Tilt

The Do Lectures were this past week in Cardigan, Wales. It was an opportunity to network with creatives and to take part in experiencing and learning from people that are doing some great things. The Do Lectures is not a repeat venue. They only allow you to go every other year so more people can benefit from the DO.

I learned about DO from my friend Andy Middleton who runs an adventure company in St. David’s called TYF. He was one of the founding partners and the moderator for the event. Andy’s ability to rule a room really helped to make this experience. We all got in on Thursday mid-day and spent a few hours getting acclimated and organised before the first 4 lectures started. It was inspiring, intellectual and fun to listen to each one.

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Each speaker had been tasked with telling their story instead of just running through their typical spiel. They were an intense group with lots of passion towards learning. At the end of each talk they were tasked with a small DO and a big DO for themselves or the group. A lot of these items were tangible for many to do. For example, Maggie Doyle from Blinknow.org (she created an orphanage and a school in Nepal and she is only 23) asked for people to sponsor her children to help financially assist her. Not a big ask at only $300 per child. She received many financial contributions and will probably continue to after the weekend. Her mission is to provide the basic needs to children all over the world. Craig Mod’s little Do was to create DO’s for every single speaker with ideas on what they could DO with publishing. It was very clever.

The coolest part about the experience was that you got to sleep and eat amongst these incredibly talented and gifted people who weren’t just sitting by the wayside and letting time and opportunities pass them by. They were getting out and really DOing Something. The other attendees and I were able to collaborate and discuss things as well making this the longest and most fulfilling networking experience I have ever had. Wales is magical.

While we were there we really did things, too. I went on an early morning canoeing trip down the local river and then I ran with the running group. Drinking was abundant and every night. You sat with different people at each meal to get to know a different crowd, and I really enjoyed being able to share in conversations at each meal. I went for a hike or walk each day and listened to music each night. I tried to get organized in my tent and when that failed, I subsided and just went with it.

It is a little sad I won’t be able to go back to DO next year since I have to give up my seat for someone who hasn’t gotten a chance during the DO Experience, but I am really excited to put Tilt in the category of DOing all year long. Some day, I will return as a true DOer with loads more to talk about and share and I look forward to staying in touch with my friends from 2010 DO Lectures as we all embark on incredible change in our lives DOing Something. Now.

My Little Do: To create more awareness around healthy food by providing clever marketing campaigns and educating my clients. To physically get out there and DO Something on my own based on what I believe in instead of just sitting by the wayside and watching.

My Big Do: To design an affordable dining experience that is food and future focused with an allergen-neutral application so ALL people can eat together.

My Favorite Speakers

Darina Allen – Incredible chef and one of my personal heroines. She is the primary reason why I was interested in coming to DO. She runs an amazing culinary institute called Balleymaloe in Ireland.

Craig Mod – Author of Art in Tokyo and digital book advocate in Tokyo. He created a sales process using Kickstarter.com and was able to raise enough money to produce his book. Craig is probably one of the most interesting and thoughtful people I have ever met.

Daniel Seddiqui – Rejection master who spent 50 weeks in 50 states with 50 different jobs all across America so he could find out what he wanted to do with his life. Daniel and I became friends the first day and I had a great time running and hanging out with him! His book is going to be interesting… I can’t wait to read it.

Ed Stafford – Expert Adventurer and Explorer, Ed hiked the Amazon from bottom to top over the coarse of 2.5 years. He and his friend Cho shared in the magic and also the fear that the Amazon brings. Ed is currently writing

Alasdair Harris – A marine biologist in Madagascar who creates social enterprises to help communities in countries where Sustainable Seafood is imperative to their survival. Al is very fun and educated, focused on his true passion in life; the sea.

Maggie Doyle – As mentioned up above, the 23 year old mother, teacher and DOer in Nepal.

Steve Edge – One of the most talented designers of our time, Steve was raised with dyslexia and is more visual because of it. He has worked for the Muppet’s, Star Wars and other spectacular organizations. My favorite thing about Steve was that he is everyone’ friend.

Peter Segger – A modern day Farmer, Peter runs a farm not too far from Cardigan, Wales which focuses on Soil. Peter had previously worked for the Soil Association and told the story of the soil, which is one of the most important components of our life today. He farms sustainably and organic.

John B. Rodgers, Jr, “Jay” – The original collaborator, Jay is a masterful time management guy. He has accomplished more in the last 20 years than anyone I have ever met and his new project Local Motors is making head-waves in the automobile industry.

More pictures? Go to our flickr site and see everything from the trip.