The START-Up OF YOU
Review of Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha’s book
Published Date: 4/15/21
Resources For Your Portfolio:
1) The book, The Start-up Of You
Episode Notes:
The Start-up of You Skill Set
Develop your competitive advantage in the market by combining three puzzle pieces: your assets, your aspirations, and the market realities
A company hires me over other professionals because... "How are you the first, only, faster, better or cheaper than other people who want to do what you're doing in the world
Competitive advantage underpins all career strategy. It helps answer the classic question "what should I be doing with my life"
Use ABZ Planning to formulate a Plan A based on your competitive advantages, and then iterate and adapt that plan based on feedback and lessons learned
So what's your certain, reliable stable plan if all of your career plans go to hell or if you want to do a major life change. Thats Plan Z. The certainty of plan Z is what allows you to take on uncertainty and risk in your plans A and B.
While you'll always be tinkering and adjusting your plan A, should you decided to need to make a bigger change, that's when you pivot to plan B. Pivoting isn't throwing a dart on the map and then going there... Once you've pivoted and are on a new track, that becomes your new Plan A
Build real, lasting relationships and deploy these relationships into a powerful professional network
Whichever way you introduce diversity and breadth, its's especially important during career transitions. When you pivot to Plan B or Plan Z, you'll want information about new opportunities. You'll also want to know people in different niches or fields who will encourage your move.
Find and create opportunities for yourself by tapping networks, being resourceful and staying in motion
Entrepreneurs don't start businesses just anywhere, they channel the mindset and skills we've been discussing into finding the great business opportunities. Likewise, in order to accomplish something significant in your career, you need to focus on finding and capitalizing on those great career opportunities: the opportunities that will extend your competitive advantage and accelerate your Plan A or Plan B.
Accurately appraise and take on intelligent risk as you pursue professional opportunities
But the biggest and best opportunities frequently are the ones with the most question marks. Don't let uncertainty lull you into overestimating the risk.
6. Tap network intelligence from the people you know for the insight that allows you to find better opportunities and make better career decisions
as a general rule, when you want information from your network, when facing a decision, begin by asking domain experts, then talk to people with whom you have strong personal relationships
(Note: these are quick notes and takeaways by David Nebinski. Please see the episode for more accurate information)