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Dennis suggests that happy accidents or serendipity plays a role in many of the success stories we hear. What if we could prepare to be ready for when serendipity strikes? References quoted in this talk: Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glueDate: July 30, 2021Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/ Project Failure Percentage Title: Project Management Statistics: Trends and Common Mistakes in 2023 Date: Dec 1, 2023 Link: https://pm360consulting.ie/project-management-statistics-trends-and-common-mistakes-in-2023/ Serendipity Definition “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” Source: Oxford Dictionary Link: https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198609810.001.0001/ The Microwave Invention Story Source: Popular Mechanics Title: Who Invented the Microwave, and How? Well, It Started With an Accident Date: March 24, 2023 Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a19567/how-the-microwave-was-invented-by-accident/ Post-it Notes Invention Story Source: CBC Radio Title: Inventor of Post-it Note adhesive made something people didn't know they needed, says wife Date: May 14, 2021 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.6026987/inventor-of-post-it-note-adhesive-made-something-people-didn-t-know-they-needed-says-wife-1.6027098 Superglue Invention Story Source: Military Times Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glue Date: July 30, 2021 Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/ The Slinky, The Popsicle, and Play-Doh, and Potato chips. Source: History.com Title: 7 Momentous Inventions Discovered by Accident Date: January 10, 2023 Link: https://www.history.com/news/accidental-inventions Penicillin Invention Story Source: Science Museum Title: How was penicillin developed? Date: Feb 23, 2021 Link: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/how-was-penicillin-developed#:~:text=In%201928%20Dr%20Alexander%20Fleming,chemical%20that%20could%20kill%20bacteria. Sarah Blakely Backstory Source: Britannica Title: Sara Blakely: American inventor and entrepreneur Date: April 7, 2025 Link: https://www.britannica.com/money/Sara-Blakely Dennis is a bestselling author, speaker, and coach who helps solopreneurs turn ideas into impactful businesses. With a corporate background in leadership, strategy, and customer experience, Dennis transformed his own layoff into an opportunity to build a thriving consulting business and has written four books, including The Accidental Solopreneur. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

8:56

Why you (yes, you) should start selling your skills | Teresa (Misty) Santos | TEDxOshawa

In her talk Misty points out that there is a solution to living from pay cheque to pay cheque - selling. Everyone can sell something. We just have to get over the mental blockages that prevent us from taking action - but isn't it worth it to get rid of the anxiety of living pay cheque to pay cheque? References for this talk: Statistics Canada - “In late 2022, one in four Canadians said they were unable to cover an unexpected expense of $500. This level rises to more than one-third among 35- to 44-year-olds.”https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-631-x/11-631-x2023004-eng.htm Misty Santos is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with both local and global experience implementing high-performance sales strategy. An accomplished author of the "Thick-skinned” book series, she coaches women to become confident sales leaders. Her strategic expertise and commitment to excellence have made her a trusted partner in business growth and sales innovation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

10:38

Permission to Pause: Radical Self-Love as the Antidote to Overdoing | Francesca Facio | TEDxOshawa

Francesca shares here story of putting everyone before herself and being prone to taking on more than her physical and emotional capacity which resulted in an internal turmoil. She shares how she learnt to nourish herself by giving herself permission to pause. Head of Coaching Programs at Mindvalley, Francesca is a Latin American mother, an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author of Unleash Your Wings. With a postgraduate degree in Happiness & Organizational Wellbeing and Healing, she blends modern coaching with ancient traditions to help people uncover their purpose, achieve their dreams, and embrace limitless possibilities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

9:59

Stop chasing work-life balance — do this instead | Steven Langer | TEDxOshawa

Work-Life Balance is a myth. If we stop chasing balance and accept that there is value in the imbalance, we can stop ourselves from burnout. Instead of looking for day-to-day, short-term balance, let's look for overall, long-term balance. Steven is an international keynote speaker and expert in organizational wellness and workplace culture. As the Founder and CEO of Well By Design, Steven works with organizations to amplify their organizational wellness, design healthy workplace cultures, and empower teams to reach their optimal potential. To build wellness into his own life, he enjoys hiking and off leash visits with his family and dog, as well as tennis, camping and sailing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

10:45

Why we need to rethink homelessness | Stan Zalewski | TEDxOshawa

Homelessness is an indication that a city is sick. The purpose of a city is to provide housing. In his talk Stan Zalewki provides us with the way forward to eliminating homelessness by sharing examples of cities that have been successful in doing so. He points out that the issues that are usually associated with homelessness such as substance abuse or mental health are not specific to the homeless - rather these issues are prevalent in the housed community as well. Resources quoted: Slide 1 - Interim housing in Oshawa - photo credit Stan Zalewski Slide 2 - Durham College Architectural Technology Slide 3 - Peterborough, Modular Bridge Housing Project: Connect Peterborough, page updated 08 Jan. 2025 Slide 4 - Helsinki, The Guardian, June 3, 2019, It’s a Miracle: Helsinki’s radical solution to homelessness Slide 5 - Vienna, Bloomberg Originals, Sept. 17, 2021 Stan is an Architect and teaches in the Technology Program at Durham College. His passion for architecture and the learning environment has given him the opportunity to inspire students to learn and do their best work. He is working with the Region of Durham on issues like sustainable building and the housing crisis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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Why Serendipity Might Be the Real Key to Success | Dennis Geelen | TEDxOshawa

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