Switching off the SatNav to Find Her Own Way with Nicky Godding

What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw

Nicky Godding is a person of many skills none of which were part of a master plan because she says, “I didn’t have one”. She’s a publisher and has launched award-winning magazines. Publishing, however, is her fourth career. So far.

Before getting into magazines, Nicky ran PR campaigns for clients across Europe. She was equally likely to be flying off to glamor destinations like the South of France, Copenhagen, Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Rome or ‘up and coming ones’ like Bucharest, Vilnius, and Sofia.

Her second career was as a secretary, she says “the only thing I’ve ever qualified for when I was young”. She worked for lots of people “from stuffy small-town lawyers, to posh estate agents, to a funky video production company shooting music videos in down-town Soho.”

Nicky's first career – all three years of it – was as a barmaid. “This was probably the job that taught me the most about people. So much so that when my kids were growing up, I made sure that they all did a short stint in a pub or behind a bar.”

Nicky is co-founder of a publishing company, NK Media Ltd, and Editor in Chief of Business & Innovation Magazine. She’s also co-founder of Rock the Cotswolds, a campaign to highlight opportunities for businesses and people in a beautiful region of the UK.

In this episode of What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin and Simon Daw, Nicky describes taking a direction all her own with a thirst for adventure and an innate belief that she could figure things out. Nicky Godding is a worthy example for those who aspire to take the road less traveled.

What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw...

Life and career rarely go to plan. Breakthroughs happen on the ragged edge when things aren't quite going as expected. What I Wish I Knew podcast hosts Mike Irwin and Simon Daw explore lessons learned by leading athletes, creators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference makers. They all have three things in common: none are perfect, all are humble, and they've learned a few things along the way. In What I Wish I Knew, they share their lessons with you.

Notes

05:30 You talked about the importance of exposure and social interaction. “I was a barmaid and you have to deal with all sorts of people, whether they’re drunk or sober or lecherous or sad. They want to tell you their life story. It is the best education in how to handle people.”

13:37 Would your 20-year-old self be surprised by where you are today? “She would. What I didn’t realize is that there’s a world out there for the taking. The more I’ve done, the more I’ve wanted to do. I always and only ever looked forward. But I’ve never had a plan. It’s like climbing a ladder while there’s a fire down below.”

15:50: Was the glass half full always part of your thinking and would you recommend that? “Sometimes people are a bit too negative and look for problems. Some look for solutions. I tend to look for ideas, new things to do…different ways to embrace life.”

29:50: If the world had to listen to you for a few minutes about what you’ve learned in your life, what would you say? “Don’t be afraid to try something new because it’ll be exciting. An exciting drives enthusiasm which drives positivity. Don’t be afraid to fail. Also try to manage it just in case you do fail. Be crazy but don’t be reckless.”