Praise Makes You Brave

It does. I say it often (I think I said it on YouTube, but can't swear by it.) It still makes me brave. Just got this from a WriteSpeak grad via LinkedIn. It's about the retreat. You don't have to read it (though I wouldn't mind a bit). I'll just bask here a bit. (I put up more of them, some time ago at http://WriteYourOwnSuccessStory.com and www.geniuspress.com if you feel like knowing what the devil this is all about.)
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A few friends who know I went through Barbara Sher's WriteSpeak program
last year asked me if I learned anything, and if it was worth it.

Looking back at what I've learned astounds me. Here's just a few things
that come to mind quickly:

Technology / Social Media

Barbara is on the cutting edge of technology and how it's used today
in business. In all honesty, I had no idea half this stuff existed before
she insisted that we learn it.

Prior to her class, I had never:
Written a Blog
I wasn't even sure what a Blog *was*. Now I have three.

Created a Web Site
For 15 years, I begged every techie in the family to help
me get a decent web site up for my small business. In
one weekend in WS, I learned how to create my own -
easily, and for FREE. Now I have 10 websites (no joke!)
and switch out old and new ones whenever I feel like it.

Used Twitter
Again, I hadn't even heard of it. Now I have over 1,000
followers and new friends from around the world. They
answer questions to stuff I want to know, inspire me,
teach me, amuse & enlighten me. I love it.

Published an eBook
Another thing I was vaguely aware of - but hadn't a
clue where to begin. Now I can churn them out.

Uploaded a Video to YouTube
Silly, but this never would have entered my mind before.
Now I upload, download, embed and reuse videos. Wow.

Self Published on Amazon and Elsewhere
This is still on my to-do list, but now I know how to
actually DO IT, and I'm no longer afraid of the process.

I'm sure there are 30-40 other things I take for granted
now and do on a daily basis that I learned in WS.



Personal Growth
On a personal basis, there has been tremendous growth as well.

Everyone knows that Barbara Sher is all about wanting you to
follow your dream, but how many of us even believe that's possible?

Before going to WriteSpeak, I was a lonely, scared, easily-intimidated,
insecure, overworked wreck. And that was on my good days.

Going to WriteSpeak was the first step in a journey to reclaiming myself
that continues to this day. Barbara and the wonderful friends I made at
WS II became my personal cheerleaders. They saw value I had overlooked
or forgotten. I made friends there that are now a permanent and important
part of my life.

They reached inside my tired, ragged heart and brought out a light I had
forgotten existed.

They told me I can write well. (I always wondered about that.)

They said I'm a artist. (I always hoped so.)

They respected me. (Whoa - who'd a thunk?)

They supported me when I struggled, kicked me when I procrastinated,
laughed at me when I was silly, and just *totally* accepted me - as I am,
flaws and all. What an enormous relief!

How can you begin to sum up a year like we've had? Every person in
the group has grown. We are not the same strangers who met a year
ago, hoping to learn a few tips and tricks about the writing and speaking
trades. We are a team now - a family who love and support each other
(even the weird ones). We rejoice in each other's triumphs and reach
out a hand when there are bad times.

And nowadays, I'm thinner, healthier, calmer, more at peace with myself,
more creative, aware of and accepting of my limits, and far, far, happier
than I was when we started this journey.

So was it worth it? My God, yes.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

Would I suggest that *YOU* go? You'd be a fool not to.
You're going to get a lot more out of this than you can
even imagine. Trust me. I've been there.

JB