How many of us have ‘taken the plunge’ good and proper, with no regard for the danger or depths awaiting us? Not only do I love a metaphor, but I have ‘held my nose and jumped in’ many times ‘feet first’ across three successive careers, and often well over my head.
Now that March is upon us, along with the fervour of another extended season of International Women’s Day celebrations, I have been exploring how we deal with challenge and risk, across both my worlds of business and comedy.
In the latest episode of my podcast, How To Have Fun At Work, I discuss ‘taking the plunge’ with Mairi McHaffie and Bernie Morgan who reveal how I persuaded them to take a comedy challenge to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day way back in 2011.
To accompany this episode and to kickstart our own celebrations for International Women’s Day (even though we’re celebrating every day here at Funny Women), I’ve asked a few more of my favourite women how they deal with challenge and for their best advice on how to ‘take the plunge’ professionally or personally.
The results are in!
Harriet Minter, Journalist, Broadcaster, and #WomenInLeadership Advocate
“The first thing I usually do when faced with a challenge is hide under my duvet for 24 hours and try to ignore it. Once that has failed, I try to break it down, so rather than it being one huge challenge I have to deal with it becomes a series of smaller steps. I start by asking, what is one simple thing I can do that would make this challenge more manageable? And then I go from there.
When taking the plunge, assume the best. We often think about the worst that could happen then get put off. So instead ask yourself: if this all went my way, what is the best that could happen? I find it’s then easier to get excited for the project ahead.”
Maggie Berry OBE, Director, Heart of the City
“Don’t feel you have to start from scratch – it’s always good to talk so ask for advice and insight from others who have dealt with a similar challenge before. And take time to break a challenge down into understandable and manageable parts that won’t overwhelm you.”
Janet Awe, Development Producer, and Script Consultant
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. We learn from both. Be prepared to work hard: I totally believe in the saying that ‘it takes 10 years to be an overnight success’. In fact, Mohammed Ali said it took him 19 years! The graft, and the hustle, are real. So, try to ensure the challenge or ‘plunge’ takes you closer to whatever you’re passionate about, to make it worth all that effort.
And finally, be yourself: people buy from people. So, whilst it’s important to understand the rules of the environment to ensure you can be collaborative and productive, it’s equally important to allow your individuality and personality to shine through. It will enable you to connect with people more genuinely; remind them of why they’ve chosen to work with you, rather than someone else; then you’ll feel more-true to yourself and be happier and more effective for it.”
Bridget Finklaire, Author and Spiritual Teacher
“Deal with challenge head on! It’s always best to see the elephant in the room! There’s no point in denying reality or pretending it will go away because it won’t. If the challenge is a conflict, I use a short process to shake out what’s going on, then choose what I’d love as a result and take inspired action towards it. If the challenge is around a choice I’ve made, I rise to that challenge, using the resources I have to overcome it. Rise to the challenge; be true to yourself! I like Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. The challenges are often your demons or dragons. If you run, they’ll follow. If you fight them, they’ll grow stronger. When you face them, they’re inevitably paper tigers.
“Taking the plunge is the most profound and important thing you can do. You’ll feel alive! Do it! Don’t listen to your doubts and fears, nor the ‘naysayers’ who tell you that you can’t, or it’s not a good idea. It’s easy to carp from a comfort zone, but that’s not living! You are responsible for your life and the choices you make. As Goethe said, ‘Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!’
As you get older, you realise that trying and failing isn’t something to fear at all. If you try and fail, you’ll learn a hell of a lot in the process and probably get it right next time! Think of it as ‘create and adjust. You created something, it wasn’t quite right, now you know how to do it better, so you adjust!
Facing challenges is what life’s about. It strengthens us, motivates us and is a tool for tremendous growth and learning.”
Giovanna Forte, CEO, Forte Medical Limited
“I deal with challenge by working out the best way to approach it, check the various options from different angles, decide which is best… then roll up my sleeves and get on with it.
Challenge happens to help us grow, to learn how to deal with change and adversity… welcome it! I truly believe that nothing is a problem until it can’t be solved and facing challenge helps us shape our approach to the world as it arrives at our feet; it is all part of life’s rich tapestry and its worth bearing in mind that without it, the smooth stuff wouldn’t feel quite so smooth.”
Hela Wozniak-Kay, The Connectress
“It all depends on the challenge. Often there’s a period of shock associated with a challenge. It can be a sharp electric shock or one that’s more prolonged and feels akin to having your entrails pulled out!
Once the nature of the challenge sinks in, I like to take a bird’s eye view and assess the challenge from afar, as well as looking at the situation through bat’s eyes, hanging upside down. Same picture. Different perspective.
Don’t stick your head in the sand like an ostrich. Nine times out of 10 when you feel brave enough to rise to the challenge and face-up it’s often more of a hillock you have to climb rather than a hill.
Take advice from three trusted and impartial friends or colleagues. Make sure they have all the facts – that way they can share their evaluation of the situation and offers some wise words and insightful insights.
Sleep on it then sleep on it some more.
Don’t sign anything official without running it past a qualified official.
Document EVERYTHING.”
Justine Sless, Producer, Funny Women Australia.
“Gather good people around you who believe in you.
Be your own best mate.
Enjoy every step of it, the highs, the lows and the uncertainties – embrace it all especially the fear!”
Professor Lynne Cadenhead, Chair Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
“Be bold and be brave and deal with challenge head on, but never alone. There is no problem in business that someone else hasn’t already been through. Not one. Seek all the advice and support you can get from trusted mentors. It takes courage to ask for help but that help is out there for you, you just need to ask! How do people know you need support if you don’t ask them?!
I ask myself one of two questions – or sometimes both! “What’s the absolute worst that can happen?” And ‘Will this really matter in five years’ time?’ Take time to deeply reflect on your answers, alone and with your mentors, and you will find your way forward. And remember that it is through challenge that you grow and develop your confidence. Carpe diem!”
Morwenna Loughman, Literary Agent
“I find that it really helps to remember that I’m in the driving seat of my life; we can’t always control what happens to us or the challenges we face, but we can control how we react and respond.
It’s a little cheesy, but gets me every time: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Robin Golinski, Producer, Funny Women USA
“The words I use in my mind to take the plunge are “even though…”. I follow “even though” by the long list of fears and then I do it anyway.
For example:
Even though I may not feel totally prepared, it’s important to take action now.
Even though some people may be upset it’s important for me to advocate for myself.
I could give a long list of these but you get the point!”
Jane Beacon, Television Producer and Commissioner for over 25 years.
“I throw myself head-long into challenges, ignoring the ‘why I shouldn’t’, instead focussing on ‘why I should’. Then I steel myself for the inevitable setbacks and just keep going!
Imagine what success looks like and keep it in your sights. Push past negative voices – either externally or internally – then just take the plunge. Celebrate the victories, however small and remember, stamina and determination will get you everywhere!”
Lauren Allpress, Senior Advocacy and Policy Media Manager, EMEA, Airbnb
“I get organised and lean on my people! I once realised that I often faced my challenges alone or spent time discussing them with my support network moaning or ‘unloading’. This can sometimes help, but with a real meaty challenge that I really want to solve, I realised I can use my network in a much more effective way.
First, I think of one or two people that I know who either a) have subject matter expertise and/or b) I like the way they think and work. Then, I reach out and ask if they are willing to spare me 30 mins to tackle a challenge. You’d be amazed how open people are to this, especially women.
Then, depending on the context, I do some preparation. If it’s a work-related challenge I may even note down a few key points and share these ahead of the call or meeting with whoever I’ve drafted in to help. It can really help focus the ask and use the time well. Even if we don’t crack it in the space of a short conversation, I always come away from those conversations feeling less alone in what I’m trying to solve, with some good ideas and more strongly connected. Friends who problem-solve together stay together!
We hear a lot of good advice urging us to ‘be genuine’ and ‘authentic’ when putting ourselves out there, but when you have no bloody idea what this means, it can be a bit frustrating.
Over the years I realised that whenever I ignored my gut instinct, I regretted it. Next time you are asked to do something that doesn’t sit right with you, or you’re facing a challenge that makes you feel uneasy, take a moment and sit with it. Depending on how you like to process feelings and information, try writing a stream of consciousness in the context of the challenge (this can take some practice but it’s worth it!) or noting down some bullet points.
Finding more concrete data to diagnose your gut instincts can a) help you explain your reservations to others and bring them along with you and b) trust your gut more in future. It can be a slow process but I have found it transformative in finding my ‘genuine’ and ‘authentic’ self, and having more faith in my experience and expertise. This mindset can help ‘taking the plunge’ feel less daunting and even exhilarating!”
Thanks to everybody who contributed to this article and you can find this week’s episode of How To Have Fun At Work, and more, here.
Taking the Plunge
Lynne Parker
How many of us have ‘taken the plunge’ good and proper, with no regard for the danger or depths awaiting us? Not only do I love a metaphor, but I have ‘held my nose and jumped in’ many times ‘feet first’ across three successive careers, and often well over my head.
Now that March is upon us, along with the fervour of another extended season of International Women’s Day celebrations, I have been exploring how we deal with challenge and risk, across both my worlds of business and comedy.
In the latest episode of my podcast, How To Have Fun At Work, I discuss ‘taking the plunge’ with Mairi McHaffie and Bernie Morgan who reveal how I persuaded them to take a comedy challenge to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day way back in 2011.
To accompany this episode and to kickstart our own celebrations for International Women’s Day (even though we’re celebrating every day here at Funny Women), I’ve asked a few more of my favourite women how they deal with challenge and for their best advice on how to ‘take the plunge’ professionally or personally.
The results are in!
Harriet Minter, Journalist, Broadcaster, and #WomenInLeadership Advocate
“The first thing I usually do when faced with a challenge is hide under my duvet for 24 hours and try to ignore it. Once that has failed, I try to break it down, so rather than it being one huge challenge I have to deal with it becomes a series of smaller steps. I start by asking, what is one simple thing I can do that would make this challenge more manageable? And then I go from there.
When taking the plunge, assume the best. We often think about the worst that could happen then get put off. So instead ask yourself: if this all went my way, what is the best that could happen? I find it’s then easier to get excited for the project ahead.”
Maggie Berry OBE, Director, Heart of the City
“Don’t feel you have to start from scratch – it’s always good to talk so ask for advice and insight from others who have dealt with a similar challenge before. And take time to break a challenge down into understandable and manageable parts that won’t overwhelm you.”
Janet Awe, Development Producer, and Script Consultant
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. We learn from both. Be prepared to work hard: I totally believe in the saying that ‘it takes 10 years to be an overnight success’. In fact, Mohammed Ali said it took him 19 years! The graft, and the hustle, are real. So, try to ensure the challenge or ‘plunge’ takes you closer to whatever you’re passionate about, to make it worth all that effort.
And finally, be yourself: people buy from people. So, whilst it’s important to understand the rules of the environment to ensure you can be collaborative and productive, it’s equally important to allow your individuality and personality to shine through. It will enable you to connect with people more genuinely; remind them of why they’ve chosen to work with you, rather than someone else; then you’ll feel more-true to yourself and be happier and more effective for it.”
Bridget Finklaire, Author and Spiritual Teacher
“Deal with challenge head on! It’s always best to see the elephant in the room! There’s no point in denying reality or pretending it will go away because it won’t. If the challenge is a conflict, I use a short process to shake out what’s going on, then choose what I’d love as a result and take inspired action towards it. If the challenge is around a choice I’ve made, I rise to that challenge, using the resources I have to overcome it. Rise to the challenge; be true to yourself! I like Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. The challenges are often your demons or dragons. If you run, they’ll follow. If you fight them, they’ll grow stronger. When you face them, they’re inevitably paper tigers.
“Taking the plunge is the most profound and important thing you can do. You’ll feel alive! Do it! Don’t listen to your doubts and fears, nor the ‘naysayers’ who tell you that you can’t, or it’s not a good idea. It’s easy to carp from a comfort zone, but that’s not living! You are responsible for your life and the choices you make. As Goethe said, ‘Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!’
As you get older, you realise that trying and failing isn’t something to fear at all. If you try and fail, you’ll learn a hell of a lot in the process and probably get it right next time! Think of it as ‘create and adjust. You created something, it wasn’t quite right, now you know how to do it better, so you adjust!
Facing challenges is what life’s about. It strengthens us, motivates us and is a tool for tremendous growth and learning.”
Giovanna Forte, CEO, Forte Medical Limited
“I deal with challenge by working out the best way to approach it, check the various options from different angles, decide which is best… then roll up my sleeves and get on with it.
Challenge happens to help us grow, to learn how to deal with change and adversity… welcome it! I truly believe that nothing is a problem until it can’t be solved and facing challenge helps us shape our approach to the world as it arrives at our feet; it is all part of life’s rich tapestry and its worth bearing in mind that without it, the smooth stuff wouldn’t feel quite so smooth.”
Hela Wozniak-Kay, The Connectress
“It all depends on the challenge. Often there’s a period of shock associated with a challenge. It can be a sharp electric shock or one that’s more prolonged and feels akin to having your entrails pulled out!
Once the nature of the challenge sinks in, I like to take a bird’s eye view and assess the challenge from afar, as well as looking at the situation through bat’s eyes, hanging upside down. Same picture. Different perspective.
Don’t stick your head in the sand like an ostrich. Nine times out of 10 when you feel brave enough to rise to the challenge and face-up it’s often more of a hillock you have to climb rather than a hill.
Take advice from three trusted and impartial friends or colleagues. Make sure they have all the facts – that way they can share their evaluation of the situation and offers some wise words and insightful insights.
Sleep on it then sleep on it some more.
Don’t sign anything official without running it past a qualified official.
Document EVERYTHING.”
Justine Sless, Producer, Funny Women Australia.
“Gather good people around you who believe in you.
Be your own best mate.
Enjoy every step of it, the highs, the lows and the uncertainties – embrace it all especially the fear!”
Professor Lynne Cadenhead, Chair Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
“Be bold and be brave and deal with challenge head on, but never alone. There is no problem in business that someone else hasn’t already been through. Not one. Seek all the advice and support you can get from trusted mentors. It takes courage to ask for help but that help is out there for you, you just need to ask! How do people know you need support if you don’t ask them?!
I ask myself one of two questions – or sometimes both! “What’s the absolute worst that can happen?” And ‘Will this really matter in five years’ time?’ Take time to deeply reflect on your answers, alone and with your mentors, and you will find your way forward. And remember that it is through challenge that you grow and develop your confidence. Carpe diem!”
Morwenna Loughman, Literary Agent
“I find that it really helps to remember that I’m in the driving seat of my life; we can’t always control what happens to us or the challenges we face, but we can control how we react and respond.
It’s a little cheesy, but gets me every time: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Robin Golinski, Producer, Funny Women USA
“The words I use in my mind to take the plunge are “even though…”. I follow “even though” by the long list of fears and then I do it anyway.
For example:
Even though I may not feel totally prepared, it’s important to take action now.
Even though some people may be upset it’s important for me to advocate for myself.
I could give a long list of these but you get the point!”
Jane Beacon, Television Producer and Commissioner for over 25 years.
“I throw myself head-long into challenges, ignoring the ‘why I shouldn’t’, instead focussing on ‘why I should’. Then I steel myself for the inevitable setbacks and just keep going!
Imagine what success looks like and keep it in your sights. Push past negative voices – either externally or internally – then just take the plunge. Celebrate the victories, however small and remember, stamina and determination will get you everywhere!”
Lauren Allpress, Senior Advocacy and Policy Media Manager, EMEA, Airbnb
“I get organised and lean on my people! I once realised that I often faced my challenges alone or spent time discussing them with my support network moaning or ‘unloading’. This can sometimes help, but with a real meaty challenge that I really want to solve, I realised I can use my network in a much more effective way.
First, I think of one or two people that I know who either a) have subject matter expertise and/or b) I like the way they think and work. Then, I reach out and ask if they are willing to spare me 30 mins to tackle a challenge. You’d be amazed how open people are to this, especially women.
Then, depending on the context, I do some preparation. If it’s a work-related challenge I may even note down a few key points and share these ahead of the call or meeting with whoever I’ve drafted in to help. It can really help focus the ask and use the time well. Even if we don’t crack it in the space of a short conversation, I always come away from those conversations feeling less alone in what I’m trying to solve, with some good ideas and more strongly connected. Friends who problem-solve together stay together!
We hear a lot of good advice urging us to ‘be genuine’ and ‘authentic’ when putting ourselves out there, but when you have no bloody idea what this means, it can be a bit frustrating.
Over the years I realised that whenever I ignored my gut instinct, I regretted it. Next time you are asked to do something that doesn’t sit right with you, or you’re facing a challenge that makes you feel uneasy, take a moment and sit with it. Depending on how you like to process feelings and information, try writing a stream of consciousness in the context of the challenge (this can take some practice but it’s worth it!) or noting down some bullet points.
Finding more concrete data to diagnose your gut instincts can a) help you explain your reservations to others and bring them along with you and b) trust your gut more in future. It can be a slow process but I have found it transformative in finding my ‘genuine’ and ‘authentic’ self, and having more faith in my experience and expertise. This mindset can help ‘taking the plunge’ feel less daunting and even exhilarating!”
Thanks to everybody who contributed to this article and you can find this week’s episode of How To Have Fun At Work, and more, here.
Lynne Parker
You might also enjoy
Remembering Jo Fletcher-Cross – A Tribute
Read More »Soho Theatre Announces 2026 EdFringe Programme
Read More »Q&A : Bryony Kimmings, Bogwitch
Read More »Q&A: Teresa Senyah, Hoopla!
Read More »Q&A : Jess Nicks, Bitch on the Mic
Read More »Review : Charlie & Striptease
Read More »Born out of Misogyny: why we are still waiting to be heard
Read More »Q&A : Folusho Falegan, Hoopla!
Read More »Check these out
Remembering Jo Fletcher-Cross – A Tribute
We celebrated the life of Jo Fletcher-Cross a week ago today. It was an honour to deliver this Tribute on behalf of Funny Women and our community.
Born out of Misogyny: why we are still waiting to be heard
When I founded Funny Women 24 years ago, it wasn’t just a passion project; it was a direct response to a misogynist comedy promoter I was working for as a publicist.
Soho Theatre Announces 2026 EdFringe Programme
Soho Theatre announces its 2026 programme for its home away from home, the Edinburgh Fringe.
Q&A : Jess Nicks, Bitch on the Mic
Jess Nicks is a performance artist, coach and practitioner of silliness. She is bringing her debut one-woman show ‘Bitch on the Mic’ to the Brighton Fringe in May!