Three courageous moments in my career.

Courage isn’t always about grand, dramatic gestures—it’s often found in the everyday moments when we step beyond our comfort zones, take risks, and embrace new opportunities. Over the years, I’ve faced challenges that tested my confidence and pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. In this blog, I’ll share three defining moments where I had to be courageous—whether working with children at Lincoln City Foundation, speaking up for young voices in my community, or taking the leap into freelancing. Each experience shaped who I am today and taught me the value of resilience, self-belief, and taking action despite fear.

“Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” - Mary Tyler Moore.

1 - Working with children at Lincoln City Foundation.

During my time as a Digital Marketing apprentice at Lincoln City Foundation, I focused on creating engaging digital content and managing social media posts to promote the various programmes offered by the foundation. My primary involvement was in marketing initiatives for the Holiday Club, football training, and after-school activities.

A key aspect of my role included coordinating photography permissions with staff and parents and interacting with children to capture photos and videos that showcased the programmes on social media and the foundation's website. Although I had studied child development and had some experience working with children, I still had much to learn about communicating and connecting with them. The environment was often overwhelming and required considerable courage to overcome my nerves. However, facing those challenges allowed me to grow personally and professionally, enriching my overall experience.

2 - Getting involved in Raising Young Voices.

I have demonstrated significant courage by participating in Raising Lincoln’s Young Voices. My journey began at a research gathering event organised by The Network Lincoln and LocalMotion Lincoln, which was designed by young people for young people. This event provided a platform for attendees to express their thoughts on issues impacting their futures and communities. On that day, I volunteered as a Youth Ambassador to assist attendees, helping them feel more comfortable and encouraging open discussions.

After this event, I developed storyboard illustrations to visually narrate the event's inception. I also joined the Steering Group for Raising Young Voices, where we discussed the gathering's findings. This experience allowed me to deepen my understanding and collaborate on actionable steps to enhance Lincoln for everyone.

As part of the steering group, we learned about similar community organisations, such as Base 51 in Nottingham, which has thrived for over thirty years. We visited and talked with them to learn how they did it. We also had public speaking and communication coaching sessions, which I found very useful in developing my confidence in communication. Since then, I have attended trustee meetings and community events to share my insight as a young creative.

Stepping out of my comfort zone has enabled me to meet new people, engage in meaningful dialogues, and become actively involved in local projects I am passionate about, which will hopefully contribute to creating positive change in Lincoln.

3 - Going Freelance

Embarking on the freelance journey has required a great deal of courage. I started by developing my business plan and officially registering as self-employed, which set the foundation for my brand. Through this process, I discovered not only what I want to do but also how I can effectively present my skills while remaining true to my values and beliefs. This self-reflection led me to rebrand as a Creative Practitioner, focusing on graphic design and digital marketing, though I remain open to exploring various creative avenues.

My bravery has also extended to actively participating in networking events, both online and in person, attending conferences, and holding meetings to connect with others in the industry. To further enhance my expertise, I've enrolled in an online digital marketing course to expand my knowledge and skills.

Additionally, I have launched a new website and started a blog, which I intend to develop and grow as a platform to share my experiences, projects, and passions with others.

“If you summon your courage to challenge something, you’ll never regret it. How sad it would be to spend your life wishing, “if only I’d had a little more courage.” Whatever the outcome, the important thing is to take a step forward on the path that you believe is right. There’s no need to worry about what others may think. It’s your life after all. Be true to yourself.” - Daisaku Ikeda.

Going forward

Looking ahead, I aspire to embody the courage of a lion king by actively participating in more networking and social events. I intend to push beyond my comfort zone by engaging in public speaking opportunities and exploring new experiences.

Courage comes in many forms, and every small step forward counts. When have you stepped out of your comfort zone and embraced a challenge? I’d love to hear your stories. Share them in the comments or reach out to connect. Let’s inspire each other to keep moving forward, no matter how daunting the journey may seem!

Schedule a chat

Get in touch by filling out a contact form or emailing me at

hello@lou-gebbie.com

Explore my work www.lou-gebbie.com