Topaz Adizes
๐ค SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
No profit was coming back. So I was getting depleted. And in the end, I couldn't walk the 10, 15 minute walk. It took me from my home to my office. And when I was done, I had to jump in the Uber and pay the $10, take a five minute Uber ride back. to just put on crickets in my New York Brooklyn apartment because I was burnt out, man. I was living in New York for 18 years.
No profit was coming back. So I was getting depleted. And in the end, I couldn't walk the 10, 15 minute walk. It took me from my home to my office. And when I was done, I had to jump in the Uber and pay the $10, take a five minute Uber ride back. to just put on crickets in my New York Brooklyn apartment because I was burnt out, man. I was living in New York for 18 years.
I was running the startup for eight at that point. And I was burnt out. And for me, it was making that substitution of like, no, no, no, I need to change. It's not just about putting out value and just not getting things back. I need the excess back. That excess is not profit, it's energy. Why? Because I could put more out in the world that I think of value.
I was running the startup for eight at that point. And I was burnt out. And for me, it was making that substitution of like, no, no, no, I need to change. It's not just about putting out value and just not getting things back. I need the excess back. That excess is not profit, it's energy. Why? Because I could put more out in the world that I think of value.
Because what drives me is not money, it's value. and I mean value in a more artistic sense of putting out there the things that I think are important.
Because what drives me is not money, it's value. and I mean value in a more artistic sense of putting out there the things that I think are important.
There's a relationship to money and then there's a relationship to business, right? Because money, you could be a freelancer. I mean, I was a freelancer, director and cinematographer and editor for years and I was still dealing with this problem of my relationship to money.
There's a relationship to money and then there's a relationship to business, right? Because money, you could be a freelancer. I mean, I was a freelancer, director and cinematographer and editor for years and I was still dealing with this problem of my relationship to money.
But then I started a business and that also had a whole other relationship to business, which is how do you show up as a leader? How do you create the space to enable people to deliver the most, not just for themselves, but also for the sustainability of the enterprise that's collective? Because For many years, for me, the most important thing was each individual's path.
But then I started a business and that also had a whole other relationship to business, which is how do you show up as a leader? How do you create the space to enable people to deliver the most, not just for themselves, but also for the sustainability of the enterprise that's collective? Because For many years, for me, the most important thing was each individual's path.
But then the actual company itself was not sustainable and I had to carry it. And then, you know, I'm facing tons of debt or I'm facing tons of channels and everyone goes and I'm left holding the ticket in my hand. And, you know, I have children and like, wait a second. And there was a long journey. It's 11 years. Yeah. And I think I've worked in three offices in my life. One was...
But then the actual company itself was not sustainable and I had to carry it. And then, you know, I'm facing tons of debt or I'm facing tons of channels and everyone goes and I'm left holding the ticket in my hand. And, you know, I have children and like, wait a second. And there was a long journey. It's 11 years. Yeah. And I think I've worked in three offices in my life. One was...
In university, I had a summer internship at Idea Lab under Bill Gross, and it was really hard for me. Showing up to an office, as awesome as that place was, just like, I couldn't be at the same desk from nine to five every day.
In university, I had a summer internship at Idea Lab under Bill Gross, and it was really hard for me. Showing up to an office, as awesome as that place was, just like, I couldn't be at the same desk from nine to five every day.
And then there were two directing jobs I had where, same thing, until you were on set in prep and everything, you know, you're showing up to a desk and you're nine to five. And I found myself that I would get the work done in half the time and the other half the time I was pretending to work. This is something I can't do. I cannot spend my life pretending to do the job.
And then there were two directing jobs I had where, same thing, until you were on set in prep and everything, you know, you're showing up to a desk and you're nine to five. And I found myself that I would get the work done in half the time and the other half the time I was pretending to work. This is something I can't do. I cannot spend my life pretending to do the job.
I can't waste the most important, valuable, finite thing I have is my time, is anyone's time. So it was really difficult for me. So for me, it was always like either on my own as an independent contractor, or then 10 years ago, I said, okay, I'm gonna start a business. And that's been a long up and down journey. And I think, I mean, I've learned so much.
I can't waste the most important, valuable, finite thing I have is my time, is anyone's time. So it was really difficult for me. So for me, it was always like either on my own as an independent contractor, or then 10 years ago, I said, okay, I'm gonna start a business. And that's been a long up and down journey. And I think, I mean, I've learned so much.
I've learned just because it doesn't happen when you want it to happen does not mean it's not going to happen. It's just not going to happen on your timeframe. So be patient. Don't beat yourself up. Be resilient. This is a marathon. It's not a sprint. There's ebbs and flows. When it ebbs, prepare for the flow. When it's flowing, prepare for the ebb. My dad has a great line. He has two.
I've learned just because it doesn't happen when you want it to happen does not mean it's not going to happen. It's just not going to happen on your timeframe. So be patient. Don't beat yourself up. Be resilient. This is a marathon. It's not a sprint. There's ebbs and flows. When it ebbs, prepare for the flow. When it's flowing, prepare for the ebb. My dad has a great line. He has two.