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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Start summary
Punch Fear In the Face, Escape Average, Do Work That Matters
17 mins
Brief summary
Start by Jon Acuff is a practical guide for anyone who wants to start something new. It offers tips on overcoming fear, setting realistic goals, and taking the first steps towards a brighter future.
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Start
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Key idea 1 of 8
Escape the average and become awesome by punching your fear in the face.
Do you dream of escaping the average? Do you want to become awesome and exceptional, but don’t know where to start?
Here’s a tip: If you want to become awesome, you have to punch fear in the face.
Fear can alienate you from your dreams. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t let it, but to beat fear, you have to understand how it works. Fear prevents you from chasing your dreams by convincing you that they’re impractical or unattainable.
But don’t buy into that kind of defeatist thinking. Instead, write down your fears and then exaggerate them ridiculously, to show yourself how silly those fears actually are.
For example, if you’re afraid that starting a new project will cause you to lose your job and stay unemployed, write that down. And then let yourself go farther. Imagine you’ll end up on the street with a scraggly beard, sleeping on top of garbage bags and talking to stray cats.
Does that seem likely? Probably not, which is why you need to write it down. That way you can see how illogical your fears really are, and thus prevent them from controlling you.
Luckily, there’s one more effective way to deal with fear’s mind games: Just start doing whatever you’re scared of.
You have no control over the eventual result, but that won’t ever change. You’ll never know how things will end up, but at least you can control the outset. If you want to do something, do it!
For example, consider the Segway. When it was first introduced, people thought it might spark a transportation revolution. And yet, since its launch the Segway hasn’t been such a great success.
Still, the Segway people deserve respect. They risked failure and pursued their awesome dream of developing weird, two-wheeled electric transporters.
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What is Start about?
Are you ready to escape the average and become awesome? Do you want to overcome your fears and follow your dreams? What does it mean to live a purposeful life and do work that matters? Ultimately, the most important step in achieving any great goal to START.
Start Review
Start (2013) by Jon Acuff is a must-read for anyone wanting to pursue their dreams. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- It provides practical strategies for overcoming fear and doubt, helping you take the first steps towards your goals.
- Combining personal anecdotes and real-life examples, the book offers a relatable and inspiring perspective on finding and pursuing your passions.
- With its humorous tone and engaging storytelling, Start keeps readers engaged and entertained, making personal development feel approachable and enjoyable.
Best quote from Start
If taking the first step on the road to awesome were easy, then everybody would already be on it.
—Jon Acuff
Who should read Start?
- Anyone who is tired of being average and wants to be awesome
- Anyone who has a great dream but is crippled by fear of the first step
- Anyone who has put off acting on an idea time and time again
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Start FAQs
What is the main message of Start?
The main message of Start is that anyone can turn their dream into reality with the right mindset and action.
How long does it take to read Start?
The reading time for Start varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Start a good book? Is it worth reading?
Start is definitely worth reading. It provides practical advice and inspiration to help you take the first steps towards achieving your goals.
Who is the author of Start?
The author of Start is Jon Acuff.
What to read after Start?
If you're wondering what to read next after Start, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin
- Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI for Beginners by David M. Patel
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- One Decision by Mike Bayer
- Fix It by Roger Connors
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Hardcore Self Help by Robert Duff
- The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
- AI Snake Oil by Arvind Narayanan