Encourage-learnt

Encourage folk, reflect, learn, apply

e n — c o u r — a g e

(verb)

To give support, confidence, or hope (to someone)

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https://unsplash.com/@carrier_lost (Ian Taylor)

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It has been a little over two weeks since we popped up, a touch below average for a missive that started the new year with every intention of being fortnightly. Perhaps there should have been an ‘ish’ appended to the original intention. Or maybe it wasn’t said out loud so it doesn’t count. There’s a strong chance you’re not keeping tally so if I just get on with it and say nothing it’ll be grand.

So, onwards …

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I still haven’t necessarily got to grips with Substack and I can’t shake off the notion that e-mailing all our musings about encouragement could come across as quite pesky. So, while I dither about whether to write, and what to send, and how much is too much (or too little), I end up having several pieces that I’ve posted into our own little space without giving them a wider airing.

It means that there’s a fair to middling chance that you missed

Encouraging Lessons

which offered 10 learnings from the first couple of years of Encouragement Sessions. There’s plenty of good stuff in there, not least the realisation that “encouragement is a superpower”. As it may be the only superpower I possess (and, as yet, not one that’s been snapped up by the Marvel franchise to work hand-in-(potty-mouthed)-glove with Deadpool) it is something I tend to go on about quite a bit. But, here’s a thing. What if the lessons kept on coming?

What if the new season of Encouragement Sessions (he says, making it sound a lot like a new release from Netflix) spawned a whole new set of learnings?

There’d be very little point in keep them to ourselves now, would there?

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So far this month, 9 Encouragement Sessions + 9 lessons

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1. Building an audience for that thing you do takes time. Remember ‘it is social media, not sales media’. Let folk get to know you. They are way more likely to buy what you are offering if they know, like and respect you.

2. It pays not to get hung up on labels. Definitions can be so hard and fast; pejorative even … worst case, they fix people into perceptions and prejudices. Telling folk what you do, how you do it, and why you do it allows people the chance to align themselves with the values you represent.

3. Sometimes people want to make lots of adjustments all at once - change everything. It is good to remember that once the eggs are broken, you still need to make the omelette.

4. Encouragement is every bit as much about listening as it is about talking.

5. There is a tremendous power in thinking globally and acting locally.

6. Even Encouragers need encouragement.

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   “Loved my Encouragement Session with Barrie. There’s magic that comes from having a conversation with no expectations for where it might lead. The benefits include a sense of connection, a bubbling of ideas, and a burst of positivity to spur you on your journey. I highly recommend the experience, especially if you are a solopreneur or independent business owner!"

   Mich Bondesio (Founder of growthsessions.co)

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7. If you are in a ‘team of one’ who do you turn to for the ‘water cooler conversations’, or that sounding board chat? Who are your trusted allies? Build yourself a virtual team of encouragers.

8. Sometimes the MOST creative folk need to be reminded about ‘the necessity of commerciality’ … make sure folk can find your stuff - in all its guises and at a variety of price points - so they can buy it off you. Your customers are way more likely to love your finished product than you ever will … but they’re the ones who are buying it, so that’s okay.

9. Oh yes, and finally, encouragement is STILL a bloody superpower. Try it!

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You Might Have Missed

‘Encourage Meant’ (Edition 1) - Even Encouragers Need Encouragement

The wonderful artwork of Simon Heath at Encouragement Illustrated

Our Encouragement Manifesto:

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Pebbles in the Pond

… ripples of encouragement

1. Mich Bondesio is on a gentle and uplifting mission to improve the performance of individuals and businesses as the founder of Creating Cadence

2. Founded in 2018 by Tom Herbert and Will Mansell, The Long Table is working to improve food and community resilience. “If there are no seats left, build a longer table”.