Gloss february 2015 by GLOSS MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2015

GLOSS Founder & Editor in Chief JANINE GARNER | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Managing Editor KATE MATHESON | kate@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Contributing Editors Melissa Browne, Nikki Fogden-Moore, Adrian Morgan, Renata Cooper, Margot Andersen Featured This Month Seth Godin, Louise Agnew, Charlie Caruso, Dr Jenny Brockis,Tania Price, Sean Simmons, Blythe Chidgey, Carol Yang ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ads@glossmagazine.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@glossmagazine.com.au DESIGN INTERN Hayley Chiplin | lateralconjuring@gmail.com Published By: LBDGroup | littleblackdressgroup.com.au MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au kate@littleblackdressgroup.com.au ÂŠ LBDG 2014 All content in this newsletter is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of LBDG is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this online magazine at time of going to press, and we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. All rights reserved.

ISSUE No20

#LBDG #bebrave #netweave #collaborate #frommetowe

Conne

Inspire

ect Succeed what â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your big word? #lbdg2015

COMMERCIAL COLLABORATION ARE YOU READY? From Me to We shows business decision makers how the ability to effectively collaborate for mutual commercial benefit is the solution to future-proofing a business. Smashing the myth of the “Me Economy,” this insightful guide explains the model of Commercial Collaboration and the mindset and think-space it requires. Expanding upon Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” premise, this book emphasizes the need for continuous professional evolution and effort, and describes why women hold an important role in effecting change. Ideas are illustrated with examples, and backed by sector-specific research and interviews with business leaders who have seen real-world results of effective business collaboration. The Seven ReConnect Principles outline methods of realizing change, providing readers a way forward that will future-proof themselves, their careers, and their businesses. Collaboration isn’t just a soft skill that’s nice to have – it’s a vital business practice that affects the bottom line. As the way we do business continues to evolve, collaboration is becoming ever more crucial to steeling an organization against the threats of tomorrow. From Me to We is a practical handbook for more robust business strategy. If you have been programmed or conditioned by society to believe that success means achieving on your own, you need to realise that no one achieves wealth, happiness, success, long-lasting love or anything else without the guidance and support of others. Innovation starts with collaboration. I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without consciously working with people who share in my vision and desired outcomes. You are as successful as the people you are surrounded by and Janine has dedicated her whole working life collaborating with and bringing together like-minded people to ensure continued and sustainable success. --Layne Beachley, seven-time world champion surfer, speaker and author

Learn more about FROM ME TO WE at the website now Available at all good bookstores and online retailers #frommetowe

A Message From Me Welcome to GLOSS in February! And welcome to the first edition for 2015. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only fitting that we start a new year of the magazine with an issue dedicated to disruption; whether that comes in the form of personal disruption, disruptive business methods, or even looking differently at the way we date and meet future partners, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to change the game and disturb the status quo. One thing I have learned is that unless you are willing to take the time and make an investment in your own growth as a business man or woman, then you will stagnate and simply come to a standstill. Make 2015 your year of disruption, simply by gifting yourself the time to self-educate and invest in your own intelligence bank. It will make your fortune in more ways than one. Thanks to the amazing feedback we have received, here at GLOSS we are ourselves being disruptive, and going to market with the chance for like-minded businesses and individuals to advertise with us. Look within for further information. As always, I thank all of our team, including our regular contributors - in particular new GLOSS team members, Adrian Morgan and Margot Andersen. I also want to say farewell with tremendous thanks to Chris Allen, who has a new book out in his incredibly successful INTREPID series, Avenger, and is currently writing the fourth. Remember to Connect - Inspire - Succeed - and this time - Disrupt!

If you would like to write for GLOSS, please contact us via Kate or Janine

GLOSS FEATURES

FEBRU 18

AN ACCIDENTALLY BRILLIANT CAREER: An Exclusive Interview With Charlie Caruso

ENTROPOLIS - A VISION OF THE FUTURE:

An Exclusive Interview With Tania Price

Renata Cooper What’s In Store For Start-Ups In 2015?

Blythe Chidgey Top Tips from a Top Copywriter

MONEY MATTERS Mel Browne keeps our wallets healthy in 2015

Margot Andersen Are You Ready For Personal Disruption?

UARY ‘15 Sean Simmons We meet LBDG’s travel partner

Adrian Morgan Disruption, Dating... and The 21st Century Romance

Carol Yang In Conversation With the founder of Spring Forward

Learning To Fly: A Look Back At The Year That Was for The First Seeds Fund

NEWS & REVIEWS The best and bravest new business books, websites & blogs

LOIS LANE LIVES Disruption and superheroes - and possible supervillains.

YOUR GIFT FROM US ALL AT GLOSS An exclusive chapter from Seth Godin’s latest, greatest book

BODY & SOUL Nikki Fogden-Moore has our bodies in the best shape for the new year

FEB ‘15 FEB ‘15 Your Editorial Team JANINE GARNER Founder & Editor in Chief

“Togetherness – or collaboration – requires a plus and an equal sign. Togetherness can, and does, create the momentum of greatness.”

Janine Garner is a business woman and entrepreneur who is passionate about the return to open and transparent corporate relationships and the power of commercial collaboration in futureproofing careers and businesses.

She is the Founder and CEO of LBDGroup, a community of successful and results oriented business women and entrepreneurs working together to drive continued change and success.

Janine spent 20 years working across the world in corporate marketing roles for some of the luxury sector’s best brands including Ralph Lauren, Oroton Jaeger, Sainsbury’s Homebase and Citizen Watches. She is the winner of an International Stevie Award, a Top 10 finalist in the DARE Magazine Daredevil Awards and was listed in 2013 as one of Australia’s “Most Inspiring Women” by Madison Magazine.

Janine is a sought after keynote speaker, mentor and advisor. She writes every week for her own blog and is a regular commentator in the business print and online media.

Janine is also the founder of Australia’s first gift giving circle, the First Seeds Fund, committed to reducing the impact of poverty and abuse amongst women and children in our Australian backyards by focusing on education, community and employment.

KATE MATHESON Managing Editor

“A heart that loves is always young. And quite possibly perennially stuck in the 70s, but that’s a personal choice.” Managing Editor Kate Matheson is a ghostwriter, columnist, copy writer and editor who has a passion for all things social media and graphic design. If she isn’t living in someone else’s head, she is online or onscreen, or often both together. She is determined to bring her love of the written word, presented as beautifully as possible, to people whether they like it or not. She is the sole (at present) outpost of LBDGroup in WA, but is working very hard on changing this, and is proof positive that the power of a collaborative community is alive and well.

Find her in one of her various guises on Twitter at @oskythespy, read her own writing at What Kate Did Next or e-mail her at kate@typecast.com.au if you are looking for someone to time share your brain with.

WHAT DOES A LACK OF DIRECTION, FOCUS AND PLANNING COST YOU? IF YOU ARE WANTING TO: • achieve more • drive results and levels of personal and professional success • are ready to work and commit to greater success • get the passion back in to your work • shift thinking and perspective, to change your game • reignite your business/career passion • achieve step change in your results

THEN INVEST IN MENTORING IN 2015 WITH JANINE GARNER. As a trusted advisor, and experienced and results-driven business woman, Janine is one of Australia’s leading experts on leadership, belief and collaboration to gain greater commercial success, productivity and fulfilment. Time with Janine is invaluable to your personal and business growth, your big picture thinking, identifying and achieving your goals and what’s next. Contact her now to make 2015 YOUR year. Limited Spaces Available.

This Month’s Gamecchangers

FEB ‘15 CHARLIE CARUSO

“I like to test the limits and look at things differently – we aren’t reinventing the wheel, but we can do things better.”

Charlie Caruso is a Presenter of Curiosity Productions, an exciting new start-up offering businesses greater access to high quality video content. Charlie is also the Editor and Co-Author of Understanding Y, with whom she co-wrote with some of the biggest names in the “Gen Y” space worldwide. Charlie is also the Founder and CEO of PuggleFM and has been widely recognised for her contribution to ICT and within the start-up space, and was listed in the 30under30 (Young Entrepreneur Awards). She received the Special Inspiration Recognition Award at the 2013 WAITTA Awards Gala night for her contribution to ICT. She founded PuggleFM (disruptive radio model for parents), which was listed in Shoe String Australia’s Top 10 Start-ups for 2013, and is currently undergoing an exciting transitionary phase that will enable it to act as a NFP content platform to enable charities and non-for-profit organisations from around the world to share their stories to the wider community. PuggleFM was developed as an online radio and podcasting station created especially for parents and children. Since its inception, PuggleFM has found audiences in the US, Europe, across Australia and Asia looking for an alternative to commercial radio.

SETH GODIN

“Being present in the moment is a great way to engage with people who live in the moment.” Seth Godin is the author of 17 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow. In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth is founder of squidoo.com, a fast growing, easy to use website. His blog (which you can find by typing “seth” into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. Before his work as a writer and blogger, Godin was Vice President of Direct Marketing at Yahoo!, a job he got after selling them his pioneering 1990s online startup, Yoyodyne. In 2013, Godin was inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor. Recently, Godin once again set the book publishing on its ear by launching a series of four books via Kickstarter. The campaign reached its goal after three hours and ended up becoming the most successful book project ever done this way. In this issue, he has allowed GLOSS to share an EXCLUSIVE section of his brand new book WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN.

MELISSA BROWNE Contributing Editor Melissa Browne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, and shoe & jumpsuit lover. She has two successful, award-winning businesses - Accounting and Taxation Advantage & Business Advantage Coaching and is the author of the recently published to rave reviews business book, More Money for Shoes. She has also just branched out into a new venture with Rod Soper, thinkers.inq - go to the website to find out more about this incredibly innovative model for early childhood education. A regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, find Melissa on twitter at melbrowne_ or visit acctaxadv.com.au

NIKKI FOGDEN-MOORE Contributing Editor Nikki Fogden-Moore is all about practicing what she preaches – and what she preaches is balance. Balance between work, home and maintaining your personal best. The owner of Life’s A Gym, Nikki is a motivational speaker, trainer and all round powerhouse who will help bring your body and soul together. Connect with her on twitter @nfogdenmoore or visit www.thevitalitycoach.com.au

RENATA COOPER Renata is a visionary entrepreneur who seizes the moment and is pioneering financial change through social and ethical investment. In 2011, Renata founded Forming Circles aiming to change the way we do business through the power of giving. Committed to empowering people and ideas, through Forming Circles Renata improves the community locally and globally. She has invested in over 100 local and national businesses, individuals and organisations since its inception. Collectively the Forming Circles network reaches millions of people, Australia-wide on a daily basis. A woman of inspiration, Renata is an active philanthropist contributing to a number of projects including: Livvi’s Place Ryde – an all abilities playground in Ryde, Chalk Urban Art Festival, the 2013 Sydney Writers Festival and the anti- bullying short film ‘A Cautionary Tail’.

FEB ‘15

ADRIAN MORGAN

Adrian Morgan is a husband/father/ son/photographer/business consultant depending on his audience. With a fondness for dad jokes, he consistently frustrates the Managing Editor of this magazine as deadlines rush by.

Anointed a modern male by the aforementioned ME he brings his unique perspective to GLOSS from February onwards with commentary about life, love, and quite possibly everything that shouldn’t be discussed at the dinner table.

Margot Andersen

Margot is the Owner and Director of talentinsight Australia, a company founded on the principal that true career fulfilment and organisational success occurs when individuals and businesses talk openly and honestly about what they need, their responsibilities and genuinely work to bring out the best in each other.

As the organisation’s principle coach she brings a depth of knowledge and experience in operational and performance management, career mentoring and leading and developing high performing teams.

In This Month’s Issue

FEB ‘15 Carol Yang

Carol is the CEO and Founder of Spring Forward.

Former Vice President of Global Marketing with The Timberland Company, she had spent more than two decades building a successful career in marketing with leading companies around the world.

Sean Simmons

After many years in the travel industry working within both airlines and agencies, Sean founded Sean Simmons Travel to service corporate clients personally and effectively. For him, customer service is paramount and his team reflects his ethos.

After reaching a crossroads and reaching a critical turning point in her career and her life journey, she founded Spring Forward to empower other executives who are seeking clarity about “what’s next” in their lives.

He is passionate about making his clients happy - and about travel! LBDGroup are proud to have him as our exclusive Travel Partner.

Dr Jenny Brockis

Tania Price

Dr Jenny Brockis, the Brain Fitness Doctor, is the founder and director of Brain Fit.

Tania was a founding partner in the development of online entrepreneur training system Decisionship.com and instrumental in launching the Club Kidpreneur Foundation in collaboration with nowhusband Creel Price. Since 2009, those two businesses have trained more than 5000 adult entrepreneurs to win at the game of business and together, they’ve helped over 10,000 primary aged children launch their own microbusinesses.

She helps business leaders, senior managers and educators create a brain friendly working environment to nurture and develop all brains at work. She works as an international speaker, author, and mentor and is Mum to two gorgeous young adults. When not working she enjoys travelling the world with her husband, challenging her long standing fear of heights.

She is now the co-founder of the online platform Entropolis for entrepreneurs worldwide.

Blythe Chidgey

Louise Agnew

Blythe Chidgey calls herself a writer because she decided she’s old enough to call herself whatever she likes.

Inspired by so many amazing openhearted women, Louise Agnew has fulfilled her dreams of creating a financial education academy for this century’s woman. Having been a licensed financial adviser for over 8 years, Lou has learned that often the fear of the unknown disables women from being able to live a fuller and more satisfying life.

Based in Melbourne, Blythe is not a huge fan of punctuation, but is a believer in sticking to the rules, sometimes. She knows the difference quality writing can make to any business. Her business The Wordy Girl aims to help everyone and anyone to “get it write” on social media and websites. She would love catch up with her high school careers advisor and chat about the time she told her she would never make a living out of being a writer. She loves binge watching TV series, updating Facebook to make herself sound interesting, finding things to do in her spare hours between 1am and 3am and searching “dogs in swings” on google images.

Her passion in financial literacy is evident in all she does and Lou aims to work with several organisations on financial literacy programs in schools by trying to make them more relevant for our kids today. Her aim is to lead the financial planning industry forward, to shift “old skool” perceptions and mentality, ensuring our youth and women are more financially accountable. Her Lyfe Academy represents the very risk and reward that most fear, and a belief in oneself despite adversity, by reaching for one’s dreams anything is possible.

ecome a part of GLOSS in 2015. Advertising rates are now available for monthly, 3 monthly and yearly packages. Sponsorship and partnering opportunities with GLOSS and LBDGroup are also on offer to like-minded corporate identities and entrepreneurial ventures. Please contact Managing Editor Kate Matheson or CEO Janine Garner to discuss your involvement in one of online publishingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest voices.

Events

FEB | MAR | APRIL | MAY

FEB ‘15 APR ‘15 SYD NEY EXC LUS IVE DIN 12 F NER EBR UAR Y

EY SYDN R INNE D E V USI EXCL UARY R B E 19 F

BR ISB EX AN CLU E SIV E DIN 24 F NE EBR R UA RY

MELBOU RNE

EXCLUS IVE DIN NER 15 APRI L

Calendar

MAR ‘15 MAY ‘15 Y SYDNE R DINNE E V I S EXCLU CH 5 MAR

LBD RETREAT

EY SYDN NER E DIN V I S U EXCL RCH 19 MA

MELBOU RNE

NOOSA

12 MARCH

BRIS BAN E EXCL USIV E DIN NER 31 M ARC H

BRISBANE

EXCLUSIVE DINNER 22 APRIL

EXCLUS IVE DIN NER 25 MAR CH

SYD NEY EXC LUS IVE DIN NER 23 A PRI L

A PARTNERSHIP THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOING PLACES Sean Simmons Travel is delighted to be taking the Little Black Dress Group across the globe in our new role as preferred travel agent. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a natural fit for two businesses that are on the rise, with Sean Simmons Travel riding the wave of two consecutive finalist nominations at the National Travel Industry Awards, and LBD Group helping more and more business leaders and entrepreneurs collaborate every day. The team of travel experts at Sean Simmons Travel will smooth your journey, from start to finish, giving you the absolute confidence to focus on the success of YOUR business and leave travel to the experts. So stop taxiing around the perimeter fence, and get into position for immediate take-off. Call the team today and experience, first hand, service that leaves our competitors in the hangars!!

F I N A L I S T 2 013

F I N A L I S T 2 014

Do what

IS RIGHT, Not what

IS EASY

An Accidentally Brilliant Career: An Exclusive Interview With Charlie Caruso Kate Matheson

I was introduced to Charlie Caruso by a mutual friend, after coincidentally mentioning that I had read her recently published book, Understanding Y (which again, coincidentally, we reviewed in GLOSS last year). This led to an extremely long phone conversation which was basically just babbling at each other in complete geek speak, then on to a face to face meeting which was further geek speak. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice to say, if we were looking for someone to sum up the theme of this month’s issue which is, of course, Disruption - then look no further. From deliberately grey hair (admittedly it’s a pretty chic version rather than ‘I forgot to get my roots done’) to administrating a multinational company at 18, Charlie Caruso might as well have her name under ‘d’ for disrupter in Wikipedia along with ‘brain the size of a galaxy’. She talks at a million miles an hour and every sentence has an idea in it that Apple would probably steal if they had the opportunity. Take the book - Understanding Y - for example. She wanted to talk about the Millennial generation - so she not only wrote about the subject herself, she managed to bring in luminaries such as Bernard Salt, Ryan Heath and David Burstein to the party... oh, and scored an international publishing deal. Then there’s PuggleFM. ‘I started PuggleFM purely out of being pissed off with the state of radio – it was eight o’clock in the morning and I was dropping the girls to kindy. Rihanna’s S&M was on one channel, and a sports star whinging about his wife not her losing baby weight on another – why was there no music that kids could hear, and content that I wanted to hear? How about how to help your relationship when kids are behaving badly? At the same time, I didn’t lose my brain capacity or my ability to talk about politics because I had kids. There had to be something more; there were so many niche market radio

stations – so why no parent radio?’ So she did what any sensible Gen Y would do - she Googled it. And she was right; nothing existed. Therein started a two year journey into what it takes to get an FM licence. Luckily, this never eventuated, because it’s insanely complicated and expensive - because of the miracle that is internet radio. She was quick to discover that a huge audience and demand was there – a it’s peak, Puggle was attracting 10,000 listeners a day. Charlie was busy creating podcasts at home in pyjamas which quickly reached Number 1 on iTunes. She was 24 years old. Again, her tendency towards disruption stepped in when it came to commercialisation; she wanted to keep it on her terms with quality non-commercial content vying for room with commercial space. She is now looking at a huge syndication deal irrespective of a refusal to bend. Watch this space.

When I first started Uni, literally ten years ago, I did a degree called Mass Communications. I did six months. I will never, ever be told by any editor what is ‘content’.

‘My career is highly disruptive; it basically has no form. I don’t feel the need to have a “career” – I just have ideas. I find people to help me work on them, and I launch them. Then I get bored, and launch something else. Puggle is the exception because I am passionate about the need for the service. I like to test the limits and look at things differently – we aren’t reinventing the wheel, but we can do things better.

‘There’s a brilliant TEDx talk about hackschooling by Logan LaPlante – and yes, my favourite search word is “hack” – how can we hack in life? Disruption and hacking have very negative connotations for older generations in general. For Gen Y and under however, they are simply incredibly exciting. The Baby Boomers convention is to be “good”; go to a good Uni, get a good job and work until you retire. Now though, that is not the only option, nor is it the obvious one; disruption is desirable.” Home schooling is currently her number one ambition. She admits that her husband ‘thinks it’s crazy’. But she argues this; is the point of education the job that they get? Or is it life and social skills? She refers back to another TEDx luminary - Sir Ken Robinson – who has a point that she reiterates; ‘what possible idea do we have that we can teach our children about the workforce, when we don’t even know what it’s going to look like in 60 years?’ ‘I want my kids to learn how to code, to learn Mandarin, to travel internationally, to see other cultures. Our kids deserve a bigger mind-set. It costs half a million dollars to put children through private school – why can’t I do something disruptive? Disruption is all around us – why can’t we teach it at school?’

Her latest project, Curiosity Productions, yet again takes a commercial concept and turns it on its head - while still having financial viability. Still in the testing phase, what it offers is quality - with the emphasis on quality - video production facilities, custom graphics and media training to SMEs at reasonable cost. It means businesses who previously couldn’t afford to introduce themselves by video now can. It can potentially turn the industry on its head. I repeat again a line she said during our conversation. I like to test the limits and look at things differently – we aren’t reinventing the wheel, but we can do things better. That pretty much sums Charlie Caruso - and her very busy brain - up.

If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.

The first thing you notice when you talk to Tania Price, Founder of the new online platform for entrepreneurs, Entropolis, is her passion and vision of the future for entrepreneurs. If passion is any indication, she will be a very successful woman before the end of 2015. The second thing is that she is a visionary on a global scale. Quite simply, the concept of Entropolis is extraordinary. There has never been anything quite like it before; certainly not custom-built for and by entrepreneurs, and definitely not born and bred in Australia. So what IS Entropolis? First, let’s talk about Tania Price, because without her, the concept of building an online city and total business ecosystem for entrepreneurs wouldn’t exist.

Entropolis: A visi future for entrepr practical business solutions, fostering innovative thinking and helping entrepreneurship to flourish. She was a founding partner in the development of online entrepreneur training system Decisionship.com and instrumental in launching the Club Kidpreneur Foundation in collaboration with now-husband Creel Price. Since 2009, those two businesses have trained more than 5000 adult entrepreneurs to win at the game of business and together, they’ve helped over 10,000 primary aged children launch their own micro-businesses. Tania loves a serious challenge and when you consider how she imagined and has now built the foundations of something the size and scale of Entropolis, there is no doubting her visionary skills, strategic thinking and creative drive. I asked her about where the idea for Entropolis originally actually came from.

With a background in corporate, creative businesses and start-ups, Tania is focused on

‘When I first imagined Entropolis, it felt like something out of science-fiction. After quite a lot of iterations, culling and refining I managed to make it a real-world workable project. We are only at the beginning of what Entropolis can and will be and it is in

the hands of the users (the citizens) to own and shape. I think it has still kept that edge of futuristic feeling and I am excited to see how it evolves.’ So I suppose this comes back to the burning question. What on earth IS Entropolis?? Put simply, Entropolis is the place to be for entrepreneurs. An online business platform designed to help drive commercial success in the real world, it’s a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs across the globe, providing them with qualified content and connections, business advice, mentors and service providers to help them at every stage of business. Tania says;

ion of the reneurs

Kate Matheson

‘Entropolis solves two chronic problems entrepreneurs the world over face; the time consumed trawling through virtual and real time resources for the best people, wisdom and products available for individual enterprises; and the risk associated with putting your business in the hands of untried and untested people. We’ve created a pollution free, online city where all the vital resources are vetted and accessible at the click of a mouse.’

Entropolis’s mantra is “Less time, less risk and more value”. Once logged in, it is quick and easy for entrepreneurs to connect with a trusted business network and access vital business resources.

The wisdom inside is fully qualified and curated so that entrepreneurs can build their own expert teams rapidly and get to work. As connections and networks grow, so does your own version of Entropolis. Your village becomes a town, and then a city... a virtual metropolis of contacts, content, creativity, collaboration and potential revenue. Eventually, Entropolis will incorporate funding to supercharge business success even further. Tania says that during beta testing, Entropolis is focused on engaging the Australian entrepreneurial community.

‘We are building a vibrant online city populated and powered by high quality entrepreneurs, advisors, mentors and service providers. Our plan is to take Entropolis global but it wouldn’t make sense to start without championing the phenomenal wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit in our own backyard.’ She adds: ‘Our vision for Entropolis is for it to be the place entrepreneurs go online everyday to build their profile, manage and grow their private business network and find the things they need to grow and scale their own enterprise. The best of the entrepreneurial world’s

people, advice, education and business tools are all in one place, accessible anywhere, on any device, any time. We’ve designed it to deliver real business value and results and we are working hard for it to be engaging, easy, quick and dynamic to meet the evolving needs of the Citizens.’ What Entropolis aims to do on a virtual level is what the best cities try to do in the real world; build useful infrastructure, manage population and traffic, control pollution (in this case limit non-essential and non-relevant information), provide meaningful guidance and governance and, above all, constantly evolve to meet the wants and needs of the citizens living there. Under Tania Price’s stewardship, she is ensuring that Entropolis is no Orwellian work of speculative fiction but hard reality. This is, after all, a city built for those who are firmly positioned for entrepreneurial success. While the foundations and tools are in place to get started, the culture within the city will ultimately be determined by its citizens and not the founders. The final piece of the Metropolis puzzle is the role of The Icons. These are the rockstars of the entrepreneurial stage and they sit as patrons at the top of the Entropolis hierarchy. They’re not quite the Jedi High Council but I would admit to following a few of these masters. They are there to provide inspiration when the journey gets a bit rough for their fellow citizens. They won’t be your personal mentors but their stories sit as a ‘you can do it, because they did’ for the seekers of the Entropolis community. Entropolis is going to succeed, because it is unique. It is brave, it is bold, and above all, it is needed. I have been on the beta version of the platform, and it works. As a complete geek, I love it. As an entrepreneur and owner of my own business, I love it even more. In the words of a certain famous individual, ‘there’s only one person in the world who’s going to decide what I’m going to do and that’s me’. If Charles Thatcher Kane had enjoyed the good fortune to have access to Entropolis, then blackmail or no blackmail, I think he would have decided to be a very, very successful... Citizen.

www.TheEntropolis.com, the new place to be for entrepreneurs, is open for new Citizen registrations from Wednesday February 17.

Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself.

business

business: /ˈbɪznəs/ noun 1. a person’s regular occupation, profession, or trade. “experts who typically conduct their business over the Internet” synonyms: work, line of work, line, occupation, profession, career, employment, job, day job, position, pursuit, vocation, calling, field, sphere, walk of life, trade, craft. 2. commercial activity. “firms who want to do business with Japan” synonyms: trade, trading, commerce, buying and selling, dealing, traffic, trafficking, marketing, merchandising, bargaining.

Australian startups and small businesses had an exciting 2014 where change seemed to be the only constant. Business sentiment varied across industries. On one hand, there was optimism fuelled by a growing tech startup environment, increased funding, favourable changes in the budget, and increased business confidence. Concurrently there was caution and worry over weaker stocks, falling mineral and fuel prices and unemployment figures. Business confidence was high with a recently published Commonwealth Bank SME Confidence Report stating 87% expected conditions to improve or stay the same early to mid this year. With more that two million SMEs employing over seven million Australians, the health and confidence of this segment is crucial to the development of the nation. Many startups and small businesses are using the optimism to focus on growth – in Australia and globally. Likewise, inspired by success stories on our shores and from places such as the Silicon Valley, more people are starting their own businesses. So what are some of the trends that will continue to shape this segment in 2015?

Startups and small businesses in 2015 –

what’s in store?

Renata Cooper Cloud technology will support growth and scalability Cloud technology transformed industries and how we did business in 2014. Here’s how it will continue to shape the market this year:

• The infrastructure / enterprise cost of doing business will continue to drop with more cloud systems becoming available to startups and small businesses. Easier collection and management of data will also result in more streamlined processes and increased productivity that can help SMEs scale.

• The levelling effects of technology, increased need for consumer control and easier access to data will see • More opportunities for people with innovative ideas more businesses ramping up to enter the market and their presence on the cloud to offer innovative solutions. deliver solutions quicker Consumers can expect to than they have ever been see more apps and tools able to. Going global that give them increased – especially for service connectivity across different industries – is easier than touch points, more control ever. in all areas of their lives and better engagement with brands they like.

Niche and community focused businesses Australian companies tackle niche markets 14% more often than those in Silicon Valley. A great case study is handmade and creative community focused tickle your imagination magazine (of which I am an investor), that at a time where print is dying out, has successfully crowdfunded its print editions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; receiving higher than expected amounts in just over 10 days. The magazine recognised a niche segment, started small by building a product for the community and grew locally and recently went global.

Scaling will make or break companies 2014 was a good year for Australian startups â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly tech startups. Most followed the momentum from 2013 to pitch for and receive funding to grow their business. 2015 will be the year for these small businesses to scale up and grow significantly, or face some harsh realities about their ventures. With increased funding support from angel investors, banks and other institutions, the

While mass consumerism will not go away anytime soon, business ideas and growth will spring from people working together to integrate technical capabilities true to the needs of communities. Collaborative consumption will also fuel businesses such as TuShare that enables people to give and receive unused household items for free to anyone in Australia. 2015 will see more people start businesses that help overcome a challenge they faced, a passion they share with others or help address a problem close to their heart.

pitching platform has never been as active. The mood is similar to that of the dotcom era. This year could be the reality check which will either reiterate the strength of Australian startups and small businesses that, in turn, will help bring more VC money to our shores, or go the same way as dotcom companies 10 years ago. A lot of this will also depend on how much more entrenched technology will get into our lives and subsequently, the infrastructure around us. Are we reaching a saturation point or is this just the tip of the iceberg? Only time will tell.

The changing nature of competitiveness The ubiquitous nature of technology has made everyone an expert on everything - particularly in service industries. Reduced manufacturing costs have also resulted in minimal product differences across any range. Where previously competition was based on product, design and price, wars are now being fought on whole new battlegrounds. Value, conversations, content and customer experience is setting brands apart from their competitors. Every brand, from the biggest in the world to small startups, is trying to engage in positive dialogue with its communities in the hope of drawing them closer for the long run. The focus on customer service to maintain a competitive edge will continue to grow through the year. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to a more dynamic 2015. Dream big, think

Safety at Work:

Why Reducing the Fear is the Game Changer What is the biggest issue you face in your daily work? Is it a lack of certainty around what you are being asked to do, or how secure your job is? Do you feel hampered by too many constraints, rules and regulations that stop you from getting on with your job, and stifle your ability to come up with new ideas, let alone get anyone to listen to them? Perhaps you’re not convinced your company is telling you the whole truth about its financial status? Uncertainty. Lack of autonomy. Lack of trust. These all hamper productivity and performance and unfortunately too many workplaces allow these issues to grow and fester. Ultimately it costs business big time through increased staff turnover, lower profits and higher levels of absenteeism and presenteeism. And it’s all underpinned by fear, that powerful emotion we ignore at our peril. The missing link is that all business is built on relationships. It’s not just about customer service, but all relationships at all levels within a business. It’s because the human brain is hard wired to connect. We are social animals and we work better together.

Factor Dr. Jenny Brockis

The Game Changer will be the integration of what is now understood from the social cognitive neuroscience about how people work best together. Those fancy words mean, if we understand how relationships and emotions work, not only do we understand each other better; we create a brain safe working environment more capable of higher performance. When our brain feels safe, we are more relaxed and we can fully access the thinking part of our brain, the prefrontal cortex that allows us to work to our full potential. When we are fearful, anxious or worried, our limbic system including the amygdala, becomes hyper alert, preparing us to either fight, fight or flee. The amygdala is super sensitive to any change in the environment and generates emotion including fear. Once in a fear state it becomes harder for us to access our ‘executive suite’ or prefrontal cortex to use our logic, reasoning and analytical thought. Meanwhile, toxic levels of stress hormones start to accumulate and excess cortisol is neurotoxic.

When we can effectively manage our emotions, we can better manage our fear state and maintain the balance between our conscious and unconscious mind.

your needs? Would you feel differently about the whole review process? Would you feel more positive, more confident in your role and what your future might bring?

safety. That’s why when we start a new job or attend an interview, it’s normal to feel that tinge of anxiety. Your brain recognises that you are doing something new or different.

It doesn’t mean we won’t still have worries and uncertainties. And unfortunately we will still have to deal with the office bully and micromanager.

Utopia? No. Though the TV series was an excellent example of a workplace where no one in their right mind would ever wish to work at.

But wouldn’t it be good to know you could feel more confident and competent in dealing with these hassles?

Building a brain safe work environment is about recognising and understanding how to reduce the fear state either in yourself or someone else. It’s about building trust, autonomy and certainty and what is called our social intelligence.

In evolutionary terms this was jolly handy because it was safer to assume that something new, that rustle in the grass, or approach of a large animal could spell danger. Hence we have an inbuilt mechanism that assumes new is ‘danger first’, and asks questions later.

And what about those hallowed workplace protocols like performance reviews. What if you were asked how your workplace could help you to achieve your goals or support you better regarding

Our brain craves certainty because it creates that feeling of

But our predators today don’t necessarily come wearing tigerprint suits. They may come in the form of “down-sizing”, budget cuts and workplace sociopaths intent on doing you harm, so they may prosper.

3 12 4 Reducing the fear factor.

Increasing brain safety at work starts with:

Being prepared.

Being physically and brain fit through good nutrition, daily exercise and enough sleep is a great starting point to optimise the right balance of brain chemicals and neurotransmitters to boost a positive mood and access to your executive suite, the thinking part of your brain or pre-frontal cortex.

Working smart.

We become more afraid or overwhelmed when our thinking is muddled or foggy. Gaining clarity by knowing how to focus on what is relevant and ignoring the rest helps us to see the wood from the trees. Once you have that clarity, fear is quashed. Procrastination is a form of fear and can occur because of uncertainty about where to begin, or of doing a task correctly. Fear of making a mistake can hold us back so much, we never even start.

Embracing change.

Leadership is something we observe in others that makes us feel secure that they will look after us first no matter what. Good leaders are accessible and trusted. One of the most common problem I have witnessed in some workplaces is the “us and them” mentality between bosses, managers and staff. If your staff don’t trust you as a boss, how can you expect them to put in extra effort, or work longer hours simply because you ask them to?

Leading by example.

Change is everywhere and if we fear it may be the wrong change, or take us to the wrong outcome, or lead to a lot of hard and unnecessary work we become change adverse. Changing your perspective on change alters our unconscious and conscious bias towards change. What at first seemed an insurmountable challenge now not only looks possible, it looks a whole heap of fun too. As soon as we look forward to something or anticipate fun, we reduce our fear factor.

The quickest way out of a silo mentality at work is for the leaders to effectively lead through their behaviour. This means observing and actively listening rather than telling, of communicating clearly and without ambiguity, by granting autonomy to those who need it to grow the business, and to always be seen to be fair in their dealings with others. Creating a brain safe work environment is all about restoring the balance of cognition and emotion because the two work synergistically together. It’s about recognising the real value of any business lies in the mental capital and wellbeing of brains at work. Understanding the role emotion plays in our decision making, beliefs, values and performance provides a fantastic opportunity to create a workplace where people want to come to work, to do their work well and enjoy a sense of achievement and fulfillment. Knowing how to reduce the fear factor can lead to a higher level of happiness at work. Ultimately it’s all about being human and putting people first, because people are what matters.

Only dead fish go with the flow.

Top Tips for Great Copywriting

with

Blythe Chidgey

Please, no jargon. Unless the copy is specifically for your industry, jargon is inaccessible and confusing. Just because House of Cards has meant we all talk about meaningfully about POTUS, that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean a need to use it in an article about washing powder.

Stream of consciousness is your friend. When all else fails, just write. Forget the grammar, spelling or punctuation. Just get what is in your head onto the screen. You will be amazed at the important messages that articulate themselves during the process.

Make each word count. Short, sharp and succinct.

No buzzword bingo please. You know the words; they’re stocking stuffers that people seem to shove in when they are excited, or panicking or have no idea what else to write.

You aren’t 13. Don’t be like, totes amazeballs in your copy, unless you’re trying to appeal to teenagers (or some adults- guilty!) It’s just cray cray.

You might be an avid reader, but not everyone is. If you’re trying to appeal to the masses use language for the masses.

Ask yourself: WHY? WHY? WHY? Do you, or your client, or their audience, need this piece of communication at all? Why would someone want to read this? Always, always come back to the WHY.

MAY MY HEART BE BRAVE, MY MIND FIERCE, AND MY SPIRIT FREE.

money

money: /ˈmʌni/ noun a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; coins and banknotes collectively. “I counted the money before putting it in my wallet” synonyms: cash, hard cash, ready money. plural noun: moneys; plural noun: monies “a statement of all moneys paid into and out of the account”. the assets, property, and resources owned by someone or something; wealth. “the college is very short of money”. synonyms: wealth, riches, fortune, affluence, assets, liquid assets, resources, substance, means, deep pockets, prosperity.

Financial Detox Mel Browne Most people who know me are aware that I have a fairly serious chocolate addiction. I’m very thankful that it’s not a drug (although some would argue that it is a legal one) because I eat it every day. I’m not talking a whole block at a time but a nibble here and there – particularly in the afternoon – is my own version of happy. I know that the concept of a week without chocolate would give my willpower a serious workout. Of course, from time to time I decide to give my body a break from my daily chocolate hit and eliminate all sugar for a month. Initially my body hates me. By the time I get to day five I am a walking, cranky headache and I’m sure my husband is working longer hours to avoid me. However by the end of the month, if I’m honest, I would have to say

that I really don’t miss my daily fix. Of course, what happens is that at the end of the month I reward myself with a piece of chocolate and the spiral takes around another six months before I feel the need to cleanse again. It can be the same with my finances. While I budget for the big purchases, I find it is the whole stack of smaller purchases made over time that hurts my bank account or credit card. So my solution to break the habit of almost unconscious spending is the same as it is for chocolate. About twice a year, I simply decide to go for a month without buying anything new. Now this might seem revolutionary but it is enlightening how much we base our social and leisure time around buying stuff

we really don’t need. It might be a coffee with girlfriends and a window shop, a Wednesday night bored on the couch with a bottle of wine and the laptop doing a bit of online shopping or grabbing items you really don’t need at the supermarket. It all just adds to the amount of stuff we accumulate and can over time put a sizeable dent in our bank account. As well as adding a delay to any long term financial goals we might have. So my solution to break this habit of spending is the same as my chocolate addiction. I cleanse my spending by choosing for one month not to purchase anything new. Of course, groceries and other essential items aren’t included in the financial cleanse but everything else is off the table. So no new clothes, shoes (the toughest one),

from spending then why not try it? Decide not to consume anything new for 30 days.

make-up, books, stationery (another tough one) or any other ‘stuff’. What it does is forces me to become a conscious consumer for a month and breaks me of the habit of spending simply because I can. For many of us, a lot of money flew out of our bank accounts over the Christmas holiday period, whether it was on presents, food, entertainment, holidays, entertaining little ones, back to school stuff and of course the January sales. As a result many of our credit card balances are perhaps a little fatter than they should be and are due for a detox! So if you suspect there is a whole lot of money being spent on a whole lot you don’t need or if, like me, you just need to give yourself a break

In Australia we have something called Febfast so you could even sign up and make this your challenge and do something positive for charity at the same time. If you decide to commit to a financial detox, I strongly encourage you to include your partner, your friends, your family or your kids and educate them on why you’re doing it. This means you’re not only setting up great habits for you but also for your family and friends and helping to make them conscious consumers too. Besides, if your friendship group are all doing this – it’s going to make it a whole lot easier for you too. Perhaps you could have time each week that you talk about what you’ve learned about your spending habits and how you might change things when the Fast is over. If you decide to give this ago then let me know at melissa@moremoneyforshoes.com.au or via twitter @melbrowne_ and let’s do this together. So what do you have to lose? 30 days with no spending. It might just be the financial cleanse that you need in order to meet your financial goals and set yourself up for a great 2015. I challenge you to set a date or start on 1 February in line with Febfast and make this the year that you take back control over your finances.

Is the rise of “the Expert”

Think for

I love how these days the access we have to technology, social media, and online journalism leads to everyone being an expert, “The Everyday Expert,” as Daniel Gulati in the Harvard Business Review expressed. Think about those new mums searching Google pages to find the perfect remedy for their newborn’s symptoms and diagnosing any gurgling sound with good ol’ gripe water! Come on, I know you’ve done it too! How many times have we gone to Google before an actual medical appointment, mortgage meeting, or financial planning consultation? Have you noticed that everyone around you now seems to be an expert at something? How good are your friends and family at providing unsolicited advice on your moods, career, parenting skills, or financial direction? Are you someone who receives hundreds of emails and blogs from many sources just to find the one thing you hadn’t thought of before? In the past, we received our most important life advice from a counselor, business accountant, solicitor, doctor, or financial planner. People with years of qualifications, training, and specialised knowledge. However, today we herd together to follow the latest thing trending on the net – just out of popularity and hype – sharing opinions rather than facts and evidence. What will become of our nation if we continually allow our children to succumb to outsourced “surrogate thinkers” (explained by Patrick

O’Shaughnessy, Millennial Invest). Have we become so desperate for ‘celebrevice’ that we now reach for anyone perceived to be better-known, more intelligent, or better-looking to provide us with the solutions, rather than continue to investigate fully and use the specialties of someone with qualifications and experience? Are we put off by the costs, fees, and expense of seeking credible, knowledgeable, and factual advice, that we’d rather make crucial life mistakes to save a mere “dollar”? Or is it our lack of self-worth that is key to this new disorder amongst us, seeking a reality promised by another, the untouchable dream, the certainty that someone else has been there before and the comfort of assurance this will be a valid outcome? Are we willing to part with $25,000 and upwards to be taught, mentored, and candy-coated by these so-called experts? I think not. In reality it’s an excuse for many to continue to hide in the shadows with the fear of having to stand alone should others not follow. Is the bittersweet ideology that follows the path of someone who has been there before the only way to achieve your own life’s success? Haven’t we been guilty of this at some point in our own lives? Time to stop and think!

“

If you make people think they’re thinking, they’ll love you; but if you really make them think, they’ll hate you. — Don Marquis

”

Interestingly enough, as Patrick O'Shaughnessy details in the Tetlock’s study:

“

It made virtually no difference whether participants had doctorates, whether they were economists, political scientists, journalists, or historians, whether they had policy experience or access to classified information, or whether they had logged many or few years of experience in their chosen line of work. The only consistent predictor was, ironically, fame, as indexed by a Google count: better-known forecasters—those more likely to be fêted by the media—were less well-calibrated than their lower-profile colleagues.

”

Scary thought indeed!

” eradicating our ability to

Ourselves?

Louise Agnew

So how do we press the refresh key on thinking for ourselves and find these facts amongst the online haze in order to live a life we have personally forged and created rather than followed in a popularity contest, in which we only feel more self-conscious and lame compared with those who have gone before as thought leaders, celebs, and notables we idolise in our world today?

Simply…the five simple truths to finding your inner expert:

2 3

Never follow someone who has become a breakout success and try to follow in their footsteps. We all know a few who have struck it lucky, and therefore relate their own professional and personal success to your situation, convincing you it’s possible for you too. Considering their success as specific to them, question how they got there, what qualifies them to provide such advice (even though it may be difficult to detract from the fame and sexy-looking keynote speaker we might swoon over (no, I have never done this!!), and assess how it could be more relevant to your personal needs and financial situation. Find specific journals and white papers written by industry professionals and not a collaboration of a group of housewife journalists writing for a blogfest on the topic of finance and money with little specific qualification on the subject matter. Find credible resources rather than online blogs and success bloggers who just know how to herd the readers to their blog by offering quirky titles and self-professing expertise.

Look at regulated government sites and not for-profit information sites like moneysmart.gov.au to provide the latest updated information relevant to your circumstances. Watch their client stories, reviews, and YouTube clips of people in real life sharing and collaborating on their successes.

REMEMBER: There is still and will always be a REAL place for professionals with several qualifications, numerous certificates, and longstanding experience in one particular area. Best to seek out a financial planner, mortgage broker, or real estate agent who has seen at least one market cycle in their lifetime and experienced both highs and lows in their own careers and lives. People want to deal with “Real” people. Ask the hard questions and do your due diligence well before taking on the service of a popularised view!

Pay for specialist advice. Everyone claims to be an expert, but a specialist has further qualifications, experience, and expertise beyond the generalisation of an expert. For instance, an Adv DFP or CFPqualified financial adviser or strategist with perhaps an SMSF specialist designation has undertaken a lot more formal training than a mortgage broker with a few years behind them and a Cert IV. Most specialists want to stand out and therefore they are avidly aware that further study and qualification will provide this point of difference to their personal brand and business. Conflicted remuneration “experts” always stand out. If their commissions come from one particular product and source, then buyer beware! These experts will often sway their strategies depending on what’s HOT in the market and change with the changing regulations and commissions that come with it. If you are being referred internally in a business, that’s a caution, but if being directed to a specialist in a company or external company then you are more safeguarded in someone having your best interests at heart, especially if the different companies are small businesses owners themselves. Reputation is key to small-business owners and your likelihood of being scammed, ripped off, or “sold to” are marginally reduced.

A goal

without a plan is just

a wish.

l i fe

life: /lʌɪf/ noun 1. the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. “the origins of life” synonyms: existence, being, living, animation, aliveness, animateness; More antonyms: death, non-existence living things and their activity. “lower forms of life” synonyms: living things, living beings, living creatures, the living. 2. the existence of an individual human being or animal.

When I set out to interview Sean Simmons, owner of Sean Simmons Travel and exclusive travel concierge to LBDGroup, there were two things that quickly became evident.

The Road More Travelled: Sean Simmons and The Best Bucket List On Earth. Kate Matheson

One: I am not the only person who is obsessed with detail when it comes to grammar and spelling, which made me possibly a little bit too happy; and two, there are two people three states apart who live at their desks, and may may I stress - sleep at them on occasion. Sean Simmons is, I have to confess, something of an oddity in terms of my experience with travel agents. I will cheerfully admit to not being a fan. Past experience has lead me to this conclusion, and funnily enough one said past experience was with his past employer. More on this later. However - I have never heard of a travel agent, let alone someone who owns the whole kit and caboodle - being at the helm at nine o’clock on a Friday night sorting out a tense and fairly horrible situation for a corporate client with no fuss, no drama, no ‘why me’ and quite likely no return for themselves. So what brought Sean to the formation of his own corporate travel agency, and why is it such a passion? And, more importantly... just how many countries has he visited, exactly? (Be prepared. It’s a lot). ‘I started at BA in London 1991, having had a past life as a chef ( I admit to a slight disagreement in the kitchen!). I fell into a temp job there, and was recognised as having a talent for international airfares, which is one of the hardest jobs in the travel industry. Strangely enough, at school I hated geography and maths was my worst subject – now I do it all day everyday. Within 4 months at BA I was a supervisor and trainer with 600 staff reporting to me. I absolutely loved it.’ I asked how many countries he had visited, whether on research or just for pleasure. I won’t repeat my remarks about the frequency of his visits to my favourite place in Bali. ‘It’s actually easier to say how many I HAVEN’T visited - at last count, it’s 30. I have seen all

of Europe, North America, and most of Africa. I haven’t done South America. Considering the world has 196 countries (well, 195 plus Taiwan, which isn’t officially recognised)... so far I am doing OK’.

Travel Fact:

Uh... yes. I asked him why he formed his own agency. What makes someone strike out in such a tough industry? ‘This is going to be a bit controversial, but I admit it - having worked for Flight Centre for eight years, I grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of service ethic there. I wanted to break the mould a bit; for me, the customer always comes first (that’s my BA training). It’s a case of I will go into bat for my customer, whatever it is. For example, a customer whose bag went missing on a trip recently – the airline sent him the wrong bag, and continued doing nothing about it – so I am looking after it for him. The airline is legally liable, so I won’t let it go.

CHINA has now eclipsed the total outbound tourism spend of Europe and similarly that of North America (incorporating the US and Canada) and these statistics are set to triple WITHIN 10 YEARS. They currently need 25,000 NEW AIRCRAFT to service demand, and are building 2,000 NEW AIRPORTS. *figures from the World Trade Organisation

In the same way that I always put my clients first, I empower my team to do the same.’ He speaks French, Spanish, Italian, German, and a little bit of Gaelic (‘I always speak better when I am in the country itself’) and the next country on his personal bucket list is Bhutan, currently known as the happiest kingdom on Earth. Then? Off to South America - Argentina and Brazil. I am not even going to mention Bali. Suffice to say, if he ever needs a Bahasa speaking tour guide at the agency, I feel a new career coming on. This is a bloke who is dedicated to his industry, his clients, and to a business he loves. Now if he can just leave his desk long enough for that Bhutan bucket list trip...

I think it sets us apart from the rest of the industry – we feel very much that one size doesn’t fit all. I want people to walk away getting exactly what they’ve told them they’re going to get. I am very careful in relationships with our suppliers for this reason – the client must be well looked after. They are our priority every single time.

Always make sure your Travel Agent has a copy of your passport and any travel visas on file, (and anyone travelling with you too) in case yours gets damaged, lost or stolen.

Keep an online storage facility backed up with your travel documents, passport, copies of your credit cards (do you know how many people get into trouble each year when their wallet or purse is misplaced?) so that you can access in an emergency. We suggest Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, or some apps can also handle documents – TripIt is a good example.

We insist upon this with all travellers to ensure that we can assist whenever possible.

We all know that baggage handlers play football with our checked in luggage! Keep any toiletries inside a sealed plastic bag – a snap seal sandwich bag is ideal. This will stop your clothes smelling of Listerine for a week!

Use specialist websites to keep you updated with your travels. We recommend www. checkmytrip.com where you can store all your upcoming trips, plus keep a history of all your travel – including copes of e-tickets etc, plus you can automatically upload to your PDA calendar or desktop calendar, and be notified of changes that may occur

Don’t waste time on the internet trawling for cheap deals. Weigh up the time it takes you against using a professional who knows where to look and when! Is it really worth saving $10 on a trip, and then finding out that you have little recourse when things go wrong? When Eyjafjallajökull erupted in Iceland in 2010, travellers who had booked direct or online, were stranded, and spent hours and days trying to get through to airlines. Our travellers were contacted before they knew they had problems, with new flights all confirmed and ready for them. Only your trusted travel agent can do this

change

change: /tʃeɪn(d)ʒ/ verb 1. make or become different. “a proposal to change the law” alter in terms of. “the ferns began to change shape.” synonyms: alter, make different, become different, undergo a change. 2. take or use another instead of. synonyms: swap, exchange, interchange, substitute, switch, commute, convert, replace. noun 1. an act or process through which something becomes different.

It’s Time To Get Personal About Disruption Margot Andersen ‘Those who can successfully navigate, even harness the successive cycles of learning and maxing out … will thrive in this era of personal disruption.’ -Whitney Johnson ‘Throw Your Life A Curve’ More and more leaders are talking openly about disruption. Not only it’s impact on the market place but on their organisations and their people. No longer is the term disruption simply reserved for the world of start-ups or the technology landscape in that far, far away land called Silicon Valley. It is very much a part of the here and now for all leaders and it is personal! The simple truth is that if we aren’t disrupting we are reacting to it This reality brings with it a host of challenges, least of all how to effectively navigate and lead in environments where many of the traditional mindsets and behaviours no longer apply - and where uncertainty prevails. How do I motivate, encourage and reward my team when there is no footprint for what we are trying to do? How do I manage my own career in this landscape? Our ability as leaders to make good decisions and choices is instrumental to our business and personal success. Ironically though for many organisations the tendency to rely on what was once a good decision and the subsequent failure to recognize that changing times require

new decisions is ultimately their downfall. This failure to do so sees them being swallowed up by competitors whose innovation and responsiveness sees them grab both market share and talent.

art of career and leadership reinvention and continually focus on adding new skills and capabilities to our existing repertoire. Personal reinvention is hard. But so to is living with the risk of becoming irrelevant.

Current statistics suggest that we will change careers on average seven times in our lifetime – not change jobs but change careers! We are educating our children for careers that currently do not exist; and if they do will be delivered in ways that are not yet currently seen. We are witnessing the demand for jobs that require repetitive process and clerical and support skill sets massively decline. Replacing them is a demand for ever-evolving digital skill sets, creative thinking and many of the previously considered ‘soft’ skills of influencing, negotiation and collaboration. For those of us whose careers are underpinned by university degrees, the recent discussions suggesting that the life span of this knowledge and skillset is as short as three years is both confronting and challenging.

In their book, The Innovator’s DNA, Jeffrey Dyer and Clayton Christensen identify five behaviours that characterise innovative leaders: Associating (the ability to make connections across unrelated ideas or problems), Questioning, Observing, Networking and Experimenting. These leadership behaviours not only support the generation of new ideas but the timely planning and execution of them into the market place so as to ensure an organisation achieves significant competitive advantage.

To create a sustainable career, we will need to face up to a world of disruption, master the

In addition to developing these behaviours for ourselves, we as leaders need to ensure that we are creating environments where they are allowed to flourish for the people we lead. Given that these environments are rich in ambiguity and uncertainty, encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zone and embrace the unknown is a challenge for all leaders today.

To do this I believe that the following additional behaviours are key to ensuring personal success in the disruptive landscape: Start being comfortable being uncomfortable: Navigating the unknown with out the comfort of a detailed roadmap and/or predetermined destination is all part of the disruptive journey. The ability to cope with the element of surprise and not eliminate it as so many traditional leaders do – is also critical.

Commit to being a life long learner: Where we start is not where we finish. Our ability to continuously add new skills and knowledge to our repertoire is critical for our growth and development. However so to is the ability to give up the skills that no longer apply or what once may have made your successful. Ongoing learning and curiosity is crucial for both our own careers and the businesses that we lead.

Adopt a ‘Leapfrog Mindset’: This term is borrowed from Soren Kaplan who states that leading disruption requires a mindset focused on ‘leapfrogging’ - creating or doing something radically different to produce a significant leap forward. In doing so, leaders provide both their businesses and themselves with a significant point of difference by ensuring they add a completely new level of value to the market.

Invest in your networks:

Trust your gut:

Invest in your health:

Often when making ‘big’ decisions we as leaders Navigating the like to gather all the disruptive landscape data we can, spend time requires a high degree analyzing it and debating of mental and physical it. The reality is that resilience. You will when you are leading need bucket loads through disruption this of energy to not only data (or level of data) generate new ideas, rarely exists. You need but to quickly change to gather information direction, adapt plans, from a variety of sources problem solve and – often by using the 5 engage with others to behaviours identified by execute outcomes. Dyer and Christensen referenced above – weigh it up and then trust your gut and intuition for the rest.

Redefine what success looks like:

When we are actively Understanding pursuing different ways the power of your of doing things, entering network and actively into unknown markets collaborating and or exploring new careers engaging with them has for ourselves we need enormous potential to to redefine what success achieve unprecedented looks like. The tools and results, provide frameworks that we have completive advantage typically used before and differentiate you need to be adapted. and your business in the Not every pathway that market place. we explore will result in the breakthroughs or desired outcomes but if it brings us closer to our goal, hones our strategy, eliminates what doesn’t work, or isn’t right for us then we are moving forward.

Go after the disruptive path: In his book The Innovators Dilemma, Clayton Christensen found that companies pursuing growth in new markets were 6 times more likely to succeed than companies seeking growth in existing markets. Going after the unexplored or the unknown sees the odds of success go up. The same can be said for us as leaders and individuals.

To lead and succeed in a world of disruption we need to acknowledge that it is not easy or straightforward. It requires new mindsets, behaviours and skill sets. One person’s challenge though is another’s opportunity. It all depends on how we view it.

The Tinderbox: Is Swiping Yes To Mr or Ms Right Lighting An Eternal Flame? Adrian Morgan

If I didn’t have you someone else would do. Tim Minchin ...I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow but it’s the f***n’ truth, and by this measure I was having one of the best dates of my life. Nick Hornby - High Fidelity My wife and I met back in the ‘old fashioned times’ as my five year old daughter says. Twenty odd years ago, we met through a mutual friend and hit it off. I’m really not sure why, given our taste in so many things was so different back then and continues to be now. Our music tastes are contrasting to say the least - at that time I liked Nirvana, The Dead Kennedys and Pink Floyd. My wife liked Black Box, Madonna (whom she shares a birthday with), and Ace of Base. Even now, my all-time favourite film is tied between Apocalypse Now, 2001, A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner (the Extended Director’s Cut) and my wife hates all of the above. And yet, we are still together after 22 years so something must be working! Statistically, we are onto a good thing. Both sets of parents are still together and we have made it through the seven year itch three times - she does keep mentioning long service leave, but I think that is a joke. Maybe.

So as I was saying, we met in old fashioned times in the old fashioned way. Unlike one of my very best mates, who met his now wife through the internet dating site RSVP; and just the other day I found out another friend - in the same age bracket as myself mind you - met his partner through Tinder! Tinder (for those over the age of 30) is well known for its ‘hook ups’, rather than its long-term love affairs. Using your Facebook profile and details, it then matches you with other people. If you both ‘swipe right’ (signifying mutual physical attraction) then it puts you in contact, where you can organise an um, errrrrr, ahem ‘physical’ meeting. But this was a new usage of Tinder in my eyes a true emotional connection. Tinder has completely disrupted the casual dating scene by focusing on the physical aspects of first attraction, and then going from there. It many respects, it has bypassed all that pesky ‘getting-to-know-you-before-we-jump-into-bed-and-have-sex’ stuff that we used to mess around with. You know, dating. But what if we could really disrupt things and go straight from swipe right to intimacy? In 1997, Arthur Aron found that there were 36 questions that accelerate intimacy under certain controlled conditions. Put two people together - known or unknown to each other - and he stated that they would, with these 36 questions, fall in love. Questions that ranged from the inane ‘When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?’ through to the deeper ‘What is your most terrible memory?’ to the deepest ‘Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?’. All this is followed by the deeply confronting effort of staring into the other person’s eyes for four minutes. Non. Stop. Of course, one condition that didn’t get tested was mutual attraction. So if technology combined with these questions, could we eliminate the notion of romantic love? Could we eliminate speed dating, awkward blind dates with your great aunt’s twice removed cousin and his mate who may or may not look like Brad Pitt (may not most likely)? Could the world of the dating future be two people swiping right, staring into a FaceTime video conference and answering 36 questions? Where would the biggest disruption for all of this be? Who would be most sad about this? Would it be the smug married couples (me) living vicariously through our single friends? Would it be the romantics who walk amongst us, hoping eternally to meet ‘the one’ ? No - the person who would potentially be the most sad about this would be the out of work actor Ryan Gosling, without a single Notebook style movie to star in. But I am sure a number of you would happily swipe right to console him... ...I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... books, records, films these things matter. Call me shallow but it’s the f***n’ truth, and by this measure I was having one of the best dates of my life. Nick Hornby - High Fidelity

In Conversation With Carol Yang Tell us a little about your business and what you do I spent more than 20 years building a successful global marketing career only to pack it in a few years ago as I wanted more for my life. At that time, I didn’t know whether I was brave or crazy ! Now I know it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I’ve always believed in living life with few regrets - something that’s difficult but I’ve tried my best to do. That’s why I left a perfectly good job and career. I was convinced I could have a better life - doing work that was more meaningful and a life that took into account all the things that mattered to me. I didn’t want to regret not giving myself the chance to figure this out.

I’m glad to say I did. And that’s how Spring Forward came to life. It’s my way of paying it forward as I know many successful women reach crossroads where they seek greater meaning and purpose, yet are often confused and undecided about their next path. Spring Forward is about daring to believe that you can lead the life you really want for yourself. It is about getting back in touch with what truly matters to you and allowing that to guide your decisions as you journey through life. I guess, in a way, you could say that I’m your personal travel planner for your life’s journey. I help you get to where you want to go. By working with you to figure out what’s most important to you in your (life) journey, and trouble shooting your travel plans to get there. Quite a change from being the Vice President of Global Marketing but I’m loving it!

What’s the bravest decision you have had to make in your business ? Being vulnerable to share my personal journey publicly to inspire others and help them learn from my highs and lows. This was a huge step coming from someone who cringes at the very thought of sharing personal stuff on social media… look at my personal Facebook page and you’ll see what I mean ! My personal journey was the inspiration for Spring Forward - that’s a fact. But it took me a long while to come to terms with making my story so front and centre for the business. In the end, it was clarity of purpose that helped me overcome my discomfort.

What’s your vision for your business ? For Spring Forward to be the trusted go-to source of inspiration and guidance for women feeling confused and conflicted about their next path in life. I know firsthand what it is like to be ‘successful’ yet feel stuck, confused and lost. And I also know the peace of mind, renewed vigor and clarity of purpose once you’ve successfully moved past these crossroads. The need is universal for both genders yet there are few solutions that are tailored specifically to address this unique need. Our long term goal is to expand to also include men in our programs; and to take the business globally.

First thing you do in the morning ? Reach for my iPhone and check my email! My phone is always on my bedside table during the night - a bad habit I know! But one that’s carried over from my corporate days. Scrolling quickly through my emails gives me a quick heads up on any urgent issues and gets my head in ‘work mode’ before I even walk through the office door.

Then put the kettle on, and spend some quiet time in my version of ‘meditation’. I do mindful breathing and visualisation exercises including an interesting one called “Leaves on a Stream” which I learnt recently. This helps me prep for my day in a different way. It clears my mind, centres me and keeps me focused on my big goals (both work and personal) for the year.

Most inspiring quote ?

Tough one because I love so many. I’m going to break the ‘rules’ and give you three as these are the ones I always gravitate back to Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined - Henry David Thoreau When you reach for the stars you might not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either - Leo Burnett Be faithful to that which exists in yourself - Andre Gide These 3 quotes pretty much sums up my attitude towards life.

If you were a hashtag, you would be? #authentic. What you see is what you get.

Top 3 tips for women in business ? 1.

Trust your gut instinct

Always make time for yourself

Don’t forget what’s most important to you

Your instinct is there for a reason. Listen to your gut when it comes to who to trust (and not trust). And when it’s pointing you towards an idea. No matter how crazy the idea may seem, at least give it room to breathe and grow while you do due diligence to figure out if it’s commercially viable. Similarly, listen to your gut and be prepared to walk away. Don’t get emotionally attached to ideas. There’s a difference between being emotional and intuitive.

As women we tend to look after everyone else first. If you’re running a business, that usually leaves very little time and energy for yourself. I believe it’s crucial that we consciously set aside time to look after ourselves. Do whatever it takes to energise and replenish your body and soul on a regular basis. It’s not being selfish. You’re just as important as everyone else.

It’s very easy to get sucked in until your work becomes your life. But it’s not. Be clear as to what really matters in your life. Get those areas right and you’re way ahead of the game.

What would you tell your 21-year old self now if you could ?

Go have more fun. Don’t take stupid risks but be more adventurous. Life is short and it goes by faster than you think.

you

you: /juː/ pronoun 1. used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. “are you listening?” used to refer to the person being addressed together with other people regarded in the same class. “you Americans” used in exclamations to address one or more people. “you fools” 2. used to refer to any person in general. “after a while, you get used to it”

7 Steps To Personal Vitality For Movers & Makers It’s time to disrupt the old beliefs and kick start the new year with a fresh perspective. Before I kick off this article I need to set the scene for February. It is about stepping up and giving yourself permission to be REALLY happy. Not just happy - but madly happy. Some of you reading this now will have a smile on your face knowing what I mean and others may be thinking - “what’s REALLY HAPPY got to do with personal vitality”?… Everything. You probably know that I’m not one to sit still, to follow the herd or to let external barriers get in the way of a positive goal or mission - however I do believe I was always holding myself back a little from being completely excited about it all. Call it a sense of responsibility, of “don’t get too excited” of always being considerate -or whatever label I chose…I was constantly reserving a certain percentage of happiness aside - ‘just in case’. So I stepped it up a notch and spent some time away coaching myself to the next level. I gave myself permission to be REALLY MADLY happy. This meant I gave myself permission to reach for the stars physically, mentally, as an entrepreneur and on a more spiritual level. To drop the never ending rule-book that I kept hanging on to (imposed only by myself) and to really let go and see what the universal potential is of living my life with true personal vitality.

Know your worth

- you have one body. Fedex is not sending you a new one tomorrow. Do not abuse the privilege but treat it with respect, care and attention and you will be astounded by the potential it gives back to you.

Enjoy healthy food you enjoy and exercise you love. Make time for rest, plan your week with balance and a sense of conviction for what you want in your life. Reaching potential and balance comes with a game plan..

Nikki Fogden-Moore

Overnight I felt a shift. This release and personal permission to soar is extremely vital for personal and business vitality. If you do not place a high value on your personal wellbeing and happiness then it will constantly be the last thing on your list - and each month your health and wellbeing goals will become more and more diminished. This year I’d like to guide you on a complete journey of personal vitality. I call it the Vitality Road Map. At the bottom of the article there is a link where you can sign up to a 4 week Vitality Road Map kick start with me for free. No strings attached - just a way to reach out and share the journey I take to create the life I want. I’ve designed it especially for hard working, driven thinkers and doers. No silly diets or fads - just a different mindset. From big picture thinking, to daily personal health and entrepreneurial wellbeing. After all - we need to run our body like a business. Set goals, plan accordingly, be flexible and ensure we are nurturing it for the best possible results and long term sustainability. Your health is your wealth. To kick off you Vitality Road Map and an exciting series with Gloss I wanted to outline the first 7 steps to personal vitality. Without these, you can place all the goals you want onto paper or into your iPad and they will not truly come to fruition. Grab a pen and paper and be ready to write out your personal notes to the next 7 steps:

Feed your soul

- to be a great leader and rejuvenate your own energy levels with busy lives, you need to feed your soul. Take time to be aware during your day. I use my mornings for concentration, meetings and key elements that require my full mental attention (I am best in the mornings - so flip this around if you are best in the afternoon). I then use the afternoon for awareness. Taking in nature, reading, wellbeing moments, avoiding emails as much as I can and taking in all that is around me.

For me this is a great time to listen to new ideas from my team and absorb. So split your day - CONCENTRATION (GIVING OUT) & AWARENESS (GETTING BACK)

Feed Your Body

- from healthy fresh food to positive thoughts and gratitude - everything we put in determines the outcome on how we feel. This takes time and conscious planning. Avoid falling into the trap of being “too busy” or “on the road” too much. I travel about 75% of the year and NO week is the same. If I can do it so can you. Plan your meals ahead, choose healthy fresh food when out for business lunches and limit your alcohol intake. Operating at your potential requires a healthy internal environment as well for ideas to thrive and unlimited energy. Choose 70% of your diet from fresh fruit and vegetables, topping up the rest with natural grains, fats and proteins. Limit soy ditch the artificial sweeteners or anything you can’t pronounce and go back to basics.

Move

- Plain and simple. Our bodies are designed to move. Not to sit for 8 hours or more a day with short bursts of walking to the elevator, a plane trip or sitting in the car for your commute.

Make movement a part of your day - whether it’s a 15min express session or WakeupWorkout in the morning or a 60min workout/swim/bike or run - get moving! Use your muscles as intended, ditch the laptop and swiping on your phone for 30mins, lace up your sports shoes and head out to explore the neighbourhood. Tip: This is where you may get great new ideas as well when you’ve cleared your head. Missed getting your copy of the WakeUpWorkout email me nikki@thevitalitycoach.com.au and I’ll send it out.

Get Some Rest

- Rest is just as important as training. It rebuilds your immune system, creates a cognitive “check out” from the day and ensures your body can repair and rejuvenate. Do not underestimate the benefits of a power nap as well. I like to call them Nano-breaks. If you’re suffering from insomnia chances are you’re not treating your body well and stress is getting the better of you. Avoid using iPads and screens before bed, take all your electronic devices OUT of the bedroom. Pick up a book or read something that’s nothing to do with work or creativity. Download some meditation music - I use OMVANA. Love the serenity spas and luxury resorts offer when you’re on holiday - why not declutter your bedroom and re-create that space and zen at home. You’re the boss. Simplify your room, don’t over stimulate your mind before bed and use the evenings to wind down and have gratitude for everything you have around you.

Plan your week.

- Personal Vitality is about bringing all you love and want to achieve into balance. This does not happen by accident when you’re an over-achiever you need to plan your week ahead. I use the 5 Elements Of A Winning Week. Listen to the podcast here; http://www.thevitalitycoach.com.au/2014/04/tvc022-5elements-winning-week/

and download the free worksheet when you sign up to the Vitality Road Map. It really works. My motto is you need to create the life you want or you’ll get the one you’re given. Put health and wellbeing #1 on your list and plan that in first before anything else. Share your week plans with your PA or executive assistant if you have one so they can help protect that time and keep you honouring your personal goals as well as running the business.

Give yourself permission

to be really happy! Seriously - we are always tempering nice things to do with the consequences of being responsible or setting an example. Perhaps you’re nervous of letting go for fear it will all be taken away. What if they could all inter-twine. This year I really feel my worlds combine - work, health, wellness, travel, a dream team and incredible inspiration. As I write this I feel REPLETE.

I want to support you to think about abundance, about the wisdom that you are what you create and think about. Allow yourself to be happy right now for everything you have at this moment. Appreciate your potential - enjoy the journey and celebrate the milestones - daily! Here’s a link to my Vitality Road Map for you - free and get connected. I always answer emails personally and am here to help. In the March issue I will be kicking off with 5 exercises for boosting your brainpower. https://times7.leadpages.net/vroadmap/ PS: I happen to be writing this article while dog sitting on an island in Fiji so I can assure you I am madly happy .. I have stepped back and trusted my amazing team, connected with my incredible clients and had moments

to really get inspired for fresh content this year. Most of those ideas coming to me while diving under waves out on the reef and watching nature swim past. I feel rested, re-charged and rejuvenated. More importantly I also know that I will be balancing my week exactly the same when I’m back in the real world. To ensure I can keep this feeling and sustain the balance to live the life I love and pursue to work that I am completely committed to. Health & happiness, your vitality coach Nikki

Collaboration creates the freedom to

invent,

TO INNOVATE and to

disrupt the status quo.

Learning To Fly: Looking Back With The First Seeds Fund

Janine Garner

If you watch the video embedded on the opposite page, you may understand just why LBDGroup members are so invested in their philanthropic arm, The First Seeds Fund. Warwick Farm is a place that has become a part of everyone who has visited it; and everyone who has visited has not only said ‘what can I do to help’, but made their skills, their hearts, and their resources available to the community.

whose story of survival against the odds is so astonishingly sad, frightening - and of course, strong in spirit - that it is quite difficult to write about. For me, Carrie’s story - Flying on Broken Wings resonates very strongly with that of many of the women and girls we see at Warwick Farm. They have faced brutality and hardship that we can’t even begin to imagine.

2014 was a big year for First Seeds. It saw us being able to deliver new bikes and computers to the kids at Warwick Farm. It saw scholarship programs put in place. It saw mentoring opportunities, amazing work in the Community Centre from the incredible Pat Hall, and partnerships with Club Kidpreneur. Most of all, it saw continuing hope for a place which once saw only despair, desolation, and three generations of poverty, violence, and prostitution.

Like Carrie though, they are beginning to fly, even if it is on broken wings, and it is First Seeds that is enabling this, along with the strength of people like Pat Hall.

What is the main message behind what First Seeds does? We strive to give hope and a purpose to those who have not had an opportunity for education or work skills; women and children at the grass roots level of Australian communities. There is a cycle of poverty and abuse that exists in our very own backyards, and we need to make people aware of it. We work collaboratively with leaders in these communities to deliver practical solutions to the missing parts of the puzzle; mentoring programs, workshops, educational scholarships, assistance in getting funding for small businesses. All of our members, particularly the FSF Board, assist in some way, whether it be through donating money, time, goods or services. Their commitment is humbling and outstanding. The end of last year brought with it a celebration and a fantastic fundraising effort. The First Seeds Fund Sydney Christmas was a celebration of happiness, joy - and a reminder of just how much strength there is in the human spirit. Our special guest was the phenomenal Carrie Bailee,

I would like to thank the First Seeds Fund Board for their commitment to our vision. I would also like to thank our sponsors for the event - in particular Narellan Pools, who donated $15,000 to the Fund, bringing the night’s fundraising to over $27,000. That meant a very Merry Christmas indeed. To Carrie Bailee, and to all those who made the night so memorable and special, thank you also. To those who gave their time and services to prepare for the night - you are wonderful. And to all of our members and friends and family who supported us through 2014 - you are making the voice of First Seeds heard. We always say with First Seeds ‘from little things, big things grow’ but I feel I have to add, that in 2014 - we also began to fly.

Thanks to: Uberkate Wiley Publishing Westfield Clear Complexions Helen Kaminski JB Hi-Fi Il Tutto Narellan Pools

The Real Estate Stylist Sean Simmons Travel White River Design Impact AV Property IS

CLICK TO DONATE NOW

The Sydney Community Foundation is the Trustee for the First Seeds Fund. As Trustee, the Sydney Community Foundation completes the due diligence process before grants are made to recipients and has final discretion on grants made after considering the recommendation/s of the First Seeds Fund advisory committee. The First Seeds Fund is a sub-fund of the Sydney Community Foundation.

With thanks to Zahrina Photography for all images used

LBDGs

Out & About...

r& o t i d E ing g a n a ! Your M W edding Up r e d n u o F

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Cocktail Conversations

Exclu sive D inner Melb ourne

The d isrupt L isa Messe ive nger

News Reviews

Digital Disruption Unleashing the Next Wave of Innovation: James McQuivey BOOK

The Disruption Project: Combined UK Universities

Disruptive Thinking: Luke Williams

WEB

BLOG

Digital is here in every industry, and it’s here to stay. Across every platform, ensure you are making the best use of all the resources available to you as a brand and a business to disrupt the status quo and maximise the bottom line.

Want to know more about disruption in the way we get around the planet? Then check out The Disruption Project, a three year study into our mobility, including travel and use of computers, mobile phones etc.

If Seth Godin likes the way you think, then chances are you are on the right track. A great way to think outside the business and personal square, Luke William’s blog mirrors the disruptive thought-leadership found in his best-selling book.

James McQuivey shows how Disney took a game app and turned in into a disruptive digital force, and how Zeo turned a $100 sleep monitor into a competitor to beat the sleep labs.

The aim of the project is create opportunities for change that will reduce the energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.

Practical, down to earth and frequently funny - call it a beginner’s guide to disruption.

Go on - disrupt yourself. Available Now Here.

Look At It Here.

Read It Here.

LOIS LANE LIVES: Lex Luthor And The KryptoKnight A True(ish) Story Kate Matheson

Those people who follow my personal blog would be aware that I have absolutely no issues with being, shall we say, the embodiment of the definition of this month’s GLOSS theme. Let’s take it apart and see, shall we?

disruption NOUN Line breaks: dis|rup¦tion Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process. I believe that I could be summed up most politely as a disturbance. A certain Senator let’s call her... ooohhh... Maxima, in keeping with the Superman theme - may see me more as an irritant, a bother, or even a pest, but let’s stick with disturbance for now. I have continued my career as a disrupter of late. Perry White, aka Editor of the Daily Planet, sent me in my day job as intrepid and fearless reporter Lois Lane to seek out the truth behind what became known in the newspaper game as HonourGate, or the Case of the Blue(blooded) KryptoKnight. For those unfamilar with this torrid state of affairs, it involved Lex Luthor, cunningly disguised in a pair of speedos, a fairly elderly man known largely for committing social faux pas and shooting anything that moves, possibly including Lex Luthor, and the Australian public. Where, you may ask, was Superman when we needed him? That one is yet to be revealed, and as this is not strictly speaking a political column, my answer shall stay within the confines of the Fortress of Solitude, along with the answer to who killed JFK and the answer to life, the universe and everything*. What I did find out was this, during my time out on the streets with my faithful sidekick Jimmy Olsen (otherwise known as Osky the Spy Cat, who gave up after half an hour and went back to sleep).

Australians are, by and large, fond of being disruptive. We don’t settle to the status quo, and we don’t like being told what to do. We particularly don’t appreciate authority figures assuming that we will accept anything less than disrupters in their turn to look up to and admire. Does this make us a nation of brawlers? No. That’s not my point. My point is that we recognise an inherent need to not dumb down the process of selecting our heroes, and we respect those who are prepared to disturb unfair treatment within the political system, the workplace, the home, the military, the sporting arena, the public sector and protective services. Disruption to the majority of Australians is more than a hashtag or a catchcry. It is more than an of the moment business phrase, more than a Gen Y thought process. It’s something we have embraced since the ANZACs decided to put a little bit of bush mateship into the way they played with the British officers. This is something that I feel Lex Luthor, in all his newly-found super-powers, may not quite have understood. Just because one has the ability to use KryptoKnight, doesn’t mean it necessarily imbues one with the wisdom to control it. Nor the ability to see that despite the glorious blue glow of its jewel-like tones, sometimes it shines a false light... ...and leaves a path of true disturbance - as opposed to disruption - in its wake. This time, I don’t think there’s going to be a man in a red cape coming to save us either. Maybe it’s time for Wonder Woman and the Justice League instead? Now that’s what I call disruptive thinking. *It’s 42. In case you were wondering.

LBDG is about community. It’s about business leaders and entrepreneurs collaborating. It’s about creating sustainable, leverageable and successful businesses. It’s about netweaving connections, knowledge and insight for results. JOIN US Members of the LBDGroup are cross functional and cross industry. Lawyers, bankers, marketing and PR professionals, media, mining, construction, designers, jewellery, fashion, philanthropists, non-for-profit, human resources, fitness, health and well-being, property, sales, speakers and authors to name but a few. And with a fabulous mix of corporates to own business it is the quality of conversations that we have that make us so different. JOIN US We offer three levels of membership for women that are committed to building their businesses, to fast track their growth and to ensure that they are surrounding themselves with the best in the businesses. BLACK, DIAMOND and PLATINUM membership levels are designed to offer increasing one to one mentoring and group mentoring and business education and training. Depending on where you are in your journey there is a membership level that’s right for you “Janine has an enviable drive and motivation that is not only infectious but so supportive & constructive. It is so very refreshing and admirable to see someone turn their passion in to reality and back it up with such determination to bring like-minded, talented & intelligent women together.” Prue Thomas Group Marketing Director- Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge & Glue Store - Australia

“Janine Garner is an inspiring visionary who brings together like-minded people to pursue and attain professional goals. Janine is a confident and warm person, and her skill of collaboration is impressive. The Little Black Dress Group is a brilliant source of knowledge and expression for business women and Janine is the keystone to its success.” Kath Creel Marketing Director at Impact AV Australia

JOIN US

“We Don’t Network, We Netweave”™

INHALE

THE FUTURE,

EXHALE

THE PAST.

WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN (and it’s always your turn)

SETH GODIN

Fear of Failure In the industrialized world, the world of driveways, parkways, dishwashers, and dumbwaiters, a rational fear for our individual survival isn’t even in the top ten. Wild animals don’t threaten our existence, the diseases that were rampant a century ago do not exist, and crime in our biggest cities is more rare than ever before. So what is there to be afraid of? Failure.

legs, you can’t run a marathon. Successful marathon runners haven’t figured out how to avoid being tired, they’ve figured out where to put the tired when it arrives. If you’re not willing to be tired, you cant run. If you’re willing to imagine failure, you’re unable to be free. In just a few generations, we’ve gone from “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” to “The fear we feel is the fear of freedom.”

What happened at the Solvay?

Our schools, our marketers, and our culture reinforce this fear daily. The heartbreak of psoriasis, the humiliation of underarm odor, but most of all, the utter horror of trying and failing.

In 1927, the Solvay congress in Brussels assembled 29 physicists. This photo captures the all-star line-up, titans including Heisenberg*, Einstein, Curie and Bohr.

Failure is almost never as bad as we fear it will be, but it’s our fear that we fell, not the failure.

Seventeen people in the photo won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Worst of all, we’ve so amplified our internal narrative that we can’t help but associate freedom with failure.

*There is some uncertainty as to whether Heisenberg was actually there.

And so our fear of failure transfers effortlessly into fear of freedom.

The thing: Many of these people won the Nobel Prize after the conference was held.

Consider our avoidance of feeling tired. If you’re unwilling to be tired, unwilling to feel fatigue in your

They didn’t get invited because they had won the Nobel Prize. They won the Nobel Prize because they got invited.

PEOPLE LIKE US DO THINGS LIKE THIS.

FEAR IS THE MIND-KILLER. FEAR IS THE LITTLE-DEATH THAT BRINGS TOTAL OBLITERATION. I WILL FACE MY FEAR.

I WILL PERMIT IT TO PASS OVER ME AND THROUGH ME. AND WHEN IT HAS GONE PAST I WILL TURN THE INNER EYE TO ITS PATH. WHERE THE FEAR HAS GONE THERE WILL BE NOTHING. ONLY I WILL REMAIN. The hard part

Exchanging our pain

Every time I invite people to apply to a seminar or offer an internship, I’m surprised to discover that many of the applicants have no hard skills to brag about. They’re happy to check off boxes like, “business development,” and “making a ruckus,” but they rarely say that they know how to design code, or to use CSS or even InDesign. They’ve spent so many years following instructions, fitting in and getting good grades that they failed to learn to do anything independent.

The pain of not reaching our potential, the pain of being overlooked, the pain of not being heard.

The side effect of a lack of hard skills is that these very same people almost never have much to show for themselves in the way of a project portfolio, online or off. They can’t point to something and say, “I made that.” More people make a living from non-manual labor today than ever before. Sometimes, though, we forget that the only to successfully move forward is to do emotional labor, to put in the effort and emotion to make something that matters and something that might not work. Today, we have the chance to do work that’s far more pleasant and involves far more freedom. And the only one stopping us from this work - is us.

The pain of being a cog, of not fitting in enough, never enough. The pain of having to measure up in a world that keeps telling us that we don’t. So many live with that pain because the alternative is hard to consider. The alternative is to experience the pain of being free. The pain of saying, “here, I made this.”. The pain of living with the opportunity to make a difference. There’s no pain-free path. But at least you can do something that matters.

Yertle In New York, it’s the top of the real estate market that keeps booming. Specifically, penthouses, the very top floor, with the high ceilings and the great views. I watched as a building was going up the other day, and wasn’t surprised to see that the top floor was significantly taller than the

floors below. Penthouses have bigger windows too. Here’s the thing: When you’re in the penthouse, enjoying the windows and the view and the high ceilings, you have no idea whether there’s an apartment above yours. In fact, it probably shouldn’t matter, should it? But it does. Like Yertle the Turtle, who not only needed to be high up but also needed to be on top of everyone, the penthouse dweller is paying for supremacy, for being the unqualified winner on top. The need to be recognized as the winner destroys your ability to take your turn, because taking your turn requires you to be willing to not win. My argument is the only long-term way to make it as an artist is to do it from a position of generosity, of seeking to connect and change people for the better. But generosity, while it sometimes leads to it-feels-like-winning can never be based on winning, because winning requires other people lose. Yertle-style.

THIS: Avoid certainty. Pick yourself. Postpone gratification. Seek joy. Embrace generosity. Dance without fear. Be paranoid about the mediocrity. See the world as it is. Be the boss of you. OR THIS: Seek certainty wherever possible, mostly by giving others the power to pick you, relieve transition, and give you instructions. When it’s available, take gratification. Order dessert tonight, diet tomorrow. Honk your horn, argue with your ex, slam the table, and find a reason to teach people a lesson because it feels good and you’re entitled. Generosity is fine when it’s aimed at you, but there always seems to be a reason to focus on something you need more than taking the time or investing the effort to help someone else. And most of all, let fear (and the fear of fear) drive your decisions. Stand on the escalator, hollering, waiting for the man to come and set you free.

Not even close In Open: An Autobiography, Andre Agassi wrote about the secret he learned while playing tennis: “But I don’t feel that Wimbledon changed me. I feel, in fact, as if I’ve been let in on a dirty little secret: winning changes nothing. Now that I’ve won

a slam, I know something that very few people on earth are permitted to know. A win doesn’t feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn’t last as long as the bad. Not even close.” Ouch. It’s easy to believe that five great Amazon reviews don’t compare to one “no.” What a sad way to choose to live life. No wonder we don’t want to speak up or stand up or do anything much that matters. We’ve persuaded ourselves that good feelings aren’t even close to outweighing bad ones.

“I had no choice” This of course, is a wonderful thing to be able to say if your hope is to be off the hook. When we talk about how we had no choice, how our options were constrained, how we were following instructions, or orders, or the map, it’s not out fault. It’s not our fault. How delicious is that feeling? No freedom, no responsibility. You had no choice, so how could you possibly be responsible? This stands in contrast to the

plaintive admission, “I had a choice.” When we have a choice, when we have the freedom to choose, we claim the responsibility that goes with it. You’ve already guessed: we always have a choice. It might be accurate to say, “if I wanted to keep x, y and z, then I had no choice.” Or, perhaps, “if I wanted to not rock the boat, not make a ruckus, not risk something dear to me, I had no choice.” But no choice at all? We willfully create the illusion that we have no choice because it’s frightening to be free. But the deeper we look, the more we realize just how much choice we actually have. The choice of which roads to take and, more profoundly, which ones we choose not to take. The blog we don’t start, the job we don’t quit, the injustice we overlook. The course we don’t take, the tutor we don’t hire, the question we don’t ask. Every escalator goes faster if we also walk up the stairs on our own. And sooner or later, every escalator stalls. It’s up to us to choose what to do about that, as the freedom is

When is the right time? The other day, I was speaking to two dozen interns at a famous investment bank. These kids were at the top of the heap. Famous colleges, involved parents, the right network. Here they were at a huge conference table, perhaps 25 feet long, in their blue suits and white shirts, the very center of the privileged universe. By just about every measure, these twenty-year-old students have more options than most. Career options, family options, geography options - choice is everywhere. I spent about half an hour talking to them about broken escalators and their freedom, and how they could choose to do their very best work, to become more than a cog in a (profitable) machine. Hannah raised her hand. “But maybe it makes sense to wait. After all, we have student loans to pay off. It doesn’t make sense to take risks now; later, when we’re better established, then we can find our own path.” Here’s the thing: It’s never the right time. When you are starting a family, it’s not the right time. When your kids are about to go to college, it’s not the right time. When there’s an elderly parent depending on you... We have a thousand perfect reasons to give up our freedom in exchange for the illusion of safety.

All of them are based on a misunderstanding of fear vs. freedom. This is the chance of a lifetime, our lifetime. Not someone else, us. Not later. Now.

Furious is not the same as fierce

- Thelonius Monk.

DON'T PLAY EVERYTHING

A GENIUS IS THE ONE MOST LIKE HIMSELF

Furious is your ego talking. It is the fight to get even, to reclaim the higher ground, to set things right. Furious might look good on TV, but it rarely succeeds, because someone who is furious is unable to create art, or to be generous, to see what’s actually happening. All he wants to do is defeat his enemy. My friend Asim spent a year in Pakistan. While there, he wrote one of the most classic lines I’ve read in our modern era, “I did a random search on the internet for boxing clubs.” It turns out he found one in Lahore. Ehtisham, his host at the gym, an MMA fighter from Hunza, told him, “...gasping for breath and recklessly pacing back and forth is counterproductive, you might as well throw in the towel.” No, fury doesn’t work, but fierceness does. The artist who is fierce is able to sacrifice his ego and his perception of safety to go to a place that frightens him. He cares so much about the work and the community and the opportunity to make a difference that he’s able to be rational when everyone else winds themselves into a knot being furious. Fierceness takes honesty and commitment. Fierceness means telling yourself the truth about what’s at stake and what’s possible, without expending a drop of energy on trying to make everything okay. Because everything will never be okay. And everything is always okay. Fierce means living with the simultaneous certainty that this is vitally important and this might not work.

It’s always too soon More than four hundred years ago, Gutenberg launched the printing press. What a foolish time to bring a book manufacturing system to Europe - 96 percent of the population was illiterate. When only one in twenty-five people knows how to use the product you’re about to launch, and when learning how to use it (to read) takes years, it’s clearly ridiculous to even consider this project. When Karl Benz introduced the car to Germany, it was against the law to drive a car. He had to get a letter from the King granting him permission to use his new device. And, worth mentioning, no one knew how to drive a car. And there were no roads. And no gas stations. Again, foolish time to launch that project, no? There is a fundamental difference between being ready and being prepared. You are more prepared than you realize. You probably aren’t even ready, and you can’t be ready, not if you’re doing something worthwhile. Because we always do our best work and take our turn before we’re ready.

Backstage with Dylan How many times do you have to perform in front of 15,000 people before you’re relaxed in the hours before you go on stage? No pre-show jitters at the 3,000th show, certainly. It’s not the show that makes us nervous. It’s the story about the show, and doing the work makes the story go away.

HOW MUCH DO YOU GET PAID TO WATCH TV?

Bravery and courage are for other people It’s entirely possible that you are physically able to be a thoroughbred’s jockey or lead a battalion into battle or work the night shift as a cop. These are risky and difficult jobs, and they require bravery. And it’s more than likely that there are tasks you’re avoiding doing because they require significant emotional labor and the ability to overcome perceived risk. They’re not physically dangerous, but they require courage nonetheless. It’s easy to use words like “bravery” and “courage” because they pigeonhole the work. It is work for the brave and for the courageous, not for us. By labelling yourself as not-quite-brave or almostbut-not-yet courageous, you let yourself off the hook. It’s a label, and it’s a label for other people, people who are in a better place than you are, apparently. Getting off the broken escalator requires neither bravery nor courage. It’s not risky. It merely appears to be risky. I’m not asking you to be a brave person or a courageous person. I’m not pushing you to be some sort of creative genius when you believe you’re actually not. No, the opportunity lies in merely seeing what’s actually happening. False perceptions leading to a cycle of fear that’s baseless. You don’t need a permit or a blessing or any sort of permission to decide to take your turn. You only have to open your eyes and look. And then choose.

What does better mean? It used to mean, “meets spec.” It used to mean, “more reliable.” It used to mean that you successfully complied, created something scarce and could profit from it. Today better means more connected. Something we would miss if it were gone. In the connection economy, better means more human, more vulnerable, the thing that embraces the tension of works/might not work. We can always do better.

Sometimes people ask why they should create or contribute if they’re not going to get paid for it. They hesitate to write a novel if no publisher will pay them for it, and they sneer at the mere amateur who does what he does for love, not for money. We’ve commercialized all the things that used to be passions. You’re supposed to get paid to be a sculptor or a golfer, a writer or an impresario, the creator of projects. And if we’re getting paid for these intellectual pursuits, then we’re taught we ought to treat them the way workers in the industrialized world have been trained to treat their jobs with disdain, with an awareness that we ought to do less for more. What a shame, what a foolish way to dishonor our humanity. Instead, just for a moment, imagine what would happen if we decided to and create and connect merely because we love it. It turns out that acting as if we love it creates the environment where that might actually happen.

What does the market say? It’s pretty easy to focus on the story that the market tells us about our work. The story of criticism or rejection or even success More important, I think, is the story we tell ourselves. A story of mattering, of resilience, of daring to take a turn. Sure, the external story matters, mostly because it has an impact on the story we tell ourselves. But the narrative belongs to you, and it’s up to you to create and live a story that works.

Write until you are not afraid to write Perhaps you will always be afraid. How about this: write until you are able to write words you are proud enough to share. Don’t hesitate. Don’t decide the words aren’t good enough yet. Write. Then write more. After that, after you’ve written and written, then you get to decide. And if it’s not good enough to share, write again. Isaac Asimov got up every morning at down and wrote until noon. Every day. He published 400 books in his lifetime, by showing up on a regular basis. His best work surprised him, every time.

Do what you should do

Shomo Morita taught his patients that our emotions, like the weather, have nothing to do with our need to do the work, to live our lives. Emotions like fear and anxiety come and go, and we can note them, but we don’t need to battle them or obsess over them, particularly when they become an impediment to creation. If fear is able to keep up us from showing up when it’s our turn, then fear has won the day and it will return again and again. Morita took a different approach: When fear arrives, do what you should do. Note the fear, welcome it if you can, but do what you should do.

It’s noisy out here Which means you’ve got to figure out how to make it quiet in there. There are two places to find our footing, to get the stability we seek. The most common way: We can buy into the industrial system, seeking to make everything okay by finding and grabbing sinecure, a niche where the world will leave us alone. How’s that working for you? The alternative is understanding that the world isn’t going to provide this haven. The only reliable way to find our footing is to create it, to change the story we tell ourselves, to build an internal foundation that not only tolerates a crazy world filled with change, but embraces it. The sailor doesn’t mind a rough sea. It’s not because he’s physically different from you - it’s because the rocking of the boat is expected. We naturally find our own horizon when the external one is rocking. Suffering comes from the impossible juxtaposition of a world that can’t possibly live up to our unreasonable expectations.

"THE EXPLORER IS THE PERSON WHO IS LOST."

At night, clouds can float in front of the moon, but it doesn’t change the fact that the moon is still there. There’s nothing at all we can do about the clouds, and trying to will away our anxiety or to wait until we’re in the mood to do our best is an invitation to frustration.

- Tim Cahill

Morita therapy was developed in Japan in the 1920s. The essence of the approach is that productive people are able to distinguish between their feelings and their need to their work, to show up with mindful effort.

What will you create? Who will you help? What connection will you make? What will you dare to care about? There are so many opportunities, so many chances to find beauty or to ease suffering, that the easiest thing to do is to pretend that they don’t exist. Because if they do exist, if that little girl will live a better life because you showed up, if that void will be filled because you cared enough to do something about it... if we actually recognize the opportunity that’s in front of us, what are we to do about it?

AVERT YOUR EYES

We’d have no choice but to change things for the better, to take our turn and make a difference.

You have the chance to change things As Michael Shrage has pointed out, that’s what all the great organizations do. Artists and humans too. We make change. What do you care enough to fix, or disrupt, or invent? Starting right here, right now. If we are willing to suffer enough to matter, we are able to make change happen. Or at least we can try. Don’t avert your eyes. Look at the opportunity. Take it. It’s yours.

On living in two futures at once Every time you take a turn, you’re seeking to make a change happen, and there’s no guarantee that it will. Which means, there is a fork in the road.

THIS MIGHT WORK. THIS MIGHT NOT WORK. And beyond the fear of failure is the tension of living in two different futures. In order to engage with our ideas, to flesh out our approach, we start envisioning how it will work, what it’ll feel like. We begin to live inside that future. A future that might not happen.

IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO RISK FAILURE, CHOOSE TO DO EXCEPTIONAL WORK. IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO DO EXCEPTIONAL WORK, CHOOSE TO RISK FAILURE. This oft-repeated phrase might mean, “everything will turn out the way you want it to.” But it doesn’t. In fact, it never turns out that way. It actually means, “something will happen.” And whatever happens, you can figure out what to do with that. Because be defining what happens as “okay,” we open the door to accepting our work and our world and our quest to make things that matter.

It’s all invented (but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real) A friend grew up with a severe phobia. He told me that one of the most hurtful things adults said to him (they meant well, no doubt) was, “it’s all in your head.” Just because it’s in your head doesn’t mean you’re not sick, in pain, unable to breathe.

Most of all, we invent the constraints that prevent us from seeking freedom. We invent them.

“ It will be okay. ”

If these inventions aren’t working, if they’re making us sick or unhappy or ineffective, the question on the table is: why not invent something else?

Why not invent different rules, different expectations, different ways of deciding what success is and what it’s not?

Here’s how I know that there’s no correct set of inventions: We each have a different list. Each of us has different expectations, a different definition of fairness, and a different set of goals. And my set (and probably your set) is not the same as it was a month or a year or a decade ago. It changes.

The paralyzing fear we feel in the face of freedom is in our head; that’s the only place it could be. It’s something we invented, just as we invent all the drama in our lives, all the attractions, connections, and meaning that we depend on.

If each of us has a unique, invented worldview, and that worldview keeps changing, why not change it on purpose? Why not invent a way of being that’s actually eager (not just comfortable, but eager) to live with the duality of work/not work, to embrace the freedom of living in a world where we’re not controlling every outcome and not even sure about what’s going to happen next?

Ben and Roz Zander talk about the game we play in creating narrative of our lives. We invent our expectations, our rules, our standards. We invent what we hope will happen, what needs to happen, what has to happen.

Creative, dynamic, and happy people have invented a monologue built around taking the work seriously, not personally, and in accepting that it will all be okay. Because, after all, what’s the alternative?

“I see it all perfectly; there are two possible situations - one can either do this or that. My honest and my friendly advice is this: do it or do not do it - you will regret both. ...To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.” - Soren Kierkegaard

That story that keeps replaying Your story, that story that keeps replaying, the interaction of your expectations and what happens, the narrative, the disappointments and the way you process it... It’s all invented. Ambien, the popular sleep aid, doesn’t actually help people sleep much more (in one study, it boosted sleep by 18 minutes a night). No, the reason it works is that it’s an amnesiac. Ambien makes you forget that you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. Because a huge side affect of sleeplessness is the invented story we tell ourselves about how tired we are. Ambien doesn’t help us sleep, it just destroys the negative story about not sleeping. It’s all invented. It’s still real, the pain is real, the frustration is real, but the story that’s causing it all is something we made up, and something we can change. The pain is real, and so is a path to changing it.

Free will and the play-by-play in your head Back to freedom and what it means. Everyone I’ve ever asked has had the same experience with the voice in their head. They tell me that the little man (or woman) who’s up there, constantly chattering, makes the important decisions. “I feel like having some ice cream,” he says, and so we have some ice cream. It’s this voiceover that considers options, debates outcomes, and ultimately decides. Or at least it feels that way. But Dan Dennett and other philosophers and researchers have demonstrated that this isn’t true. Here’s how to think about it: Dave Hodge (substitute your favorite sportscaster) is doing the play-by-play for a baseball game. Now, take a video recording of the game and move Dave’s play-by-play forward by about six seconds. Instead of Dave describing what happens after the play (the way it usually works), in our sped-up version, Dave says something and then it happens. “Suzuki is on the mound, winds up for the pitch, it’s a strike...” we hear Hodge say. And then, we watch Suzuki wind and throw a pitch. This, of course, is silly. We all know that the announcer

doesn’t tell the player what to do; we know that the player does something and then the announcer describes it. Guess what? That’s how the voice works. It does playby-play. That voice in your head is describing what you’re about to do after a different part of your brain has already initiated that action And that’s how we drive ourselves nuts, and why we hide and why it’s hard to be free. Because the chattering voice in our head is busy pretending it has agency, when in fact, all it’s doing is going along for the ride. Take a second to digest that, because it will change everything. Your body decides, the voice inside your brain narrates. Of course, there’s a cycle. The voice in your head then pushes back on the rest of your body, often causing stress, or second-guessing, or hesitation. It’s only when we learn not to banish the voice but to dance with it that we’re able to do our best work.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? When it’s your turn, the cultural instinct is to launch the safe balloon, to keep your head down and create a predictable response. To play a greatest hit, not something new and dangerous. And that’s a shame.

It’s the opportunity to dance with your fear, to look people in the eye and to do work that matters. John Bingham is the father of the Slow Running movement. He doesn’t win races, but he enters them. He doesn’t train through the pain or seek to diminish those who might be slower than he is. He has embraced the freedom (at middle age) to become an athlete.

It’s your turn to write a blog post, call an old friend, start a podcast. It’s your turn to say thank you, to apologize, to ask a difficult question. It’s your turn to help a competitor, to find value where it’s been overlooked, to teach someone who is waiting to be taught.

His motto is that he had the courage to start.

There are countless reasons not to do this. Practical, time-based, financially prudent reasons to avoid just about all the things you’re avoiding.

‘Courage’ ought to be reserved for overcoming real risk, for doing something dangerous. Making a choice about the story we tell ourselves doesn’t take courage. It merely requires we see what’s going on and make a choice.

But the opportunity is profound.

John got it slightly wrong. It’s not that he has the courage to start, because no courage is required to run around the block. No, the miracle is that he started.

”The miracle isn’t that I finished . The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” He began, one foot, the other foot, started. He was aware enough to see that he, like just about every healthy person his age, was capable of running around the block, and his anticipation of running, even a block, had transformed into anxiety and into fear and into “I have no choice, I’m stuck here.” John ended that cycle. John’s transformation was from believing that he wasn’t the sort of person who could run a block into realizing that there are only choices, not predestined sorts of people. It’s merely a choice. It’s all a choice.

This extract has been reformatted and reproduced exclusively for LBDGroup and GLOSS with thanks to Seth Godin. What To Do When It’s Your Turn... is available now - please click here to order your copy.