The Power of Starting Something Stupid

The Power of Starting Something Stupid Plot Summary

Introduction

At some point in our lives, we all encounter that little voice in our head telling us our idea is stupid, impractical, or impossible. Maybe it's starting a business with no experience, pursuing a creative passion without formal training, or making a bold career change that defies conventional wisdom. When faced with these moments, most people retreat to safety, postponing their dreams for that elusive "someday" when everything will perfectly align. But what if those seemingly "stupid" ideas are actually your greatest opportunities? What if embracing uncertainty, leaning into fear, and starting something unconventional is exactly the path to an extraordinary life? This journey isn't about recklessness—it's about recognizing that true fulfillment comes from taking meaningful action toward your authentic dreams, even when others doubt you. Through powerful stories of ordinary people who took extraordinary leaps, you'll discover how to transform your fears into fuel, overcome common barriers, and create unstoppable momentum that turns your boldest dreams into reality.

Chapter 1: Identify Your Stupid Idea That Changes Everything

At the core of unstoppable action lies what might initially seem counterintuitive: embracing your "stupid" ideas. These aren't truly unintelligent concepts, but rather ideas that others might dismiss or that conventional wisdom might reject. In reality, these ideas represent the New Smart—creative, innovative approaches that push beyond comfort zones and challenge the status quo. Consider Clay Leavitt's story. While teaching English in Japan in the mid-1980s, Clay noticed something peculiar: his students were suddenly wearing faded American jeans, paying astronomical prices for items that would cost just a dollar or two in U.S. thrift stores. When Clay returned to America, he couldn't shake this observation. Despite skepticism from family and friends who questioned why anyone would pay premium prices for used clothing, Clay partnered with his college roommate Dal Zemp to collect used jeans from thrift stores across America and sell them overseas. Their weekend drives took them to thrift stores in Boise, Phoenix, Denver, and beyond, stuffing their cars with jeans and racing back to make their Monday workday. Soon, they were conducting trade shows in Europe and expanding to markets throughout Germany, Japan, France, England, Italy, and even unexpected countries like Korea and Thailand. In 1989, Clay and Dal moved their families to Europe to capitalize on higher pricing by being closer to their market. During one warehouse sale event outside Munich, they sold $70,000 worth of jeans in a single weekend. When asked about detractors, Clay acknowledges, "Lots of people asked us if what we were doing was even legal. My mother asked me if I was sure that I wanted to throw away six years of business school, and my life, to sell used jeans." Despite the doubts, Clay remained confident, stating, "Sure it sounded stupid. But we knew what we knew, and the money was real." This paradox of "stupid as the New Smart" appears throughout history. The telephone was initially rejected by Western Union as having "no value." Henry Ford was told automobiles were "just a novelty." Even Walt Disney was once fired for "lacking imagination." These innovations and individuals spurred massive changes because they had the courage to pursue ideas others dismissed as foolish. To identify your own potential game-changing idea, ask yourself: "What pressing thought or concept simply won't leave my mind?" Then apply what the book calls "The Bezos Test," named after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos: "When I'm eighty, will I regret not pursuing this idea?" This future-focused perspective helps cut through daily confusion and prioritize what truly matters. Remember, you don't need to be great to start, but you must start to be great. The most successful people in any field recognize that their seemingly "stupid" ideas—when pursued with conviction—often become their greatest contributions to the world.

Chapter 2: Overcome Time, Money and Education Barriers

The most common excuses for postponing dreams are lack of time, insufficient education or experience, and limited financial resources. These three barriers form what's called the "TEM Gap" (Time-Education-Money Gap), a seemingly bottomless abyss between your inspired idea and taking that first step toward making it real. Consider the Wright brothers, who had no funding, no government grants, no high-level connections, and not even college educations. Villagers called them "a pair of crazy fools" as they imitated seagulls on the beach at Kitty Hawk, trying to understand the mechanics of flight. Despite overwhelming skepticism and scorn, Orville and Wilbur remained anchored to one thing: their brilliantly stupid idea. They didn't worry about their lack of resources or credentials—they simply pressed forward with conviction until they learned how to fly. Their story illustrates a powerful truth: you will never have enough time, education, or money if you're waiting for perfect conditions. The stars rarely align in the way we hope they will. Instead of seeing these barriers as roadblocks, we must recognize them as challenges to overcome through creativity and persistence. Regarding time, remember that waiting actually decreases your available time. Each day you postpone your dreams, you have less remaining time to accomplish them. As one mentor in the book discovered, many people sacrifice decades pursuing "success" only to realize they've missed the opportunity to live their dreams. This leads to what the author calls "retirement confusion"—when people confuse the importance of saving money with the need to postpone pursuing dreams. For education barriers, remember Stephen M. R. Covey's insight: "Experience is overrated. Some people say they have twenty years' experience, when, in reality, they only have one year's experience, repeated twenty times." The truth is, no amount of education can prepare you for every challenge you'll face. Learning happens through action, not just preparation. As for money concerns, consider Oprah Winfrey, who rose from poverty to become one of the world's most influential people. Or J.K. Rowling, who went from welfare to wealth writing Harry Potter. Or Steve Jobs, who dropped out of college and slept on friends' floors before building Apple into one of history's most valuable companies. To overcome the TEM Gap, start where you are with what you have. Leverage your current circumstances rather than waiting for ideal ones. Practice bootstrapping, network authentically, partner strategically, and embrace frugality. These skills will serve you even after you achieve financial success. The bottom line is simple: successful people don't use these obstacles as excuses—they find creative ways to work through them. Every major achievement in history began with someone who faced these same barriers but refused to let them become permanent roadblocks.

Chapter 3: Turn Fear into Your Competitive Advantage

Fear is not just a natural reaction to pursuing ambitious goals—it's actually proportional to the significance of those goals. In fact, Harvard professor Chris Argyris noted, "Behind this high aspiration for success is an equally high fear of failure." Understanding this relationship is crucial: fear isn't something to eliminate; it's something to harness. Andy Pierce's story perfectly illustrates this principle. As an experienced surfer, Pierce paddled out alone at Sunset Beach one day to tackle twenty-foot waves. During one massive wave, his surfboard hit him like an axe, breaking his femur in two. Wave after wave pummeled him as he floated helplessly, unable to reach shore. Only with the help of Jamie Mitchell, a world champion paddleboarder who happened to be nearby, did Pierce finally make it to safety. Remarkably, within weeks of this traumatic experience, Pierce was back in the water, and within months, he was surfing big waves again. When asked if he has a death wish or simply doesn't experience fear, Pierce's answer is illuminating: "Pretty much everyone out there in those giant waves feels scared in one way or another. They just surf anyway." Why? Because the joy he feels doing what he loves—his personal "why"—is stronger than his fear. This insight reveals the Fear Compensation Model. As your aspirations rise, fears rise in equal measure. The key to progress isn't eliminating fear but compensating for it through incremental "small wins" that build confidence and capability. Rather than attempting to leap from zero to one hundred, you make calculated jumps up the performance line, each one stretching your comfort zone slightly further than before. For example, Pierce didn't start with twenty-foot waves his first time in the ocean. He progressed from small shore break to head-high waves to twelve-foot waves and beyond. Through each step, he developed the skills and confidence to handle greater challenges and the accompanying fear. To apply this approach to your own goals, first define your personal "why"—the deeper purpose that drives your aspirations. Make it specific and emotionally compelling. Then break down your intimidating goal into smaller, more manageable steps. Each small victory builds momentum and proves to your subconscious mind that you can handle the next level of challenge. Remember that failure is part of the process. When you fail at intermediate steps, you're forced to reconnect with your fundamental "why," which actually strengthens your commitment. Over time, through consistent practice and progressive challenges, your fear tolerance increases, enabling you to pursue goals that once seemed impossible. The essence of turning fear into advantage isn't fearlessness—it's the courage to act despite fear. As Bill Cosby put it, "Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it." When your purpose outweighs your fear, you discover the unstoppable power that drives all meaningful achievement.

Chapter 4: Develop Authentic Power Through Vulnerability

True power doesn't come from maintaining a perfect façade or pretending to have everything figured out. Paradoxically, authentic power emerges when we embrace vulnerability and operate from our core values, regardless of external expectations or opinions. After experiencing the devastating loss of his infant son, the author faced a profound moment of clarity. Despite having what appeared to be a successful career as president of a financial services company, he realized he wasn't living authentically. He wasn't pursuing his passion for writing or actively chasing the ideas constantly pressing on his mind. Following this tragedy, he made what others considered a "stupid" decision—resigning from his position to take his family on a three-month healing journey across the United States and internationally. This radical choice required relinquishing pride and embracing vulnerability. As Steve Jobs once said, "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important." Pride is perhaps the most destructive force preventing authentic success. It manifests in several damaging ways: the fear of appearing stupid, feelings of entitlement, blaming others for failures, and operating from a scarcity mentality. To overcome these barriers, we must embrace what the author calls the "Humble Power Alternative." First, recognize that vulnerability is strength, not weakness. Research professor Brené Brown explains, "Vulnerability is not weakness... It's emotional risk, exposure, uncertainty. It fuels our daily lives... Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage." When we're willing to admit we don't have all the answers, we open ourselves to continuous learning and authentic growth. Second, commit to consistent work rather than expecting success without effort. As Thomas Jefferson observed, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." People who exude authentic power don't expect the world to hand them success; they roll up their sleeves and consistently contribute value. Third, take complete responsibility for your circumstances. In Jim Collins' landmark study of exceptional companies, he found that the greatest leaders "look out the window to attribute success to factors other than themselves. When things go poorly, however, they look in the mirror and blame themselves, taking full responsibility." This ownership mindset eliminates the victim mentality that keeps so many people stuck. Finally, operate from abundance rather than scarcity. Stephen R. Covey taught that people with an abundance mentality believe "there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody," which "opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity." When we embrace vulnerability and implement these principles, we experience what the author calls "the Humble Power Alternative"—a magnetic authenticity that naturally attracts opportunities, resources, and relationships. This isn't weakness disguised as strength; it's genuine power born from the courage to be yourself completely, regardless of what others might think.

Chapter 5: Create Success Through Strategic Relationship Building

Building authentic relationships is perhaps the most undervalued strategy for transforming dreams into reality. The author introduces a powerful framework called START—Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive, Trust—that creates meaningful connections and accelerates progress toward your goals. Mahatma Gandhi exemplifies how these principles can create extraordinary impact. After being thrown off a train in South Africa despite having a first-class ticket, Gandhi faced a defining moment: "Should I fight for my rights or go back to India?" Rather than retreating, Gandhi immediately began serving the Indian community in Pretoria. He organized meetings, taught English for free, and built relationships until "there was now in Pretoria no Indian I did not know, or whose condition I was not acquainted with." From this foundation of service and authentic connection, Gandhi launched a movement that would eventually change the world. Service is the first principle of START and perhaps the most powerful. When twelve-year-old Craig Kielburger read about the murder of Iqbal Masih, another twelve-year-old who had been fighting against child labor, he felt compelled to act. Starting with a simple meeting in his seventh-grade classroom, Kielburger founded Free the Children, which has since built over 650 schools educating more than 55,000 children daily. His organization has improved access to water and healthcare for over a million people and empowered more than 30,000 women through microloans. All this began with a child eating cereal and reading the newspaper. The power of gratitude forms the second principle. The author illustrates this through contrasting stories of giving food to homeless people—one group grabbed the food without acknowledgment, while a homeless woman expressed profound gratitude for a small monetary gift, which prompted the givers to double their contribution. Gratitude literally attracts more abundance into your life. Asking—the third principle—requires courage but accelerates progress exponentially. Justin Lyon transformed from a shy bellhop to a successful television producer by simply asking celebrity hotel guests for advice and connections. Through strategic questions and persistence, he eventually co-created the hit children's show Yo Gabba Gabba, which sold out Radio City Music Hall and spawned merchandise deals with major brands. The fourth principle, receiving, is often overlooked but equally important. Many people struggle to graciously accept help, but true receiving means not just accepting assistance but "running with it" to achieve something meaningful. Like a football receiver who catches a "Hail Mary" pass and runs it into the end zone, we must be open to opportunities and maximize them when they arrive. Finally, trust forms the foundation of all meaningful relationships. When Captain Michael Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold, morale was terrible. By interviewing every sailor, implementing their ideas, and extending unprecedented trust, he transformed the ship's culture. "I trusted my crew with my ship and my career," he recalls—and that trust was reciprocated with extraordinary commitment. By implementing these five principles consistently, you create what the author calls "your inner circle of success"—a network of authentic relationships that naturally accelerates your progress toward meaningful goals.

Chapter 6: Leverage Existing Resources to Accelerate Progress

Success isn't about having everything you need before you start—it's about maximizing what you already have available. This principle of leverage allows ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results by creatively using existing resources. Susan Petersen's journey perfectly illustrates this approach. As a young mother struggling to make ends meet while her husband was in school, Susan wanted to find a way to earn money from home while caring for her infant daughter. When she couldn't find cute shoes for her baby son, she decided to make her own moccasins. Without startup capital, Susan got creative—she collected discarded aluminum window frames from her husband's construction job, broke out the glass, and recycled the metal for cash to buy her initial materials. Starting small, she experimented with designs and pricing on Etsy. When the fashion editor at Parenting magazine contacted her about featuring her moccasins as a gift for celebrity Kourtney Kardashian, Susan initially didn't recognize the opportunity. After sending a pair, she was shocked when they appeared on the magazine cover and in numerous gossip magazines featuring Kardashian's son. Today, her company Freshly Picked is a household name featured in major publications nationwide. This exemplifies what the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes understood about leverage when he proclaimed, "Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the Earth." When challenged to move a large ship that all the Syracusans together couldn't launch, Archimedes used a simple pulley system to effortlessly draw the ship along with one hand. Through leverage, Archimedes with only one hand was stronger than an entire population working together. To apply leverage in your own pursuits, look for resources hiding in plain sight. First, leverage existing technology. In today's connected world, you can launch a TV show (YouTube), publish a book (Amazon), or create an international marketplace (website) within hours. When the author needed to design an e-book but had no design skills, he used online freelancing platforms to hire a Ukrainian designer who completed the project in time for an upcoming speech. Second, leverage relationships through both strong and weak ties. Your close connections (strong ties) can introduce you to their networks (weak ties), creating what Professor Mark Granovetter describes as bridges to "worlds different from your own." This concept aligns with the "six degrees of separation" theory—you're likely only six connections away from any resource you need. Third, leverage your time strategically. If you have abundant free time, use it for research and skill development. If time is scarce, collaborate with others who can contribute their expertise and resources. As the saying goes, "many hands make light work." Fourth, leverage education by finding mentors and studying the experiences of others. When young Steve Jobs needed parts for a school project, he simply called Bill Hewlett (founder of Hewlett-Packard) directly and received not just parts but eventually a summer job. Conversely, you can leverage your own knowledge by mentoring others, as Steve Jobs did for Google's Larry Page and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. Finally, leverage money wisely. If funds are limited, focus on the foundational work that doesn't require capital. Partner with those who have complementary resources and demonstrate your commitment through "sweat equity" before seeking investment. Remember that effective leverage draws from the principles of START (Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive, Trust) to create win-win situations. As Mother Teresa observed, "We feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but that ocean would be less without that drop." Through strategic leverage, your small efforts can create ripples of change far beyond what you might imagine possible.

Chapter 7: Start Small Today to Build Momentum

The greatest enemy of achievement isn't failure—it's waiting. The power to transform your life begins the moment you take that first small step toward your dreams, no matter how insignificant it might seem. Darren Rowse never imagined that clicking "publish" on his first blog post in 2002 would lead to anything significant. Working three jobs to save for his wedding and car payments, blogging was merely a curious hobby that connected him with friends from church. As hosting costs began to rise with his small increase in readership, Rowse experimented with Google AdSense to cover expenses. His earnings grew modestly but steadily—from $6 daily in December to $15 by March. When Rowse projected potential growth, he faced what he called "a freaky moment." Could blogging actually become his livelihood? "Neither of us had started a small business," he recalls, "and while the figures indicated that there was potential on many levels it just seemed plain weird. I mean who makes their income blogging?" Despite raised eyebrows and comments like "That's nice but are you going to get a real job?", Rowse committed two days weekly to professional blogging. By breaking his big-picture goal into manageable projects with clear beginnings and endings, Rowse transformed an abstract idea into actionable steps. He experimented continuously, managing twenty blogs simultaneously at one point to determine what worked best. By 2005, Rowse had become a full-time blogger earning a seven-figure income. His sites Problogger.net and Digital-Photography-School.com now reach millions of readers monthly. The key insight from Rowse's journey is the power of starting small and building incrementally. Rather than waiting until everything is perfect, successful people overcome the "psychology of stupid" by breaking overwhelming goals into smaller projects. This approach not only makes getting started easier but also increases fulfillment along the way. Research shows that personal projects "provide meaning, structure, and community" and become "the connective tissue that keeps organizations functioning." This incremental approach applies universally. When filmmaker Nirvan Mullick walked into an auto parts store and discovered nine-year-old Caine's elaborate cardboard arcade, he decided to "make Caine's day" by organizing a surprise flash mob to play at the arcade. This simple project led to a viral video, $60,000 in scholarship money for Caine, and a $250,000 foundation to foster creativity in children worldwide. To build momentum in your own life, commit to these practical steps. First, make your idea public by telling someone about it—accountability increases follow-through significantly. Second, create a specific performance plan using the S.M.A.R.T. framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound). Third, make the process pleasurable by rewarding yourself along the way. Fourth, introduce consequences if you don't complete specific tasks on time. The most important principle is simply to begin. As Lara Casey, founder of Southern Weddings Magazine, advises: "How do you start a powerful thriving business? How do you get out of 'overwhelmed' and start really living? You walk—sometimes through mud, jagged rocks, thick weeds, thorns, and on thin ice. But you will get to the other side, because you are walking through it. If you do not walk, you will not get to the other side." Remember that your commitment must be complete. When Apple's board rejected the now-legendary "1984" Super Bowl commercial, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were prepared to pay the $800,000 air time cost themselves. That's 100% commitment to a vision—and that's what building unstoppable momentum requires.

Summary

Throughout this journey, we've discovered that the path to extraordinary achievement begins not with perfect circumstances but with the courage to start something that others might consider foolish or impractical. The Wright brothers with no formal education, Gandhi with his seemingly hopeless cause, Susan Petersen recycling aluminum window frames to launch her moccasin business—all demonstrate that what matters most is not your starting point but your willingness to take that first step and keep moving forward. As the author powerfully reminds us, "Life is short. There's no time to be paralyzed by fear, dammed up by pride, or derailed by procrastination." The essence of an unstoppable life is recognizing that your so-called "stupid" ideas might actually be your greatest opportunities. Whether you're identifying your game-changing concept, overcoming resource limitations, transforming fear into fuel, building authentic relationships, or leveraging what you already have—the fundamental principle remains: start small today and build momentum through consistent action. Your life should consist of more than commuting, working, eating, and sleeping. It should be filled with purpose-driven experiences that bring authentic joy and meaning. Take that first step now, no matter how tiny it seems, and watch as one thing leads to another until you discover something truly amazing: the fullest expression of yourself.

About Author

Loading...

Richie Norton

Richie Norton is an award-winning, bestselling author and entrepreneur. His books include Anti-Time Management, The Power of Starting Something Stupid and Résumés Are Dead & What to Do About It. Richie was named one of the world's top 100 business coaches by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith. He is an international speaker (including TEDx and Google Startup Grind).Richie is a serial entrepreneur including the founder of Global Consulting Circle, creating/scaling business models for venture-backed startups. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of PROUDUCT—an INC. 5000 company—a global entrepreneurship solution helping businesses go from idea to market with full-service sourcing, product strategy and end-to-end supply chain. Entrepreneurial-minded people study Norton's work and blended learning, modular educational programs (self-directed learning courses, masterminds, podcasts, articles, keynotes, interviews, books, mentoring, university lectures). Executives, creators and celebrities seek out Richie to create new value-based products/experiences for their audiences.Richie is featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Entrepreneur, HuffPo, Inc., etc. The 2013 San Francisco Book Festival awarded The Power of Starting Something Stupid first in business & grand prize winner overall. At age 29, Pacific Business News recognized Richie as one of the Top Forty Under 40 “best & brightest young businessmen” in Hawaii.He got his start in social entrepreneurship by founding an organization to help others become self-reliant through self employment including ventures in Mongolia and around the Asia-Pacific Rim. Richie founded a mentor capital org to help end poverty & established a Center for International Entrepreneurship. Richie is published in the Journal of Microfinance and is a ChangeAid Award winner for "outstanding accomplishment in international development, international relations, humanitarian aid and academic achievement." Richie was born and raised in San Diego before moving to Brazil and then Hawaii. He received his MBA from the world's #1 ranked international business school, Thunderbird School of Global Management. Richie is happily married to Natalie, Co-Author of The Power of Starting Something Stupid. They have four boys (one son already made his way to Heaven) and they have cared for three foster children. They live on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Read more