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#476: Seth Godin on The Game of Life, The Value of Hacks, and Overcoming Anxiety

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Oct 26, 2020

Guest

Seth Godin

Seth Godin, a renowned author of 19 bestsellers like 'This Is Marketing,' shares insights on creativity and personal growth. He discusses the concept of hacks, emphasizing their practical value in work. The conversation delves into overcoming perfectionism, the joy of the creative process, and choosing your own rules in the game of life. Godin highlights the importance of engaging with your craft daily and finding fulfillment beyond traditional success metrics, inspiring listeners to embrace authenticity and creativity despite their fears.

01:44:30

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ANECDOTE

Etymology of "Hack"

The term "hack" originates from Hackney, a London borough known for raising average horses.
"Hack work" means giving customers exactly what they want at a decent price, distinct from artistic pursuits.

insights

INSIGHT

Rethinking Quality

The word "quality" is often misused to delay shipping creative work. True quality means "meets spec," like a reliable Toyota Corolla.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

The Magic of Hamilton

Hamilton's success isn't due to its initial concept, but its execution, blending genres and creating emotional tension and release.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's deep understanding of Broadway and hip-hop allowed him to craft a unique, resonant experience.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Revolutionizing Home Workouts with Advanced Technology and Health Supplements

04:11 • 4min

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The Meaning Behind 'Hack' and Its Implications on Work

08:04 • 2min

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Breaking Down Perfectionism in Creativity

10:21 • 23min

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The Power of Process and Commitment in Daily Practice

33:07 • 3min

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Embracing Authenticity and Growth

36:08 • 23min

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Harnessing Positive Constraints

58:52 • 8min

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Finding Joy Beyond Success

01:07:09 • 21min

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Navigating Genre and Creativity

Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Seth Godin

In 'Purple Cow,' Seth Godin argues that traditional marketing strategies no longer work in today's saturated market. He advocates for the creation of 'Purple Cows' – products or services that are so remarkable they naturally generate buzz and attract attention. Godin uses the metaphor of a purple cow to illustrate how being ordinary is no longer sufficient; businesses must be bold, innovative, and willing to take risks to stand out. The book is filled with examples from successful companies like Apple, Starbucks, and JetBlue, and it challenges readers to rethink their marketing strategies to focus on creating truly remarkable offerings.

Tribes

We Need You to Lead Us

Seth Godin

In 'Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us,' Seth Godin explores the concept of tribes as groups of people connected by a shared interest and a leader. The book highlights that tribes are not created but assembled, and they thrive on faith, respect, and admiration for the leader and the community. Godin argues that effective leadership involves challenging the status quo, creating a culture around the tribe's goal, and fostering connection and growth among members. He emphasizes that great leaders focus on tightening the tribe, using their influence to unite and reinforce the tribe's sense of purpose, and that change is often driven by heretics who challenge existing norms. The book is a call to action for those who want to make a significant impact by leading a tribe and creating meaningful change.

The Practice

Shipping Creative Work

Seth Godin

In 'The Practice', Seth Godin emphasizes the importance of consistent creative work and the process of creation over the outcome. The book argues that creativity is a choice driven by the desire to find new truths, solve problems, and serve others. Godin insists that the practice itself is the output, and it is what we can control. He encourages readers to trust the process, commit to the journey, and embrace discomfort and potential failure as part of the creative process. The book also highlights the importance of generosity and serving others through one's work, and it discourages the pursuit of external validation and outcomes.

This Is Marketing

You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See

Seth Godin

In 'This Is Marketing', Seth Godin presents a transformative view of marketing as a generous act of helping others solve problems. The book focuses on key principles such as targeting the smallest viable market, delivering anticipated, personal, and relevant messages, and building trust through permission marketing. Godin argues that effective marketing is about creating positive change and helping people become who they want to be. He provides actionable insights, case studies, and a strategic focus on storytelling, tension, and customer-centric approaches. The book is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and marketers looking to reframe their marketing strategies and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

The 4-Hour Chef

The Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Chef', Tim Ferriss uses cooking as a vehicle to teach 'meta-learning', a step-by-step process for mastering any skill quickly. The book is divided into five sections: Meta-Learning, The Domestic, The Wild, The Scientist, and The Professional. It includes tips and stories from world-class chefs, athletes, and other experts, and focuses on overcoming common obstacles in learning and cooking. The book aims to make readers self-sufficient in the kitchen and in life, applying principles of failure points and margin of safety to ensure success.

Lynchpin

Russell Brunson

Linchpin

Are You Indispensable?

Seth Godin

In 'Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? ', Seth Godin argues that the modern workplace has evolved beyond the traditional roles of management and labor. He introduces the concept of 'linchpins' – individuals who are indispensable to their organizations because they invent, lead, connect others, and create order out of chaos. Godin emphasizes the importance of creativity, passion, and art in one's work, suggesting that these qualities make an individual irreplaceable. The book encourages readers to stop being mere cogs in a machine and instead strive to become artists who bring unique value and meaning to their work and organizations.

The Dip

A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

Seth Godin

In 'The Dip,' Seth Godin challenges traditional views on persistence and quitting. He introduces the concept of 'The Dip,' a challenging phase between starting and mastering a skill, which is necessary for growth and mastery. Godin distinguishes 'The Dip' from 'The Cul-de-Sac' (a dead-end situation) and 'The Cliff' (a risky situation), advising readers to quit the latter two but push through 'The Dip' to achieve significant rewards. The book provides practical advice on recognizing when to quit and when to stick with a project, job, or relationship, emphasizing that strategic quitting can lead to extraordinary success.

Survival Is Not Enough

Seth Godin

In 'Survival Is Not Enough', Seth Godin argues that companies should focus on evolution rather than constant change. He introduces the concept of 'zooming' – embracing change without pain – which allows organizations to evolve effortlessly and attract people who drive further evolution. The book provides practical advice on making chaos an asset rather than a threat, applicable to companies in any industry and market conditions.

Permission Marketing

Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers

Seth Godin

In 'Permission Marketing', Seth Godin critiques traditional 'Interruption Marketing' and presents a new approach where consumers are incentivized to accept advertising voluntarily. This method involves offering value in exchange for attention, educating consumers about products, reinforcing incentives, and deepening relationships over time. Godin argues that this approach is more effective in today's cluttered marketing environment, allowing companies to develop trust, build brand awareness, and improve sales chances.

The Tipping Point

How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Malcolm Gladwell

In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell examines the phenomenon of social epidemics and how ideas, products, and behaviors spread rapidly. He introduces three key principles: the law of the few (the role of connectors, mavens, and salespeople in spreading ideas), the stickiness factor (how messages or trends must be memorable to spread), and the power of context (how environment and circumstances influence human behavior). Gladwell uses various examples, such as the rise in popularity of Hush Puppies shoes, the decline in New York City's crime rate, and the success of children's TV programs like Sesame Street, to illustrate these concepts. The book provides insights into how small changes can lead to large-scale social and behavioral transformations.

Stone Age Economics

Marshall Sahlins

Perry Mason Series

Legal Detective Stories

Erle Stanley Gardner

The Perry Mason series, written by Erle Stanley Gardner, follows the adventures of Perry Mason, a skilled lawyer who often takes on seemingly hopeless cases. The series is known for its intricate plots and courtroom dramas. With over 80 novels, it has been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and radio dramas.

Total Immersion

The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier

John Delves

Terry Laughlin

Total Immersion offers a holistic approach to swimming, focusing on technique rather than athletic ability. It includes skill drills, a land-and-water program, and guidance on improving fitness and form. The book is designed for swimmers of all levels, emphasizing mindful movement and efficiency in the water.

Seth Godin (@ThisIsSethsBlog) is the author of 19 international bestsellers translated into more than 35 languages, including Tribes, Purple Cow, Linchpin, The Dip, and This Is Marketing. He writes daily at Seths.blog, which is one of the most popular blogs in the world. He’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership, and most of all, changing everything. His newest book is The Practice: Shipping Creative Work.

In this episode, we explore many topics, including:

The value of hacks
The magic of Hamilton
What learning to juggle and cultivating creativity have in common
The myth of quality
What Seth means by “Don’t steal the revelation.”
Focusing on generosity instead of anxiety
Choosing the ruleset for your own game of life
How Joni Mitchell eschewed the safety of the sinecure
What you would do if you knew you would fail?

Please enjoy!

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