Everything I Know Summary

Why would you settle for someone else’s leftover scraps, when you can uncover your own treasure by doing your own thing?

1. The Reward of Taking Bold Risks

Choosing to pave your own path can be both scary and exhilarating. Paul Jarvis likens this to the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, where the decisions lie in your hands. While working for someone else provides security, it often lacks fulfillment.

Jarvis recounts his days at a Toronto web design company, where dissatisfaction inspired him to gain the knowledge he needed to branch out. That leap into entrepreneurship allowed him to design a career rooted in his individuality.

He believes true rewards come only when you move beyond mimicry. Trying to live by someone else’s blueprint leads to the obvious drawbacks—your goal may already be someone else’s old treasure trove. Authentic work, which reflects who you are, connects with others in a far deeper way. Be brave, take the risk, and discover your potential path.

Examples

• School and corporations often prioritize conformity over individuality.
• A web design client thought copying another’s website would guarantee success but ended up creating something forgettable.
• Jarvis highlights how personal uniqueness paved the way for his sustained business.

2. Your Weirdness Can Be an Asset

Standing out by embracing what makes you different is essential for building personal and professional success. Jarvis challenges conventional wisdom that urges conformity, explaining that being authentic and even a bit “weird” attracts the right people for your work.

For instance, rather than pretending to be formal and polished all the time, Jarvis swears occasionally during meetings to express his true self. Similarly, Caren, a yoga instructor who is open about her struggle with depression, has attracted more clients by showing her humanity rather than feigning perfection.

By sticking to your core values and demonstrating vulnerability, you create work that aligns with who you are. People prefer genuine connections over the robotic perfection of conformity.

Examples

• Jarvis proudly ignores advice to be “professional” and remains unapologetically authentic.
• Caren’s personal story about her challenges has resonated with her yoga students.
• Clients generally choose relatable humans over impersonal professionalism.

3. Learn Through Action and Reevaluate Challenges

Real learning comes from doing rather than theorizing, making hands-on experience invaluable. Jarvis left college to focus on his web design craft, resulting in a meaningful education gained outside traditional walls.

Starting out can be tough, and mistakes are inevitable. However, these missteps often offer crucial lessons that improve your work. Jarvis shares how he initially mismanaged elements of his freelance business, only to restructure and find greater success by reevaluating his approach.

Even when things go wrong, hitting pause and reassessing can lead to transformative changes. Experimentation and continuous learning should remain constant in your journey to mastery.

Examples

• Jarvis gained fundamental business insights while working at a web design company rather than in school.
• A brief pause in his freelance work allowed Jarvis to revamp his methods.
• Experimenting regularly enabled him to stay ahead in his field.

4. Perfectionism Is a Dangerous Illusion

The quest for perfection often paralyzes creativity by preventing people from starting projects altogether. Jarvis warns perfectionists that failing to launch is a greater tragedy than releasing something imperfect.

Rather than waiting for flawless execution, embrace the understanding that mistakes are part of the process. Fear of judgment, too, can deter progress. Jarvis points out that criticism, whether through poor reviews or social media backlash, is an unavoidable by-product of putting yourself out there.

Shifting focus from external opinions to intrinsic alignment allows people to create work that reflects their values. In doing so, they remain grounded despite challenges.

Examples

• Jarvis continuously publishes imperfect work without being overly concerned about criticism.
• Many creators fail to start due to disproportionate fear of judgment.
• Even teachers or professionals advancing flawed systems still learn through practice.

5. Courage Is Moving Forward Despite Fears

Being successful doesn’t mean living without fear—it means finding the courage to keep going despite it. Jarvis argues courage isn’t about fearlessness; it’s about accepting fear and still taking action.

To overcome his fear of public performance, Jarvis tackled it step by step, starting with small audiences before touring as a musician. The incremental approach helped him confront his anxieties with greater ease than one big leap could provide.

Failure, he emphasizes, is essential to creative growth. Every setback reveals opportunities for improvement, shaping eventual successes.

Examples

• Jarvis used small gigs and open mics to eventually perform in large venues.
• Every artist leaves a trail of failed experiments before crafting great work.
• Public criticism, often a creator’s biggest fear, is an important learning tool.

6. Intentions Matter More Than Resources

Money and time are common excuses for inaction, but intentions make all the difference. Jarvis challenges the notion that resources define outcomes, proposing that passion and pure motives drive us forward instead.

He cites his own example of self-publishing an e-book despite having limited resources. His book succeeded not because he had vast networks or funds, but because his intentions resonated with readers. People are drawn to work filled with genuine emotions like humor, passion, or love.

By crafting bold rallying signals— whether a mission statement or a manifesto—you can rally others around your venture.

Examples

• Jarvis wrote and self-published using the limited tools at his disposal.
• Blue Bottle Coffee succeeds because of its clear, relatable mission statement.
• Successful creators attract audiences with bold, authentic declarations of purpose.

7. Passion, Skill, and Service: The Intersection

Passion can’t stand alone—it needs to intersect with skills and a way to serve others in order to succeed. This trio forms your "sweet spot," essential for moving from aspiration to realization.

A great example comes from eco-conscious web designers who use their skills to amplify causes they truly care about. This type of alignment not only benefits clients but brings satisfaction to the creator.

Distractions like excessive self-promotion take creators away from this intersection. Your focus should remain on crafting quality work, as satisfied clients often lead to word-of-mouth promotion.

Examples

• Finding intersections helps blend personal passions with real-world demands.
• Jarvis emphasizes word-of-mouth referrals over social media distractions.
• Existing platforms like Twitter contributed little to Jarvis’s core client acquisitions.

8. Learn by Borrowing, Not Imitating

Drawing inspiration from diverse sources fuels original work, but outright mimicry stifles individuality. Jarvis differentiates between copying, theft, and mimicry to guide creators.

While copying allows technical mastery, theft involves weaving inspirations into unique frameworks seamlessly so the origin is barely noticeable. However, mimicry—taking credit for someone else’s idea—is to be avoided entirely. The ultimate goal is to absorb lessons, then build something authentically your own.

Rather than competing or comparing directly with others, creatives should focus on making their own processes fulfilling.

Examples

• Jarvis practiced by re-creating and analyzing website designs early in his career.
• Nature and art have inspired distinct elements in his work.
• Mimicking would have robbed his brand of its personal authenticity.

9. Saying No Is As Important As Saying Yes

Freedom to prioritize time and energy becomes the ultimate reward when you work for yourself. Jarvis encourages entrepreneurs to learn when to say no, especially to clients or projects that conflict with their values.

Periods of anonymity can also serve as a time for creativity and experimentation. Success might bring pressure to perform consistently, but newfound skills developed in quieter phases can pave the way for this future. Maintaining flexibility and valuing personal well-being helps navigate both slow days and hectic schedules.

Above all, perseverance ensures progress, even when it feels like nothing is going right.

Examples

• During slow months, Jarvis focused on passion projects that later earned attention.
• Turning down mismatched clients led to less stress and better outcomes.
• Success doesn’t eliminate downtime—Jarvis uses quiet periods to strengthen his expertise.

Takeaways

1. Define and align your work with your values rather than external goals to maintain meaningful progress.
2. Overcome fears gradually by breaking them into smaller steps you can tackle one at a time.
3. Use downtime creatively to explore new ideas or refine skills, ensuring continuous growth.