If you didn’t know, Seth Godin and his team created the Krypton Community College over the summer of 2013. The gist: get together with people to discuss, learn and create together. (Here’s the link to the first course Krypton Course #001 Go: How to Overcome Fear, Pick Yourself, & Start a Project that Matters)
The following are lessons and reflections I thought it was necessary to share.
Week one
1. You don’t need a huge group. My team started with a total of two students and one organizer. Then it dwindled to one student and one organizer. It only takes two to tango.
2. Everyone has similar fears. But they won’t believe that statement until someone speaks up and shares their fears.
3. Fear can be narrowed down to either fear of embarrassment or fear of injury. Surprisingly, people would rather risk injury than risk embarrassment. Wow.
4. Fear – the 20 second rule
Week two
1. You can plan (not set) a path for creating projects that add up to a valuable portfolio of experiences. There’s a middle ground between setting something up and allowing for complete spontaneity. Find that sweet spot.
2. Finding your edge is crucial for success. You can’t find it alone, though.
3. Feel free to read Start Schooling Dreams.
Week three
1. Committment means something different for everyone.
2. Not everything you create should be shared. Not everything you create should be kept secret. Make time for what you keep private, make more time for what you share.
3. As the famous Hugh MacLeod said, “Ignore everybody.”
4. Let what you create and share go. You’re better off creating something else, something new. Once you deliver something, detach yourself from it and go make something else remarkable.
5. Success is not a straight line. (obvious, but worth mentioning again)
Week four
1. If you’re going to share your project idea with someone, make sure they have a project idea to share with you too. Sharing your idea with someone who doesn’t have one leaves you with everything to lose. Sharing your project idea with someone who has a project idea too leaves both of you with everything to gain. (I can’t fully explain the dynamic. You will have to trust me on this one without a long explanation.)
2. You’re going to talk about your project idea and get excited. Make a conscious decision beforehand that you will use that excitement for action and not settle at just talking about it. This is the most difficult part of the entire course.
Stay Positive & I Hope You Will Give It A Shot*
Garth E. Beyer
*if you live in Madison, Wisconsin, let me know. I will be holding course #002 at the start of 2014.
