Go For Stupid – Steve Sims

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Go For Stupid – Steve Sims

I was introduced to Steve Sims from his first book Bluefishing and really resonated with many of his insights… enough to read his second book Go For Stupid.

One of the main questions of this book is: What would you achieve if you weren’t afraid of being laughed at?

The following notes are strategies from the book I found useful:

Make Stupid Goals
Increase Your Standards
Create an Experience With Customers
What Can I Bring to the Party?
Random Great Points

Make Stupid Goals

To many people are worried about what other people think and more importantly, if they are going to be laughed at.
- If people are laughing that means they are scared you are going to achieve more than they ever dreamed of.
If people are laughing that means you are onto something
Need to make stupid goals in order to achieve something great

Increase Your Standards

No matter how small
- Example: Don’t accept a bad meal at a restaurant
Only buy things that meet your standards
- Even if this means you have to wait until you can afford them

Create an Experience with Customers

If a customer’s decision comes down to the price tag, you failed to create a valuable experience.
To get a meeting with a customer, look at what everyone else is doing and do something different
- Change the location, medium, or tone
Send Christmas cards in July – “I wanted to be the first one to send you a Christmas card this year”
Whenever you are working with a customer – Do not fulfill a transaction – focus on creating a relationship
- Amazon already has you beat at transaction sales.
- This means challenging your customer and asking WHY they want what they are asking for.

What Can I Bring to the Party?

Stop thinking about what you can get out of events and focus on bringing value.
- Most women already have this mastered although to guys it doesn’t come natural.
When giving gifts look at the purpose not the price tag
- Give them something small that helps them enjoy what they love
- Example: If they love wine, give them a small gadget for opening wine bottles or storing their wine rather than guessing at what wine they actually like.

Random Great Points:

The first time you do anything it will be shit – Get started and focus on getting good later.
Stop worrying about what you look like when you are creating content for business
- Your customers aren’t trying to date you
Talk to strangers at events: “Hi my name is ______ and you don’t know me but I’d like to chat about…”
- Find something they are working on or are interested in and bring 3 unique viewpoints on it.

August 27, 2023 Pete VanCamp Readings 80/20 Principle