Last week, I met with the Spark Space cohort for our final check-in of 2024. Spark Space is a group of people who have participated in some element of (re)Discover Your Spark work: a retreat/course/travel experience, Eat. Drink. Spark! and/or Spark Start. The subscription series continues the work participants have begun in some other format as well as builds a growing community of people invested in continuing the Spark journey.
I always bring a prompt or assignment for us to work on in our time together. Last week’s prompt was inspired by the book Scare Your Soul from Scott Simon. It’s a great book if you’re looking to “lead your most courageous life.”
I was so struck by the group’s responses to the prompt, that I’m sharing a bit of it here with you. To work on the entire list, you’ll have to get a copy of Scott’s book.
In chapter 7, “Screwing Up Is Sexy,” Scott writes: “Imposter syndrome is the “belief that you are fraudulently claiming to be something that you are not, that you are not as good as other people think you are.” It is a belief that, no matter who you are or what your qualifications may be, you just don’t belong. And given enough time, somebody is going to find out. And it is a secret shame that holds us back from leading a courageous life” (81).
He then goes on to present a Brag Sheet: a series of verbs that allow you to consider your life in the past year and all the places and moments when you did something great, succeeded when you might have failed, tried something scary, etc.
Verbs like: Wrote, Shared, Wowed, Found and more invite readers to consider where they feel pride in their accomplishments, regardless the size.
These one-word prompts invite reflection and inspire you to pay attention to the little flares of your Spark in the consideration.
What did you write in the last year that you are proud of?
Maybe a card you sent to someone special who let you know how much it meant to them. Maybe a meaningful text message that reinvigorated a lost relationship. Maybe a completed rough first draft of that novel, memoir, screenplay, book of poems. Maybe an important email at work that helped you get promoted.
What did you find in the last year?
When I answered that question, I noted I found a heart-shaped rock on a walk Dr Marry and I took up Orrest Head in the Lake District in England in May. It’s now on my nightstand, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of that special walk in that beautiful location with just Dr Marry. It was one of the few times we were alone on that busy trip filled with Spark travel experience participants and family—all amazing, but that quiet walk was really special.
Since I answered Scott’s questions, that little rock now also reminds me that I took a courageous leap in planning and executing the first (re)Discover Your Spark travel experiences and pulled them off!
That’s a lot of meaning for one small, heart-shaped piece of slate!
I loved this when I first read the book, and I did, indeed, feel proud of myself when I took the time to consider the many areas I’ve taken leaps and been bold this past year, so I knew it would be a great assignment for Spark Space.
But. because I had filled in the blanks by myself, I didn’t anticipate the true joy in hearing each member of Spark Space read their Brag Sheets aloud and seeing the rest of the group celebrate these wins, large and small, professional and personal, public and private.
I got off the call and felt a deeply warm glow, and I’m not the only one. One participant wrote to me the next day and said, “Yesterday was a rough day, and [Spark Space] helped a lot! Thank you!!”
Another member said, “It was a fabulous night. There was big growth from everyone in the group and figuring out that we are all resilient is a good thing.”
We are often quick to point out where others have taken risks or been courageous, particularly those we love. But how often do we stop and acknowledge that for ourselves?
Get a copy of the book and then bring the list of verbs to the dinner table with your family, or do it the next time you’re out with friends. Wouldn’t it be lovely, particularly in these uncertain days, to have a joyful conversation with people you like and love?
We’re told so often not to brag, not to get “too big for our britches,” and to avoid being a “tall poppy.” But in this instance, taking the time to brag about your past year might be one of the best things you can do. And sharing that with others? Even better. Take this opportunity to reflect and (re)Discover Your Spark!
One of last week’s Spark Moments prompts was inspired by Scott’s book, too:
