Poke the Box

By: Seth Godin

Narrated by: Seth Godin

Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

We send our kids to school and obsess about their test scores, their behavior, and their ability to fit in. We post a help-wanted ad and look for experience, famous colleges, and a history of avoiding failure. We invest in companies based on how they did last quarter, not on what they’re going to do tomorrow. So why are we surprised when it all falls apart?

Our economy is not static, but we act as if it is. Your position in the world is defined by what you instigate, how you provoke, and what you learn from the events you cause. In a world filled with change, that’s what matters - your ability to create and learn from change.

Poke the Box is a manifesto about producing something that’s scarce, and thus valuable. It demands that you stop waiting for a road map and start drawing one instead. You know how to do this, you’ve done it before, but along the way, someone talked you out of it. We need your insight and your dreams and your contributions. Hurry.

©2011 Seth Godin (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Goad Demands that you "Poke the Box"

Seth Godin has a new book that is entitled POKE THE BOX. Godin calls this book a manifesto to get people out of their own personal boxes and in a mental position to "start something." He wants people to understand they have much more potential than they will allow themselves to believe.

He hates the idea that so many of us wait around to "get picked." He says that in today's world there is no reason to wait around to get picked. He makes it clear that we can choose ourselves and make things happen. One of his aphorisms is the idea that "he who fails the most generally wins." That makes me think of a friend, former Coker College student and published author -- Donnie Quist. He had a book and he wanted it published. He did not wait to get picked. He used the innovation of Kickstarter and LET ME MAKE YOU A SANDWICH is in the public realm. Had Donnie waited around to be picked he would probably still be unpublished. Seth Godin would like Donnie Quist's story.

Do not pick up this manifesto if you want to continue believing that other people limit you ability to make things happen in this world. Don't pick up this manifesto if you believe that doing what you are told well is all you need to achieve success. Do not look for this extended lecture if you believe the status quo is the way to go. Because, if you believe those things, Godin is going to make you uncomfortable.

Godin is a vision thinker and his books are like a half-time talk for those who feel it is their job to make a difference in this world. I recommend that if you are one who wants to make a difference Godin's book will help ignite that passion to making a start.

Okay, quit reading and start something, NOW.

Overwhelmingly honest and clear

I know Seth doesn't read his reviews and I think that's fine. This book is an honest motivation that gives you clear and reasonable arguments to start. I loved it. and thanks to it I feel waaaaay more confident of the steps I'm taking. Thank man.

Inspiring and direct, Godin presses for action

With a dangerous interest in both business and psychology, my antennae are set to angrily reject feel-good fluff (see e.g., The Secret). On occasion, Godin dances close to that line, but his examples are pragmatic and his reasoning is compelling. Short and concentrated, I recommend this one without reservation.

Simple and inspiring

Seth Godwin just has a fun way of seeing the world and inspiring you to push what is possible in this short but packed book.

Highly Motivational

I am a big fan of Seth Godin and his prior works, and I bought the audio and Kindle versions of "Poke the Box."

If you are new to Seth and his works and thinking, this is a great overview. If not, you will find quite a few of the topics he mentions have been discussed before in his prior works - however, the value delivered here is his admonishment that the motivation to 'start' something is more valuable long term than 'waiting to be picked.'

I found that the audio version of "Poke the Box" to be more inspiring and motivational than reading the book - perhaps because he revisits topics he has covered in past works to reinforce his 'start something' premise - and at a bit more than 2 hours in length - very accessible in an afternoon or evening of listening.

Worth the price and time to listen, particularly if you are new to his works and thinking.

Good points, terrible narration

Would you try another book from Seth Godin and/or Seth Godin?

Probably not. His books come highly recommended, but I don't want to listen to him narrate another book. I'd rather read it myself.

Would you ever listen to anything by Seth Godin again?

Not if he narrated it. He doesn't know how to narrate well.

What didn’t you like about Seth Godin’s performance?

His narration is terrible- he places emphasis on the wrong words and in the wrong parts of sentences and/or paragraphs.

What did you take away from Poke the Box that you can apply to your work?

Think outside the box; try stuff- you never know unless you try/ask.

Amazing book

Amazing story, solid insights about taking action in life, about what it takes to see things change and happen. When you see the book you think that is too short, but in fact is really objective and right to the point, zero bs. Definitely i will look out to other stuff from this author.

Annual read: Literally one of my favorite books!

Love this book and enjoy it as an annual reminding to take action on the things most important in my life.

Put this book on top of the box!

You can't forward forward until you've read this! If you have a pile of books, put this on top and read this first!

Inspiring!

Such a great remind that being afraid to fail is failure in itself. I relished to this every so often just to remind me to Poke The Box!