NeilCocker.com » roadtrip

Now’s the time…

Neil Cocker — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:41:00 +0000

The end of 2008 came with a whole load of personal and professional challenges for me, and I was very glad of the time off over Christmas and the New Year. But now I’m very keen to get stuck back into 2009 and believe it will be the best year yet, for many reasons. I’ll expand on my thoughts another time, but in the meantime here’s an extract from a letter written to Tim Ferriss by his mentor. Inspiring reading from his latest blog post…

While many are wringing their hands, I recall the 1970s when we were suffering from an oil shock causing long lines at gas stations, rationing, and 55 MPH speed limits on Federal highways, a recession, very little venture capital ($50 million per year into VC firms), and, what President Jimmy Carter (wearing a sweater while addressing the Nation on TV because he had turned down the heat in the White House) called a “malaise”. It was during those times that two kids without any real college education, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, started companies that did pretty well. Opportunities abound in bad times as well as good times. In fact, the opportunities are often greater when the conventional wisdom is that everything is going into the toilet.

Well…we’re nearing the end of another great year, and, despite what we read about the outlook for 2009, we can look forward to a New Year filled with opportunities as well as stimulating challenges.

Now’s the time, folks!

Team Jaded

Neil Cocker — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:21:00 +0000

There’s something I really like about this idea. The “hosts” of this video blog have got a real spark about them. And I’m really looking forward to seeing what they turn up on their roadtrip. I really admire their sense of adventure. And if their track record’s anything to go by, they’re bound to discover loads of really cool creative and social entrepreneurs, as well as just simple, brilliant ideas.

TeamJaded say they’re “dedicated to D.I.Y. culture, information and innovation”. And I like the cut of their jib. So I’ve donated a few quid to their road-trip funds!

p.s. I’m also very jealous that they live in San Francisco. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world and definitely on my list of places to live before I die. I have very fond memories of parties in warehouses somewhere downtown!

Team Jaded

Neil Cocker — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:21:00 +0000

TeamJaded say they’re “dedicated to D.I.Y. culture, information and innovation”. And I like the cut of their jib. So I’ve donated a few quid to their road-trip funds!