The social media blogs I follow recently hooked me into Seth Godin’s new publishing initiative that has challenged the book business to wake up and do things differently. The Domino Project is a fresh approach. I hope the big publishing houses and chain book stores will listen up. As Seth says, they’ve been huddled in a defensive mode trying to fend off the future. Well, it’s here. Embrace it or perish.
Poke the Box is Godin’s first title published through the Domino Project. It’s full of challenges to my safe thinking habits. Here are five Sethism I’ve pulled out of the pages and put on my wall to remind me to lean into risk and know I will fail sometimes.
- Anxiety is experiencing failure in advance.
- Failure among people with good intent, seeking joy and connection and the desire to make a difference is never “bad.”
- Show up. Work hard. No napping.
- Poking means action—it doesn’t mean right. change always comes with failure as its partner.
- Focus on the work, not the fear that comes from doing the work.
These ideas go way beyond book publishing. They certainly hit home in my marketing life. If you’re looking for something to challenge complacency about your job, try Poke the Box.
Cindy Fowler is the editor of Smart Thinking / Great Design. Her insights and practical approaches come from over 35 years in marketing design, many miles on a bicycle and life as a fearless babyboomer in the world of social media.