Man on the Street – Dan Wilkinson

Occupation: Chief Technology Officer, Fidelity Life Assurance
Age: 41

What are the top three things on your bucket list?

Franklin Barbecue (Austin, Texas), Bodega El Capricho (Leon, Spain), seeing my kids turn into happy adults. Not necessarily in that order!

How do you stay motivated?

When I’m 70, and I look back at today, will I be proud of what I did?

If you didn’t need money, what would you do?

Couple of massive offset smokers, steady supply of brisket, ribs and so on. Low & slow cooking over wood has been my happy place for years; doing this every day, striving for the perfect flavour and texture, could be the path to enlightenment!

What is the secret to success?

I think you need to have a pretty good handle on who you are and what you’re about as a human. It’s hard to determine what success even looks like, unless you have clarity about yourself and your values first.

What is the worst mistake you’ve made and how did you fix it?

Thinking that purple was an acceptable shade of merino sweater. That was fixed through a combination of the bin and a lasting sense of shame.

What is your advice for people to fund their dream?

A smart person once said ‘bite off more than you can chew, and then chew like mad’. You’ve got to take risks and put yourself out there; stay focused and passionate people will follow.

What is the best bit of advice, or quote, that resonates with you?

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” – Kurt Vonnegut

How do you keep up to date with current affairs?

Reddit, The Guardian, and the ‘Point Chevalier Men’s Support Group’ (aka beers at the bowls club).

What is the secret of living a longer, more successful life?

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

What makes you feel alive?

Playing a part in helping someone achieve more than they thought possible.