TED Community » Max Lemberger

More About Me

I'm passionate about

DIY skills - particularialy the loss handyman skills among men in younger generations

An idea worth spreading

When you do it yourself, the tools are free

Talk to me about

innovation, social media marketing, branding,

People don't know that I'm good at

how to videos, creative repairs, understanding how things work without directions

My TED Story

I have a MBA in Finance and Management. Thirty yrs ago the least likely place you would find me would be under a sink installing a disposer. But I failed at the white collar life, became an at-home dad by accident when I got fired (again) but stayed at it by choice. At age 41 I discovered I had more natural inclination and talent in the skilled trades (plumbing, electrical & other DIY skills) than I ever did for white collar professions. Those skills have been a tremendous benefit to our financial well being and eventually led me to be a self employed handyman for hire. Now at age 60+ I am enjoying a great late life reniassance as a handyman, inventor, web videographer and writer. Although my skills are low tech Im living a 21st century strategy for economic security: I have highly valued skills that I deliver on a customized basis to homeowners on site. I am imune from outsourcing.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +1.80 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +4

  A comment on Talk: E.O. Wilson: Advice to young scientists

  Jun 27 2012: Hearing this talk made me want to weep. Forty years ago I was dismissed from a career in science because I struggled with math so terribly. The university used math courses to weed out those who were "unfit". Sadly I believed them.
• +4

  A comment on Talk: Ken Goldberg: 4 lessons from robots about being human

  May 28 2012: There is one more important lesson here: If you want to be successful, have the right dad. So OK you can't control that, then BE that dad.
• +2

  A comment on Conversation: How did you find you life's work and passion after age 40? Is it possible?

  May 28 2012: At 41 I discovered that I had more natural inclination and ability as an electrician or plumber than I did for the white collar jobs at which I failed (I have a BA in Psychology and an MBA in Finance) The discovery came by accident by way of remodeling a home my wife and I purchased. The take away is to be open to new experiences-something I was not good at. It was not straight to the moon. At the time of this discovery I had become an at-home dad with two young children so returning to school for formal training was out of the question. Roll forward. I continued to develop my skills as I proceeded through home rehab with the attitude of "I can do this." I began doing handyman jobs for my mother-in-laws widowed friends. As my kids got older I was able to take on more work in what turned out to be a great part time job-handyman for hire. All the while I was looking for another way back into the status of 'successful..." It took me a long time to realize that I had a very successful new career, albiet,part time. The take away is that perspective is important. Now I am 62. In recent times I have combined my love for fixing things with my long time interest in video production. I have produced and published a growing list of 'how to' videos. No money involved-just the fun. Take away-its fun. So the three lessons are 1) be open to new experiences, 2) get a different perspective 3) it should be fun. A final note-it doesn't have to be full time.

• A comment on Conversation: What are some optimal professions for introverts?

  May 20 2012: Become a self employed 'handyperson'. I get to fix things and not try to fix people. I work alone and often in vacant houses. It pays very well for part time work because people don't know how to fix things.

• A reply on Talk: John La Grou plugs smart power outlets

  May 20 2012: John:
  Will the Safe Plug work over a two prong outlet?
• +6

  A comment on Talk: Peter Saul: Let’s talk about dying

  Mar 25 2012: We are living out the 'frailty' option with my mother who is in at-home hospice. We had the discussion the speaker suggests and decided we would care for our mom at home. We have a "Do not resuscitate order" and tremendous help from the local hospice program. The unseen side of this is how much time and care are required for this committment Four siblings have had to commit significant time rotating in and out. We have had to hire additional personal care assistance as her medical needs have exceeded our capacity. We are burning through her savings at a very fast rate. I have been with her five weeks now. At first I prayed for just another day. Somewhere along the line that became a prayer for a peacful passing. Both are selfish prayers-the first because you don't want to let go, the second because you are weary of hanging on. My TED idea? No one should be allowed to make public policy on end of life care who hasn't served a long shift at the bedside of a loved one who is dying slowly.

• A comment on Talk: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

  Mar 2 2012: What a strange comparason to Peter Diamandis talk

• A comment on Talk: Luis von Ahn: Massive-scale online collaboration

  Dec 6 2011: Jumped over to the Duolingo site. Nothing comes up. Is beta testing full?
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Luis von Ahn: Massive-scale online collaboration

  Dec 6 2011: Utterly awesome. Could this be used for a project like The Dead Sea Scrolls?