What they don't tell you about entrepreneurship | Mark Leruste | TEDxCardiff
TLDRThe speaker explores why entrepreneurship has become an alluring aspiration, arguing the rise of celebrity entrepreneurs feeds our desire for fame and fortune. However, he posits that the deeper appeal lies in our innate human yearning for purpose and meaning. He urges the audience not to equate purpose solely with grand endeavors, but to seek 'micro quests' - small yet fulfilling goals that make one feel alive. Ultimately he advocates pursuing what scares yet intrigues us, whether via entrepreneurship or other paths, as that is often where our true calling lies.
Takeaways
- 😞 Starting and running a business is often portrayed as glamorous, but the reality is it's an extremely difficult, stressful and lonely journey for most entrepreneurs
- 😥 The superstar entrepreneur image promoted in media feeds our desire for fame and fortune, but it hides the struggles most entrepreneurs face
- 😔 87% of employees feel disengaged at work, so people turn to entrepreneurship to find greater purpose and meaning
- 😕 Having a sense of purpose and mission makes us less vulnerable to anxiety, boredom and depression
- 🤔 Your "quest" doesn't have to be huge and world-changing for it to give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment
- 😀 Micro-quests, small purposeful goals and projects, can also provide meaning and enjoyment
- 🧐 Follow your innate curiosity to uncover potential quests that could motivate you
- 😉 If an idea scares you, that might be exactly why you need to do it
- 🙂 Start small - tiny, deceptively small actions can eventually lead to big things
- 😊 Whether your quest is big or small, entrepreneurial or not, having purpose makes the world better for all
Q & A
What percentage of entrepreneurs experience depression according to the study by Professor Michael Freeman?
-According to the study, one in three entrepreneurs experiences depression.
What year did Mars One, the Dutch company planning to establish a human settlement on Mars, announce its mission?
-Mars One announced its mission in 2013.
How many people originally registered interest in Mars One's mission to establish a settlement on Mars?
-Over 200,000 people registered interest in Mars One's mission in 2013.
What does Professor Steve Taylor say makes people more vulnerable to anxiety, boredom and depression?
-Professor Steve Taylor says that not having a sense of purpose makes people more vulnerable to anxiety, boredom and depression.
How many men responded to Ernest Shackleton's newspaper ad seeking crew for an Antarctic expedition?
-According to the speaker, 5,000 men responded to Ernest Shackleton's newspaper ad.
What percentage of UK businesses employ only the founder with no other employees?
-76% of UK businesses were started by people who employ no one but themselves.
How many new businesses were being started every hour in the UK in 2016?
-In 2016, 75 new businesses were started every hour in the UK.
What project did the speaker work on to test if he could start a business in a week with 100 pounds or less?
-The speaker tried to start a drink startup selling plant-based protein shakes in one week with a budget of 100 pounds.
What was the net profit the speaker made from his one-week protein shake business startup project?
-The speaker made a net profit of 9 pounds from his one-week protein shake business startup.
What percentage of workers worldwide feel emotionally disengaged from their work according to a Gallup study?
-According to a Gallup study cited, 87% of workers worldwide feel emotionally disengaged from the work they do.
Outlines
🤣 Introducing Himself as a Successful Entrepreneur, But It's All Made Up
The first paragraph is the script for the introduction section where the speaker pretends to introduce himself as a very successful entrepreneur and influencer living his dream life. However, he then reveals it's all made up and wonders who that pretend 'successful entrepreneur guy' is.
😔 Entrepreneurship Can Be Lonely and Stressful Despite Appearances
The second paragraph explores how entrepreneurship is often portrayed as glamorous on social media but the reality is much lonelier and stressful, with most entrepreneurs worried about money and not feeling they can be honest about their struggles.
🚀 People Crave Purpose - A 'Quest' - In Entrepreneurship or Exploration
The third paragraph discusses how people inherently crave purpose and meaningful 'quests' in their lives, using historical examples like Shackleton's expedition and Mars One. This drive fuels interest in entrepreneurship but can be found in many places.
👣 Follow Your Curiosities to Find Small, Meaningful 'Microquests'
The fourth paragraph encourages the audience to follow their curiosities to find small, meaningful 'microquests' that could lead to a sense of purpose, using the speaker's own example of trying to launch a drink startup in a week.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡entrepreneurship
💡purpose
💡quest
💡curiosity
💡myth
💡vulnerability
💡microquest
💡breadcrumbs
💡reward
💡fear
Highlights
Entrepreneurship is portrayed as hip, but when it doesn't go to plan, it's easy to pretend you're successful even if you're struggling.
I actually spend 80% of my time staring at nothing but a screen, and sometimes don't even bother leaving my apartment.
When my friends ask how I'm doing, I smile, grind my teeth, and say "great," but what I want to say is that this is the toughest thing I've ever done.
Being vulnerable and telling your friends you're struggling is the best way for them to know you need help.
We've made up that tears don't sell, so we live with this dirty little secret that all entrepreneurs know too well.
8 out of 10 entrepreneurs fail within the first 18 months.
1 in 3 entrepreneurs experiences depression.
The rise of the superstar entrepreneur has given birth to the new aspiring celebrity of the 21st century.
87% of workers feel emotionally disengaged from their work.
Millennials are the most purpose-driven generation in decades.
Not having a sense of purpose makes us more vulnerable to anxiety, boredom and depression.
Having a sense of purpose gives you a much better chance of having a longer life.
Quests and purpose come in all shapes and sizes, not measured by impact but by how they make you feel.
Trust what you're curious and interested about - those are your breadcrumbs.
What scares us most is often what we most need to do.
Transcripts
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