This is guest post from Bella Zanesco, founder of My12for12.
On July 20, 2014, I booked a one-way ticket to Europe before knowing if Escape the Woods was going to happen or if my Escape School Founding Membership application would get the green light.
Right before I made the decision, my coach said “Bella, just sh*t yourself and flush”.
The ‘sh*t’ part involved lots of deep breaths, ‘emergency’ girly chats, a few glasses of red, meditation, yoga and warm salt baths… Girls you know the drill. The ‘flush’ part brought its own set of complications, including a barrage of questions;
- ‘Why don’t you continue to build My12for12 first in Australia, and then take it to Europe?’
No. The big opportunity for My12for12 is in Europe. Trust me, people are in pain and entrepreneurial opportunities are ripe.
- ‘What? London in winter? Bella you can’t kite-surf or sail in London in winter.’
No but I can ski, snow-kite and find places to kite-surf.
- ‘Wow, what are you going to do over there?’
I’m going to build my business, reconnect with Italy, make buddies at Escape the City, have fun and LIVE.
- And the kicker… from my four year old niece, ‘Aunty Bella where is London? When will we see you again?’
It’s just over those hills over there, and I’ll see you soon. (Yes there was tears on both sides.)
I believe that those who care about you have your best interests at heart. But – and it’s a big BUT – it’s super common for others to project their own insecurities, fears and limiting beliefs on to you, through the questions they ask, even my four year old niece was onto it.
August 1 arrived, 13 days before departure date, and I received the message I’d been waiting for from Rob at Escape the City, “Bella you’re in”. I threw my hands in the air, did a happy dance and immediately proceeded to call my coach.
My response to Rob, “Yes. Yes. Yes. See you guys in September!” I attached this picture,
For two years I’d been following Escape the City, admiring from afar how they were successfully serving people that needed a helping hand to say no to mediocrity, and yes to creating a life and career on their own terms.
To be given the opportunity to help shape the way communities function within the Escape School, was one worth courageously embracing – even though it meant packing up my life and heading to London at the onset of winter. Actually, on the contrary, I packed very little. It felt liberating to walk out of my apartment and leave all my stuff behind. I prioritised the items that keep me amplified, including kite surfing and skiing gear, camera equipment and my laptop. A few other ‘essentials’ snuck in including my favourite teacup, meaningful pictures, my vision board and inspirational cards that I look at every morning. I also brought with me a book I love called, ‘The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared’. It was given to me by a dear friend along with a note that said…
“Bella, you are never going to live a boring life. Enjoy the journey. x”
Through Escape the City I found my London apartment, a Tribe, and a wonderful My12for12 ally, Escape School Team Member Matt Trinetti.
Out the front of my apartment with the ‘amplify’ gear on!
The real gold dust is new friends (and tent buddies). Friends who are committed to inspiring and encouraging each other to keep going. Every person I have met at Escape is out there setting up real, authentic businesses; creating new festivals for conscious people; marathons in places like Uganda and social ventures that fully express their gifts and values. As a result, their authentic high performance shines not only through their work, but through their smiles, sparkly eyes and the spring in their steps.
‘Authentic high performance’ refers to the ability to express yourself and leverage your gifts into the world in the way that’s congruent with your values, ethics and needs. I believe that authentic high performance is a direct result of your level of self-love.
The friends I have made at Escape the City have also become clients of mine, many of whom are established, career-changing women who want to boldly express themselves. Women who want to reach their authentic high performance, fast.
Most labeled my decision to move to London as courageous– in fact not a day goes by when someone doesn’t tell me I’m courageous, and because of this I wanted to share with you why a bucket-load of courage is a must-have for career changers.
Why do I need to down a bucket load of courage to change my life?
I saw this picture the other day in the back streets of London Bridge.
I stared at that little open window for about ten minutes and started typing these words on my iPhone.
‘Take Courage: To open a little window, to stick ones head out, to look up and out and open yourself up to discover and embrace the possibilities in life that make your heart and soul sing.’
A little philosophical yes, but what does ‘take courage’ really mean in the context of major life change? I believe it means committing to;
1. Get in shape.
Nurture your mind, body and spirit so the decisions you make are authentically you.
2. Have clarity about your mission.
Get clear about your mission and how to serve in a way that makes you -not your mother, sister, partner- feel most alive.
3. Set your intention on authentic success.
Experiment and create big challenges that take you out of your comfort zone; challenges that get you in action and fast.
4. Get focused.
(Yes that’s the world champion in me speaking.) Find your market and a problem worth solving. Discover the solution that no one else can deliver in a way you can.
5. Set aside Plan B.
Plan B’s are a sabotage pattern designed to keep you away from your mission.
More than anything, ‘taking courage’ is all about self-love. It’s about saying a big YES to creating a life aligned with your passions, values and talents. Having self-love has given me the courage to be able to support not only myself but others through their 12for12.
Did we do the inner work, get honest and real with ourselves, and support one another to banish the fear and stay on track? Yes. Do I now pinch myself just 12 months on, knowing that 60 people across Australia, the UK and Europe are all living their 12for12 life? Hell yes!
My12for12 is a 6-month group programme that supports you to do what it takes to make 2015 a personal best year. We arm you with the tools, confidence and support to immediately act upon and stay committed to 12 game changing decisions to step into authentic high performance and the most remarkable year of your life.
I’d love to invite you to join Matt Trinetti from Escape School, Alexis Garnaut Miller Founder of the Happiness Centre and myself for an inspiring evening on the beanbags and yoga mats.
You’ll share your challenges with likeminded people, learn shortcuts to identify your mission, participate in a nurturing yoga class and decide whether joining My12for12 London is for you.
You can secure your free ticket for December 8 here or your free ticket for January 20 here.
Bella Zanesco is the creator of My12for12. She is an NLP Master Coach, World Champion Sailor, yoga teacher, and Escape School Founding Member. You can contact Bella via email at bella@bellazanesco.com.
The post Why You Need a Bucket Load of Courage to Change Your Life. appeared first on The Escape Blog.
