Rowan Spazzoli

The job that you really want but don’t think you could ever get. The business idea that you want to launch but it’s too audacious. The person or thing that you dream of but is out of your reach…. 

That’s your unicorn. 

Your unicorn is something that you think is so far beyond you that you don’t even dare to go for it. The quest seems futile…. so you never try.

However, that unicorn might be needing you too. The job is looking for a person like you. The business idea needs someone like you to drive it. You might just be the unicorn to your unicorn.

The trick is to not get caught in your own assumptions about the unicorn. You might rule yourself out of it, but in reality there could be a very strong possibility of it happening. It’s up to you to change your perspective and allow yourself  to try for it.

So… what are you waiting for?

Go chase your unicorn

Image is from our little adventure to Hout Bay this afternoon 🙂

Blog: 310/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day: Vengaboys - We like to party

One of the reasons I love going to conferences and events is because of the people I get to meet there. These conferences bring together people with similar passions and interests. They unite fellow sparks under one banner.

Last year I went to three major conference and at each of these events, the speakers were fantastic. But what I really got out of the events were deep and long lasting connections. And it’s with these people that I am and will continue to collaborate with. And we’re going to change the world together.

One of the people that I met at BYM is Nondumiso. She’s written a brilliant article on her experience of another prestigious event, the Queens Young Leaders. To close off this blog post, here is the last bit of her article:

Whatever your passion is, start small and collaborate

If not us, then who? And if not now, then when?

Alone, one only gets so far. Together we get a lot further and have a lot more impact.

If you intend to do good in the world, and your passion fuels you, you will do good.

If your intentions are shared with like-minded people and your passion unites, it is amazing what we can all achieve together.

Nondumiso Hlophe (Read the full post here)

Image is from the Brightest Young Minds conference in September last year 🙂 Nondumiso is the third person from the left

Blog: 309/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day: Black Coffee ft Kensy - Go On

Having professional networks and (social media) followers has become highly valuable over the past few years. This is because companies have changed the way they advertise, from being directed to general audiences to being very specific in who receives the message.

For example, a food blogger/instagramer is likely to have followers that are in a demographic bracket that go out to trendy restaurants. As a result, these trendy restaurants and brands are likely to want to advertise through this blogger so that they can reach a very distinct group of people. 

As Seth Godin says, being able to organise communications to people now days has significant value. 

So who is your audience? And how are you delivering value to them?

Image is from a sneak trip to Hout bay yesterday 🙂

Blog: 308/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day: Liquideep - Still

Escapism is when someone runs away or distracts themselves to avoid an unpleasant reality. It might involve something like binge watching series. Or spending a serious amount of time playing computer games. Or scrolling through social media. 

Escapism is generally viewed in a negative light. Because it means you’re not dealing with your problems. And you’re not making an active effort to change your situation.

But change takes time. And money. And effort.

Which are not all easily accessible to everyone. Or manageable all at once

So as much as we might feel guilty about a good old Netflix binge, it’s actually quite okay. Escaping reality for a little bit offers some peace and rest from the chaos of every day.

And, slowly, we can begin making changes to our reality so we don’t feel the need to escape it.

Image is from my run yesterday through Greenpoint Park

Blog: 307/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day: The Cranberries - Dreams

One of the questions that should be asked more often in economic development is: who benefits?

This came up several times in an interview I conducted today with a development professional. We were talking about policies and investments intended for development and how these don’t necessarily reach the people they are intended for.

An abstract example might be a skills development project aimed at making people more employable. Most of the money for that might go to the planning committee or people involved in setting up the strategy. There might be a building that’s built or IT infrastructure that’s set up.

But, in this example, it’s likely that little of the monetary impact is making it in to the community. There might be investment, but a significant portion is absorbed by high income earners who are consulting on the process.

Watch the flow

I’m not saying that the planning groups, infrastructure teams or managing organisation should not get paid. These are key elements in economic development projects.

However, the question of who benefits needs to be kept at the center of the planning and the discussion on such projects. And the benefits must be aligned to the needs of the community. Better yet, the community should be involved. 

We can improve the way we do development by watching the flow. And seeing whether the policies and investments are reached their intended recipients.

Image is from a small park near my home 🙂

Blog: 306/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day: Starley - Call on me [Ryan Riback Remix]

Yesterday we hosted a “changing paths” workshop for students who were unsure of what they wanted to do after their degree. It’s mainly focused on students who are on a set path, such as accounting, and are now thinking about doing something else.

One of the mentors on the course gave a really great piece of advice to the students. She said that when she was confused about work in her masters program, she brought it up with her professor. This particular problem had been stressing her out for weeks. The professor said to her:

“Hmmm…. that work looks confusing to me too. Confusion is healthy though, it means you’re growing. Just don’t let the confusion cause anxiety.”

This stuck with me for the rest of the day. Because we’re so used to confusion about our lives being a negative thing. That we’ll only be happy if we aren’t confused.

However, being confused often means you’re exploring new things or growing.

So if you’re feeling confused about your life, that’s okay. Just don’t let it turn to anxiety.

Image is from our drive last week 🙂

P.s. I know I’m late on yesterday’s blog. Will do it tomorrow 🙂

Blog: 303/365. Click here to read about my #365of25 journey
Song of the day:  Daughter - Medicine (Sound Remedy Remix)


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