THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID by Richie Norton.
This book came into my life at a very interesting time. I agreed to review this book knowing that I probably wouldn't be able to get to it right away because our next child was due within a couple of weeks. Well, that child came and surprised us with some complications. He was soon diagnosed with a fatal condition, trisomy 13. Thankfully, we were able to bring him home and enjoy the time we had with him. I'm sharing this because THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID arrived on my doorstep the day we brought our baby home. A couple of days later, I picked the book up and began to read it while feeding my baby. The first chapter dealt with an experience Richie had of having to sign a Do Not Resuscitate order for their 10 week old baby. Having just had to do that with my baby, I closed the book and put it away. I couldn't look at it again until after my own baby's funeral (he spent 8 precious days with us). I know everything happens for a reason and felt like this book had been placed in my life to help me get through some things. I was right. This book is a wonderful read. It has helped me get re motivated to take charge of life and my dreams. I have begun the process developing ideas that had been pushed to the back burner. It's engaging, motivating, and exciting. I can recommend this to anyone and everyone. If you need a good pick me up, if you need motivation to get moving, if you need a guide on how to make things happen, this is the book for you. It has helped me have the courage take a step forward after a very difficult time in my life.
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"Richie Norton has written a book about courage. The courage to do work that matters and to do it with your heart and your soul. Go make something happen."— Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception
"Perfect book for these uncertain times." —Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media
What if the smartest people in the world understand something that the rest of us don't? (They do.) What if they know that in order to achieve success, they will sometimes have to do things that others may initially perceive as stupid? The fact of the matter is that the smartest people in the world don't run from stupid, they lean into it (in a smart way).
In The Power of Starting Something Stupid, Richie Norton redefines stupid as we know it, demonstrating that life-changing ideas are often tragically mislabeled stupid. What if the key to success, creativity, and fulfillment in your life lies in the potential of those stupid ideas? This deeply inspiring book will teach you:
- How to crush fear, make dreams happen, and live without regret.
- How to overcome obstacles such as lack of time, lack of education, or lack of money.
- The 5 actions of the New Smart to achieve authentic success.
No more excuses. Learn how to start something stupid — the smartest thing you can do. Drawing on years of research, including hundreds of face-to-face interviews and some of the world's greatest success stories past and present, Richie shows you how stupid is the New Smart — the common denominator for success, creativity, and innovation in business and life.
(Back cover blurb and cover taken from deseretbook.com)
INTERVIEW
What made you decide to become a writer?
Someone once asked me, "How far can your influence go?" This question changed the way I approach life. I knew I had a message inside and I needed to pour it out into a book. I don't think I decided to actually be a "writer." Rather, I decided I wanted to share principles and stories that can influence the world for good--putting pen to paper was simply the method of delivery.
Who inspires you?
My wife, Natalie! My kids! People who embrace life with passion, authenticity and don't wait for things to be perfect before acting on ideas and making things happen.
What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?
Courage.
Where did this idea come from?
The Power of Starting Something Stupid was at one point going to be called The Power of START. During my six years of research, it became apparent that successful people started things. However, interestingly, I found that successful people didn't just start anything; they started something "stupid." Not that the idea was inherently stupid, but that people labeled it a such because of fear or because it was unconventional. Stupid as the New Smart really is the key to success, creativity, and fulfillment in life and business.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Stop waiting. Start writing.
What can we expect next from you?
Wonderful things! I believe that there is power in focusing on the present and giving it your all. So in reality, this is the next thing. :-) That said, you may see all manner of randomness from me in trying to make noise and change the world.
THANKS, RICHIE!
