Recently, I was interviewed by Megan Elizabeth Morris about my LiftOff experience, and it got me thinking; there’s something incredibly special about LiftOff, and it’s something I’d like to share.
Deciding to Go
I have a confession to make; when I first heard about LiftOff, I mostly wanted to go because Pam Slim was involved. Laurie Gay, whom I had recently met and greatly admired, had spoken highly of her… and, being highly susceptible to social proof, my ‘I want that!’ reflex was triggered the moment I saw she was involved.
To be fair, it also resonated very strongly with where I was at; I had realized that what I was doing was not what I wanted to be doing…
I had some idea of what I wanted to be doing.
I had no idea how to go about doing what I wanted to be doing.
LiftOff seemed the right program, at the right time, to help me move closer to where I wanted to be… it also felt like an amazing opportunity to connect with some big players, and get their help in growing my Thing.
I faced some pretty major hurdles as far as actually going… but if you want to know more, listen to the interview, I share all my dirty secrets there 
My LiftOff Experience
The experience of LiftOff was like nothing I expected. On the one hand, most of the ‘businessy’ stuff was full of various exercises that I was familiar with. We discussed our ‘ideal customers’, worked through product funnels, and spent time identifying our personal values.
All things that, as a knowledge seeker, I’d seen and done before.
However, and I can’t stress this enough, these exercises are completely different when done in a group setting.
Working in a group, you get feedback, you get the benefit of years of experience from amazingly smart people from a variety of backgrounds. You get support from people who genuinely care and want you to succeed. You get inspiration as you see what others are coming up with. You get a whole [tooltip text="If you know the origin of this phrase, you may just be my new favorite person!"]frelling [/tooltip] room full of cheerleaders who want you to succeed!
Heidi Dobb’s Testimonial from Charlie Gilkey on Vimeo.
I felt like I got more accomplished in a single weekend than I had in months.
I also felt like I laughed more in a single weekend than I had in years.
There’s something about Pam & Charlie; they attract a type of individual that just loves, and cares, and knows how to laugh and enjoy life (all while working their asses off!).
Practicing our 'Lion Pose', as taught by the fabulous 'Stretchy Pam' from LiftOff 2
Seriously, if I could go to every LiftOff, I would (and I’m not the only LiftOffian to say so!)
Coming Home
Coming home was… inspiring… difficult… strange.
There’s something about coming home from an experience like LiftOff; there’s so much internal shifting that occurs, while everything at home stays the same. It’s a bit surreal.
I was so full of ideas and motivation. I was ready to rock the shit out of my business.
I was also coming home to a soul-sucking day job, and Charlie’s voice in the back of my head (something about people who are motivated by a desperate need to get out of their current situation not knowing how to be motivated once they get out of it).
I knew that I needed to be free of the soul-sucking misery; to have more time, and more energy to spend on my own Thing.
The bad news; I knew that until I got out of the current situation, I would not be able to apply the ideas and information I had gained from attending LiftOff.
The good news; I had the motivation to do what as necessary.
I contacted a former employer, who I knew I could enjoy working for, and asked for my old job back. When I got the ok, I gave notice to the soul-sucking employer.
Things were looking up!
Exploding Into Horribleness
And then, just when I was at my happiest, life exploded into horribleness.
The very day that I gave notice at the soul-sucking day job, my boyfriend broke up with me. Completely out of the blue… in just about the worst way a guy could dump me (childhood trauma for the lose)
<insert complete breakdown here>
Shortly after, I decided to run away for a bit… so I gave notice to my landlord, sold everything I could, and went to Thailand for 6 weeks.
If there’s one thing I learned from the experience, it’s that I can make anything happen… as long as I care enough about the thing I want to happen, and am willing to sacrifice {less important things} in order to make it happen.
I also learned that strength is overrated, and support is priceless.
The Aftermath
When I returned from Thailand, I was still feeling a bit lost, exacerbated by culture shock from returning to the States after an extended trip overseas. Going back to a day job (even a really great day job) was incredibly hard… I missed my days of sleeping in, walking and journaling and eating insanely tasty food for dirt cheap.
I was also refreshed, ready to focus on the things that were truly important to me. I was determined to live according to my values, to never again allow the focus of my life to be determined by someone else.
(I was also in the beginnings of a new -completely unexpected- romance, but that’s a tale for another day!)
Looking Back
Much of what happened after LiftOff was completely unrelated to my experience of LiftOff. However, where I am today is directly tied to the people of LiftOff.
Throughout all of the horribleness, my fellow LiftOffians were there for me.
Shortly after I got home, David Billings emailed to check in with me.
When I missed our first implementation call, Tzaddi Gordon emailed me to see if I was ok.
When I was unable to make the payments I had promised to Pam & Charlie, they responded with such kindness & compassion it brought tears to my eyes*.
LiftOff has always been there; not just the people and the energy, but LiftOff itself. It’s almost like it’s this entity in and of itself, and as I’ve made my tiny (tiny!) steps forward, it’s been in the background, encouraging me and pushing me ever so slowly forward.
At first, I was a little afraid, because I thought I would let it down, but as I kept at it, I could feel the love and encouragement. Even when I’m not actively interacting with my fellow LiftOffians, I can feel their love and support!
*I did eventually pay them in full, ahead of deadline in fact… but at the time, I wasn’t sure how it would ever happen.
A word of advice;
During the interview, Megan asked me what I would say to someone who is drawn to LiftOff but was feeling like they ‘can’t’ make it happen.
I resisted voicing what my heart was saying, because it didn’t feel ‘appropriate’… but darling, if you are at all interested in LiftOff make it happen!(!!!)
I have spent countless thousands of dollars on any number of retreats, workshops, info products and events. And not a single dime of it was worth a fraction of what I spent on LiftOff. The people alone are worth ten times the cost of attending… the love and support that you will get from those people, is fucking priceless.
(Seriously, there are only a few spots left, and registration closes July 31st. Now is the time baby, claim your future! Click here to register**)
**NOT an affiliate link. I make nothing if you sign up. Not a single dime!
