Richard Hardiman: We Can All Do Great Things

People like us don’t do things like that. People like us, with our low self-esteem, our lack of confidence, our imposter syndrome, our insecurities about what other people think, about how we’re not good enough, talented enough, clever enough, lucky enough, don’t realise grand vision. We don’t start companies. We don’t take on massive projects. We don’t change the world.

We leave that sort of thing to the others. The successful. The charismatic. The gifted. Those other people, who are not like us.

But what if they were exactly like us. What if those people over there, doing the big thing, taking on the big challenges, realising the visions and changing the world, were exactly like us. Filled with insecurities, struggling to keep the faith, wrestling with how to face the day. Yet facing it nonetheless.

Today I’m talking with Richard Hardiman, who is the founder of CEO of RanMarine. His company makes aquatic robots – automated drones that go into the sea in ports and harbours, and clear the plastic and other waste that’s polluting the water.

You’d imagine that someone like Richard, who has started a company that is tackling one of the biggest issue of the moment, would have bulletproof confidence and certainty about what he’s doing.

But as Richard reveals in this brutally honest and open conversation, is that just like me – and maybe just like you too – facing the day, getting out of bed, keeping the wheels turning and keeping the vision alive, can take a Herculean effort. And for me, knowing that, and hearing that, from someone who is doing such big things is hugely empowering.

Yes, for some of us, getting out and bed and turning up takes a huge amount of strength. Yes, for some of us, the self doubt can be crippling. But yes, we can still do immense and incredibly impactful things.

If you want find out more about what RanMarine are doing, check out their website at www.ranmarine.io.