We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Robert McMillan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Robert, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
It wasn’t so much of a thing but a series of events that established my confidence level. My first memorable experience was when I was twelve. My sister bought me a jacket and told me it looked good on me, and my friends said the same. I was a self-taught pole vaulter in high school and won the state championship. My father told me one day that I might be average after my first college semester grades tanked (too much beer), so I got a degree in physics. Early in my career, I was responsible for creating a significant information system – with luck, grit, and grace, I nailed it and received state and national recognition. Later, I was a consultant to a US Army command and somehow landed in a DARPA meeting with a one-star General, some Colonels, and Tim Berners-Lee. I was an active, recognized contributor in a conversation about the viability of OWL for W3C. At that time, my confidence was cemented. We’re all people. Those who work harder, consistently, and care about the destination are all capable of great things.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
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-Organize Media by Trip: Easily sort your photos and videos by trip, creating a comprehensive visual journey.
-Write Journals and Stories: Document your adventures with journal entries and captivating stories.
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Camping Tools has a unique story to tell, one that captures the essence of adventure and the power of technology in enhancing outdoor experiences.
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We are hoping to continue to expand our community and capabilities! For more information, check out https://www.camping.tools/
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Internal grit – I don’t quit. The only reason people don’t solve more problems is that they haven’t tried enough.
2. Analytical thinking – Getting a degree in Physics taught me how to solve problems.
3. Listening – People will often give you the answer if you stop talking and listen.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Set realistic expectations for your timelines. I would suggest reading the book “Good to Great,” it offers a good foundation for this concept. People rarely have overnight success, and adversity is sure to continue to challenge you along the way.
As a founder, you have many plates to juggle and hats to wear. Thrive by setting up check-ins for yourself, giving yourself needed breaks, and managing your time wisely. The last thing you want is to hate your passion and feel so burned out that you suddenly feel unmotivated to continue.
A number of mentors have also given me this recurring message at multiple points in my life: “Never give up.” I also resonate with this concept in the book “Three Feet From Gold”, which I recommend reading for a deeper dive. The term echoes in my head, and now I am the voice in the head of my kids, telling them the same.
Don’t be afraid to trust people. There are more people out there with good in their hearts than people who want to cheat and rob you. Just be open to hearing advice and thoughts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camping.tools/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/app.camping.tools/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/App.Camping.Tools/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwmcmillan/
Image Credits
Camping.Tools
