so how to future-proof your life and your career now that is the massive
your career now that is the massive
your career now that is the massive gargantuan BAM off quest and I’m gonna
gargantuan BAM off quest and I’m gonna
gargantuan BAM off quest and I’m gonna try and give if not definitive answers
try and give if not definitive answers
try and give if not definitive answers to some perspectives on in this talk and
to some perspectives on in this talk and
to some perspectives on in this talk and I’m gonna try and do so by dancing
I’m gonna try and do so by dancing
I’m gonna try and do so by dancing nimbly between two sins to equal sins to
nimbly between two sins to equal sins to
nimbly between two sins to equal sins to pit holes pit hole 1 just coming across
pit holes pit hole 1 just coming across
pit holes pit hole 1 just coming across as a satisfied biddle age smug and fit
as a satisfied biddle age smug and fit
as a satisfied biddle age smug and fit old to just not filling this time with
old to just not filling this time with
old to just not filling this time with vacuous platitude and cliche why hey
vacuous platitude and cliche why hey
vacuous platitude and cliche why hey this for me I know that is a good
this for me I know that is a good
this for me I know that is a good question 1 we’ll all have to ask the
question 1 we’ll all have to ask the
question 1 we’ll all have to ask the organizers I as you can see I’m not a
organizers I as you can see I’m not a
organizers I as you can see I’m not a celebrity I’m not a GB Olympian athlete
celebrity I’m not a GB Olympian athlete
celebrity I’m not a GB Olympian athlete I’m not a book or for peddling their
I’m not a book or for peddling their
I’m not a book or for peddling their latest theory I’m a pretty ordinary
latest theory I’m a pretty ordinary
latest theory I’m a pretty ordinary bloke but I guess I am at least in
bloke but I guess I am at least in
bloke but I guess I am at least in possession of two simple facts facts 1
possession of two simple facts facts 1
possession of two simple facts facts 1 I’ve had a fairly unusual varied and
I’ve had a fairly unusual varied and
I’ve had a fairly unusual varied and some may say eclectic career in fact 2 I
some may say eclectic career in fact 2 I
some may say eclectic career in fact 2 I stand here today some 30 years on from
stand here today some 30 years on from
stand here today some 30 years on from where many of you are still the smile on
where many of you are still the smile on
where many of you are still the smile on my face still believe in life is pretty
my face still believe in life is pretty
my face still believe in life is pretty cool now I wonder already perilously
cool now I wonder already perilously
cool now I wonder already perilously close to pit hole number 1 but it’s
close to pit hole number 1 but it’s
close to pit hole number 1 but it’s worth dwelling on a pretty sober reality
worth dwelling on a pretty sober reality
worth dwelling on a pretty sober reality which is many people are deeply unhappy
which is many people are deeply unhappy
which is many people are deeply unhappy in their careers and their lives so a
in their careers and their lives so a
in their careers and their lives so a recent survey
recent survey
recent survey globally by Gallup reported that there
globally by Gallup reported that there
globally by Gallup reported that there are more than twice as many employees
are more than twice as many employees
are more than twice as many employees who are actively disengaged in their
who are actively disengaged in their
who are actively disengaged in their careers as there are those that are
careers as there are those that are
careers as there are those that are actively engaged and happy in their jobs
actively engaged and happy in their jobs
actively engaged and happy in their jobs and it is of no surprise that that
and it is of no surprise that that
and it is of no surprise that that finding correlates near perfectly with
finding correlates near perfectly with
finding correlates near perfectly with the grander question of life contentment
the grander question of life contentment
the grander question of life contentment and again a recent UK audit revealed
and again a recent UK audit revealed
and again a recent UK audit revealed that only 3 in 10 could claim they were
that only 3 in 10 could claim they were
that only 3 in 10 could claim they were happy with their lives so the question
happy with their lives so the question
happy with their lives so the question about a future-proof your career in your
about a future-proof your career in your
about a future-proof your career in your lives how to end up in what appears to
lives how to end up in what appears to
lives how to end up in what appears to be a one-third bucket of engaged
be a one-third bucket of engaged
be a one-third bucket of engaged contentment was a philosophically
contentment was a philosophically
contentment was a philosophically massive question is I’m sure we can all
massive question is I’m sure we can all
massive question is I’m sure we can all agree a pretty important one so that’s
agree a pretty important one so that’s
agree a pretty important one so that’s the question set what are we going to do
the question set what are we going to do
the question set what are we going to do well in the next 15 or so minutes is to
well in the next 15 or so minutes is to
well in the next 15 or so minutes is to proffer five personal perspectives on
proffer five personal perspectives on
proffer five personal perspectives on what is served me well in that journey
what is served me well in that journey
what is served me well in that journey success will be that one or two of these
success will be that one or two of these
success will be that one or two of these hopefully resonate with you and you
hopefully resonate with you and you
hopefully resonate with you and you remember them and tuck them away in your
remember them and tuck them away in your
remember them and tuck them away in your own mental toolbox for your journey
own mental toolbox for your journey
own mental toolbox for your journey ahead now before I dive straight into
ahead now before I dive straight into
ahead now before I dive straight into them it’s probably worth me to give you
them it’s probably worth me to give you
them it’s probably worth me to give you a very brief bit of personal context on
a very brief bit of personal context on
a very brief bit of personal context on that journey so if I step into your
that journey so if I step into your
that journey so if I step into your shoes as an 18 year old boy I was at a
shoes as an 18 year old boy I was at a
shoes as an 18 year old boy I was at a comprehensive school in South London it
comprehensive school in South London it
comprehensive school in South London it was a kind of school where progression
was a kind of school where progression
was a kind of school where progression to university wasn’t really talked about
to university wasn’t really talked about
to university wasn’t really talked about Tomales it wasn’t really actively
Tomales it wasn’t really actively
Tomales it wasn’t really actively encouraged so I went straight out into
encouraged so I went straight out into
encouraged so I went straight out into the world of work my father at the time
the world of work my father at the time
the world of work my father at the time was a builder he had a building company
was a builder he had a building company
was a builder he had a building company I used to labor on his building sites in
I used to labor on his building sites in
I used to labor on his building sites in my school holidays so my first interest
my school holidays so my first interest
my school holidays so my first interest area was building and I I set out and I
area was building and I I set out and I
area was building and I I set out and I found some experience in an architect’s
found some experience in an architect’s
found some experience in an architect’s office
office
office well I very quickly realized that that
well I very quickly realized that that
well I very quickly realized that that interest was not going to morph into a
interest was not going to morph into a
interest was not going to morph into a passion and I changed tack I then became
passion and I changed tack I then became
passion and I changed tack I then became a trainee computer programmer in a bank
then in out into the world and meeting
then in out into the world and meeting people I then sort of realized I
people I then sort of realized I
people I then sort of realized I probably should have been a bit more
probably should have been a bit more
probably should have been a bit more curious about University so I decided to
curious about University so I decided to
curious about University so I decided to apply to read a computer studies and
apply to read a computer studies and
apply to read a computer studies and it’s a testament to how novel hot and
it’s a testament to how novel hot and
it’s a testament to how novel hot and exciting computers were at the time that
exciting computers were at the time that
exciting computers were at the time that I got a good degree without actually
I got a good degree without actually
I got a good degree without actually ever owning one but at the end I did not
ever owning one but at the end I did not
ever owning one but at the end I did not go into IT and you’ll hear a bit more
go into IT and you’ll hear a bit more
go into IT and you’ll hear a bit more about that in a moment
about that in a moment
about that in a moment instead with three friends we jumped in
instead with three friends we jumped in
instead with three friends we jumped in a Land Rover and drove across Africa
a Land Rover and drove across Africa
a Land Rover and drove across Africa with the aim of crossing the Sahara and
with the aim of crossing the Sahara and
with the aim of crossing the Sahara and climbing the five highest peaks in that
climbing the five highest peaks in that
climbing the five highest peaks in that continent and then donating out there
continent and then donating out there
continent and then donating out there over to a children’s home on completion
over to a children’s home on completion
over to a children’s home on completion well at about halfway through that
well at about halfway through that
well at about halfway through that tritter trip literally halfway across
tritter trip literally halfway across
tritter trip literally halfway across the sahara we got held up by twenty five
the sahara we got held up by twenty five
the sahara we got held up by twenty five to Iraq bandits or world in ak-47s and
to Iraq bandits or world in ak-47s and
to Iraq bandits or world in ak-47s and they stole everything including the
they stole everything including the
they stole everything including the vehicle so the planning goes too well it
vehicle so the planning goes too well it
vehicle so the planning goes too well it took a couple of weeks to extract
took a couple of weeks to extract
took a couple of weeks to extract ourselves out of that situation
ourselves out of that situation
ourselves out of that situation long story different talk but I
long story different talk but I
long story different talk but I eventually arrived in Zimbabwe where I
eventually arrived in Zimbabwe where I
eventually arrived in Zimbabwe where I took up a job as a whitewater rafting
took up a job as a whitewater rafting
took up a job as a whitewater rafting guide on the Zambezi River and did that
guide on the Zambezi River and did that
guide on the Zambezi River and did that for a season I then came back and I
for a season I then came back and I
for a season I then came back and I joined took up a officers commission in
joined took up a officers commission in
joined took up a officers commission in Her Majesty’s Royal Marines a very
Her Majesty’s Royal Marines a very
Her Majesty’s Royal Marines a very special period of my life I did it for
special period of my life I did it for
special period of my life I did it for all of my 20s and my reflection is you
all of my 20s and my reflection is you
all of my 20s and my reflection is you know real privilege to be a member of
know real privilege to be a member of
know real privilege to be a member of a high-performing organization and have
a high-performing organization and have
a high-performing organization and have you know such quality colleagues on my
you know such quality colleagues on my
you know such quality colleagues on my shoulder and also just a number of
shoulder and also just a number of
shoulder and also just a number of stories and scrapes and experiences
stories and scrapes and experiences
stories and scrapes and experiences including as an example I was seconded
including as an example I was seconded
including as an example I was seconded to a charity that was to leave
to a charity that was to leave
to a charity that was to leave delivering a malarial medicines to
delivering a malarial medicines to
delivering a malarial medicines to really remote Amerindian communities in
really remote Amerindian communities in
really remote Amerindian communities in the heart of the Guyanese rainforest so
the heart of the Guyanese rainforest so
the heart of the Guyanese rainforest so very worthwhile endeavor and it was on
very worthwhile endeavor and it was on
very worthwhile endeavor and it was on that project where I met my now wife who
that project where I met my now wife who
that project where I met my now wife who was a British medic attached to the same
was a British medic attached to the same
was a British medic attached to the same project so I got to the age of 30 my
project so I got to the age of 30 my
project so I got to the age of 30 my first son came along I decided to leave
first son came along I decided to leave
first son came along I decided to leave the forces and via an MBA or Business
the forces and via an MBA or Business
the forces and via an MBA or Business Studies I joined a global company called
Studies I joined a global company called
Studies I joined a global company called Deloitte Consulting and I specialized in
Deloitte Consulting and I specialized in
Deloitte Consulting and I specialized in essentially coordinating large teams of
essentially coordinating large teams of
essentially coordinating large teams of people in large scale business and
people in large scale business and
people in large scale business and transformation projects I did that for
transformation projects I did that for
transformation projects I did that for four years and then I decided to set up
four years and then I decided to set up
four years and then I decided to set up my own business doing essentially the
my own business doing essentially the
my own business doing essentially the same and I grew that business to circa
same and I grew that business to circa
same and I grew that business to circa 70 staff and I sold it in 2008 and then
70 staff and I sold it in 2008 and then
70 staff and I sold it in 2008 and then I stayed on for a number of 30 years and
I stayed on for a number of 30 years and
I stayed on for a number of 30 years and then essentially steps back to a my
then essentially steps back to a my
then essentially steps back to a my latest I guess current work life chapter
latest I guess current work life chapter
latest I guess current work life chapter which I would best describe as having
which I would best describe as having
which I would best describe as having fingers in pies I am advised a number of
fingers in pies I am advised a number of
fingers in pies I am advised a number of businesses I’ve got a few
businesses I’ve got a few
businesses I’ve got a few entrepreneurial flutters I’ve got some
entrepreneurial flutters I’ve got some
entrepreneurial flutters I’ve got some writing projects and a number of
writing projects and a number of
writing projects and a number of non-work more community related projects
non-work more community related projects
non-work more community related projects so that’s the context set that we now
so that’s the context set that we now
so that’s the context set that we now dive into what I feel I’ve learned on
dive into what I feel I’ve learned on
dive into what I feel I’ve learned on that journey so my first call it
that journey so my first call it
that journey so my first call it reflection but tip if you want principle
reflection but tip if you want principle
reflection but tip if you want principle is develop a personal guide in principle
is develop a personal guide in principle
is develop a personal guide in principle now I’m going to tell you mine and
now I’m going to tell you mine and
now I’m going to tell you mine and you’re welcome to steal it okay mine is
you’re welcome to steal it okay mine is
you’re welcome to steal it okay mine is whoever has the most stories wins
whoever has the most stories wins
whoever has the most stories wins I say gain whoever has the most stories
I say gain whoever has the most stories
I say gain whoever has the most stories wins now this became really kind of
wins now this became really kind of
wins now this became really kind of clear to me in my second year break from
clear to me in my second year break from
clear to me in my second year break from university amazing experience in Africa
university amazing experience in Africa
university amazing experience in Africa well such a core principle and believe
well such a core principle and believe
well such a core principle and believe me you will all have yours sort of
me you will all have yours sort of
me you will all have yours sort of tucked down deep inside you somewhere is
tucked down deep inside you somewhere is
tucked down deep inside you somewhere is an invaluable device when it comes to
an invaluable device when it comes to
an invaluable device when it comes to navigating all of those crossroad
navigating all of those crossroad
navigating all of those crossroad moments in life and in your
moments in life and in your
moments in life and in your those points of multiple paths dilemma
those points of multiple paths dilemma
those points of multiple paths dilemma which career option to take which job
which career option to take which job
which career option to take which job offer to accept by example when I got to
offer to accept by example when I got to
offer to accept by example when I got to the end of my computer Studies degree
the end of my computer Studies degree
the end of my computer Studies degree and I was faced with a very lucrative
and I was faced with a very lucrative
and I was faced with a very lucrative offer to go into IT and be an office job
offer to go into IT and be an office job
offer to go into IT and be an office job and talking to an electronic box all day
and talking to an electronic box all day
and talking to an electronic box all day or to drive a Land Rover across Africa
or to drive a Land Rover across Africa
or to drive a Land Rover across Africa and join the Royal Marines I consulted
and join the Royal Marines I consulted
and join the Royal Marines I consulted my principal whoever has the most
my principal whoever has the most
my principal whoever has the most stories wins no-brainer decision made
reflection to have a plan now plans and
reflection to have a plan now plans and the act of planning they’ve come in for
the act of planning they’ve come in for
the act of planning they’ve come in for a bit of a bashing recently particularly
a bit of a bashing recently particularly
a bit of a bashing recently particularly in the business sort of entrepreneurial
in the business sort of entrepreneurial
in the business sort of entrepreneurial startup world where it’s all now about
startup world where it’s all now about
startup world where it’s all now about agile flexible working now having a
agile flexible working now having a
agile flexible working now having a mindset of improvise adapt and overcome
mindset of improvise adapt and overcome
mindset of improvise adapt and overcome as the raw Marines definitely told me is
as the raw Marines definitely told me is
as the raw Marines definitely told me is invaluable but so our plans and I’m
invaluable but so our plans and I’m
invaluable but so our plans and I’m talking about plans now in the context
talking about plans now in the context
talking about plans now in the context of your own life and career the brutal
of your own life and career the brutal
of your own life and career the brutal reality is most people spend more time
reality is most people spend more time
reality is most people spend more time planning their summer holiday at holiday
planning their summer holiday at holiday
planning their summer holiday at holiday tech days than they do their lives and
tech days than they do their lives and
tech days than they do their lives and I’m imploring you to take the time and
I’m imploring you to take the time and
I’m imploring you to take the time and effort because it does take time and
effort because it does take time and
effort because it does take time and effort hence why plans have probably
effort hence why plans have probably
effort hence why plans have probably fallen a little bit from favor so map
fallen a little bit from favor so map
fallen a little bit from favor so map out your own life and career goals and
out your own life and career goals and
out your own life and career goals and because it’s a very function of mulling
because it’s a very function of mulling
because it’s a very function of mulling those aspects over and writing them down
those aspects over and writing them down
those aspects over and writing them down on paper that will significantly
on paper that will significantly
on paper that will significantly increase your chances of being
increase your chances of being
increase your chances of being successful in delivering them now this
successful in delivering them now this
successful in delivering them now this doesn’t mean having all the answers
doesn’t mean having all the answers
doesn’t mean having all the answers those plans can be high-level and nor do
those plans can be high-level and nor do
those plans can be high-level and nor do planned stay static they can and should
planned stay static they can and should
planned stay static they can and should evolve and nor do plans somehow sort of
evolve and nor do plans somehow sort of
evolve and nor do plans somehow sort of squeeze the serendipity out of life
squeeze the serendipity out of life
squeeze the serendipity out of life conversely having a plan sets the tram
conversely having a plan sets the tram
conversely having a plan sets the tram lines on which great adventures can be
lines on which great adventures can be
lines on which great adventures can be directed and overlays but by example sat
directed and overlays but by example sat
directed and overlays but by example sat on that rock and I remember taking the
on that rock and I remember taking the
on that rock and I remember taking the photo is where I wrote down my post
photo is where I wrote down my post
photo is where I wrote down my post University goals whilst I was in Africa
University goals whilst I was in Africa
University goals whilst I was in Africa to come back and drive a Land Rover
to come back and drive a Land Rover
to come back and drive a Land Rover across that continent and to join the
across that continent and to join the
across that continent and to join the raw Marines
raw Marines
raw Marines when I left the Royal Marines this was
when I left the Royal Marines this was
when I left the Royal Marines this was the plan I wrote which amongst other
the plan I wrote which amongst other
the plan I wrote which amongst other goals I decided I wanted to start my own
goals I decided I wanted to start my own
goals I decided I wanted to start my own business within five years at year four
business within five years at year four
business within five years at year four of that five year journey I took a
of that five year journey I took a
of that five year journey I took a week’s holiday from my then employer and
week’s holiday from my then employer and
week’s holiday from my then employer and sat down and wrote this business plan
sat down and wrote this business plan
sat down and wrote this business plan which described how I could go from a
which described how I could go from a
which described how I could go from a singleton startup to a company of value
singleton startup to a company of value
singleton startup to a company of value in five years and then this is the plan
in five years and then this is the plan
in five years and then this is the plan that sort of tries to keep me honest to
that sort of tries to keep me honest to
that sort of tries to keep me honest to my current work life chapter including
my current work life chapter including
my current work life chapter including goals such as supporting great
goals such as supporting great
goals such as supporting great initiatives and institutions as this one
initiatives and institutions as this one
initiatives and institutions as this one so plans work writes one reflection free
so plans work writes one reflection free
so plans work writes one reflection free regularly review in life balance now
regularly review in life balance now
regularly review in life balance now you’re at an age where you don’t need to
you’re at an age where you don’t need to
you’re at an age where you don’t need to worry about this too much at the moment
worry about this too much at the moment
worry about this too much at the moment okay I mean one of the unalloyed joys of
okay I mean one of the unalloyed joys of
okay I mean one of the unalloyed joys of being young is the crazy imbalance on
being young is the crazy imbalance on
being young is the crazy imbalance on occasion just don’t leave it until
occasion just don’t leave it until
occasion just don’t leave it until you’re thirty to sort of check in on
you’re thirty to sort of check in on
you’re thirty to sort of check in on this matter
this matter
this matter you see balance in life is not done over
you see balance in life is not done over
you see balance in life is not done over a time horizon of a day a month or even
a time horizon of a day a month or even
a time horizon of a day a month or even a year but leave it ten years and you’re
a year but leave it ten years and you’re
a year but leave it ten years and you’re at serious risk of joining those two
at serious risk of joining those two
at serious risk of joining those two third malcontent I personally have many
third malcontent I personally have many
third malcontent I personally have many friends and acquaintances at this stage
friends and acquaintances at this stage
friends and acquaintances at this stage of their lives who are very successful
of their lives who are very successful
of their lives who are very successful that I great for is some event stacks of
that I great for is some event stacks of
that I great for is some event stacks of money but many are deeply unhappy many
money but many are deeply unhappy many
money but many are deeply unhappy many are grossly unfit many of personal
are grossly unfit many of personal
are grossly unfit many of personal relationships that have suffered a death
relationships that have suffered a death
relationships that have suffered a death by a million tiny knife acts of omission
by a million tiny knife acts of omission
by a million tiny knife acts of omission and million tiny knife cuts believe me
and million tiny knife cuts believe me
and million tiny knife cuts believe me that is a really hollow victory
that is a really hollow victory
that is a really hollow victory especially so because all of the
especially so because all of the
especially so because all of the research into life contentment says that
research into life contentment says that
research into life contentment says that nurturing quality relationships is what
nurturing quality relationships is what
nurturing quality relationships is what really lies at the heart of that matter
really lies at the heart of that matter
really lies at the heart of that matter if I’m really honest I wondered
if I’m really honest I wondered
if I’m really honest I wondered perilously dangerously close to it
perilously dangerously close to it
perilously dangerously close to it myself so driving a business that was
myself so driving a business that was
myself so driving a business that was based in London for nearly eight years
based in London for nearly eight years
based in London for nearly eight years was a dangerous asymmetry and hence why
was a dangerous asymmetry and hence why
was a dangerous asymmetry and hence why I took a very deliberate decision to
I took a very deliberate decision to
I took a very deliberate decision to recalibrate now I’m going to share with
recalibrate now I’m going to share with
recalibrate now I’m going to share with you a really simple tool it’s called the
you a really simple tool it’s called the
you a really simple tool it’s called the balance will it’s with my sort of
balance will it’s with my sort of
balance will it’s with my sort of modification but it’s it’s a borrowed
modification but it’s it’s a borrowed
modification but it’s it’s a borrowed concept and we’ve some prescient
concept and we’ve some prescient
concept and we’ve some prescient maturity you might want to use this as
maturity you might want to use this as
maturity you might want to use this as the index page on the personal plan I’m
the index page on the personal plan I’m
the index page on the personal plan I’m advocating that you
advocating that you
advocating that you right but promise me you at least look
right but promise me you at least look
right but promise me you at least look at it before you hit 30 okay he has a
at it before you hit 30 okay he has a
at it before you hit 30 okay he has a toxins you can see them there family and
toxins you can see them there family and
toxins you can see them there family and friends story and experiences physical
friends story and experiences physical
friends story and experiences physical health financial security maybe some
health financial security maybe some
health financial security maybe some early savings remember stories and
early savings remember stories and
early savings remember stories and experiences whoever has the most wins
experiences whoever has the most wins
experiences whoever has the most wins career and work home in habitats you
career and work home in habitats you
career and work home in habitats you probably don’t need to worry about that
probably don’t need to worry about that
probably don’t need to worry about that too much for a while
too much for a while
too much for a while personal development beyond college and
personal development beyond college and
personal development beyond college and university and community how you might
university and community how you might
university and community how you might serve yours so this has really sat at
serve yours so this has really sat at
serve yours so this has really sat at the heart of all of my personal plans
the heart of all of my personal plans
the heart of all of my personal plans and I often take a stocktake I kind of
and I often take a stocktake I kind of
and I often take a stocktake I kind of give myself an honest 1 to 10 score I
give myself an honest 1 to 10 score I
give myself an honest 1 to 10 score I make sure I’ve got a number of
make sure I’ve got a number of
make sure I’ve got a number of meaningful goals in each and I guess in
meaningful goals in each and I guess in
meaningful goals in each and I guess in summary we haven’t got the time for me
summary we haven’t got the time for me
summary we haven’t got the time for me to unpack all of my other octants and
to unpack all of my other octants and
to unpack all of my other octants and nor do I pretend you’d be particular
nor do I pretend you’d be particular
nor do I pretend you’d be particular interested in hearing it but I seek to
interested in hearing it but I seek to
interested in hearing it but I seek to fill as much in those as I do to octant
fill as much in those as I do to octant
fill as much in those as I do to octant 5 let me finally say this on balance
5 let me finally say this on balance
5 let me finally say this on balance balance is not some utopian just
balance is not some utopian just
balance is not some utopian just destination you ever arrived at it’s
destination you ever arrived at it’s
destination you ever arrived at it’s deluded to think that ok however if you
deluded to think that ok however if you
deluded to think that ok however if you meaningfully take active self ownership
meaningfully take active self ownership
meaningfully take active self ownership of it because no one else is going to do
of it because no one else is going to do
of it because no one else is going to do it for you aspire for it and take
it for you aspire for it and take
it for you aspire for it and take decisions germane to it that is
decisions germane to it that is
decisions germane to it that is absolutely what separates the 1/3 from
absolutely what separates the 1/3 from
absolutely what separates the 1/3 from the 2/3 so your challenge is to find a
the 2/3 so your challenge is to find a
the 2/3 so your challenge is to find a device that keeps this aspect in check
device that keeps this aspect in check
device that keeps this aspect in check for you even if that is in five years
for you even if that is in five years
for you even if that is in five years time you schedule your first life review
time you schedule your first life review
time you schedule your first life review reflection 4 beware the talent myth but
reflection 4 beware the talent myth but
reflection 4 beware the talent myth but I am fascinated by the topic of
I am fascinated by the topic of
I am fascinated by the topic of high-performing teams and organizations
high-performing teams and organizations
high-performing teams and organizations and why some organizations absolutely
and why some organizations absolutely
and why some organizations absolutely excel and others just sort of meander
excel and others just sort of meander
excel and others just sort of meander along my personal observation is those
along my personal observation is those
along my personal observation is those that are super successful they always
that are super successful they always
that are super successful they always have this unrelenting pursuit for
have this unrelenting pursuit for
have this unrelenting pursuit for excellence but coupled with a collective
excellence but coupled with a collective
excellence but coupled with a collective humility to recognize they never quite
humility to recognize they never quite
humility to recognize they never quite get there my personal render of this to
get there my personal render of this to
get there my personal render of this to you is take your future career and
you is take your future career and
you is take your future career and profession very very seriously but not
profession very very seriously but not
profession very very seriously but not yourself
it is about having what Professor Carol
it is about having what Professor Carol Dweck calls the growth mindset as
Dweck calls the growth mindset as
Dweck calls the growth mindset as opposed to the talent mindset which is a
opposed to the talent mindset which is a
opposed to the talent mindset which is a sort of sense of you know talent is an
sort of sense of you know talent is an
sort of sense of you know talent is an inherent given now of course we all
inherent given now of course we all
inherent given now of course we all stand here with different attributes
stand here with different attributes
stand here with different attributes different backstories different
different backstories different
different backstories different experiences but the determinant of your
experiences but the determinant of your
experiences but the determinant of your future skills and talents and
future skills and talents and
future skills and talents and achievements hinge is not on your
achievements hinge is not on your
achievements hinge is not on your predisposition now or on your mindset
predisposition now or on your mindset
predisposition now or on your mindset whether you genuinely believe life is
whether you genuinely believe life is
whether you genuinely believe life is about that humble continuous learning
about that humble continuous learning
about that humble continuous learning and self-development or a kind of fait
and self-development or a kind of fait
and self-development or a kind of fait accompli I am what I am
accompli I am what I am
accompli I am what I am type attitude the former mindset will
type attitude the former mindset will
type attitude the former mindset will take you very very far the latter
take you very very far the latter
take you very very far the latter mindset nowhere you see
mindset nowhere you see
mindset nowhere you see talent is vastly overrated it is hard
talent is vastly overrated it is hard
talent is vastly overrated it is hard work and applied effort that converts
work and applied effort that converts
work and applied effort that converts talent into skill it’s hard work and
talent into skill it’s hard work and
talent into skill it’s hard work and applied effort that converts skill into
applied effort that converts skill into
applied effort that converts skill into achievement applied effort is the force
achievement applied effort is the force
achievement applied effort is the force multiplier
multiplier
multiplier not Talent so all I would say on this
not Talent so all I would say on this
not Talent so all I would say on this one is just maybe take a moment listen
one is just maybe take a moment listen
one is just maybe take a moment listen to your own self-talk growth mindset or
to your own self-talk growth mindset or
to your own self-talk growth mindset or fixed mindset and maybe chart time to
fixed mindset and maybe chart time to
fixed mindset and maybe chart time to make a life changing mental switch now
make a life changing mental switch now
make a life changing mental switch now my fifth and final reflection is invest
my fifth and final reflection is invest
my fifth and final reflection is invest in the interest in so I don’t know about
in the interest in so I don’t know about
in the interest in so I don’t know about you but when I was 18 I used to get
you but when I was 18 I used to get
you but when I was 18 I used to get really irked by the follow your dreams
really irked by the follow your dreams
really irked by the follow your dreams pursue your passion tight rhetoric I had
pursue your passion tight rhetoric I had
pursue your passion tight rhetoric I had friends who had this kind of future
friends who had this kind of future
friends who had this kind of future crystal clarity and I really disliked
crystal clarity and I really disliked
crystal clarity and I really disliked them for it because frankly I didn’t
them for it because frankly I didn’t
them for it because frankly I didn’t have a clue so I’m just going to
have a clue so I’m just going to
have a clue so I’m just going to discharge some slightly more pragmatic
discharge some slightly more pragmatic
discharge some slightly more pragmatic advice on this one you are setting out
advice on this one you are setting out
advice on this one you are setting out on a long journey and I hope one day
on a long journey and I hope one day
on a long journey and I hope one day you’ll arrive at a place where you can
you’ll arrive at a place where you can
you’ll arrive at a place where you can say you’re passionate about what you do
say you’re passionate about what you do
say you’re passionate about what you do the field you work in you may even say
the field you work in you may even say
the field you work in you may even say you’ve found your purpose or even your
you’ve found your purpose or even your
you’ve found your purpose or even your calling just don’t beat yourself up if
calling just don’t beat yourself up if
calling just don’t beat yourself up if that doesn’t happen straight away rather
that doesn’t happen straight away rather
that doesn’t happen straight away rather when you leave school college university
when you leave school college university
when you leave school college university just get out in the world take your
just get out in the world take your
just get out in the world take your interest something you’re intellectually
interest something you’re intellectually
interest something you’re intellectually interested in something you enjoy doing
interested in something you enjoy doing
interested in something you enjoy doing and rub it against the world engaging it
and rub it against the world engaging it
and rub it against the world engaging it ideally with other people because only
ideally with other people because only
ideally with other people because only then will you discover over that
then will you discover over that
then will you discover over that interest morphs into a passion if it
interest morphs into a passion if it
interest morphs into a passion if it does great if it doesn’t doesn’t really
does great if it doesn’t doesn’t really
does great if it doesn’t doesn’t really matter get the next interest and rub
matter get the next interest and rub
matter get the next interest and rub that against the world yeah it’s far
that against the world yeah it’s far
that against the world yeah it’s far more about the proactive search than it
more about the proactive search than it
more about the proactive search than it is the destination so invest in the
is the destination so invest in the
is the destination so invest in the interesting and the rest will follow so
interesting and the rest will follow so
interesting and the rest will follow so there you have it the five reflections
there you have it the five reflections
there you have it the five reflections develop a personal guide in principle
develop a personal guide in principle
develop a personal guide in principle have a plan regularly review life
have a plan regularly review life
have a plan regularly review life balance be where the talent myth and
balance be where the talent myth and
balance be where the talent myth and invest in the interesting I’m going to
invest in the interesting I’m going to
invest in the interesting I’m going to leave you with just one conclude in sort
leave you with just one conclude in sort
leave you with just one conclude in sort of observation when I was asked to give
of observation when I was asked to give
of observation when I was asked to give this talk a few weeks ago I hurriedly
this talk a few weeks ago I hurriedly
this talk a few weeks ago I hurriedly went around and conducted an informal
went around and conducted an informal
went around and conducted an informal survey grabs my friends and
survey grabs my friends and
survey grabs my friends and acquaintances down the streets and the
acquaintances down the streets and the
acquaintances down the streets and the corridors I said look if you go up in
corridors I said look if you go up in
corridors I said look if you go up in this stage and you had to opine on this
this stage and you had to opine on this
this stage and you had to opine on this matter what would you say and I was
matter what would you say and I was
matter what would you say and I was really struck by two phrases that kept
really struck by two phrases that kept
really struck by two phrases that kept coming back over and over again
coming back over and over again
coming back over and over again so I’m going to leave those with you but
so I’m going to leave those with you but
so I’m going to leave those with you but in so doing I’m definitely gonna jump
in so doing I’m definitely gonna jump
in so doing I’m definitely gonna jump into pit ol number two I just want to
into pit ol number two I just want to
into pit ol number two I just want to say I wish you every future success
say I wish you every future success
say I wish you every future success travel well
travel well
travel well [Applause]
”
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