Poke the Box: When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time? by Seth Godin

“Poke the Box: when was the last time you did something for the first time?” is a book written by Seth Godin that revolves around the idea of how taking initiative is essential to any kind of growth or success, whether it’s in a career or in a personal business. Being proactive is the key to success, according to Godin, and the book encourages individuals to “poke the box” and take initiative to ensure growth. He lays out his beliefs as to why initiative is key, as well as specific tips on how to be successful.

Godin wants readers to take initiative in their lives and in their businesses, something that he dubs “the initiative advantage.” This advantage is available to anyone willing to step up and put the work in to initiate something. Godin believes that individuals and companies can only become successful by taking the initiative; waiting for something to come to you means that it never will. It’s better to be the one to start something or create something than to wait around for some sign of success or growth.

For Godin, it’s not enough to merely take the initiative; it’s also essential to take intelligent risks. People should be willing to do things that are slightly out of their comfort zone in order to see real growth. Taking intelligent risks will benefit the initiator, as well as those around them, but it takes an ability to recognize opportunities and take advantage of them.

Godin provides plenty of tips in his book on how to take initiative and take intelligent risks. One tip he suggests is to eliminate the fear of failure. He believes that success and failure are much closer than most people realize, and that only by taking the initiative and taking intelligent risks will the gap between succeed and not will be bridged. For example, if someone wants to start a business, they should approach it as if it will be successful, and not just hope that it won’t fail. Eliminating the fear of failure allows someone to take the initiative and take intelligent risks to make it successful.

Another tip he suggests is to think like a small company. Even if you’re part of a large organization, you should think and act like your own small company in order to ensure individual growth. The key is to be constantly thinking about new initiatives and taking intelligent risks to make the most of whatever opportunity you have.

Godin also emphasizes the importance of being proactive and taking initiative. The key to success is to be constantly “poking the box” and trying new things, even if they seem risky. Being proactive is the only way to stand out and be different, and is a surefire way to ensure growth, both personal and professional.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and never try anything new, and Godin’s book is a call to action to try something new and take the initiative to do something for the first time. His tips are essential to anyone looking to grow their business or themselves, and “Poke the Box” lessens the fear of taking risks and provides essential tips on how to make the most of any opportunity.