functioning properly in the digital environment.

Translation intern

Szpital Św. Wincentego a Paulo

Worked as a translator/interpreter at the hospital's emergency department during the 2012 UEFA European Championship hosted in Poland. I supported the paramedics and nurses in understanding patients' problems.

Translator

A few years ago I learned that "being born talented" is a fake narrative. 

Exactly when my mom, in all her brutal honesty, told me that my childhood drawings were kinda ass, but she encouraged me to keep drawing because she saw the spark in my eyes.

Aside from acknowledging that sincerity runs in my family (thank you mother), I also understood that we're not born with one randomly-generated gift. You keep practising, you fail, you try again, you improve.

I am in my freeform era. Never too old to discover new things. 

Graduated from art school, moved countries for love (just once), wore many hats in a start-up that didn't take off, learned the intricacies of industrial printing, even worked in the ER. I'm a girl of patchwork experiences, and a bunch of interests. That IS my strength. When inert, I wilt.

Monika Monko

here's some reflections from the last 3 weeks - I gave offline flock & doodle workshops at 4 different locations!!!

1. Many nostalgic, sweet, pleasant things were made.
2. Many emotional pieces, too, and within all ranges of feelings.
3. Prompts and structure worked out organically, the flow was good, no pressure.
4. So many people stayed behind to help me and Ray clean up 😭🙏
5. High energy! Good vibes! Self-doubt and some anxiety in the beginning that always got channeled into lots and lots of creativity. Many of these notions and negative self-talk were challenged.
6. Painting experiments inspired participants 🎨
7. Invention! Colours! Variety! Different styles!
8. Participants lifting one another up, offering tips and insights, asking questions out of curiosity, compassion and admiration.
9. Real good chats 💬
10. We spent hours away from screens.
11. Relaxation. Tension gone. Good vibes taken home.

Gonna also drop this beautiful quote here:

"I've never had anything like this laid out in front of me, with so many materials, and guiding prompts, so now it feels really good. I'm glad I had this opportunity."

guiding adults back to joy through creative exploration 💫 visual creative | merry maker | women in games advocate

the only way to stop dreading starting a new sketchbook is by "destroying" the first page with random scribbles. that was the message of the reel that sparked some controversy.

here I am, a recovering perfectionist, with my 2 fresh sketchbooks. I used to be that person that never touched the first page. it was sacred (and empty).

now it's either stickers or doodles. sometimes both. 

is that a recognisable struggle or is it just me?!

permanently stuck in work mode? 
give your mind a break and your creativity some space.

quick, 
beginner-friendly,
no skills or special materials needed,

all in the flock & doodle newsletter 📫 

🦜 🦜 🦜 

Hi! If you're seeing me on the feed for the first time, I'm Mon and I started Flock & Doodle: a space where adults can pause, recharge, and rediscover the joy of making art! Nice to (re)meet you!!!

Flock & Doodle workshops are now running in Rotterdam in small groups. Art supplies and refreshments included.

let's talk about why drawing and making art is awesome!!!

it's proven to 
📉 decrease stress levels, 
☺️ boost mood, 
🤸‍♀️ help process and release emotions. 

Studies demonstrate that as little as 45 minutes of creative activity can reduce stress, regardless of artistic experience or talent.

The next time you're itching to grab your phone when bored, try swapping that for a moment of drawing. You're guaranteed to feel a sense of accomplishment*.

Aaaand... one way to go about it, if you're still scared to start, is by joining a creative session with me 🥰 

Flock & Doodle workshops:
are held both offline and online,
help you get started on drawing thanks to creative prompts,
prioritise cosiness and psychological safety,
allow you to try everything at your own pace.

You get prompts for a short warm-up and then we move onto the main creative session: sometimes it's questions to ponder and answer about yourself, sometimes it's simple ideas for drawings and illustrations. 

The groups are small (6-8 participants), ensuring confidentiality and comfortable sharing conditions. And - you share only however much you want. Making art at your own pace and quietly is completely fine, too 💜✏️

Offline sessions are currently held in Rotterdam, and include materials and refreshments. 
Online sessions are hosted on Google Meet (in CET).

See you in the flock 🐦

*As seen with my workshop participants

coming Friday at 18:00 I will be in the Living Room at my alma mater Erasmus University Rotterdam giving a chill art workshop 🐦‍⬛ 

sign-ups are free provided there are still spots left!

EXCITEDDDD!

almost December but you're running on fumes? work leaves you tired and stressed out too often?

I still have spots available for these upcoming creative workshops ⬇️ no prior experience or skills required, just a willingness to embrace your innate creativity.

📌 creative evening sessions
📅 28 Nov 17:00-19:00
3 Dec 18:00-20:00
10 Dec 17:30-19:30
15 Dec 17:30-19:30
18 Dec 17:30-19:30
🥳 drawing with gentle guidance and art prompts, visual journaling, collage, bring-your-own-sketchbook
🖍️ I'm bringing: markers, crayons, oil pastels, coloured pencils, all sorts of paper
💶 pay-what-you-want. you can grab a ticket via Eventbrite (link below) or join and pay at the location, please just DM me in advance!
🗺️ Het Schieblock, 5 min walking from Rotterdam CS (parking available nearby)
🫖 coffee and tea available

📌 drawing for yourself
📅 2 Dec 15:30-17:00 
🥳 free drawing focused on letting go of perfectionism, with some guidance from me
🖍️ I'm bringing: markers, crayons, oil pastels, coloured pencils, all sorts of paper
💶 17 euro pp, grab your ticket via Eventbrite (link below)
🗺️ Huis van de wijk "Het Middelpunt", right outside metro station Slinge (parking available at the station)
🫖 refreshments can be purchased at the location

All tickets are available online. Feel free to DM in case of any questions or requests.

#rotterdam #randstad

I bet you could use a different kind of break in your busy workday.

Join me for 30 minutes of drawing, coffee sipping, chatting, and listening to some lo-fi tunes ☕

creative coffee break tomorrow at 11:30 CET 💜 online on Google Meet!

One of the reasons that inspired me to start Flock & Doodle was simple: missing play. 

I was missing making things for fun and for my own pleasure. I’ve always liked drawing, but as a kid I didn’t do it for clout. It was all about play and expressing myself. 

Many—if not most of us—do arts and crafts as children, only to completely forsake it when grown up. 

Occasionally we end up participating in work activities or social gatherings that involve painting and sipping wine, improv, dance, etc. Afterwards we think to ourselves “well, that was great! why don’t I do this more often?” and then we never make the time for it. 
Rinse and repeat. 

But it doesn't have to be that way.

don't miss the last free creative coffee break, today at 11:30 CET ☕ there will be laughs, cosy vibes, and a drawing prompt that's sure to make your day better!

6 weeks of creative coffee breaks have gone by ☕ such a lovely way to recharge, so many happy faces and great energy!

if you're curious about what we were up to, here's a small recap of prompts (+ sketches by yours truly):
✏ drawing from a picture that brings back good memories,
✏ illustrating something that starts with the first letter of your given name (🌕 for "Monika")
✏ drawing little circles representing moods of our weeks so far,
✏ illustrating our mornings,
✏ imagining a perfect day with no restrictions,
✏ filling a page with a spiral (like a 🐌 shell) and then filling in the spiral,
✏ setting intentions for the day,
✏ sketching an object by only drawing its surroundings.

the free coffee sessions concluded yesterday, but I am planning more slots and more times to accommodate everyone.

🕊 want to stay up-to-date on these online events? join the whatsapp flock community and/or the meetup group.

some of the things we drew in my coffee breaks

another Thursday, another creative coffee break!

Join me at 11:30 for a bit of drawing to set yourself up for a nice, creative afternoon.

link below 🙂‍↕️ see you soon!

if anyone has signed up and NOT received any email aside from the welcome one, please please let me know, I am trying to fix this 😭

just as I was about to post about Rising Together, The Bakeroom shares this beautiful reel - great minds think alike, am I right 🫡

thanks Joanna Latko and Marina den Hengst for teaching us about sourdough bread and business bread. it was such a cosy evening!

The longing for physical, offline, genuine connections is directly proportional to the tech-everything world that confuses, tires and leaves us wiped.

There is something undeniably human and simple about sharing bread with another person, around the table.

That’s why we created The Bakeroom - a space where people can slow down, show up as humans (not job titles), and have the kinds of conversations that don’t happen in boardrooms.

Last week's event was one for the books - the energy in the room is exactly the fuel we all needed.

More moments like this are rising. Stay tuned. 🥖✨

@Thank you Lendita Hoxha, Erik Hammer, Lex Molenaar, Chiara Magri, Michelle Bristol, Margarita Smirnova, Monika Monko, Hinkelien Schreuder, Paola Elena Brignoli, Matheus Mari, Trieu My Van, Kasia Pietrucka-van Rijnberk, Karen Huaracha Magaña for joining us!

need tips from the beautiful creative community here on LinkedIn. 

how do I make polymer clay into "usable" bobs like jewelry or charms?

today and very soon ✨ the last two free coffee break sessions, don't miss them!

want to enjoy a break without scrolling your phone? join me for a creative coffee break today at 11:30 (Amsterdam time) ☕

link below 👇

Making art without guilt. My promise to you.

🐦‍⬛ 🎨 

Perfectionism stays at home or goes to the bin, if you prefer.

There is no right or wrong, nor good or bad. Zero pressure to create masterpieces.

Being “talented” is no prerequisite. It’s BS.

We can unlearn doomscrolling!

I'll keep making flock & doodle a safe, confidential space. No judgment. We all have been through shit.

No competition here. We are all in this, and we are like-minded folks. We can be a source of support and strength for one another.

The workshops are about enjoying oneself through (and with the help of) art - and, if you want, getting all sorts of emotions out of your system.

You will feel peace of mind afterwards (and hopefully throughout the workshop too).

You’re showing up for yourself and I am here to support you!

taplio

The Battle

Gilbert Eijkelenboom

Monika Monko

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taplio

The Battle

Gilbert Eijkelenboom

Monika Monko

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Posts

Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gilbert Eijkelenboom's LinkedIn Performance

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