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Zimbabwe – is there hope for this wonderful country?

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This is a guest post from Claire Le Hur who is cycling to China with her fiancé Stuart Block. The couple will start their journey in East Africa where they will follow new ‘silk roads’ charting the journey of key natural resources as part of an exciting new education project. Claire will be riding a bamboo bike, built by an African social enterprise and Stuart will ride a tandem, keeping the back seat free for those they meet en route. They will also be raising money and awareness for two great educational charities. Find out more about Claire’s big adventure here.

Claire Le Hur

When Stu and I announced that we were going to spend a week cycling through Zimbabwe as part of the Beyond the bike challenge most people told us we were mad because it’s such a dangerous place. However of all the countries we’ve visited on our travels, I felt most safe here.

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Zimbabwe has quite a history. It sunk to rock bottom a few years ago and it’s still trying to claw its way back. Eight years ago Mugabe had encouraged the invasions of white-run farms, which is how the catastrophic collapse of the Zimbabwean economy started. We met families – white and black – who are suffering after being thrown off their farms and a man who stood against Mugabe’s Zanu-PF in the recent elections and lost and had his business fined $500,000 to the detriment of everything. Many say he was lucky to get off this lightly.

During our visit we also visited some gold mines in Matebeleland, infamous in the early 1980s for becoming the dumping ground for thousands dissident Matabele, murdered by Mugabe’s 5th Brigade. Corpses are still being uncovered today. The big question is what will happen when Mugabe dies – which may not be that far off. Sadly most people we met – relatively well-educated adults – had given up hope of any positive change happening in the near future. For many Zimbabweans, the situation is so bad that they have left the country.

From Livingstone we got a lift to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city, brimming with beautiful colonial architecture, including the Bulawayo Club where we stayed for our first night. Despite breaking our budget for the week, it was well worth it. Stepping back into the bygone era of Rhodesia was a surreal experience.

IMG_8201Lobby with grand staircase in the Bulawayo Club 

It is still run as a gentleman’s club, and although ladies are now welcomed throughout, the dress code meant we were not allowed in the bar and could only have food and drinks outside. The staff were so kind and helpful and the wonderfully eccentric manager, Audrey, took very good care of us – especially when we had to barter to stay an extra night as Stu wasn’t feeling well. “OK my little cockroaches” she said, “I can do you a deal”.

Following this we were lucky enough to have a drink with the Zimbabwe’s ex-cricket captain, Heath Streak, and a tour of his academy which encourages more boys and girls to get into cricket, and sport in general. Local businesses support the academy and are often partnered with state schools to ensure that as many local children as possible have the chance to take advantage of Heath’s initiative.

IMG_8198Heath Streak

Then it was time to start cycling properly again and we decided rather than head down the tar we should take a little detour through the Matopos. Heath put us in touch with Terrence, a mountain biker who gave us a very scenic route to what he described as the most beautiful camping spot he’s ever seen. According to Terrence the road to the camp at Mtshabezi dam was “a good 50km” and although google maps showed it to be more like 90km we thought we’d give it a go anyway.

IMG_8231Experiencing harsh cycling conditions

Two of the hardest days of cycling followed – days that make me think we really do deserve all the generous sponsorship! The dirt road started with miles of washboard, which is extremely painful to cycle over, then we progressed to sand. There were many moments when we had to get off and push the bikes because the track got too steep to cycle up and down. Luckily the scenery was stunning and boasted all the strange rock formations the Matopos is famous for. When we arrived at the Dam, 20 minutes before dark, there was just time to put up the tent and have a quick swim.

IMG_8273Cycling to camp at Mtshabezi dam

The next day we tried to find the quickest way back to the tar road. Stu picked up Fred along the way, a displaced farm worker, who directed us to the main road from the back of our tandem, Thandie. We finally made the tar and then had a relatively easy 40km to meet our next host, Duncan, a vegetable farmer, whose hospitality was amazing. We also met Peter (Bobo) Gibbons, a real character, who lost his family farm and now runs a small gold mine. Bobo took us down his mine the next day, which was a real eye-opening experience although not one I’d like to repeat!

IMG_8281Our visit to Bobo’s mine

We then travelled to Mazunga, home to Blondie Leathem, famous for his anti-poaching work over the years, who manages the Bubye Valley Wildlife Conservancy, one the most successful parks in the country. Blondie was out trying to catch some rhino poachers but his wife, Katrina, gave us a really warm welcome.

IMG_1312Stu and Blondie riding Thandie

Later that afternoon we were lucky enough to go out for a drive in the park with Byron, a lion researcher, who had just finished his PhD at Oxford. As some of the lions are tagged it we were able to find them easily and even saw a newborn cub.

IMG_8351Watching lions

We caught up with Blondie later that evening who was frustrated that the poachers had got away. He said: “maybe they’d been warned about us, maybe they just lost their nerve, but at least they didn’t get anything”. After our time at Kafue (back in Zambia) it was very interesting to talk more about poaching and hunting… one of the strange paradoxes is that these conservancies need the hunters as they bring in all the money which keeps the animals alive and thriving. Without rich people who want to hunt this conservancy would not exist and so the hundreds of elephants, black rhinos and lions wouldn’t be protected.

Our final morning in Zimbabwe started wonderfully as we had breakfast with two baby black rhinos. Katrina looks after orphaned animals before releasing them back into the conservancy.
IMG_8373Feeding time for the baby rhinos

Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and home to so many lovely people – hard working, intelligent and friendly. It is tragic that this country is still the way it is. There is a shred of hope that things may get better but only if there are dramatic changes – and of course this will depend on how long Mugabe remains in power and what happens next…

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The top 10 things we have learned from five years of teaching online

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Five years ago last week I opened registration for the first ever Do What You Love course. It was terrifying pushing the ‘publish’ button on my blog and the ‘send’ button on my newsletter. I say ‘newsletter’ as if I had a database of people to send it to, but I really mean the email I sent to my friends, and a handful of sweet souls who had stumbled across my blog online and been kind enough to sign up for bits of news from me.

The thing is, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I had spent hundreds of hours and a couple of thousand dollars researching by taking other classes and reading a lot (because research is my default defence when I get stuck on something). But I had one thing absolutely right. I had a burning desire to share something with the world and wanted to make a difference with what I had to say. E-courses were still very much in their infancy, so I had to feel my way in the dark, but I refused to give up and worked things out as I went along.

Five years on that first course is still running (albeit with several updates and a complete image makeover) and I have criss-crossed the globe writing, creating and producing e-courses ever since. Some of those courses have grossed over £1 million each. Collectively they have helped thousands of people in more than 100 countries worldwide to follow their dreams and monetise their passion. I feel really proud of how far we have come, and humbled by the stories our graduates share with us day in day out.

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Filming our latest course: ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-course Creation Masterclass‘

What have we learned in that time? Well, a lot, and most of it the hard way! We have invested thousands of pounds in filming and branding a course only to scrap it in a matter of months. We have changed the names of courses, pulled them apart and put them back together, been trolled, been imitated, had technical meltdowns and more. But we have come through it all still here, still loving it, so I want to share some of the main things we have learned along the way.

  1. You know deep down when something is right or wrong. You know it in your body. You can feel it in your bones, and in your gut. Your heart sings when the answer is yes, and you should start running when you know the answer is no.
  2. Things go wrong, but if you stay focused on why you are doing what you are doing, and who you want to serve with what you are offering, then things always work out. If you get distracted by the lure of more money for the sake of money, or more fame for the sake of fame, it always comes back to bite you. But if you focus on what really matters, your profile and your bank account will grow anyway.
  3. Sometimes the things that seem like the biggest disasters end up being the greatest blessings. (Put that one on the wall to look at next time you are mid-disaster)
  4. Some people will let you down and others will lift you up. You get to choose who you give your energy and attention to.
  5. When you aren’t loving what you’re doing it’s time to change something.
  6. People with technical expertise, particularly website developer knowledge, are worth their weight in gold. And it’s a lot cheaper to invest in good people early on, rather than wait until things go wrong.
  7. Intuition is one of the most powerful weapons in your armoury. It takes bravery to use it but you must. Always.
  8. Celebrating every step of the way is both fun and vital.
  9. That we are blessed to live in a time when we can work from anywhere, connect with anyone and build a flexible lifestyle doing something we love.
  10. That at the end of the day it’s up to you.

Isn’t it funny that hardly any of the really important things we have learned are actually about practicalities. People are so often terrified by technology etc, but in fact it’s the other things that really stand out after all this time. Of course we have learned a ton about the technical and practical too.

If you want to know what we have learned about the practicalities of teaching online (the how tos and what-not-to-dos, the ins and outs, the highs and lows, the lessons learned and fast track ways to do things—in short, a lot!) don’t miss our upcoming new class ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-course Creation Masterclass’ which distills everything we know and have learned into an online course to help YOU get YOUR e-course out into the world. Class launches on Monday February 29. Hop on the waiting list here.

So what have YOU learned in the last five years that could allow you to teach online?

Are you ready to reach, teach and profit? I hope so!

Beth

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Shared story – AnneLiese Nachman

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Today’s shared story comes from AnneLiese Nachman from Seattle, Washington whose new-found passion for climbing has inspired to take her skills as a video producer to the next level and earn a living by making short films about her adventures. She is currently on the road filming in various locations such as Yosemite National Park, California, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, and Moab, Utah.

AnneLieseN Profile PicSoaking it all in: Cochise Stronghold, Cochise, Arizona

As I counted down the weeks to finishing a work contract in Seattle, I booked a flight to Arizona for the week after my last day in the office. After months of pining for the outdoors from inside my cubicle, I decided to give myself a chance to breathe in that fresh air for a couple weeks instead of jumping right into the job hunt. It was my first big climbing trip, and my first time climbing outdoors instead of in the rock gyms. I was instantly hooked. I started thinking that maybe I could climb on the weekends, when the weather is nicer.

AN photo credit Javier GarciaBouldering in the McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sunshine In The Stronghold from AnneLiese on Vimeo

Coming back to Seattle from Arizona, I gave myself a couple of days to recalibrate to the way of structured life in the city. I became depressed as I applied for jobs. I went climbing in the gym to ease the stress, and I felt right at home. A continuous struggle between applications and climbing persisted for a few days.

AnneLieseN indoor gymReleasing it all on the indoor wall, Stone Gardens, Bellevue, Washington

The idea of committing to a normal life in the city made my body ache, literally. I actually had a very painful knot in my lower back, and learned a few days later at a yoga class that this spot is where our sense of belonging and grounded-ness are felt. I knew then, in my heart of hearts, that I was not pursuing the right thing. The moment I started to think about the logistics of making a new life that focussed around my climbing work, the knot in my lower back began to unravel. I felt happy, excited, inspired and motivated.

AN photo credit Jared BryantComing up to the second pitch, Sven Tower 3, McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale, Arizona (Credit: Jared Bryant)

The next day, I filled an empty box with some professional clothes, belts, and a big leather purse. I took it to Goodwill, and with pep in my step. When I reached the donations bin I looked down at the box I had packed and saw my old life peeking out through the top of the cardboard. I dropped my box into the bin, and walked away feeling lighter. There was a sense of relief from not having to carry that part of me around anymore.

After a good dose of hype from an episode of the Dirtbag Diaries podcast, I booked a one-way flight to San Francisco to meet my Arizona climbing crew in Yosemite National Park.

“Dreams Are Needs” from AnneLiese on Vimeo

Now I plan to keep climbing either back in Arizona, or to discover new climbing terrain in California. My goal is to work with video collaboration companies such as Story & Heart and OnlyInVR to turn a small profit from the videos I produce during my travels. I am hoping to bump into the likes of Cameron Maier or Chris Alstrin who have many years of experience capturing adventure footage, especially climbing, and pick their brains about the art.

AN photo credit Michelle MarcoGame face on Trad Rock, Cochise Stronghold, Cochise, Arizona (Credit: Michelle Marco)

Failure is pretty scary but sometimes the unknown is even scarier because you can’t foresee it, or prepare for it. At least I can visualise what failure could look like for me as I carve out this new life for myself. For instance I could have an accident and break a bone; I could lose my confidence; or I could run out of resources and struggle to make a living from climbing. If any of these things were to happen, and I was no longer able to climb, I’d try and take it in my stride – as I do with everything in life – and treat it as a turning point: an opportunity to start exploring all over again in the hope that I’d find another passion – something that can offer the same kind of release and buzz that I find when I’m up on the rock.

Failures And Optimists from AnneLiese on Vimeo

You can see  AnneLeise’s work on vimeo and on her website or connect with her on Facebook or twitter.

Canoe_credit AnneLiese NachmanEmbarking on a new journey, Bald Eagle State Park, Pennsylvania

Do What You love interview – Ben Fogle

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As a globe-trotting adventurer and TV presenter, Ben Fogle is well-accustomed to stepping out of his comfort zone. Having been a castaway, trekked the Sahara, swum with crocodiles, rowed across the Atlantic, run the toughest race on earth, crossed the Antarctic and survived frostbite, he’s beaten countless mental and physical obstacles in a bid to test his limits, open his eyes to the world and make fantastic memories. We caught up with him to find out how he’s doing what he loves and why we could all benefit from being a little bit braver in every day life… ~ Rachel

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Is there an e-course in you? A sneak peek into our new course ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-Course Creation Masterclass’ (coming soon!)

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On set recording our new course, ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-Course Creation Masterclass’ last week

 

Just a few days ago I got an email from someone who has taken five of our online courses, which made me proud and happy… and angry. It went like this:

“This is a slightly random email, I just wanted to contact you after recently signing up to take part in an online course for start up businesses. I have previously completed (five of your courses) so I felt like I knew what I was doing with ecourse studying.  Anyway, after starting and not completing this ‘start-up’ course with another provider I felt like I just had to tell you how amazing your courses really are.  You have set the bar extremely high. I can only say I was disappointed at the way I have found this other ecourse was set up and run. In retrospect it is because of how well you have developed your courses, the content, management and interaction with your online community is second to none. Keep up the good work, you are helping people reflect on their lives and grow in their personal and professional lives. I will always be incredibly grateful I found your website and took part in your courses.”

On one hand, these kind words make me proud of our team, and the effort we put in to make our online courses powerful and effective. But these words also make me mad. I get cross and frustrated when I see that there are so many people out there teaching online courses that don’t work, are poorly or hastily put together, or are created with the sole intention of making some fast money.

Apart from being unfair on their students, those teachers are being unfair on themselves. Because teaching online is a brilliant opportunity to build your authority and reputation, to reach a global audience, and to make a real impact in people’s lives, while creating a flexible worklife and potentially hugely lucrative income stream for yourself, IF you do it right. Teaching the right course in the right way makes all the difference.

Pretty much every week, someone approaches us to produce an e-course for them. Much as we love collaborating, we have some really exciting things on the horizon, so the answer these days is very often “Sorry, but no.” Pretty much every day we get questions about how to create online courses that sell, with people wanting to pick our brains about their latest idea. In an ideal world I’d love to sit down with each and every one of them and chat through their ideas. But the reality is, these days I work about 20-25 hours a week, so it’s just not possible.

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Interviewing the hugely talented Craig McDougall of Broken Physics for tips on video content

However, I do have a burning desire to help more people get their ideas, knowledge and expertise out into the world by teaching online. WHY?

  • Because it is a brilliant way to do what you love
  • Because it allows you to inspire others to do what they love
  • Because it can generate significant income, allowing you to live a more flexible lifestyle and be master of your own time, so you can do more of what is important to you
  • Because every single one of us has something to offer and share, and the world needs more alternative learning opportunities outside of the formal systems

So what is a girl to do? My solution is to put everything I know about creating online courses (which, after over five years in the game, is a fair bit), and put it into a masterclass so you can do it too.

‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-Course Creation Masterclass’ will be released on February 29.

If you want to start teaching online, hop on the waiting list to get an early bird discount when it is released.   

 

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FREE PLACE

While you are waiting for the course to be released, I’d love to know what has so far stopped you from teaching online. Or if you are already teaching online, what do you think is missing from your current offerings? Please take our very short survey HERE to help us make sure we cover EVERYTHING you need in this upcoming masterclass.

THE GIVEAWAY PRIZE: One person who responds to the survey by Friday 5 February will win a free place on the course when it is released at the end of the month*.

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If you want to know why I’m in the kitchen whipping up a sponge cake, you’ll just have to join us to find out!

Teaching is an honour, and guiding people through personal growth, creative exploration and career development is an incredibly rewarding thing to do. I hope you will take the leap to share your gifts with the world this year, and allow us to hold your hand as you make the jump. Get yourself on that list now, and take the first step.

Beth

*Prize non-transferable, no cash alternative available.

Why reading is making me happy + download your own Happy List for FREE

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This is a post by our Senior Editor, Rachel Kempton

One of the (many!) great things I’ve resolved to do in 2016 is to spend more time doing things that make me happy – like reading. I love reading and my shelves are overflowing with books that are all begging to be read. So I’ve set myself a challenge: to read a book a week, every week, for a year. As well as increasing my knowledge, giving my brain a good daily work out and opening my mind to new thoughts and ideas, I hope that priorising my passion for books will inspire me to work on improving all aspects of my life. What’s more by 31 December I’ll have read 52 books – what a great feeling that will be!

I’m only a few weeks in and I’m already reaping the benefits of burying my head in a good book for half an hour a day:

  • I look forward to that little bit of me-time I carve out for myself each day
  • It feels like a really productive use of my time – unlike watching TV or surfing online
  • It helps me to switch off
  • Reading before bed is helping me to sleep better
  • Finishing a book is satisfying and that feeling of finishing things is motivating me to develop a habit of completion – in all other areas of my life
  • Deciding what to read next is fun
  • It’s a great way to learn more about my hobbies, interests, and passions
  • Now I’m in the flow of reading, I’m excited about stepping out of my comfort zone and trying other genres/styles

I love this image about the benefits of reading by designer Raphael Lysander which includes some fascinating statistics on how reading can help with stress relief, mental skill development, and forming relationships, etc.

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During January I was reading:

  • Finding Your Element by Ken Robinson: a great source of help, advice and motivation if you’re pushing through the daily grind, lack passion for what you do, or are wondering how you can start doing what you love.
  • Walking on Sunshine. 52 small steps to happiness by Rachel Kelly: inspired by Rachel’s own life experiences this little book is bursting with tips, tools and positive thoughts to help you better manage the pressures of everyday life.
  • The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children by Julia Cameron: this book is packed with practical advice and is a great reminder that by taking time (even little moments) to nurture our own creativity we cultivate joy in our  own lives, which we can then share with, and model for, our children.
  • F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John C. Parkin, who suggests that saying F**k It is the perfect Western expression of the Eastern spiritual concept of letting go, giving up, and finding real freedom by realising that things don’t matter so much (if at all).

What’s next? The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, which promises that I’m “about to discover how I can create the most extraordinary life I’ve ever imagined… right now.” Watch this space!

This month I’m especially grateful for these fascinating books which have taught me so much, and to the inspiring authors who wrote them. I’m also grateful to my husband who’s doing the book challenge too – keeping us both motivated – and to my sister, Lisa, who, on hearing about my challenge, sent me dozens of pictures of her bookcase and suggested we swap some books. All these things are on my Happy List.

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“Be grateful for what you have now. As you begin to think about all the things in your life you are grateful for, you will be amazed at the never ending thoughts that come back to you of more things to be grateful for. You have to make a start, and then the law of attraction will receive those grateful thoughts and give you more just like them.” ~ Rhonda Byrne, The Secret

What is on your Happy List this year?

If you want to take more notice of the things that make you happy in the months ahead, download our Happy List – it’s completely free, and it’s a simple interactive PDF which allows you to note one thing every day that you are grateful for. Thousands of people used it last year and really enjoyed noticing the small and big things, and having a record to look back on. You can get yours here.

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Download a low res version of The Happy List here.

Download a high res version of The Happy List here.

Do What You Love interview – Eliza Fricker

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We’re delighted to bring you this interview with Eliza Fricker, one half of a talented husband and wife team who create classic, quirky British-made furniture and homewares. The pair launched their business, Baines & Fricker, at 100% Design in 2011 where their Harris Tweed rocker was a Blueprint finalist for Best New Product. 

Steve and Eliza are passionate about creating unique pieces that last a lifetime, and this is the ethos behind their brand. From their studio and workshop in Brighton, UK, they create everything from utility furniture to craft, industrial architecture to street signs and their cool and quirky designs have been picked up by the likes of Liberty and Heals. 

We couldn’t wait to catch up with them to find out more about the life they have designed, doing what they love… ~Rachel

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How I generated over $2000 for new adventures from stuff lying around my house

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At this time of year I always get that feeling that it’s time for a clearout. It might be all the extra ‘stuff’ that comes into our lives over Christmas, it might be that urge to make everything look fresh and clean after the house has been undecorated after the festivities, it might be a hopeful look ahead to Spring. Whatever it is, I want to edit. In doing so I know that I will also miraculously edit my mind, and goodness knows it needs it with so much swirling around lately! And if I make some money in the process, then hello new adventures!

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And so begins the sorting. You have probably heard of Marie Kondo’s bestselling book The life-changing magic of tidying. It’s a bestseller for a reason. The MariKon method is simple but genius. I read it when it first came out, and have rolled my tights and t-shirts ever since. From many years spent in Japan I know how space is at a premium, and as a result their storage solutions are many. But the difference with Marie Kondo is that she focused on reducing the amount of stuff, and keeping only what you really need, or what ‘sparks joy’. So it’s OK to keep that one pink tea cosy that your grandma knitted you when you got your first house, even if you always make your tea in a cup. But in doing so, by allowing yourself to cling onto one or two precious things, you are able to let go many other things that you don’t need or even really want.

I do my sorting in batches, one room at a time. And if there is a lot to sort, then one corner at a time. I am ruthless these days. I have five piles:

(1) Sell it on Gumtree/CraigsList/eBay or to independent shops

(2) Give it to a friend (but only if they really want it)

(3) Give it to charity

(4) Recycle it

(5) Keep it

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