h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's been an odd autumn this year. You see, for the first time in ages, I haven't suffered the slightest bit of depression at the passing of another year.

It was one of Opti's journals that made me realise why. It made me think about what I've achieved this year, and for the first time I've actually made some serious progress in improving my future career prospects. Over the last six months or so, I've finally matured as an outdoor leader.

The biggest obstacle - self-confidence aside - has always been the fact that leaders like me are seen differently somehow. Camp leaders (no, not that sort, Roymondo ) have always sat oddly with the rest of the organisation; where others lead rugged masculine, adrenaline-pumping climbing, abseiling and kayaking sessions, we're seen as a different brand - somewhere between tree-huggers and Scout leaders. In fact, the reality isn't quite so clear-cut. Working from the basis that to want to learn and enjoy you first have to be enthused, we are more inspirers than leaders. There is a fairly intense philosophy behind what we do, and it takes time to see not just what we do and how, but why we do it. It's quite intricate.

This year, we had a good intake of new leaders, people who had worked on similar projects who wanted to expand and refine their skills. As the most experienced leader out there (T has been doing it longer, but works on other projects most of the time and only does a few a year) I spent a lot of time working with the newbies. We'd have regular chats about how individual activities and whole camps went - everything from how to phrase the introduction to a particular activity to group management and the whole ethos of the project. At some point around the beginning of July, I realised I had become its lifeblood. I didn't just have kids hanging off every word, but leaders as well. One morning, I replaced a core activity with one that I've never even seen run before almost without thinking because it suited the group better, on a whim. One of the leaders tried to repeat the activity the next day and it went belly-up. She didn't understand the philosophy, why it should fit in, how it could be tailored to the group, what the outcome should be. That morning I realised - without wanting to brag - that I'm bloody good. I might be a one-trick pony, but I do it well.

This week I found that I might not be a one-trick pony after all. The trial of the daytime version - a woodland exploration rather than an overnight experience - went superbly well. G's Cub group loved it, and one boy that was particularly thrilled explained that he thought it would be just watching birds, but it was fun and exciting and he couldn't wait to get out in the woods again. The point is, *I* did that. It was my programme of activities, my philosophy, my relationship with the group. Yeah, it was an easyish gig; I was nervous and it was all boys, but it was still a small group all of whom had chosen to be there. They were eating out of my hand, and I was pretty bullish by the end of the day.

I came home on Sunday and got my head around it. I gathered my thoughts and sent T some comprehensive feedback regarding how I felt each activity had gone and where I needed to improve, lifting some text from an excited parent's email to G to show the kids reacted (to the effect that the boys hadn't stopped taking about it all the way home and beyond). T has only gone and forwarded my email to the head of service! In it, I discussed various things; not just the idea of the day as a standalone, but also how it would fit into programmes such as the John Muir Award. This opens up a whole world of possibilities; there are other organisations we could work with, and if I can work on John Muir I can work on Eco-Schools, Forest Schools and really get noticed. Even without these, I can show that I'm capable of running my own mini-project, budget and deliver it. I'm hoping for a meeting soon to explain my vision, maybe as early as next week.

I have faith in my own abilities now. I've realised that I do have a talent for this, but that's no good on its own; I need to keep working hard, stop waiting for things to happen and actually sing my praises. For everyone like me who does a great job who doesn't ever mention it to anyone else, is coy or worried about seeming egotistical, there are a dozen who aren't as good but are better at selling themselves. Now, though, I feel that saying how good I am isn't arrogance and that I can confidently push myself forward.

It's a great feeling. I can't wait to see what the next stage is.

Now I'm off to see what's been going around here in the last few days

I am *so* proud to call you my friend

GB

Yay for Skanky!

I want to be you.

It's good to see you in positive frame of mind Rich. I was concerned at one stage that the amount of stuff you were taking on was likely to lead to 'burn out' or health issues. Seems you have things about right. Good luck in all your endeavours.

I miss doing the mountain crafts tutoring/training I used to do but at least I still have the memories of what I achieved. Everyone I ever took on a mountain climb/walk all came back intact.

That's fantastic, Skanky, good luck!

Any chance you could sort out hootoo while you're in a good mood?

Thats great, good luck

Mina, for the first time in my life, *I* want to be me.

Thank you all for your encouragement

Shankyrich, you're an inspiration.

TRiG.

Beautiful

I read your journal entry with interest not just because my name is mentioned in the second paragraph, but I really do think you are great and you should believe in yourself. Self-confidence is always something that is tried and tested every day of our lives, but we have to muster strength to carry onwards. I found it fascinating how in an early paragraph you question this concept but throughout your journal you appear to ooze it. The question I’d like to know is how do we stay on that mental high? Yes there is a fine line between being arrogant and just self confident and sometimes it’s confusing as to who’s which and when and what not. Good Luck with keeping on going. My mother once said that its great to give out and you receive greatness back, I’ve found this questionable but it seems in your case you’ve found it. I think Mahatma Gandhi’s quote which you feature on your personal space is also a great one You must be the change you wish to see in the world and having read about many people it seems that a lot have put this to good use.

Finally, I remember my former housemate asking whether I’d ever been in Brownies because of my nature, but I haven’t. I have been on lots of activity holidays though and done creative stuff and would love to have a job like yours could you please point me in the right direction. Oh and another thing, do outdoor leaders really mature?

Nothing like self-discovery, eh? And self-actualization (to use the fancy term). It just feels so *good*. Enjoy it!

Of course, a good shower would rinse away the dirt and leave behind the gold just as well.

Well, my friend, it seems you have finally realised what most of us here on Hoo Too have known for a long time - that you are good, and you inspire people. If you can inspire children in this day and age you have a gift, not just a talent, which you should build on.

I have known for a long while that your 'day job' neither suits you, nor do you really like it. Sometimes, however, you have to be in the wrong place first, to know where is the right place, for you. I too, have worried that you were doing too much and would burn out but perhaps things will come good for you now.

The time in the hotel trade has not been wasted, I am sure you have gained a lot of skills that will be useful.

I wish you success and happiness with your new found confidence. Any time it needs a boost you need look no further than Hoo Too.

Websailor

In the journal, Opti, I'm talking pretty much exclusively about the last six months or so. In previous years, I've known that I've done a good year on the camps but have failed to take it any further. I've always made the error of thinking that diversifying is the way to go, so I've spent time on office-based survey work and habitat management to get a range of skills. I've also learnt how to climb and kayak. In all these endeavours, though, I missed the key point which I mention above - you have to be enthused first before you can learn - and that becomes even more important if it becomes something you want to teach to others. Now I love climbing and clearing scrub, but I was kidding myself if I thought I could just learn them, then get work and be happy. So I've always gotten to October and realised that I've worked very hard but, in terms of my future, in vain. To take my analogy of this journal a step further, I was looking for nuggets on the surface instead of digging.

In terms of a job like mine, I'm not sure how many are about. I think the camps are virtually unique, and most people doing work on vaguely similar lines tend to be self-employed. You really have to start as a volunteer, and that of course depends on what opportunities are in your area. More traditional outdoor education is a little easier to get into but is quite competitive, as is just about any job that is fun, and you have to work hard to train and get noticed. Most centres will look for qualifications in kayaking, climbing and hillwalking. If you want any more details, give me a shout!

Finally, I wasn't using 'mature' to mean growing up as such, but more becoming refined and rounded like a good wine. I think being a little excitable, playful and carrying a sense of wonder yourself is very important

Thanks very much, Webbie. You've been right all along about the hotel trade, of course, but it has given me skills as well as two very important commodities that most people don't have - flexibility and time. I've always been allowed to pretty much choose my hours where necessary in order to keep my outdoor career moving. Some people have told me that the hotel has held me back, but without it I might not have had the opportunity to get myself in this position. Now I feel strong and confident enough to think I could go it alone.

And I did have that shower - amazing how far smell carries, isn't it?

I always knew you'd end up as the Torquay Tammylan, but these things willow knot be rushed.



zdt

You aren't alone when you say that one job helped keep alive the passion for creativity. I know people who've taken just any job and volunteered when they've had a day off from work on something creative that has led them to other creative jobs. Such as one who did temping in health and has become a youth worker. It's having the money and time to do this and as you say you seem to have found both to help you in your pursuit. I do feel like there's a catch 22 with many things these days. Not knowing what to do also doesn't help cos there seems to be a qualification needed in doing any job these days!. Anyway, I've always wanted to train up in outdoor activities such as abseiling and rock climbing because I these but again it comes back to finding the money to do this and time.

I'm starting to think Skankyrich may have his own biography to write one day as some of the greats off my head Steve Irwin for one appear to have put to practice the theory of being passionate about something so much that this rubbed off on others, while all the time everyone is learning.

So you've got a niche specialty now - you're good, they know you're good, you know you're good, we know you're good - That's great
Now if we could get the rest of the world running this way...

An autobiography? I could be tempted... I've made a start on TV presenting as well on my YouTube space at http://www.youtube.com/skankyrich - it's the Ashurst and Brockenhurst clip, which still needs a bit of editing.

Essentially, Opti, you've hit on the very reason that I gave this journal its title. I did my Mountain Leader training back in February 2002 and, although being in the hotel has helped, I only moved in eighteen months ago. I had to make a decision - Rich, how much do you want this? Is it harder to keep trying or to take second-best? My partner had to decide whether to support me or not, when I was at college full-time, working the rest of the hours in the week to keep paying the rent and volunteering all over the place to gain knowledge and experience; she barely saw me, but never lost faith.

Do you walk away and settle for an easy but less satisfying life, or do you keep plugging away and put up with the odd hardship just in case one day, eventually, it all comes together? It's not a question that has an easy answer.

I've seen how much my groups get out of the experiences they have in my company. I've watch them change, even over the course of a one-night camp. What I do has a power far greater than mine alone; I just point the children in the right direction, and let their sense of wonder at what's around do the rest. And I become one of them; what goes on around me touches me as deeply as it does them. I've always said that the money is irrelevant, and that the day I stop seeing with the eyes of a child I'll stop.

So for me, you see, the answer *is* easy. Whatever my circumstances, I keep digging. The gold is down there somewhere. I haven't found it yet, but I'm so close I can almost smell it.

The question I think you need to ask yourself is how much would you sacrifice to have a job like mine? If you need any climbing or walking tuition, you're welcome down here in ol' Deb'n any time - bring your boyfriend and a tent, I'll rustle up my old climbing partners, and we'll take you out for a weekend and give you some tips. Local knowledge, you see; we know all the best places. You'd also have a pretty good idea of what's involved. It's an open offer, so don't say no, but feel free to say yes if the mood ever takes you!


It is great, isn't it, Leo? The only thing is, if the whole world was feeling like me at the moment, I'd just be average

You couldn't be average if you tried Rich!