Did you ever have a great idea?

What did you do about it?

Did you start it?

Better yet, did you finish it?

Today’s post is a quick review of Seth Godin’s latest book entitled, “Poke the Box.”

It is all about starting new things.

Poking is Starting

What is “Poke the Box?”

According to Seth, poking is about starting. It is challenging the status quo.

It is about trying something new and seeing what happens.

Seth and I both seem to think that there is a drought of starting in today’s society.

Individuals and businesses are averse to starting new initiatives. New ideas. And thus new adventures.

Too many companies reward those that “stay in line” instead of those that challenge and create.

“Please stop waiting for a map. We reward those who draw maps, not those who follow them.” – Seth Godin

Seth’s book is a manifesto on starting.  He provides great real-world examples demonstrating how starting is the key to any new idea. In fact, he shows that starting is sometimes even more important than succeeding. It is often through an initial failure that future success and even bigger ideas come to fruition.

I have read many of Seth’s books over the years, but this one really resonated with me.

I too think that most companies discourage employees from starting new and great things. (See “The Difference Between Blue Tape and Read Tape.”)

Not Just Starting… but Shipping

Seth is quick to say that there are actually two steps to getting your new idea out there.

The first is to start, and the second is to ship.

Some people do start. But, finishing is another thing.

If you read Seth’s previous works, you are familiar with his theme of finishing a project or shipping a product.

Whether it is a project or a simple todo, finishing what you start is a key differentiator among those that are successful.

How many great ideas have you started, but then never shipped or delivered? Only to leave them drawn on a napkin or sitting in a drawer?

What Do You Need to Start?

Today, I want to challenge you to start.

What idea or project have you been sitting on?

Maybe you have been nervous to begin. Or you have been discouraged to start it.

I want to give you a little motivation.

I am giving away 5 copies Seth’s Poke the Box book. To be considered, all you have to do is leave a comment below telling us what “you need to start.”

Winners will be selected by me on Friday. You can choose whether you want the Kindle version or the hard copy edition. I recommend and prefer the Kindle one. (Remember, I stopped buying hard copy books.)

If you want to pick up your own copy of Seth’s book, you can get Poke the Box on Amazon. (affiliate link) It is a quick read at only 96 pages.

To be considered for the 5 FREE copies, please tell us below, “What Do You Need to Start?” What have you have been hesitant to do?