Balancing the Grind with Peter Metzinger, Founder of Mr. Campaigning AG

Peter Metzinger is a Zurich-based speaker, lecturer and strategic campaigning & change consultant, as well as the founder of Mr. Campaigning AG.

1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

Since 1982 I’ve been Campaigning for various purposes. In the eighties I studied physics, in the nineties I worked for Greepeace. Then I started my own business.

Basically what I do today is supporting startups and global companies, organisations and individuals in mastering seemingly impossible missions in the fields of leadership, marketing, communications and/or politics. My clients range from ABB to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

On top of working on solutions for my clients I pursue my own ‘Campaigning for Good’ projects by finding, supporting and promoting solutions for the future of humankind.

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

I start with reading and issues monitoring to see what’s relevant for the current projects. After that I check my daily plan, work – a lot remotely – and at the end I make the plan for the next day. In the evenings I am often busy with politics or with music. I play lead guitar in the Hard rock and roll band 300.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Absolutely. Planning and thinking in scenarios as well as mindfulness and foresight are two of the 14 Strategic Campaigning Guidelines. As a consequence we have been preparing for a pandemic since about 2004. Being able to and actually working remotely has always been a key element in our prevention strategy.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

My work is my vocation. I don’t need much more for a good work-life balance. Actually I think that expression doesn’t even apply to me. I made one of my passions become my business more 22 years ago, what else can I want?

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Change is the only constant in my life. It is in my DNA, so I don’t need any routines or habits for it; except maybe that I had to start making daily, weekly and monthly plans when my services became so requested that I had to become better organized to meet at least the demand of those clients that I really wanted to work for.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

In these days I would recommend The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and the books of Edward De Bono, and of course my own books, although only one is in English available. But I am planning to come up with a Campaigning manual soon, which will be in English, too.

I scan a lot of blogs and RSS feeds from scientific to marketing and change. My only advice would to try to read articles and books from as many domains as possible.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

iPhone and iPad.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Albert Einstein. But he didn’t write about this. So, maybe Katharina Strack-Becker who lives on Kauai and offers coaching to people who have come to a turning point and are trying to find out how to improve their work-life-balance and live what they are born to do.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Figure out what you are really passionate about and take the courage to change your life so you can make a living based on it. Don’t be afraid. Money follows passion, not the other way round. If you still have any doubts, let me know. I know a couple of people who can help you deal with them.

Before you go…

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Balance the Grind, let’s talk here.

Join our community and never miss a conversation about work, life & balance – subscribe to our newsletter.