What could possibly go wrong? | James Hilton | TEDxUniversityofStAndrews

[Music]

[Music] what could possibly go wrong well as

what could possibly go wrong well as

what could possibly go wrong well as we’ve seen with this little thing quite

we’ve seen with this little thing quite

we’ve seen with this little thing quite a lot so we’ll see how this goes

a lot so we’ll see how this goes

a lot so we’ll see how this goes so here comes 18 minutes on quantum

so here comes 18 minutes on quantum

so here comes 18 minutes on quantum mechanics polymaths dirty dancing and a

mechanics polymaths dirty dancing and a

mechanics polymaths dirty dancing and a very poorly thought-out idea for skiving

very poorly thought-out idea for skiving

very poorly thought-out idea for skiving off work in life as in business people

off work in life as in business people

off work in life as in business people talk about things going wrong but not so

talk about things going wrong but not so

talk about things going wrong but not so in science in science nothing goes wrong

in science in science nothing goes wrong

in science in science nothing goes wrong it’s just that the the outcome wasn’t

it’s just that the the outcome wasn’t

it’s just that the the outcome wasn’t really what you expected it to be and

really what you expected it to be and

really what you expected it to be and this is the essence of experiment the

this is the essence of experiment the

this is the essence of experiment the course of action adopted without you

course of action adopted without you

course of action adopted without you really being sure about what the

really being sure about what the

really being sure about what the outcomes going to be carried out to

outcomes going to be carried out to

outcomes going to be carried out to support refute or validate a hypothesis

support refute or validate a hypothesis

support refute or validate a hypothesis it gives you insight into

it gives you insight into

it gives you insight into cause-and-effect in science you don’t

cause-and-effect in science you don’t

cause-and-effect in science you don’t just put things together and at random

just put things together and at random

just put things together and at random and so wonder what’s going to happen if

and so wonder what’s going to happen if

and so wonder what’s going to happen if I do this you first examine phenomena

I do this you first examine phenomena

I do this you first examine phenomena that exist look at ways to test them

that exist look at ways to test them

that exist look at ways to test them sometimes your tests will end in

sometimes your tests will end in

sometimes your tests will end in agreement confirming what you thought

agreement confirming what you thought

agreement confirming what you thought sometimes they will end in dispute

sometimes they will end in dispute

sometimes they will end in dispute leading to new ways of thinking and

leading to new ways of thinking and

leading to new ways of thinking and sometimes they’ll fail to give any

sometimes they’ll fail to give any

sometimes they’ll fail to give any nonzero result at all this happened in

nonzero result at all this happened in

nonzero result at all this happened in the 1800s the 1880s actually there was a

the 1800s the 1880s actually there was a

the 1800s the 1880s actually there was a painstaking six-year experiment six

painstaking six-year experiment six

painstaking six-year experiment six years that’s longer than most businesses

years that’s longer than most businesses

years that’s longer than most businesses exist for to detect the medium in which

exist for to detect the medium in which

exist for to detect the medium in which threw light travelled or supposedly it

threw light travelled or supposedly it

threw light travelled or supposedly it failed entirely to achieve that goal but

failed entirely to achieve that goal but

failed entirely to achieve that goal but in doing so it opens the pathway for

in doing so it opens the pathway for

in doing so it opens the pathway for quantum mechanics and relativity so it

quantum mechanics and relativity so it

quantum mechanics and relativity so it went wrong or not at all or as my

went wrong or not at all or as my

went wrong or not at all or as my daughter would say saws but also lulls

it just depends on the span of time you

it just depends on the span of time you use to define your conclusion it’s about

use to define your conclusion it’s about

use to define your conclusion it’s about experiments not expectations expectation

experiments not expectations expectation

experiments not expectations expectation as you will find as you travel through

as you will find as you travel through

as you will find as you travel through life is the source of all sorrow at the

life is the source of all sorrow at the

life is the source of all sorrow at the moment that you look upon your career as

moment that you look upon your career as

moment that you look upon your career as a series of experiments your life will

a series of experiments your life will

a series of experiments your life will change forever now how could a science

change forever now how could a science

change forever now how could a science here how could a scientist you are is

here how could a scientist you are is

here how could a scientist you are is pretty much defined by what you do next

pretty much defined by what you do next

pretty much defined by what you do next when your experiment turns out in a way

when your experiment turns out in a way

when your experiment turns out in a way that you didn’t expect

that you didn’t expect

that you didn’t expect so to how good a creative thinker you

so to how good a creative thinker you

so to how good a creative thinker you are defines what you do next when your

are defines what you do next when your

are defines what you do next when your career doesn’t quite turn out the way

career doesn’t quite turn out the way

career doesn’t quite turn out the way you expected it to so how did good

you expected it to so how did good

you expected it to so how did good scientists become good or pretty much in

scientists become good or pretty much in

scientists become good or pretty much in the same way that good creative thinkers

the same way that good creative thinkers

the same way that good creative thinkers become better creative thinkers a couple

become better creative thinkers a couple

become better creative thinkers a couple of years ago I left the company that I’d

of years ago I left the company that I’d

of years ago I left the company that I’d founded 20 years previously it wasn’t

founded 20 years previously it wasn’t

founded 20 years previously it wasn’t just some job it was my life it was all

just some job it was my life it was all

just some job it was my life it was all I’d ever known I was very well paid I

I’d ever known I was very well paid I

I’d ever known I was very well paid I made sure I paid me the big bucks it was

made sure I paid me the big bucks it was

made sure I paid me the big bucks it was a perfect job top of the tree a little

a perfect job top of the tree a little

a perfect job top of the tree a little bit respected a little bit well-known

bit respected a little bit well-known

bit respected a little bit well-known sweet why leave well it’s kind of

sweet why leave well it’s kind of

sweet why leave well it’s kind of because I don’t know what I do when

because I don’t know what I do when

because I don’t know what I do when people ask me you know it’s kind of like

people ask me you know it’s kind of like

people ask me you know it’s kind of like the quintessential cab driver question

the quintessential cab driver question

the quintessential cab driver question what do you do then I’m kind of like oh

what do you do then I’m kind of like oh

what do you do then I’m kind of like oh god oh I’m a designer and I hope that

god oh I’m a designer and I hope that

god oh I’m a designer and I hope that just shuts everyone up but it never does

just shuts everyone up but it never does

just shuts everyone up but it never does because then they come back and they say

because then they come back and they say

because then they come back and they say hi what sort of things you design oh oh

hi what sort of things you design oh oh

hi what sort of things you design oh oh I don’t know stuff oh that’s a nice hat

I don’t know stuff oh that’s a nice hat

I don’t know stuff oh that’s a nice hat jumper ear you’ve got tell me about it

jumper ear you’ve got tell me about it

jumper ear you’ve got tell me about it hopefully that gets us off the question

hopefully that gets us off the question

hopefully that gets us off the question but whilst I don’t know what I do I kind

but whilst I don’t know what I do I kind

but whilst I don’t know what I do I kind of do know what I want to do everything

of do know what I want to do everything

of do know what I want to do everything you know write the theme tune sing the

you know write the theme tune sing the

you know write the theme tune sing the theme tune

theme tune

theme tune so Little Britain oh I want to write

so Little Britain oh I want to write

so Little Britain oh I want to write design I want to make I want to weld I

design I want to make I want to weld I

design I want to make I want to weld I want to build furniture and medical

want to build furniture and medical

want to build furniture and medical equipment

equipment

equipment I want to make artificial limbs I want

I want to make artificial limbs I want

I want to make artificial limbs I want to bring things into being that are both

to bring things into being that are both

to bring things into being that are both beautiful in function and inform and

beautiful in function and inform and

beautiful in function and inform and help make the world a better place

help make the world a better place

help make the world a better place that’s not too much to ask is it well

that’s not too much to ask is it well

that’s not too much to ask is it well for a lot of businesses out there it is

for a lot of businesses out there it is

for a lot of businesses out there it is too much to ask and that’s a problem

too much to ask and that’s a problem

too much to ask and that’s a problem it’s a problem for the people that work

it’s a problem for the people that work

it’s a problem for the people that work there who have their abilities

there who have their abilities

there who have their abilities restricted because of structures that

restricted because of structures that

restricted because of structures that surround them and it’s a problem for the

surround them and it’s a problem for the

surround them and it’s a problem for the businesses who pay a lot of money for

businesses who pay a lot of money for

businesses who pay a lot of money for their creative assets to where they

their creative assets to where they

their creative assets to where they could be far more potent and therefore

could be far more potent and therefore

could be far more potent and therefore lucrative conformity kills creativity

lucrative conformity kills creativity

lucrative conformity kills creativity most people don’t actually realize that

most people don’t actually realize that

most people don’t actually realize that they’re conforming they simply feel in

they’re conforming they simply feel in

they’re conforming they simply feel in some abstract way that they need to be

some abstract way that they need to be

some abstract way that they need to be more creative so they go on courses

more creative so they go on courses

more creative so they go on courses designed to help them get more creative

designed to help them get more creative

designed to help them get more creative or they read self-help books apparently

or they read self-help books apparently

or they read self-help books apparently to unlock some hitherto unknown treasure

to unlock some hitherto unknown treasure

to unlock some hitherto unknown treasure trove of creativity within themselves

trove of creativity within themselves

trove of creativity within themselves it’s a very healthy industry Google how

it’s a very healthy industry Google how

it’s a very healthy industry Google how do I get more creative apparently you

do I get more creative apparently you

do I get more creative apparently you take your shoes and socks off and walk

take your shoes and socks off and walk

take your shoes and socks off and walk on grass

on grass

on grass well I tried that in Shoreditch nearly

well I tried that in Shoreditch nearly

well I tried that in Shoreditch nearly stood on a syringe so I certainly

stood on a syringe so I certainly

stood on a syringe so I certainly wouldn’t recommend it this world has

wouldn’t recommend it this world has

wouldn’t recommend it this world has some very odd ideas regarding creativity

some very odd ideas regarding creativity

some very odd ideas regarding creativity not least the notion that it can be

not least the notion that it can be

not least the notion that it can be taught even the idea of coming up with

taught even the idea of coming up with

taught even the idea of coming up with an idea was in itself rebranded in the

an idea was in itself rebranded in the

an idea was in itself rebranded in the 50s and 60s

50s and 60s

50s and 60s how the hell Brunel or Edison ever came

how the hell Brunel or Edison ever came

how the hell Brunel or Edison ever came up with anything without first throwing

up with anything without first throwing

up with anything without first throwing a ball around their friends play word

a ball around their friends play word

a ball around their friends play word association ideation games is a mystery

association ideation games is a mystery

association ideation games is a mystery to me

to me

to me that’s my only flight

that’s my only flight

that’s my only flight lap it up but the issue isn’t that

lap it up but the issue isn’t that

lap it up but the issue isn’t that people are less creative and therefore

people are less creative and therefore

people are less creative and therefore need to be more creative

need to be more creative

need to be more creative they’re simply reacting to environments

they’re simply reacting to environments

they’re simply reacting to environments that erode their natural creativity so

that erode their natural creativity so

that erode their natural creativity so stealthily that it’s they that believe

stealthily that it’s they that believe

stealthily that it’s they that believe they’re the ones at fault that they are

they’re the ones at fault that they are

they’re the ones at fault that they are the ones that require creative

the ones that require creative

the ones that require creative re-education can you teach somebody how

re-education can you teach somebody how

re-education can you teach somebody how to be creative this is a question I get

to be creative this is a question I get

to be creative this is a question I get asked a lot and my answer is no you can

asked a lot and my answer is no you can

asked a lot and my answer is no you can but you can teach them how not to be

but you can teach them how not to be

but you can teach them how not to be creative something our educational

creative something our educational

creative something our educational establishment appears to excel at but

establishment appears to excel at but

establishment appears to excel at but that’s a rant for another day creativity

that’s a rant for another day creativity

that’s a rant for another day creativity as we all know is the ability to make

as we all know is the ability to make

as we all know is the ability to make connections teaching somebody how to be

connections teaching somebody how to be

connections teaching somebody how to be more creative simply revolves around

more creative simply revolves around

more creative simply revolves around getting them to combine what they

getting them to combine what they

getting them to combine what they already know in new ways and this is all

already know in new ways and this is all

already know in new ways and this is all lovely right up until the point that

lovely right up until the point that

lovely right up until the point that that person runs out of knowledge making

that person runs out of knowledge making

that person runs out of knowledge making connections is a good trick gaining

connections is a good trick gaining

connections is a good trick gaining expansive knowledge is the real trick a

expansive knowledge is the real trick a

expansive knowledge is the real trick a wide run a wide range of understanding

wide run a wide range of understanding

wide run a wide range of understanding is key to creativity understanding goes

is key to creativity understanding goes

is key to creativity understanding goes beyond knowledge knowledge goes beyond

beyond knowledge knowledge goes beyond

beyond knowledge knowledge goes beyond information understanding means that you

information understanding means that you

information understanding means that you own your knowledge reading some books

own your knowledge reading some books

own your knowledge reading some books and going on courses just isn’t enough

and going on courses just isn’t enough

and going on courses just isn’t enough we’re essentially talking about the

we’re essentially talking about the

we’re essentially talking about the acquisition of a bunch of all-consuming

acquisition of a bunch of all-consuming

acquisition of a bunch of all-consuming hobbies when I say all-consuming

hobbies when I say all-consuming

hobbies when I say all-consuming I mean obsessive I mean if you aren’t

I mean obsessive I mean if you aren’t

I mean obsessive I mean if you aren’t already on the autistic spectrum I

already on the autistic spectrum I

already on the autistic spectrum I thoroughly recommend getting on it

thoroughly recommend getting on it

thoroughly recommend getting on it because you’ll find that it really helps

because you’ll find that it really helps

because you’ll find that it really helps with the obsessive bit doesn’t help so

with the obsessive bit doesn’t help so

with the obsessive bit doesn’t help so much with the winning friends bit but

much with the winning friends bit but

much with the winning friends bit but swings and roundabouts acquiring

swings and roundabouts acquiring

swings and roundabouts acquiring multiple hobbies has the magical

multiple hobbies has the magical

multiple hobbies has the magical consequence of exponentially increasing

consequence of exponentially increasing

consequence of exponentially increasing your ability in the one area where you

your ability in the one area where you

your ability in the one area where you have the most talent your brain isn’t a

have the most talent your brain isn’t a

have the most talent your brain isn’t a fixed mass that shapes your behavior

fixed mass that shapes your behavior

fixed mass that shapes your behavior your behavior acts

your behavior acts

your behavior acts shapes your brain literally dr. Alvaro

shapes your brain literally dr. Alvaro

shapes your brain literally dr. Alvaro Pasquale Lyon professor of neurology at

Pasquale Lyon professor of neurology at

Pasquale Lyon professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School says that if a

Harvard Medical School says that if a

Harvard Medical School says that if a gardener takes a serious interest in

gardener takes a serious interest in

gardener takes a serious interest in engineering her neurons will phone will

engineering her neurons will phone will

engineering her neurons will phone will form new pathways to previously isolated

form new pathways to previously isolated

form new pathways to previously isolated regions of the brain amazing so it might

regions of the brain amazing so it might

regions of the brain amazing so it might be a mistake just to do one thing if you

be a mistake just to do one thing if you

be a mistake just to do one thing if you practice multiple things you actually

practice multiple things you actually

practice multiple things you actually get better at any one of those things to

get better at any one of those things to

get better at any one of those things to strengthen those neural pathways however

strengthen those neural pathways however

strengthen those neural pathways however we’ve got to repeat it simply picking up

we’ve got to repeat it simply picking up

we’ve got to repeat it simply picking up a pamphlet on nuclear propulsion systems

a pamphlet on nuclear propulsion systems

a pamphlet on nuclear propulsion systems and leafing through it just isn’t going

and leafing through it just isn’t going

and leafing through it just isn’t going to cut it and people use hobbies have

to cut it and people use hobbies have

to cut it and people use hobbies have allowed them to become skilled in

allowed them to become skilled in

allowed them to become skilled in multiple areas and then for

multiple areas and then for

multiple areas and then for exponentially skilled at a certain area

exponentially skilled at a certain area

exponentially skilled at a certain area have a name and it isn’t smartass it’s

have a name and it isn’t smartass it’s

have a name and it isn’t smartass it’s polymath polymath some recent articles

polymath polymath some recent articles

polymath polymath some recent articles have lamented are an endangered species

have lamented are an endangered species

have lamented are an endangered species these articles highlight the contrast

these articles highlight the contrast

these articles highlight the contrast between the the specialists that seem to

between the the specialists that seem to

between the the specialists that seem to run today’s world rather than the we’ve

run today’s world rather than the we’ve

run today’s world rather than the we’ve stood up there rather than the polymaths

stood up there rather than the polymaths

stood up there rather than the polymaths of the past centuries from sowing baking

of the past centuries from sowing baking

of the past centuries from sowing baking painting botany

painting botany

painting botany astronomy made motorcycle maintenance

astronomy made motorcycle maintenance

astronomy made motorcycle maintenance serious hobbies teach you a wide array

serious hobbies teach you a wide array

serious hobbies teach you a wide array of things that can be applied to a

of things that can be applied to a

of things that can be applied to a surprisingly wide and unrelated set of

surprisingly wide and unrelated set of

surprisingly wide and unrelated set of problems in life unfortunately

problems in life unfortunately

problems in life unfortunately it requires a tremendous amount of time

it requires a tremendous amount of time

it requires a tremendous amount of time to become skilled at any one thing and

to become skilled at any one thing and

to become skilled at any one thing and of course if you want to master several

of course if you want to master several

of course if you want to master several well that’s tripling your practice time

well that’s tripling your practice time

well that’s tripling your practice time so having a hobby isn’t the problem

so having a hobby isn’t the problem

so having a hobby isn’t the problem finding the time is which kind of brings

finding the time is which kind of brings

finding the time is which kind of brings us onto this 10,000 hour theory which

us onto this 10,000 hour theory which

us onto this 10,000 hour theory which I’m sure many of you heard of

I’m sure many of you heard of

I’m sure many of you heard of popularized by mr. Malcolm Gladwell it

popularized by mr. Malcolm Gladwell it

popularized by mr. Malcolm Gladwell it was first noticed in the nineteenth

was first noticed in the nineteenth

was first noticed in the nineteenth century that it takes about 10,000 hours

century that it takes about 10,000 hours

century that it takes about 10,000 hours to be good at anything that’s about ten

to be good at anything that’s about ten

to be good at anything that’s about ten years although there is another group of

years although there is another group of

years although there is another group of experts at the moment trying to disprove

experts at the moment trying to disprove

experts at the moment trying to disprove this theory but maybe they’re just

this theory but maybe they’re just

this theory but maybe they’re just annoyed that it took them longer than

annoyed that it took them longer than

annoyed that it took them longer than 10,000 hours

10,000 hours

10,000 hours maybe they just don’t like a smart ass

maybe they just don’t like a smart ass

maybe they just don’t like a smart ass regardless the amount of information on

regardless the amount of information on

regardless the amount of information on anyone’s subject is growing daily and so

anyone’s subject is growing daily and so

anyone’s subject is growing daily and so that number goes up 10,000 hours is

that number goes up 10,000 hours is

that number goes up 10,000 hours is fairly long time and that’s just to

fairly long time and that’s just to

fairly long time and that’s just to become an expert one thing but as we’ve

become an expert one thing but as we’ve

become an expert one thing but as we’ve spoken about you need to become an

spoken about you need to become an

spoken about you need to become an expert at a few things for it to have

expert at a few things for it to have

expert at a few things for it to have any tangible impact on your creativity

any tangible impact on your creativity

any tangible impact on your creativity the point is great creative people are

the point is great creative people are

the point is great creative people are often good at one thing they want to do

often good at one thing they want to do

often good at one thing they want to do lots of things their minds want to roam

lots of things their minds want to roam

lots of things their minds want to roam they want to see the world in different

they want to see the world in different

they want to see the world in different ways they want to imagine different

ways they want to imagine different

ways they want to imagine different possibilities and we like to think that

possibilities and we like to think that

possibilities and we like to think that we can label certain people as creative

we can label certain people as creative

we can label certain people as creative and then we can go and put them in a

and then we can go and put them in a

and then we can go and put them in a creative department and we can ask them

creative department and we can ask them

creative department and we can ask them to channel their creativity into making

to channel their creativity into making

to channel their creativity into making an exciting film about toilet rolls but

an exciting film about toilet rolls but

an exciting film about toilet rolls but the creativity is like dirty dancing you

the creativity is like dirty dancing you

the creativity is like dirty dancing you can’t put it in a corner it will quite

can’t put it in a corner it will quite

can’t put it in a corner it will quite naturally it will quite naturally want

naturally it will quite naturally want

naturally it will quite naturally want to break out into other creative areas

to break out into other creative areas

to break out into other creative areas and how can business structures is how

and how can business structures is how

and how can business structures is how can business structures support this

can business structures support this

can business structures support this requirement for freedom now must be said

requirement for freedom now must be said

requirement for freedom now must be said that I have been exceedingly fortunate

that I have been exceedingly fortunate

that I have been exceedingly fortunate in my career I’ve been allowed

in my career I’ve been allowed

in my career I’ve been allowed unhindered creative freedom working

unhindered creative freedom working

unhindered creative freedom working across a multitude of different mediums

across a multitude of different mediums

across a multitude of different mediums and technologies both during my time at

and technologies both during my time at

and technologies both during my time at AKQA ‘add now at the very extraordinary

AKQA ‘add now at the very extraordinary

AKQA ‘add now at the very extraordinary native whose staggering body of talent

native whose staggering body of talent

native whose staggering body of talent and work owes everything to their values

and work owes everything to their values

and work owes everything to their values and philosophies that actually have bear

and philosophies that actually have bear

and philosophies that actually have bear more resemblance to a 21st century Bauer

more resemblance to a 21st century Bauer

more resemblance to a 21st century Bauer house than they do to a actual

house than they do to a actual

house than they do to a actual traditional business but the reality is

traditional business but the reality is

traditional business but the reality is that my experience is the exception and

that my experience is the exception and

that my experience is the exception and a huge number of businesses squander

a huge number of businesses squander

a huge number of businesses squander their their creativity through a

their their creativity through a

their their creativity through a misplaced sense of shortsightedness and

misplaced sense of shortsightedness and

misplaced sense of shortsightedness and focus ideally if they were being

focus ideally if they were being

focus ideally if they were being strictly truthful with themselves they

strictly truthful with themselves they

strictly truthful with themselves they would prefer to hire creative parrot not

would prefer to hire creative parrot not

would prefer to hire creative parrot not polymaths that is to say individuals you

polymaths that is to say individuals you

polymaths that is to say individuals you can you rightfully

can you rightfully

can you rightfully same thing day in day out roughly the

same thing day in day out roughly the

same thing day in day out roughly the same kind of squawking reasonably

same kind of squawking reasonably

same kind of squawking reasonably manageable until somebody squawks

manageable until somebody squawks

manageable until somebody squawks something a bit different than a few

something a bit different than a few

something a bit different than a few months they are everyone’s squawking

months they are everyone’s squawking

months they are everyone’s squawking that’s they in tune and so on and so

that’s they in tune and so on and so

that’s they in tune and so on and so forth the pattern repeats and for all

forth the pattern repeats and for all

forth the pattern repeats and for all the talk of originality and authenticity

the talk of originality and authenticity

the talk of originality and authenticity these companies would really prefer that

these companies would really prefer that

these companies would really prefer that originality and authenticity to be on

originality and authenticity to be on

originality and authenticity to be on Rails they would prefer you to stay

Rails they would prefer you to stay

Rails they would prefer you to stay focused they would prefer you to not do

focused they would prefer you to not do

focused they would prefer you to not do the thing that you’re doing and do the

the thing that you’re doing and do the

the thing that you’re doing and do the thing that they’re asking they’re the

thing that they’re asking they’re the

thing that they’re asking they’re the ones that people that will probably

ones that people that will probably

ones that people that will probably described at school is lacking focus

described at school is lacking focus

described at school is lacking focus where we all know that they’re really

where we all know that they’re really

where we all know that they’re really talented but when they can be bothered

talented but when they can be bothered

talented but when they can be bothered it is literally channeling my school

it is literally channeling my school

it is literally channeling my school report so we hire them anyway we give

report so we hire them anyway we give

report so we hire them anyway we give them attractive remunerative packages

them attractive remunerative packages

them attractive remunerative packages fancy job titles and we try and manage

fancy job titles and we try and manage

fancy job titles and we try and manage them and then we’re surprised when they

them and then we’re surprised when they

them and then we’re surprised when they get bored and leave so when you guys go

get bored and leave so when you guys go

get bored and leave so when you guys go out and start your businesses you need

out and start your businesses you need

out and start your businesses you need to think about how are you going to

to think about how are you going to

to think about how are you going to nurture this desire for people to be

nurture this desire for people to be

nurture this desire for people to be Polymathic now for that idea of skiving

Polymathic now for that idea of skiving

Polymathic now for that idea of skiving off work why not companies providing

off work why not companies providing

off work why not companies providing house incubators for their people to

house incubators for their people to

house incubators for their people to support their hobbies or businesses

support their hobbies or businesses

support their hobbies or businesses let’s say that that needs about 20% of

let’s say that that needs about 20% of

let’s say that that needs about 20% of anyone’s time it’s quite a lot of time

anyone’s time it’s quite a lot of time

anyone’s time it’s quite a lot of time maybe it’s madness but it fully depends

maybe it’s madness but it fully depends

maybe it’s madness but it fully depends on how far you look into the future and

on how far you look into the future and

on how far you look into the future and what you believe the cost-benefit to be

what you believe the cost-benefit to be

what you believe the cost-benefit to be taking 20% away from any employees time

taking 20% away from any employees time

taking 20% away from any employees time and potential bill ability doesn’t sound

and potential bill ability doesn’t sound

and potential bill ability doesn’t sound all that smart and it’s certainly not

all that smart and it’s certainly not

all that smart and it’s certainly not very smart if they’re correspondingly

very smart if they’re correspondingly

very smart if they’re correspondingly less efficient but what if that time was

less efficient but what if that time was

less efficient but what if that time was spent enriching their minds providing

spent enriching their minds providing

spent enriching their minds providing the means to acquire ownable knowledge

the means to acquire ownable knowledge

the means to acquire ownable knowledge that would result in more imaginative

that would result in more imaginative

that would result in more imaginative ideas they’d be 20% more creative 20%

ideas they’d be 20% more creative 20%

ideas they’d be 20% more creative 20% more effective they’d be happier they

more effective they’d be happier they

more effective they’d be happier they wouldn’t leave quite as much and you’d

wouldn’t leave quite as much and you’d

wouldn’t leave quite as much and you’d save a lot of money on rehiring it

save a lot of money on rehiring it

save a lot of money on rehiring it really shouldn’t come as any surprise to

really shouldn’t come as any surprise to

really shouldn’t come as any surprise to you that I’m not asked to go in lecture

you that I’m not asked to go in lecture

you that I’m not asked to go in lecture of business schools

of business schools

of business schools the main hurdle that businesses do need

the main hurdle that businesses do need

the main hurdle that businesses do need to get over is the that’s got nothing to

to get over is the that’s got nothing to

to get over is the that’s got nothing to do with what we do here syndrome

do with what we do here syndrome

do with what we do here syndrome everything has everything to do with

everything has everything to do with

everything has everything to do with everything but until businesses realize

everything but until businesses realize

everything but until businesses realize that what people crave is freedom

that what people crave is freedom

that what people crave is freedom talented creatives will continue to

talented creatives will continue to

talented creatives will continue to leave and this is of course all enormous

leave and this is of course all enormous

leave and this is of course all enormous ly inconvenient for business owners I

ly inconvenient for business owners I

ly inconvenient for business owners I mean why can’t people just stick to the

mean why can’t people just stick to the

mean why can’t people just stick to the bloody tasks in hand well they can and

bloody tasks in hand well they can and

bloody tasks in hand well they can and they will for a time but then they’ll

they will for a time but then they’ll

they will for a time but then they’ll tire and they’ll ask to go on a training

tire and they’ll ask to go on a training

tire and they’ll ask to go on a training course which might do the trick for a

course which might do the trick for a

course which might do the trick for a while but the future for creativity

while but the future for creativity

while but the future for creativity within business is reliant on getting

within business is reliant on getting

within business is reliant on getting ahead of the creative conformity curve

ahead of the creative conformity curve

ahead of the creative conformity curve it’s up to you the businesses that you

it’s up to you the businesses that you

it’s up to you the businesses that you start that you go into to instill

start that you go into to instill

start that you go into to instill practices and values within them that

practices and values within them that

practices and values within them that encourage support and even demand

encourage support and even demand

encourage support and even demand Polymathic creativity because with well

Polymathic creativity because with well

Polymathic creativity because with well stocked brains the creativity will

stocked brains the creativity will

stocked brains the creativity will follow and I for one would far rather

follow and I for one would far rather

follow and I for one would far rather work with polymaths than parrots which

work with polymaths than parrots which

work with polymaths than parrots which brings us back to the start of all this

brings us back to the start of all this

brings us back to the start of all this what could possibly go wrong just being

what could possibly go wrong just being

what could possibly go wrong just being honest probably everything but that’s

honest probably everything but that’s

honest probably everything but that’s okay really is because remember your

okay really is because remember your

okay really is because remember your life your career your businesses are

life your career your businesses are

life your career your businesses are just a series of experiments not

just a series of experiments not

just a series of experiments not expectations and there are just four

expectations and there are just four

expectations and there are just four rules as far as I’m concerned that can

rules as far as I’m concerned that can

rules as far as I’m concerned that can pretty much guide you through anything

pretty much guide you through anything

pretty much guide you through anything that life throws at you number one is be

that life throws at you number one is be

that life throws at you number one is be obsessive be obsessive about learning

obsessive be obsessive about learning

obsessive be obsessive about learning and stop wasting time on meaningless

and stop wasting time on meaningless

and stop wasting time on meaningless guff number two is but don’t be

guff number two is but don’t be

guff number two is but don’t be obsessive about planning plan what you

obsessive about planning plan what you

obsessive about planning plan what you need to do immediately next and then do

need to do immediately next and then do

need to do immediately next and then do it and then plan the next bit number

it and then plan the next bit number

it and then plan the next bit number three be the best at what you do if you

three be the best at what you do if you

three be the best at what you do if you know deep down in your heart that you’re

know deep down in your heart that you’re

know deep down in your heart that you’re not the best then go and find some

not the best then go and find some

not the best then go and find some think you can be the best step and the

think you can be the best step and the

think you can be the best step and the last one is don’t let your decisions

last one is don’t let your decisions

last one is don’t let your decisions become Dogma if something no longer

become Dogma if something no longer

become Dogma if something no longer makes sense that you made a decision on

makes sense that you made a decision on

makes sense that you made a decision on a few years back make the change now

a few years back make the change now

a few years back make the change now following these rules experience has

following these rules experience has

following these rules experience has shown me isn’t going to win you many

shown me isn’t going to win you many

shown me isn’t going to win you many friends it’s going to annoy a lot of

friends it’s going to annoy a lot of

friends it’s going to annoy a lot of people but it is the right thing to do

people but it is the right thing to do

people but it is the right thing to do so I’m just saying the point is if

so I’m just saying the point is if

so I’m just saying the point is if you’re thinking correctly your reaction

you’re thinking correctly your reaction

you’re thinking correctly your reaction to you but what if it goes wrong

to you but what if it goes wrong

to you but what if it goes wrong shouldn’t be one of fear it should be

shouldn’t be one of fear it should be

shouldn’t be one of fear it should be one of curious excitement because when

one of curious excitement because when

one of curious excitement because when things go wrong and you’re following and

things go wrong and you’re following and

things go wrong and you’re following and following the rules you’ll discover more

following the rules you’ll discover more

following the rules you’ll discover more about yourself than you ever imagined

about yourself than you ever imagined

about yourself than you ever imagined you’ll discover those uncharted paths

you’ll discover those uncharted paths

you’ll discover those uncharted paths those opportunities that you didn’t even

those opportunities that you didn’t even

those opportunities that you didn’t even know existed and what could possibly go

know existed and what could possibly go

know existed and what could possibly go wrong

wrong

wrong becomes one of the most inspirational

becomes one of the most inspirational

becomes one of the most inspirational questions you’ll ever ask yourself by

questions you’ll ever ask yourself by

questions you’ll ever ask yourself by releasing yourself from expectation

releasing yourself from expectation

releasing yourself from expectation you’ll be happier and you’ll probably

you’ll be happier and you’ll probably

you’ll be happier and you’ll probably end up somewhere completely unexpected

end up somewhere completely unexpected

end up somewhere completely unexpected as one of my greatest inspirations

as one of my greatest inspirations

as one of my greatest inspirations douglas adams the author once said i

douglas adams the author once said i

douglas adams the author once said i haven’t ended up where i expected to be

haven’t ended up where i expected to be

haven’t ended up where i expected to be but i have ended up where i meant to be

but i have ended up where i meant to be

but i have ended up where i meant to be thank you very much i hope you have a

thank you very much i hope you have a

thank you very much i hope you have a wonderful day