Hail Ming, Hail!

In 1980’s Flash Gordon, Ming The Merciless taunted Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, Dr Hans Zarkov and audiences with:

“Pathetic Earthlings, forever wondering if you are alone in the universe, beaming your plaintive messages into to the void for anything that might hear you, even hurling your bodies out into it. All without the faintest inkling of who or what is out here.”

It’s a favourite film from my childhood and infinitely quotable. But why am I quoting Ming The Merciless on LinkedIn?

As a new business owner, one of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot recently is my social media presence, or current lack of. I’ve heard from so many quarters that “I need, no must, have a social media presence" and " you're not on Instagram? You've just gotta be on Insta!” I have certainly felt the pressure to get out there and get writing.

I totally get that it will be another way of becoming part of a community, getting myself out there and known, starting conversations and building new networks. All with the desired end result of discovering leads for my new business; Kellenva Coaching. 

The problem is, I have no idea what I’d share, how often and where. I see so many of my friends and connections doing it really well and I’m so envious. I really want to do it, but where to start? All this questioning and thinking means the actual doing is always 'manana'.

Fortunately the opportunity arose recently, to take this quandary to a session hosted by Kirsty Lewis, at her School of Facilitation monthly Q&A. I put this question to 9 other coaches & facilitators. I was overwhelmed with the diversity and volume of advice, tips, tools, insights, support and encouragement I received. So much so I need to go back and watch the recording to capture it all, as my head was full after a solid 30 mins of inspiration being beamed my way!

There were some immediate takeaways and some other ideas which are going to be slow burners for me that I need to work up to. However one that really hit home was the concept of using what I’m passionate about for inspiration; music and film.

Hmm, very interesting.

Ultimately though, what prompted me to write this piece was a challenge laid down in that session to write an LinkedIn post about not knowing what to post on LinkedIn; what a great place to start! Ever the one to rise to a challenge, in earnest, I started jotting down some ideas and thoughts. Whilst brainstorming, quite by coincidence, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Don’t Stop’ shuffled on my Spotify playlist.

So I didn’t.

However...

WARNING, RED ALERT Ming’s ship is approaching WARNING RED, ALERT!

After a while, I changed the playlist. I’ve had this playlist on Spotify from day one. It features such hits as ‘who’s going to listen to you?’, ‘people will think this is naff’ and ‘what if no one cares what you’ve got to say?’ as well as that 1980 classic; ‘who are you to broadcast yourself to the world/universe?’ 

Enter stage right Ming The Merciless, his entourage and his godly chastising as if this playlist was their entrance theme, rather than the Queen penned classic soundtrack. Ming's hypnotic rhetoric spoke to why I’ve struggled to start my online presence and my occasional imposter syndrome. Ming suggested that it’s actually fear that has stopped me making progress on this, not lack of ideas. Whilst certainly a being not without his faults, Ming, was on to something here.

Ming's dialogue was hard not to listen to and fanned the flames of my raging external frame of reference; people’s validation of my contribution are a huge deal for me. When I really think about it, that's the reason I’ve been reluctant up to this point. What if I am just beaming my plaintive message into the void without ever knowing what or who is out there? What happens if the universe never responds?

After listening to Ming for too long, his growing confidence meant he overplayed his hand and revealed his weak spot.

I thought about the last thing I did at the Q&A session; taking a screenshot of the Zoom room participants. Something, I don’t know what exactly, made me add the photo as my laptop wallpaper. I think this was to kick me into gear and make something happen and put my Flash t shirt on.

It has and I did.

"No-one cares what you have to say" Ming said disdainfully.

"The people I'm writing this for will!" I retorted gleefully

"You've never written an article for the public domain before" Cursed Ming with a swing of his sword.

"Well every author starts with their first word!" I shouted as I dodged his mighty blow.

My battle with Ming has bought about new awareness of what was really going on. Every laser blast I dealt has opened up new choices and actions for me. I have regained my personal power! This concept is at the heart of what Kellenva Coaching is all about; so heartening to know that my business purpose helps not only others but myself also.

The fact that I already have a community around me that I can tap into, is my laser blaster. Getting past symptoms to the real issue, is my Flash t shirt and letting go of the need for social acceptance/approval, are my flowing golden locks.

So we here are, a couple of days later. I'm on my rocket cycle, Dale is hanging on, Ming has been defeated and yes, Gordon's Alive!

I hope you like my first foray into beaming my message out there, it’s OK too if you don’t, but you know what, I can think of 9 people who will.

Many thanks to Kirsty, Sue, Phil, Meriel, Amy, Cat, Kathryn, Tim & Mikala, I wouldn’t be here without you and together, we can all save our earth!

Long Live Flash!