Lara Newell-Barrette 6 years, 6 months ago-
Posts
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Hey Happy Campers!
Eeek! I finally made it! I had some technical difficulties getting started, but I’m so glad to be here now. I’d love to try the video thing but in the interest of getting on with things, I’ll begin with this.
My name is Lara Newell-Barrette
I used to teach elementary school and then I taught adults at a health care organization. Eventually, I took the leap and started working for myself. Now I teach people how to exercise their courage muscle and act despite their fears. I also encourage them to take back what’s theirs – their time, their energy, their passion, their confidence, and to move towards the lives they were meant for.
Why I signed up for The Great eCourse Adventure: The whole idea of doing things differently and bringing a greater sense of fun and engagement into what I’m teaching, really appeals to me. Brad and Andy’s enthusiasm really spoke to me. They give off a ‘trust us, we know what we’re doing and this is going to be fun’ kind of vibe that really resonated with me. I signed up to learn new skills and to be part of a community of like minded folks. I already have one e-course that I launched in the Spring. I’m happy with it, and the feedback has been great, but I believe things could always be improved upon. I also find that common problem where students don’t always follow through on the commitment they’ve made to themselves and would love to have them all see it through to the end for maximum benefit.
What kind of e-course I want to create: My plan is to create an e-course in self care, tentatively called, ‘How To Be your Own BFF’. I’d like to go beyond the notions that self care is all about bubble baths and taking yourself out for dinner. Sure that can be part of it, but if we’re being honest, self care isn’t always easy or fun… but it is essential to thriving, rather than just surviving.
What makes me come most alive is: Seeing people happy and comfortable in their own skin. Helping people feel like they CAN be the hero of their own life. Knowing that I have made a difference.
Can’t wait to see where this journey take us all! Happy to be part of the gang!
LaraYes, yes, yes!!! I LOVE this. We all need to be our own BFF’s. You’re going to transform many lives for the better! Excited to meet you Lara and I look forward to climbing this mountain with you!!!
All right Lara, welcome to the campfire from the deep snowy north of Ontario. I grew up in Owen Sound Ontario but moved to the West Coast (Salt Spring Island, BC) in 2003. Where abouts are you located?
I love your BFF course idea and agree, there is a lot more to self care than bubble baths (though they are lovely).
I’m really excited to help fuel your creative fire.
If you ever wanna jam about your current course and ways you can spruce it up to make it more engaging, feel free to start a thread, share what you’ve done and where you feel people are falling off.
My guess is, you can add some creative elements to the “CTA’s” (call to actions) that inspire more participation. Perhaps more sharing in your community. Perhaps getitng people to do creative challenges. Perhaps having them create or do something and then come back and share a selfie, art piece or video of them havign done it.
There are Sooooo many things we can do to spark engagement.
I also recommend you check out a few of our recent podcasts (perhaps while driving or cooking)…
Specifically, the one last week on gamification OR the one a month ago on community building.
All that being said. We’re stoked to have you on the mountain. Welcome Lara.
Trust us, we’re gonna learn, grow and have a lot of fun.
Lets do this!
Thanks for the welcome! I’m from Sudbury. Small world! Never been to Salt Spring but have heard awesome things.
Glad you like my BFF idea! I just have to come up with a theme. Definitely open to suggestions.
Thanks for the suggestion re: sharing my existing course for input. And thanks for the input! I use a platform called Ruzuku that is pretty interactive. It allows you to post audio, videos, and there is space for interaction (kind of like this). Overall, I’m pretty happy with the functionality but I really like your idea of inspiring more call to action. I’ll definitely check out those podcasts!
Time for lunch 😉
LaraWelcome to the mountain Lara! I’m excited to hear more about your BFF course. Being the mother of five, I tend to not even manage time for the bubble baths, so I’m interested to learn more about how being your own BFF would work!
Welcome Lara!
Are we living in a parallel universe? Teaching, then working in healthcare. Eerie indeed! I admire the courage you displayed in taking the leap to work for yourself. I would love to hear more about how you were able to do that (so I can continue the parallel universe metaphor). Congratulations on launching your first eCourse, too; I’m sure you’ll have some helpful feedback to share about that.
Love the BFF course idea, even the title! I totally agree that self-care is not always easy or fun. One of the things that strikes me is that the world needs both givers and takers, and the givers I’ve met have such a hard time receiving help from others even though they realize it’s an essential part of how the world works. I say this, most especially, because I am a person who walks in those shoes, who sucks it up and pushes forward even when it’s not the easiest – or maybe even the best – thing to do. This adventure will be such a great opportunity for each of us to give and take.
I’m so amazed by how many of these course ideas interest me. Am I that messed up, or do we just have a brilliant group of people here?
I look forward to trekking up the mountain with you.
Best,
Laura
Welcome Lara – Glad our message resonated with you enough to trust us to take you on this wild journey.
You won’t have any regrets – scout’s honor!
…and “How to be your own BFF” – brilliant!
I think there is a bit of an epidemic in todays world – being that people have massive problems unplugging and being content with themselves.
Can’t wait to see what you create 🙂
YAY! Thanks for this feedback and encouragement Deanna, Laura and Andy!
I’m feeling the warm fuzzies and good vibes here already. 🙂
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This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by
Lara Newell-Barrette.
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This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by Lara Newell-Barrette.
Hey, Lara –
I’m a Ruzuku fan, too–have taken a course that used that platform and have mucked about on it a little myself, tho haven’t finished anything (yeah, I am not only in that 70% drop-out rate, I also drop my own stuff…).
Cool take on the self-care as BFF–that sounds like the beginning of a theme to me 🙂
Hey Judy! Thanks for connecting! It took me ages to get my first course done too. I don’t think you’re the only one who is guilty of that. Keep on keeping on!
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This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by
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