I Just Conducted My First Workshop!

FREELANCE LIKE A PRO! 💯 Last Sunday I conducted my first workshop at Le Flamington, and things have changed for me since then. I’ve posted about it on my social media profiles, but there is still so much that I want to say! The fact that Le Flamington showed the confidence in me to conduct this workshop to people actually turning up, taking notes, and asking questions- I genuinely don’t know what to address first.

*takes a deep breath*
Ok, let’s take it one step at a time.

I just conducted my first ever workshop, and I think that’s worth celebrating. I still remember how scared I used to be when it was my turn to give presentations in college, and here I am, still trying to get over the fact that I planned and executed this workshop all by myself ❣️ Those 16hr long days when I was constantly worried about the work, finances, health amidst personal ups and downs have all come together to make sense today, and of course there’s still so much to learn, and I am so grateful to have reached this stage. Freelancing was never Plan A (I doubt it was ever really a plan) and after getting over the initial excitement of getting “extra pocket money” I realised there was a lot that could be achieved if I streamlined the process ✔️ It’s been 6 years of freelancing as a content writer and social media brand consultant, and it was while preparing for this workshop that I realised how far I had come from the days when I had NO IDEA what I was doing. I also realised how freelancing is not just a profession, it’s a lifestyle ❣️ Freelancing has taught me so much about emotional health, mental health, relationships, patience, self-confidence, all of that, and it’s helped me improve my personal life too.

I will forever be grateful to Taha Khan, Khuzaan Dalal and the entire team of Le Flamington who showed their support and invited me to conduct this session. Have you ever been so full of gratitude that you don’t know what to say, and thank you seems…lame? Yeah, I am at that stage now. As I said, I will be grateful to them forever.

To everyone who turned up — it was overwhelming to see the support, honestly. I am touched at the patience that you’ve showed with me, and the fact that you followed my journey as I figured out what I wanted to do (still figuring it out, but things are making sense now…) I loved the enthusiasm with which you converted this workshop into an evening full of engaging, meaningful conversations. Some of the questions even made me realise there were so many life lessons that I had learn along the way. Everyone who attended- thank you! I really, really am grateful. It’s because of you that I am feeling elated, high on life, self-confidence, love and gratitude 💞

When I started preparing for the workshop, I was planning to give a presentation. Halfway through this process as I sat with notes and key-words, I realised story-telling is what worked for me, and I’d want to connect with everyone by sharing common struggles and doubts that people have when they want to freelance. I erased my notes and noted down 4 pointers —

1. My struggles to set context about my experience, and the fact that I understand financial pressure, respect the fact that money is a powerful motivator, and why I don’t believe in “leaving a full time job to travel and earn”
   2. How to get started- how to prepare a workstation, a network, a personal brand, a pitch
   3. Networking and the emotions behind it, and how it’s a process that will make you realise who truly supports you, and why it’s important to have a healthy tribe that supports you.
   4. Personal branding and how to go about creating a profile- this in fact is an entire workshop in itself, and I think I’ll come back with this in round 2 😊

I was worried I won’t be able to get past 1 hour, but the only time I looked at my watch I realised 2 hours had passed. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I got when I realized that we had neared the end of this workshop, and that it had been a successful one. My takeaway? I met a new network, extended my tribe, and got the chance to celebrate gratitude once again.

Will I do this again? Hell yes! Will I still be nervous about this? Well, yes. But also excited, so we’re good here😊

Once again, cannot stress enough on the fact that your support has meant the world to me. Thank you.

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