Ambition vs Celebration – The Epic Battle

Finally, video 29 of Mel’s 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge has arrived….and it’s time to celebrate!

How many of you would consider yourselves to be super ambitious? You dream big and sometimes struggle to think small. You are always looking ahead and rarely look backwards. Well, this is me…and it’s a part of myself that I am most proud of but that I also get the most frustrated with. Because I am looking forward I forget to look back and celebrate what I have achieved. This generally results in negative self talk, convincing myself that I haven’t achieved much. Well, this is video 29 and I am almost to my 30! So, I’ve decided to look back for once, and celebrate this incredible journey. Join me in celebrating?

*warning, I may dance at the end of this video…

For 30 days I have posted a video which describes doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on! The next video will be my last in this challenge and will focus on what I learned during the process and how you can start your own 30 day challenge. See the rest of the 30 days here 

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Mel gets raw talking about her science baby

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 28 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

A few days ago, I announced to the world that I am apparently ‘infertile’. Today, I tell you about my official ‘unexplained infertility’ diagnosis, the decision to go forward with IVF and the many emotions that come with that decision.

For 2 more days I will post a video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Making the leap to full time self employment

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 27 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

A few weeks ago, I quit my job. The job that brought in the consistent side of my income. Since then, I’ve been on holiday. Today is the day, day one of week one of having 5 days to fill with important work. Of being accountable to me and my customers (including The You Can Hub!). How does it feel? Well…watch this short video to see. Then, tell me your stories. Have you left your job? Are you doing good in the world and making an income? It’s so much easier to do this if you know that others are too. So, let us know in the comments below!

For 3 more days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Entering The Business World – Day 26

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 26 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

The You Can Hub is a business and with that, we need to generate an income. Recently, I have been reflecting on how I am and am not comfortable doing this. What sales I like and the types that I don’t like. And in this, I realised that I have been avoiding selling to businesses….and that’s silly. It’s a confidence thing. So, here’s me committing to creating an offer for corporates and pitching it. What it will be is to be determined shortly based on some ideas from over the years but the key thing is, it will happen, it will be based on need and our skills, and it will be incredible.

For the next 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Following Through With A Teenage Dream – Day 25

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 25 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

I claim to be a singer…or at least I used to. I was in the choir and jazz choir. I loved it. Then, high school finished and I stopped singing… except in the car. So, I bought a guitar. And all through university I said that I would learn to play it. Learn to play the guitar so that I could sing with it. But, in the corner the guitar still sits….many years later. So, I’ve decided to do something about it. I have now signed up for Blues Guitar lessons at the local community centre. Here goes nothing!

For the next 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Sh*t Happens & I Can't Be Everywhere At Once – Day 24

Today, my good friend, neighbour and unofficial British grandma passed away. I’m not sure what my challenge is for the sake of this video…admitting that not everything is in my hands….that I can’t be everywhere at once maybe. Just being honest about me and my day, I guess. So here’s me saying goodbye to Jean. She was an incredible women who will not be forgotten. I miss you already.

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 24 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

For 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Sh*t Happens & I Can’t Be Everywhere At Once – Day 24

Today, my good friend, neighbour and unofficial British grandma passed away. I’m not sure what my challenge is for the sake of this video…admitting that not everything is in my hands….that I can’t be everywhere at once maybe. Just being honest about me and my day, I guess. So here’s me saying goodbye to Jean. She was an incredible women who will not be forgotten. I miss you already.

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 24 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

For 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Running My Fear Away – Day 23

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 23 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

I ran, I ran! For the first time in almost 6 months, I went for a run. This might sound like a small feat but for me it is about overcoming fear, anxiety and stopping myself from getting in my own way. So, I ran, and it was great. Yep, I was sore for a day or so but I survived and it felt better than it did 5 months ago!

For the next 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

Stepping out of my box, literally, at the World Domination Summit

There really is no better way to start believing then to surround myself with 3000 incredible people who are achieving their impossible. 

8 months ago when I bought a ticket to go to the World Domination Summit (WDS) in Portland, Oregon, I had no idea what to expect. If anything, I expected to be lost in the crowd of 3000 other people and to be overwhelmed with information from speakers. Success would be to meet some inspirational people who by telling their stories would help me believe that anything is impossible. Help me believe in me and my dreams.

WDS stage

Picture by Armosa

Fast forward to now and I am winding down from a very busy weekend at WDS. It was beyond what I expected and I will not attempt to summarise everything in one post. Over the next few weeks, months even, I fully expect that the key messages will seep in and I will begin to use them to take some incredible action. I will have more specific learnings and applications from each speaker and workshop. Lou will also have her own reflections from the event. So, for today, here are my main take aways from the event – some overarching themes.

  1. We are all human – nobody is perfect – we’re all just in different places on our incredibly confusing journeys. Even the people I envy, those that appear to have ‘made it’, they are human too. And in fact ‘making it’ doesn’t really exist. It’s not an A to B type of journey. Realising this, I now feel a little better about riding the waves, muddling through and finding my way. (drawing of crazy map)
  2. Most people assume that others are further ahead then they are. I do this with others frequently…but then through conversation, I realise they are usually making it up as they go along too. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but an interesting reflection.
  3. Everything is easier togetherLiving a remarkable life, being different, achieving the impossible, these are all things that are so much easier to achieve together. Being surrounded by 3000 people looking to achieve similar things makes anything seem possible. And when I start doubting it again, I will think of these remarkable people that I met last weekend. I will think of the hugs, the smiles, the tears and the laughter. I will think of what it was like for a portion of these people to dance together to Gangham Style at the closing party with huge smiles on our faces. I will think of my new giant family who ‘get it’.
  4. Be interested, not interesting. I’ve gone away from this weekend thinking maybe, just maybe, I am interesting after all. But more importantly, I am no longer too worried about whether I am or not. I am good at being interested, being curious, asking questions, collecting stories. At the improv workshop on Sunday afternoon I was given this card. And it just makes sense to me. o, I will continue to learn, ask questions, and help others find and achieve their impossible.
  5. Speaking to 3000 people is f*ckin’ hard – I was surprised this weekend with an invitation to do an attendee story. Yep, I found out two days beforehand. Then, just before I found out it was meant to be half the length I had anticipated. My world shifted. I shifted. I adapted. It was bloody hard. I was harder on myself than the audience was. Here’s a first video about the emotional roller coaster that is speaking to 3000 people while standing in a box. To those who listened, who patted me on the back, who then shared your stories with me, thank you. You are the inspiration.

And for now, those are my key take aways, my key themes. Keep an eye out for more, including some follow up videos and challenges for you to step out of your box and tangible examples of how to ask those who are usually excluded for help instead of always asking to help them.

This is also my day 22 video for my 30 Day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Challenge.

Yours from outside the box,

Mel

Accepting the Challenge to Speak At The World Domination Summit -Day 21

Do something that both scares and excites you. This is day 21 of my 30 day Scare The Crap Out Of Myself Video Challenge.

The World Domination Summit started today in Portland. So of course, we had to start it cape style with a caped freeze mob where I was once again dressed like the robot of mediocrity. But that isn’t even the scary bit… today, I was asked to tell my story…and not just to one person, or to a camera…but to 3000 attendees on Sunday. OMG!

For the next 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)

For the next 30 days I will post one video which will describe doing something that both scares and excites me, one learning point, and a take away. Join me through my ‘Hell yeah!’ moments and my ‘Oh Sh*t’ moments for the next 30 days and please do cheer me on!

Why on earth would you do this, Mel?

For Me: To bring some structure back in my life. To prove to myself that I can follow through. To document my journey at this scary time. To feel alive.

For You: Perhaps you are on a similar journey, thinking of making a change or needing to give yourself a kick in the bum to get going. I hope that following my journey will help you feel that you are not alone and inspire you to go out and do things that scare you too. Because in the end, it is by finding and doing something that makes you come alive that we truly start to make a dent in the world. Want to scare the crap out of yourself on film? Start your own challenge and let us know that you do! Share it on twitter with #stcoom (short for scarethecrapoutofmyself!)