309: Follow Your Passions and Build A Career Around The Things You Love with Tom Taulli

In this week's show, Phil talks to Tom Taulli, an author, a speaker and an advisor to startups. He has co-founded a variety of companies including Hypermart.net, WebIPO and BizEquity. And his books include 'Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction' and 'The Robotic Process Automation Handbook: A Guide To Implementing RPA Systems'. Tom talks about the importance of following your passions when it comes to your IT career. He also discusses how if you create a career based around the things you love, you'll never be short on inspiration.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Never be so set upon lofty goals that you miss the opportunities all around you. Follow your passions and do what you instincts tell you to do.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Tom has experienced periods where he reached crossroads in his career and did not follow his passions. With age has come experience and maturity, which has led to a better understanding of what is around him.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Tom recognized a need and provided a revolutionary piece of software to fill that need. Building this system allowed him to spread his wings.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Robotic process animation, artificial intelligence and quantum computing are fascinating concepts that keep Tom's mind alive with possibilities.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Tom was attracted to computers in school as he thought they were cool! What's the best career advice you received? – Bill Gates advised Tom to get a solid foundational education in mathematics before moving to programming. What's the worst career advice you received? – There is only really advice unsuitable for its receiver. What would you do if you started your career now? – Tom would go to Silicon Valley and meet as many people as possible. What are your current career objectives? – Tom is working on a book about mainframe, as well as courses on the same. What's your number one non-technical skill? – A business background in college has been very useful. How do you keep your own career energized? – What do you do away from technology? – Tom takes breaks, including walking and travelling   FINAL CAREER TIP Focus on what lights your fire – the thing that gets your out of bed in the morning and inspires you to do better every day.   BEST MOMENTS (5:08) – Tom - "It's not about setting lofty goals, but doing what you really what you're passionate about" (5:52) – Tom - "Ideas are a dime-a-dozen. It's the execution on the idea…" (13:00) – Tom – "Just because everyone says that's what you have to do, doesn't mean that that's the key" (19:15) – Tom – "We always think that we need to go through certain hurdles or paths to get where you want. Sometimes there are faster, more unconventional ways of getting there"   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at [email protected] and via the podcast's website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – TOM TAULLI Tom Taulli is an author, a speaker and an advisor to startups. He has co-founded a variety of companies including Hypermart.net, WebIPO and BizEquity. And his books include 'Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction' and 'The Robotic Process Automation Handbook: A Guide To Implementing RPA Systems'.   CONTACT THE GUEST – TOM TAULLI Tom Taulli can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ttaulli LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomtaulli/ Website: http://www.tomtaulli.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUklLcIcf3hsxuALfmD_AYQ