CJ
Why Strategy Always Beats Talent (w/Seth Godin)
@ Chase Jarvis
10/30/24
Takeaways
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Strategy is crucial; it doesn't matter how fast you're moving if you're heading in the wrong direction. We need to clarify who we're trying to help before rushing into tactics like posting and clicking.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Many people, including billionaires and nonprofit leaders, skip the strategy phase, which leads to confusion about what strategy really is. I want to help clarify that.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Writing a book is a long process, often starting with a burst of inspiration followed by a year of hard work. I write to spark conversations and signal that this is a serious document, not just a blog post or video.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
People often come to me with questions that are actually about strategy, not just marketing. Strategy is about understanding the direction and the prevailing winds, not just the tactics.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
If you're a wedding photographer, instead of bottom feeding for clients, you should specialize in solving specific problems for a particular type of client. This approach attracts better clients who appreciate your work.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
You need to be able to say no to mediocre clients to create space for better opportunities. If you don't set a high bar for your work, you'll end up with clients who demand average results.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Time is not free; every decision we make has an opportunity cost. We need to be mindful of how we spend our time and ensure it aligns with our strategic goals.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
To achieve long-term success, you need to define who you are serving and what change you want to create. This clarity helps in making strategic decisions.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Choosing your clients is crucial because it shapes your future. When you pick your customers, you also pick your career trajectory.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The first step in choosing clients intelligently is to become aware of the gap between where you are and where you want to be, as this awareness is essential for making strategic choices. If you're on the hook, you're responsible for your work, not just what the client wanted, so it's essential to showcase the work you did when you were the client, like volunteering for a nonprofit to build your portfolio.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
When we turn someone away, we're not insulting them; we're just clarifying what we do. It's scary to define our work, but it's necessary to establish our identity.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The book serves as a roadmap for asking the important questions we've forgotten, like 'Why am I doing this?' and 'What am I actually doing here?'
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
There's an awakening in realizing we often forget to ask ourselves the most important questions while working on projects.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
To create meaningful change, we need to intentionally create tension, such as fear of missing out, which can motivate people to engage with our work.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Creative work often requires creating conditions for empathy and tension, which can lead to people saying yes to our ideas.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
If you're waiting to be picked by a gallerist, you're unlikely to succeed. Instead, create your own establishment by serving the audience you want to reach.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The book is structured in riffs, allowing for a non-linear exploration of ideas, reflecting how we learn in layers rather than in a strict order.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The absence of page numbers in the book signals that readers should engage with the content by riff number rather than traditional pagination, emphasizing a more fluid reading experience.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
Understanding your true audience is crucial; for example, in a hospital setting, the decision-maker might not be the patient but rather their family members.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
If you're doing good work, you need to understand your audience to avoid wasting time marketing to the wrong people.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The essence of the book is about making better plans aligned with who you really are and what you truly want to achieve.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
You're not stuck in traffic; you are traffic. This perspective shift can help you realize your role in the larger system.
SG
Seth Godin
10/30/24
@ Chase Jarvis
The goal of the book is not just to sell copies but to inspire conversations and insights that lead to meaningful change.