Get out of your own way
The events of yesterday got me to thinking....most people are scared of asking for something because they are scared of the answer...either the so called “rejection” of a NO or god forbid, a YES which then means they then have to act!
I wanted to get the front cover shot for my last book on the Barkley. But it was a two people job.
And when you are on the Barkley there is not much in the way of people, phone reception, or even trees. But the view is amazing and the local cop is a bloody good bugger!
I found myself saying something that has come to be a common line when I want something seemingly outrageous or BIG.....Hi my name is Alice Mabin, you don’t know me but I really want to do XYZ and I believe you might be the best person to help me. When could we get this done?
I got a tip of a great follower on Facebook for a guy who can work a camera....so I called up the local police station at Avon Downs and convinced the Sargent to come and help me out!
He was only too obliging. This is what people in the bush are like. They are genuine people. They are community people, they are a close nit family looking after one another.
You see, I’m not afraid of the “no”. And if he’d said no, I would have followed up by saying well can you direct me to someone who can! No’s are not rejection; they represent lack of creativity and living in the moment. Find someone else who wants to live in that moment!
I couldn’t find a salon in Mount Isa a to do my hair and makeup first thing in the morning so I called Lexi at Camooweal Roadhouse PUMA and she worded up one of her Norwegian staff who glammed me up and then came out to help with the shoot! There’s always a way! Thank you Therese.
People get amazed by what I do and how I do it and the fact I do most of it on my own, because they live by the constraints of their mind. They think there is “a way” it should be done and when I don’t do it “that way”, it’s wow to them.
Get out of your own way
BUT WAIT! This story gets better! Talking to one of my dearest friends we decide to make a wardrobe change at the last minute....yes while I’m in the middle of nowhere with limited options in small towns and let’s not forget no phone reception between towns!
But I went to my phone book and called someone who would know someone in mount isa, rang some shops, sourced a shirt from Worn Out West, got the shop attendant, Pennie, to try it on and send me a photo so I could see it, paid with credit card over the phone and arranged to pick it up from her house after work as I was going through after 5.
THEN! Pennie says to me, you’re not Al Mabin are you? She had been following my movements on Facebook!
And that my friends is the resourcefulness of people in the bush.
I better not forget to mention that I saw some of my fave customers on the way- Rob from Barkers Newsagency. He always gives me stick! He was glad to hear that the new book is not out until Xmas as he said he needs to save up to buy some ???♀?.
And thanks to John at the Waltzing Matilda Centre who made me a latte and the best toasted sandwich I’ve ever had as I stopped for fuel in Winton.