No fate Archives - What is beautiful?

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Are you a creator or a consumer?

Last week, Kathryn and I invited a friend’s son over for a chat about working in the creative industry. His folks aren't familiar with this sector and are unsure how to guide him. His Dad's also read that AI might replace all creative jobs in the future and wanted our take on it. Noah, who’s doing his A-Levels, came over a bit unsure of what to expect. We shared our stories and the winding paths we had taken in the creative space. Kathryn and I started by telling him about our early years in digital…

August 29, 2025

Change is inevitable

By Robert Woolf

Made Open No fate

Change is the algorithm of life, keeping things moving forward. Without change, we get stuck. With it, we experience many emotions. Anxiety, excitement, jeopardy. As we get older and start to settle down, with families, mortgages and careers, change becomes more complex. One decision affects ten others. Then, when we get older again, with grown up children and more time…

April 20, 2025

What to do with myself?

By Robert Woolf

No fate Squeezy balls

Since my last post, life has shifted. I’ve stepped down as CEO of Made Open and moved into a part-time strategic role. In some ways, a lot has changed and nothing at all. I’m still waking up at 5am, getting up at 6. I'm still working hard for the company I care about. But, other than that, everything feels different.…

February 20, 2025

Rise of the machine

By Robert Woolf

No fate Squeezy balls

I love writing. More than that, I love the process of writing - putting pen to paper, coffee in hand, often most thoughtful when lounging at home or musing in my van. It’s a bit of a cliché but few things in life bring me as much simple pleasure. That said, I’ve become something of a ChatGPT convert when it…

December 2, 2024

A reflection on positivity

By Robert Woolf

Let love rule No fate

Today, I encountered many people who sigh. The most striking of all was an elderly lady sat opposite me on the train, she let out a deep sigh every few minutes. I felt a bit sorry for her at first but, after a while, she just got on my nerves. I was curious though - what was her story? Was…

November 22, 2024

Savour the wins

By Robert Woolf

No fate On the road Squeezy balls

A good friend of mine has a motto he swears by: “Celebrate early, celebrate often”. He believes in taking every little win and making the most of it. Mind you, he also enjoys a drink and doesn't need much of an excuse to open a bottle of red! Celebration doesn't come as naturally to me because my life seems to…

November 2, 2024

A good exhaustion

By Robert Woolf

I am the greatest No fate On the road Squeezy balls

The excitement of visiting again, Seeing how far we've come in 25 years. Strangers lending a hand, with nothing to gain, Sharing chocolate, as way of thanks. Plunging into icy waters, cold and clear, Feeling awake, feeling alive. Reminiscing with laughter and silence, Exceeding already beautiful memories. Reaching the top, aching bodies and empty minds, A sense of connection, once…

June 7, 2024

Embrace the setbacks

By Robert Woolf

I am the greatest No fate The underdog

As a small business owner, I make countless decisions every day. Most are minor, but collectively, they shape our business's success and how I feel about myself. The same is true in life - our choices, big or small, shape our experiences and the way we see or feel about ourselves. But decision-making isn’t just about logic; it’s also about…

January 25, 2024

If not now, when?

By Robert Woolf

No fate

“I want to write a book”, I said. “Oh yeah, what about?”. Aegir didn’t look up from his plate, giving the impression that my lofty ideas were a well-worn topic in our friendship. “Oh I don’t know”, I mused, “changing the world?” Aegir lowered his fork, took a moment, and cleared his throat. It was October 2002, autumn half-term. Being…