Make No Small Plans Book Summary - Make No Small Plans Book explained in key points
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Make No Small Plans summary

Elliott Bisnow Brett Leve Jeff Rosenthal Jeremy Schwartz

Lessons on Thinking Big, Chasing Dreams, and Building Community

4.1 (303 ratings)
22 mins

Brief summary

Make No Small Plans by Elliott Bisnow, Brett Leve, Jeff Rosenthal, and Jeremy Schwartz is a compilation of interviews with successful entrepreneurs who share their advice for achieving success in business and life. The book offers practical tips and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Table of Contents

    Make No Small Plans
    Summary of 5 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 5

    Passion sees you over the line when the going gets tough.

    People say, do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s an idea that’s been knocking around so long it’s virtually become conventional wisdom.

    Thing is, though, it’s not quite right.

    The thinking here is that the things you care about – call them passions, or hobbies – are easy because you want to do them. Work, by contrast, is a chore. A slog. Something you have to do which you’d rather not. Time flies when you’re having fun but the office clock turns unbearably slowly. If doing something you loved also earned you money, it follows, it wouldn’t really be work.

    But there’s another way of looking at things. The thing about passion projects is that they make you want to keep going deeper. You keep discovering more complexity. More room for improvement. You also become more critical and more attuned to shortcomings. In short, they turn you into a perfectionist.

    It’s the same whatever the activity. Tennis. Playing the guitar. Writing code. You want to get better, but improvement is painful. Playing scales a thousand times sucks. Spending hours practicing your backhand is a chore. Building the 100th basic website is boring.

    But you persevere. Put in the hard yards. Complete the drills. It’s precisely because you care that you’re capable of doing the work. Put differently, if you do something you love, you’ll work every single day of your life. And that’s a good thing! Because you’ll be doing something that matters. That expresses your values. That moves you toward your authentic goals. 

    It’s not a question of work versus passion, then – that’s a false dichotomy. It’s care and interest. If you care, you’ll do the work; if it connects with who you are, if it interests you, the hard and boring parts of the process mean something. That’s what sees you through. That’s what keeps you pushing.

    This idea isn’t neatly packaged in Make No Small Plans – it isn’t given a chapter or section of its own. But it shines through on every page and in every story the authors tell. Of course, on its own, that caring isn’t enough for success – there’s so much more that goes into something as complex and big as building a global company. But it’s absolutely foundational. Everything else gets built on top of this commitment.

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    What is Make No Small Plans about?

    Make No Small Plans (2022) is the inside story of how a group of young entrepreneurs created one of the world’s most exciting platforms for global events and conferences – the Summit Series. This isn’t just a chance for them to recount their company’s history, though. Packed with actionable takeaways and business wisdom, this is a book designed to inspire readers on their own entrepreneurial journeys.

    Make No Small Plans Review

    Make No Small Plans (2020) is a book that explores the journeys of successful entrepreneurs and offers valuable insights for anyone striving to achieve their goals. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success, offering valuable lessons and motivation.
    • With its practical strategies and actionable advice, the book offers readers tangible steps to take towards their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
    • Through its in-depth interviews and relatable anecdotes, the book keeps readers engaged and ensures that the information presented is never dull or boring.

    Who should read Make No Small Plans?

    • Recent graduates unsure which path they should follow
    • Entrepreneurs and self-starters looking for inspiration
    • Anyone interested in building better business relationships

    About the Author

    Elliott Bisnow, Jeff Rosenthal, Jeremy Schwartz, and Brett Leve are the cofounders and co-owners of Summit Group, an organization dedicated to fostering a global community of business and thought leaders. They’re also active investors through the Summit Action Fund, an investment vehicle that has backed up-and-coming start-ups like Uber and Warby Parker at critical moments in their development.

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    Make No Small Plans FAQs 

    What is the main message of Make No Small Plans?

    The main message of Make No Small Plans is to think big and take action to achieve your goals.

    How long does it take to read Make No Small Plans?

    The reading time for Make No Small Plans varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Make No Small Plans a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Make No Small Plans is worth reading for its inspiring stories and practical advice on pursuing success.

    Who is the author of Make No Small Plans?

    The authors of Make No Small Plans are Elliott Bisnow, Brett Leve, Jeff Rosenthal, and Jeremy Schwartz.

    What to read after Make No Small Plans?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Make No Small Plans, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Find Your People by Jennie Allen
    • The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
    • Speak Like a CEO by Suzanne Bates
    • The Art of Love by Ovid
    • The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
    • The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
    • Connect by David Bradford and Carole Robin
    • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
    • Job Therapy by Tessa West
    • Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio