When Entrepreneur editor in chief Jason Feifer reached out to tell us that he was a fan of Every, we were honored. The magazine's mission to provide information thats help founders of all stripes build businesses dovetails with Every’s. So today, we’re delighted to publish this piece adapted from Jason’s weekly newsletter, One Thing Better, that provides one way to be more successful and satisfied at work, and build a career or company you love. Check out Nathan’s article, about how to write ideas that spread, on Entrepreneur’s site. —Kate
One of life’s biggest challenges is figuring out what you’re good at. But something else can be even harder—figuring out what you’re, frankly, not so good at. Coming to terms with your shortcomings, or the things you can’t quite excel at, is an incredibly valuable skill. That’s because you don’t have to be good at everything. In fact, in this era of professional specialization, it can be much more advantageous if you’re not. The best way you can become valuable is by not doing everything, but, instead, by doing something really well—and by knowing your own limitations.
DALL-E 2. Prompt: "One-line drawing of a person carrying many objects in their hands, but accidentally dropping some of them."
Imagine almost having everything
The year is 1999. Marc Randolph is the CEO and cofounder of a startup called Netflix, which is struggling to grow. He can’t figure out why.
One day, Marc hears a knock at his office door. It’s his fellow cofounder, Reed Hastings, who asks if he can show Marc a PowerPoint presentation.
Sure, Marc says. So Reed begins.
“At first I couldn’t quite understand what was happening,” Marc told me in an interview.
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I was just thinking about doing a post related to this. I recently gave away all my woodworking tools. I realized that I'm great at understanding tools, knowing how they work, knowing how to use them... but I am terrible at actually making things (and I'm not that interested in actually making things, tbh). So I realized I didn't need those tools anymore. They were just gathering dust. And I've stopped calling myself a "maker"; now I'm more of a "tool guy."
I'd done this at least once before as well. When I was in high school I strongly identified as a musician, having played guitar for more than two hours every day for many years. Then, during college, I started couple dancing, and at one point realized I had to choose - play music for dancing, or dance. I was much better at dancing, and I enjoyed it more - so the choice was obvious. I've hardly picked up my guitar since.
Now that I'm working on building my own business, I have to go through the exercise again. The problem now is that it's difficult to recognize what you're good at. When you're a good dancer all the ladies tell you so - that was easy. But when you can easily and naturally do something your colleagues or others struggle with, it's hard to recognize what's going on.
@nils_8591 I am so glad I read this. I bought a garage full of power tools about eight years ago when I pseudo-retired. I found that I didn't enjoy them. They scared me. I am an amateur woodworker, but I prefer hand tools. I sold them four years ago and felt relieved--but since then, I have thought that I should FEEL regret. I don't. I think your experience helped me know that I did the right thing. Let them go!
This is an amazing read... very insightful.. honestly I think I am still figuring out...
Quick question: how did you come over the imposter syndrome where you thought "will anyone take me seriously?"
@anil_6825
@anil_6825 You don't. It will always haunt you but you should not let that fear stop you from doing what you're doing.
When you focus on your work - and really focus on it - that voice will get quieter and quieter. It will be quiet but it will never be gone.
@rystraum honestly it has always stopped me from launching my youtube channel. I think its time to just ignore it for once and release the first video.
Simple yet Brilliant and most importantly evocative enough to make you think and trigger a step/action.
Good read. I put this in our newsletter this week.
Memo to myself: https://share.glasp.co/kei/?p=7ffcdf2b7e7a2471cb52
Finally an answer to how to make retirement meaningful and fun. I started writing a year ago to share some of the things I’d learned about over my career. I’ve only shared with friends but they have been so receptive. 40 years ago, I told my mentor I wanted to be a writer someday but living life got in the way. Time to make that dream the major focus. Thank you.
@carlbaker Are you writing about this? I'd follow you.
Excellent Article.
Thank You.
thank you - very much needed words
Painfully true and freeing. Perfect timing for some pivoting in process.