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The Power of No: Making Rejection Work for You | Ann Akin | TEDxRoyalCentralSchool


hi everyone my name is Anakin and I am

hi everyone my name is Anakin and I am an actor and I run a theater company I’m

an actor and I run a theater company I’m

an actor and I run a theater company I’m not a scientist and I’m not a

not a scientist and I’m not a

not a scientist and I’m not a psychologist I’m Ally fist so I felt

psychologist I’m Ally fist so I felt

psychologist I’m Ally fist so I felt really smug when I was writing this talk

really smug when I was writing this talk

really smug when I was writing this talk I was like new term but I googled it and

I was like new term but I googled it and

I was like new term but I googled it and actually Ally fist is a person who

actually Ally fist is a person who

actually Ally fist is a person who remains and stands resilient in the face

remains and stands resilient in the face

remains and stands resilient in the face of adversity seeks to answer their

of adversity seeks to answer their

of adversity seeks to answer their calling to becoming the best and truest

calling to becoming the best and truest

calling to becoming the best and truest version of themselves I mean it works so

version of themselves I mean it works so

version of themselves I mean it works so it’s fine so today I’m gonna talk to you

it’s fine so today I’m gonna talk to you

it’s fine so today I’m gonna talk to you about the power of no and make him

about the power of no and make him

about the power of no and make him ejection work for you but I’m gonna use

ejection work for you but I’m gonna use

ejection work for you but I’m gonna use my life as a case study I’m Ally fist

my life as a case study I’m Ally fist

my life as a case study I’m Ally fist seven years ago I was 26 years old I’m

seven years ago I was 26 years old I’m

seven years ago I was 26 years old I’m sleeping on my dad sofa working in a

sleeping on my dad sofa working in a

sleeping on my dad sofa working in a call center with people that I like but

call center with people that I like but

call center with people that I like but I’m doing a job that I hate and I’m also

I’m doing a job that I hate and I’m also

I’m doing a job that I hate and I’m also about to be voluntarily unemployed if

about to be voluntarily unemployed if

about to be voluntarily unemployed if I’m honest so I’m actually a bit

I’m honest so I’m actually a bit

I’m honest so I’m actually a bit depressed and I’m in constant wonderment

depressed and I’m in constant wonderment

depressed and I’m in constant wonderment about whether the thing that I’ve wanted

about whether the thing that I’ve wanted

about whether the thing that I’ve wanted to do in my whole life act is actually

to do in my whole life act is actually

to do in my whole life act is actually the thing that I should be trying to do

the thing that I should be trying to do

the thing that I should be trying to do with my life I’m also about to be dumped

with my life I’m also about to be dumped

with my life I’m also about to be dumped by this guy that I know I’m not bothered

by this guy that I know I’m not bothered

by this guy that I know I’m not bothered about obviously my first two powerful no

about obviously my first two powerful no

about obviously my first two powerful no okay so the studies showed that there

okay so the studies showed that there

okay so the studies showed that there are areas in the brain that are

are areas in the brain that are

are areas in the brain that are activated when we experience rejection

activated when we experience rejection

activated when we experience rejection that are saying to the areas are

that are saying to the areas are

that are saying to the areas are activated when we experience physical

activated when we experience physical

activated when we experience physical pain that’s why when we’re rejected it

pain that’s why when we’re rejected it

pain that’s why when we’re rejected it hurts so much so I was I was pained so

hurts so much so I was I was pained so

hurts so much so I was I was pained so back to this glamorous place of sleeping

back to this glamorous place of sleeping

back to this glamorous place of sleeping without so firm rejection and

without so firm rejection and

without so firm rejection and unemployment this is where I learned the

unemployment this is where I learned the

unemployment this is where I learned the power of no my first play I wrote sing

power of no my first play I wrote sing

power of no my first play I wrote sing in a call center hating my job and

in a call center hating my job and

in a call center hating my job and little did I know then that that play

little did I know then that that play

little did I know then that that play that I wrote on paper that I’d borrowed

that I wrote on paper that I’d borrowed

that I wrote on paper that I’d borrowed from the printer and I and you know

from the printer and I and you know

from the printer and I and you know sitting behind a computer screen

sitting behind a computer screen

sitting behind a computer screen pretending to answer customer service

pretending to answer customer service

pretending to answer customer service emails little did I know that that was

emails little did I know that that was

emails little did I know that that was the beginning of the journey that I was

the beginning of the journey that I was

the beginning of the journey that I was about to go

about to go

about to go – from creating my own work to starting

– from creating my own work to starting

– from creating my own work to starting two companies to working for myself to

two companies to working for myself to

two companies to working for myself to have an employees how do I get there

have an employees how do I get there

have an employees how do I get there so back to sleeping on the sofa and

so back to sleeping on the sofa and

so back to sleeping on the sofa and being dumped by X so don’t touch me I

being dumped by X so don’t touch me I

being dumped by X so don’t touch me I mean you can judge me it’s fine whatever

mean you can judge me it’s fine whatever

mean you can judge me it’s fine whatever but initially I I decided to start a

but initially I I decided to start a

but initially I I decided to start a company and reduce my own play because I

company and reduce my own play because I

company and reduce my own play because I thought if I did he change his mind so

thought if I did he change his mind so

thought if I did he change his mind so it actually was a get a boy to want me

it actually was a get a boy to want me

it actually was a get a boy to want me back then nice I cringe at the time my

back then nice I cringe at the time my

back then nice I cringe at the time my best friend

best friend

best friend she’d been asking me for ages to start a

she’d been asking me for ages to start a

she’d been asking me for ages to start a theatre company she asked me so many

theatre company she asked me so many

theatre company she asked me so many times and my answer was always no no no

times and my answer was always no no no

times and my answer was always no no no but hop skip to being dumped by boy and

but hop skip to being dumped by boy and

but hop skip to being dumped by boy and getting a powerful no and I’m like yes

getting a powerful no and I’m like yes

getting a powerful no and I’m like yes babe babe yes let’s start a company I’ve

babe babe yes let’s start a company I’ve

babe babe yes let’s start a company I’ve got a plan and I did have a plan

got a plan and I did have a plan

got a plan and I did have a plan I had I get the X want me back plan

I had I get the X want me back plan

I had I get the X want me back plan which I didn’t say out loud obviously

which I didn’t say out loud obviously

which I didn’t say out loud obviously but if we forget about the source of the

but if we forget about the source of the

but if we forget about the source of the rejection for a moment if we forget

rejection for a moment if we forget

rejection for a moment if we forget about that and we look closely you’ll

about that and we look closely you’ll

about that and we look closely you’ll see that it was because of the rejection

see that it was because of the rejection

see that it was because of the rejection that I was able to motivate myself

that I was able to motivate myself

that I was able to motivate myself without feeling that pain in my chest

without feeling that pain in my chest

without feeling that pain in my chest that’s what I needed strangely I needed

that’s what I needed strangely I needed

that’s what I needed strangely I needed that no but in order to execute the

that no but in order to execute the

that no but in order to execute the overriding plan get X back I needed to

overriding plan get X back I needed to

overriding plan get X back I needed to actually make a path okay so the mission

actually make a path okay so the mission

actually make a path okay so the mission to start a company and write a play

to start a company and write a play

to start a company and write a play sure so at first I’m going to check if X

sure so at first I’m going to check if X

sure so at first I’m going to check if X wants me back no oh okay sure well I’ve

wants me back no oh okay sure well I’ve

wants me back no oh okay sure well I’ve got plans he’ll see okay so start a

got plans he’ll see okay so start a

got plans he’ll see okay so start a company right play sure a shift happened

company right play sure a shift happened

company right play sure a shift happened you don’t know it became quite powerful

you don’t know it became quite powerful

you don’t know it became quite powerful this shift happened and that rejection

this shift happened and that rejection

this shift happened and that rejection it it made me passionate and there’s two

it it made me passionate and there’s two

it it made me passionate and there’s two ways that we can use rejection right we

ways that we can use rejection right we

ways that we can use rejection right we can either allow it to sit on our chest

can either allow it to sit on our chest

can either allow it to sit on our chest of chest shoulders see on our shoulders

of chest shoulders see on our shoulders

of chest shoulders see on our shoulders and weigh us down or we can shift it off

and weigh us down or we can shift it off

and weigh us down or we can shift it off our shoulders and put it into our belly

our shoulders and put it into our belly

our shoulders and put it into our belly and allow it to be that thing that Spurs

and allow it to be that thing that Spurs

and allow it to be that thing that Spurs us on the only way that that no can be

us on the only way that that no can be

us on the only way that that no can be powerful is if a shift happens now it’s

powerful is if a shift happens now it’s

powerful is if a shift happens now it’s not easy it’s not easy tasks like I said

not easy it’s not easy tasks like I said

not easy it’s not easy tasks like I said you know remember neurologically

you know remember neurologically

you know remember neurologically rejection can feel like physical pain it

rejection can feel like physical pain it

rejection can feel like physical pain it hurts in this industry that I’m in and

hurts in this industry that I’m in and

hurts in this industry that I’m in and that some of you about to walk into or

that some of you about to walk into or

that some of you about to walk into or do you know even life in general we

do you know even life in general we

do you know even life in general we receive so many knows we get more

receive so many knows we get more

receive so many knows we get more rejection than we do the yes that we’re

rejection than we do the yes that we’re

rejection than we do the yes that we’re so desperately seeking at times is

so desperately seeking at times is

so desperately seeking at times is something that we feel but we can use

something that we feel but we can use

something that we feel but we can use that feeling and I felt it but the work

that feeling and I felt it but the work

that feeling and I felt it but the work and the company suddenly became more

and the company suddenly became more

and the company suddenly became more interesting to me than the initial plan

interesting to me than the initial plan

interesting to me than the initial plan I didn’t care about that anymore I

I didn’t care about that anymore I

I didn’t care about that anymore I started to get really excited about what

started to get really excited about what

started to get really excited about what I wanted my company to look like and who

I wanted my company to look like and who

I wanted my company to look like and who would as have a people I wanted to work

would as have a people I wanted to work

would as have a people I wanted to work with what places that I want my plays to

with what places that I want my plays to

with what places that I want my plays to be on I stopped caring about that first

be on I stopped caring about that first

be on I stopped caring about that first plan and this became the important plan

plan and this became the important plan

plan and this became the important plan I started to do some research and I

I started to do some research and I

I started to do some research and I wrote some lists right so the things on

wrote some lists right so the things on

wrote some lists right so the things on the list

the list

the list initially they started small like get

initially they started small like get

initially they started small like get business cards create a website redraft

business cards create a website redraft

business cards create a website redraft that play like physical pain we can’t

that play like physical pain we can’t

that play like physical pain we can’t ignore that feeling of rejection we feel

ignore that feeling of rejection we feel

ignore that feeling of rejection we feel it right and we use it so in the same

it right and we use it so in the same

it right and we use it so in the same way it goes from a severe pain into a

way it goes from a severe pain into a

way it goes from a severe pain into a mild bruise then you can move on and you

mild bruise then you can move on and you

mild bruise then you can move on and you make a plan I wash your plan what is it

make a plan I wash your plan what is it

make a plan I wash your plan what is it don’t don’t worry about how achievable

don’t don’t worry about how achievable

don’t don’t worry about how achievable you may think it’s gonna be but what do

you may think it’s gonna be but what do

you may think it’s gonna be but what do you want think about it

you want think about it

you want think about it because everything starts with a plan so

because everything starts with a plan so

because everything starts with a plan so I started my what I want to achieve plan

I started my what I want to achieve plan

I started my what I want to achieve plan list and boy did I feel good when I

list and boy did I feel good when I

list and boy did I feel good when I started to tick things off that list and

started to tick things off that list and

started to tick things off that list and it’s important to start small

it’s important to start small

it’s important to start small I started small but small things they

I started small but small things they

I started small but small things they turn into bigger things now at this

turn into bigger things now at this

turn into bigger things now at this point the only thing I know how to do is

point the only thing I know how to do is

point the only thing I know how to do is be me that’s all I have I don’t know how

be me that’s all I have I don’t know how

be me that’s all I have I don’t know how to write a play I don’t know how to

to write a play I don’t know how to

to write a play I don’t know how to start a company but I do know how to be

start a company but I do know how to be

start a company but I do know how to be me it’s really funny because the thing

me it’s really funny because the thing

me it’s really funny because the thing that ignited this that was rejected was

that ignited this that was rejected was

that ignited this that was rejected was me but

me but

me but all I have is me I was enough is the

all I have is me I was enough is the

all I have is me I was enough is the same way you are enough I didn’t have

same way you are enough I didn’t have

same way you are enough I didn’t have any money I didn’t know anyone I didn’t

any money I didn’t know anyone I didn’t

any money I didn’t know anyone I didn’t have any connections or any contacts I

have any connections or any contacts I

have any connections or any contacts I was enough and this isn’t to say that I

was enough and this isn’t to say that I

was enough and this isn’t to say that I was what I needed no but it had to start

was what I needed no but it had to start

was what I needed no but it had to start with me it couldn’t have started without

with me it couldn’t have started without

with me it couldn’t have started without me in the same way it can’t start

me in the same way it can’t start

me in the same way it can’t start without you you can do it whatever it

without you you can do it whatever it

without you you can do it whatever it may be so I start to sit there and I

may be so I start to sit there and I

may be so I start to sit there and I think about okay so what excites me

think about okay so what excites me

think about okay so what excites me about me creatively what is unique about

about me creatively what is unique about

about me creatively what is unique about me creatively who are the creatives

me creatively who are the creatives

me creatively who are the creatives around me that can do the things that I

around me that can do the things that I

around me that can do the things that I can’t do a certain I really thought

can’t do a certain I really thought

can’t do a certain I really thought about the answers to those questions and

about the answers to those questions and

about the answers to those questions and then I play to my strengths so I know

then I play to my strengths so I know

then I play to my strengths so I know how to dance and I like music and a bit

how to dance and I like music and a bit

how to dance and I like music and a bit of sign language I know how to write

of sign language I know how to write

of sign language I know how to write poetry well you know I’ve sat and I’ve

poetry well you know I’ve sat and I’ve

poetry well you know I’ve sat and I’ve watched my brother and my older brother

watched my brother and my older brother

watched my brother and my older brother produce music so I kind of knew how to

produce music so I kind of knew how to

produce music so I kind of knew how to write to music cool I know how to make

write to music cool I know how to make

write to music cool I know how to make friends and I had to be funny and I was

friends and I had to be funny and I was

friends and I had to be funny and I was asked to write questions and I also know

asked to write questions and I also know

asked to write questions and I also know that I can make up my own rules cool

that I can make up my own rules cool

that I can make up my own rules cool so I decided on my motto which was never

so I decided on my motto which was never

so I decided on my motto which was never give yourself a reason why not to do

give yourself a reason why not to do

give yourself a reason why not to do something and you know what because it’s

something and you know what because it’s

something and you know what because it’s like a good day I’m gonna give you that

like a good day I’m gonna give you that

like a good day I’m gonna give you that you can have it take it there’s my motto

you can have it take it there’s my motto

you can have it take it there’s my motto – you never give yourself a reason why

– you never give yourself a reason why

– you never give yourself a reason why not to do something I’m not going to do

not to do something I’m not going to do

not to do something I’m not going to do that because I don’t have any money well

that because I don’t have any money well

that because I don’t have any money well then work some extra hours I’m not going

then work some extra hours I’m not going

then work some extra hours I’m not going to do that because I’m lacking a skill

to do that because I’m lacking a skill

to do that because I’m lacking a skill okay then find a team I’m not going to

okay then find a team I’m not going to

okay then find a team I’m not going to do that because I don’t know something

do that because I don’t know something

do that because I don’t know something okay well do some research and ask some

okay well do some research and ask some

okay well do some research and ask some questions I’m not going to do that

questions I’m not going to do that

questions I’m not going to do that because I don’t know anyone well then go

because I don’t know anyone well then go

because I don’t know anyone well then go forth and make some friends

forth and make some friends

forth and make some friends it may have may feel awkward and it may

it may have may feel awkward and it may

it may have may feel awkward and it may be a bit scary but never give yourself a

be a bit scary but never give yourself a

be a bit scary but never give yourself a reason why not to do something cool so

reason why not to do something cool so

reason why not to do something cool so I’ve all of the above I’ve got that I’ve

I’ve all of the above I’ve got that I’ve

I’ve all of the above I’ve got that I’ve put it in a pot I’ve shook it up and I’m

put it in a pot I’ve shook it up and I’m

put it in a pot I’ve shook it up and I’m saying to myself okay let’s start a

saying to myself okay let’s start a

saying to myself okay let’s start a company

company

company first step fundamental I think it’s

first step fundamental I think it’s

first step fundamental I think it’s really important to find someone to

really important to find someone to

really important to find someone to learn from you know even when you become

learn from you know even when you become

learn from you know even when you become skip skilled at the thing that you want

skip skilled at the thing that you want

skip skilled at the thing that you want to do your experience there’s still so

to do your experience there’s still so

to do your experience there’s still so much to learn so my best friend and I we

much to learn so my best friend and I we

much to learn so my best friend and I we start learning off a mentor of hers he’s

start learning off a mentor of hers he’s

start learning off a mentor of hers he’s a diver friend her friend’s dad he’s a

a diver friend her friend’s dad he’s a

a diver friend her friend’s dad he’s a director and he says you know what you

director and he says you know what you

director and he says you know what you guys just start an all-female theater

guys just start an all-female theater

guys just start an all-female theater company I’m gonna give you a play and

company I’m gonna give you a play and

company I’m gonna give you a play and I’ll direct you in this play and also

I’ll direct you in this play and also

I’ll direct you in this play and also I’m gonna give you the name of your

I’m gonna give you the name of your

I’m gonna give you the name of your company

company

company so we’re fired up we’re excited we put a

so we’re fired up we’re excited we put a

so we’re fired up we’re excited we put a call out for you know women to audition

call out for you know women to audition

call out for you know women to audition we hold auditions with our director

we hold auditions with our director

we hold auditions with our director we’ve got company of women yes we’ve got

we’ve got company of women yes we’ve got

we’ve got company of women yes we’ve got a play we’ve got a plan we’re ready to

a play we’ve got a plan we’re ready to

a play we’ve got a plan we’re ready to go yes and we have a know our director

go yes and we have a know our director

go yes and we have a know our director mentor he changes his mind no no I see I

mentor he changes his mind no no I see I

mentor he changes his mind no no I see I can’t help you no I’m not going to

can’t help you no I’m not going to

can’t help you no I’m not going to direct you in that plane no you can’t

direct you in that plane no you can’t

direct you in that plane no you can’t have the name anymore oh I see I was

have the name anymore oh I see I was

have the name anymore oh I see I was reading and I and I know I read that

reading and I and I know I read that

reading and I and I know I read that evolutionary psychologists they believe

evolutionary psychologists they believe

evolutionary psychologists they believe that rejection served a vital part in

that rejection served a vital part in

that rejection served a vital part in our evolutionary past they said that the

our evolutionary past they said that the

our evolutionary past they said that the brain created triggers in our minds when

brain created triggers in our minds when

brain created triggers in our minds when we were about to be ostracized so those

we were about to be ostracized so those

we were about to be ostracized so those who had experienced real painful

who had experienced real painful

who had experienced real painful rejection they had an evolutionary

rejection they had an evolutionary

rejection they had an evolutionary advantage they saw the signals and they

advantage they saw the signals and they

advantage they saw the signals and they were able to create corrects their

were able to create corrects their

were able to create corrects their behavior so that they could stay within

behavior so that they could stay within

behavior so that they could stay within a troop right so that’s why when you use

a troop right so that’s why when you use

a troop right so that’s why when you use rejection to motivate you time and time

rejection to motivate you time and time

rejection to motivate you time and time again you can achieve things beyond your

again you can achieve things beyond your

again you can achieve things beyond your imagination so my friend she’s looking

imagination so my friend she’s looking

imagination so my friend she’s looking at this rejection but at this point I’m

at this rejection but at this point I’m

at this rejection but at this point I’m starting to learn the power of no right

starting to learn the power of no right

starting to learn the power of no right she’s looking at she’s like we don’t

she’s looking at she’s like we don’t

she’s looking at she’s like we don’t have a mentor we don’t have a name and

have a mentor we don’t have a name and

have a mentor we don’t have a name and so I take that no off our shoulders and

so I take that no off our shoulders and

so I take that no off our shoulders and I put it in the fire that’s already in

I put it in the fire that’s already in

I put it in the fire that’s already in my belly and I say it’s cool come over I

my belly and I say it’s cool come over I

my belly and I say it’s cool come over I will just learn as we go

will just learn as we go

will just learn as we go we’ve got company girls now we’ll call

we’ve got company girls now we’ll call

we’ve got company girls now we’ll call ourself into star production and let’s

ourself into star production and let’s

ourself into star production and let’s keep it moving let’s go

keep it moving let’s go

keep it moving let’s go but I’m saying to myself to note we need

but I’m saying to myself to note we need

but I’m saying to myself to note we need to we need to create some sort of buzz

to we need to create some sort of buzz

to we need to create some sort of buzz you know we’re an unknown company

you know we’re an unknown company

you know we’re an unknown company having a following why are people going

having a following why are people going

having a following why are people going to pay to see us in a show let’s create

to pay to see us in a show let’s create

to pay to see us in a show let’s create a bus where do we want off work hon we

a bus where do we want off work hon we

a bus where do we want off work hon we don’t know anyone we need to infiltrate

don’t know anyone we need to infiltrate

don’t know anyone we need to infiltrate these places I said to ourselves we need

these places I said to ourselves we need

these places I said to ourselves we need to work hard first so at the time there

to work hard first so at the time there

to work hard first so at the time there were two places I really really wanted

were two places I really really wanted

were two places I really really wanted my work was oval house and Soho Theatre

my work was oval house and Soho Theatre

my work was oval house and Soho Theatre these are the two places so I wrote it

these are the two places so I wrote it

these are the two places so I wrote it down I’ll give you that write down so my

down I’ll give you that write down so my

down I’ll give you that write down so my friend and I we’ve booked every play and

friend and I we’ve booked every play and

friend and I we’ve booked every play and every event at these places we are

every event at these places we are

every event at these places we are everywhere we’re doing everything our

everywhere we’re doing everything our

everywhere we’re doing everything our faces are everywhere we don’t know how

faces are everywhere we don’t know how

faces are everywhere we don’t know how to network but we’re playing to our

to network but we’re playing to our

to network but we’re playing to our strengths we’re silly we’re funny so

strengths we’re silly we’re funny so

strengths we’re silly we’re funny so we’re going inside these faces and wear

we’re going inside these faces and wear

we’re going inside these faces and wear this silly double act right and people

this silly double act right and people

this silly double act right and people laugh at us we’re making all these

laugh at us we’re making all these

laugh at us we’re making all these friends and at the tail end of every

friends and at the tail end of every

friends and at the tail end of every single conversation we say to know what

single conversation we say to know what

single conversation we say to know what bring this staff reductions we start

bring this staff reductions we start

bring this staff reductions we start listening company should come see our

listening company should come see our

listening company should come see our work and people started saying yes great

work and people started saying yes great

work and people started saying yes great okay

let me draw upon those bits of paper

let me draw upon those bits of paper that I wrote in the call centre my first

that I wrote in the call centre my first

that I wrote in the call centre my first play that became our buzz I created my

play that became our buzz I created my

play that became our buzz I created my first play called conversations with

first play called conversations with

first play called conversations with love

love

love now conversations was this spoken word

now conversations was this spoken word

now conversations was this spoken word dance drama that had music and sign

dance drama that had music and sign

dance drama that had music and sign language in it about the different types

language in it about the different types

language in it about the different types of conversations you could have with

of conversations you could have with

of conversations you could have with love I didn’t know how to write a play

love I didn’t know how to write a play

love I didn’t know how to write a play but I knew how to write poetry

but I knew how to write poetry

but I knew how to write poetry so spoken word I like dance I like music

so spoken word I like dance I like music

so spoken word I like dance I like music I’m learning sign let me throw all of

I’m learning sign let me throw all of

I’m learning sign let me throw all of that in this is what is going to create

that in this is what is going to create

that in this is what is going to create a buzz but it went from being this buzz

a buzz but it went from being this buzz

a buzz but it went from being this buzz thing to be in the thing this is what

thing to be in the thing this is what

thing to be in the thing this is what everyone wanted oh okay cool is only two

everyone wanted oh okay cool is only two

everyone wanted oh okay cool is only two of us it’s timing my friend but we’ve

of us it’s timing my friend but we’ve

of us it’s timing my friend but we’ve got this company of girls because we’re

got this company of girls because we’re

got this company of girls because we’re going to do this other play but

going to do this other play but

going to do this other play but conversations is what everyone is

conversations is what everyone is

conversations is what everyone is interested in we’re going into oval

interested in we’re going into oval

interested in we’re going into oval house we’re performing extracts we’re at

house we’re performing extracts we’re at

house we’re performing extracts we’re at all these places so I park this first

all these places so I park this first

all these places so I park this first idea and I

idea and I

idea and I right all those girls into this play and

right all those girls into this play and

right all those girls into this play and I keep it moving we’re doing loads of

I keep it moving we’re doing loads of

I keep it moving we’re doing loads of research we’re making friends I really

research we’re making friends I really

research we’re making friends I really remember Soho Theatre is my dream right

remember Soho Theatre is my dream right

remember Soho Theatre is my dream right really will go Soho I said my plate or

really will go Soho I said my plate or

really will go Soho I said my plate or Soho but on paper this it doesn’t really

Soho but on paper this it doesn’t really

Soho but on paper this it doesn’t really reads I mean it’s a dance drama music

reads I mean it’s a dance drama music

reads I mean it’s a dance drama music and sign language they read it and they

and sign language they read it and they

and sign language they read it and they go okay thank you but no I watch okay

go okay thank you but no I watch okay

go okay thank you but no I watch okay fine it’s cool remember I can make

fine it’s cool remember I can make

fine it’s cool remember I can make friends okay some research in I’m

friends okay some research in I’m

friends okay some research in I’m researching I’m finding other places

researching I’m finding other places

researching I’m finding other places that we can perform this play and I’ve

that we can perform this play and I’ve

that we can perform this play and I’ve made some friends in the industry and I

made some friends in the industry and I

made some friends in the industry and I invite them along and one of them

invite them along and one of them

invite them along and one of them happens to be a man who produces work

happens to be a man who produces work

happens to be a man who produces work and events at Soho Theatre he sees the

and events at Soho Theatre he sees the

and events at Soho Theatre he sees the show and he says you know what I’d love

show and he says you know what I’d love

show and he says you know what I’d love to produce this with you that’s our idea

to produce this with you that’s our idea

to produce this with you that’s our idea yes I did this in eight months I went

yes I did this in eight months I went

yes I did this in eight months I went from this know this rejection to have an

from this know this rejection to have an

from this know this rejection to have an accompany and a play that was being

accompany and a play that was being

accompany and a play that was being performed it’s so a theater in eight

performed it’s so a theater in eight

performed it’s so a theater in eight months but it all started with a note so

months but it all started with a note so

months but it all started with a note so I’ve got limited amount of time so I’m

I’ve got limited amount of time so I’m

I’ve got limited amount of time so I’m going to fast forward through this story

going to fast forward through this story

going to fast forward through this story and go forward a couple of years and

and go forward a couple of years and

and go forward a couple of years and finished I was doing really well

finished I was doing really well

finished I was doing really well actually we’ve we’re creating a nice

actually we’ve we’re creating a nice

actually we’ve we’re creating a nice little following we’re getting known in

little following we’re getting known in

little following we’re getting known in the industry where I’m trying to carve a

the industry where I’m trying to carve a

the industry where I’m trying to carve a little bit of a way for myself I’ve got

little bit of a way for myself I’ve got

little bit of a way for myself I’ve got a new agent I’m acting this is great but

a new agent I’m acting this is great but

a new agent I’m acting this is great but doesn’t sometimes we feel right and this

doesn’t sometimes we feel right and this

doesn’t sometimes we feel right and this is when I started to learn about the two

is when I started to learn about the two

is when I started to learn about the two different types of no so there is a no

different types of no so there is a no

different types of no so there is a no that we receive that we can turn into

that we receive that we can turn into

that we receive that we can turn into something powerful and then there’s also

something powerful and then there’s also

something powerful and then there’s also about learning the power of saying no

about learning the power of saying no

about learning the power of saying no especially when you’re in this industry

especially when you’re in this industry

especially when you’re in this industry in your freelance when you’re trying to

in your freelance when you’re trying to

in your freelance when you’re trying to make away you just want to you

make away you just want to you

make away you just want to you constantly feel like you have to always

constantly feel like you have to always

constantly feel like you have to always say yes being a woman you always taught

say yes being a woman you always taught

say yes being a woman you always taught that you have to say yes awesome anyway

that you have to say yes awesome anyway

that you have to say yes awesome anyway but I’m running this company with my

but I’m running this company with my

but I’m running this company with my friends and I love my friend to death I

friends and I love my friend to death I

friends and I love my friend to death I love this girl but running a company

love this girl but running a company

love this girl but running a company with her was difficult for me somebody

with her was difficult for me somebody

with her was difficult for me somebody doesn’t feel right for me and that I

doesn’t feel right for me and that I

doesn’t feel right for me and that I just don’t want to do it anymore and it

just don’t want to do it anymore and it

just don’t want to do it anymore and it didn’t really make sense it didn’t make

didn’t really make sense it didn’t make

didn’t really make sense it didn’t make sense and not

sense and not

sense and not want to do it because it was we were

want to do it because it was we were

want to do it because it was we were gaining traction it was you know I was

gaining traction it was you know I was

gaining traction it was you know I was making a name for myself our selves but

making a name for myself our selves but

making a name for myself our selves but I just you know we’re running it 50/50

I just you know we’re running it 50/50

I just you know we’re running it 50/50 for me it didn’t feel like 50% effort

for me it didn’t feel like 50% effort

for me it didn’t feel like 50% effort but she owned 50% are starting to resent

but she owned 50% are starting to resent

but she owned 50% are starting to resent it Thomas not feeling right and this let

it Thomas not feeling right and this let

it Thomas not feeling right and this let me just describe this isn’t a reflection

me just describe this isn’t a reflection

me just describe this isn’t a reflection of her as a person I love this is a

of her as a person I love this is a

of her as a person I love this is a wonderful woman but it’s a reflection of

wonderful woman but it’s a reflection of

wonderful woman but it’s a reflection of our working relationship it wasn’t

our working relationship it wasn’t

our working relationship it wasn’t working for me so we’re hitting a

working for me so we’re hitting a

working for me so we’re hitting a crossroad I’ve written I’ve written our

crossroad I’ve written I’ve written our

crossroad I’ve written I’ve written our second play we’re starting to go down a

second play we’re starting to go down a

second play we’re starting to go down a direction that I’m really passionate

direction that I’m really passionate

direction that I’m really passionate about mental health using drama for you

about mental health using drama for you

about mental health using drama for you know community engagement um I’ve got

know community engagement um I’ve got

know community engagement um I’ve got loads of different ideas up here as to

loads of different ideas up here as to

loads of different ideas up here as to where I want to go but I don’t want to

where I want to go but I don’t want to

where I want to go but I don’t want to run this company anymore with my friend

run this company anymore with my friend

run this company anymore with my friend and she’s leaving the country so I say

and she’s leaving the country so I say

and she’s leaving the country so I say okay well if you’re leaving I’m gonna

okay well if you’re leaving I’m gonna

okay well if you’re leaving I’m gonna obviously you know continue but with

obviously you know continue but with

obviously you know continue but with these ideas so just just just let me

these ideas so just just just let me

these ideas so just just just let me have it and she says I don’t want to do

have it and she says I don’t want to do

have it and she says I don’t want to do that yeah but you live in the country

that yeah but you live in the country

that yeah but you live in the country and so just let me have it I don’t want

and so just let me have it I don’t want

and so just let me have it I don’t want to do that we’re at this crossroads

to do that we’re at this crossroads

to do that we’re at this crossroads because I don’t I know the work that I

because I don’t I know the work that I

because I don’t I know the work that I want to do and I know one I have a

want to do and I know one I have a

want to do and I know one I have a company but I don’t want to continue in

company but I don’t want to continue in

company but I don’t want to continue in a partnership and she doesn’t want to

a partnership and she doesn’t want to

a partnership and she doesn’t want to let me have it

so I say no oh you can have it take it

so I say no oh you can have it take it I’m gonna step down I’m gonna have no

I’m gonna step down I’m gonna have no

I’m gonna step down I’m gonna have no company I’ll take with me you know my

company I’ll take with me you know my

company I’ll take with me you know my plays and my ideas but you can have it I

plays and my ideas but you can have it I

plays and my ideas but you can have it I said no okay so I’m back to I’ve got

said no okay so I’m back to I’ve got

said no okay so I’m back to I’ve got nothing you know so now I need to make a

nothing you know so now I need to make a

nothing you know so now I need to make a new plan I’m gonna learn from the

new plan I’m gonna learn from the

new plan I’m gonna learn from the rejection before those lessons those

rejection before those lessons those

rejection before those lessons those trigger signs and I’m going to correct

trigger signs and I’m going to correct

trigger signs and I’m going to correct my behavior and move forward so what am

my behavior and move forward so what am

my behavior and move forward so what am I going to do now at this point I’m

I going to do now at this point I’m

I going to do now at this point I’m writing a new plan and I saying to

writing a new plan and I saying to

writing a new plan and I saying to myself okay I want a company that

myself okay I want a company that

myself okay I want a company that business I know how to create work the

business I know how to create work the

business I know how to create work the people want to come to see I know how to

people want to come to see I know how to

people want to come to see I know how to create a buzz I know how to get you know

create a buzz I know how to get you know

create a buzz I know how to get you know people interested in what we’re doing

people interested in what we’re doing

people interested in what we’re doing but I don’t know how to generate money

but I don’t know how to generate money

but I don’t know how to generate money from this company so that I can live off

from this company so that I can live off

from this company so that I can live off it you know I I don’t want to be one of

it you know I I don’t want to be one of

it you know I I don’t want to be one of those actors or you know artistic

those actors or you know artistic

those actors or you know artistic directors nothing against anyone else

directors nothing against anyone else

directors nothing against anyone else but this is what I didn’t want who is

but this is what I didn’t want who is

but this is what I didn’t want who is acting but when they’re not acting is

acting but when they’re not acting is

acting but when they’re not acting is doing a job that they hate or has a

doing a job that they hate or has a

doing a job that they hate or has a company but they still have another job

company but they still have another job

company but they still have another job so I didn’t want that I said to myself

so I didn’t want that I said to myself

so I didn’t want that I said to myself this is what I want I want to be an

this is what I want I want to be an

this is what I want I want to be an actor when I’m not acting I wanna run my

actor when I’m not acting I wanna run my

actor when I’m not acting I wanna run my company so how do I do that I need to

company so how do I do that I need to

company so how do I do that I need to learn how to to run a business I need to

learn how to to run a business I need to

learn how to to run a business I need to learn about business but I don’t know

learn about business but I don’t know

learn about business but I don’t know anything about business we don’t have

anything about business we don’t have

anything about business we don’t have any money to start a course I don’t know

any money to start a course I don’t know

any money to start a course I don’t know so I I’m back to that metaphorical place

so I I’m back to that metaphorical place

so I I’m back to that metaphorical place I’ve been on my dad so far right but I

I’ve been on my dad so far right but I

I’ve been on my dad so far right but I am still I’m actually not on the safe

am still I’m actually not on the safe

am still I’m actually not on the safe anymore but I am broke so I’m at the

anymore but I am broke so I’m at the

anymore but I am broke so I’m at the call center I’m not the call center I’m

call center I’m not the call center I’m

call center I’m not the call center I’m at the Job Center I’m signing on and I

at the Job Center I’m signing on and I

at the Job Center I’m signing on and I remember there was one particular

remember there was one particular

remember there was one particular memorable meeting at the Job Center

memorable meeting at the Job Center

memorable meeting at the Job Center where they were making me feel a bit

where they were making me feel a bit

where they were making me feel a bit like you know this lazy lobster Job

like you know this lazy lobster Job

like you know this lazy lobster Job Center and what they do but this lazy

Center and what they do but this lazy

Center and what they do but this lazy girl doesn’t want to work and not

girl doesn’t want to work and not

girl doesn’t want to work and not educated and I got all righteous and I

educated and I got all righteous and I

educated and I got all righteous and I said no listen

said no listen

said no listen and I’m like metaphorically flipping

and I’m like metaphorically flipping

and I’m like metaphorically flipping tables and I’m like listen um I’m an

tables and I’m like listen um I’m an

tables and I’m like listen um I’m an actor I’m educated I have a plan okay

actor I’m educated I have a plan okay

actor I’m educated I have a plan okay now we’ll start business and I’m going

now we’ll start business and I’m going

now we’ll start business and I’m going on this like low volume dran it’s about

on this like low volume dran it’s about

on this like low volume dran it’s about you need to respect me and my idea is

you need to respect me and my idea is

you need to respect me and my idea is and as I finish that I’m getting ready

and as I finish that I’m getting ready

and as I finish that I’m getting ready to be like I’m so sorry it’s just stress

to be like I’m so sorry it’s just stress

to be like I’m so sorry it’s just stress I’m just trying to make it she says well

I’m just trying to make it she says well

I’m just trying to make it she says well you should be on the enterprise

you should be on the enterprise

you should be on the enterprise allowance and I’m like what’s that in my

allowance and I’m like what’s that in my

allowance and I’m like what’s that in my plan I said I need to learn about

plan I said I need to learn about

plan I said I need to learn about business I have no money to learn about

business I have no money to learn about

business I have no money to learn about business and have no money to start a

business and have no money to start a

business and have no money to start a business she says well the Enterprise

business she says well the Enterprise

business she says well the Enterprise Allowance

Allowance

Allowance is a scheme where if you’re looking for

is a scheme where if you’re looking for

is a scheme where if you’re looking for work but you want to start a business

work but you want to start a business

work but you want to start a business you can get free business training so

you can get free business training so

you can get free business training so you’re still getting all the benefits

you’re still getting all the benefits

you’re still getting all the benefits that you need but you get

that you need but you get

that you need but you get all of his business training at your

all of his business training at your

all of his business training at your fingertips for free and I had a business

fingertips for free and I had a business

fingertips for free and I had a business mentor so for three or four months I was

mentor so for three or four months I was

mentor so for three or four months I was learning about business for free the

learning about business for free the

learning about business for free the business mentor that I was assigned to

business mentor that I was assigned to

business mentor that I was assigned to you then is now on the board of my

you then is now on the board of my

you then is now on the board of my company years later and at the end of it

company years later and at the end of it

company years later and at the end of it I knew how to run a business to begin

I knew how to run a business to begin

I knew how to run a business to begin with and I had a successful business

with and I had a successful business

with and I had a successful business loan the information and the money

loan the information and the money

loan the information and the money so in short that’s how I went from being

so in short that’s how I went from being

so in short that’s how I went from being oh my dad so for being dumped by a boy

oh my dad so for being dumped by a boy

oh my dad so for being dumped by a boy so owning a business and having an

so owning a business and having an

so owning a business and having an office and employees it all started from

office and employees it all started from

office and employees it all started from oh no I was enough you are enough thank

oh no I was enough you are enough thank

oh no I was enough you are enough thank you

you

you [Applause]

”

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