New Home Forums Course Ideas & Outlines The Course With No Name

23 replies, 6 voices Last updated by  Lorraine Watson 7 years, 2 months ago
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  • #33392

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    An idea came to me for a year end / new year challenge yesterday. I just posted about it on Facebook to see if there was any interest. It goes against all things good of being prepared – no name, no theme, no materials. Vague as the details are at this point, I decided I needed to try. If nobody shows up, that’s okay too. I’m not going to beat myself up. I am celebrating pushing a marble into motion.

    – – – – –

    [No Name]: No tagline

    Description

    An idea for a two week challenge to kick off 2017 dropped into mind yesterday. Given it’s * time sensitive,* I’m putting this out there without a name or fancy descriptions to see who’s interested.

    If you’re feeling drawn to a guided deep dive into obserflection within the safe space of a group, this would be a good fit for you. We’ll be looking at where you are in closing out the year and what hints you’re being shown for 2017. I will be offering prompts and activities to guide your journey in addition to hosting the sharing space where we’ll come together. I’m also considering 1-2 community calls if there’s interest. I know there won’t be any “where I’ll be a year from now” visioning, because … well, I hate them for a number of reasons.

    When: Dec 27/16 to Jan 10/17
    Where: Facebook group
    Cost: your enthusiastic participation

    If this is something you’d like to jump into (or you know you should, but hesitating), please leave a comment, PM me or shoot me an email at lorraine@followyourlight that you’re in. I’ll get you the details as they come together. Feel fre

    Some of the best things in life are the least planned.

    Oh, and feel free to pass this along where you feel guided.

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    #33428

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Update 1: I wanted to get something out with my newsletter today so made some decisions knowing they can be changed.

    Theme: a cabin retreat

    I came up with a few options, and decided to go with something that would take most participants away from their dream spot. A dream spot would have a heavy influence on the reflecting exercises I’ll be leading them through.

    Name: Stepping Outside: Claiming Clarity, Confidence and Courage for what’s ahead in 2017

    Not the best title. I wanted something that represented taking a step back to observe from outside your life rather than being caught up in the middle. Outside also had ties to the cabin retreat theme.

     

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    #33433

    Andy Freist
    Mountain Guide
    @andyfreist

    Hey Lorraine!

    Awesome idea, I think you’re definitely on to something here.

    Your first update felt to be headed in the right direction, but there was still some vagueness or “dancing around the point”. I felt myself really wanting you to give me a clear and direct sentence just simply stating exactly what id be getting out of this and what it is, in essence. I want that sentence to be right before the “if youre drawn to…” part.. nice big and bold, like a headline.

    Secondly, one little piece of feedback I have would be to avoid using made up words, like “obserflection”.. I understand what you mean, but since its outside the norm, it takes just a wee bit more brainpower to digest and understand then just saying “observe and reflect”.

    I LOVE the cabin retreat theme, i think that goes great here… Its like, hey lets all meet at the cabin in the woods for some much needed R&R (and introspection) to prep for the year ahead.. Really fits the season 😉

    Did you end up sending anything out to your newsletter? If so, how’d it go?

    #33463

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Hey @andyfreist – thanks for looking over. Each iteration of the description gets a bit better because as I think of things, get feedback and answer questions.

    Must say the short time frame to launch has really been incredibly beneficial (and speaks to the empowering nature of the 10-10-100 challenge). I can’t over think things, can’t fuss the details and have to make decisions NOW. It becomes super easy to say “it’s good enough and can change it later”, and move on. I have about three days in between modules to get the next set of materials and challenges ready.

    I did include an announcement in my newsletters, and between facebook and the newsletter I have 7 confirmed, 2 maybes and 1 mulling on it so far. I’ll give it another mention on Facebook and my newsletter next week.

     

     

    #33541

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Update: Tomorrow is launch day and I am so far behind where I wanted to be. But I do have enough in place (at least by tonight) to go. The week has been one of keeping on track with what’s important instead of what’s fun. Tons of ideas keep popping up that would make things so much better in creating the environment. Just don’t have the time. The short time frame has been excellent for not fussing the details and staying out of perfection.

    Saturday I sent out the email below (mistakes and all) to touch base with those who jumped in. I had a couple of people email back with positive comments and was chatting with another today who also thought the cabin theme was great.

    Hey guys,

    Thanks again for saying Yes! and jumping into Stepping Outside. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people. There are some great conversations ahead of us.

    Wanted to let you know I headed up to the open the (virtual) cabin early and get some basic housekeeping done before you arrive. Sheets will be off the furniture, the backup generator appears to be working and with fingers crossed, the plumbing will be in tip top shape.  Other things might not be in such tip top shape, but that will add to the ambience.

    I expect to have things ready ahead of your planned arrival on Jan 27/16. I’ll send directions so you can head up early if you like.

    If you have any questions, let me know.

     

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas however you celebrate the season.

    Lorraine

    PS: There’s been a foot of snow and the forecast calls for some chilly temperatures. Be sure to pack warm woollies just in case.

    Attached are a couple of samples of materials I created. The first and third images are duplicates. Ooops.

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    #33550

    Bobbie Jo Van Den Plas
    Adventurer
    @bobbiejo

    This is AWESOME Lorraine! Way to make it happen!!!! Love your cabin theme and your visuals! Very inviting. What a great challenge!

    #33556

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Thanks Bobbie Jo @kapakai8gmail-com – it’s been both fun and nail biting to do things on such a short time frame.  I’ve run into several technical issues and so far have found a workaround for everything. Whew! Having to produce something is quite the motivator and fuss buster!! Was saying to my friend today I’m glad I didn’t go with the unicorn theme. I so totally can’t carry off unicorns. They only show up periodically; slightly more often than the dish fairies.

    #33561

    Bobbie Jo Van Den Plas
    Adventurer
    @bobbiejo

    Haha! That’s awesome. Inspired by your inspired action!! Wishing you GREAT success! <3

    #33563

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Update: The cabin opened up yesterday. Captured a few sneak peaks before things got busy. I was worried about being able to create a themed space in Facebook, but it has gone over well. The participants have embraced the cabin and magical elements and are enjoying feeding each other.As an author friend of mine said, get the setting right (like the first page of a book) so you can suspend belief. When you’ve done that, a lot of blips and mishaps will be overlooked.

    A sense of community is beginning to form amongst the 12 participants. People share more openly and common experiences are being found.

     

    Text of launch letter (.jpg of it won’t post) Image with launch letter is the fourth one

    Hey Guys,
     
    Welcome to our cozy retreat!
     
    The cabin is ready to go. At least ready enough. My apologies for the later than expected opening. Go figure – running into technology problems at a cabin. That reminds me, you might want to have some old fashioned pen and paper on hand just in case.
     
    I know it doesn’t look like much, but it’s a Perkins’ model, similar to the tent Hermione used when they were hunting Lord Voldemort. [end spoiler] You’ll find it to be quite spacious inside.
     
    Here’s a quick rundown of some things to get you started:
     
    1) The Attached list will help you with any last minute preparations and packing.
     
    2) Directions to the cabin are pretty straight forward. Follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/13637xxxxxxxx433/   If you run into any problems getting into the cabin, please let me know.
     
    3) I may be out chopping wood when you arrive. Come on in, make yourself at home and check out the cabin. (Please remove your shoes / boots as per the Cabin Rules.) To find your bedroom, look for your name on the door.
     
    That’s enough for now. I’ll leave further instructions on the kitchen table. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/13637xxxxxxxx433/permalink/1366561593363660/ )

     

    See you inside!
     
    Lorraine

     

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    #33594

    Bobbie Jo Van Den Plas
    Adventurer
    @bobbiejo

    Beautiful!!! 😀

    #33638

    Bradley Morris
    Mountain Guide
    @bradleytmorris

    Oh Lorraine, I love this idea!! Great use of theme. Wonderful job in your emails, documents and community. This is soooo good.

    What’s wonderful about this course is once you complete it, you can turn it into a regular course that is outside of new years resolutions. Could be the ‘7 Day Digital Retreat for  Claiming Clarity, Confidence and Courage’.

    You could launch it regularly for folks.

    A few curiosities:

    1. How is it going with the participants?

    2. Did you use a membership platform or are you just sending lessons via email?

    3. What have some of your biggest lessons been?

    HUGE CONGRATS on having the idea and taking action on it!!!

    #33660

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Thanks @bradleytmorris.

    I went into this thinking it could be a semi-annual or quarterly offering. The process is definitely applicable to any time of the year. Just need to update the images to be season appropriate.

    For your specific questions:

    1. Participants have really gotten into the mood of the cabin theme. Have had a few comments about how there is nothing like this and how much it beats plain old question and answer. Plus they’re loving the puzzles. Every cabin has to have games, right?! Active participation in both the inner process work and sharing is higher than I could have hoped for. A real sense of caring and community has developed.

    My original thinking was using this challenge as a freebie so people would have an opportunity to know what it is like to work with me. Given the depth of exploration the current participants are going to, I’m thinking this would not be a good starter offering. I need something else to bring them into my world / style for a testing. Ha – maybe I should think of something along the lines of the sampler booths at the grocery store. From my time investing in the participants with coaching and guidance, this is better suited to a paid offering.

    2. The platform is a good old Facebook group and Outlook. Because I’m creating content on the fly based on a rough outline and hosting the community at the same time, I’ve not had time to create formal lessons a la pdfs. I’ve been using the combination of videos, live streams, graphics, posts, articles from my blog and answers to questions as a way of guiding the process. After this is complete, I can go back over all the material and pull things into something more formal. I actually haven’t sent out another email beyond the “cabin’s open” one.

    As a side note, the other factor in taking this “on the fly” route was in (large) part due to getting blocked every time I started to write something formal. Paula Professional got in the way. She was far more concerned about graphics and layout than content.  There was literally no time. Opening day I was pulling together all the content right up until just before midnight when I posted the first question. I was even drawing a blank typing directly into a FB posts. So out came paper and pencil where things started flowing. My good enough is still a pretty high bar.

     

    3. Biggest lessons

    – Having no time is a huge blessing. As ideas kept streaming in I had to put them aside and focus on what matters. Shiny objects are fun to chase, but they wouldn’t have been a significant net added value.

    – You don’t need fancy stuff. You don’t need to invest a lot of money. But I do think you need to invest a lot of time and yourself into it. That’s what people notice. People joined the challenge because of me. They didn’t want to see fancy stuff. They overlook a lot of not fancy stuff I think because they see how much I’m investing in them and creating a safe space for them.

    – Not a lesson, but more confirmation … the way I seem to work best is to absorb, watch, listen, mull and let meld. Then it all comes pouring out in one big flurry. Step by step isn’t a good format for me. Not that I can’t follow along with step-by-step, I just have to not feel bad about not producing anything along the way or compare myself to where others are.

    On a related note, I have another course I’ll be working on in January. A path is starting to form between “Hi Lorraine, nice to meet you” and the Begin With Being course I’ve been working and melding on here on the mountain. I couldn’t figure out how to leap that big crevice. (Please don’t call it a funnel or a mountain … Mr Mind will jump all over that and punt me into the ditch.) I couldn’t have thought of these courses. Obviously I didn’t or they would have been created before. 🙂 What I did was pay attention to what was appearing. One had that certain “ping” moment in a conversation and the other (the one I’m doing now) has literally dropped into my head. Who the heck would intentionally created a course from absolute zero the Sunday before Christmas.

    – I am a teacher at heart. My belief in the power of community in traversing this territory rather than going it alone rules out self-study offerings. I knew this already. This was confirmation.

    – I know my shit. I can wing it if I need to. More like being nimble to the situation and not having to overthink every possibility ahead of time. This first twigged in when you interviewed Tad and he said there’s a difference between calling yourself an expert and being able to talk for hours. I can talk for hours about this stuff.

    – Themes aren’t dorky. People do respond to them. Suspending disbelief is an important piece to what I do so I can see themes working really well.

    – I really like doing live stream. Much more than video. With video, Paula Professional kicks in and I have to get it just right. I know I can start over. With live stream I’m more accepting of the glitches. Probably because I know there’s no do over so to hell with it. Actually, have to say there are less glitches. I think because it feels like a conversation rather than an imparting of information. I can be myself live instead of trying on some persona.

    [update]

    – was thinking more about the platform. Facebook was a good a good choice because it was a) available. No financial or technical hurdle; b) familiar to participants; c) is not linear. Not being linear is subtle, but huge to the process I’m leading people through. Life isn’t linear. Can’t go check, check, check and you’re done. Being able to handle the changing order of the group posts is a bit of getting used to handling the changing order of how things show up.

     

    I’ll stop there before I talk for hours. LOL

    #33682

    Chris Gilmour
    Adventurer
    @ChrisG

    Hey Lorraine,

    I’ve been off the mountain for the past cpl of weeks but am just catching up. Congratulations on jumping in with two feet on this and thanks for sharing all your reflections and insights in the journey so far. I look forward to following along!

    Cheers & Happy New Year,
    Chris

    #33695

    Lorraine Watson
    Adventurer
    @lorrainewatson

    Thanks @chrisg! With all this snow we’ve had this week in Alberta, you could totally theme a course in winter weather.

    #33721

    Bradley Morris
    Mountain Guide
    @bradleytmorris

    Awesome feedbacka nd thoughts about the experience Lorraine. Loved the you just dove in and created it, despite waiting for perfection. I sure hope a lot more people read your process and take action in you footsteps.

    What’s great is you’re gonna find out what works, what doesn’t, etc and you didn’t spend loads of time figuring it out. You can then eventually create a themed website, sales page, PDFs, etc…

    But clearly people are excited.

    Did you charge money for this round or was it free?

    If Free, you should ask people how much they think a more polished version should cost when they’re done.

    PLUS – get testimonials.   🙂

    YAY YOU!

    Cheering you on all the way to the top of the mountain again and again this year.

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