I never knew how useful vacuum cleaners and paper towels were until I became a dad. In classic Gorick fashion, I decided to investigate the origins of the vacuum I use—and came out on the other end with today’s story.

Enjoy!

Gorick

PS: Last week, I asked for artist recommendations—and I was overwhelmed by the number of referrals and responses! Thank you to everyone who shouted themselves or a friend out. I’m having a ton of fun sifting through the options and replying and am looking forward to sharing more about this project soon.

PPS: Do you know how to design book covers, format the interior of books/magazines, and/or can you design cute unique characters? I’m looking for all 3 (preferably together), so please reach out if this sounds like you or someone you know!

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY

Repurpose what works.

You might just shortcut your way to a brilliant idea.

THE STORY

How the Dyson vacuum cleaner was invented

It was 1978. James Dyson, a 31-year-old inventor and wheelbarrow factory owner in England, was frustrated by how easily his industrial filters clogged.

One day, while visiting a timber mill, Dyson saw a giant “cyclone separator” that spun air so fast that it separated dust from air without clogging.

Curious if the same solution could help clean up his wheelbarrow factory, Dyson went home and built his own cyclone system, which “worked beautifully.”

Not long after, Dyson realized his home vacuum had the same clogged filter problem.

“Why can’t you use a little version of the 30-foot high one?” Dyson wondered.

Over the next 15 years, Dyson…

• Built over 5 thousand prototypes of his bagless vacuum using cyclone technology

• Launched his first cyclonic vacuum in Japan, where it won a design award

• Opened his own vacuum company in the UK and released the Dyson DC01, which became the best-selling vacuum cleaner in the country within 18 months

Today, nearly 50 years after Dyson first went looking for a way to prevent his factory filters from getting clogged, his cyclone technology now powers an array of tools—vacuums, hand dryers, fans, air purifiers, and hair tools—that are used by tens of millions of people worldwide.

THE UNSPOKEN RULE

Repurpose what works

What I learned from Dyson’s story is the power of being able to look at a problem, find a solution that’s being used for a totally different setting, and “translate” that solution for the problem at hand.

And this ability isn’t just for inventors or entrepreneurs!

Applying for a job for which you don’t have relevant experience?

Or, trying to pitch yourself for a project at work, but don’t have the perfect background?

Try saying this: 

“[Job requirements] are what I did every day when I was at [prior position]. The only difference is [the setting / the customer].”

Example: “Sales was what I did every day when I was a middle school teacher. The only difference is that instead of trying to convince adults to buy our product, I was trying to convince 7th graders that chemistry is interesting.”

If Dyson can repurpose a factory cyclone separator to vacuum the dust behind your couch, you can definitely repurpose your prior experience to solve whatever problem you’re trying to convince others to hire you for.

See you next Tuesday for our next story and unspoken rule!

Gorick

WHAT I’M READING

Here are 3 articles that I found interesting recently (no paywalls, although it may depend on your cookies):

1. THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS (Citrini and Alap Shah)

2. Nobody Knows Anything (Derek Thompson)

3. Americans are leaving the country in record numbers (QZ)

MORE OF MY WORK

Every newsletter is free and a fraction of my work. Here are 4 of my paid offerings that may interest you:

1. Keynote speaking​​: If your organization is looking for speakers for your internship program, new hire orientation, new student orientation, manager training, all-hands meetings, recruiting season, year-end performance evaluation season, or something else, let's chat!

2. How to Say It: Flashcards that teach you to know what to say in every high-stakes professional setting via hundreds of fill-in-the-blank scripts (just like the examples above). Free shipping on all orders over $40.

3. The Unspoken Rules​: My Wall Street Journal Bestseller that Arianna Huffington calls “a blueprint for anyone starting their career, entering a new role, or wanting to get unstuck.” Used by top companies and MBA programs.

4. Soft skills crash course: Hard skills get you hired, but a lack of soft skills gets you fired. Equip your interns and early career talent with the essential behaviors of high performers in just 3.5 hours.

Gorick Ng
[email protected]​
Harvard career advisor | WSJ bestselling author | Fortune 500 keynote speaker | First-gen

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STORY SOURCES

1. wheelbarrow factory owner

2. frustrated by how easily his industrial filters clogged

3. “cyclone separator”

4. “worked beautifully.”

5. “Why can’t you use a little version of the 30-foot high one?”

6. “made a cardboard miniature cyclone”

7. Built over 5 thousand prototypes

8. Launched his first cyclonic vacuum in Japan

9. Cover image

10. James Dyson working on the early bagless vacuum.

11. An early version of the Dyson vacuum