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Linchpin Summary

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Linchpin SummaryAre You Indispensable?

If you ever wondered what your boss or colleagues think of you, perhaps it’s time to ask that same question to yourself.

We summarize essential features on how to become a true Linchpin!

Who Should Read “Linchpin”? And Why?

Seth Godin tries to encourage each individual, that they wasted too much time on mediocrity. The time has come to do something about your unhappy life. Even though today, we have numerous possibilities in the digital world, still we must become the creators of our destiny, without our desire and dedication a person cannot achieve anything.

Although it is not easy to quickly transform the way of living and thinking things, it is an opportunity that every individual should take. “Linchpin” book is not for those people who spent their life reminiscing. If you feel trapped in a routine, always remember that you have a choice.

You decide your worthiness; no one can do that thing for you. Every morning you wake up with the same notion- freedom or prison; uniqueness or mediocrity; creativity or routine. It is up to you.

About Seth Godin

Seth Godin is an American-born author, businessman, motivator, marketer and an entrepreneur. He was born on July 10, 1960, in Mount Vernon, New York U.S. Godin obtained a degree in computer science from the Tufts University.

After graduation, he worked for Spinnaker Software as a manager for three years. In 1995 Seth launched Yoyodyne and sold it three years later to Yahoo for 30 million dollars. Yahoo also offered him an executive role in the company- vice president of direct marketing.

biography is rich with series of entrepreneurial activities after his expedition in Yahoo. He is the author of Tribes, Purple Cow, Linchpin and All Marketers Are Liars.

“Linchpin Summary”

Every person encounters a choice: You can perform your routine job, or you can inject creativity into every activity that you face daily and become a “linchpin.”

The majority of workers in the world are unhappy, uninspired and average employees. Probably, this situation is not their fault however we must do something about it. The physical evolution in combination with survival instincts, environmental training and education have created an unsatisfying workforce guided by the rule cynical leaders and owners.

The beginning of the struggle:

At the beginning of the 20th century, the workers started fighting for their rights by creating syndicates. As a result of strikes, companies guaranteed more decent wages, better working hours, social security benefits and job stability in exchange for devoted workers able to meet certain expectations.

However, today that contract doesn’t exist in practice. The digital era and the advanced technology have created an apprehensive workforce victimized by the globalization phenomenon.

In the third-world countries especially, the unemployment numbers are bad, governments are not able to regulate monthly salaries, pensions, and healthcare benefits. As a result of this situation, the nations are forced to increase their debts, by loaning money from Insurance companies and funds.

If you implement Seth Godin’s advice, you as an individual could end up feeling more satisfied as an employee and more joyful as a person. Godin’s medicine for averageness and obedience is so helpful and convincing.

You will have a total understanding of the term uniqueness as soon as you read his book.

Godin declares that every person in this world has a choice:

You can choose to live like an average person day after day, year after year, performing a routine languidly, and doing a job that is completely devoid of creation and ingenuity. Or, an individual can choose one different path composed of challenges, risks, and rewards.

Here’s the best part:

He promotes uniqueness and creativity as two key aspects of becoming a real “linchpin,” a valuable, indispensable employee (member) in the company or anywhere else. Godin also claims that a person has to believe in itself to become a ”linchpin,” it is not a God-given gift, it is something you need work for, to exploit your full potential by accepting risks, challenges on a daily basis.

Despite Godin’s ability to write books in his signature rambling style, some readers are not so happy about this unique approach because they find it distracting. However, the majority applauds to his unlikeness.

Linchpin” is an easy-going business book, whose methods extended far beyond Godin’s imagination. He has done his part exquisitely; the rest of it remains on you, you’ll have to choose the proper path for you. Always analyze different situations carefully and with caution – because even being a linchpin has its threats.

Key Lessons from “Linchpin”

  1.       React properly in every circumstance
  2.       Be supportive, not competitive
  3.       Anxiety is killing your creativity and imagination

React properly in every circumstance

How do you react to different situations and events that occur in your life, defines your potential of becoming a true linchpin?! Implement the right approach in life and see things with the eyes of prosperity and happiness.

For instance, you can practice by reading a business proposal and look from all perspectives: the consumer’s one, investor’s point, and the entrepreneur side.

Be supportive, not competitive

Honesty and integrity! Generous people truly understand the power of helping. It is vital for you to recognize the actual meaning of support, not just a rivalry. Support includes all aspects such as time, money or workforce, etc. Such an approach grants you happiness and inner satisfaction.

Anxiety is killing your creativity and imagination

Not individuals, but a significant portion of the entire society is suffering from depression and stress. Fear and anxiety are two separate terms, fear is a momentary thing, but anxiety is somehow produced to exist on a long run.

It is a psychological state which imposes the “worst-case scenario” method of thinking. If you have such a mindset, you should immediately do something about it.

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“Linchpin” Quotes

I call the process of doing your art 'the work.' It's possible to have a job and do the work, too. In fact, that's how you become a linchpin. Click To Tweet An artists is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. And an artists takes it personally. Click To Tweet The secret to being wrong isn't to avoid being wrong! The secret is being willing to be wrong. The secret is realizing that wrong isn't fatal. Click To Tweet If you are deliberately trying to create a future that feels safe, you will willfully ignore the future that is likely. Click To Tweet At the age of four, you were an artist. And at seven, you were a poet. Click To Tweet

Our Critical Review

This book deservedly receives a lot of credit for its first-class tips and real-life examples on how to improve your status and become an indispensable member of your organization. 

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