#09 Networking
Dates Monday 15th - Sunday 21st September
Summary of the Week
This week has been completely filled with workshop designing and planning with co facilitators from Visioning to AI strategy. A productive week of the things I love the most.
Dot and Dash
Mentoring Had a lovely catch-up with my mentee from Sheffield Digital! We chatted about last month's and this month's goals and some cool new ideas to explore. It's awesome when you connect so well with someone you're paired with. Really looking forward to our next meet-up and seeing how everything's progressing! It also keeps me accountable with my goals too. Lead by example!
Feels so good to be able to give back to a community that helped me transition into the Tech world. I feel very welcome and embedded into the Sheffield Tech scene.
Workshop on Imposter Syndrome run by Amanda Cookson from Northern Value Creators, I loved this as it was based on neuroscience - find my scrappy notes taken from the day. What I found out was there were more than Flight, Fight and Freeze responses. Where you sit naturally in a room signifies what your coping strategies are. The location was ideal for workshops and met some creative female entrepreneurs in Barnsley. Looking forward to the next one a social gathering in November making things.
Raw messy sketchnotes!
Events Upcoming events I'm running a beginners guide to visual communication (sketchnoting) and the first one is happening next week in Sheffield with other dates happening in October and November. I was approached to run another one in Bristol which was awesome as already got 5 people signed up.
What is completely bizarre is that I would've never of thought I would be doing this 5 years ago when I struggled to draw stick people. I am keen to help other beginners start too. I've been invited to run a fun networking session at the Olympic Legacy Park - bringing people together with play and an introduction to LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®.
App Development
Community building This week, I launched the first 'Thrive Hour' – a focus session for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs. It's a technique called body doubling: which can help your brain focus. I did this unknowingly for years. In a past contract role, I worked remotely from the main team. We'd log on daily with cameras on, working together and unmuting to ask questions or share opinions. I loved this remote working style. I hope to grow this community further to offer more tailored workshop, toolkits and techniques to help use thrive.
Join our Facebook group for a weekly 'thrive hour' here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1343193467475622/
The Cooper Project Had a great nerd out with Kristina who is developing an AI power Marketing app with both of us building a community around our apps. Working in an incubator alongside fellow entrepreneurs provides invaluable peer support and guidance, helping to navigate the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey. It feels so good to get the support from Trove Ventures as well as the backing of all the people who drop in at the Tech Parks from IP specialist to funding experts. The app is undergoing initial consultations with IP and our accountant to set this up in the best way.
Volunteer Work
IAF Leadership & Conference
After weeks of planning, it was amazing to finally meet with the leadership team in person to map out our strategic direction for the next couple of years. It’s been over a year since our last meeting, and we’ve accomplished so much in that time. Earlier this year, after attending my first conference, I knew I wanted to get more involved. I spent time considering the commitment and spoke with others who had volunteered before, which really helped solidify my decision. I’m excited to share that I’m now officially co-chair of the conference group! I can’t wait to collaborate with the incredible volunteers to plan the next IAF England and Wales conference and beyond.
The latest Facilitate Sheffield Meetup brings together a wonderful blend of our dedicated regulars and enthusiastic new attendees. I'll be running Troika consulting and Helen 15% solutions from Liberating Structures. Find out more: https://tin.al/GNPUx
Updates on Pacts
PACT 1 Sketchnote practice (7 days) Achieved and need to think on with a new pact.
PACT 2 Mind-Mapping Books (5/52) Just started revisiting the timeless classic Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill—this time with a focus on speed reading. For me this is not the easier book to read with the way its written.
PACT 3 I will create a weekly sketchnote summary (8/30 days) playing catch up! I'll get this set out later in the week! Sorry subscribers for the bombardment as I try to get back on target.
If you enjoyed this visual sketchletter, I’d greatly appreciate your support in sharing it with your network. If you'd like to stay updated over the coming weeks, feel free to subscribe—it’s completely free!