Everything I Know

Introduction

In "Everything I Know," Paul Jarvis shares his hard-earned wisdom from over 20 years of being self-employed. This book is a collection of lessons and insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to forge their own path and do meaningful work that aligns with their values. Jarvis challenges conventional wisdom about business and success, encouraging readers to embrace their uniqueness and create work that truly matters to them.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Jarvis begins by comparing entrepreneurship to the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Just as those books allowed readers to make decisions that shaped the story's outcome, becoming self-employed enables you to chart your own course in life and business.

The author reflects on his own journey, starting with his decision to quit college and work for a web design company in Toronto. While he didn't enjoy working for someone else, this experience taught him valuable lessons about running a web-based business that he couldn't have learned in school.

Jarvis emphasizes that working for yourself involves taking risks, but it can be far more rewarding than the perceived security of traditional employment. He encourages readers to pursue their unique ideas and avoid simply copying what others are doing. Following someone else's path may seem safe, but it often leads to boring, forgettable work.

The key takeaway is that the universe rewards those who do their own thing authentically while helping others. While society often encourages conformity, embracing your individuality is the key to creating meaningful and successful work.

Embrace Your Weirdness and Stick to Your Values

Jarvis challenges the common advice to fit yourself into a predetermined business model. Instead, he advocates for being true to your unique self and embracing your "weirdness." This authenticity is what will attract people to your business and make you stand out from the crowd.

He shares a personal example of how he continues to swear occasionally in professional settings, despite being advised against it. Jarvis believes that being honest about who he is helps him attract the right clients and avoid those who wouldn't be a good fit anyway.

The author uses the example of Caren, a yoga instructor who openly discusses her struggles with depression. While conventional wisdom might suggest hiding such imperfections, Caren's authenticity actually attracts clients who are inspired by her openness and relatability.

Jarvis stresses the importance of identifying your core values and staying aligned with them. His personal values include doing good work that helps people while pushing his creative limits. He advises against basing your values solely on external factors like money or fame, as these are ultimately out of your control.

By focusing on internal values that you can control, such as the quality of your work and how well it helps others, you can maintain a sense of success and self-worth regardless of external outcomes.

Learn by Doing and Be Willing to Pivot

Jarvis advocates for learning by doing, emphasizing that there's only so much you can learn from books or lectures. He doesn't regret dropping out of college because he gained invaluable hands-on experience working at a web design company.

The author encourages readers to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. When starting his own business, Jarvis made many errors, but these became valuable lessons that allowed him to improve his craft and align more closely with his value of producing quality work.

However, Jarvis also stresses the importance of knowing when to step back and reevaluate. If your business is struggling or not getting off the ground, it's crucial to pause, reassess, and potentially restructure your approach. He shares a personal example of how taking a step back from his freelance web design business allowed him to see clearly how to improve his services and procedures.

To avoid stagnation, Jarvis recommends continually experimenting, trying new things, and staying up-to-date with developments in your field. This proactive approach can help you adapt and grow without reaching a crisis point.

Overcoming Perfectionism and Fear of Judgment

Jarvis addresses two common obstacles that prevent people from realizing their ideas: perfectionism and fear of judgment. He argues that absolute perfection doesn't exist in the real world and that striving for it often leads to never producing anything at all.

The author encourages readers to accept that their work will never be flawless and to focus on creating something good rather than perfect. He points out that putting out imperfect work is far better than never producing anything due to fear of imperfection.

Regarding fear of judgment, Jarvis acknowledges that criticism is inevitable in today's connected world. He shares his own experiences of receiving negative feedback and losing followers, but emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on these setbacks. Instead, he advises focusing on the positive responses and remembering the core values that drive your work.

Having work aligned with your values can help you weather criticism more easily. When you know that your finished product meets your internal standards and helps others, it becomes easier to brush off negative comments and focus on the people who appreciate your efforts.

Embracing Fear and Failure

Jarvis dispels the myth that successful people are fearless. He argues that everyone has fears about putting their work out into the world, regardless of their level of success. The key is to acknowledge these fears and push through them rather than letting them hold you back.

The author shares his own extensive list of fears and how he's learned to view them as signs of having things he cherishes and doesn't want to lose. This perspective shift can help reframe fears as something to be grateful for rather than something to avoid.

Jarvis distinguishes between fearlessness and courage, defining the latter as acknowledging fear and pushing past it to do what needs to be done. He recommends breaking down scary tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to make them less daunting.

Using his experience as a touring musician despite his fear of crowds and criticism, Jarvis illustrates how taking small steps – from playing in parks to open mic nights to club gigs – helped him gradually overcome his fears.

The author also emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as part of the creative process. He argues that all great products or works of art are preceded by a series of failures, accidents, and mishaps. By viewing failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and improve, entrepreneurs and artists can develop resilience and continually refine their craft.

Intentions, Rallying Flags, and Resonating with Your Audience

Jarvis addresses common excuses for not pursuing one's dreams, such as lack of time or money. He argues that these barriers are often less insurmountable than they seem and that prioritizing your passions can help overcome them.

The author stresses the importance of defining your intentions – understanding why you want to do something in the first place. Having strong, pure intentions makes it easier to push through fear and make necessary sacrifices. Jarvis encourages readers to ask themselves why they want to pursue a particular project, what they hope to accomplish, and how their product or service adds value to the world.

He contrasts the mission statements of Blue Bottle Coffee and Starbucks to illustrate how genuine, human intentions resonate more with people than corporate-sounding platitudes. Jarvis advises infusing your intentions with humor, passion, and authenticity to connect more effectively with your audience.

The author introduces the concept of a "rallying flag" – a bold statement or manifesto that clearly communicates what you and your work represent. This can be a powerful tool for attracting like-minded individuals to your cause or business.

Finding Your Intersection and Avoiding Distractions

Jarvis challenges the common advice to "follow your passion," arguing that passion alone is not enough. Instead, he recommends finding your intersection – the point where your passion, skills, and ability to help others converge.

Using the example of someone passionate about environmental protection and skilled in web design, Jarvis illustrates how finding this intersection might lead to designing websites for eco-friendly businesses. However, he emphasizes that identifying this intersection is only the first step; you must then develop a compelling rallying flag to excite your audience about your work.

The author warns against common distractions that can derail your progress, particularly the overemphasis on self-promotion and social media presence. While these activities have their place, Jarvis argues that they should be secondary to developing your craft and producing high-quality work. He shares that he's never had to spend money on advertising because the quality of his work leads to organic recommendations from satisfied clients.

Jarvis also questions the conventional wisdom of setting goals, preferring instead to use his values as a guide. By focusing on core values like doing great work and helping people, he maintains the flexibility to explore various ways of achieving these aims without being locked into a specific track.

Inspiration, Theft, and Avoiding Comparison

To help readers get started on their entrepreneurial journey, Jarvis discusses the role of inspiration and how to use it effectively. He distinguishes between copying, theft, and mimicry, explaining how each can be used (or avoided) in developing your craft.

Copying, according to Jarvis, can be a valuable learning tool. He shares how he used to recreate websites he admired as a way to understand techniques and improve upon existing designs. This practice helped him develop his skills and learn how to blend different styles.

Theft, in Jarvis's view, involves taking inspiration from various sources – art, nature, architecture – and incorporating these elements into your own unique work. He emphasizes that good theft results in something unrecognizable from the original inspiration.

Mimicry, on the other hand, is discouraged. Jarvis defines this as taking someone else's idea and passing it off as your own without adding significant value or originality.

The author cautions against comparing your work or popularity to others, as this can lead to discouragement and distract from your own progress. Instead, he advises focusing on how you feel about your work and staying committed to the process of creation rather than fixating on end results.

Saying No, Embracing Anonymity, and Perseverance

As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, Jarvis emphasizes the importance of staying true to your intentions and core values. He recommends breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable steps to maintain momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

The author stresses the importance of knowing when to say no to projects or clients that don't align with your values. While it's not always possible to turn away work, especially when starting out, Jarvis argues that stretching yourself too thin can negatively impact the quality of all your projects.

For those struggling to get clients, Jarvis suggests embracing anonymity as an opportunity for bold experimentation. He points out that both fame and obscurity have their advantages and disadvantages, and that the relative peace of anonymity can provide a great environment for learning and developing expertise.

The author encourages continuous learning and flexibility, even after achieving some level of success or expert status. He defines being an expert as having an opinion that others respect and value, but emphasizes that this requires ongoing effort to stay informed about developments in your field.

Finally, Jarvis urges readers not to give up, even in the face of repeated failures. He reminds us that it often feels darkest just before a breakthrough and that persistence is key to eventual success.

Conclusion

"Everything I Know" by Paul Jarvis is a refreshing take on entrepreneurship and self-employment that encourages readers to embrace their uniqueness, align their work with their values, and persist in the face of challenges. Throughout the book, Jarvis emphasizes the importance of authenticity, continuous learning, and focusing on the process rather than just the end results.

Key takeaways from the book include:

1. Choose your own adventure by forging your unique path in business.
2. Embrace your weirdness and stay true to your values.
3. Learn by doing and be willing to pivot when necessary.
4. Overcome perfectionism and fear of judgment.
5. Find your intersection of passion, skills, and ability to help others.
6. Use inspiration wisely, but avoid mimicry and unhealthy comparisons.
7. Know when to say no and embrace the opportunities that come with anonymity.
8. Persist through failures and keep learning.

Jarvis's approach to business and creativity is both practical and inspiring, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to carve out their own path in the world of self-employment. By focusing on authenticity, continuous improvement, and meaningful work, readers can find success and satisfaction in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Detailed Exploration of Key Concepts

The Power of Authenticity

Throughout "Everything I Know," Jarvis repeatedly emphasizes the importance of authenticity in business and creative pursuits. He argues that being true to yourself is not just a matter of personal fulfillment, but also a powerful business strategy.

Authenticity, according to Jarvis, involves:

1. Embracing your quirks and imperfections
2. Being honest about your strengths and weaknesses
3. Aligning your work with your personal values
4. Communicating genuinely with your audience and clients

The author provides several examples of how authenticity can set you apart in a crowded marketplace. For instance, he mentions Caren, the yoga instructor who openly discusses her struggles with depression. In a field often associated with perfect serenity, Caren's honesty about her mental health challenges makes her more relatable and attractive to potential clients.

Jarvis also shares his own experiences with authenticity, such as his decision to continue using occasional profanity in professional settings despite advice to the contrary. He argues that this authenticity helps him attract clients who are a good fit for his personality and working style, while naturally filtering out those who would be uncomfortable with his approach.

The key lesson here is that trying to present a polished, perfect image often backfires. People are drawn to genuine human beings with real stories, struggles, and passions. By embracing your authentic self in your business or creative pursuits, you create a unique value proposition that can't be easily replicated by competitors.

The Intersection of Passion, Skills, and Service

Jarvis challenges the common advice to simply "follow your passion," arguing that this approach is often too simplistic and can lead to disappointment. Instead, he introduces the concept of finding your "intersection" – the sweet spot where your passions, skills, and ability to help others converge.

This intersection can be visualized as a Venn diagram with three overlapping circles:

1. Passion: What you love doing and care deeply about
2. Skills: What you're good at or have the potential to excel in
3. Service: How you can help others or add value to the world

The author argues that true fulfillment and success in self-employment come from finding activities that satisfy all three of these criteria. For example, someone passionate about environmental protection (passion) who is skilled in web design (skills) might find their intersection in creating websites for eco-friendly businesses (service).

Jarvis emphasizes that identifying this intersection is just the beginning. Once you've found it, you need to:

1. Develop a compelling "rallying flag" or mission statement that communicates your unique value proposition
2. Continuously refine your skills and stay updated with industry developments
3. Seek ways to innovate and stand out within your chosen niche
4. Build genuine connections with your audience or clients based on shared values and goals

By focusing on this intersection, entrepreneurs can create work that is not only personally fulfilling but also commercially viable and beneficial to others.

The Learning-by-Doing Approach

Jarvis is a strong advocate for experiential learning, arguing that there's only so much you can gain from books, lectures, or theoretical knowledge. He shares his own experience of dropping out of college to work at a web design company, where he gained practical skills that he couldn't have acquired in a classroom setting.

The author's learning-by-doing philosophy encompasses several key principles:

1. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities
2. Start before you feel completely ready
3. Continuously experiment and try new things
4. Be willing to pivot or change direction based on real-world feedback

Jarvis encourages readers to view their early attempts and even failures as valuable data points rather than setbacks. He argues that the fastest way to improve is to create, release, gather feedback, and iterate.

This approach also ties into his views on perfectionism. By emphasizing action over endless planning or polishing, Jarvis believes that entrepreneurs can make faster progress and avoid the paralysis that often comes with striving for perfection.

The author provides practical suggestions for implementing this learning-by-doing approach:

1. Break large projects into smaller, manageable tasks
2. Set deadlines for yourself to ensure regular output
3. Seek feedback from trusted sources
4. Reflect on what works and what doesn't after each project or iteration
5. Stay curious and open to new techniques or technologies in your field

By adopting this mindset, Jarvis argues that self-employed individuals can continuously improve their craft, adapt to changing market conditions, and stay ahead of the competition.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Failure

A significant portion of "Everything I Know" is dedicated to addressing the fears and anxieties that often hold people back from pursuing self-employment or creative endeavors. Jarvis takes a nuanced approach to this topic, acknowledging that fear is a natural and even useful emotion while providing strategies for pushing through it.

The author's key points on fear and failure include:

1. Everyone experiences fear, even successful entrepreneurs
2. Fear can be a sign that you care deeply about your work
3. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it
4. Failure is an integral part of the learning and creative process

Jarvis shares his own extensive list of fears to illustrate that even experienced professionals grapple with self-doubt and anxiety. By normalizing these feelings, he helps readers understand that experiencing fear doesn't mean they're not cut out for entrepreneurship.

The author provides several strategies for overcoming fear:

1. Break intimidating tasks into smaller, less daunting steps
2. Focus on the process and learning opportunities rather than potential negative outcomes
3. Reframe failures as valuable data points and learning experiences
4. Cultivate a support network of fellow entrepreneurs or creatives
5. Regularly push yourself slightly outside your comfort zone to build resilience

Regarding failure, Jarvis encourages readers to view it as an essential part of innovation and improvement. He argues that every successful product or work of art is preceded by numerous failures and iterations. By embracing failure as a natural part of the creative process, entrepreneurs can become more resilient and adaptable.

The author also touches on the fear of judgment and criticism, which is particularly relevant in the age of social media. He advises:

1. Remember that criticism is inevitable and often says more about the critic than the work
2. Focus on the positive feedback and the people who truly appreciate your work
3. Use constructive criticism as a tool for improvement, but don't let it paralyze you
4. Stay true to your values and intentions, which can provide a buffer against harsh judgments

By reframing fear and failure as natural parts of the entrepreneurial journey, Jarvis helps readers develop a more resilient and growth-oriented mindset.

The Role of Values in Entrepreneurship

Throughout "Everything I Know," Jarvis emphasizes the importance of identifying and staying true to one's core values. He argues that having a clear set of values can guide decision-making, help maintain focus, and provide a sense of purpose beyond financial success.

The author's approach to values in business includes:

1. Identifying your personal and professional values
2. Aligning your work with these values
3. Using values as a decision-making framework
4. Communicating your values to attract like-minded clients and collaborators

Jarvis shares his own core values, which include doing good work that helps people and continuously pushing his creative limits. He contrasts this with values based solely on external factors like money or fame, which he argues are less fulfilling and ultimately outside of one's control.

The author provides several benefits of having strong, well-defined values:

1. They help you stay motivated during challenging times
2. They attract clients and customers who share your worldview
3. They provide a sense of purpose beyond financial success
4. They guide decision-making, especially when faced with ethical dilemmas
5. They help maintain consistency in your work and brand

Jarvis also discusses how values can replace traditional goal-setting in some cases. While he acknowledges the usefulness of goals, he argues that they can sometimes be limiting or lead to a sense of failure if not achieved. Instead, he suggests using values as a compass to guide your overall direction while remaining flexible about the specific path you take.

The author provides practical advice for incorporating values into your business:

1. Take time to reflect on and articulate your core values
2. Create a mission statement or manifesto that clearly communicates these values
3. Use your values as criteria when evaluating potential projects or clients
4. Regularly reassess your work to ensure it aligns with your values
5. Be willing to say no to opportunities that conflict with your values, even if they're financially attractive

By placing values at the center of entrepreneurship, Jarvis argues that individuals can create more meaningful, sustainable, and personally fulfilling businesses.

The Balance Between Inspiration and Originality

Jarvis dedicates significant attention to the process of finding inspiration and developing one's unique voice or style. He navigates the fine line between learning from others and avoiding mere imitation, providing guidance on how to ethically and effectively draw inspiration from various sources.

The author distinguishes between several approaches to using others' work as inspiration:

1. Copying: Recreating someone else's work as a learning exercise
2. Theft: Taking elements from various sources and incorporating them into something new
3. Mimicry: Directly imitating someone else's work without adding significant value

Jarvis argues that copying can be a valuable learning tool, especially when starting out in a new field. He shares his own experience of recreating websites he admired as a way to understand techniques and improve his skills. However, he emphasizes that this should be a stepping stone to developing one's own style, not an end in itself.

The author endorses what he calls "theft" – taking inspiration from diverse sources and transforming it into something uniquely your own. This could involve drawing ideas from nature, architecture, art, or other fields entirely unrelated to your primary area of work. The key is that the final product should be unrecognizable from its inspirations.

Mimicry, on the other hand, is discouraged. Jarvis argues that simply imitating someone else's successful formula rarely leads to long-term success and can hinder the development of your own unique voice.

To help readers find the right balance between inspiration and originality, Jarvis offers several suggestions:

1. Expose yourself to a wide range of influences, both within and outside your field
2. Keep a journal or digital collection of ideas and inspirations
3. Practice combining elements from different sources in unexpected ways
4. Allow time for ideas to percolate and evolve in your mind
5. Focus on solving problems or meeting needs in your own unique way, rather than copying surface-level aesthetics
6. Be transparent about your influences when appropriate

The author also warns against the trap of constantly comparing oneself to others, especially those who are more established in their fields. He argues that this can lead to discouragement and imposter syndrome, detracting from the joy of creation and the development of one's own voice.

Instead, Jarvis encourages readers to focus on their own growth and the value they provide to their audience or clients. He emphasizes that everyone starts somewhere, and that developing a unique style or approach takes time and consistent effort.

By finding this balance between drawing inspiration and developing originality, entrepreneurs and creatives can position themselves to create truly innovative and meaningful work.

Final Thoughts

"Everything I Know" by Paul Jarvis offers a refreshing and practical perspective on entrepreneurship and creative pursuits. By emphasizing authenticity, continuous learning, and value-driven work, Jarvis provides a roadmap for those seeking to forge their own path in the world of self-employment.

The book's key strengths lie in its honest approach to the challenges of entrepreneurship, including fear, self-doubt, and the constant pressure to innovate. Jarvis's personal anecdotes and candid sharing of his own struggles make the advice feel grounded and achievable.

Perhaps most importantly, "Everything I Know" encourages readers to define success on their own terms. By focusing on internal values and the process of creation rather than external validation or arbitrary benchmarks, Jarvis offers a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to work and life.

While the book doesn't provide a step-by-step guide to starting a business, it offers something arguably more valuable: a mindset and philosophy that can guide entrepreneurs through the ups and downs of self-employment. Jarvis's emphasis on embracing imperfection, learning from failure, and staying true to one's values provides a strong foundation for long-term success and personal satisfaction.

For anyone considering self-employment, struggling with the challenges of entrepreneurship, or simply seeking a more authentic approach to their work, "Everything I Know" offers valuable insights and practical wisdom. It's a reminder that the most rewarding paths are often the ones we forge for ourselves, guided by our unique perspectives, values, and desire to make a positive impact on the world.