Think Like a Freak
George Crichlow
Just finished “Think Like a Freak”
Biggest take-a-ways is learning to quit frequently and often so you can work on things that will work.
Thinking small is almost as important as thinking big. Look for small ways to have big impact rather than trying to change the whole system.
This got me thinking about work, careers and interpersonal relationships that forms cultures. Rather than working within them, I believe its important to start small alternative cultures that when proven successful can be integrated into larger society as a whole. This is how the business world works.
Recently Songza was bought by Google for $15 million. They proves that listening to music based on mood proved viable and then cashed-out when a bigger company come knocking. I don’t know what will happen to Songza but they made a small change in the streaming music industry that Google clearly believes could have big impact in the future.
I think what Songza did well was ask the right questions. Rather than assume that problems are the way they are, they asked “why can’t I choose music based on how I feel” and as a result ended-up solving for a unique problem that we all have though about but never considered a viable option.
Its this kind of thinking that “Think like a freak” encourages. I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open.
Next step is “David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell