Do you love your work?
July 16, 2008If you were to hazard a guess, what percentage of people do you think truly love what they are currently doing at work? I’m not sure where the statistics come from, but according to Steve Denning …
It’s a miserable 6%! That means 94% of people are in various stages of disinterest, disillusion or despair as to how they are spending most of their waking time on this planet.
Welcome to Flying Solo Readers
June 24, 2008
Just a short note to welcome readers from Flying Solo. Robert Gerrish just let me know that a book review I recently wrote was featured on the site and linked back here. Wow!
This is probably your first time here - so let me give you a quick low-down.
This is both my business and personal website. I believe that the two roles can’t be neatly separated, so I don’t try. We take who we are into everything we do.
I’d like to think that my website is an outpost for divergent thinkers, but in reality it’s more of a parking lot for some of my thoughts and interests.
I recently started my solo journey, and freelance as a facilitator. I’m passionate about discovering more human, productive, and creative ways for people to work together. A lot of the work I do involves face-to-face meetings, which I love. I also have a lot of experience in the online space, using social software (blogs, wikis, twitter etc.) and other technology to create loose ties and foster collaboration.
Thanks for dropping by. If you’d like to get in touch with me and have a conversation, you’ll find my details on the contact page.
I’ve awoken my inner adventurer
June 18, 2008I’ve been busy over the last couple of weeks. Much to do and see. Since starting out on my solo journey, I’ve rediscovered my inner adventurer and I’ve been exploring. It’s been good to have the time to wander and try some different things and to pursue new interests.
Here’s a couple of things that have been occupying my thoughts, and my time outside of normal ‘business’ activities:
Podcasting: I’m writing this post having just finished recording my first podcast as a host. For episode #40 of the Productivity Show, the tables have been turned and I interviewed regular host Tony Goodson. I really enjoyed the interview and the process, so hopefully that comes through. We had an interesting chat anyway. So, it’s in the can — you’ll just have to wait a couple of days for post-production and publishing on TPN. I’ll post a link when it’s up.
Complexity: My friend, and fellow facilitator Viv McWaters has been writing some really good posts. I loved her description of an a-ha! moment she had when looking at Shawn’s sketchkast on the Cynefin model and complexity. I remember having a similar moment when I read a Kurz and Snowden paper. I also enjoyed reading this post because of her pondering on the need to be doing vs. being. It certainly expanded my thinking on my approach to productivity. I think that I might of mentioned something about this in today’s podcast.
Solopreneurship: I’m not alone. A couple of other friends–Michael and Keith have also just started out on their own and are busy setting up their respective businesses. We certainly have lots in common. Keith is busy helping to ramp up the Melbourne KMLF again for Knowledge Management practitioners. Michael is back blogging and has written some interesting articles of late. Well worth a look if you’re interested in the intersection between technology and the human face of business. I’ll be keeping a close eye on their progress, and wish them well — good luck guys!
Social Media: I’m really looking forward to this. Finally, Melbourne gets a Digital|Social Media conference: PubCamp Melbourne on 23rd June. It should be a great event. The format is a little different to your standard conference–it will be divided into 1. a more formal conference style and 2. an unconference–which I’m really happy about. An unconference is similar to Open Space Technology — it’s largely self-directed, and so should be less structured and hopefully more engaging and conversational than normal.
Micro-blogging: I’m really enjoying the conversations on Twitter and the feeling of connectedness. It’s tough sometimes working at home by yourself and feeling isolated. A couple of tweets have made me laugh, a couple have made me gasp. None have made me cry (yet). Who needs a water-cooler for those off-the-cuff conversations anyway? Follow me if you’d like.
Required viewing
May 26, 2008Watched a couple of really good talks over the weekend. I enjoyed both of them a lot.
Clay Shirky at Web 2.0 Expo SF 2008: Clay’s talk centers on the notion that in today’s modern society, there is a massive cognitive surplus, or untapped source of brain power. He tries to debunk the often heard phrase aimed at technophiles and ‘geeks’ — “where do people find the time?”
In his presentation he cites some staggering statistics, which are not only compelling on their own, but support his argument well. He calculated the amount of time American’s watch TV to be in the vicinity of 200 billion hours per year, which is equal to 200 wikipedia projects per year. Imagine what we could achieve if we re-directed this type of energy — use this surplus in a more positive way? A thought provoking presentation.
Paul Graham at Startup School 08: Paul’s presentation is an interesting look at why start-ups should not worry about the money too much, and act more like a not-for-profit in the early stages. He argues that being benevolent improves moral; helps you to be decisive and makes other people want to help you.
He recommends the adoption of Google’s “don’t be evil” model, and concludes by urging not to be satisfied with simply ‘not being evil’, but to be good! I found one of the best takeaways was the advice: “Cheap to run = Hard to kill”, sage advice for a start-up, even a micro-one like my own.
Anyhow, go see for yourself.
Serendipity
May 8, 2008Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you’ve found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for. — Lawrence Block
I’m finding it quite amazing: a number of opportunities and serendipitous events have popped up since I made the announcement about going solo. It’s quite staggering.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. At other times in my life when I’ve taken risks, unexpected things have happened — and usually for the better. Perhaps it has less to do with being in the right place at the right time and is more about putting yourself in the right position creates the right time? Or perhaps it’s because of emergence - patterns arising out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions? I’m getting philosophical now and wading in way too deep.
I’m not trying to brag about my ’success’ on day 3 - after all they’re just opportunities. I haven’t hit pay dirt, nor am I receiving buyout offers (yet). I mention it because it might be relevant to you other would-be entrepreneurs out there who are waiting to take destiny into your own hands, but just haven’t quite made the leap over the chasm. I hope it inspires you to throw caution to the wind and to set sail on your own adventure. Perhaps your big opportunity is sitting there waiting for you to make the next move?
A big thanks to all of my friends and colleagues who’ve sent me notes wishing me well, and for those who’ve been kind enough to put my name forward; to beat the jungle drums; to care. Cheers.
