[Music] my name is Dave and I’m gonna over the
my name is Dave and I’m gonna over the
my name is Dave and I’m gonna over the course of this evening introduce use
course of this evening introduce use
course of this evening introduce use quite a range of other people now some
quite a range of other people now some
quite a range of other people now some of these people you’ve never met before
of these people you’ve never met before
of these people you’ve never met before but one of these people ought to be kind
but one of these people ought to be kind
but one of these people ought to be kind of faintly familiar so Steve Jobs
of faintly familiar so Steve Jobs
of faintly familiar so Steve Jobs unless you’ve been hiding under a rock
unless you’ve been hiding under a rock
unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for about twenty years at the founder of
for about twenty years at the founder of
for about twenty years at the founder of Apple Steve famously said but when you
Apple Steve famously said but when you
Apple Steve famously said but when you go up you tend to get told that the
go up you tend to get told that the
go up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is
world is the way it is and your life is
world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside that world
just to live your life inside that world
just to live your life inside that world and try not to bump into the walls too
and try not to bump into the walls too
and try not to bump into the walls too much have fun
much have fun
much have fun have a nice family life save a bit of
have a nice family life save a bit of
have a nice family life save a bit of money but he went on to say that maybe
money but he went on to say that maybe
money but he went on to say that maybe that’s a very limited kind of life maybe
that’s a very limited kind of life maybe
that’s a very limited kind of life maybe you can have a broader life if you
you can have a broader life if you
you can have a broader life if you understand one simple fact and that fact
understand one simple fact and that fact
understand one simple fact and that fact is that everything around you in what
is that everything around you in what
is that everything around you in what you call the world was made by people
you call the world was made by people
you call the world was made by people no cleverer than you and once you
no cleverer than you and once you
no cleverer than you and once you understand that and you think that you
understand that and you think that you
understand that and you think that you know you can change it you can influence
know you can change it you can influence
know you can change it you can influence it you can make things that other people
it you can make things that other people
it you can make things that other people will use actually you’ll never go back
will use actually you’ll never go back
will use actually you’ll never go back you can never turn around from that
you can never turn around from that
you can never turn around from that moment now I wholeheartedly agree with
moment now I wholeheartedly agree with
moment now I wholeheartedly agree with what Steve just said but you know I’m
what Steve just said but you know I’m
what Steve just said but you know I’m busy I’ve got things to do I’ve got a
busy I’ve got things to do I’ve got a
busy I’ve got things to do I’ve got a day job I’m a husband I’m a father I’ve
day job I’m a husband I’m a father I’ve
day job I’m a husband I’m a father I’ve got a walk the dog twice a day sometimes
got a walk the dog twice a day sometimes
got a walk the dog twice a day sometimes I really ought to go for a run so you
I really ought to go for a run so you
I really ought to go for a run so you know it’s great you know I could I could
know it’s great you know I could I could
know it’s great you know I could I could be tearing up all of these unwritten
be tearing up all of these unwritten
be tearing up all of these unwritten rules I could be challenging all of
rules I could be challenging all of
rules I could be challenging all of these assumptions but that feels like a
these assumptions but that feels like a
these assumptions but that feels like a lot of work I’ve got to find a time
lot of work I’ve got to find a time
lot of work I’ve got to find a time somehow and then I’ve got to you know
somehow and then I’ve got to you know
somehow and then I’ve got to you know bring myself to do it you know make a
bring myself to do it you know make a
bring myself to do it you know make a change that’s it’s kind it’s kind of
change that’s it’s kind it’s kind of
change that’s it’s kind it’s kind of intimidating and well it was and then I
intimidating and well it was and then I
intimidating and well it was and then I started talking to people who convinced
started talking to people who convinced
started talking to people who convinced me that actually maybe changing the
me that actually maybe changing the
me that actually maybe changing the world wasn’t something that had to be
world wasn’t something that had to be
world wasn’t something that had to be this kind of big change don’t have to
this kind of big change don’t have to
this kind of big change don’t have to tear up the whole rule book all at once
tear up the whole rule book all at once
tear up the whole rule book all at once so I need to introduce you to some other
so I need to introduce you to some other
so I need to introduce you to some other people so this is Alex
people so this is Alex
people so this is Alex he’s a graphic designer this is Holly
he’s a graphic designer this is Holly
he’s a graphic designer this is Holly and she does charity fundraising this is
and she does charity fundraising this is
and she does charity fundraising this is Tim and he works in professional
Tim and he works in professional
Tim and he works in professional services this is Laura and she’s a
services this is Laura and she’s a
services this is Laura and she’s a lawyer this is will and used to work in
lawyer this is will and used to work in
lawyer this is will and used to work in software development this is Sam he
software development this is Sam he
software development this is Sam he works for a major international
works for a major international
works for a major international technology firm this is George and he is
technology firm this is George and he is
technology firm this is George and he is a creative technologist and this is
a creative technologist and this is
a creative technologist and this is Gavin and he’s a designer but that’s not
Gavin and he’s a designer but that’s not
Gavin and he’s a designer but that’s not the whole story
the whole story
the whole story that’s just their day jobs they all do
that’s just their day jobs they all do
that’s just their day jobs they all do something else that is changing at least
something else that is changing at least
something else that is changing at least their world if not a lot of other
their world if not a lot of other
their world if not a lot of other people’s worlds so let’s do this again
people’s worlds so let’s do this again
people’s worlds so let’s do this again so this is Alex and he publishes a
so this is Alex and he publishes a
so this is Alex and he publishes a physical and a digital magazine
physical and a digital magazine
physical and a digital magazine champions independent comics and digital
champions independent comics and digital
champions independent comics and digital comics this is Holly and she runs a
comics this is Holly and she runs a
comics this is Holly and she runs a fantastic cookery blog this is Tim and
fantastic cookery blog this is Tim and
fantastic cookery blog this is Tim and he runs a website that is devoted to
he runs a website that is devoted to
he runs a website that is devoted to inspiring advising and equipping would
inspiring advising and equipping would
inspiring advising and equipping would be adventurous and he crowd funds a
be adventurous and he crowd funds a
be adventurous and he crowd funds a grant to support people to go on their
grant to support people to go on their
grant to support people to go on their adventures this is Laura and she runs a
adventures this is Laura and she runs a
adventures this is Laura and she runs a cycle touring festival and she’s also
cycle touring festival and she’s also
cycle touring festival and she’s also involved in a project that gets more
involved in a project that gets more
involved in a project that gets more young people and particularly women into
young people and particularly women into
young people and particularly women into adventure cycling this is Will and he is
adventure cycling this is Will and he is
adventure cycling this is Will and he is a published children’s author this is
a published children’s author this is
a published children’s author this is Sam and he runs a blog dedicated to
Sam and he runs a blog dedicated to
Sam and he runs a blog dedicated to creative technology and arts and culture
creative technology and arts and culture
creative technology and arts and culture and how those two things interface
and how those two things interface
and how those two things interface George finds and climbs unclogged
George finds and climbs unclogged
George finds and climbs unclogged mountains largely in Central Asia and
mountains largely in Central Asia and
mountains largely in Central Asia and this is gap and he makes filmed does
this is gap and he makes filmed does
this is gap and he makes filmed does animations gives talks on getting into
animations gives talks on getting into
animations gives talks on getting into the creative industries for young people
the creative industries for young people
the creative industries for young people he runs a shop with his wife it gave us
he runs a shop with his wife it gave us
he runs a shop with his wife it gave us kind of the king of side projects and so
kind of the king of side projects and so
kind of the king of side projects and so all of these people have helped me think
all of these people have helped me think
all of these people have helped me think that actually maybe I can change the
that actually maybe I can change the
that actually maybe I can change the world but on the side I can do it
world but on the side I can do it
world but on the side I can do it part-time and that feels quite quite
part-time and that feels quite quite
part-time and that feels quite quite liberating
liberating
liberating in a way but you know I’ve still got a
in a way but you know I’ve still got a
in a way but you know I’ve still got a still going to do something different
still going to do something different
still going to do something different and
and
and still going to kind of challenge myself
still going to kind of challenge myself
still going to kind of challenge myself to get out of my my comfort zone to go
to get out of my my comfort zone to go
to get out of my my comfort zone to go and do that so I need to tell you a
and do that so I need to tell you a
and do that so I need to tell you a little bit more about me so I have a day
little bit more about me so I have a day
little bit more about me so I have a day job I’m a lecturer in innovation and
job I’m a lecturer in innovation and
job I’m a lecturer in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University it’s
entrepreneurship at the University it’s
entrepreneurship at the University it’s my job to help people have ideas develop
my job to help people have ideas develop
my job to help people have ideas develop those ideas and try and launch those
those ideas and try and launch those
those ideas and try and launch those ideas there is a problem with that
ideas there is a problem with that
ideas there is a problem with that though and it is that entrepreneurship
though and it is that entrepreneurship
though and it is that entrepreneurship is absolute marmite to the population
is absolute marmite to the population
is absolute marmite to the population some of my students think this word is
some of my students think this word is
some of my students think this word is wonderful the idea of being an
wonderful the idea of being an
wonderful the idea of being an entrepreneur is fantastic they’re going
entrepreneur is fantastic they’re going
entrepreneur is fantastic they’re going to change the world they’re going to
to change the world they’re going to
to change the world they’re going to absolutely embrace Steve’s advice
absolutely embrace Steve’s advice
absolutely embrace Steve’s advice they’re going to make things for other
they’re going to make things for other
they’re going to make things for other people they’re going to go out and do
people they’re going to go out and do
people they’re going to go out and do good things and change the world but
good things and change the world but
good things and change the world but other students look at that word and
other students look at that word and
other students look at that word and they don’t quite self-identify with it
they don’t quite self-identify with it
they don’t quite self-identify with it in the same way that it feels a bit
in the same way that it feels a bit
in the same way that it feels a bit intimidating surely entrepreneurship is
intimidating surely entrepreneurship is
intimidating surely entrepreneurship is for people who are I don’t know more
for people who are I don’t know more
for people who are I don’t know more driven more talented not more creative
driven more talented not more creative
driven more talented not more creative more dynamic better resourced but people
more dynamic better resourced but people
more dynamic better resourced but people not like me and people talk themselves
not like me and people talk themselves
not like me and people talk themselves out of one financial it quite quickly
out of one financial it quite quickly
out of one financial it quite quickly because they think it’s some sort of
because they think it’s some sort of
because they think it’s some sort of exclusive club or an elite sport that
exclusive club or an elite sport that
exclusive club or an elite sport that only certain people complain and that’s
only certain people complain and that’s
only certain people complain and that’s really worrying but it’s a real obstacle
really worrying but it’s a real obstacle
really worrying but it’s a real obstacle for me and my job in I can work with
for me and my job in I can work with
for me and my job in I can work with some people
some people
some people in my university but others will hear
in my university but others will hear
in my university but others will hear the e word and run and it’s not for them
the e word and run and it’s not for them
the e word and run and it’s not for them and they want no part of it so I’ve
and they want no part of it so I’ve
and they want no part of it so I’ve struggled with this for quite a period
struggled with this for quite a period
struggled with this for quite a period of time and then I read a blog by an
of time and then I read a blog by an
of time and then I read a blog by an entrepreneur I called David Hyatt he was
entrepreneur I called David Hyatt he was
entrepreneur I called David Hyatt he was one of the founders of a Howie’s
one of the founders of a Howie’s
one of the founders of a Howie’s clothing brand and he had this idea of
clothing brand and he had this idea of
clothing brand and he had this idea of succeeding slowly how do you nibble away
succeeding slowly how do you nibble away
succeeding slowly how do you nibble away at a project over time however however
at a project over time however however
at a project over time however however big I have a grand that project might be
big I have a grand that project might be
big I have a grand that project might be how do you just kind of pick at it and
how do you just kind of pick at it and
how do you just kind of pick at it and get towards slow success rather than
get towards slow success rather than
get towards slow success rather than fast failure which is a bit of an
fast failure which is a bit of an
fast failure which is a bit of an entrepreneurial thing how do you do and
entrepreneurial thing how do you do and
entrepreneurial thing how do you do and you do slow success and that idea really
you do slow success and that idea really
you do slow success and that idea really resonated to me and that idea that a
resonated to me and that idea that a
resonated to me and that idea that a side project was a way of referring to
side project was a way of referring to
side project was a way of referring to this kind of activity
this kind of activity
this kind of activity again really resonated to me and seem to
again really resonated to me and seem to
again really resonated to me and seem to resonate for lots of the people that I
resonate for lots of the people that I
resonate for lots of the people that I went to speak to and it transpired that
went to speak to and it transpired that
went to speak to and it transpired that almost everybody I knew had a sign
almost everybody I knew had a sign
almost everybody I knew had a sign project everybody had a little hustle
project everybody had a little hustle
project everybody had a little hustle people were people were making money
people were people were making money
people were people were making money people were practicing for a future
people were practicing for a future
people were practicing for a future career that they hadn’t had yet people
career that they hadn’t had yet people
career that they hadn’t had yet people were doing incredible things that you
were doing incredible things that you
were doing incredible things that you just could not call a hobby it was it
just could not call a hobby it was it
just could not call a hobby it was it would be rude to call them a hobby it
would be rude to call them a hobby it
would be rude to call them a hobby it will be dismissive to call it a hobby
will be dismissive to call it a hobby
will be dismissive to call it a hobby this was this was kind of powerful
this was this was kind of powerful
this was this was kind of powerful powerful stuff but they were just
powerful stuff but they were just
powerful stuff but they were just succeeding at this kind of slowly so
succeeding at this kind of slowly so
succeeding at this kind of slowly so that for me was a breakthrough and
that for me was a breakthrough and
that for me was a breakthrough and suddenly I could talk to students who
suddenly I could talk to students who
suddenly I could talk to students who would have run away if I’d have kind of
would have run away if I’d have kind of
would have run away if I’d have kind of badged my session entrepreneurship but I
badged my session entrepreneurship but I
badged my session entrepreneurship but I said I’m gonna kind of help you of your
said I’m gonna kind of help you of your
said I’m gonna kind of help you of your side projects and they’re like brilliant
side projects and they’re like brilliant
side projects and they’re like brilliant I’ve got this idea I’m gonna do this so
I’ve got this idea I’m gonna do this so
I’ve got this idea I’m gonna do this so I’m making this thing I’m crafting this
I’m making this thing I’m crafting this
I’m making this thing I’m crafting this thing and I could really help and
thing and I could really help and
thing and I could really help and actually the people that I was change
actually the people that I was change
actually the people that I was change about this we’re coming back to me and
about this we’re coming back to me and
about this we’re coming back to me and saying actually that was really
saying actually that was really
saying actually that was really validating like I had kind of described
validating like I had kind of described
validating like I had kind of described this as a hobby but now I can describe
this as a hobby but now I can describe
this as a hobby but now I can describe it as a venture I can describe it as a
it as a venture I can describe it as a
it as a venture I can describe it as a project and that gave them confidence
project and that gave them confidence
project and that gave them confidence and then they could talk to other people
and then they could talk to other people
and then they could talk to other people about it and they could find people and
about it and they could find people and
about it and they could find people and meet people get advice it seemed to I’d
meet people get advice it seemed to I’d
meet people get advice it seemed to I’d changed the language and I changed the
changed the language and I changed the
changed the language and I changed the rules that suddenly people could look at
rules that suddenly people could look at
rules that suddenly people could look at themselves and they could look at the
themselves and they could look at the
themselves and they could look at the people around them in really different
people around them in really different
people around them in really different ways and for me I was absolutely
ways and for me I was absolutely
ways and for me I was absolutely dumbstruck by the quality of stuff that
dumbstruck by the quality of stuff that
dumbstruck by the quality of stuff that my friends were doing that I had no idea
my friends were doing that I had no idea
my friends were doing that I had no idea that they were because they hadn’t
that they were because they hadn’t
that they were because they hadn’t talked about it in that way before now
talked about it in that way before now
talked about it in that way before now some of you may recognize an
some of you may recognize an
some of you may recognize an illustration like this so this entirely
illustration like this so this entirely
illustration like this so this entirely self drawn diagram is demonstrates all
self drawn diagram is demonstrates all
self drawn diagram is demonstrates all projects ever that any project can only
projects ever that any project can only
projects ever that any project can only have two of the three things written at
have two of the three things written at
have two of the three things written at a point of a triangle so if your project
a point of a triangle so if your project
a point of a triangle so if your project is gonna be good and fast it’s gonna be
is gonna be good and fast it’s gonna be
is gonna be good and fast it’s gonna be expensive if it’s fast and cheap it’s
expensive if it’s fast and cheap it’s
expensive if it’s fast and cheap it’s gonna be bad
gonna be bad
gonna be bad actually this probably applies to more
actually this probably applies to more
actually this probably applies to more than just projects this is life really
than just projects this is life really
than just projects this is life really isn’t it however if it’s good and cheap
isn’t it however if it’s good and cheap
isn’t it however if it’s good and cheap then it’ll be slow and I think this is
then it’ll be slow and I think this is
then it’ll be slow and I think this is what David Haier is talking about that
what David Haier is talking about that
what David Haier is talking about that actually you want to do this well it’s
actually you want to do this well it’s
actually you want to do this well it’s something that you care about but
something that you care about but
something that you care about but because you’ve got a day job because
because you’ve got a day job because
because you’ve got a day job because you’ve got family you actually you can’t
you’ve got family you actually you can’t
you’ve got family you actually you can’t invest loads loads of time in it it’s
invest loads loads of time in it it’s
invest loads loads of time in it it’s it’s expensive in time so actually you’d
it’s expensive in time so actually you’d
it’s expensive in time so actually you’d have to resign yourself to the fact that
have to resign yourself to the fact that
have to resign yourself to the fact that you’re gonna do it quite slowly but
you’re gonna do it quite slowly but
you’re gonna do it quite slowly but that’s no bad thing so for me well I’m
that’s no bad thing so for me well I’m
that’s no bad thing so for me well I’m talking about side projects I’m talking
talking about side projects I’m talking
talking about side projects I’m talking about things that are good but things
about things that are good but things
about things that are good but things that are cheap but they might just have
that are cheap but they might just have
that are cheap but they might just have to be slow as a result of that all of
to be slow as a result of that all of
to be slow as a result of that all of the people that I’ve shown you I’m sure
the people that I’ve shown you I’m sure
the people that I’ve shown you I’m sure would love to spend more and more time
would love to spend more and more time
would love to spend more and more time on their projects but they know that
on their projects but they know that
on their projects but they know that actually there’s a real discipline to
actually there’s a real discipline to
actually there’s a real discipline to doing that slow to doing that on the
doing that slow to doing that on the
doing that slow to doing that on the sidelines and it means that they’re not
sidelines and it means that they’re not
sidelines and it means that they’re not nested kind of rushing things but
nested kind of rushing things but
nested kind of rushing things but they’re really working on them over time
they’re really working on them over time
they’re really working on them over time and that I think makes a difference to
and that I think makes a difference to
and that I think makes a difference to the quality so I had found something
the quality so I had found something
the quality so I had found something quite interesting here now as an
quite interesting here now as an
quite interesting here now as an academic obviously I thought I’d maybe I
academic obviously I thought I’d maybe I
academic obviously I thought I’d maybe I need to do some research and in talking
need to do some research and in talking
need to do some research and in talking to some of the people that had already
to some of the people that had already
to some of the people that had already had a bit of a chat with we said why
had a bit of a chat with we said why
had a bit of a chat with we said why don’t I start interviewing people about
don’t I start interviewing people about
don’t I start interviewing people about their side projects so why do I spend my
their side projects so why do I spend my
their side projects so why do I spend my weekends and evenings interviewing
weekends and evenings interviewing
weekends and evenings interviewing people about their weekends and evenings
people about their weekends and evenings
people about their weekends and evenings my side project has become other people
my side project has become other people
my side project has become other people side projects which gets a little bit
side projects which gets a little bit
side projects which gets a little bit better but I’m kind of quite happy with
better but I’m kind of quite happy with
better but I’m kind of quite happy with that so the other thing I had to do
that so the other thing I had to do
that so the other thing I had to do being an academic was I had to try and
being an academic was I had to try and
being an academic was I had to try and draw a diagram so my diagram for some
draw a diagram so my diagram for some
draw a diagram so my diagram for some projects is just there again apologies
projects is just there again apologies
projects is just there again apologies for my artistic skills so I’ve
for my artistic skills so I’ve
for my artistic skills so I’ve determined roughly this is a work in
determined roughly this is a work in
determined roughly this is a work in progress
progress
progress so I predicts have three key elements
so I predicts have three key elements
so I predicts have three key elements the first of those is passion you’ve
the first of those is passion you’ve
the first of those is passion you’ve really got to be into this you are
really got to be into this you are
really got to be into this you are trying to do this on the sidelines over
trying to do this on the sidelines over
trying to do this on the sidelines over a long period of time you are finding
a long period of time you are finding
a long period of time you are finding little moments in your day to try and
little moments in your day to try and
little moments in your day to try and spend time on this you’ve really got to
spend time on this you’ve really got to
spend time on this you’ve really got to care about it because you’re gonna have
care about it because you’re gonna have
care about it because you’re gonna have to be pretty disciplined about seizing
to be pretty disciplined about seizing
to be pretty disciplined about seizing all those little moments to make this
all those little moments to make this
all those little moments to make this happen
happen
happen it’s a gaffe who mentioned earlier he
it’s a gaffe who mentioned earlier he
it’s a gaffe who mentioned earlier he gets up two hours early every working
gets up two hours early every working
gets up two hours early every working day to get his project time in he is
day to get his project time in he is
day to get his project time in he is making animations he’s making films he’s
making animations he’s making films he’s
making animations he’s making films he’s working on speeches he’s going to give
working on speeches he’s going to give
working on speeches he’s going to give in those two hours before his working
in those two hours before his working
in those two hours before his working day starts George spends his two weeks
day starts George spends his two weeks
day starts George spends his two weeks annual leave every year going straight
annual leave every year going straight
annual leave every year going straight out to the former Soviet republics
out to the former Soviet republics
out to the former Soviet republics straight out to the mountains doing the
straight out to the mountains doing the
straight out to the mountains doing the kind of expeditions that professionals
kind of expeditions that professionals
kind of expeditions that professionals would have taken six weeks to do in
would have taken six weeks to do in
would have taken six weeks to do in acclimatize properly he’s out there two
acclimatize properly he’s out there two
acclimatize properly he’s out there two weeks done it back again I mean that I
weeks done it back again I mean that I
weeks done it back again I mean that I mean that’s not a holiday anymore
mean that’s not a holiday anymore
mean that’s not a holiday anymore bluntly so so passion makes a difference
bluntly so so passion makes a difference
bluntly so so passion makes a difference and if you stop enjoying it stop it
and if you stop enjoying it stop it
and if you stop enjoying it stop it actually if if you are not getting
actually if if you are not getting
actually if if you are not getting enough out of it maybe you don’t do it
enough out of it maybe you don’t do it
enough out of it maybe you don’t do it anymore or if you can’t bring yourself
anymore or if you can’t bring yourself
anymore or if you can’t bring yourself to do it maybe you’re not interested
to do it maybe you’re not interested
to do it maybe you’re not interested enough the second element is
enough the second element is
enough the second element is professional competence almost everybody
professional competence almost everybody
professional competence almost everybody depicted here brought some professional
depicted here brought some professional
depicted here brought some professional skills into their side-project and
skills into their side-project and
skills into their side-project and that’s got real value it means that the
that’s got real value it means that the
that’s got real value it means that the project looks a bit slicker it moves a
project looks a bit slicker it moves a
project looks a bit slicker it moves a bit quicker and it has a bit more
bit quicker and it has a bit more
bit quicker and it has a bit more credibility to the the wider audience
credibility to the the wider audience
credibility to the the wider audience other than just your maybe your friends
other than just your maybe your friends
other than just your maybe your friends and family who will always tell you
and family who will always tell you
and family who will always tell you that’s brilliant keep going so for
that’s brilliant keep going so for
that’s brilliant keep going so for example Alex can design a beautiful
example Alex can design a beautiful
example Alex can design a beautiful document which really rather helps when
document which really rather helps when
document which really rather helps when you’re trying to make a magazine Sam
you’re trying to make a magazine Sam
you’re trying to make a magazine Sam knows all about the creative sector so
knows all about the creative sector so
knows all about the creative sector so that really helps when he comes to talk
that really helps when he comes to talk
that really helps when he comes to talk to technologists about creativity and
to technologists about creativity and
to technologists about creativity and the cultural sector
the cultural sector
the cultural sector everybody is bringing something tim is a
everybody is bringing something tim is a
everybody is bringing something tim is a really credible adventurer
really credible adventurer
really credible adventurer so people are quite willing to listen to
so people are quite willing to listen to
so people are quite willing to listen to him listen to his advice and take his
him listen to his advice and take his
him listen to his advice and take his guidance on what kit to buy but I also
guidance on what kit to buy but I also
guidance on what kit to buy but I also noticed two other things happening one
noticed two other things happening one
noticed two other things happening one was that people were often using their
was that people were often using their
was that people were often using their professional skills in a more creative
professional skills in a more creative
professional skills in a more creative manner that they were using side
manner that they were using side
manner that they were using side projects to do what they wasn’t as much
projects to do what they wasn’t as much
projects to do what they wasn’t as much fun when they were in work doing it for
fun when they were in work doing it for
fun when they were in work doing it for a client or doing it for their boss but
a client or doing it for their boss but
a client or doing it for their boss but they were actively creatively expressing
they were actively creatively expressing
they were actively creatively expressing themselves using those professional
themselves using those professional
themselves using those professional skills but the other thing I noticed was
skills but the other thing I noticed was
skills but the other thing I noticed was that people were also learning new
that people were also learning new
that people were also learning new skills people were using side projects
skills people were using side projects
skills people were using side projects to get better so Holly could already
to get better so Holly could already
to get better so Holly could already cook
cook
cook but what she was doing was learning how
but what she was doing was learning how
but what she was doing was learning how to use social media she took a food
to use social media she took a food
to use social media she took a food photography course to make the blog look
photography course to make the blog look
photography course to make the blog look even better
even better
even better so people were actually investing in
so people were actually investing in
so people were actually investing in this and some of them were using it as a
this and some of them were using it as a
this and some of them were using it as a stepping stone to other things in their
stepping stone to other things in their
stepping stone to other things in their professional life as well
professional life as well
professional life as well so the third part here is tomorrow’s
so the third part here is tomorrow’s
so the third part here is tomorrow’s plan and this is all about the idea that
plan and this is all about the idea that
plan and this is all about the idea that you are purposefully investing in this
you are purposefully investing in this
you are purposefully investing in this being something bigger tomorrow or it
being something bigger tomorrow or it
being something bigger tomorrow or it developing you into tomorrow so most
developing you into tomorrow so most
developing you into tomorrow so most people have brought existing skills in
people have brought existing skills in
people have brought existing skills in they were they were learning new things
they were they were learning new things
they were they were learning new things as well so gap was he his main design
as well so gap was he his main design
as well so gap was he his main design work is around kind of graphic design
work is around kind of graphic design
work is around kind of graphic design and games design but he really wants to
and games design but he really wants to
and games design but he really wants to get into filmmaking and animation but he
get into filmmaking and animation but he
get into filmmaking and animation but he has to find a way to prove to his bosses
has to find a way to prove to his bosses
has to find a way to prove to his bosses that he knows how to do those things
that he knows how to do those things
that he knows how to do those things despite the fact he can’t do them in his
despite the fact he can’t do them in his
despite the fact he can’t do them in his day job so he does them in his project
day job so he does them in his project
day job so he does them in his project time Sam managed to move out of a job in
time Sam managed to move out of a job in
time Sam managed to move out of a job in the creative sector into the technology
the creative sector into the technology
the creative sector into the technology sector because his blog was all about
sector because his blog was all about
sector because his blog was all about technology and he could convince those
technology and he could convince those
technology and he could convince those recruiters that he cared enough so
recruiters that he cared enough so
recruiters that he cared enough so people were making these stepping stones
people were making these stepping stones
people were making these stepping stones and they were getting often unexpected
and they were getting often unexpected
and they were getting often unexpected benefits so Laura does charity law and
benefits so Laura does charity law and
benefits so Laura does charity law and she was finding that actually it made
she was finding that actually it made
she was finding that actually it made her more credible with her clients
her more credible with her clients
her more credible with her clients because she ran a charity herself so
because she ran a charity herself so
because she ran a charity herself so there are some really interesting
there are some really interesting
there are some really interesting connections not necessary planned
connections not necessary planned
connections not necessary planned connections as to what you wanted to do
connections as to what you wanted to do
connections as to what you wanted to do tomorrow but things that helped you
tomorrow but things that helped you
tomorrow but things that helped you advance so these three elements I think
advance so these three elements I think
advance so these three elements I think are really really critical to making a
are really really critical to making a
are really really critical to making a good side project and lifting it out of
good side project and lifting it out of
good side project and lifting it out of what might be a hobby or an amateur
what might be a hobby or an amateur
what might be a hobby or an amateur activity into something that is really
activity into something that is really
activity into something that is really seriously credible but there is a fourth
seriously credible but there is a fourth
seriously credible but there is a fourth element that is not on my diagram and
element that is not on my diagram and
element that is not on my diagram and that fourth element separates side
that fourth element separates side
that fourth element separates side projects from successful business
projects from successful business
projects from successful business ventures and that item is customers
ventures and that item is customers
ventures and that item is customers because if you couldn’t do all of that
because if you couldn’t do all of that
because if you couldn’t do all of that and you can also find a customer who
and you can also find a customer who
and you can also find a customer who will pay you enough often enough to do
will pay you enough often enough to do
will pay you enough often enough to do that thing you have a business if you
that thing you have a business if you
that thing you have a business if you can’t find anyone to pay you for it you
can’t find anyone to pay you for it you
can’t find anyone to pay you for it you have an expensive side project
have an expensive side project
have an expensive side project now I will add one word of warning here
now I will add one word of warning here
now I will add one word of warning here that sometimes when you go looking for
that sometimes when you go looking for
that sometimes when you go looking for customers you end up walking away from
customers you end up walking away from
customers you end up walking away from the thing that is actually interested
the thing that is actually interested
the thing that is actually interested you in the first place there are plenty
you in the first place there are plenty
you in the first place there are plenty of business owners that there are plenty
of business owners that there are plenty
of business owners that there are plenty of entrepreneurs out there who have
of entrepreneurs out there who have
of entrepreneurs out there who have ended up doing something they’re neither
ended up doing something they’re neither
ended up doing something they’re neither very good at or enjoy but they did find
very good at or enjoy but they did find
very good at or enjoy but they did find a customer now I’ll leave that to you
a customer now I’ll leave that to you
a customer now I’ll leave that to you it’s whether you thing that is a
it’s whether you thing that is a
it’s whether you thing that is a situation that you’re willing to
situation that you’re willing to
situation that you’re willing to tolerate but painted a bit of a picture
tolerate but painted a bit of a picture
tolerate but painted a bit of a picture so let’s distill some advice out of all
so let’s distill some advice out of all
so let’s distill some advice out of all of these side projects if I’ve convinced
of these side projects if I’ve convinced
of these side projects if I’ve convinced you that maybe you want to do some side
you that maybe you want to do some side
you that maybe you want to do some side projects find something that you love to
projects find something that you love to
projects find something that you love to do find something that it’s easier to do
do find something that it’s easier to do
do find something that it’s easier to do than not do you know what is genuinely
than not do you know what is genuinely
than not do you know what is genuinely gonna get you a bed in the morning so
gonna get you a bed in the morning so
gonna get you a bed in the morning so what’s gonna get you spending your
what’s gonna get you spending your
what’s gonna get you spending your weekends and your holidays doing this
weekends and your holidays doing this
weekends and your holidays doing this stuff Alex is finding time for his
stuff Alex is finding time for his
stuff Alex is finding time for his magazines during his commute Holly used
magazines during his commute Holly used
magazines during his commute Holly used her maternity leave to launch the blog
her maternity leave to launch the blog
her maternity leave to launch the blog and then a second maternity leave to
and then a second maternity leave to
and then a second maternity leave to improve the blog I’m not sure that’s the
improve the blog I’m not sure that’s the
improve the blog I’m not sure that’s the reason for the maternity leave but she
reason for the maternity leave but she
reason for the maternity leave but she used it effectively you have to make the
used it effectively you have to make the
used it effectively you have to make the time you have to carve it out you have
time you have to carve it out you have
time you have to carve it out you have to get it from all these sort of small
to get it from all these sort of small
to get it from all these sort of small places in your life to dedicate enough
places in your life to dedicate enough
places in your life to dedicate enough time to do it you have to tell people
time to do it you have to tell people
time to do it you have to tell people about it that really makes the
about it that really makes the
about it that really makes the difference it transforms it it was when
difference it transforms it it was when
difference it transforms it it was when will who you saw earlier told his wife
will who you saw earlier told his wife
will who you saw earlier told his wife that he was been scribbling on the train
that he was been scribbling on the train
that he was been scribbling on the train writing things and she sent him to a
writing things and she sent him to a
writing things and she sent him to a writers group and only at that point did
writers group and only at that point did
writers group and only at that point did he take it seriously and he’s now a
he take it seriously and he’s now a
he take it seriously and he’s now a full-time children’s author follow the
full-time children’s author follow the
full-time children’s author follow the people you admire look at who’s doing it
people you admire look at who’s doing it
people you admire look at who’s doing it well look at who’s doing what you want
well look at who’s doing what you want
well look at who’s doing what you want to do really well and cents checks that
to do really well and cents checks that
to do really well and cents checks that you want to do it too
you want to do it too
you want to do it too and one final insight sometimes making
and one final insight sometimes making
and one final insight sometimes making that step feels really difficult and you
that step feels really difficult and you
that step feels really difficult and you build it up in your mind and it’s you’re
build it up in your mind and it’s you’re
build it up in your mind and it’s you’re committing to something how about
committing to something how about
committing to something how about actually you’ve already started it and
actually you’ve already started it and
actually you’ve already started it and you started it the first time you had
you started it the first time you had
you started it the first time you had half an idea about it and by that logic
half an idea about it and by that logic
half an idea about it and by that logic you’ve already started dozens and dozens
you’ve already started dozens and dozens
you’ve already started dozens and dozens and dozens of things you just not
and dozens of things you just not
and dozens of things you just not finished them
finished them
finished them and maybe it’s easier to continue
and maybe it’s easier to continue
and maybe it’s easier to continue something than to start something so my
something than to start something so my
something than to start something so my advice to you is to think actually maybe
advice to you is to think actually maybe
advice to you is to think actually maybe you could be a part-time entrepreneur
you could be a part-time entrepreneur
you could be a part-time entrepreneur maybe you can rewrite your own rules
maybe you can rewrite your own rules
maybe you can rewrite your own rules about who you are what you do and what
about who you are what you do and what
about who you are what you do and what other people think you do and maybe you
other people think you do and maybe you
other people think you do and maybe you could start something amazing as a side
could start something amazing as a side
could start something amazing as a side project thank you very much
project thank you very much
project thank you very much [Applause]
”
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