What ambitious creatives can learn from a 320 mile race across the desert
The Speed Project, and taking things one step at a time.
Good morning,
How are you all doing?
An update
Since we last spoke, I’ve shared two podcast episodes - one with Kevin Kelly, and one with Nils Arend - founder of the ‘craziest relay race in the world’, The Speed Project.
I’ve also had some early intro calls with some coaching clients. I will be working with a very select number of people 1-1 from later in Spring and I’m excited to start 🍋. If you would love some ‘thinking space’ for you to dive into what feels important to you right now, and get clearer on a plan on how to get where you want to go, you can apply here at a super discounted rate.
On the podcast side, Kevin Kelly - the founding editor of Wired Magazine and all-round ‘most interesting man in the world’ (at least according to Tim Ferris) - joined the show again (last time, he shared his 50 year passion project documenting the changing face of Asia in photographs), and this time we spoke about his latest book ‘Excellent Advice for Living’.
Kevin shares all sorts of wisdom from 80 years on this planet - from why you should work to ‘become’ something not to ‘acquire’ something, to why you shouldn’t wear a hat with more personality than you. It’s a great episode for anyone feeling reflective or thinking about how they can make theirs a ‘meaningful life’ - take a listen here.
I also shared an interview I did with Nils Arend, founder of The Speed Project:
Nils is an awesome guy - we met almost 5 years ago for the first time and he was the first person I interviewed for the blog. You can read that here. He created a running relay race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas - over 320 miles - which now has something of a cult following.
As a creative or entrepreneurial person, it’s easy to talk yourself out of your big dreams. You might have a wild and creative idea, but then let the narratives of society to be ‘safe and acceptable’ or your own limiting beliefs talk you out of it. This is what we can learn from Nils’ incredible journey to create what BBC called 'The secret 'Fight Club'-style race between Los Angeles and Las Vegas” - do those crazy ideas.
Lessons for all ambitious creatives from The Speed Project:
FIND YOUR PEOPLE:
If you have a crazy idea - not everyone will get it. It took Nils a while to find the right people at the right time who were excited to work on The Speed Project, only then did it become more than an idea.ONE STEP AT A TIME:
Literally (in the case of running a 320 miles across a desert) you can’t think about the end. If you’re already 50 miles into a race, and you think about the 270 miles ahead, it’s won’t help. You have to be present, one foot in front of the other.LEARN FROM YOUR DISAPPOINTMENTS, DON’T QUIT
When Nils ran the race with friends for the first time, they filmed it. Then they put it online with baited breath and… no-one cared. It wasn’t the hit film they expected. They could have quit here, but instead they realised: people don’t want to watch, they want to take part - birthing their value ‘radical participation’.
REMEMBER YOUR WHY:
Passion projects can get weird. The goal posts can change. Don’t get distracted, don’t beat yourself up, stick with the original reason you started and keep going.
You can listen to the full episode here. Keep creating, and speak soon!
🌟 P.S. I will be starting the discounted 1-1 coaching sessions for a small selection of people in Spring. If you, or someone you know, would benefit you can sign up via the website.