Kendi Hayatını İmal Et | Ahmet Can | TEDxIstanbul Anatolian HS

Introduction and Setting the Stage

• The event is taking place at Istanbul Anatolian High School, and the organizers, teachers, and team are thanked for their efforts in hosting the event (41s).
• Elliot Hill, the new CEO of Nike, is mentioned as an example of someone who has pursued their dreams and passions, having started as an intern at Nike in 1988 and working his way up to become CEO after 36 years (1m15s).
• The concept of "kendi hayatınızı imal edin" (create your own life) is introduced as the main topic of discussion, emphasizing the importance of taking initiative and being proactive in shaping one's own life (2m6s).
• The idea of being an entrepreneur is explored, and the audience is asked if they have any ideas or aspirations for starting their own business or venture (2m20s).

The Concept of "Kendi Hayatınızı İmal Edin" (Create Your Own Life)

• A few audience members share their ideas, including someone interested in education and training, and another person interested in the gaming industry (2m42s).
• The importance of being a pioneer and taking the first step towards creating something new is highlighted, with the speaker encouraging the audience to think creatively and come up with innovative ideas (2m59s).

Entrepreneurship and Pioneer Spirit

• Entrepreneurship can be seen in various fields such as textiles and makeup, but having capital from parents doesn't necessarily make someone an entrepreneur, as the importance lies in the actual capital itself (3m15s).
• The concept of creating one's own life is like a journey that starts with small steps, similar to playing a game where one must progress through levels to reach the end (3m24s).
• In games, players must complete levels and collect items to progress, and it's not possible to start from the final level without cheating (3m46s).
• Similarly, in the world of entrepreneurship, one cannot become a CEO overnight, just like Eliot Hill's example, without taking the necessary steps (4m4s).

The Lean Startup and Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

• The concept of "Lean Startup" by Lin Startup is an example of this, which translates to "Yalın Girişim" in Turkish, meaning a minimal viable product (4m27s).
• A minimal viable product (MVP) model is essential in entrepreneurship, which means creating a product with the minimum necessary features to test its viability (4m34s).
• To illustrate this concept, imagine traveling from point A to point B, where one needs a vehicle with at least four wheels and a board to move, representing the minimum requirements for a product to be viable (5m6s).
• With this minimum viable product, one can reach their target, albeit slowly, but it's a start, and progress can be made from there (5m36s).

Building and Developing a Product/Venture

• Initially, primitive methods can be used to reach a goal, but afterwards, a direction must be set, as there isn't always time to adjust the course every two minutes (5m47s).
• After setting a direction, a steering wheel is added, and the primitive vehicle becomes more capable, allowing for more speed and direction changes (5m52s).
• Further research and development lead to the addition of electric or internal combustion engines, increasing the vehicle's speed (6m20s).
• The vehicle eventually becomes a motorcycle, and then a car, each step requiring more research, development, and production to achieve faster travel (6m31s).
• The process of creating a vehicle, from a primitive scooter to a car, is similar to the startup process, where one must start from a simple idea and gradually develop it through research, experimentation, and production (6m56s).

Importance of Following Steps and Avoiding Skipping Stages

• It's essential to follow each step and not skip any, as skipping steps can lead to failure, although some people may be able to skip steps and still succeed (7m18s).
• Examples of products that skipped steps and failed can be found in the technology world, such as NFTs, which were expected to change the world but ultimately didn't (8m15s).
• NFTs were initially thought to change the world, but they eventually lost their significance, and the same can be said for other technologies like Google Glass, which was a wearable device that provided users with information. (8m27s)
• The first smart phones were not iPhones, but rather earlier models with touch screens, such as the BlackBerry, which some people may still remember. (8m48s)
• Three-dimensional TVs were also introduced, but they did not gain much popularity, and people had to wear special glasses to watch 3D content. (9m2s)

High Failure Rate in Entrepreneurship and Reasons for Failure

• In entrepreneurship, the failure rate is very high, with around 90 out of 100 startups failing, and this rate is increasing, with 70% of companies with 11-50 employees failing in their first year. (9m33s)
• New entrepreneurs often fall in love with their ideas and pursue them, even if they do not reflect market realities, which can lead to failure. (9m57s)
• Two main reasons why products or startups fail are falling in love with one's own idea and poor timing, as seen in the cases of early smart phones, Google Glass, and 3D TVs. (10m23s)
• Timing is crucial, and even if a product is launched at the wrong time, it may not succeed, regardless of its potential, as was the case with Google Glass, which had a short battery life, and 3D TVs, which were marketed as a novelty but ultimately failed. (10m38s)

Trial and Error: A Crucial Step in Entrepreneurship and Life

• Many people face various challenges, including demand deficiencies and cash flow problems, but one of the most important issues is the process of trial and error, which is a crucial step in entrepreneurship and life in general (11m24s).
• When individuals skip steps in the process of trial and error, they often encounter significant problems, whether in entrepreneurship, their careers, or education (11m43s).
• Thomas Edison, for example, conducted over 1,000 experiments before successfully inventing the light bulb, and when asked why he continued to try after so many failures, he replied that he had found 1,000 ways that did not work (12m7s).
• Another example is J.K. Rowling, who visited 12 publishers before one accepted her book, Harry Potter, and even then, the publisher's response was not entirely enthusiastic (12m34s).
• Michael Jordan also experienced failure, missing over 9,000 shots and losing nearly 300 games in his career, but he attributes his success to these failures (13m14s).
• The founder of KFC, Colonel Sanders, also faced rejection, visiting over 1,000 restaurants before one accepted his chicken recipe, and he was 65 years old when he finally succeeded (13m55s).
• These examples illustrate the importance of perseverance and trial and error in achieving success (14m14s).

Challenges and Expectations in the Modern Era

• Becoming an entrepreneur or starting a new profession is not easy, as seen in the example of Nike's CEO, who began his career as an intern 36 years ago (14m18s).
• The way people learn and access information has changed with the internet, and now people expect instant results, such as learning to play the guitar in three days or losing weight quickly (14m42s).
• However, this instant gratification is not always possible, and progress often requires a gradual and layered approach (15m9s).
• In the media sector, interns often expect rapid career advancement, wanting to expand their authority and become general managers quickly (15m14s).
• This desire for instant results is a product of the fast-paced online world, where people want everything to be delivered instantly, from market orders to movies and TV shows (15m41s).
• However, this expectation of instant gratification can be unrealistic and neglects the importance of gradual progress and hard work (16m9s).

Setting Goals and Priorities

• To succeed, it is essential to set clear goals and priorities, rather than simply taking on any task or job (16m39s).
• Many people struggle to define their goals and aspirations, often changing their minds and pursuing different passions (16m55s).
• Ultimately, it is crucial to recognize the value of gradual progress and hard work in achieving success, rather than relying on instant gratification (16m22s).
• To achieve a goal, it is essential to define a clear target, just like a captain needs to know where their ship is headed, otherwise, they will struggle to navigate through the sea of life (17m24s).
• Planning is crucial when starting a new endeavor, whether it's a career or a personal project, as it helps to create a roadmap for success, similar to how Nike's CEO started as an intern 36 years ago (17m48s).
• Breaking down a goal into smaller, manageable steps is vital, as it allows for gradual progress and helps to build momentum, making it easier to achieve the desired outcome (18m15s).

Continuous Learning and Self-Improvement in a Competitive World

• Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential in today's competitive world, where having a university degree is no longer enough to stand out, and creating a unique value proposition is necessary to succeed (18m34s).
• The increasing number of universities in Turkey has led to a surplus of graduates, making it even more challenging to differentiate oneself, and highlighting the need for additional qualifications or skills to stand out (19m12s).
• While technology has made it easier to access information, it also presents new challenges in creating a unique value proposition, as everyone has equal access to knowledge, making it harder to differentiate oneself (19m39s).
• It is essential to avoid procrastination and not put off one's dreams, as this can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of progress towards achieving one's goals (19m22s).

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Its Impact

• The current era has made things easier, especially with the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the forefront, which can be viewed as either a blessing or a curse. (19m55s)
• With the help of AI tools like ChatGPT, tasks such as homework are becoming increasingly effortless, allowing individuals to accomplish various things with ease. (20m1s)
• The integration of AI in the education system may necessitate changes, marking a new era in learning and development. (20m11s)

The New Generation and the Importance of Proactiveness

• The current generation is entering a new age, and its members are the stars of this era, requiring them to be proactive and innovative in their approach to life. (20m21s)
• It is essential for individuals to take initiative, produce, and create their own paths in life, essentially manufacturing their own existence and being prepared for the challenges that come with it. (20m29s)