Day 15 : Take a Lecture at Kings College London

I was invited to give a lecture at Kings College London, however it wasn't the University that invited me, it was a student. In fact the University didnt even know I was coming.

This 2 o clock lecture was filled with a mix of 1st year Medic and neuro science students. A class made up of roughly 400 people. You can imagine how petrified I was.

I hadn't prepared what I was going to say, that was all part of the challenge. Immediately after the lecturer of the previous lesson finished , I pounced. I jumped on stage and began. On that stage I experienced one of life's rare highs.

Fortunately it was all filmed otherwise no one would have ever believe what happened. As I began to teach on the intrinsic relationship between neuro-science and story telling, the real lecturer arrives!

What do you do? I told her she was late and to hurry up and sit down. What was I thinking?!

Lesson learnt; some of life's most precious events happen when you take the dive.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” 
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Day 14 : Train Platform Announcement

I had no idea how easy or hard this challenge would be. I assumed if I was really nice to the staff member on the platform, they might just let me.

We managed to get hold of a GoPro for this one so we were able to get a point of view shot. I don't know how they didn't see it.

After several failed attempts at persuading the staff on a number of different platforms to let me, I cast my eyes on a bigger prize - Ride in the cabin of an underground train.

Crazily, this was far better received than the initial request. The drivers considered the request and reluctantly rejected it. If security wasn't called I think we could have succeeded.

Lesson Learnt: do not let your preconceived idea of a situation prevent you from going for it, you never know what response you might get back.

“Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in.”
― Alan Alda

Day 13 : Supermarket Announcement

Whenever you are in a supermarket you often here announcements made to staff or customers over the tannoy. I have always wanted to have a go at it myself.

This 40 Days gave me the perfect opportunity to make the request. I went down to my local Sainsbury's and asked if I could have a go. 

Now there is an argument that rejection only hurts when it means something to you, I would agree in part. I do believe if you are 100% committed to succeeding, whether it means something to you or not, failing does still disappoint.

I feel I have been going into these challenges with a 70% desire to succeed. This challenge taught me I need to be more committed to succeeding. Push harder and be more creative.

"If you're not willing to work hard, let someone else do it. I'd rather be with someone who does a horrible job, but gives 110% than with someone who does a good job and gives 60%." - Will Smith