Roll the clock again to precisely 6 years in the past final evening. I was sobbing right into a glass of purple wine … the children had gone off early to mattress for the beginning of a brand new college time period and I used to be preparing to return to work the subsequent day.
Highland Hustle didn’t but exist!
My husband gave me a cuddle, feeling helpless and he mentioned to me that I needed to do one thing about it. Sufficient was sufficient.
I had been sad in my job for a very long time. Basically, I nonetheless beloved PE instructing however I’d been in the identical job for much too lengthy and I felt like I’d stopped making a distinction. I felt anxious about going again. Sick with fear and nerves, my abdomen in a knot and it wasn’t a pleasant place to be. I’d misplaced my spark, misplaced my confidence and didn’t really feel like me in any respect anymore.
So, approach again on fifth January 2014 I checked out this little bit of paper on the ground splattered with all my concepts of what I wished to do and stored going again to this concept of my Highland Dance impressed class to get extra folks dancing (together with me!). I missed dancing a lot. I simply wasn’t positive it may ever work or that folks would need to go.
Gillian, again within the day as a baby loving her dancing ….
The following day, off I went to work and got here house once more however one thing had snapped inside.
I used to be going to do one thing …. I nonetheless wasn’t positive what. The little bit of paper with all of the concepts scribbled on it was an enormous poster measurement with phrases everywhere in the center. It could make no sense to anybody else on the time and I nonetheless have it now. However, over the subsequent couple of days concepts for ideas, enterprise names and the way on earth I may make it work have been all added to my very messy handwriting. I wasn’t positive how or the place to begin. On the finish of the day, I had a household to take care of. I couldn’t afford to only resign and provides it a attempt to see! Lets be actual right here, actuality checks in when you’ve gotten payments to pay.
This was the primary profile image used on the Highland Hustle Fb web page on sixteenth Feb 2014 … till somebody requested me when you needed to do the category in excessive heels!
Later that week an opportunity chat with a Mum on the college gate was the subsequent catalyst.
Elaine, who had her personal enterprise and web site sat me down and gave me an actual push and level in the proper course. I’ll all the time be glad about her assist and talent to only give me a few of her time to speak and provides me the arrogance to consider it was attainable.
So, quick ahead 2 months later and I might been to the Enterprise Gateway who I used to be stunned did not inform me I used to be loopy (my knees have been actually knocking and coronary heart pounding a lot I couldn’t work out the way to open the entrance door!). However, I did it. I examined the category idea on household, mates and unsuspecting senior college pupils of their PE classes, who did have a look at me as if I’d actually gone loopy once in a while!
One in all my senior pupils even helped by being inventive with a digital camera and took this shot in her lunch break after I lastly informed them what the category was about …
I googled and discovered the way to write the primary model of the web site myself, usually staying up far too late on work days and getting up early, approach earlier than my youngsters to atone for emails and analysis. I used to be determined to get to the subsequent stage within the enterprise.
My youngest was nonetheless at nursery, so I used to drop her and actually run house to seize just a few hours to proceed beginning my very own enterprise on Thursday and Fridays which have been my ‘days off’.
On the finish of February 2014 the primary ever Highland Hustle class began. Would anyone flip up? Would folks assume I used to be totally loopy? Would I’ve the arrogance to truly do that or would I throw up – in actuality this was an actual chance, I used to be so nervous.
I did the category … and other people turned up! They seemed sweaty on the finish however they have been smiling.
The category took off rapidly and the primary DVD adopted the place I used to be joined by the improbable Rachel McLagan (Flings & Issues) and David Wilton.
My level to writing all this?
I’m undecided anyone ever has it utterly sorted. However, if you wish to make a change typically you simply must do it. Discover a option to make it work.
This month many people will probably be taking a look at what we need to do, change or obtain.
So, when you fancy attempting Highland Hustle. Simply go to a category or enroll as a Neighborhood Member as a place to begin at house. In case you assume you may’t dance … who really cares? Not the category Teacher, they’ll be delighted to see you! All people else is simply too busy both understanding what to do or having a superb time to care.
Do you’ve gotten a calling to steer your personal Highland Hustle class? Is there an internal voice telling you that you may’t? Enroll. You’ll be able to’t really feel extra sick than I did after I got here up with the idea and ran that firstclass. You’ll be able to all the time blame me if folks don’t prefer it (however, that received’t occur -just saying!).
Or are you aware somebody who wants that push to attain one thing in 2020. Why not give them a little bit of encouragement, identical to my husband and quite a few family and friends did alongside the best way!
Associates /my youngsters have come together with me into the woods or a scenic spot to provide me firm as I do a little bit of filming or photos … this one was again in 2014!
Now I’m not pretending I’m some form of life guru. While I actually love driving Highland Hustle ahead I actually don’t have it 100% sorted…. simply really feel I’ve to say that! I nonetheless work an excessive amount of. There are additionally issues on my jobs’ listing which were there for much too lengthy. However, each work day I rise up with out the slightest little bit of dread. In contrast to I did in January 2014.
I really like Highland Hustle, the folks I’ve met and the alternatives which have come of it. Most significantly for me, I really feel like I make a distinction. There are such a lot of those that have helped present assist alongside the best way from mates, household to wonderful and beneficiant mentors. For instance, Stuart Cassells (Founding father of the Pink Scorching Chilli Pipers) gave me his time and recommendation, as did my very own dance trainer, Allana Brown. Even Ann Gloag took the time to take a seat down and work by means of the enterprise plans in the early days. Becoming a member of Espark was additionally a superb choice for me.
In case you are considering of constructing a change and attending to a Highland Hustle class I hope you adore it too. This 12 months … self care is on my listing however a lot of Highland Hustle associated issues after all too – so watch this house!
Find a class near you at our find a class page here!
Written by Gillian (Brough) Urquhart, Highland Hustle Founding Director
