Hasta La Gadget!

At the Palio, the entire city of Siena packs into the main square, Il Campo. Finally, it’s time for the race. A cart pulled by oxen carries the coveted Palio banner into the arena. At its sight, the crowd goes wild.  

As the starting places are announced, our guide Roberto is traumatized. It’s not going well. (Sometimes it seems that the Sienese care as much about their rivals losing as their own district winning.)

Ten snorting horses and their nervous riders line up to await the start. The jockeying includes a little last-minute negotiating…it’s complicated. (Watching the last-minute shuffling, I understand where the expression “jockeying” comes from.) Silence takes over. And then…

They race! Once the rope drops, there’s one basic rule: There are no rules. The jockeys race bareback like crazy while spectators go berserk. In Siena, life stops for these frantic three laps…just about 90 seconds. And the winner is…Lupa, the She-wolf district.

(Unfortunately, for legal reasons I can’t show the actual race here — but you can catch it on YouTube.)

This is Day 98 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Vienna, the Alps, the Low Countries, England, Siena, and beyond. Find more on my travel blog.

(This post originally appeared at blog.ricksteves.com/blog/palio-race.)

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No disrespect to higher education. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in getting a University degree and I do have my degree in business and economics. But, who exactly said that you have to go to business school to start a business? I started my first business before I went to University and kept it going all through my University career – difficult and crazy, yes, but there have been thousands of businesses started by entrepreneurs who launched a business without ever earning a diploma.

That’s not saying that business school is a waste of time and money. It just means that there’s a lot of things that you won’t learn about entrepreneurship in the classroom. And, here are five of those lessons.

1. You don’t have to be perfect to be successful.

I love this picture that Nick Petri paints in Business2Community;

“Most entrepreneurship case studies go something like this: Superstar CEO comes up with a fantastic and totally original idea, assembles a crack team with awesome experience in just the right field, builds the perfect product and go-to-market strategy to tackle the problem, and dominates the market.”

I can tell you from personal experience that this is rarely the scenario. Startups have flaws. And, that’s actually a good thing. It means that we make mistakes, learn from those mishaps, and grow – and the next time around we are able to do everything better because we learned on the last venture. This process makes us stronger and adaptable.

Besides, while your competitors are focused on creating the perfect product, you’re the pioneer who already has your product on the market, which means that you’re making money to put back into the business as well.

2. How to work with people in other fields.

Think back to your college days. How often did you interact with students in other majors? Unless you were in the same social circle, you didn’t see too many math majors hanging out with history majors.

While that may have been acceptable in school, it won’t float in the business world. As a startup you have to work with a variety of people who have a variety of skills. Whether it’s a UX designers, product manufacturer, social media manager, or accountant, you have to learn how to communicate with these individuals on many levels so that everyone understands each other’s roles.

This is why the most successful entrepreneurs are known for constantly learning. You don’t have to become an expert. But at least you and the person who is the expert can talk to each other so that you can make your business a success.

3. Choosing the right co-founder.

Here’s a reality check for the cocky and inexperienced entrepreneur; you’re not Superman. And even if you believe that you are, even Supes needed the Justice League from time-to-time.

In other words, you simply can’t run the show all on your own. That’s why it’s imperative that you bring in a co-founder. And, since you’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person, you have to make sure that it’s a match made in Heaven – pretty much in about the same way as how you pick the right individual to marry.

Look for co-founders who compliment your skills, personality, and have the experience. Most importantly, find someone that you actually enjoy being around.

4. Nurturing innate leadership abilities.

“Most entrepreneurs feel they have innate leadership talents, but struggle with how to nurture these abilities and measure their effectiveness,” writes Marty Zwilling in Forbes. To make matters worse, these abilities are hardly ever taught in any classroom.

However, you can learn these skills on your own by taking the following steps;

• Be authentic by being honest and self-aware.
• Start with a vision, share it with others, and execute it.
• Practice critical thinking skills.
• Build and nurture the right team.
• View your business as a customer by asking for their feedback.
• Make sure that everyone is coached or mentored.
• Practice leadership by walking around and through the office.
• Make time for solutions.
• Controlling your emotions.

5. How to live with pressure.

“In school, the feeling and emotions that accompany stress come and go depending on tests, quizzes, and assignments. You stress, you take the test, then you are free to breathe a sigh of relief,” says Kim Kaupe, co-founder of ZinePak.

“Entrepreneurship is living with the fact that there is no sigh or sign of relief, ever. Instead you learn to live with the stress, you acknowledge it, and you learn to cope with it daily. Learning to live with stress and pressure is something no one can teach you but a challenge you have to face and overcome within yourself.”

Of course, learning to live with stress is easier said than done. You can have do small things like doing one thing at a time, being physically active, staying organized, and scheduling less activities as well as taking time to take and vacation and get adequate rest to become a less stressed person.

You won’t learn most of these lessons in a business school, but that is not a good reason not to incorporate these practices into your life now. Almost anything that you need to know to run a business you can read and learn about on the Internet nowadays. Take advantage of the great gift of the Internet whether you have been to business school or not.

5 Lessons You Won’t Learn About Entrepreneurship in a Classroom was originally published on Due Cash Blog by Chalmers Brown.

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I went for a long swim at a pond near my house an hour north of the city last week. The sweltering heat and warmth of the water belied the impending breezes of Fall and the back to school rush.

I glanced up during my swim and saw I was surrounded by lush green trees — except for one outlier that prematurely exhibited leaves fiery red and this got me thinking about the Fall.

I’ve always marveled at the western calendar which gives us two chances (Fall and New Year’s Day) each year for rebirth and starting over. After Labor Day, we dive into work and school afresh and the City’s cultural machine revs up again. It is a time to relish the gentle breezes and the City’s wide array of offerings after a slow, sleepy, lugubrious summer.

Even in my 50’s, I have a childlike feeling of anticipation and mild dread that Summer’s forgiving days are ending and the high stakes Fall is just around the corner.

This Fall, there’s so much to look forward to in New York. The high-charged and high-stakes final lap of the presidential marathon begins on September 26th in Long Island, at Hofstra College, as Hillary and Donald (they are so well known by now that they could go by first names only like Madonna or Cher) debate our country’s future.

The next 60 or so days will mercifully bring to an end this coarse campaign, but like watching the aftermath of a car wreck, I am among many who can’t stop watching this fascinating and troubling spectacle.

What gives me hope and ballast is that I’ve watched so many campaigns now and I’ve wondered how our republic could survive a Reagan or a Bush (or two) and because of our unique and balanced form of government and national resilience we have overcome, as MLK would say.

So, fasten your seat belts and pass the popcorn. It’s going to be a wild ride in September and October. And here’s praying that we don’t see any tragic October surprises.

On the less consequential sports front, we’ve got two baseball teams generating fun buzz going into September. After a spring and summer of mediocrity, both the Mets and Yankees are streaking and making a spirited run for the post-season. The extreme makeover NY Knicks start their new season in late October and the gladiators of football are about to light up Sundays next week. Late October is probably the closest to nirvana local sports fans get.

I’m eager to see what Hollywood and Broadway and the networks offer up to lure us into their web. There’s always high quality stories in Autumn to transport us from our daily quotidian lives and steel us against the harsh winds of winter.

Perhaps most importantly for those like me who celebrate the Jewish New Year, late September is a time to take stock, reflect on the deeds (and misdeeds) of the past 12 months, and try to learn from them so we can be our better angels in the next 12 months.

As the Chinese proverb says: fall down seven times, get up eight times.

There are many lessons to be gleaned from the Fall.

Tom Allon is the president of City & State. Comments: tallon@cityandstateny.com

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What would be the best events for a “Parental Olympics”? originally appeared on Quora – the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.

Answer by Court Showerman, father, on Quora:

Here are the events for the “Parental Olympics”, three years and under division:

Opening Ceremony – A parade of little kids and their parents from around the world would be more popular than the real Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Changing Diapers – This is like the sailing of the Olympics. One discipline with multiple gold medals.

• Speed – Self explanatory but fastest to change a diaper.
• The Blow Out – A little gross but, hey, parenting is gross sometimes. Change a particularly messy diaper. Judged by speed and cleanliness.
• The Standing Change– Change a diaper standing up. This is advanced parenting and should only be attempted by professionals. The child needs to run (or crawl) around for five minutes with the diaper still on or you are disqualified.
• The One Hander – A fact of parenting, but mastering something two handed is only phase one. Yoda-level parenting is doing everything one-handed.
• The Death Roll Diaper Change – I am not sure if every child does this, but my youngest one does a Crocodile Death Roll every time we change her diaper. This one would probably get the most views on TV because it really is amazing to watch.
• The Airplane Bathroom – Great, you can do all the events above. Now try them in an airplane bathroom. [1]

Fine Motor Skills With Sleep Deprivation – Give somebody three “naps” of thirty minutes throughout the night and then have them put together a model airplane.

Now it is time for the Emotional Events:

• How long can somebody continue a conversation with another adult while their kid is saying, “Dadda, dadda, dadda, dadda, dadda!” (or “Mama, mama, mama!”) [2]
• The Tantrum in a Grocery Store – This will be a gymnastics-style judge voting. Be in the middle of a grocery store and have a full-blown melt down. I would love the commentary, “Oh, Mom broke down and bought the toy. That is really going to hurt the final scoring.“
• Be productive while being crazy sick – I admit, it will be very tough to judge, but give a parent one of those month-long colds with a hacking cough and tons of mucus. Now work, clean, and make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all of the events above.
• Endurance Test – Watch Dora (or any similar show) ten times in a row. I mean the same episode ten times in a row. While keeping your sanity. With no cell phone! Good luck.

Throw a Birthday Party for Ten Three Year Olds at Your Own House – Complete with party favors, cake, and other forms of entertainment (read: time burning activities).

Clean Up the Birthday Party – Oh, you’re burned out from planning the party and all the kids running around for the last few hours? Great, now clean it up.

Clean Up the Toy Room – This is a speed contest, but make sure it all goes in the correct place.

Closing Ceremony – I have a picture of this in my head, but I think it is really more like falling asleep with a baby laying on your head.

This question originally appeared on Quora. – the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

More questions:​

• Parenting: What are the most important things I can teach my child?
• Children: Are children happier than adults?
• Sports: What are some famous gestures of respect in sports?

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Ireland’s historical significance and accessibility make it a perfect destination for American travelers. Given the geographical proximity and fact that 11% of Americans are descendants of Irish immigrants, visiting the motherland is both affordable and culturally rewarding.

Most tourism to Ireland unfortunately misses the best parts. The cities are historical relics, but they can’t compare to the natural beauty and splendor of the emerald island. While this is probably true of all countries, if you stick to the main cities and tourist attractions, you’re missing out. This is true to a greater extent in Ireland.

Below are five significant destinations in Ireland to visit that only a road trip can fulfill. Afterwards, I’ll give you my blueprint to have a successful road trip in Ireland or anywhere else in the world.

A Three Week Irish Adventure

Dunamase – Built in the 12th century, this castle was one of the most important pieces of Irish history. At one point, it was the prized fortification of the island relevant for centuries of war.

Despite the importance, my visit was indicative of how rare visitors are. There was nobody else visiting the castle and despite being only 5 – 10 minutes off the main highway between Dublin and Cork, the entrance is tucked behind the back alley of a modern village. If you question the road your GPS leads you, you’re probably in the right spot!

Kinsale – Located on the southern Irish coast, the city of 3000 is only a quick 45 minute drive from Cork city. The city had close ties with Catholic Spain and in 1601 a Spanish invasion was defeated by English troops just outside the city.

In addition to historical significance, the city has brightly colored buildings and shops on an idyllic, lush green coast. It does attract some tourists, but most do not visit without a car.

Schull – The tiny village of Schull is home to only 700 people and is literally on the edge of the world. Luckily, I was invited to a traditional Irish performance at Hackett’s bar in the heart of the village. Here, I got to experience traditional music of the native Celtic people, speak to locals and stay on a proper Irish farm.

While I didn’t know it at the time, Anthony Bourdain visited this remote village, the same bar, and tried the same world famous cheese that the locals forced me to eat. For the record, the cheese was amazing, the music was incredibly unique, and the people were exceptionally warm.

Donegal (County) – Often neglected as a county, Donegal is on the remote northwestern tip of the island. You can find public transportation into the town, but a car is the easiest route. The county doesn’t get as much tourism as other regions, but it is arguably more beautiful.

After getting lost at night, I stumbled on a bar located in a barn and a friendly couple invited me to stay in their tiny home. By getting off the beaten path (even accidentally), somehow I managed to sit around a roaring fire speaking with Irish villagers and experiencing an authentic piece of Ireland.

Slieve League & Silverstrand – Although I wanted to visit the popular Cliffs of Moher tourist destination, hurricane force winds prevented me from doing so. Rather than sulk, I resolved to see some coastal cliffs before my trip was over.

On the west coast of county Donegal are cliffs called slieve league, which are far less traveled and more raw and rugged than the Cliffs of Moher. There was exactly one other tourist (who was actually working) whom I befriended and traversed the cliffs.

Because we were off the main tourist path, we experienced extreme winds without problems from the authorities. Check out this video of Marco while we were on our hike up to the cliffs.

Just down the road from slieve league is a cove and beach with pristine sand, beautiful surf, and it is completely empty. In fact, the only life anywhere near silverstrand were goats and sheep brought near the landmark to keep the grass short!

How to Prepare a Road Trip

Anyone preparing for a road trip knows it can be fun, but when you are alone, basic needs for survival are highest on the priority list.

Shelter – traveling across a country like Ireland can leave you stranded in some pretty awkward situations. While there are plenty of friendly people in the countryside and you always have your car to sleep in, this isn’t always the most comfortable situation. In one instance all the hostels and bed-and-breakfasts in Kinsale were closed so I had to sleep in my tent.

Unfortunately, not all tents are made equally. My girlfriend and I spent a rainy night in a temporary tent she purchased from Walmart and that was not enjoyable. Especially for a rainy climate like Ireland, I suggest going with Cotopaxi (whether it is the Inti 2 or the Techo 3).

Food & Water – as great as Ireland is, they are not known for their food. This is true even more so in the villages and countryside. My relatively health-conscious existence in Austin, Texas (home of Whole Foods and many other health brands) was impossible to maintain while I was on the road. To remedy this situation I had a few simple solutions.

For one, I ate primarily rice cakes, dried meat, and bags of leafy greens. My treats were a couple boxes of RX Bars I took on the road with me (any natural food bar will work, but I prefer this one). To make sure the meat stayed fresh I got myself a small cooler as well. Depending on the duration of your road trip I’d recommend a Yeti cooler. Obviously I didn’t carry one across the ocean to Ireland, but as a general rule coolers are more useful than you’d think.

As much as I love food, a recent camping trip with my girlfriend reminded me how much more important water is. Luckily the river water was potable, but having enough water to last your journey is important. Typically I use a Hydroflask, but if you are going on a road trip in desert climates you might need something bigger.

Power Source – My work is all remote, which means I can be on a road trip in rural Ireland and still be getting paid if I have access to my computer and an internet connection a few hours of the day. Ireland was pretty reliable, but there are other places I have visited (like Colombia) where energy wasn’t as easy to come by.

I’ve started carrying a solar portable generator (I’d recommend Goal Zero) when I travel on road trips so I can always get my work done no matter what. It’s not always necessary, but they aren’t too big and don’t take up a lot of space.

Go Forth and Travel

My experience in Ireland taught me how fulfilling a road trip off the beaten path could be. As an American driving solo on the opposite side of the road in the dead of the rainy Irish winter, there were plenty of fears, but I made it through alive and so can you.

If you decide to visit Ireland, hopefully the recommendations prove useful. However, by following the suggestions about road trips in general, you can apply these lessons and enjoy wherever you choose to explore.

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