What the Hell, Dream Big Man! Book Recc #2

It's been a steady week, I'm at home buckling down with some V60 brews and piano soundtracks by Sakai Asuka, trying to get ahead of schedule while the architect works on our building outline, and before I have to move houses this month. I got some dental work done (ow!), wrote some outlines for upcoming blogs, and I'm generally getting my life together before it gets really chaotic.

In last week's blog we talked about one lesson from an awesome book on re-evaluating your relationship with customer service, which was "Setting the Table" by Danny Meyers. The lesson being that you and the customer are on the same side! Again I would recommend that anyone working with or for people check this book out, it's a very easy read full of stories and simple concepts. In contrast this week, we're going  with a heavier book.

This week I want to talk about taking on the world!

Not too long ago, I finished The Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki, which is described as "the time tested battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything." It is a book about creating a bullet proof business, bleeding with the sentiment that you could be the next Google if you only try.

This was not a fast read, but it was absolutely worth the time. It covers everything from the typical MBA concepts you see repeated in every business book like defining your niche and creating a profitable structure, to the importance of creating a mission you can believe in then evangelize for, and how to take care of those who believe in or work for you. 

It has some fun stuff like stories of when each concept went right or wrong, and some dull stuff that may never apply; The ultra specifics of bootstrapping fundraising pitching and building your team, along with Q&A, to the ultra ultra specifics of pitching from within a company and what to do when things go wrong. 

One line that stood out to me was "What the Hell, Dream Big Man!"

I've had to repeat this to myself over and over again like a mantra while working on this business. There's a lot of feeling like "I shouldn't do this, it would be too hard or it's not for me, I have no idea how to get started." Almost like you won't be ready until you're ready! The truth is you're never ready! Who's stopping you?! You have to envision that high goal post and start taking steps forward. 

This book is ultra practical for doing just that, it's assuming you're on the way to being fortune 500, and laying out your battle plan. It's been inspirational to work my way through as I continue tackle projects over my head. 

The literal interpretation is more like "Behind every great business is an idea, and if your idea won't change the world then maybe it's not worth doing. So what the hell, dream big!" 

In my case, the idea was to "give people the energy they need to take on the world." To me that is a valuable goal, and I'm going to build on that goal to take it as far as I can. 

That starts here with this blog, where I'm hoping to share the process of everything I'm doing. It extends to our tiktok where I try new coffees and share the love of that ritual. Eventually I'll get to make those daily positive connections, hopefully hiring employees so I can create jobs that pay a living wage and have a positive impact on their lives. I'd also like to make a seating area for groups and individuals working on what's next. 

Ya know? it goes it goes it goes, limitless. believe in yourself and believe in your goals, set them as high as you want. have a great week.

- Elias