Focus on creating a minimum viable product (MVP), testing it with real users, measuring their responses, and learning from the data to make improvements. This cycle is the foundation of continuous innovation.

Build-Measure-Learn Feedback Loop

Treat your startup as an experiment. Use real-world data to validate assumptions about customer needs and preferences rather than relying on guesses or intuition.

Validated Learning

Create the simplest version of your product that solves the core problem for early adopters. Use this to gather insights quickly and avoid wasting time on unnecessary features.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Regularly assess whether your strategy is working. If your assumptions are proven wrong, pivot to a new approach. If the evidence supports your plan, persevere and refine your execution.

Pivot or Persevere

Develop metrics to measure progress objectively. Traditional accounting metrics like revenue might not apply initially, so focus on actionable metrics that reflect learning and customer behavior.

Innovation Accounting

Discover a systematic, scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups by learning continuous innovation, rapid experimentation, and customer-centric product development.

Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business. The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on “validated learning,” rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want. It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute. Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs—in companies of all sizes—a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it’s too late. Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in a age when companies need to innovate more than ever.

writing

Reading & Writing

education

Learning & Education

entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

startup

Startups

books

Books

Eric Ries is an American entrepreneur, blogger, and author of The Lean Startup, a book on the lean startup movement. He is also the author of The Startup Way, a book on modern entrepreneurial management.

Eric Ries

The Lean Startup

Document your process and share it regularly. Even small updates or behind the scenes moments can engage your audience and show them the effort behind your work.

Share Something Every Day

Share your knowledge and skills openly. Teaching others helps establish your credibility and allows you to connect with people who value your expertise.

Teach What You Know

Embrace the mindset of a beginner. Don't worry about being perfect; instead, focus on experimenting, learning, and sharing your discoveries with others.

Be an Amateur

People are drawn to narratives. Share the story behind your work, why you do it, how you do it, and what inspires you. This personal connection can make your work more memorable.

Tell Good Stories

Consistency is key. Even if your audience grows slowly, keep sharing and creating. Over time, your dedication will build trust and loyalty.

Continuity

A guide for creatives to share their process, connect with others, and build a following by being open, generous, and authentic in showcasing their work.

In his New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon showed readers how to unlock their creativity by “stealing” from the community of other movers and shakers. Now, in an even more forward-thinking and necessary book, he shows how to take that critical next step on a creative journey—getting known. Show Your Work! is about why generosity trumps genius. It’s about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it’s self-discovery—let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, productive. In chapters such as You Don’t Have to Be a Genius; Share Something Small Every Day; and Stick Around, Kleon creates a user’s manual for embracing the communal nature of creativity— what he calls the “ecology of talent.” From broader life lessons about work (you can’t find your voice if you don’t use it) to the etiquette of sharing—and the dangers of oversharing—to the practicalities of Internet life (build a good domain name; give credit when credit is due), it’s an inspiring manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

I’m a writer who draws. I make art with words and books with pictures. Author of Steal Like An Artist and other bestsellers. Visit my website: http://austinkleon.com/

Austin Kleon

Show Your Work!

Focus on creating a life we want, not just earning money.Use the DREAM acronym: D - Definition:Clearly define goals, priorities, and the life.R - Rejection:Reject societal norms and assumptions, such as the belief that success only comes from working harder or longer.E - Elimination:Apply the 80/20 Rule to eliminate unnecessary tasks and focus only on what produces the highest results.A - Automation:Automate income and repetitive tasks using systems, virtual assistants, and outsourcing to free up time.M - Liberation:Achieve mobility and freedom, breaking free from stress.

DREAM Framework

Identify the 20% of tasks that bring 80% of results.Eliminate or delegate low-value activities to maximize productivity and free up time.

Pareto Principle

Build systems and use tools (e.g., virtual assistants, software) to handle routine tasks.Set up passive income streams, such as online businesses, to generate income without constant involvement.

Automation is Key

Instead of saving everything for a big retirement, take periodic "mini-retirements" to feel life.Travel, explore, and experience life as part of routine, not at its end.

Mini-Retirements over Deferred Retirement

Time is our most valuable resource, use it wisely.Let us do remote work or location-independent businesses to create freedom in our schedule and location.

Focus on Time and Mobility

Discover how to escape the 09-to-05 grind, build automated income streams, and design a life of freedom, travel, and purpose using unconventional strategies.

What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering the question. Depending on when you ask this controversial Princeton University guest lecturer, he might answer: “I race motorcycles in Europe.” “I ski in the Andes.” “I scuba dive in Panama.” “I dance tango in Buenos Aires.” He has spent more than five years learning the secrets of the New Rich, a fast-growing subculture who has abandoned the “deferred-life plan” and instead mastered the new currencies—time and mobility—to create luxury lifestyles in the here and now. Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Join Tim Ferriss as he teaches you: • How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want • How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs • How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist • How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and freuent "mini-retirements" • What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income • How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it’s beyond repair • What automated cash-flow “muses” are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks • How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet • What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are • How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50–80% off • How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office You can have it all—really. From the Hardcover edition.

Tim Ferriss is author of three #1 NYT/WSJ bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef. He is also a start-up advisor specializing in positioning, PR, and marketing (Uber, Evernote, etc.). When not damaging his body with abusive sports, he enjoys chocolate, bear claws, and Japanese animation.

Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek

People share things that make them look good, knowledgeable, or in the know. By offering something that enhances a person's status or identity, your content or product becomes more likely to be shared.

Social Currency

Certain cues in the environment can prompt people to think about your product or idea. A strong association with a specific context or trigger ensures your idea stays top-of-mind.

Triggers

People share content that evokes strong emotions, whether it’s awe, anger, humor, or sadness. The intensity of the emotional reaction often determines its shareability.

Emotion

Ideas that are observable and visible to others spread more easily. If people see others using your product or engaging with your idea, they are more likely to follow suit.

Public

Content that is useful or solves problems tends to get shared. When people see value in the information, they’re motivated to pass it along to help others.

Practical Value

The New York Times bestseller that explains why certain products and ideas become popular. “Jonah Berger knows more about what makes information ‘go viral’ than anyone in the world.” —Daniel Gilbert, author of the bestseller Stumbling on Happiness What makes things popular? If you said advertising, think again. People don’t listen to advertisements, they listen to their peers. But why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? Why are some stories and rumors more infectious? And what makes online content go viral? Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger has spent the last decade answering these questions. He’s studied why New York Times articles make the paper’s own Most E-mailed list, why products get word of mouth, and how social influence shapes everything from the cars we buy to the clothes we wear to the names we give our children. In Contagious, Berger reveals the secret science behind word-of-mouth and social transmission. Discover how six basic principles drive all sorts of things to become contagious, from consumer products and policy initiatives to workplace rumors and YouTube videos. Learn how a luxury steakhouse found popularity through the lowly cheesesteak, why anti-drug commercials might have actually increased drug use, and why more than 200 million consumers shared a video about one of the most boring products there is: a blender. Contagious provides specific, actionable techniques for helping information spread—for designing messages, advertisements, and content that people will share. Whether you’re a manager at a big company, a small business owner trying to boost awareness, a politician running for office, or a health official trying to get the word out, Contagious will show you how to make your product or idea catch on.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

Jonah Berger

Contagious

Cohen argues that acknowledging what we don't know can lead to personal growth and deeper understanding. By accepting uncertainty, we open ourselves to new possibilities and learning experiences.

Uncertainty

Recognizing our own ignorance fosters humility, which is essential for meaningful interactions and relationships. This humility allows us to listen more attentively and engage with others more authentically.

The Value of Humility

Admitting our lack of knowledge can spark curiosity and a desire to explore and learn. This inquisitiveness drives innovation and a deeper appreciation of the world around us.

Encouraging Curiosity

Openly discussing what we don't know can enhance communication by fostering honesty and transparency. This openness can lead to more productive and meaningful conversations.

Improving Communication

Accepting that it's okay not to have all the answers can reduce the fear of failure. This mindset encourages taking risks and challenges, leading to personal and professional development

Reducing Fear of Failure

A thought-provoking exploration of humility, curiosity, and the power of uncertainty, Leah Hager Cohen's I Don't Know challenges us to find strength in admitting what we don’t know and opens the door to deeper understanding and personal growth.

A short, concise book in favor of honoring doubt and admitting when the answer is: I don’t know. From the acclaimed author of No Book but the World and 2019's searing new novel Strangers and Cousins. In a tight, enlightening narrative, Leah Hager Cohen explores why, so often, we attempt to hide our ignorance, and why, in so many different areas, we would be better off coming clean. Weaving entertaining, anecdotal reporting with eye-opening research, she considers both the ramifications of and alternatives to this ubiquitous habit in arenas as varied as education, finance, medicine, politics, warfare, trial courts, and climate change. But it’s more than just encouraging readers to confess their ignorance—Cohen proposes that we have much to gain by embracing uncertainty. Three little words can in fact liberate and empower, and increase the possibilities for true communication. So much becomes possible when we honor doubt.

Leah Hager Cohen

I don't know

Machiavelli emphasizes the importance of pragmatism in leadership. A ruler must focus on results rather than moral or ethical considerations if it ensures stability and power.

Power and Pragmatism

He argues that leaders should do whatever is necessary to achieve and maintain power, even if it involves deceit or cruelty, as long as it benefits the state.

The Ends Justify the Means

Success depends on a combination of virtù (personal ability, strength, and strategy) and fortuna (luck or circumstances). A wise leader must master both to adapt to changing situations.

Virtù and Fortuna

Machiavelli advises that it is better for a ruler to be feared than loved, as fear is a stronger and more reliable motivator than affection, but a ruler should avoid being hated.

Fear vs. Love

A ruler should appear virtuous, even if they are not. The perception of qualities like generosity, compassion, and integrity can strengthen authority, even if the reality is different.

The Role of Appearance

A groundbreaking treatise on political strategy and leadership, The Prince explores the ruthless pragmatism and cunning necessary for rulers to acquire, maintain, and wield power effectively in a volatile world.

The most famous book on politics ever written, The Prince remains as lively and shocking today as when it was written almost five hundred years ago. Initially denounced as a collection of sinister maxims and a recommendation of tyranny, it has more recently been defended as the first scientific treatment of politics as it is practiced rather than as it ought to be practiced. Harvey C. Mansfield's brilliant translation of this classic work, along with the new materials added for this edition, make it the definitive version of The Prince, indispensable to scholars, students, and those interested in the dark art of politics. This revised edition of Mansfield's acclaimed translation features an updated bibliography, a substantial glossary, an analytic introduction, a chronology of Machiavelli's life, and a map of Italy in Machiavelli's time. "Of the other available [translations], that of Harvey C. Mansfield makes the necessary compromises between exactness and readability, as well as providing an excellent introduction and notes."—Clifford Orwin, The Wall Street Journal "Mansfield's work . . . is worth acquiring as the best combination of accuracy and readability."—Choice "There is good reason to assert that Machiavelli has met his match in Mansfield. . . . [He] is ready to read Machiavelli as he demands to be read—plainly and boldly, but also cautiously."—John Gueguen, The Sixteenth Century Journal

politics

Politics

Niccolò Machiavelli

The Prince

The novel explores how every decision we make shapes our lives. It emphasizes that while regrets are natural, they shouldn't define us because every path has its unique value.

Every Choice Matters

Nora's journey through alternate lives shows that the seemingly perfect life may still come with its challenges. This highlights the importance of appreciating what we have.

The Grass Isn't Always Greener

True happiness comes from living a life aligned with your own values and passions, not by trying to meet societal expectations or others' standards.

Living Authentically

The story teaches us to confront and learn from regrets rather than dwelling on them. It’s a reminder that we can still shape our future regardless of our past choices.

Overcoming Regrets:

The Midnight Library encourages readers to shift their perspective on life, focusing on possibilities and self-growth instead of failures and missed opportunities.

The Power of Perspective

A despondent woman, caught between life and death, discovers a magical library filled with books that reveal the infinite lives she could have lived, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of true fulfillment.

The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year "A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How To Stop Time and The Comfort Book. Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better? In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Matt Haig was born in Sheffield, England. He writes books for both adults and children, often blending the worlds of domestic reality and outright fantasy, with a quirky twist.

Matt Haig

The Midnight Library

People and situations often appear perfect from the outside, but everyone has struggles and secrets hidden beneath the surface.

Perception vs. Reality

Rachel's journey shows the danger of self-doubt and the necessity of reclaiming trust in one's instincts, even after mistakes.

The Importance of Trusting Yourself

The book highlights how unresolved trauma and addiction can cloud judgment and complicate relationships.

The Impact of Trauma and Addiction

Abusive and manipulative relationships, like Rachel's with Tom, can severely damage a person’s sense of self-worth and reality.

Toxic Relationships Are Harmful

Despite her struggles, Rachel’s persistence leads her to uncover the truth, demonstrating resilience even in the face of adversity.

The Strength of Determination

"An alcoholic woman becomes entangled in a missing person investigation, uncovering shocking truths about herself and the people she thought she knew."

The #1 New York Times bestseller, USA Today Book of the Year and now a major motion picture starring Emily Blunt.   Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple having breakfast on their deck. She's even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train

Alice's journey begins with her curiosity, which leads her down the rabbit hole. The story highlights the importance of being open to exploring the unknown and embracing new experiences.

Curiosity and Exploration

Alice repeatedly questions who she is as she encounters various bizarre characters and situations. This reflects the theme of self-discovery and understanding one's own identity, especially during times of change.

Identity and Self-Discovery

Wonderland operates on its own unique set of rules, often defying conventional logic. This challenges readers to think about the nature of reality and how rules shape our understanding of the world.

The Absurdity of Logic

Alice experiences physical growth and shrinking throughout the story, symbolizing the emotional and intellectual growth that comes with navigating life's challenges and uncertainties.

Growth and Change

The fantastical world of Wonderland celebrates the power of imagination. The story encourages readers to embrace creativity and see the world from different perspectives.

Imagination and Creativity

A curious young girl tumbles into a whimsical world where logic is twisted, identity is questioned, and imagination knows no bounds

Alice can't believe her eyes when a white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and carrying a pocket watch dashes by her. She chases after him, down a rabbit hole to a strange land full of exotic creatures, like the Mad Hatter and March Hare, a smiling Cheshire cat, a philosophical caterpillar, and a tempermental croquet-playing queen. Alice can hardly keep track of all the curious characters, let alone herself! Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has been adapted to an easier reading level for Stepping Stones, while keeping all the fun, nonsense, and fantastic twists of the original book.

Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland

Aslan’s willingness to sacrifice himself to save Edmund symbolizes profound bravery and selflessness. This act mirrors the concept of a noble leader who prioritizes the well-being of others over personal safety. The children, especially Lucy and Peter, also demonstrate courage by stepping into roles of leadership in Narnia’s darkest hour. The story encourages readers to embrace challenges and stand up for what is right, even when afraid.

Courage and Sacrifice

The stark contrast between Aslan (representing good) and the White Witch (representing evil) is central to the narrative. The White Witch’s endless winter signifies oppression and despair, while Aslan’s arrival heralds hope and renewal. This theme emphasizes the idea that good ultimately triumphs over evil, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, and that each individual’s choices can tip the balance.

Good vs. Evil

Edmund’s betrayal stems from his jealousy and desire for power, manipulated by the Witch’s false promises. His eventual remorse and redemption underline the importance of acknowledging one’s mistakes and seeking forgiveness. Aslan’s sacrifice to redeem Edmund shows unconditional love and the possibility of a fresh start, teaching readers that no one is beyond redemption.

Redemption and Forgiveness

Lucy’s unwavering belief in Narnia, despite initial skepticism from her siblings, demonstrates the importance of faith in what cannot yet be seen or understood. Aslan’s mysterious but profound presence symbolizes the power of trust and belief in higher ideals or forces. The children’s journey reflects the transition from doubt to belief, a theme that resonates with readers facing uncertainty in their own lives.

Faith and Belief

The Pevensie siblings are strongest when they work together. Each sibling brings unique strengths: Peter’s leadership, Susan’s pragmatism, Edmund’s eventual insight, and Lucy’s compassion. Their unity, despite disagreements, is what helps them triumph over the Witch and restore peace to Narnia. This reinforces the importance of collaboration and mutual respect in achieving common goals.

Unity and Teamwork

Four siblings stumble upon a magical wardrobe that leads to a snow-covered land under the grip of an evil witch, where they must join forces with a noble lion to battle darkness, fulfill an ancient prophecy, and restore hope to a broken kingdom.

Now considered a classic, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is C.S. Lewis's second book of The Chronicles of Narnia, which has captured the imaginations of children for several generations.

The Lean Startup

Show Your Work!

The 4-Hour Workweek

Contagious

I don't know

PURANA PEN