Do you ever revisit a favourite book or program, and enjoy it all over again, while learning something new each time? This is the case for me with Marie Forleo’s phenomenal online B-School (which includes lifetime access). I’m so grateful for the scholarship that I won last year, thanks to my 90-second entry video. It illustrates the power of putting yourself out there in front of a camera, enabling you to reach and move people across the world.
Speaking of which, Marie sets the standard for online video. In addition to her brilliant B-School content, she shares free weekly videos via Marie TV, so follow that link for ongoing inspiration if you’re keen to “create a business and life you love“. You are guaranteed to learn lots along the way. For my part, I’m focussing on 7 keys that can elevate your life and business – as well as your photo and video shoots – to a whole new level!
1. Clarity
Whether you’re contemplating a business idea, deciding on the details for a photo shoot, honing your content to share via video or simply prioritising your daily tasks, clarity is key. Once you know what you want to achieve, who you intend to serve and WHY, planning becomes meaningful and effective. Clarity was one of my greatest gifts from B-School last year. It led to launching my new company, FB page, e-newsletter, live workshops and presentations, creating content for my video series’ and revamping my website. This year, I’m gaining more clarity on deeper levels. Apart from the exceptional insight, exercises and resources provided in B-School, I find that meditation, journaling and mastermind discussions with like-minded friends and fellow business women help me hugely too.
2. Conviction
While clarity serves to establish goals and objectives for your life and business – as well as your photo and video shoots – conviction carries you through planning and into all-important action. It also helps to overcome inevitable obstacles, doubts and fears that emerge along the way. Through granting me a scholarship to B-School, Marie’s endorsement of my work contributed to my conviction in the widespread need for confidence on camera coaching for visionary but camera shy women, underpinned by my personal story, experience and expertise. If you follow Marie TV, you’ll know that Marie often shares this personal message: “The world needs that special gift that only you have.” Internalising this message can reinforce your conviction in the value of who you are and what you offer.
3. Confidence
Hand in hand with conviction, confidence is an invaluable traveling companion on your everyday journey – to crafting a beautiful life, building a successful business and ensuring stunning photo and video shoots of you, which contribute to your success, while creating a living legacy that you love. As much as my scholarship from Marie boosted my conviction in my business concept, it also contributed tremendously to my own confidence and my clients’ confidence in me. Similarly, B-School has taught me about the power of testimonials and the importance of asking for them in an appropriate way. I’m so grateful to my special clients for their wonderful words about my work, which you can see here.
4. Communication
It’s great to have a clear grasp of a sound concept that you know can help people in a profound way, and rockstar confidence to boot. But to implement anything, effective communication is essential, which is where superb copywriting and visual marketing via photos and videos come into their own. Marie and Team Forleo lead by example in every aspect of communication, including compelling copy, fabulous photos and outstanding videos that feature exceptional content and production values. In addition, the vibrant, international community of B-Schoolers provides fantastic support and input, grounded in the warmth, generosity and integrity that are fundamental to B-School as a whole.
5. Commitment
There is tremendous power in committing to a course of action and following through consistently, while allowing for route correction and improvement at the same time. If you’re like me, this means letting go of perfectionism and procrastination, and treading the scary path of acting before you feel “ready”. B-School offers an amazing opportunity for commitment, enquiry, implementation, as well as trial and error, all the while including a safety net of priceless guidance and support. Full commitment means participating in this process, digging deep, doing the work and giving your all. As with everything in business and life, the more you put in, the more you get out. The choice is exquisitely yours.
6. Contribution
It’s a great big world out there, with billions of people sharing this incredible journey through space and time. As Ram Dass says, “We’re all just walking each other home.” Here’s a question to contemplate: What can we do to brighten today, tomorrow or a future moment for our fellow travellers . . . and ourselves at the same time? Marie exemplifies making a difference and doing good, while doing good business. A tremendous spirit of contribution infuses everything she does, including her free weekly videos shared via Marie TV. These feature tips and inspiration for business and life, as well as interviews with thought leaders of the highest calibre. If you haven’t yet signed up, simply click here and subscribe.
7. Connection
Contribution is one of the cornerstones of connection, which is all about understanding one another’s hopes, dreams, fears, frustrations, needs and desires. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can open the way to deeper connection, based on the intrinsic resonance of being fellow, flawed human beings. I shared something vulnerable in my B-School scholarship entry video, namely that my passion comes from pain. My personal journey, combined with the experience of photographing and filming hundreds of women and seeing how many struggle with camera shyness, inspires my work. If you’re one of the 9 out of 10 women who can relate to this, then visit my YouTube channel for plenty of help.
Consistency & Courage
It can be tempting to look around and imagine that success is easy for other people, when in fact it takes sustained effort and significant courage. There are many more lessons from B-School that I could share, but how about you? What is your biggest business challenge that you’d most like help with . . . and what have you learned if you’re a fellow B-Schooler? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to connect with you!
P.S. Stay tuned for my brand new video series – to help you share the best of who you are and what you offer, while inspiring the best of who you can become.
