Life is an Adventure.  Dare It.

This is one of my favorite quotes.  Becoming a ‘solopreneur’ has been quite the adventure for me – so incredibly different from my corporate career.  Selling millions of dollars of advertising seems quite the opposite of my buying $100 (or more) of media to promote my new course.  Starting your own business of helping others also brings on new levels of self-awareness, some of which are good lessons–even if unexpected.  Creating a video to promote “The Adventure Solution” was hard enough for me (I feel weird being on screen), and then there’s the fact that it’s being seen by thousands of strangers…!  Underneath that though, is knowing that my life purpose of guiding others to create their own Adventure Attitude is all worth whatever life lessons I have to learn along the way.  If I can’t “dare it”, how could I inspire others?

Inspired while I was creating Instagram posts for a client, I made a bunch for myself. I started posting these on LinkedIn, following sensible advice from my older son. My other son wants me to be sure to include my own wise sayings!

AdventureMobiles

This week my art project was officially accepted as a Burning Man Art Installation!  I’m fascinated by the process it takes to get art from a concept to created to displayed.  Not as simple as I when I look at it as an outsider.  You may not have any inclination to create this size (or bigger!) art, but maybe you’ll be inspired to do some kind of art project just for your own sense of artistic expression.  (This is how I felt years ago when I made some bead earrings for myself, and shared the joy when my young son joined in and made some beautiful pieces!)

AdventureMobiles is listed on the Burning Man website! A friend suggested this name – way more fun than “driverless taxis” and suits my outlook on life.

Increasing Speaking Engagements

Another tool in the online business world is to get out there and show the world your expertise.  Writing my weekly blog is one way (and one I really enjoy).  Another is to conduct events (I’ve had several NYC adventure outings, and am planning a few others soon…and they do involve chocolate!)  I’ve connected with podcasts, which I share with you when they are published.  I have more scheduled, and I am excited about them.  I hope to be a guest on more of them in the future too.  But the one that gives me hesitation is where I actually give a presentation to a group, to stand in front of others and share my expertise.

Why does this scare me? (I told you being an entrepreneur gives you self-awareness lessons!)  I can remember back to two specific incidences.  First was a seventh grade science project that I was so unprepared for that my hand was visibly shaking whatever science-y thing I was holding.  The class laughed, the teacher gave me a failing grade.  Second was standing in front of my high school senior class, trying to inspire them to volunteer for Spirit Week.  All I remember was being so nervous that my mind buzzed and went blank as I spoke (people did volunteer, so I must have said the right things…but the issue is my mind shut down).  My career as a salesperson was impacted by this fear.  I avoided presenting to large groups, keeping a vast majority of my meetings to small, intimate groups.  One boss (who remains my friend to this day) had sales training specifically to increase the team’s skill in presenting.  Now, when I get nervous, I remember the lessons I learned that day.  I find something that brings out my passion for the subject.  That image sits in my head while I present.

It’s amazing what fears will pop up in your head, how your mind will find excuses that seem rational, and how easily it can be to remain “comfortable” in your status quo.  Even with months of reading about and hearing from people who know that I should start speaking engagements, my mind has come up with reasons not to!  The first is – what would I speak about?? My steps to overcoming these fears with adventure – with shifting how my mind is rationalizing not doing what scares me – starts with awareness.  I am aware of these fears, and can name them.  Next, I accept them.  I understand these fears, where they come from and what their place is in my current situation.  Then comes action.  What will I do to overcome these fears and do what needs to be done (and have fun doing it)?  In this case, baby steps…or having one adventure build on another.

1. First was testing out a few Facebook lives (I need to do more of these for my business, but the ones I did personally were helpful!).
2. Then I ran my course using a video chat room.
3. Then I was interviewed on podcasts (the interviewers make it so easy to tell my story with their prompts).  Listening to myself was a challenge.  It made me uncomfortable.  I challenged myself to listen again and again until I became comfortable (well, more comfortable at least).
4. I also went to events and told strangers my “elevator pitch” (quick explanation of my business).  This is a sales technique I’ve known for years, but it helped me get the words straight for explaining ME versus a corporate product I was selling.
5. Then I created (with help from my niece, who is in the movie industry) to make my first video for a Facebook ad.
6. I signed up for, and was accepted for, the Center Camp Speaker Series at Burning Man.  Although I hope to get involved in more speaking engagements before the end of August, this is a way to start developing a speech outline.  All this to overcome that limiting fear stated as “what would I speak about?”  With a set time (15 minutes) and the need to create a 150 character description of my talk,  I have incentive to answer that question!  And it’s fun, not frightening.

   

   So excited to be accepted as a speaker! Now…to prepare!

   

   Center Camp is one of two places where things are sold. Here they sell coffees and lemonade. (Ice is the other thing sold, and that’s at different locations). Burning Man encourages you to bring your own cup – it’s part of their “Leave No Trace” philosophy.

   

   Since I’ve seen the speakers and the stages, it’s easier to “visualize” me there. One of the stages for speakers/entertainers (seen behind the red umbrella). I don’t have any photos of speakers!

   
   

   

   Burning Man is not considered a “festival” where art & entertainment are curated and provided by organizers. Here, it’s the attendees who volunteer their art & entertainment! (Another stage, seen vaguely in the distance behind this guitar-art-in-progress)

   
   

Start spreading the word – Adventure

This week I was also accepted as a speaker at Burning Man, talking about Adventure.  My art project is named “AdventureMobiles.”  My course is the “Adventure Solution.”  And (of course you know this, you’re reading it now), my blog is called Adventure Wednesdays.  What’s next?  The word printed on t-shirts? (hmmm, what do you think – maybe not a bad idea!)  Being a ‘solopreneur’ is often times a dare, a big risk, a challenge, a huge learning curve…but also worth it all if more people end up looking at life as fun, or as…Adventure.

P.S. if you like my mission, will you help me spread the word?  There are “share” buttons below – let me know they work?  Share your favorite blog with friends, follow me on Instagram (@adventurewednesdays), Facebook (@adventurewednesdays) and Twitter (@advntrwdnsdys) or like my posts on LinkedIn. Thanks!