Wednesday 22 April 2015

brave | finally choosing to back me

Choosing BRAVE as my One Little Word® for this year might seem like a strange choice if you're on the outside looking in for the last four months. I mean, it's not as if I've acted on the word in any way so far, is it? But I think that part of making a word work for you is growing in acceptance that you need the strength that the word can bring you, and that isn't something that happens on January 2nd.

As I worked through those prompts in February, I thought I had a better understanding of what BRAVE meant for my year. But in true-Cate-style (cause lets face it, it wouldn't be an introspective Cate-post if I didn't throw in a spot of self-deprecation) life got in the way, and I've wallowed a bit since then.

And then last week a newsletter hit my inbox. It was a bit odd, because I didn't remember signing up for it, but I clicked it open because I recognised the name from a blog I had stumbled on the day before - The Colourful Housewife. I read the newsletter, clicked through on a couple of things, then wandered off on my merry way around facebook.

Later that night, something caught my eye - a status update in one of the business groups I'm in, offering advertising spots in the newsletter of The Colourful Housewife. Hmm, thought my brain, maybe I'll ask for more information.

Which I did.

And I consulted Toni, as I do with all random hare-brained ideas that jump into my head. (She's no good at helping me decide, she always says "do what you think is best", just as I say to her, but she's a fabulous sounding board!)

So how exactly did I back myself?

Well, I purchased an advertising spot in The Colourful Housewife's newsletter.

You know how they say you've got to spend money to make money?

Well, I'm not totally trying to make money yet, but I am trying to grow confident in putting myself out into the world.

It might seem like an odd first step, throwing myself out into the inboxes of 50,000 people, and the facebook feeds of even more people, but it seems that when I finally trust BRAVE, I do odd things.

And if I get just one facebook follower, or one comment and one extra reader, well, right now that's pretty successful to me. (Actually, that's not true, if I only get one new reader I'll probably cry over wasted money, and seriously doubt myself, and wallow in pinterest and chocolate)

When did you last back yourself? Did it involve spending money?

If you're new here, welcome, I'm Cate! I've been blogging in this space for almost 8 years, through pregancy, babies, teenagers and lifes ups and downs. Read more about us over here, or sign up for the monthly newsletter here.
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35 comments

  1. Hi Cate ~ I don't always take the time to comment, but I want you to know that I have been very proud of you and your blogging endeavors this year. You have really put yourself out there and I am hopeful that it will pay off for you. From a distance (like, the other side of the planet) I think you have been very brave! I'm glad you took the leap and invested some money in advertising, and I'll be curious to see how that is successful for you. I think it will be!

    As far as spending money to make money, my most recent investment has been renting space at my local yoga studio for a mandala workshop I'm hosting. My mentor told me not to worry if I didn't have students register right away - that people usually wait until the last minute to sign up. Well, my workshop is a little over two weeks away and so far my daughter and my best friend are the only ones signed up. LOL. I will HAVE to be ok if it's just the three of us, but in my mind I'm imagining 15. So I'm going to wish for you, at LEAST 15 new readers from your recent investment, and maybe you can wish that number back on me. If we're both lucky, we'll each have more than that, but at a minimum... Fingers crossed for 15!

    Keep up the great work!!! xo

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    1. Deb, that sounds like such an exciting adventure! I bet you do end up with 15 students, a mandala workshop with you would be on my wishlist!

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  2. Good on you Cate! I need to back myself too a bit at the moment. You've given me some much needed inspiration. x

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    1. Ellen, it's such a big step, and even publishing this post had me doubting myself!

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  3. Haha I'm no good at helping you decide...

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    1. haha! At least you're a good sounding board.

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  4. Fingers crossed. I just started freelancing for them. I don't remember signing up either haha but I did the brave thing investing in myself recently and am currently doing the secret bloggers business MBA. Not sure I've learnt heaps yet but I have learnt a bit and the resources are great so hopefully both our investments pay off :)

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  6. Good for you! Pleased to hear that you've grabbed hold of that bravery and signed up! You'll be fine, we are all wishing you success x

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    1. I know in my head that all will be ok, but my heart is another matter.

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  7. Wishing you every success! And I like the look of your blog - either I have been myopic recently or you have given it a change?

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    1. I've been making small changes as I've had time, so you haven't really missed anything. Thanks for the wishes.

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  8. Well done Cate...and just for the record, I've thought you incredibly brave and honest all the time I've been reading your blog! Xx

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  9. Well done and why not back yourself in this way? I've tried a little bit of fb advertising just to see what happens!

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    1. I think fb advertising will be down the track, but I'd like to try other methods first. I'll report back.

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  10. I love this! It really resonates. My word for the year is CREATE and it's definitely taking longer to become obvious as to why it's my word. I'm also working on being brave and backing myself. Thanks for an awesome, relatable post

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    1. Guiding words always take a while to show themselves fully, I bet it hits you in the face soon.

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  11. Yay you for backing yourself! I cannot remember the last specific thing I backed myself in (in or with?) hmm whichever fits. Lol. But I must say that every opportunity that comes my way I always give it a shot. I am a firm believer of 'if you cannot believe in yourself than why would anyone else?' and so even if I'm not 100% convinced I can do it, I still give it everything I have.
    You are on your way!! Well done Cate.

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    1. That's a great philosophy - why should others back me, if I don't back me?! Thanks!

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  12. Good on you Cate! And I agree with Deb, you should be proud of what you have put out there this year. You've been encouraging others for a long time so it's great that you are starting to put that into practice for yourself.

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  13. I am in a position where I need to start being brave and backing myself. You have inspired me :)

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    1. Go for it! You'll be surprised what it brings you!

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  14. Great job putting yourself out there Cate! I think you've been brave already this year just by choosing that word, studying it, learning more, trying new things!

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    1. Last time I backed myself is just this week - took a scrapbook-for-hire job to create a firefighter's retirement album. It's my first job like this, so I'm not sure about the time it will take me versus the price I quoted . . . but I am having FUN!

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    2. wow, that's a big step, I bet you do an awesome job of it!

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  15. Good on you hun. What do they save - fortune favours the brave? Or something like that. I always get my sayings wrong but you get the gist ;) xx

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  16. Congratulations Cate, Brave is such a good word! I was recently "brave" myself, attempting to enter the workforce again after 10 years. After countless resumes and applications, I have finally been successful and am now a working parent again, Its hard, scary and exciting!

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  17. That's so brilliant, Cate. You must let us know how it went. x

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