What I Learned From Seth Godin Last Week [2021W42]
This series is about Seth's most important ideas as compiled from his blog last week.
I'm a HUGE fan of Seth Godin's work. His blog, books, talks, and ideas are all gold for anyone who does anything creative or entrepreneurial.
This series is about Seth's most important ideas as compiled from his blog last week. I don't think you can learn too much about marketing, creativity, and life lessons from Seth.
Hope it helps you.
An illusion of scale
(Posted on 18th October 2021)
In this post, Seth discusses the idea that change often occurs in stages.
It is difficult for small businesses to grow and develop once they become successful and popular.
Hence, they face a challenge in expanding their businesses in a different, more challenging direction.
Seth suggests that it is easy for people to think that everything becomes easier when there is more of what they want.
For example, when there are more customers and employees than before, it may be tempting to think that things will become easier because there will be less work to do.
Seth also suggests that it is easy to believe that if a business is successful in one area, it will be successful in another.
For example, if a business has been successful in selling products online, they may believe that they will be able to sell their products over the telephone and through catalogs easily.
The post argues that the truth is often quite different from this.
A good example of this is when businesses become too big for their staff or even themselves to manage.
The test kitchen mindsets
(Posted on 19th October 2021)
In this post, Seth describes how test kitchen mindsets can help people to develop new ideas.
The first mindset is to take good notes, make tiny changes and repeat what works.
This is a normal way of working in a test kitchen or a scientific laboratory.
The other mindset is rare. It encourages people to do things that might not work and to take risks.
It encourages people to try out new ideas and break new ground.
People who work in a test kitchen or laboratory sometimes fail many times before they achieve anything worthwhile.
What will you leave behind?
(Posted on 21st October 2021)
This post discusses how people will end up leaving behind the jobs that they have done.
It warns people that it is important to accept that this is going to happen.
It also explains the process of leaving behind old jobs.
Seth refers to his own experiences in finding a new job, having children and starting a business.
Each of these things has resulted in changes for his life and he suggests that we should make sure that we are prepared for these life changes.
He suggests looking at all the available options and preparing for what will be the best decision for us, not what is easy or comfortable.
Afraid of afraid
(Posted on 22nd October 2021)
In this post, Seth talks about how fear of fear is a problem that many people encounter.
The post discusses how people's fears prevent them from seeing the world as it really is and whether they should be afraid.
A key point that Seth makes is that bravery doesn't require putting up a brave face or being scared about not appearing scared.
Bravery allows people to see the world more clearly.
If people are afraid of being afraid, they are likely to put off important tasks. They may also be less effective in communicating with others.
This post has an important message for many people who are easily frightened or who have low confidence in themselves.
It urges us to overcome our fears and not fear appearing scared. As this will allow us to see the world more clearly and take more positive action.
Art with intent
(Posted on 23rd October 2021)
In this post, Seth discusses the idea that art can be used to change how people think.
There are two types of art.
Art with selfish intent exists to manipulate other people so that the artist can get what they want.
This type of art does not often spread and may have a corroding effect on culture because it supports stereotypes and fails to challenge people’s ideas about how things should be done.
On the other hand, art with generous intent creates tension in a way that makes it possible for us to look at things in a new way.
For example, it may challenge our assumptions or beliefs about what is right or wrong, just or unjust, rational or irrational.
This type of art helps us to think about what we have taken for granted in the world and to think about things in new ways.
Sunday driver
(Posted on 24th October 2021)
In this post, Seth describes a road near his house that was built way before cars became popular.
It was made to facilitate the Sunday driving for early car owners.
Seth mentions that people criticize this road for having no specific destination and not being used often by other drivers.
Seth also mentions how the term “Sunday driver” has become a negative thing, particularly since it has been associated with someone who drives slowly and without purpose.
He then goes on to explain that the digital world was also shaped by people who wanted to relax and enjoy themselves. The author then explains how the digital world has become a business hub. But today, the digital world is so big, it is easily overrun by users who are only interested in working or searching for information.
Seth suggests that we should stop being so concerned over being a Sunday driver and instead learn from the example of Sunday drivers so that we can adopt the attitude of “we should make the journey worth the effort.”
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