Learning to Give Without Take | Simon Squibb | TEDxBrighton

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares his journey of transforming a disused glass staircase into a dream pitch spot, offering free help to aspiring dreamers. He challenges the 'give and take' societal norm, advocating for a 'give without take' philosophy. From overcoming homelessness to interviewing successful entrepreneurs, he demonstrates the power of unconditional support. His mission extends to fixing the education system and using social media for social good, urging the audience to 'take four' minutes daily to help others, fostering a ripple effect of kindness.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker believes in a philosophy of 'give without take' to help others achieve their dreams without expecting anything in return.
• 🏢 There is a unique place in Twickenham where people can pitch their dreams to a doorbell, symbolizing a platform for sharing and potentially realizing aspirations.
• 💡 The concept of 'give and take' is criticized as it has led to a transactional mindset in society, which the speaker argues is detrimental to personal growth and societal connection.
• 👶 The speaker's motivation stems from wanting to make his son proud and to instill in him the values of helping others without expecting something in return.
• 📚 The speaker had a personal revelation about the negative impact of the word 'give' and how it has caused wars and personal pain, leading to the philosophy of 'give without take'.
• 💔 A pivotal moment in the speaker's life was his father's death, which highlighted the failures of the education system and sparked a mission to improve it.
• 🏠 After being kicked out of home at 15, the speaker experienced homelessness and the harsh realities of life, which ignited his entrepreneurial spirit.
• 💼 The speaker's first business was a gardening company, which he started after recognizing an opportunity to help maintain a wealthy person's garden.
• 🤝 The speaker emphasizes the importance of helping others without judgment and without expecting anything in return, as this approach has led to unexpected support and opportunities.
• 📈 The speaker's actions of giving without expecting anything back have led to a significant online following and the creation of a community that supports each other's dreams.
• 🌐 The speaker encourages the audience to take four minutes each day to help someone else, believing that this small act can have a profound impact on the world.

Q & A

What is the unique place mentioned in the script where people can get help for free to make their dreams a reality?

The unique place is a disused five-story glass-cased staircase just off the High Street in Twickenham.

What is the philosophy the speaker believes can change lives and what does it mean?

The philosophy is 'give without take', which means to help others without expecting anything in return.

What is the speaker's main mission regarding the education system?

The speaker's main mission is to fix the education system, advocating for the teaching of financial literacy and practical life-saving skills.

How did the speaker's experience of homelessness at 15 shape his perspective on life?

The speaker's experience of homelessness made him realize the harsh realities of life and the importance of helping others without judgment or expectation.

What was the turning point for the speaker that led to the creation of his gardening company?

The turning point was when the speaker saw a house with a messy garden and had the entrepreneurial idea to offer his services to maintain it.

What did the speaker learn from the business person who told him 'if you don't pay, you don't pay attention'?

The speaker learned the importance of valuing help and knowledge, and he set out to prove the business person wrong by offering his knowledge for free and gaining significant attention.

How did the speaker's YouTube video impact people's lives?

The speaker's YouTube video, which shared his business knowledge for free, was watched by 1.3 million people in a week, inspiring and helping many through the power of free information.

What is the significance of the phrase 'take four' mentioned by the speaker?

'Take four' is the speaker's call to action, encouraging people to spend four minutes each day helping someone else without expecting anything in return.

What role does the speaker believe social media can play in supporting people's dreams?

The speaker believes social media can be used for social good, helping to share and support people's dreams by connecting them with a wider audience and potential helpers.

How did the speaker's experience of receiving money on TikTok influence his approach to helping others?

Receiving money on TikTok made the speaker feel conflicted about helping for free, leading him to give away the money and further commit to helping others without any expectation of financial gain.

What lesson did the speaker learn about judgment when trying to help a homeless person whose story was questioned by others?

The speaker learned that 'give without take' is about offering help without judgment, regardless of whether the person's story is true or not.