This is the incredible story behind the story... of how we made the stellar book, 18 & Lost? So Were We — which was successful before it sold a single copy as the whole thing was designed to be a Self-Direct Learning Project for 8 people.

We laid out the entire process from how we thought up the project, how we ran it, how much it cost, how we communicated with one another, what we learnt from writing it and much, much, more.

The CONTENTS 📄 is found below and can be used to navigate to a relevant section if you need any guidance on writing a book, working in a team, or creating a self-directed learning project.

By Joe Wehbe Writer and Podcaster at ➡️ www.withjoewehbe.com
Community of Self-Directed Learners ➡️ www.constantstudent.com.au

One of 8 authors to be a humble part of ➡️ www.18andlost.com.au

We laid out the entire process from how we thought up the project, how we ran it, how much it cost, how we communicated with one another, what we learnt from writing it and much, much, more.

The CONTENTS 📄 is found below and can be used to navigate to a relevant section if you need any guidance on writing a book, working in a team, or creating a self-directed learning project.

By Joe Wehbe Writer and Podcaster at ➡️ www.withjoewehbe.com
Community of Self-Directed Learners ➡️ www.constantstudent.com.au

One of 8 authors to be a humble part of ➡️ www.18andlost.com.au

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Here's a picture of two people who changed the trajectory of my life.

Nick Abraham and Scott McKeon. Two of my greatest and closest friends — we were united behind a common cause in 2016-2018 for a project called From the Ground Up which, led by Nick, did community work in a remote Nepalese village. Scott and I mainly stayed comfy and cosy back in Australia, offering administrative and fundraising support.

During our tender early twenties, this experience was a dynamic learning journey — it shifted the way we understood the world, our culture, and ourselves, given we were forced to go well outside our comfort zones, our norms, and into the mindset of the community of Ghumarchowk.

The below photo is of Scott and I in early 2018, on campus at the University of Technology Sydney. I weighed around 69kg in this photo, well down from my usual weight of 78kg, as I'd just returned from a trip to Nepal which had not gone so well from the perspective of my poor little tummy!

This was actually the first time I'd left the house, as sick, lightweight Joe had to rally — Scott had been asked by UTS to lead a summer humanitarian studio subject, and From the Ground Up was the client of the project. A group of (mainly engineering) students enrolled in the subject to develop real solutions that we could use to meet challenges in Nepal.

Here is a photo of the winner, and the all-star panel of judges!

So here's a quick re-cap.