Lozz's Big Year

It’s been a few weeks since arriving back home after Liverpool. My life seems to be in hyperdrive since returning. In fact, with work being as busy as it has been all year, I’m surprised I’ve found time to eat, let alone tweet in 2010!

We found out this week that the Your Big Year book is going ahead - we now have 10 days to write our individual chapters. Although for me, it’s more like 5, because I’m off on my real holidays next week.

I’ll publish my chapter here once I’ve written it!

Carielle and Michael!

The final 8 were paired at random. Until Michael and Carielle were paired together, you would never have thought of that combination, and how great they would work together. In the end, they truly are the best pair to be representing Smaller Earth around the world in 2011.

Yesterday while the final 8 were preparing the “Pitch Your Partner” talk, the rest of us had a general feedback session with our mentors, Mike and Jeanette.

After the winner’s announcement at Liverpool Town Hall, we all let our hair down at Alma de Cuba again, until the wee hours of the morn.

Some people have left on a 10am bus already, and the rest of us are off to have a hearty English breakfast before saying our goodbyes. I’ve decided to make my own way to Manchester on the train later, where I’ll make my connection to London, then home.

Have had some sleep now and processed the initial disappointment. That said, I’m so happy for those that did make it to the Top 8. Well deserved.

Should I have played “the game” more? No! Then I wouldn’t have been true to myself. There were some strong personalities that rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way. I was in awe of quieter personalities that were able to shine this week. It’s been an honour to meet so many new friends.

I wasn’t in this for the travel or the glory or for the sake of competition. This was an opportunity that just spoke to me. It awoke a desire in me to do more with my life. Right now I feel sad that I didn’t make it through, I’m optimistic better things are on their way. It’s cool to think I’ll be changing the world with my 23 new best friends.

It’s the morning of Day 6 and I’ve finally grabbed more than 7 hours of sleep. The last two days were presentation based, Day 4 we facilitated workshops with primary and university students. After meeting them all, I am quite confident that Liverpool is developing the next generation of amazing people. Yesterday we had a 10 minute talk to prepare an present to a panel of Women In Enterprise.

Which brings me to today. The last day we compete as 24, before being cut down to a final 8. This is our last chance to make it through the next round as a whole team. This is where it gets very competitive and even more stressful than previous days. A lot of people want to make it through, but there’s a lot of amazing people competing for those 8 spots. I truly don’t know who will make it through. If I were put on the spot, I could probably list some people that won’t make it, but it’s anyone’s game.  Time to get ready for today!

Key learnings for our group today: You might be listening, but do you really understand? You might be explaining, but are you really understood? When people are tired, they will get stroppy. If you’re getting stroppy and you know it, clap your hands! Well, maybe be forceful that it really genuinely is time for bed. Otherwise it’ll be 1:30, everyone is made to stay up later than necessary, and then you all only get less than 6 hours sleep.

In my case, 4 hours. I may have been jetlagged before, now I’m genuinely exhausted. This isn’t optimal, but I did hear several groups get to bed later.

In our team workshopping times, we had the presentation down, but weren’t complacent, so met after dinner to sort out props for the kids and run-throughs of the talk.

I learnt a lot about our team’s individual styles from this exercise, but observed a bit of an implosion of sorts in another group.

What did I learn about myself though? I need to be more forceful when it comes to guarding our most important asset: sleep. I kept hinting that we should just go to bed, but in the end, it’s was Kim’s forcefulness that grabbed attention. My takeaway - don’t try being so accomodating all the time.

On Day 4, our Day 3 lessons on presentation skills, and being engaging educators will be used when we get to present our workshops to both primary and university students.

It’s been quite a full on Day 2. After press photos at the Docks, we all jumped on the Mersey Ferry too look at Liverpool and the Wirall from the river. The afternoon was filled with teaming building exercises hosted by Personal Development Point. It’s the first time we’ve really seen everyone in competition mode - what we’re like under stress, the natural leaders, the natural listeners, the natural talk-over-everyone-to-be-heard-ers. Coming in to this week, I didn’t think anyone would be overtly out to win the competition at any cost. There are certainly some big personalities that stood out today - however, as the week progresses, the meek will inherit the opportunity to travel all over the Earth. It’s interesting watching this cultural mash happening, we’re all so different yet alike. I’m in awe of everyone here. There’s some great minds, good strategists, enthusiastic go-getters and hard-working entrepreneurs here. In comparison, I feel like I’m playing backyard cricket in an A-Grade competition.

Hanane (Morocco), Lindsey (USA) and I are waiting around for our first activity of the day - a press op at the Mersey Docks.

Last night we had a lovely welcome dinner at the Hilton, and listened to Mike Southon in a speech about entrepreneurs and The Beatles.

About 4 hours ago, it was announced that I was the top fundraiser for the Your Big Year competition, all thanks to my supporters — YOU. Thank you so much!

This means I’m joining the other finalists in Liverpool in late November for a week. During the week, we’ll be competing to win one of two grand prizes - the Big Year.

I’m didn’t get much sleep after the announcement earlier this morning, but it’s worth it - what a great start to the week.

Thank you all again!

I can’t believe the fundraising part of the Your Big Year competition is almost over. If I make it to Liverpool, I will hopefully see the Superlambanana!

More importantly though, getting to Liverpool would mean that I would be meeting 23 other unique and entrepreneurial adults who are all keen to make a difference in the world.

For one week in November, the Final 24 will be challenged to prove that they have what it takes in order to win the main prize - a Big Year.

I appreciate all the support I’ve received so far, and I’d truly love to raise more than 1000 pounds before fundraising closes 3am AEDST Monday morning.

Donate now!