This is a summary review of Everything I Know containing key details about the book.

What is Everything I Know About?

“Everything I Know” by Paul Jarvis is a collection of essays on entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal growth, offering insights and advice based on his experience as a freelance designer and writer. (Full Summary…)

Everything I Know Summary Review

“Everything I Know” by Paul Jarvis is a refreshing departure from the typical ‘get-rich-quick’ narratives that inundate the self-help and entrepreneurial genres. Jarvis, an anti-guru, draws upon his two decades of freelancing experience to provide readers with a no-nonsense guide through the unpredictable terrain of self-employment.

The author defies the one-size-fits-all approach, presenting an infinitely flexible template for those willing to embark on an adventurous journey. Instead of prescribing a formulaic path, Jarvis encourages readers to embrace risks, conquer fear, and explore new territories. His book is not just a guide; it’s an invitation to navigate the uncharted waters of entrepreneurship on one’s own terms.

What distinguishes Jarvis’s work is its practicality. Rather than offering abstract advice, he provides tangible ideas and thought-provoking questions to help readers overcome inertia, embrace vulnerability, and validate their plans. The author emphasizes the importance of launching one’s own unique path, leaving room for individual exploration and growth.

The book is not a mere collection of success stories; it delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of entrepreneurship. Jarvis combines a wicked sense of humor with a compassionate understanding of the fears and uncertainties that accompany the decision to work for oneself. The narrative is liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, weaving in references to Lululemon yoga pants, Jay-Z, and unicorns shooting out of the posterior, making for an engaging and relatable read.

Readers are invited to shed the conventional notions of waiting for external validation and to forge ahead with their creative endeavors. Jarvis advocates for a shift in perspective, encouraging individuals to share their work without waiting for approval and to find their authentic audience. The book serves as a manifesto for those teetering on the edge of creative hesitation, providing the push needed to overcome self-doubt and take decisive action.

“Everything I Know” is not a step-by-step guide or a promise of instant success. It is a concise, insightful, and encouraging read for anyone contemplating a creative endeavor or entrepreneurial venture. Paul Jarvis, through his candid narrative and genuine advice, offers a blueprint for navigating the challenges of self-employment while staying true to one’s unique path. The book, like its author, is unpretentious, realistic, and resonates with the human spirit’s desire to create, share, and grow.

Who is the author of Everything I Know?

Paul Jarvis is a veteran of the online tech world, and over the years has had such corporate clients as Microsoft, Yahoo, Mercedes-Benz, Warner Music and even Shaquille O’Neal. He is the co-founder of Fathom Analytics.

How long is Everything I Know?

• Print length: 146 pages

What genre is Everything I Know?

Nonfiction, Business, Self Help

What are good quotes from Escape from Everything I Know?

“What if instead of reading, you wrote? Instead of watching TV, you made videos? Instead of listening to music, you learned how to play guitar?”

“A large part of choosing your path is figuring out which values will determine your worth. Once that’s clear, it’s much easier to decide if the work you’re doing will increase or decrease your feelings of worth.”

“If we don’t let our weirdness rise to the surface, we don’t let our work stand out.”

“Most reasons to delay are invalid if you get right to the core: no time, no money, no audience. These are all future concerns, which make it hard to start anything. Worry about those things later or not at all. Make small decisions at first, and start moving in a direction that feels right.”

“A funny thing happens when you focus on work that you love; more soon starts to appear. Like attracts like. Plus, that intersection between enjoying what you do and getting paid to do it is the sweetest place of all.”

“You shouldn’t pay attention to things that don’t grab your attention. If you do, you’re being a pretentious douchebag.”

“The most important part of finishing anything is saying no. If I’m working on an idea, I say “no” to almost everything: new projects, new clients, social engagements—basically anything that would take my focus away from what I’m doing. I take breaks, but there’s a difference between breaks and things that cut into my ability to get the work done. I say no so I can say yes to what I’m currently doing – or I say yes to what I want to pursue.”

“Work means offering a valuable product or service – and that work has to inspire people to pay you for it.”

“most people don’t get paid for promoting; they get paid for doing actual work.”

“Our fear of failure often prevents us from attempting things. It feels safe not to try, but not trying is the only way you’re guaranteed to fail. Don’t fail in advance by not even making an attempt.”

“Sometimes, in order to stay true to yourself and your values, you need to innovate through change. And sometimes that means stopping and stepping back for a while.”

“There’s no path if you aren’t moving. It’s just a single point in the road. The view might be great, but stasis never changed the world (or bought a yacht). The only way to see if your work might have traction is to do it and put it out there.”