Barry Moltz's "You Need to Be a Little Crazy"

I have a confession to make: I didn't really want this book. In any given week I have three to four books on the go, so the last thing I needed was another book to read. Especially one that didn't appear to be related to any of my current projects.

But how could I refuse Barry's kind offer of a signed copy? (Word to the wise: You can always resell autographed copies at a premium on eBay.)

Well, to make a long story short, the book arrived within a few days and instead of throwing it onto the big pile of "to be read someday" books, I found myself reading it that very first evening. Much to my surprise, I actually enjoyed.  The most probable reason for this is that I recently began launching a startup myself. My first bona fide startup in years. Woo-hoo! So the book was very relevant as it reminded me of the issues I'd once again be facing in creating something out of nothing.

One of the key points that Barry makes in the book is the very important distinction between being smart and being bright:

Brights process and use information. People who are intelligent, people who spend all their time thinking aren't necessarily bright.

Brights recognize the threads. It is pulling on the threads and recognizing that the thread is attached to something that allows [brights] to really shine.

A good biz person will get the info but only enough info to make an accurate decision that is somewhat less than 100 percent.

Entrepreneurs will find a way to weave twigs and threads so they have just enough support to get across the gap.

Hear that, all you over-thinkers and procrastinators? They call it "paralysis through over-analysis" for good reason. Don't let it kill your startup. The game is about moving the ball down the field and into the end-zone. Don't worry how it looks. Whether you do it gracefully or awkwardly, the result is still a touch down. That's all that matters in the end.

So be a bright and surround yourself with more brights.

If I got value out of You Need to Be a Little Crazy, I'm sure you will too. Afterall, I'm the guy who wrote the book on startups. (Well, one of the better ones anyway.)

Get Barry's book today.

Comments

[Wil Schroter]

Barry's book is great. I'd like to send another book to you that I just finished that has an entire section devoted toward NOT raising capital! Just shoot me your e-mail address.