What if you did one thing every day that scared you — just a little?
Not something reckless. Not something wild. Just something bold enough to remind yourself that you’re the one steering this ship — even when the waters get rough. You are the captain of your life.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been running a little experiment on myself (and now, on everyone around me) after watching the Netflix show, Life List. I’ve been doing one thing a day that scares me. And let me tell you — it’s changing the way I show up. It’s a mixture of Mel Robbins 5…4…3…2..1 and James Clear – do something in the next five minutes that will get you closer to the where you want your life to be in the next 5 years. As a leader, a business owner, a mom, there are things every day that I think about doing but will let that fear of shame, judgement, rejection or the unknown stop me. So – I decided to be intentional and dig into things that are stopping me from living the life I want to live. One day it was to join TikTok (follow me, please 😊- it still scares me to post daily – the info is below), another day it was showing the mock-up of the book I am writing. Each day, pushing past that voice that says, why you? Who do you think you are? Each day, a little bit of a push against all of the reasons telling me not to.
But, Fear Might Be a Clue
In a world where we’re all a bit tired, a bit uncertain, it can feel brave to do even the smallest things. A couple of weeks ago, I was with the International, Career and Experiential Education team at Algoma, and we had a great conversation about how the Anishinaabe 7 Grandfather teachings (which are the guideposts for the Institution) can guide us in our work – the elastic wall that we bounce our decisions off. The word bravery calling out to us to be a bit braver than we are yesterday. To have the courage to push through fear… stand up, push forward and embrace our inner bear. Sometimes, fear is the compass pointing toward the next thing that matters and the life you want is just on the other side of the push.
And this week, I’m inviting you into the challenge:
Do something that scares you — every day for one week. Start with just one day.
Big or small. Personal or professional. Loud or quiet. Here are some ideas:
- Hit “submit” on that job application you’ve been sitting on. (Psst… check the Hive Network below for some fresh ones.)
- Wear those amazing shoes you bought that feel too much for your office.
- Send that pitch.
- Launch the side hustle.
- Speak up in the meeting.
- Ask for help.
- Have the conversation you’ve been avoiding.
- Start the podcast (yes, you!).
- Post your real thoughts on social.
- Say no.
- Say yes.
From Idea to The Apiary
Today — April 24 — marks a very special day for me.
Exactly one year ago, I turned to Jill (my amazing colleague, friend and co-conspirator in all things The Talent Strategy Collective) at a women-in-business event and said the words that changed the direction of our year: “I have an idea.”
We were sitting in a space filled with over 300 incredible female entrepreneurs, surrounded by blossoming trees, soft pinks, elegant whites — feminine energy everywhere. A coach on stage asked us, “One year from now, what do you want your life to look like? What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
I wrote down: a co-working space that feels like this — every day.
I turned to Jill and said it out loud. That moment was the seed. We called it The Hive at first. It evolved into The Apiary. And we nurtured it into reality.
Seven months ago, The Apiary officially opened in downtown St. Catharines. And today — just one year from the idea — it’s a thriving, heart-led space filled with community, ambition, collaboration, and so much love. And yes, the vision is Canada-wide. But for now, we’re soaking in every moment of this first beautiful chapter.
You can watch the journey unfold on Instagram:
@theapiarycowork
What Does This Have to Do with Leadership or Work?
Everything.
Because the bravest thing you can do in a culture of burnout, layoffs, and restructuring — especially in Higher Ed — is to keep choosing yourself. Choosing your path. Choosing growth.
In my research on strengths-based coaching, we found that people don’t just want to be evaluated — they want to be seen. And sometimes, the best way to be seen… is to show yourself. Fully. Scared. And still showing up.
Leaders — this is for you, too. Your team is watching you. They don’t need perfection. They need to see that you’re human — and that you’re still in it. They need you to be brave – to have the courage and the strength to push forward and lead. Do the thing that you’re scared to do – stand up for the thing you know is right. Take the challenge – do the idea.
So Here’s the Challenge
Starting today, pick one thing that makes your heart beat a little faster.
Do it.
Write it down.
Share it.
Or don’t — just do it anyway.
And if you want a little community along the way — come follow along. I’m posting #DoSomethingScary moments every day on:
📲 TikTok: @carakrezek
📸 Instagram: @theapiarycowork and @thetalentstrategycollective
Tag us. DM me. Let us cheer you on.
Because one small, scary step a day might just walk you into the life you actually want to be living.
And if you need a starting point?
Scroll down to this week’s Hive job roundup.
Maybe that application is your first brave thing.
You’ve got this.
🐝 The Hive Weekly Round-Up
Your go-to spot for the latest career education & leadership jobs in Canada
🌲 British Columbia
Pathways Lab Coordinator (Temporary, Part-Time)
Institution: Vancouver Island University (VIU)
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 30, 2025
Executive Talent Development Manager
Institution: General Motors
Apply here
📅 LinkedIn Listing (Apply ASAP)
🌄 Alberta
Administrative Support: Practicum and Partnership Development (Term)
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Apply here
📅 No date listed
Clinical Placement / Work-Integrated Learning Administrator
Institution: NorQuest College
Apply here
📅 Closes: May 7, 2025
Career Education Consultant
Institution: Government of Alberta
Apply here
📅 LinkedIn Listing
🌾 Manitoba
Career Consultant – Administrative Assistant 2 (AESES) – Req. No. 38228
Institution: University of Manitoba
Apply here
📅 Closes: May 6, 2025
Co-op Education Administrator – Office Assistant 5 (AESES) – Req. No. 38220
Institution: University of Manitoba
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 24, 2025
🍁 Ontario
Field Placement Coordinator, Kinesiology (Regular Part-Time)
Institution: Sheridan College
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 29, 2025
Employment Consultant/Job Developer (APP D)
Institution: Lambton College
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 25, 2025
Part-Time Employment Consultant/Job Developer (Temporary)
Institution: Lambton College
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 25, 2025
Career Counsellor
Institution: McMaster University
Apply here
📅 Closes: May 4, 2025
Managing Director, Graduate Programs Strategy and Student Experience
Institution: University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 23, 2025
Co-op Foundations Coordinator
Institution: University of Guelph
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 29, 2025
Associate Director, Alumni Engagement
Institution: McMaster University
Apply here
📅 Internal posting – Apply ASAP
Executive Director
Institution: Industry Education Council (IEC) of Hamilton
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 27, 2025
Director, Community Relations & Customer Experience
Institution: City of Burlington
Apply here
📅 Closes: April 30, 2025
Lead, Early Careers & Diversity
Institution: Not Specified (LinkedIn)
Apply here
📅 LinkedIn Listing
🌐 Remote / National
Learning Solutions Manager
Institution: McLean & Co
Apply here
📅 LinkedIn Listing
Director, Organizational Development & Strategic Workforce Planning
Institution: World Education Services
Apply here
📅 LinkedIn Listing