Your GRADUATION Story
"I always knew I wanted to offer a blended online and face to face programme for women over 50. I found that once I turned 50 that I was seen in a different way by society, family and work. Younger people want to do things their way and it sometimes goes against the values I was brought up with. I also felt invisible and that all the skills and experiences I had gathered over the years weren't seen as useful to a lot of people. After a career in learning disability nursing and adult education, and being used to giving, sharing, training and supporting, it was difficult to take more of a back seat. However, when I reflected on life I realised that this was an amazing opportunity, that there is a place for women like me, and I could use my skills in a different way. So I retired early from nursing and let go of the need for things to be done based on my own experience and knowledge (which no one was listening to anyway) and change my perspective on life. I started a blog, completed NLP and life coach training and felt that an online course to inspire women over 50 who have had a career and are finding it difficult to change direction, with 1:1 support, was the way to go. However, I had no idea how to do this, despite having reasonable computer skills. The only way I could see this happening was to display a bunch of PowerPoint slides and talk around them. I doubted whether this would be tempting enough for discerning women of my age. It even sounded boring to me! I wanted my clients to feel a change within them as they completed the course, an experience that would make them excited for the future.
I languished for YEARS, procrastinating, planning to offer my signature programme but feeling that I would be wasting my time. Then came a life changing cancer diagnosis. Following treatment I knew I had to make a decision. It's now or never. I actually put together the course or live to regret it as I get older. So I decided to go for it. However, I didn't know how to structure an online course. It's different from face to face where you are flexible with the content based on the responses the client gives. An online course needs structure and modules. Then came along Marisa and EPM. I have spent money before on programmes which weren't necessarily poor quality, they just didn't give me the specific help and support I needed. I deliberated some time before deciding to invest, as it was a very large investment for me, especially as I wasn't earning. The attraction of EPM was that it offers my clients an EXPERIENCE rather than simply information and guidance and it was the missing part of my original idea for an online course. EPM was also VERY structured, step-by-step with a proven plan to get from where I was to an online saleable course. Another big benefit was real coaching by real people who knew how to develop and deliver experience courses - this is sadly missing on many courses and when I am on my own in my little home office with no one to bounce my ideas off it's easy to be discouraged. I completed the course and now have a concrete plan for my experience product, with a mission, structure, modules, content and goals. I have passed my ideas through a clear process and a real person has given it the thumbs up. But I think what has been an excellent bonus - and that I wasn't even expecting - is additional information on setting a clear mission and result for clients, branding, sales, using social media, how to talk about the programme to everyone, how to continue to develop it with feedback from participants - the list is endless. Without doubt this is the most value I have ever received on a course and I will continue to use the instructional/motivational videos and worksheets for years to come as I develop my offerings. I now have a programme that I believe will change the future path of women over 50 and inspire them to make their mark in the world and their own lives. They will be able to picture a bright future with adventures ahead rather than living a life without purpose. They will be able to make choices aligned with their own dreams and values and not what society expects from them. And my dream of sharing the journey with them is changing my own future as I contribute to society in a positive way.
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Your MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Story
I have merged my graduation story (above) with my Mission accomplished story. However, I would like to add that I was really struggling to to put together an online course as I had no proven steps to follow and no structure to my thinking and ideas. I felt that I would maybe be better giving up - I'm in my 60s and time was passing me by. But I felt that I needed to use my experiences and skills to help others and make a difference to the lives of other women going through their next life chapter with some purpose. After seeing Marisa on Facebook and joining her course creation challenge I instinctively knew that EPM was for me. I needed some persuasion (thanks for all the emails, videos and inspiration Marisa!) but knew it would be the right programme for me. It held the missing key for my prospective clients - experience. I completed EPM and achieved my Mission, to graduate with a MVP. I am officially launching the product on the 15th February (although I have been chatterboxing with friends and some of my target market), to give me time to put together a social media strategy and email marketing as I have zero followers on zero platforms and zero email subscribers. At least I am starting fresh from nothing so I haven't anything to lose!
I don't have a business but the programme I developed will hopefully be the start Given me lots of confidence in my own abilities, given me invaluable tools and techniques, given me my own life purpose Always move forwards and trust the process and your instincts even if you start having second thoughts #progressoverperfection I can trust my abilities and create anything (as long as I follow the process). I can really change lives and motivate and inspire women over 50
Thank you to Marisa, Coaches Matthew and Mel, Murray and the team behind the scenes for an excellent programme, providing exceptional value above and beyond what is promised, and thank you for allowing lifetime access to the materials so that I can continue to develop my programme and release and sell an experience product. I'll miss you all.