Jonathan Fields is a “dad first”, who just happens to also be an author and serial entrepreneur. Cameron Conaway catches up to him for a chat.
The phrase “a man of many talents” is thrown around so lightly these days that it’s become nothing but a dull cliché. But Jonathan Fields is a dude bringing sexy back to the cliché. Before we delve into his many facets, let me first say this: Despite possessing a resume (BusinessWeek named him one of the 20 people every entrepreneur needs to follow on Twitter: @jonathanfields) and a story (he’s a former NYC mega-firm/SEC lawyer turned serial-entrepreneur and author) that’ll wow anyone, Jonathan first lists himself as a dad and husband. This says something. And this is where we’ll begin.
♦◊♦
Jonathan, we’ll explore your talents and story, but outside of these aspects can you tell us about the man you are?
Short answer. Probably not. Other people can tell you about the man I am (and am not). All I can tell you is who and what I care about. And, like you mentioned above, the biggest part of that is my daughter and wife. They are my everything. What I live and breath for. So the way I build my life and living is not just about earning enough to live well in the world, but being as present as humanly possible in both of their lives. Made even simpler, for me legacy starts at home.
Your bio jumped out at me: “…is an author, entrepreneur and speaker on a mission to help individuals and organizations cultivate the personal practices, workflow adaptations and environmental/cultural shifts needed to become more agile, creative and innovative and embrace action in the face of uncertainty with a greater sense of ease.” Let’s break this down a bit. You help others cultivate, but how do you yourself cultivate your talents? Can you give us a glimpse into what you do and how you do it?
Sure. It starts with a focus on relationships. Before taking on a new venture, I ask “will this allow me the greatest opportunity to absorb myself in relationships and activities that fill me up (which often revolve around service, btw), while surrounding myself with people I cannot get enough of and creating a genuine impact in the world?”
I’ve also spent a ton of time researching and cultivating (it’s taken years, and I’m still very much in the middle) certain daily personal practices and workflow shifts, as a way of laying the foundation needed to really operate on a higher level. One example, I roll out of bed before anyone’s up and do a sitting mindfulness meditation practice every morning. It ain’t easy, but practiced over time, it’s insanely powerful.
What’s kind of funny is that I’ve moved in and out of these practices for years and even taught some, but never really committed to them until I started researching and writing my last book and I realized how critical they were to my ability to do what I want to do in the world.
♦◊♦
Your first book, Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love, received loads of positive press. We always hear how we should do what we love and I think deep down many of us want that. But your title suggests that it’s almost counter-cultural to truly make it happen. What are some specific examples of how and why making a career out of what you love is a renegade activity in the 21st century?
First, it is totally counter-culture, especially in a culture where most people are terrified to fail, terrified to be judged and terrified to…succeed. It’s part organic, part learned, either way we live in a world where entrepreneurial success is hailed, but until you actually succeed, most people will think you’re friggin’ nuts.
Also, I actually don’t buy into the whole “do what you love and the money will follow” line of thought. I’ve got a family to take care of, in New York City. That’s not easy. There may be some things you really love to do that, even approached in unconventional ways, may not yield enough money to allow you to live well in the world. Career Renegade was really about not letting other people tell you what can or cannot do and going out and kicking the tires of life.
♦◊♦
Your next book, Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance (Portfolio, Sept 2011) educates on an important and interesting concept: “Embracing uncertainty as a catalyst for innovation.” When in your own life did this idea manifest itself? When did you feel it absolutely essential to communicate it to others?
How uncertainty, fear and anxiety affect our ability to do the things that make life really extraordinary, to create great art, business and lives, has been an interest of mine for decades. But I really started to go deeper down the rabbit hole over the last 10 years or so.
Beyond drawing from my own experience launching, building and selling a few companies while working to be strongly present with my family, I’m also a research maven. I don’t do pop-psychology, but I am drawn to scientific, peer-reviewed, published research. And there’s a growing body of research on uncertainty, creativity, fear, anxiety, cognitive function and performance that pointed me to a set of practices and strategies that make the process of creating something from nothing, taking action in the face of uncertainty, way more humane. In fact, they can turn a process normally laden with fear, anxiety, and suffering into something that is potentially even downright enjoyable.
Bringing these ideas, strategies and practices to the world at a time when we need new ideas more than ever…that’s something I want to be a part of.
♦◊♦
The work you do is incredible, but it seems that the roots stem from this intense desire to help others. Was there a single event in your life that served as the spark for you wanting to make a career out of helping others succeed?
I don’t think there was a single event. It’s been more of an evolution. Getting married, becoming a dad, starting businesses that helped a lot of people, exploring Eastern philosophy, wanting to set an example for my daughter, these things all add to the mix.
♦◊♦
Lastly, what’s next for you? Where can our readers stay up-to-date on all things Jonathan Fields?
Good question. I’m smack in the middle of trying to answer it. I tend to focus more on qualities than companies or titles. I have a pretty good beat on the type of people, the culture, the settings, the missions, the tasks and activities that allow me come alive. I also have a decent sense of what I’m good at and what I’m motivated to become good at. So, it’s more about finding the sweet spot between those things and what others are willing to pay me to do.
One other thing, though, is that I see myself narrowing my focus a lot over the next few years. I’m starting to want to pursue a level of master in one or two areas that’s near impossible to pursue when you’re spreading yourself across 4-7 things at any given time. I love to write, speak and teach, so it’ll be interesting to see how I weave those around a particular body to knowledge. Stay tuned…I’m as curious as you are.