Poke the Box

Outline

Poke the Box (2011) is a short, energetic call to action about the power of starting things. Seth Godin argues that in a world full of opportunities, the people who succeed are those who take initiative, try new ideas, and are willing to fail and learn. He encourages readers to stop waiting for permission or a perfect plan and to begin projects that make a difference.

• Success goes to people who take initiative and start things, rather than those who wait for the right moment.
• You do not need anyone's permission to begin a project that matters to you.
• Waiting for a perfect plan is a trap, so begin with what you have and adjust as you go.
• Trying new ideas means accepting that some will fail, and each failure teaches you something useful.
• The world is full of opportunities, and the people who create their own tend to make a real difference.

Seth Godin is an American entrepreneur, marketer, and bestselling author of more than twenty books on marketing, leadership, and change. He is known for his popular daily blog and for ideas such as permission marketing and tribes. His books include Purple Cow, Linchpin, Poke the Box, and This Is Marketing.