Could be my favorite autobiography by an entpreneur/inventor. There are so many insights into as to how to best create a thriving longterm business, hCould be my favorite autobiography by an entpreneur/inventor. There are so many insights into as to how to best create a thriving longterm business, how to live a creative life and how to go against the grain. James Dyson invented the cyclonic vacuum cleaner and went onto create a company worth 6.5 billion pounds (in 2022).
I couldn't help but think of how closely Dyson aligns in the key personality traits needed for a entrepreneur: high in openness, high in conscientiousness, low in neuroticicsm, high in extroversion and disagreeable. I can't imagine starting a business in the middle of a recession but Dyson did it. Dyson perpetually values people who are willing to test new ideas over experienced careerists, going against the grain and long-term thinking which is made possible by owning your company. I just love his perspective and wish I could be able to live like that as well. Dyson also believes that if you build a product than is better than your competitors, the consumer will notice it. He doesn't believe in focus groups: he believes in testing your ideas directly on the market.
The book is also a portrait of the period in which he lived which is interesting. Growing up after the second world war without a father, you had to be able to care of yourself and not rely on other people. His mother, it would seem, was relentlessly resourceful. She managed to raise three kids and eventually get a diploma from Oxford. I suppose the book espouses traditional middle class values (i.e. those found in Benjamin Franklings autobiography).
The only downside was perhaps all the information on all his inventions. That did not really interest me (as I am not an engineer, quite the opposite!), being instead more interested in business, creativity and how to live your values....more
Probably the worst book I've read this year. I found it to a way too long article with strong political views which its author attempted to veil by usProbably the worst book I've read this year. I found it to a way too long article with strong political views which its author attempted to veil by using some studies as examples. This was a bit surprising as I liked mr. Syeds other book. ...more
A quick and fairly fun read. Contains some advice on how to be creative (but mostly anecdotal). "When you're being creative there is no such thing as aA quick and fairly fun read. Contains some advice on how to be creative (but mostly anecdotal). "When you're being creative there is no such thing as a mistake" (love this one although its hard to put into practice)
Creative people continue playing as they become adults i.e. they continue exploring alternatives without expecting an immediate answer or reward.
Creative people procrastinate decisions in order to maximize options and possibilities. This does not mean that they don't have deadlines but they wait until the last minute before they are forced to decide what to do. ...more
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