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The Power of Starting Something Stupid
Book

The Power of Starting Something Stupid

How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen, and Live Without Regret

Richie Norton and Natalie Norton
Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2013
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Recommendation

When Thomas Edison – who held 1,093 US patents and invented the light bulb – was young, he believed his father thought he was “stupid” and he heard his teacher say he was “addled.” But Edison never let mockery prevent him from developing his ideas. International business-development consultant Richie Norton, writing with Natalie Norton, explains why you should pursue your craziest ideas, no matter how stupid they may seem to others. Many brilliant new ideas initially seem stupid because breakthrough, creative ideas defy conventional thinking. Writing in a readable, engaging style, the Nortons highlight provocative examples of independent thinkers who turned supposedly stupid ideas into popular, profitable products. getAbstract recommends their inspiring manual to students of business history and ambitious iconoclasts. As Albert Einstein said, “If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.”

Summary

No Perfect Time: The “T.E.M. Gap”

People often wait for the perfect circumstances – plenty of money, time and personal know-how – before focusing on their dreams, the ideas that truly matter in their lives. But the “perfect time” for something will never come, especially for your best, most “stupid” ideas. The fates seldom just line up for anyone. For most people, the perfect set of circumstances to make action safe will never occur. Waiting for that perfect moment is a waste of time. The present is the best time to begin: now, this minute. Tomorrow may never come. Make your fondest dreams a reality now.

Life has a time limit; eventually, you will run out of time to do what you want. No one has a guarantee that someday in the future they’ll have more money or the time or whatever else they need to make their dreams come true. Many people fall prey to the “time, education, money” lag, the “T.E.M. Gap,” and believe, “I don’t have enough time. I don’t have enough education or experience. I don’t have enough money.” These are all just excuses. Consider the following:

  • “Time” – The longer you wait to pursue your dreams, the less time you will ...

About the Authors

Richie Norton wrote Résumés Are Dead and What to Do About It. He is married to co-author Natalie Norton, a lifestyle photographer.

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