1.000 Euro for a personal journey
Blackspace is a place for people to develop skills without boundaries. And we practice what we preach. That’s why we introduced BLACKMONEY five years ago. BLACKMONEY enables every one of us at Blackspace, from day 1 on, to go on an annual personal journey, with a 1,000-euro budget. First and foremost, it’s a journey of the mind. A chance to learn something new, to expand your own viewpoint, to have an experience you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Typically, it also involves an actual physical journey.
A new perspective
Naturally, there is the odd BLACKMONEY request for a new iPad, usually just before Christmas. But it’s always a question of purpose, right? When Paul, a talented motion designer from our Blacklab, explained that his biggest wish was for a quadrocopter, we admittedly had our doubts. What convinced us was his answer, “It’ll give me a new perspective” and, later, the spectacular movies he filmed with his drone high above our city’s rooftops.
Leave your comfort zone
One of our longest standing team members and the program’s BLACKANGEL, describes BLACKMONEY’s aim as something that goes far beyond tech gadgets and traveling to New York City to visit a friend. “What makes me really happy is when people leave their comfort zones and take the chance to go somewhere they haven’t been before, in a spiritual way. Facing their fears, for instance.”
See all dimensions
That’s exactly what Marie did. She took her BLACKMONEY and attended a retreat with author and transformational teacher David Harshada Wagner. After this introspective experience, she described how her perspective on things changed completely: “After a week in the forest, you start to see all dimensions again.” She spent her time wandering through the woods, staring into the campfire, thinking about what her own purpose in this world was – and shedding a tear or two.
Open up your mind
And Moritz, whose journey was also about breaking through his own personal boundaries. To do so, he crossed an ocean and a desert to see the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, wearing his Bavarian lederhose the entire time. “It was the most inspiring week of my whole life and totally opened up my mind. I found out how limited I actually am. How much we think in terms of restrictive rules and boundaries. I’m still considering sending my parents as well,” he said with a grin.
Put thoughts on paper faster
Leonie opted for a completely different type of personal development: the project manager had always felt her thinking was faster than her ability to write down her thoughts. So she took a 10-finger speed typing course. Ever since, she been typing emails faster than anyone else around here. After the course she wrote the following email to the BLACKANGEL (at the speed of light, of course): “Dear Angel, Thank you for your confidence in my ability to learn and for the opportunity to increase my keystrokes per minute! Thank you very much.”
Today, BLACKMONEY is a lively part of our culture at Blackspace. Want to know more about working here? Drop us a mail at future@black.space. More questions about BLACKMONEY? Send message to the BLACKANGEL at angels@black.space
