WHY DOING DUMB STUFF COULD BE THE SMARTEST THING YOU EVER DO

Ten years ago, I was in hospital with my son for the umpteenth time.

His anaphylaxis to wheat, rye, barley, and nuts was a constant worry and ordeal. It made me feel miserable, lost, and generally I thought “WHY IS LIFE SO UNFAIR?!”

But then I saw a young girl being pushed in a wheelchair. She had no hair, and a thirty centimetre long scar down the side of her head. Clearly she had brain cancer. And my self-pity felt trivial. In that moment, I had a thought. A dumb thought.

What if I did a fundraiser for a kid’s cancer charity, where for every dollar people donated, I plucked one hair out of my head?

I told you it was dumb.

With this idea I dubbed One Buck One Pluck, I raised thousands of dollars, plucked out thousands of hairs, looked like an insane person on public transport, and changed the course of my life forever.

Because I realised that by helping others, I helped myself.
I understood that laughter truly is the best medicine.
And I knew I had to step away from day job as a stressed-out advertising executive and leap into THE POWER OF DUMB.

Since then I’ve done lots and lots of “dumb” things.

Dumb things that have raised millions of dollars for a range of causes, helped hundreds of thousands of people feel a bit better about themselves, and uncovered a way of life I never thought possible.

And now I want everyone (including you!) to uncover the awesome Power of Dumb. Because it will help you laugh more, live more, and love life more.

The first step is watching my TEDxMornington talk, that TEDx chose as an Editor’s Pick! If you haven’t seen it already, you can watch it below.
(For some reason TEDx changed my talk title from The Power of Dumb to The power of silly…)

UNLEASH THE FUN.
TURN ON THE POWER OF DUMB.

Sometimes, ideas that seem really, really dumb can have the most profound impact. Because dumb ideas are unexpected. They’re fresh. They’re different. And, they’re usually fun. Who doesn’t want to have more fun?

The Power of Dumb is about embracing the unexpected, the quirky, and the downright silly to make a difference in the world while having a blast. It’s about learning more, laughing more, and loving life more.

Why? Because it’s often the "dumb" ideas that we self-censor, that can lead to the most extraordinary outcomes. From personal growth to societal change, there’s magic in the unconventional. And the thing is… it’s not that hard to stand out, stand up, and stand for something.

Because so many of us are taught from a young age to shy away from doing things differently to every body else. We are all determined to fit in. But when you do, you don’t stand out. And standing out is where the magic of life lives.

“Don’t do that, it’s wrong!” “Get down from there, it’s dangerous!” “…but we’ve always done it this way!”

These are the words that hold us back from achieving our wildest goals. These are the words that no longer have sway over us when when embrace The Power of Dumb.

How invigorating it feels. How alive we can be. How anything is now possible! The greatest minds in history of embraced this. They are the ones who never settled for what the crowd was doing. They embraced the unknown. They challenged the status quo. Now, it’s your turn!

10 Tips for Embracing The awesome Power of Dumb

1. Embrace Failure: Don't fear failure; see it as a learning opportunity. Each "dumb" idea that doesn't work out teaches you something valuable.

2. Think Like a Child: Children approach the world with curiosity and creativity. Channel your inner child to see things from fresh perspectives.

3. Take Risks: Step out of your comfort zone. The greatest innovations often come from taking bold, unconventional steps.

4. Laugh at Yourself: Humor breaks down barriers and opens up new ways of thinking. Don't take yourself too seriously—enjoy the journey.

5. Start Small: Big changes begin with small steps. Try out your "dumb" ideas on a small scale and see where they lead.

6. Collaborate with Others: Sharing your ideas with others can lead to unexpected improvements and support. Surround yourself with people who inspire you.

7. Never, ever give up: Great things don't happen overnight. Keep pushing your ideas, refining them, and believing in their potential.

8. Celebrate You: Your uniqueness is your strength. Embrace what makes you different and use it to your advantage.

9. Stay Curious: Always ask questions and seek new experiences. Curiosity leads to discovery and innovation.

10. Tell everyone your dumb ideas: What’s the worst that could happen? Someone might laugh at you. When has laughing ever been bad!

SOME DUMB THINGS I’VE DONE

Guinness World Record Holder: I hold the official Guinness world record for the longest duration touching my tongue to my nose. Yep, that’s a real thing.

Danced a Marathon: During the world’s longest COVID lockdown, I danced a marathon in my living room. It was exhausting, hilarious, and absolutely worth it.

Hair for Charity: I’ve plucked my hair out for charity. Painful? Yes. Dumb? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely.

Instagram Model Coach: I convinced comedian Tommy Little to become an Instagram model. Now that’s a career twist.

Launched the Big Bash League: One of my "dumb" ideas turned into a massive success story with the launch of the Big Bash League.

Award-Winning Advertiser: I’ve won more than a hundred international advertising awards. Who knew "dumb" ideas could be so clever?

Plastic-Free Campaigner: I helped convince Australian supermarkets to stop their short-term plastic promotions, proving that even small changes can make a big difference.

Statue of Courage: I got a statue made of the iconic stance against racism by Nicky Winmar with the AFL. Sometimes, dumb ideas honour the bravest acts.

Charity Fundraiser: In my spare time, I’ve raised over 2 million dollars for charity. Who says dumb ideas can’t be generous?

Bestselling Author: I’ve co-authored two books with Russel Howcroft, titled "The Right-brain Workout," selling almost 20,000 copies in Australia and even translating into German!

Join the Dumb Revolution

Are you ready to embrace the power of dumb? Explore our stories, get inspired, and maybe even take your own "dumb" leap. Remember, it’s not just about doing something silly—it’s about making a difference, having fun, and living life to the fullest.