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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Originals summary
How Non-Conformists Move the World
17 mins
Brief summary
Originals by Adam Grant is a guide to becoming an original thinker and innovator by challenging the status quo, generating creative ideas and taking calculated risks. It provides insights into the personalities, habits, and thought patterns of successful original thinkers.
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Originals
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Originality is your key to a fulfilling career.
Look in any dictionary and it’ll tell you that originality is the quality of having a unique or singular character. But what’s an original? In today’s context, originals are people who not only dream up novel ideas and shake up the status quo, but who also take the initiative to make their unique vision a reality.
Even the smallest things can identify an original. Economist Michael Housman discovered in his research that a certain percentage of customer service employees stayed in their jobs far longer than others. Seeking clues, he discovered a surprising link between how long someone kept their job and their choice of internet browser. Sounds crazy, right?
Get this: employees who installed browsers other than the default Internet Explorer were not only more likely to keep their jobs, they were also more likely to take initiative, confront challenges and find new solutions. In the end, the tendency to install Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox was tied to problem-solving abilities that, in turn, allowed these employees to stay in their jobs an average of 15 percent longer.
As for the other employees who simply used built-in browsers, they approached their roles in the same conventional way as they used the internet. They accepted the standards given to them and were unable to solve problems, which eventually made them sick of their jobs.
If you want to survive in the working world, your best bet is to become an original. The good news is, anyone can do it. Though we might not all be able to found our own companies, compose a musical masterpiece or alter the course of history with a stirring speech, we all have unique ideas with the potential to improve our work, our communities and our relationships.
Putting new ideas out there requires courage and the determination not to back down when you want change to happen. The first step toward becoming an original is overcoming your fear of taking action and standing up for your own ideas. But how? Find out in the next blinks.
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What is Originals about?
In Originals (2016), Adam Grant taps into the field of original thinking and explores where great ideas come from. By following unconventional rules, Grant gives us helpful guidelines for how we can foster originality in every facet of our lives. He also shows that anyone can enhance his or her creativity, and gives foolproof methods for identifying our truly original ideas – and following through with them.
Originals Review
Originals (2016) by Adam Grant is a thought-provoking exploration of what it takes to champion new ideas and challenge the status quo. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- Showcasing compelling research and real-life examples, it reveals surprising insights into how anyone can become an original thinker.
- With its practical tips and strategies, the book provides actionable advice on how to encourage creativity and innovation in both personal and professional settings.
- By dismantling common myths and misconceptions about originality, Grant presents a refreshing take on what it truly means to be creative, making the topic undeniably fascinating.
Who should read Originals?
- Creatives struggling to find support for their ideas
- Employees looking to change their workplace for the better
- Anyone interested in what it takes to make genius solutions a reality
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Originals FAQs
What is the main message of Originals?
The main message of Originals is to embrace your own unique ideas and take action to make them a reality.
How long does it take to read Originals?
The reading time for Originals varies, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Originals a good book? Is it worth reading?
Originals is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights on creativity and innovation. It's definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of Originals?
The author of Originals is Adam Grant.
What to read after Originals?
If you're wondering what to read next after Originals, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman
- Take Back Your Power by Deborah Liu
- Think Again by Adam Grant
- Big Feelings by Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien
- Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz