107 Courage to act

Convener: Andy Harmon

Participants: People came and went but we started with the following:
Sophia Simerensky, Sandra Bo-Sim Yee Ben Luke, Jo Faith, Angela Clerkin,

Title: Courage to Act:

What's in the way of taking action
and some ideas about how to breakthrough

Motto contributed by one of the session members:
"If we talked to our friends the way we talk to ourselves, no one would want to be friends with us."

"What are the aims or goals you need courage to do?" and/or "What are your fears that are getting in the way" (Goals and Obstacles)

Goals:
Networking
Auditioning (pushing forward, making calls)
Finding a Mentor
Finding a Project
Taking myself seriously
Finding a community
Taking a Risk
Feeling Entitled (I'm not good enough)
Taking ownership of the value of what I create
"I Want to stop Playing Small"
"I'm rubbish at networking but I want to work in an ensemble"

Obstacles:
Things we do that stop us:
I have a fear that what I create won't be perfect
I have a fear that I won't find the exact right group of people
I over-think what I do (analysis paralysis)
I get intimidated by what other people think I 'should' be doing.

Some suggestions about moving forward:

Don't use the the word 'Networking' think about 'making new friends' or 'building a community for yourself'
Use language that helps you take action rather than reinforces your preconceptions
Make it Public. Declare yourself; then there's no time to be terrified.
Put your fears in perspective, think about what it will be like if you DON'T take action
Attend the NorthEast D&D. Set up a Local D&D in Leeds (forinstance)
Imagine yourself as someone else when you have to make a call or meet someone new
Email a friend or a colleague who will support your commitment to yourself with some things you're going to do.
Create a little community that will hold you to the deadlines you set for yourself

Many thanks to everyone involved in the weekend but especially Lee, Phelim, Nick, Lucy, Julian and all the others from Improbable and the Support Team who made this wonderful event happen!