Being Seduced by Trying New Things & Redefining Failure w/ B. Jeffrey Madoff
Being Seduced by Trying New Things & Redefining Failure.
Jeff Madoff is an inspiring example of an individual who has created an incredible career journey for himself. He describes himself as being seduced by ideas, and what he perceives to be good opportunities. This conversation with Jeff includes a number of inspiring takeaways, and insightful questions for you to reflect on.
Jeffrey Madoff’s Story.
B. Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff Productions, based in New York City. He began his career as a fashion designer, then switched careers to film and video production. Since then he has expanded his reach to include teaching, book and playwriting, and theatrical producing.
On top of all that he also teaches a course at Parsons School for Design, called “Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas”. Every week he has a conversation with a guest from a wide variety of fields, from artists and entrepreneurs to venture capitalists and business leaders to inspire students with different career ventures. His course led him to write a book titled the same as the course which features inputs from inspiring people like Tim Ferris and Karlie Kloss. Find the book here.
Key Take Aways from the Conversation
Sometimes going on your journey without a map can work out in your favour. Jeff’s drive to try new things and take each opportunity as it came is a great example of how life can unfold for you in the best way possible if you’re willing to put in the work.
Money comes and goes, time only goes.
What you do informs everything else you do. Jeff’s started in fashion, then moved into film, and then combined the two to create his own production company. No one at the time was really doing video or filming fashion shows, so Jeff took that as an opportunity to fill the gap in the market.
What does failure mean to you? I loved Jeff’s definition of it “failure is giving up on the things that are important to you”. Create your own definition of failure outside of ‘societies guidelines’.
Ideas rarely come fully formed. They come from a result of all of the inputs that you’ve had. Often leading back to some of those connected dots from the past. Give yourself the time and space to wonder, and wander because that’s where creativity comes from.
Connect with Jeff Madoff here.
E xx