Before the programme I was working as a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at London College of Communication with a side hustle of yoga instructor and inferno hot pilates instructor. It was yet another year when I said to myself: "Lynda, you cannot be teaching at university in the next academic year!" I did not feel respected or recognised in fact it was a job and to a career. I saw no opportunities to grow, and I was definitely stuck.
I had just completed the Art of Manifestation quest and CBC popped up on one of my feeds - either my Mindvalley app or Instagram - and I decided to attend the webinar. Unfortunately, I completely missed it and as it was so close to the start of the programme I decided that that was that. Then an email came through saying I could chat to a coach about the programme, so I booked and appointment.
The changes started before I had even started CBC. I believe I was about 10 seconds into the call when I realised that I would be signing up for CBC and resigning from my job. I had no idea what would be going next, but I knew that I could not go back to my university job.
Around 3rd of April 2023 (the start date of the course) I put a date on my fridge: 16th June 2023 - the end of term and the date I intended to hand in my resignation. The coaching labs were amazing, and I worked through various blocks - including the money block. I handed my notice in on 1st June because I realised a) I needed to give 3 months' notice and b) I needed to finish before the start of the next academic year.
The areas of my life where I have noticed the biggest changes are in my boundaries and values. Now I am clear on what serves me, I can let go of and say no to things that are incongruent with my values.
This means I have stepped way outside of my comfort zone and another big change is gaining clarity. I can see the distractions. I gave up a full time and well-paid job to pursue my purpose and yet I was almost on the path of picking up as many yoga and inferno hot pilates classes as possible - until I saw the light – and even those have been let go of! What was the point of me picking up more classes if it was going to a) stop me from my purpose which is to transform lives and have massive impact b) impact on my health - how can I run, practise yoga, take up new health activities if I'm travelling around London to teach classes?
The third big change is belief in myself and trusting the process. Who else turns their back on around £55-£70k a year? I had decided in my call with the Coach Larry that it was not about the money: £1 million would not have alleviated the sickening feeling of returning for another academic year.
And fourth area of change is really by letting go of what doesn't serve me I am the most creative I have ever been with ideas for books, a podcast - lyndasmith.ai from zero to s/hero my journey to become an AI expert and advocate for AI literacy, animation of my short story ideas and being picked up by Disney with Awards for the podcast, the books and the animation. I'm dreaming big and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I've met wonderful people and loved all the coaching labs and the coaches. The teams are amazing. The insight, the support and the safe spaces is incredible.
I would highly recommend CBC. It has been life changing for me and I have seen the most wonderful transformations of people who thought they were 'ugly ducklings' but are absolutely 'genius swans'. You start to dream big and find your purpose.