Most of us live lives that, while acceptable, do not align with our core values, needs, and desires. Join Dirk as he offers a personal redesign process he applied to himself in December 2013 as the software startup he founded was unable to make its next funding round. After looking at the macro context of the world at large Dirk shares his personal journey or discovery and redesign, offering tools an inspiration for fellow creatives everywhere.

1. @dknemeyer

2. Today’s Journey
1. See the World
2. Know Yourself
3. Redesign Yourself
@dknemeyer

3. 1. See the World
Everything happens in the
context of a larger environment.
For people in the year 2015,
that context includes all of
planet Earth.
@dknemeyer

4. Is this the best time in history to be alive?
@dknemeyer

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10. This is an amazing time to be a creative…
@dknemeyer

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16. It is also a confusing time.
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26. What do all of these things mean to you?
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31. Conclusions
Our world has never been smaller,
or more complicated.
@dknemeyer

32. Conclusions
Our world has never been smaller,
or more complicated.
It has never been more safe,
or more at risk of catastrophe.
@dknemeyer

33. Conclusions
Our world has never been smaller,
or more complicated.
It has never been more safe,
or more at risk of catastrophe.
But for the privileged,
it has never offered more.
@dknemeyer

34. 2. Know yourself
The most difficult journey most
of us will ever make is deep into
the sticky center of ourselves.
@dknemeyer

35. Time to think & share
What is one thing core to who you are
that you strongly identify with
& are proud of?
@dknemeyer

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39. In Dec. 2013 I was…
Founder & CEO of Facio: enterprise software startup. Had
recently failed to raise our next funding round and winding
down the company
@dknemeyer

40. In Dec. 2013 I was…
Founder & CEO of Facio: enterprise software startup. Had
recently failed to raise our next funding round and winding
down the company
Chairman of Involution Studios: passively involved,
providing oversight at an executive level
@dknemeyer

41. In Dec. 2013 I was…
Founder & CEO of Facio: enterprise software startup. Had
recently failed to raise our next funding round and winding
down the company
Chairman of Involution Studios: passively involved,
providing oversight at an executive level
Game Publisher: bootstrap designer & publisher of
independent games
@dknemeyer

42. In Dec. 2013 I was…
Founder & CEO of Facio: enterprise software startup. Had
recently failed to raise our next funding round and winding
down the company
Chairman of Involution Studios: passively involved,
providing oversight at an executive level
Game Publisher: bootstrap designer & publisher of
independent games
Husband & Father: providing for and nurturing my family
@dknemeyer

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45. My Skills
Foresight
Writing
Design
Public Speaking
Determination
Analysis
Insight
Curiosity
Intensity
Empathy
@dknemeyer

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56. My Objectives
1. Spend a lot less time doing the wrong things
@dknemeyer

57. My Objectives
1. Spend a lot less time doing the wrong things
2. Be more involved with those who matter more
@dknemeyer

58. My Objectives
1. Spend a lot less time doing the wrong things
2. Be more involved with those who matter more
3. Be globally active while that is still possible
@dknemeyer

59. My Objectives
1. Spend a lot less time doing the wrong things
2. Be more involved with those who matter more
3. Be globally active while that is still possible
4. Be more fulfilled
@dknemeyer

60. My Objectives
1. Spend a lot less time doing the wrong things
2. Be more involved with those who matter more
3. Be globally active while that is still possible
4. Be more fulfilled
5. Take better care of my physical self
@dknemeyer

61. What would YOUR objectives be?
@dknemeyer

62. 3. Redesign Yourself
Changing yourself only requires
a realistic perspective,
a good design, &
the will to make it.
This might sound simple,
but it’s incredibly difficult.
@dknemeyer

63. Process
1. Isolate problem areas
@dknemeyer

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65. Isolate Problem Areas
• No Sales? No more CEO.
@dknemeyer

66. Isolate Problem Areas
• No Sales? No more CEO.
• No Game Development or Game Business? Get a
business partner.
@dknemeyer

67. Isolate Problem Areas
• No Sales? No more CEO.
• No Game Development or Game Business? Get a
business partner.
• Less Commuting? Find a workspace close to home.
@dknemeyer

68. Isolate Problem Areas
• No Sales? No more CEO.
• No Game Development or Game Business? Get a
business partner.
• Less Commuting? Find a workspace close to home.
• Less Mindless Computer Use? Get some discipline.
@dknemeyer

69. Process
1. Isolate problem areas
2. Identify constraints
@dknemeyer

70. My Constraints
1. Must make enough money to support my family
@dknemeyer

71. My Constraints
1. Must make enough money to support my family
2. Work not be tightly bound to time or place
@dknemeyer

72. My Constraints
1. Must make enough money to support my family
2. Work not be tightly bound to time or place
3. Need a primary workspace where I am alone
@dknemeyer

73. My Constraints
1. Must make enough money to support my family
2. Work not be tightly bound to time or place
3. Need a primary workspace where I am alone
4. Alignment with my needs & desires
@dknemeyer

74. Process
1. Isolate problem areas
2. Identify constraints
3. Explore new directions
@dknemeyer

75. My Skills
Foresight
Writing
Design
Public Speaking
Determination
Analysis
Insight
Curiosity
Intensity
Empathy
@dknemeyer

76. New Directions
Corporate Executive? Likely too structured and constrained
in ways that don’t work with my personality & lifestyle
@dknemeyer

77. New Directions
Corporate Executive? Likely too structured and constrained
in ways that don’t work with my personality & lifestyle
Writer? Doesn’t pay enough
@dknemeyer

78. New Directions
Corporate Executive? Likely too structured and constrained
in ways that don’t work with my personality & lifestyle
Writer? Doesn’t pay enough
Creative Director? Already doing this in my gaming activities
@dknemeyer

79. New Directions
Corporate Executive? Likely too structured and constrained
in ways that don’t work with my personality & lifestyle
Writer? Doesn’t pay enough
Creative Director? Already doing this in my gaming activities
Public Intellectual? Lack brand recognition to pull this off
@dknemeyer

80. New Directions
Corporate Executive? Likely too structured and constrained
in ways that don’t work with my personality & lifestyle
Writer? Doesn’t pay enough
Creative Director? Already doing this in my gaming activities
Public Intellectual? Lack brand recognition to pull this off
Management Consultant? Want to take a break from service
provision
@dknemeyer

81. Confusion!
Where do I fit in the world???
@dknemeyer

82. Process
1. Isolate problem areas
2. Identify constraints
3. Explore new directions
4. Develop a plan
@dknemeyer

83. My Plan
Invent the vocation of Social Futurist. Begin research,
thinking, writing, and speaking
@dknemeyer

84. My Plan
Invent the vocation of Social Futurist. Begin research,
thinking, writing, and speaking
Reinvest myself in Involution Studios. Find the ways that I
can best add value and contribute
@dknemeyer

85. My Plan
Invent the vocation of Social Futurist. Begin research,
thinking, writing, and speaking
Reinvest myself in Involution Studios. Find the ways that I
can best add value and contribute
Find a business partner for my gaming adventures. These
should be things I love, not things that tax me
@dknemeyer

86. My Plan
Invent the vocation of Social Futurist. Begin research,
thinking, writing, and speaking
Reinvest myself in Involution Studios. Find the ways that I
can best add value and contribute
Find a business partner for my gaming adventures. These
should be things I love, not things that tax me
Renegotiate my marriage. Doing this the way that I want to
will require adjustments that impact my wife
@dknemeyer

87. Process
1. Isolate problem areas
2. Identify constraints
3. Explore new directions
4. Develop a plan
5. Make it happen
@dknemeyer

88. So…how did it go???
@dknemeyer

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102. So that’s my journey.
What are some tips for yours?
@dknemeyer

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108. Each of us has just one life.
Is this how you want to spend yours?
Dare to live at the edges of your imagination!
]@dknemeyer

109. Thank you!
Healthcare design studio: www.goinvo.com
Emerging tech podcast: www.thedigitalife.com
Tabletop game publisher: www.artana.com
Game design podcast: www.thegamedesignroundtable.com
Personal website: dirk.knemeyer.com
Dirk Knemeyer
@dknemeyer