Tag: writing

Working out loud

Posted on by philipdodson
Bernie working out loud on our new website
Bernie working out loud on our new website

So the term ‘working out loud’ belongs to John Stepper, I’m just borrowing the concept, rather than claiming it as my idea.

It’s an ace idea about sharing your work, well sharing it out loud.

I rarely mention my coworking business in my blogs here, however, I am on a mission at the moment to put my why back into the business and to make sure the why, how and what are in total harmony.

I blog, periscope and post stuff on Facebook, all about the need to do something about the industrialised system that we currently suffer, however, like all armchair critics, there is mainly a good deal of talk and not a lot of action. Well not anymore.

So I am currently working with Bernie, that’s my super cool mate who knows Seth Godin (apparently), and we are redesigning @Work Hubs into the New World Project, which will take the business on a journey to start creating an alternative i.e. doing something about it, instead of talking.

It’s a long journey, as two blokes can’t change the world on their own, and you have to start with small community changes first. Then momentum will take it further along the road.

We decided that we are going to work out loud and share the journey.

For two reasons, firstly, it will help 2 of the world’s biggest talkers be publicly accountable, and more likely to ‘ship’ something.

Secondly, we hope by sharing it, we will help others, when they have to face changes in their business.

Also, to inspire others that you can make changes to the world, however, big or small, that will make a difference.

So we’ve started – to read more then click here.

That’s it, back to my usual blogs here tomorrow.

It’s a lonely road

Posted on by philipdodson

IMG_3361

If it was easy creating great things, we’d all be at it everyday, and then nothing would be created that was worthwhile or unique. Creating something different, unique, and new, takes time, takes effort, bravery and imagination.

It takes patience, through trial and error, through learning lessons and improving what you create next. The key though is to keep creating, keep sharing and keep connecting with others.

This initial phase of standing out, not fitting in, challenging the status quo, and challenging yourself, is the hardest part. It is a lonely place being different, it often means being ‘unfriended’, ‘unfollowed’ or simply ignored (OMG the terror, surely I am going to die).

The first thing that has to drive us to create, is pure and simply for ourselves, for our own sense of fulfilment and purpose. We have to follow our own why, our own values and be 100% ourselves in order to create the very best stuff. We also have to accept vulnerability and we have to learn courage.

Often though that takes us so far out of our safety zones that it is too scary to start. Even once you have started, the temptation is to row back to shore, especially as your peers are beckoning you back to ‘safety’.

As you drift further and further from shore, the journey gets very lonely. You start to question, you start to think about defeat, the chimp inside us is going mad with the stress you are putting him or her under.

The road to creating your very best, truly you, is a lonely road.

But the only way to be truly you, to be truly happy is to make that initial lonely journey to a better place. It starts with a choice to change, followed by being prepared to take that lonely road.

Eventually though you find your tribe, you find your place, and your creations get shared with the right audience that you have chosen.