How a Pet Project Led to Permanent Change
If someone had told me 10 years ago that a “pet project” would completely change the way I run my businesses, interact with my family and live my life, I would have dismissed it as a phony sales pitch or a delusional overstatement. I also would have been wrong. I created a podcast for my own benefit and, as it turns out, that of others at a time when I could afford little time and even less money. Thankfully, it was a great decision, and I’ve been reaping the rewards ever since.
The premise of my podcast, “Paper Napkin Wisdom,” was inspired by Warren Rustand, EO’s Leadership Academy Dean, who suggested spending 30 minutes each morning contemplating greatness through reading, writing and thinking. I loved the idea, but as soon as I tried it, I discovered kinks in my plan. For example, l wasn’t very good at spending just 10 minutes reading. I would get lost in a book. What I thought might work for me is to speak with others about their secrets to success, great thoughts and ideas, which I could then apply to my own life. But this larger-thanlife concept quickly became overwhelming when I convinced myself the best (and only) path was to fly around the world for lunch dates and write down my peers’ wisdom.
Luckily, a Forum mate came to my rescue in an unexpected way. He suggested I listen to a specific podcast episode and then meet with him afterward to discuss it. So, I did— and I became incredibly upset. I heard the host consistently speaking over his guests, not letting them share and standing in the way of real conversation. “I could do a better job than that,” I told my friend. He smiled, and it became clear that this was his plan all along. I knew then that hosting guests for podcasts would be my method for capturing wisdom from top entrepreneurs, leaders and difference-makers.
Using a US$49 recording kit I bought at Best Buy, my first interview was with EO Western New York’s Brian Brault, now the Global Chairman-Elect. His message about the impact of vulnerability instilled in me an important and foundational mindset I was not expecting. From that moment on, I made sure to be “in the trough” with each person, walking alongside them as someone who has more to learn than teach. I needed to surrender some of the curiosity that had initially compelled me and experience the journey with an open heart and mind. And it paid off in a big way.
Since starting my podcast in 2013, with more than 180 episodes and counting, it has transformed from a pet project into a permanent lifestyle. At the same time, it was and is very authentic with my beliefs, values and purpose. I believe that leads to the genuine connections I am able to share with these leaders—and then with my listeners—and helps provide important reminders of the wealth of knowledge that exists beyond myself, and that which is rampant in EO if only we choose to take advantage of it. Call it destiny or poetic, but once I opened myself up to learning about others, I discovered more about myself. And that is the greatest gift of all.
Govindh Jayaraman is an EO Ottawa member and the president of IMBA Online, Asus Medical Corporation and Green Stop, Inc. He is also the founder of Paper Napkin Wisdom. Learn more by visiting www.papernapkinwisdom.com or contacting Govindh at
[email protected]..
