Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Boss It summary
Control Your Time, Your Income and Your Life
22 mins
Brief summary
Boss It by Carl Reader is a business guide that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners take control of their companies, from building a strong team to increasing profits and productivity. It provides actionable tips and advice for success in today's competitive market.
Table of Contents
Boss It
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Get clear on why you’re willing to take on the hard work of running your own business.
So why do you want to be your own boss?
If you think it’ll allow you to escape the rat race – it won’t. Or maybe you think you’ve got a foolproof plan? Well, you don’t. In fact, it’s almost certain that you’ll miss your targeted projections. And while your previous job provided security, running your own business leaves you at the whims of the market. That means there won’t necessarily be a paycheck at the end of the month.
But your optimism will help when you’re pushed outside your comfort zone. Because in the beginning, you’ll be doing all the work, not only as manager, but also as everything from secretary to coffee-fetching intern. In fact, you’ll be working longer hours than you ever did for your boss. That’s because when there’s no one else to take care of business, it’s all up to you.
The key message here is: Get clear on why you’re willing to take on the hard work of running your own business.
The extra struggle and hardship of striking out on your own is worth it, though. At the end of the day, you can expect to feel happy and fulfilled. At last, you’ll be in total control of your hours, your earnings, and the work you do.
But first, are you starting a business or becoming self-employed? The only real difference is that a business can run without your day-to-day involvement — in other words, you have employees. Self-employment is no less legitimate, of course. In fact, 76% of the 5.5 million businesses in the UK have no employees.
Next, ask yourself whether you’re motivated by the carrot or the stick. Sure, most people would say they’re motivated by reward, but be honest: Have you ever put off studying and then pulled an all-nighter before a test? Some tasks really are unpleasant. And when you’re running your own business, all those unpleasant tasks are going to be your job. Are you ready to handle them?
If your motivation still holds firm, consider the following steps for running a successful business: dream, plan, do, and review.
Do you have a vision for a product or service that can survive in a saturated marketplace? And does this vision have an actionable plan? If so, will you take the next step and actually put it into practice? Once that’s done, are you willing to review what you’ve done and tweak it for better performance?
If you answered yes to all these questions, then you have what it takes for long term success.
Want to see all full key ideas from Boss It?
Key ideas in Boss It
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Boss It about?
Boss It (2020) is every aspiring entrepreneurs’ starter guide. Filled with both practical guidance and inspiring motivation, this book outlines all you need to know to turn your dream into a fully established business.
Boss It Review
Boss It (2022) by Carl Reader is a book that offers practical advice and insights for anyone looking to become a successful boss. Here's why you should give it a read:
- With its step-by-step strategies and actionable tips, the book equips readers with the tools needed to excel in leadership roles.
- Through real-life examples and case studies, it provides valuable insights into effective management techniques and problem-solving.
- By addressing common challenges and offering practical solutions, the book keeps readers engaged and motivated, making it a far cry from a dull and dry read.
Who should read Boss It?
- Entrepreneurs looking for pointers
- Business dreamers looking for motivation
- Anyone with a business idea they want to make a reality
Categories with Boss It
Book summaries like Boss It
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
Dan Ariely
How We Lie to Everyone – Especially Ourselves
21 min
4.1
The Job-Ready Guide
Anastasia de Waal
Employability Skills and Strategies for Career Success
24 min
4.1
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Boss It FAQs
What is the main message of Boss It?
Learn how to take control and succeed in your own business with Boss It.
How long does it take to read Boss It?
The reading time for Boss It varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Boss It a good book? Is it worth reading?
Boss It is a worthwhile read for aspiring entrepreneurs. It's packed with valuable insights and practical advice for running a successful business.
Who is the author of Boss It?
The author of Boss It is Carl Reader.
What to read after Boss It?
If you're wondering what to read next after Boss It, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Source Code by Bill Gates
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- Work Backwards by Tim Duggan
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau
- Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI for Beginners by David M. Patel
- The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler
- Wanting by Luke Burgis
- My Philosophy for Successful Living by Jim Rohn
- Creative, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho