I recommended his book yesterday - now one take away point that made me think - the 4 characteristics Bill Campbell Looked For in people:
Smarts (able to get up to speed quickly - ability to make “far analogies”)
Willingness to work hard
High integrity
Grit
“Trillion Dollar Coach”
I’m not a fan of the name. But having listened to this wonderful piece of work on audible - i’m a huge fan of the man and the book. I had never heard of Bill Campbell prior to reading this - but he was clearly humble, passionate and focused on people which I love. Produced by the team behind How Google Works - the book covers the management lessons from the coach and business executive, whose mentoring of some of our most successful modern entrepreneurs has helped create well over a trillion dollars in market value.
“I’d rather be strongly wrong than weakly right” - Tallulah Bankhead
Sat outside the Bedford Cheese Shop In Gramercy New York, watching people go about their business. I’m struck by the fact that people are talking to one another. Admittedly it’s a Friday - and there isn’t a damn cloud in the sky.
That anxiety and fear of the day / week / month ahead always seems to be softened or all together nullified by looking up form our own little worlds - making eye contact, observing and talking. There’s a lot more going on in the world that what we see and feel in ours. Don’t forget to look up.
I recently heard it described as “the terror paid to leave the shores of predictable misery”. I liked that.
What was the last fee you charged for your time / project?
Have you held to that pricing level since? I’ve tried and failed at this.
That last height rate is your new low rate - don’t forget it.
We get caught up in everything we do, often with our phones and at the expense of great interactions. I met a cool dude at the Filson flagship in New York this week - Mr Albert Bagdonas. An intrepid climber and adventurer - his passion for the outdoors and gear to help you navigate the outdoors was infectious.
He emailed me after my visit with his favourite quote from Yvon Chouinard:
"Only on the fringes of an ecosystem, those outer rings, do evolution and adaptation occur at a furious pace; the inner center of the system is where the entrenched, non-adapting species die off, doomed to failure by maintaining the status quo. Businesses go through the same cycles.”
It's not often two passions collide. But thats exactly what happened for me last week.
From the moment I started taking photos of watches (sad I know), I was aware that one day, I would want to shoot with a Leica. To be part of a select fraternity of photographer that valued style, image quality and manufacturing prowess in equal measure.
The German manufacture is seen as the market leader in street style photography (and rightfully so - with some of the most iconic images of all time taken on a Leica). Leica lead the way - like fellow German brands Porsche and Rimowa do in their respective worlds.
Bizarrely, that realisation of being a Leica photographer came to fruition a few weeks ago for me (the Q has changed everything for me). This came prior to the opportunity of a lifetime, to be invited out to Wetzlar in Germany for the launch of the firms new watch offering.
While I want to outline the watches launched, I though it was only right to let the images do the talking. So below I have, along with my friend Gabriel Vachette, attempted to tell the story of the visit through images - which seemed only right:
The two watches launched were the LEICA L1 and the LEICA L2. Both, elegant, retrained time only watch with camera design ques (you can push in the crown like you would on a camera and the cambered shape of the sapphire crystal is like that of a camera lens). Both models have been designed by Professor Achim Heine, the gentleman responsible for overseeing the design of many Leica Camera products over the years. Both references are 41mm and in steel, for the moment anyway (the L2 model will also be available in a version with an 18 k arat rose gold case.).
Both references are powered by gloriously finished, hand wound movements - which you can see through the caseback. The movements are made for Leica by Lehmann Präzision GmbH. The watches are entirely made in Germany (aside from the crystal). The development, design and a large proportion of the components come from the manufacture situated in Germanys' Black Forest. If you're in the market for something to accompany you on those city breaks with you're M - one of these bad boys maybe your perfect companion.
The LEICA L1 and the LEICA L2 will be available in selected Leica Stores a s well as at watch dealers worldwide from autumn 2018. To mark the occasion of the Ernst Leitz Werkstätten commencing operation, limited special models of the two stainless steel versions with a red dial will be released.
For further information head over to Leica here.
Its controversial - no doubt. But the work Defy do is, in my mind, great work:
Not only is MR PORTER THE go to for the worlds finest global brands. It now produces its own label - and it rocks! MR P is a line of mens basics, made by MR PORTER done really damn well. And this video sums up all thats great about MR P. Its about easy, simplicity and quality. As you will see (if you advent already), the MR PORTER content is as beautiful as you will see anywhere online and this gent has got it spot on in my book, enjoy:
Check out more from MR P here.
I love well made things. I love things made by hand. But I hate accumulating things. That's why I love Private White VC. They aren't reinventing the wheel - the Manchester based outfitter doesn't mess around - they just make robust, effortlessly stylish British Made clothing that lasts a long time.
I had been exposed to the brand while working at The Rake magazine (where the team - bar none loved what Private White produced). I felt compelled to write this love letter following a wonderful experience at their Mayfair store last week.
When I popped in I asked if they would consider taking an old wax bomber jacket of theirs which I have owned for many years that needed some new cuffs. I has taken back by their response. Not only did they say they would do it - but they seemed to relish the challenge of bringing this old piece of kit back to life.
I also have to confess, I was in Geneva a week or two ago for an annual watch trade show. When I wore this basket weave shacket below. Hand on heart I have never had some many people come up and ask where I gotten something. True story.
As a guy, who generally doesn't like shopping (and spending money) - there are few things better than being able to walk into a shop and meeting a team who also share in your passion for locally sourced, well made gear. It just seems to warm the soul. Not only do the team know what they are talking about - they love the product + company themselves. They share their thoughts without making you feel as though you have to buy.
I have sold almost everything in my waldrobe own on Ebay and replaced my 20/30/40 things with 5/6/7 pieces from PrivateWhite VC.
I love that.
Thank you Private White VC.
There's no easy way to say goodbye to a friend, especially when they've supported you through your darkest times.
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones." -Marcus Aurelius
Tom Miles is an author, freelance writer and poet. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and two children. An interesting fact about Tom is that he claims to have read at least 1 book a week for the last 4 years, and believes that a real-life education can be attained through reading, an openness to learn, practical application and experiencing life.
The book is great. It is Short, and to the point. A great overview of stoicism and how to apply it to your life. This is a great place to start If you want to learn about the historical relevance of not allowing external cicumstances effect your state of mind.
Buy the book here.
It's not often you get the chance to spend a day fulfilling a childhood dream. But last week, during SIHH I did just that.
Vacheron Constantin are one member of the so called 'holy trinity', alongside Patek and AP they are seen as the very best in watchmaking. And without actually going into their manufacture, and seeing how they do what they do, its hard to appreciate the full extent of their greatness. Aside from its designs, which I have long been obsessed with (in particular the 1921 and this year the triple calender), I was totally blown away by the enamelling I saw at Vacheron. The time allocated and the execution of the work is staggering.
Below are a few shots from the tour, and a few of the novelties from this year.
Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. His philosophies seem to transcend ego, politics and limitations. His monologues have a powerful way of connecting distant abstract ideas with the present moment and his words have a unique way of putting life into perspective. Life is a gift. The guys at After Skool are doing great work with their animated videos on YouTube - check them out here.
"The difference between a successful person and the others is not a lack of strength, or a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will" - Vince Lombardi
"After the finish, all the suffering turns to memories of pleasure, and the greater the suffering, the greater the pleasure" - Special Forces Fit
I recently had one of the greatest opportunities of my life. I was asked to go in and speak to a bunch of 11/12year olds at St Paul's school about 'success'. I know, I had a chuckle too.
Anyway here is my speech in full AND my 12 things I know to be true - enjoy:
"Thank you, Mr Page.
Gentleman, teaching staff, I am honoured to be with you with morning here at St Pauls - one of the finest institutions in the country to kick off this series of talks.
I wanted to share two stories with you this morning – no big deal – just two stories. The first is about me, my education and my career ...if you could call it that. The second is simply 12 things I have learnt along the way.
I went to school just down the road at Epsom College and had a great five years there – so much so that I now have to restrain myself sometimes when telling people about it. I met my greatest friends there, developed the values I hold dear today and on a very basic level- laughed. A lot.
I loved sport – particularly rugby and cricket but struggled in the classroom – of that there’s absolutely no doubt. My housemaster Mr Conway summed it up perfectly when in my final end of year report when he said, ‘Justin is a basic individual with little, if any god given talent’ – and you know what – looking back, he was spot. I was basically blessed to have had a group of inspirational teachers – for the most part - and a great bunch of great guys around me.
I left Epsom to go to Loughborough University where I studies management and logistics ..and spent three years playing a lot of rugby …I graduated by the skin of my teeth. – this bit is short.
I then left and took a job at McDonald’s ..not the perfect start I know…and to make things worse they only let me flip the quarter pounders – I don’t think they trusted me with the big Mac’s or Mcflurry’s. I also worked as an overnight labourer, at call centres, at a tobacco company and a beer company – and I don’t even drink or smoke! While these jobs came, and went, I was relentlessly trying to start a business on the side, initially an online dating platform called Yearbook Dating, a corporate branding business and even a butler in the buff service made up of broke university students.
As you can image, none of this made me feel great about myself, particularly when reflecting on the efforts that had been poured into me growing up by my teachers and parents. However, it was a vital period of trying and failing and trying and failing.
A quote from the late Steve Jobs of Apple in his now infamous commencement speech at Stanford University kept me going in the dark times, when he said “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever’.
While I knew I would never be the brightest guy in the room – I knew I could always be the hardest working. I was and still am hungrier than ever to build something meaningful – to, make my own dent in the universe.
I now run a digital marketing business from my single bedroom (yup gents that’s right a single – you can image how my girlfriend feels about that) – I work with some of the world’s great luxury brands. And while I am some way off making millions, my mission when I left my desk job was to see if there was another way to live – to be time wealthy and operate outside of the predetermined system we are told to funnel into.
I wanted to set myself the challenge of having to fight for myself, and know what that felt like and crucially to reduce my working week by half and double my income – within one year - which is exactly what I’ve done.
It all began when my dad gave me my grandfather’s watch for my 21st birthday. Having never met my grandfather I quickly fell in love with it. Knowing little about watches and having absolutely nothing to lose I began thinking of ways I could add value to the brands I liked without asking for their permission.
I could see how social media was evolving and felt by going into their boutiques, arriving randomly, developing relationships with their sales teams and taking photos of their products – then sending these images to their marketing teams free of change and allowing them to use them as they wished would be a good way to add value.
A good example of this would be IWC or International Watch Company on Bond St, where for weeks on end I would come in relentlessly – and I was and still not a trained photographer in any shape or form! IWC are now biggest client. Now, with basic English skills, no IT or photography training I’ve been published in the Gentleman’s Journal, HODINKEE, The Rake, Revolution and others.
But gentleman I am no god. It’s been a great few years – I am just scratching the surface - the only thing worth celebrating is the fact that I said I would do something – and I’ve do it. Nothing more. What you will learn is that people say a lot and often do very little.
For some clients, I simply photograph their product, for others I host events at their boutiques, and for other I write and manage their digital content.
On my journey thus far I have formulated 12 Things I know to be true. I hope you gentleman find them as useful as I have."
1. Make your bed in the morning - start the day with a small win
2. Practice gratitude - always write ‘thank you’ cards
3. Concern yourself with character and NOT reputation
4. Never, ever stop learning
5. You ARE the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with
6. ‘Stuff’ won’t make you happy. Meaningful relationships and meaningful work WILL
7. Focuses on controlling what you can control what you can control - live with discipline
8. Deepen your connection with your body – it’s one of the most beautiful experiences in life
9. Embrace suffering – it’s how you perceive difficulties that really matters
10. Go out there and fail - and fail often
11. No ego. Don’t be afraid to sweep the floor
12. And finally, always…always put in more than you take out
Well worth a watch if you have any interest in financial markets and the global economy.
