In 2022 I decided that I was going to do something different, something outrageous, make a difference and hopefully spark some conversations… I settled on some challenges, a year of challenges.
As part of this outrageous stunt I cold plunged every day for a month, ran 100 miles and gave up caffeine amongst many other things.
When June came around I figured I had spent a fair amount of time testing the limits of my body, maybe it was time to push my mind… So, I decided to take part in a social media challenge for the business.
The goal was to post something new on social media every day. I was concerned that this might be an irritating thing to do, even more irritating than posting a photo of my half naked body in a bath every day!!
Turns out quite a few people were interested in the goings on at JFW Ltd and the feedback I received throughout the month was brilliant.
I posted photos of daily progress, generated mini ad campaigns for the company, I also filmed and edited reels and short videos to showcase what we had been up to.
I would create weekly videos where I would talk to camera, a nerve racking thing for me at the time, but it was all experience giving me the necessary building blocks I needed to be myself and become the face of the business rather than hiding behind it.
Without this challenge forcing me to step outside my comfort zone I wouldn’t be comfortable hearing my own voice, understanding it’s ok to put your personality out there and that authenticity trumps perfection every time.
I guess it doesn’t sound much of a challenge, but having to do something fresh and creative every day is tough, you can’t just switch creativity on, it has to naturally be there, and sometimes it just doesn’t come, so you’re sat there at 10 pm, thinking… ‘what the hell am I gunna do!?’ Top Tip: a long shower or a drive without any music on is usually a good way to get your creative juices flowing!
Looking back, this challenge taught me that people don’t connect with logos and businesses, they connect with people. Without being forced outside my comfort zone, I don’t think TimberMane would exist in the form it does today.
Maybe I should do it again…..
