Showing Up
I’ve been really lucky recently in that I’ve had some really kind, and often unsolicited notes from people about my work and my career. I got a message saying someone had been fangirling from afar and someone else saying they were happy to support my name in area where I don’t have connections. So first Have You Thought About - when you appreciate someone or something - how often do you let them know?
I think it can make a huge difference.
And then because I’m proud of it - and because I’m also now going to the Podcast Show in London, here’s a quick round up of those who took part in Season One of Have You Thought About - my podcast series aimed at those tired of being told they can only really focus on one thing to achieve dreams, plans, passions and who are perhaps now at a bit of a reckoning.
Thank you to those who listened and took the trouble to rate and review and subscribe and share. And I’m looking for guests for the next season to shortly starting recording with. If you know of cool guests with three things to talk about that have helped them get on in life, well I’d like to know too.
Links here though it is hosted on my website at https://www.dhrutishah.com/podcast:
Separately, as I’ve titled this Showing Up, have you thought about that - the importance of putting your name in the hat and just trying? Because honestly it can make a difference and help you find different paths.
I try, with my mentees and when doing coaching to share opportunities especially if you know someone else is a good fit and it could help them. I’ve been so lucky that people have done this with me - even recently. They’ll say, Dhruti - this is something for you. The fact they take they make the effort to make action is so important. It’s an email, a tweet, a Whatsapp tag that can make the whole difference.
I say this because that bit of luck, notification can lead to so many other things. So for example last year, I saw that the Radio Academy was trying to diversify and was offering a bursary to people from underrepresented backgrounds. In my previous career, I’d often be limited and told actually no my focus needed to be on one thing so wouldn’t have development or investment in development on technical skills for example outside of my skillset - it’s how the podcast came about - to upskill and not rely on others to give me training. Anyway back to the Radio Academy - so I couldn’t go to the conference in the end as I was away in Bonn working as an expert storyteller with the G20 Global Land Initiative. But I had been chosen and I got membership for a year with the academy. That boosted my confidence and helped the journey to get on with creating my podcast etc (I already had lots of radio experience but sometimes when you don’t do something for a while you can get nervous).
Anyway off the back of that I got the opportunity to be a judge at the ARIAs - which are like the Oscars of the radio world. And got to go to the awards and do lots of networking - see how it works? So that’s one example. But let me give another moment of going for opportunities.
So last year I wanted to write a piece for The Guardian. I pitched several and got nowhere. But then I pitched an idea about being hairy. Anyway it got published. Then The Story Collider producers over in the US saw it and then off the back of that offered me an opportunity to write and perform a comedy science monologue on stage in London. Was it scary? Heck yes. But they liked it enough that it got chosen for the main podcast. And I was lucky that my one was also filmed. I’ve uploaded it on YouTube and now more people have watched it so far than in the audience! And not only that, going on stage gave me the confidence to apply for an improv scholarship from Hoopla Impro and now I’m on level two preparing for a show. Yikes
Anyway, the intent is to show you - it’s worth showing up as you don’t know where opportunities will take you.
As usual, I’m a self-funded independent creator. I go through periods of feast and famine as a freelancer and any help either by pledging your support for this newsletter to continue or sending through a hot chocolate equivalent via my Ko-Fi account is always appreciated.