Whenever I want to get re-energized about what we are doing at FreshySites I go back to an entry in the book Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. This is an excellent “new business” book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to start or work on something business related.
Ignore the Real World
The title of the section that I like to re-read is called “Ignore the real world” and it’s focus is on avoiding the naysayers and pessimists and not buying into what they are selling. One great line from the section is:
It’s a place (the real world) where new ideas, unfamiliar approaches, and foreign concepts always lose. The only things that win are what people already know and do, even if those things are flawed and inefficient.
I love this line and there are particular parts that really hit home, especially when dealing with tough clients or outside critiquers. The “even if those things are flawed and inefficient” part makes a lot of sense when trying to present a new marketing idea or new tool to someone, someone who can’t see that your way might be the better and the more modern/professional/efficient way. Another line that is great from this section is:
The real world isn’t a place, it’s an excuse. It’s a justification for not trying. It has nothing to do with you.
Wow, epic inspiration imo. It’s a call out to everyone who is not willing to try something different or new that could potentially be much better because of their own fear, ego, risk-aversion, etc. When I think of this line it gives me a gut check in terms of doing something new and makes me ask “what is the worst thing that could happen?” Usually the answer is lose a bit of money, learn a valuable lesson, spend a bit of my time, etc. Rarely is it the worst case something like losing your job or losing your business. And that is enough for me to put the “real world” aside and get back to my own world, a world where new ideas and new approaches are looked at as assets and the foundation of a successful business.
