Linchpin is all about being indispensable in your job or business. Seth Godin has lots of experience in this area, and he shares his ideas in this book to help you figure out if you are dispensable or not. Usually, the answer is yes, but it's not impossible to become a Linchpin. To do that, you need to integrate the key features from the book.
Photo by Jenny Ueberberg on Unsplash
The Fundamentals
Seth Godin starts by saying that it's likely you have something important to share with the world, but society is making it hard for you to do so. It brainwashes you into believing that your job is to follow instructions instead of being creative, and your lizard brain, or instinctive part of your brain, is the voice that keeps you safe but also holds you back from being a genius.
Modern Work Encourages Dispensability
The goal for capitalists has always been to have as many easily replaceable laborers as possible. This is still true today, but with the internet and laptops, laborers can now do things in a new way and produce value. Employers now have to decide if they want employees who will follow orders or buy into the new American Dream.
What a Linchpin Looks Like
Seth Godin describes a Linchpin as someone who is fearless and knowledgeable. They can move into chaotic situations and create order. They are also inventing, connecting, and making things happen. They free themselves from asymptotes, which are the upper limits to success.
Art Is Possible in Any Environment
Seth Godin talks about how artists can be creative in any situation. He says that art is risky and daring and that if an action is not risky, it is probably not art. He also says that art has a degree of complexity to it and that this complexity comes from not being told by others what to do and how to do it. Additionally, he points out that you cannot be an artist if you are working for someone else, and that you must be your own boss.
You Don’t Find Your Passion. Your Passion Should Be Applied to Everything
Seth Godin doesn't think that you need to find your passion in life. Your passion is inside you and you should always try to find ways to add more passion and fire to your life. Passion and art together make you a Linchpin. You should also make sure that your passion and art are focused on the right areas. However, you may have to give up some of the things you love in order to focus on your passion. Seth provides an example of how some authors refuse to change their writing, even though it's not very popular. Their art is useless if it's not being consumed.
Don’t Give Yourself Plan Bs
People often encourage others to have a plan B, in case they fail with their original plan. Seth Godin says that this anxiety is killing creativity and imagination. He suggests embracing anxiety and not feeding it, in order to overcome it.
Becoming a Linchpin Lets You Be Generous
The most successful people in the world are those who are generous as a demonstration of love and respect. When we are generous, it shows that we have more to share in our world than we thought. As we become more generous, others will be more likely to be generous towards us.
How Do I Know What Art Is for Me?
In order to be successful in life, you need to find the perfect art. But you also need to find the best map for you. Nobody can tell you how to do it, but you can figure it out yourself. The world is difficult to change, but you can apply your art and passion to the world that you have around you.
What Does a Linchpin’s Work Look Like?
In the capitalist world, there are two ways for a Linchpin to work. First, Linchpin can hire factory workers themselves. These people are willing to work for cheap, and they want someone to tell them what to do. Second, the Linchpin can find a boss who understands the value of a Linchpin and rewards them with freedom and respect.
Failure Is Inevitable, and We Must Use It Effectively
Failure is a part of life. It's okay to make mistakes, but you should learn from them and not dwell on them. You should also be open to feedback, both good and bad. Finally, you should imagine a future where you've changed details to make things better.
Being a Linchpin Is Not a Lonely Existence
A linchpin is somebody who is good with people. They have five essential traits which are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability. If you want to be a linchpin, you should focus on these traits.
7 Abilities to Focus on if You Want to Become Indispensable
There are seven things you should focus on if you want to become a Linchpin, according to Seth Godin. They are
creativity
uniqueness
shipping your creativity
managing a complex situation
inspiring others
having a unique talent,
and being brilliant at what you do.
Don’t Give Up
Some people will lose and things won't always work out, but it's important to remember this and plan ahead. Seth Godin says we should do more art and give more gifts. This way, we can learn from our failures and do more of the right things. Trying and failing is better than simply failing.
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