My heart raced, palms clammy, and sweat dripping down my forehead - it was a sign that something wasn't right - it was the forewarning of a panic attack. As I began to wind down for the day, my anxiety levels started to rise. My tell-tale signs had made their presence known. At University, I had just finished an intense conversation revolving around topics such as CVS, cover letters, internships, and assessment centers - which are common things to discuss. At the time, I had no idea what direction my life would take and so I blindly applied for various things, just like everyone else. Seeing my peers succeeding while receiving rejection after rejection left me feeling like a complete failure. Constantly hearing the word "no" can lead to very negative feelings of worthlessness. Covid-19 had a surprisingly magical impact on my life giving me an unexpected pause to reflect upon what I really wanted in life. This time was ironic yet much needed, allowing me to comprehend the future of my own journey. While in lockdown due to the pandemic, I did a lot of introspection - through meditation, journaling and research. And kept asking myself this question: "What impact do I want to have on this world?" Remembering the phrase "moment mori" from stoic philosophy can help you think about one of life's most important questions: "What is the meaning of life?" It is a Latin phrase which, when translated to English, means “Remember that you are going to die.” I wish to live my life in such a way that, when I'm on my death bed and reflecting on it, I can say that I did all I wanted regardless of the outcome; not wishing for something that I could have done. To put it briefly, I want to live without regrets.
With regard to this question of what impact I wanted to have on the world, my answer was entrepreneurship; a way to solve complex problems through technology and a team that is equally passionate about tackling those issues. In this talk, I want us to explore this concept together. I'm seeking to have this space for my reflections and to provide an opportunity for you to use as inspiration. It may differ from what I share but I wanted to open up this channel of thought in the hope it ignites ideas in you. The question I ponder is, what impact do I want to have on this world? With this thought in mind, I believe that if we are to dedicate the majority of our lives during work, we should strive to find out what it is we truly enjoy doing. The rejection funnel is a helpful mental model for those of us who don't necessarily have the privilege of knowledge. It involves understanding how to deal with rejection in an efficient way. The typical approach I like to take is focused on creating a "funnel" that will make processing and learning from the experience easier. By saying "yes" to as many things as you can, and then narrowing it down by saying "no", you spread your surface area of opportunity as wide as possible and begin to identify what you truly enjoy doing. This process of elimination helps discover the core of what you are passionate about.
At University, I had no clue about my future, as I already mentioned before. However, I was still uncertain about what path to take. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so to figure it out, I used a rejection funnel. This served me well, as I couldn't just sit there and wait for inspiration - instead of letting myself be stuck in uncertainty. I tried to broaden my network by attending various University Society events, which included sessions, meetups and more. In hindsight, I think I may have gone overboard in the number of events I attended but it certainly increased my chances of finding new opportunities. For the next two years, I applied to an incubator on campus that was aiming to mentor startups with new ideas. One of these applications clicked and I was given the opportunity to take part in this program. I created a campus-wide brand, "Connect Us", designed to help students develop meaningful friendships. This was achieved with an algorithm that matches them to relevant on-campus events. Hundreds of students have already benefitted from this innovation. When I started, I had to say yes to many things in order to increase my surface area. However, once I found something that really appealed to me (building things, forming teams, idea generation and solving technological problems) and wanted to truly Master it; saying no became equally important.
Having meaningful work in life is an important consideration; it's vital that we take some time to reflect on what it means to pursue a career. To gain more insight into this issue, let us reflect on how much of our lives will be dedicated to work and how we can ensure our pursuits are meaningful. We're often told that we must stick to one career path or the other, rather than combining both. However, why can't we actually hold onto "both" options instead of limiting ourselves to just one? We should be able to have it all - this AND that. Two of my dearest friends, (though I won't reveal their identities), are living examples that really resonate with me. For those not familiar with what an Iron Man is, it's one of the toughest triathlons out there; and this first friend of mine is training for it while also writing a paid newsletter, coaching freelancers on how to become agency owners, and consulting on the future of work. On weekends, the second friend of mine works as a 3D graphics designer for hip-hop artists. During the rest of his time he dedicates himself to being a Management Consultant. They both have chosen to "and" rather than "or," and it has not only worked, but they are successfully making a living doing what they love. The people who inspire us have careers that are built on something special: a unique set of skills that suits their personality. They are constantly honing these skills and using them to make an impact on the world in a distinctive way. Finding meaning in your work and opportunities for income often surface when you put your efforts into the task at hand. In other words, by making a concerted effort to do a job well, potential rewards and financial benefits materialize.
My company, "Let’s Level Up", helps knowledge creators - typically coaches, consultants and experts - build their own online learning communities. People passionate about a particular topic share their expertise through courses, coaching and consulting. They provide content and foster community around it to monetize their knowledge. Some of them have been highly successful with this endeavor, managing to turn their passion into a full-time job by quitting their day-job. Indeed, they are doing so well that they have made a career switch and dedicated themselves to this pursuit. People are looking to supplement their primary income with this as a "side hustle": doing others' work. This provides extra income while working on the side. Today, the Creator and Passion Economy is a big macro trend that rewards individuals financially and socially for pursuing their passions. Individuals can now get paid for doing what they love, something that was previously unheard of. This movement encourages people to follow and pursue the things they love without having to worry about financial outcomes. If you have the ability to explore your curiosity and create a supportive community around yourself, you should take advantage of the opportunity! Gaining attention and teaching others will boost your success, allowing you to capitalize on those connections by selling products or services. Today, attention is the new oil. And by creating informational products, it's possible to develop multiple income streams and build a career from that. Of course, not everyone should do this but it is a valid option to consider if you are able to draw attention and acquire the necessary skill sets.
Some of you today might be good at origami, while others have skills in finance, technology, or product. The possible strengths among us are many and varied. My one request to you is to take some time - at least five minutes each day, or even an hour on the weekends - to discover what you truly like doing, no matter if you're a full-time student or have a full-time job. Take a few minutes each day, as well as a couple of hours on the weekends, to explore what you truly enjoy doing. Spend this time discovering your passions and finding out what really lights you up inside! You never know, you may just stumble upon something that you're so enthusiastic about, and you may even be able to make a living doing that - showing or teaching people your newfound knowledge. Careers do not have to be restricted by linearity, as we are often told. Rather, along with different interests, skills and careers accumulated together, our careers can form a strong portfolio that can provide a meaningful sense of cohesion.
Skills, Grades, and Education: do they still matter? We've discussed how to discover what you love doing and, subsequently, careers. Let's now focus on the significant role of education and the importance of having good grades and developing necessary skills. With the rapid changes in technology, by 2030 a shocking one billion people will need to be reskilled. This alarming yet thought-provoking realization has left us to question how we should respond. Graduating from University may mean that your education and qualifications are not necessarily be up to date with the fast-paced changes in industries, as they keep evolving quickly. While grades may matter today, and in the near future, it does not mean that your University degree is worthless. Rather, it is important to prioritize building certain tangible skills over time that may help you excel in your career now and for the future.
These three skills, which I believe have been essential for me and may be beneficial for others now and in the future, are: 1. Effective communication; 2. Building lasting relationships; 3. Adaptability to different learning techniques. Effective communication is an essential skill to possess, as it helps demonstrate that you can think clearly and express yourself succinctly. Being able to effectively write and speak with clarity will attract people who are looking to be around someone who can articulate their thoughts eloquently. By communicating effectively, you have the potential to find many opportunities: from finding a business partner, discovering new business ventures, or even getting hired. Prioritizing your communication skills should be a top priority. It cannot be emphasized enough how important building relationships is; an old saying states it's not what knowledge you possess, but the people you know that make all the difference in this highly connected society today. Nurturing those connections is of utmost importance. You are surrounded by Future Leaders - heads of organizations and possibly even your best friends. It is a group of people who have great potential to make an impact and be very influential in the future! Nurturing relationships is essential and by adding value, you can build strong connections over time. Whenever you have a chance, even if it means stretching outside your comfort zone, take the opportunity to build meaningful relationships as this may lead to mutual benefit and growth. The least talked about and undervalued ability is the capability to master the art of learning. Learning how to learn is an incredibly important skill, yet not one taught effectively in school. Industries are changing rapidly and with it, we must always find a way to upskill and adjust ourselves in order to succeed in the world of work. Each person's approach to learning these necessary skills may be different, but it is important to know how to learn effectively and efficiently. The best way to gain the skills needed for different opportunities and career pivots is to study effectively at University. Through attending courses, reading books, and gaining degrees you can build these skills and become virtually unstoppable! Understanding quickly, building mental models, and completing tasks faster are some methods which will help you progress. The best way to learn, according to Aristotle, is through acting: failing, figuring it out and repeating the process over. I wholeheartedly agree with this. The only approach that can yield results is by taking action.
At the end of this talk, I want to emphasize something very important - the difference between academic and university life. We often hear about this gap and I wanted to discuss it before we finish. You need to go quickly and efficiently in terms of career transitions and, consequently, life. To ensure successful speed of progress you need to strategize and move swiftly. Speed may be important, but velocity is even more so. Moving quickly, without a purposeful direction, won't get you anywhere. It's the velocity - speed in the right direction - that makes the difference. I want to have a positive impact on this world. To do this, we must pause and carefully consider our options together. Writing down what comes to mind can help us work towards our collective goals. What kind of meaningful impact do you hope to make?
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/