Rowan Spazzoli

I had two meetings in the city centre in Cape Town today. I parked at the UCT Hiddingh campus and walked through the company gardens to get to them. I got to see parliament, various museums, St Georges Mall and Greenmarket Square.

I’ve been to all these places many times before but I think it may be the first time I’ve been there as a young professional, in a work context.

I don’t know if it was the change in context or that I was just more aware of my surroundings. But I found the whole experience of being in the city really enjoyable.

I don’t really have much more to add here, except that the city centre is such a cool space.

Oh… actually I did find one thing quite odd. It still has a very european feel. I passed a statue of Queen Victoria and thought it quite bizarre. And even though there is African artwork being sold in the city, much of it is directed at tourists.

I do think there is scope for the city to develop further with a more South African feel to it. But otherwise I really enjoyed it 🙂

Image was taken on my walk down the Company’s Gardens

Song of the day: Tom Odell - Another Love (Zwette Edit)

Blog 129/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

I’ve been driving to Stellenbosch quite a bit for work. I love the drive and will usually listen to music or have a catch up call with my mom on the way. Recently, though, I’ve added podcasts to my trip repertoire. I’ll listen to one or two on the way and they leave me feeling super motivated. I also feeling like I’m learning a huge amount.

My favourite podcast series is How I Built This by NPR, a show about entrepreneurs and the companies they built. I’ve listened to interviews with the founders of Instagram, Teach for America, Warby Parket, Chuck E Cheese, Atari, Five Guys, Compaq and many more.

Todays podcast was an interview with Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Computers. I got about half way through the interview and was absolutely fascinated by the story. And, weirdly, when I got home I saw a retweet on my timeline from Michael Dell. He shared a picture of his first ever financial statements. He used it to convince his parents to let him drop out of university.

Getting used to it

One of the things I love most about these stories is how normal the people seem. When I’m listening to them it feels like they could be my peers. That I’m not too far away from them.

And that’s part of why I listen. Yes, the stories are entertaining. And yes, I learn a lot. But mostly, it puts me in the frame of mind that these incredible achievements are attainable. And I know I’ll join these people one day, however that might happen 🙂

Image is of my room in first year (2011), with my trusty Dell laptop on my desk. I won it in a science competition in 2008. Sadly it got stolen two years ago.

Song of the day: Undisclosed Desires - Muse

Blog 128/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

Over the last two years or so I’ve started linking people who I think should know each other. If I meet someone undertaking a project and know someone who would help them, I’ll introduce them in person or over email.

It’s a simple gesture that doesn’t take much time. And often nothing comes of the introduction.

But sometimes it’s just right, and both parties are better off from knowing one another.

It may not directly benefit me, but the network around me is strengthened. More people knowing each other, more exciting ideas and more interesting outputs.

If you haven’t done this before, give it a try. It takes so little effort. But the impact can be huge.

Image was taken on my cycle this afternoon 🙂

Song of the day: Heavy - Linkin Park

Thesis update: didn't make as much progress as I wanted to but still got some stuff done

Blog 124/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

It is easy to recognise and forgive the shortcomings in someone else. If a friend has a down day that means they can’t make it to an event, we are kind to them. If a colleague is struggling with work we might offer to help them. We realise that people have limitations and we are able to factor these in.

However, we are much harsher about our own limitations. If we miss a friends event because we are in a bad space, we’ll be angry at ourselves. If we are unable to complete work we tend to get frustrated or annoyed and direct this inward.

I know I do exactly this. I am much harder on myself than I am on anyone else in my world. And other people are nicer to me than I am to myself.

This speaks to the whole idea of being kind to yourself by providing the basis for it.

If it is true that other people have shortcomings, then you must have them to. And if you can be gentle with them about their flaws, you can be with yourself.

Being your own best friend

I’d already been thinking about this idea today, and coincidentally The School of Life uploaded this video describing a similar concept.

The main message in the video is simple: treat yourself as you would a friend. And in doing so, you will automatically become kinder, more understanding and more forgiving of your own flaws and shortcomings.

Image was taken outside our apartment today. The words are from the song Crazy by Lost Frequencies. 

Song of the day: Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Blog 122/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here