Boundless #10 | Is generosity the hidden fuel for creativity in today's working world?
Boundless #10 | Is generosity the hidden fuel for creativity in today's working world?
#Writing
Making Sense Of The Gift Economy
I made the leap to self-employment because of a burning desire to be more creative and spend more time doing the work that matters to me. I have been incredibly lucky to write things that change people’s minds, create tools that helped people make career changes and spend a large amount of time having discussions and working with people trying to do the work that matters to them as well.
However, when my conversations or projects evolved to the point where you are supposed to set a price or engage in a transaction, it felt awkward. I felt it cheapened the experience. I wanted to help people because it’s what I love doing, not because I was in it for the paycheck.
Yet, the advice says we need to build a business. We can’t let people take advantage of us. We need to price ourselves high to demonstrate our value.
It never sat right with me.
So when I learned about the potential of the “gift economy” it helped explain why I felt worse when money entered the picture and it also helped free my mind to imagine incredible possibilities for our world....
As part of this, I am giving gifts of $25 to ten people who you nominate that will support their continued creative efforts...
#BoundlessPod
Ben Dubow on getting rejected from his dream job and his accidental path to becoming a startup founder
Ben is the founder and COO of Omelas, a startup that is focused on using technology to fight propaganda. Ben’s journey, however, does not start there. His journey is a classic case of “do not try this at home” – as we walk through Ben’s story, I found myself impressed at the number of rejections and roadblocks he faced. Early in his career, he thought he landed his dream job, at the State Department, only to have the offer reneged. This led him to put his passion (which was diplomacy), to the side, while he pursued a “practical” career. A job from Google appeared just at the last minute, where he found himself in a role to help redirect terrorist search results. This helped re-awaken something he was passionate about and led to the founding of his current company.
Show Notes
#ICYMI
Links, articles, and content from past weeks
Future of Work - The Mindset Shift We Need To Do Things That Matter
Boundless Podcast: Tom Critchlow on writing, personal branding, blogging and having a diversity of interests
Boundless Podcast: Cody Royle on what the business world could learn from sports.
"Make Your Own Rules" by Venkatesh Rao
Career Transition Playbook: A 50+ page workbook that will help you take action on a massive change in your career and your direction
Boundless Podcast: Janet Matta, Career Coach: Taking The Unconventional Paths In Your Career