BOLDNESS + BRAVERY Page 3 of 18

I wrote a book for you. And it’s about to be published. Can I tell you about it?

Posted on 2017-02-13 at 7:52 am.

I have never been as nervous about writing a post for you as I am today. Why? Because after seven years of helping creative people like you share their souls with the world, it’s now my turn.

I wrote a book, and it’s ready.

It’s called ‘Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.’

And it might just change your life.

How do I know? Because it has completely changed mine.

You see, it’s not just any book. It’s a book about one of the most important quests we can ever undertake – the quest to feel free.

The only way I could write this book was to live it – to recognize that somewhere along the line I had gone wrong, and I had built a life that was actually trapping me.

That’s kind of hard to admit when your company is called ‘Do What You Love’, but like so many of us I got lost in the everyday busy-ness, the overwhelming workload, the many competing demands for my time and attention, and I completely lost any sense of who I really was.

I had to find a way to escape the cage I had built, and learn how to fly again. In doing so I realised that feeling free is the Holy Grail.

Freedom Seeker is an invitation to seek freedom in every corner of your life.

It’s about living more, worrying less and finding a way to do what you love every day.

It sounds simple, and in some ways it is, but when you are trapped in a cage with broken wings, freedom can seem like a far away deeply buried treasure. I know, because I’ve been there.

My personal story isn’t a dramatic one of hitting rock bottom. That’s not how it happened. Mine is one of a slow ebbing of joy from my days, of stemming that flow and finding myself again, the present-day version of me, in love with the life I’ve got.

In Freedom Seeker I also share the stories of people whose cage doors have been slammed in their faces, the darkness pushing them right to the edge, before they had no choice but escape. Theirs are high- velocity, adrenalin-pumping truths about how freedom seeking saved their lives.

Deep down we all know that freedom is a choice and a human right. Yet millions of us don’t feel that truth. We feel trapped by our circumstances, relationships, social pressures, financial status and education. Caged by our expectations of ourselves, and others’ expectations of us, and by our beliefs, doubts and fears.

We allow ourselves to be held back from living our fullest lives. Individually it is heartbreaking. Collectively it is a colossal waste of potential. Together we are going to change this. In finding the courage and confidence to escape our cages and shine, we will help others do the same.

It is with equal measures of trepidation and pleasure that I can say those words you never really think you’ll hear yourself say:
“My book, Freedom Seeker, is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and from all good bookstores!”

I have lived every page of this book. In the writing of it I have danced and tumbled, laughed and crumbled, cried, shrunk, grown, travelled thousands of miles, talked to strangers, looked deep inside myself and rediscovered my own stories. I have centred myself and fallen apart, many times over.

I have screamed at the noise and revelled in the silence. I have followed the sun, howled at the moon, and sent thanks to the stars. I have talked to hundreds of women and a good number of men who have shared stories I will never forget.

I hope I have gathered the best of it all, the most powerful lessons and inspiring tales to show that if I can do it, and they can do it, then you too can do it.

The writing of this book has made me feel more deeply connected, vital and alive than I have in years.

I hope in reading it, and in the living of it, you too find a way to inhale the magic and mystery and beauty of your own life, and finally feel truly free.
Please, buy Freedom Seeker and read it, because if it does for you what it has done for me, it will be the one of the best investments you ever make.

And if you have a friend who is feeling trapped, stuck, lost in the greyness, get a copy for them. It would be a precious gift indeed.

Let’s set out on this journey together…

With gratitude and much love

Beth

PS You can get some lovely bonuses if you pre-order Freedom Seeker before February 23. You can find out more here and claim yours right away. (And if you have already pre-ordered your copy, thank you! You can claim your bonuses by filling in the quick form here)

PPS Over the coming months I will be creating a host of opportunities for us to talk about freedom seeking, and share the journey – with Facebook Lives, events, features, podcasts and all sorts. But the first step is to read the book, then to apply the tools in your own life, and see how much more free you feel right away.

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Hear Beth Kempton reading the Prologue from her book Freedom Seeker

Posted on 2017-01-23 at 1:45 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we want to share something very special with you – the Prologue to Do What You Love founder Beth Kempton’s book ‘Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.’

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You can order Freedom Seeker here!

Fly free my friend, fly free.

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What would you do if you were losing your sight? This woman’s response blew me away…

Posted on 2017-01-16 at 12:35 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Something extraordinary happened last week. One of the graduates of our Do What You Love e-course shared her story on our blog, revealing publicly for the first time the impact Usher Syndrome has had on her life. Essentially it means Kate Morell is losing her sight.

“As I lose my sight, travelling from light to dark, I am still finding this journey is harder than I ever thought it would be. Using a cane feels like I am wearing an invisibility mask. My self, my identity, my story, completely erased, replaced with the mask of that of a blind girl and nothing more. Is it just me who wonders about people and their stories, especially those with visible differences? I often wonder if anyone else ever wonders about their story beyond their differences.”

Kate took the course in October and saw a dramatic change in herself:

“I began the course feeling a little bit depressed, but as I worked through it my mood lifted. I got a little carried away listening to many of the suggested books while tidying and de-cluttering my house, making time to be offline, and spend more time doing things that light me up. By the end I was a changed person, so much so that I went back to the beginning to start all over again.”

But that’s not the extraordinary thing. During the course Kate had an a-ha moment – an idea for a new passion project called ‘Sunsets for Kate’. Sunsets are what she’ll miss most when she loses her sight completely. Kate realised that if she goes blind by the time she’s 50, and is fortunate enough to live until I’m 90, she’ll miss out on over 16,275 sunsets. So she started thinking about how cool it would be to experience a lifetime of sunsets in the lifetime of her sight by asking people to post sunsets for me on social media.

And guess what happened? When Kate shared her story on the Do What You Love blog, it was noticed by photographer Matt Lawson, who corralled his community to submit sunsets. Within 48 hours they had gathered over 2000 comments and sunsets! You can add yours here.

Amazing what can happen when the inspired becomes the inspirer!

After six years of running the Do What You Love e-course it never ceases to deliver transformational experiences for participants, who really do find ways to love their life in the present, whilst setting themselves up to do more of what they love in the future. The January class starts TODAY, so if you want to be part of it, REGISTER HERE and dive in with us. (PS did I mention I might be doing a few Facebook Live chats in class this time round? Exciting!)

Have a great week

Beth

Time for a new career? Time to do what you love

Posted on 2017-01-06 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Stuck in a job that isn’t you? Ready for a career change? Want to spend your days doing something you love – a job you feel passionately about and that makes a difference – rather than just something that just pays the bills?

Dropping your current job to pursue an entirely different career path takes courage, confidence and commitment, especially if it requires going back to basics, retraining or taking a pay cut. However when it comes to chasing your dreams, know that an open mind and a willingness to succeed, anything is possible. It could be the best move you ever make.

A recent study asked 500 Brits who’d recently changed careers to share their experiences – here are some of the main findings from the research.

Learning something new is fun

Of course, the main reason you’ll undertake training is to get on the next step of that ladder, but there’s no reason why shouldn’t enjoy the journey. In fact, while some research participants saw retraining as merely a necessity, many others found it fun, rewarding and the most interesting part of their experience.

After all, learning new skills, discovering different ways of working and preparing yourself for a new challenge is exciting. It may feel daunting at times, but according to one participant in the research, ‘if you come at it with the right attitude it works really well’. So try and be positive, go with the flow and stay open to new experiences – you’re sure to reap the benefits in the long run.

Make use of your current skill set

You may not realise it, but already have a whole range of skills from your previous jobs and many of these can be carried over to your new role – even those that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be useful. Got experience working with people from a retail or social care position? These skills can easily be transferred to things like marketing roles, driving jobs or customer service. Survey respondents agreed that using previously learnt skills stood them in good stead, with one claiming it made retraining much ‘easier than expected’.

Overcome the challenges

While many participants shared positive experiences of changing careers, it didn’t come without its challenges – one of which was fitting re-training around other commitments. Retraining can require you to study in your spare time, so be prepared to be flexible. It’s a great ides to think through all your options and make a plan of action. Consider things like your current hours – could you change them so you’re more flexible? And childcare – how will you fit studying/training in around the kids and family life – could your partner share the load? Do you have family/friends who could help out short-term?

For a while you could find things are a little crazy, but your future happiness – and the impact that will have on everyone around you – is well worth the investment in terms of your time and energy as who knows where this new chapter in your life might take you. Plus you’ll be able to add multi-tasking to your skill set, too!

Perseverance is key

While the survey showed some people found retraining intensive, with one respondent describing it as ‘not for the faint-hearted’, for most the process was a fulfilling one. That’s why, even when things are tough and you’re juggling studies with normal life, it can help to stay focused on why you’re doing this. Make a list of all the reasons to remind yourself to stay positive. At times, it may be difficult, but perseverance is key – don’t give up.

So there you have it. Retraining for a new career takes time, energy and dedication but when you find yourself armed with tons of new skills, bursting with knowledge and fully qualified for a job you actually want to do, you’ll never look back. Go for it!

The research featured in this article was conducted by Red Driving School.

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DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE DOING WHAT YOU LOVE

What is it you really want? The courage to start a new career? The time to pursue passions and hobbies? The freedom to travel and have big adventures? Or simply to “feel differently” about your life, just as it is? All of those wants — and so many others — stem from one big desire… The desire to do what you love.

And if that’s what you want, you’ve arrived in the best possible place you can be. This is your launchpad — and this is your community. And this online course might just change your life.

Do What You Love is an acclaimed course for people who want to spend more time doing what they love and less time doing what they don’t. Simple as that. It’s about finding freedom and building the life you really want. Inside this 5 week online course, our founder Beth Kempton will show you how to:

Do what you love, more often. Very often. In fact: daily.
Get paid to do what you love. (If that’s what you want — for some, it’s not. For many, it is!)
Make your life simpler and sweeter — not busier and more complicated.

Do What You Love is about re-opening doors that you thought were locked shut… re-opening possibilities that you thought were long gone… and illuminating possibilities you never knew existed.

A large part of doing what you love is about finding great work that you are passionate about, but that isn’t everything. In this course we explore every area of your life, to understand what is possible for you right now (in the context of your current responsibilities and situation), what could be possible for you in the future, and how to get from here to there.

We will make you look differently about how you spend your time and money, what company you keep, and where to find support if those closest to you don’t think the same way. You will see that you have a choice, in everything you do. The course will open your mind to new options, help you grow in confidence, and believe that it really is OK (and actually better for everyone) if you do what you love.

Your guide, Beth Kempton, will be with you every step of the way, and you will find immense support in the class community of other people just like you. You can ask questions in the class community space any time during the course, and seek advice and encouragement from your fellow adventurers.

If you find yourself thinking things like: “I can’t afford to _______” … or “I’m too old to _______” … or “I’m going to need years of training before I can _______” … or “It’s just not realistic for me to _______”… or “But what if ______”, Do What You Love will show you that all of your options are still open, no matter what your current circumstances and responsibilities may be. Inside this course possibility is your new reality.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? THE NEXT COURSE STARTS ON JANUARY 16 AND YOUI CAN REGISTER HERE NOW!

How cancer helped me discover my true purpose in life: a shared story

Posted on 2016-12-20 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we bring you an incredible story of courage and hope from Heather Von St. James, an incredible lady whose battle with cancer helped her to discover her true purpose in life. Here, in her own words, she tells us about her journey…

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12 tips for escaping the career you don’t want into the one you do

Posted on 2016-11-15 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

This is a guest post by Ben Keene. You can find out more about Ben here.

At the Escape School this is the question we ask more than any other.

Here are a a dozen insights that have helped me over the years stick to work I want to be doing (almost) everyday. Let us know what else guides you.

1. Think in 3 Horizons — but only execute on 1st and 3rd.

Horizon 1: What are you doing now / this week / month to set you on the path you want to go on? Act. Do. Make something happen.

Horizon 2: What’s going to happen between now and the long-term? You don’t know. Things change. A lot. So, don’t waste time planning too much.

Horizon 3: Where do you want to be in 5 years? What values will underpin this lifestyle? Who will you be working with? Always keep this in mind.

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2. Write a letter to yourself from the future

It’s 2019. Write a letter to yourself saying what you’ve achieved over the last 5 years and how you’ve done it. This may sound stupid but it’s a great way to visualize where you want to go and what really matters. Exchange letters with a friend or mentor if it seems weird doing it by yourself.

Ben Keene - escape career 2 3. Less is More.

Simplify everything. This isn’t just about great UX. It can be about a lot of your life. This year I ‘pruned’ 15% of my life — clothes, kitchen cabinet tins, playlists, books, social network ‘friends’. This stuff works.

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4. Master the most important venn diagram in the world

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5. Write an Escape List and pin it on your wall (fridge. facebook. bathroom)

Make yourself accountable to a friend to do this.

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6. Don’t let being comfortable kill your ambition, because it will.

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7. Bin the CV. Build a Story.

I might be wrong but I think CVs won’t be around forever. What matters when I meet someone is whether they’re doing something they really want to be doing and have gone out and built the skills and experience necessary to do that thing better. There are SO many good web tools for sharing your story, there’s no excuse.

8. Do one thing exceptionally well rather than everything just well.

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9. Always try and escape the ‘vicious circle of badness’ @davecorn

These are excuses. Try not to use them.

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10. Use stimulants! Coffee for productivity. Beer for creativity. Water for life.

Ben Keene Escape

11. Read books that challenge you as well as blogs that distract you!

We agree with Zuck on this one. Sometimes you need to go deep to go far. That’s why we started Rebel Book Club.

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12. Above everything — surround yourself with people who are doing work they love.

Positive mindsets equal productive, happy lives. Simples.

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If ever the world needed your brave heart, it is now

Posted on 2016-11-10 at 3:29 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Half of America and much of the world is grieving today, devastated about the future they had hoped for, which will no longer be. Our collective trajectory has shifted, but that doesn’t mean we are powerless to shape our own futures.

A couple of weeks ago I gave a talk in New York City on ‘How to talk to anyone’. It was a lesson in speaking from your brave heart, and now, more than ever, I want you to hear this. Now, more than ever, we need to be speaking from our brave hearts, and recognising the brave hearts in others. And teaching our children to speak from their brave little hearts too.

I hope this talk lifts you in these uncertain times. If you know anyone else who needs to hear this, please feel free to share it on social media using this link: https://bit.ly/2eW4wMc

Beth

Wednesday Wellbeing

Posted on 2016-11-02 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

“May the space between where I am and where I want to be inspire me.” ~ Tracee Ellis Ross

Yes… it’s that time of the week again – Happy Wednesday!

Friday is fast approaching but if you’re feeling the midweek blues you’re in the right place to be inspired!

Every Wednesday for the next few weeks, a member of the Do What You Love team will be sharing what they’re up to and what is motivating them at the moment. We hope their thoughts get you thinking about what lights you up and how you can make get more of this into your life…

Today founder Beth Kempton talks about making dreams happen…

I have just got back from the USA where I spoke at ‘I Am… Courage – New York City’. I shared the stage with five amazing women who lit up the room with their tales of brave and truthful living.

The six of us actually created that event from nothing – we met at a workshop several months before and decided we had a common message, which we wanted to spread widely. When the event was over, and we had been showered with incredible feedback from the audience, we went to dinner and just sat there looking at each other, grinning. In that moment we realised that we just made something awesome happen, simply by committing to it, setting a date, and then doing the work needed to pull it off. And then we all showed up and spoke honestly and openly, and it resonated deeply with those in attendance.

It taught me that we don’t need other people’s permission to do amazing things. We can make them happen ourselves, especially when we have the support of others like us, committed to a common goal.

My thought of the week: When you’re stuck in a mid-week slump, remind yourself that you have all the power you need to lift yourself out. You just need to commit, and then follow through. You are the owner of your dreams and you can make them real!

Exciting times!

Posted on 2016-10-26 at 10:16 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Exciting times, exciting times, exciting times…

This is what I constantly seem to be saying to Beth at the moment, in fact I have been saying it for the last few months. There is an energy and a level of optimism in what we are doing at the moment that I don’t think we have experienced for a couple of years in the business. Not to say that it hasn’t been enjoyable, far from it, but we seem to be in a position where the foundations of our plans have been laid and all those hours, days, months and years of hard work are paying dividends.

Why the level of excitement? Well, there are a few reasons. Firstly, Beth is realising her dream of writing a book and is working with her dream publisher to bring ‘Freedom Seeker’ to life and out into the world. Stay tuned for more on that very soon! To watch someone so close to you achieve a lifelong dream is a reminder that life is what we make it. (Beth is looking over my shoulder right now and telling me that ‘Life is what you make it’ was her motto in her school yearbook over two decades ago!)

Secondly, the actual writing of the book has provided a fresh focus for us here at DWYL. The world of publishing is new to us but finding out about it, working with new people and learning new skills has been a very enjoyable learning curve.

Thirdly, it became very apparent that to achieve all our new goals we needed some additional help. So it is with great pleasure that I can introduce our newest team member… Fiona Duffy.

Welcome Fiona Duffy – the latest addition to the DWYL family!

We are absolutely over the moon to welcome Fiona into the DWYL family. She brings with her invaluable experience working with The Happy Startup School, an infectious enthusiasm, a huge smile and a refreshing honesty and openness. And she gets it! She really does. She gets what we are trying to do, where we want to be and has so many ideas to help us get there.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the guys at The Happy Startup School for supporting Fiona’s decision to go to part time so she can spend the rest of the week with us, and embarks on the phase of her career and life. You are going to love her like we do!

Recruiting for your own business is often challenging, because when you have a small team you really have to fit together. But sometimes someone comes along who makes it very easy for you. In this case it was a complete no-brainer. Fiona oozes charm, a zest for life and is a huge force of positive energy. Welcome Fiona – we hope you enjoy your role with us!

Thought of the moment

We are all works in progress. Beth spotted this written on a window in New York on her travels last week, and tells me she suddenly felt like the pressure was off. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are works-in-progress, that we don’t have to be perfect, and that every day offers an opportunity to learn and grow. So here’s to you being a work-in-progress too!

Until next time,

Mr.K

How to make it in the world of… food

Posted on 2016-10-19 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Ever dream of bottling and selling your grandma’s legendary hot and spicy sauce or mass-producing your own Mexican burritos? Well food is big business and one man who has first-hand experience of turning his passion for food into a career is Patrick Drake, Co-Founder and Head Chef of HelloFresh, the UK’s largest recipe box delivery service.

Patrick’s greatest passions are food, teaching and helping people get the most out of life which is why he also presents on Discovery, National Geographic and Fox TV and has created the world’s fastest cooking course www.the60secondchef.com.

Having carved out a colourful culinary career that allows him to do all the things he loves on a daily basis we asked hime to dish up the secrets of his success…

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