Before working at Turn Lights On I hadn’t written a blog in my life. Being in Human Resources for most of my career I’ve written lots of reports, letters, emails and presentations but no blogs. I’ve always wanted to, I feel like I have so much to say and to let people know… but my little ego would always be there whispering ‘Who would listen?’ or ‘What if people find what you write boring?’.
Well, from reading the Turn Lights On book and practicing what it’s taught me I’m glad to say that the little issue of my ego is no more or at least almost no more… I’m sure it will rear it’s head from time to time. But I have the tools to be able to manage that amazingly!
Have you thought the same thing? Thought about writing a blog but never started? If so I HIGHLY recommend that you do the blogging challenge too – you’ll find it here.
Alex Beadon sends across a lovely daily email with a video with a challenge for you. If you’re thinking of setting one up feel free to email me if you have any questions on [email protected].
So here goes my Day 1:
Who am I?
I’m Matt, currently 27, living in Manchester, from South Wales and I LOVE high fives. I worked in a huge corporate setting for a long time and now have taken on a fresh new opportunity in joining Turn Lights On.
Why did I start blogging?
To reach out to people who currently Turn Lights On and to those who don’t yet but want to know how!
Don’t know what Turning Light’s On actually is? I’ll give you a couple of examples:
Today I was in an opticians getting my eyes tested… while waiting I saw the optometrists coming in and out of the rooms. Eye exam after exam looking a little flat. There was my opportunity. I knew that I could turn her lights on. When she greeted me she said, “Hi, how are you?” I almost went with the auto pilot answer, “Fine thanks. You?” Instead, I enthusiastically said, “Really good thanks, how are you?” Making enough eye contact to show I’m interested without doing a stare (NB It’s best not to over do the eye contact)! She smiled and her eyes lit up. Mission accomplished! The next half an hour during the exam we chatted and laughed and made a real human connection. I turned her lights on. I know that she’ll be taking the recharge of energy into her afternoon with her.
The day before yesterday I went and had a hot snack at a service station on my drive from Cardiff to Manchester, it was a little late so the place was quiet. I ordered my food and while waiting for it to be cooked I asked my server “What’s been the best bit of your day?”- a favourite of mine to break down barriers. “I’ve had a terrible day…”. Another TLO mission offered and accepted! We talked through her day of sorting out moving before a long shift at work which was made worse by tipping a whole load of cooking sauce on herself. That does sound like quite the epic day doesn’t it? We talked it all through, laughed it off and then high fived; like I mentioned I love a high five.
I turned their lights on and because of that my lights were even more on. I left both situations glowing! It’s like that Roald Dahl quote “If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely”.
Making other people happy makes you happy!
Who is your blog for?
Anyone who wants to have a read – people who want to do something to join forces with me and Turn Lights On…become a ‘lighter’. Do you think ‘Lighter’ works?
What’s something that you’re working on lately that you’re really proud of?
I’ve been with Turn Lights On for 6 weeks now and there’s loads a happening to jump start this movement. All will be revealed soon. I’m excited. You will be too.
What’s the one message that you hope people will take away from your blog?
Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Together I want us to create an awesome network of people who change the world! Who eradicate loneliness! Inspire people around them! People who don’t play on their phones when around friends or spend their working days wishing they were home! Or go home and wish they were somewhere else. Let’s relish in the here and now.
If you’re interested in being part of that I have a few options for you:
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe on YouTube
Subscribe to our newsletter- there’s a box on the right hand side of this post.
We’re thinking of setting up a Pinterest too; do you use Pinterest? Let me know!
Thanks for reading, as a gift from me to you you can get a FREE copy of chapter 1 of our book by signing up to our mailing list. It’s well worth a read! I love it, so much so that I changed my career for it!
PS I would love you to comment below to let me know what you think of my Day1 blog/ if you write your own blog or are going to start!
Much love
Matt
Matt, reading your blog is like spending time with you… Refreshing. Your infectious personality shines through; you’ve been turning lights on for year before you ever joined TLO. Miss you and glad you are so happy.
Katie
Years… Typo 🙂
Thanks Katie!! This meant a lot! You’re wonderful! 🙂
Thanks Katie!! This meant a lot! You’re wonderful! 🙂
Good job Matt,
Keep lighting people up. Xx
Cheers Keith! I have a copy of the book for when I see you next! 🙂 x
Lovely! Great idea, inspiring and definitely needed. Good work xx
Heya Simon… Glad you liked it. Have you turned any lights on in CA yet? x
I am delighted to see that you are blogging Matt! Now even more people get to hear your voice and experience your loveliness.
Far too many of us don’t do the stuff we’d really love to do because of those awful ego whispers….tell it “hush now, I’m doing my amazing thing!”
I can’t think of a better way to share your stories than through the TLO lens and I’m really looking forward to reading more! You’ve done the hard bit – taking that first step – the rest is now a dance through your life. Let’s Cha-Cha-Cha! x
Thanks Kate! So much to say and do… the hard bit is knowing where to start! 😛 x x
This was also very interesting. I feel like I’m spending time with you just by reading your post. It’s very good and I wish you all the luck in what you are doing.
Thanks Marvina! That’s awesome of you to send on… did you get a FREE copy of the first chapter? I’d love for you to be part of the movement to Turn Lights On! 🙂 x