Once upon a time I was exceptionally quiet in the online space. I silently observed what others were saying and doing. I did this for a good long time…years in fact. Yes, I was a lurker. You have no idea how much courage it took for me to find my voice and to actually begin sharing it.

Silence can be a scary thing. Overwhelming too. In many ways breaking that silence can be even scarier – even though in the long run it changes everything for the better. I am incredibly thankful to a number of folks who encouraged me to truly show up and to begin engaging. The people who supported my journey always saw me for the person I am. And they took the time to reach out to me. To see me. Their actions and wisdom taught me that sharing my voice and my true self in the online space really does matter. I firmly believe that their support has changed everything about the way I approach my business and my life. Because certain people chose to believe in me….I was able to begin believing in not only myself, but in others too. Guess what? There is true magic in a formula that works like that. I will spend the rest of my life giving to others because of those folks who gave to me when I most needed it. They helped me understand the true power of connection and generosity.

And so with my own experience long behind me – but the lessons never forgotten – it makes me incredibly happy to announce that starting next Tuesday at 10:00 AM Pacific I will begin co-hosting ‪#‎LurkerChat‬ with Nick Kellet! It will be a weekly Tuesday morning event – a combination Twitter chat meets HOA. I am both honoured and humbled to be doing this with Nick. He is someone that I respect hugely and that I love spending time with. Nick and I are committed to reaching out to the folks who stay in the shadows, to having truly interactive discussions and to generously engaging with folks. Something tells me it’s going to be more than a little special. I hope you will join us.