We did it!
Just over a week ago, marked the final day of an ~1-week free LinkedIn Sprint for Freelance Creatives that I led. If you’re wondering what this sprint entailed, Brianne Sanchez did a SPECTACULAR job of summarizing it in her blog post! I was absolutely reveling in the same type of runner’s high I get after a hard workout (side note, a little digging led me to the realization that this is not endorphins as I had previously believed, but more likely endocannabinoids). Leading the sprint was fun for me, but quite time intensive as well. But the feedback I got from the participants was affirming and the fact that many chose to buy me an oat milk cappuccino afterwards showed me how valuable it was for them. Here’s just a small taste the wonderful responses I had.
This was such a great challenge! I’ve always struggled with knowing what to post so this was a chance to try a few different things and see what landed. Thanks for hosting!
Hadley Pierce (freelance science writer)
Nichole Talbot (content writer & copywriter)
Sara, thank you so much for taking the time to put this sprint together! Your expectations and encouragement were what I needed to convince myself I can regularly be present and intentional on this platform.
Jennifer Walter (freelance editor, science writer)
Thank you so much for hosting, Sara! I definitely felt encouraged and pushed during this experience. I’m proud of all of us for making it through and I hope we can do another sprint together in the future!
A huge thank you to (Sara) for the time, effort, and encouragement. Her leadership and enthusiasm was impressive and much appreciated.
Danielle Evans-Cole (storytelling consultant, copywriter)
This sprint was really inspiring for me, thank you so much for organizing it! In a week when I truly did not feel like doing anything, I ended up really surprising myself and it’s truly because of the awesome community and your coaching!
Kathleen O’Donnell (freelance writer)
And as I was thinking about the same question I had encouraged them to ponder as they reached the finish line (what did you learn about yourself from completing this sprint?), I came to a realization.
I’ve always known that I like to help others feel good. But I realized there’s a level of nuance to that. Sure, I’m happy to bring you a delicious batch of puppy chow or pesto dinner. I’m quite good at giving back massages and if you need a compliment, I’m happy to provide one. But I get more personal joy helping others feel good by encouraging them and supporting them to do something challenging.
I find some of my greatest joy in coaching.
• In my fitness classes, I’m challenging participants to push their bodies beyond what they’d do on their own while simultaneously training them on the more advanced skill of listening to your body and knowing when to stop.
• In my ACRES coaching with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, I work with afterschool educators, challenging them to think deeply about how they engage with students. In the Asking Purposeful Questions module, they learn about the skill of inquiry-based facilitation for STEM activities. They learn to ask questions throughout the activity rather than just giving instructions and factual information. These questions help them understand what students are thinking and help the students gain confidence in their own abilities, critical thinking skills, and creativity.
• In my career coaching, I help my clients learn how to adjust their resumes and cover letters for each job they apply for. The concept of teaching a person to fish so that they can eat for a lifetime vs giving them a single meal drives this methodology.
• And in my LinkedIn sprint coaching, I’ve tried to simultaneously encourage and challenge my participants to push themselves during this limited time period.
I set high, but attainable goals for those I work with because I believe that people will rise to the challenge set before them. I break the goals into bite-size chunks because every marathon begins with a single step. I acknowledge when people are likely nearing exhaustion and provide the little poke to help overcome procrastination. And I extend grace through it all, because we never know what someone else is dealing with. I build in safety nets so that if one person is struggling, there’s someone else who can pick up the slack until they’re ready to rejoin.
So to my sprinters, you’re probably metaphorically drenched in sweat and trying to catch your breath right now. Take time to revel in the runner’s high that comes after a push like this. And know that I am so proud of you for your commitment to yourself and your own growth.
And if a sprint seems like the kind of workout you’re looking for, check out my current offerings.
#RenaissanceWomansSprint
