"A handful of tangfastics for the soul"
This edition of 'Encourage Meant' describes our Encouragement Sessions
Picture the scene …
I am sat in an outbuilding on the farm. It is built of Charentaise stone - typical of the Vienne department of France - wooden beams span its breadth. The concrete floor is strewn with leaves and decorated with the hopscotch we chalked on it for our granddaughter’s recent visit. Huge doors made of ‘wriggly tin’ (corrugated metal sheets) are flung open to welcome the sun and disperse the stifling heat. There is an agricultural hue, a rustic sensibility. There is a plan sitting patiently in the future to bring the building back to life. This morning there is life in this old space, the place we have started to refer to as ‘the Studio’. There is vibrant conversation, encouragement flowing from my screen to Will’s in Cambridgeshire. This ‘Encouragement Session’ lives up to its tagline, “a handful of tangfastics for the soul”. These free mentoring sessions awaken dormant ideas, fuel energy, and inspire action. It is surprising what an enthusiastic sounding board can do for a curious soul. In the background bees buzz as nature wrestles with the heat of an early-Summer day. Inside the old building the ideas buzz too. That’s the way things happen down at Encouragement Farm.
Was it Oprah Winfrey who said, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself”?
Our Encouragement Manifesto has gently evolved. It has progressed from capturing values to live by to asking people to write about them so we could amplify voices not always heard. It became clear that some of the people behind those voices - some of the folk we were keen to celebrate - needed some encouragement to do their *thing*. Artists, writers, coaches, community builders, creatives … so many people needing ‘permission to do the things that bring them joy’.
That’s how the Encouragement Sessions came into being.
At the heart of the Sessions are the values that underpinned our small business life:
Artwork by Hannah
I have just started to read ‘The Creative Act’ by Rick Rubin. His introduction struck me as the perfect summary of my intentions for the Sessions:
Some ideas may resonate,
Others may not.
A few may awaken an inner knowing
you forgot you had.
Use what’s helpful
Let go of the rest.
What are they?
Hour-long Zoom calls with an enthusiastic, optimistic, and experienced strategic thinker
When
When folk get in touch and ask for them
How (much)
Free at the point of use, save for a hope that folk would ‘pay it forward’ with kindness to others.
Why
Because everyone needs to test their ideas, kickstart their creativity, push forward beyond a blockage, and find new energy. A ‘handful of tangfastics’ can sharpen someone’s enthusiasm
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We try to capture and share lessons from the Sessions
We hoped that the spirit that inspired the Encouragement Sessions would create ripples of generosity … our hopes have been wildly exceeded by the kindred spirits who have shared the journey with us
What they say
“The encouragement sessions have been like a little window into my parallel life, the one that I yearn for, that is filled with energy, positivity, and creativity. Barrie - I’ve really enjoyed the meandering conversations, the extraordinary tangents, the recommendations, and the simplicity of the core messages you’ve shared. I’ve always gone away feeling energised and with more direction and purpose.” (@eatbetterwithbriony)
Thank you for the burst of EnCouragement, Barrie! Always grateful for your generous gift of time and listening 🙏
I too am reading Rubin’s wonderful book!
Have a great rest of the day!
Might have to take you up on the offer B.
Be good to have a chat.