Everything I Know

by Paul Jarvis

Everything I Know is a no-rules guide through uncharted territory. It's a swift kick in the creative ass without fairies, unicorns or new-age clichés. Paul Jarvis is the strategic and design talent behind some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs and online businesses - including Danielle LaPorte, Marie Forleo, Yahoo, The High Line and Mercedes-Benz - and he's learned a thing or two about forging your own path in life and work. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all advice, Paul provides an infinitely flexible template for adventure. There is a better, more satisfying path out there, if you're willing to take risks and explore new territory. This book provides practical ideas and questions to help you conquer fear, overcome inertia, embrace vulnerability, validate your plans and launch even the most outlandish projects on a basement budget. How and where you go next is entirely up to you. "Paul Jarvis is a lively, talented & incredibly insightful writer." -Maccabee Montandon, Fast Company "Paul Jarvis is the friend that every creative friendly, whip-smart, & willing to give you a kick in the ass every now & then." -Sean Blanda, Adobe/99u

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Productivity, Personal Development, Entrepreneurship, Design

146 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2013

About the author

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.

​Today, he teaches online courses, runs several software businesses and hosts a handful of podcasts from his home on an island on the West Coast of Canada.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes sense

Makes sense

I appreciated the straight talk and real examples provided. I was looking for a swift kick to get me off the "perfectionist" path and on to creating something that represents ME and this book fulfilled that need. I also live in fear of being judged by others but this book made me realize I'm being judged whether I take action or not...so why not do what I really want to do. I've worked in the corporate world for 35 years, it's time to start being ME!

[أروى عبدالرحمن · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب بنصائح عملية وهو كتاب خفيف بشكل لا يصدق، وممتاز أيضا.
أعجبني في أسلوب بول هو البساطة.. وتنويهه دائما على انك شخص مختلف وقد لا ينفع لك اي شيء مما ذكر في هذا الكتاب.
أعتقد أن كثيرا من المقاطع سأعيد قراءاتها عدة مرات لأن قراءة مثل هذه النصوص تتغير بتغير تجاربك بمرور الوقت

[Bruno Brito · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Paul's blog posts so picking up this one was a no-brainer.

Paul has a unique ability to get you pumped and inspired to get things done. His sound advice comes in clear, concise thoughts and extremely short sentences. This is "everything he knows" but the book is very easy to read and it's definitely something I'll read again later this year.

After reading it, I feel like I don't have any excuse not to pursue whatever I may want to pursue in life. This may be seen as a book targeted more for artists or business people, but honestly I think everybody should give it a look!

[Katrina Knittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads win. Will read and review once received!

I think this may be one of my favorite books out of what I have recently read. This book goes right to the point, it motivates, and at times opened my eyes on different things. This was an easy read,also, a good page turner. The author has a way with words that would get me to read more of his books or future books.

[Ikhlas · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب جيد
يقدم فيه الكاتب مايعرفه عن الحياه و العمل وكيف تواجهه الخوف وانت ماتختاره في الحياه وأشياء اخرى من وجهة نظره الشخصية
كتاب خفيف اذا كنت من النوع الذي يحب معرفة ومشاركة اراء الاخرين في جوانب مختلفه (مكتوب بطريقة كأنه يدردش معك !) و ليس بالضرورى تكون مع او ضد الفكره.

[Rickie Hinrichs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has everything you need to know, but you just didn't know you needed to know it.

[Emmanuel Ayeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul walks you through a straight up class on Guts, taking action and doing your own thing while getting prepared and ready for what comes next.

[Eduard Sizov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with simple, yet practical hints for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs. Some chapters overlap with Company of One, but the book is worth reading anyway. It's motivational and super easy-to-read.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me want to be all gushy, and draw little smiley faces all over it. It’s that good. Even the Foreword is good-- I don’t know who Justine Musk is, but after her interesting and insightful comments, I am going to find out.
“Everything I Know” is the kind of book that any creative type should read (or reread) at the beginning of a new endeavor—not to get any kind of step by step instruction or an “action plan” but to get inspired, or to be reminded of why being self-employed is so rewarding, and so hard.
I liked this book because it is humble—Paul Jarvis only knows what has worked for him, and he freely admits that it might not work for anyone else. He isn’t selling anything or promoting anything beyond his approach to becoming successfully self-employed.

[Mike Vardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everything in *Everything I Know* will work for you, but a lot of it will. Some of it may seem fresh and some of it may serve as a reminder; I experienced both as I read it. Paul Jarvis is a great writer and is someone who works very hard on getting better at his craft. If you're looking to get better at your craft and find yourself in a state of "stuckness" or in a recurring state of not knowing what to do now (and not next), then get yourself a copy of *Everything I Know*. Paul Jarvis may not know everything, but what he does know is valuable...and definitely worth reading.

[Shuan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, enjoyable read. Motivational and inspirational too. Paul shares his life view, especially the professional career part of it.

Messages include:
1. Be yourself and be authentic.
2. Find the intersection between your passion and what people are willing to pay for.
3. Follow your values and treat everything as an experiment to pursue your values. Hence, don't be afraid to fail; they are just experiments.
4. Work super hard and be extremely focused.

I like this book a lot, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a direction to his or her career.

[Mars Dorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different take on what it means to be a successful creative.
I enjoy this little book a lot - Paul carries that WTF attitude of a confident creative.

You'll learn a lot of stuff about what it means to create 'your' authentic work, how to deal with clients and keep
developing your style.

Lots of his advice may seem counterintuitive, but being an artist is all about keeping an open mind.
I read it twice already and will surely go for a third run.

If you're a creative, you should devour this book like a T-Rex itching for a bite.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Op zich best een interessant boek en een motiverend boek, maar waarschijnlijk interessanter voor mensen die net met ondernemen willen beginnen (of aan het begin staan van een project). Maar het was fijn om te lezen dat hij keihard staat achter jezelf zijn, werk verrichten en hoe hij omgaat met alle onzekerheden die bij een creatief beroep (en leven op zich) komen kijken.

“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?”

[Sabrine Tizaoui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every ingle paragraph of it. It's really something you can relate to as a human being who is not afraid to be themselves. It's not another "show you the way to success" book, when success happens to be all about the income. It's rather about how the work you do should align with your true self and true values. It's about not following the others' biased definition of fulfillment. it's about loving what you do...like really!
Down to earth, connected to the soul, free and real ! That's how I would describe this book.

[Алена Tалапіла · Rating 4 out of 5]

Я ўжо знаёмая з асноўнымі ідэямі і каштоўнасцямі Пола Джарвіса, таму шмат што ў кнізе падалося знаёмым. Але трэба аддаць даніну павагі аўтару, бо ён змог перапрацаваць і злучыць свае ранейшыя тэксты ў звязную і цікавую кнігу. Шмат разумных і простых стратэгій датычна таго, як развіваць новыя ідэі і што рабіць з крэатыўнасцю на штодзённай аснове. Асабіста мне гэтая кніга дапамагае справіцца з "крызісам веры ў сябе" ў фрылансерстве.

[Ignas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book I have read, really :) Right to the spot, opens the eyes, motivates. Liked that Paul just says that it is nothing bad to be yourself and do everything your own way. Usually books which tries to show you the way to success tells the one and only one way to it (and I don't believe it works for the readers). Liked the book, was easy and motivational read.

[Leenda dela Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable and fast read. Unlike Brene Brown's books, Paul did not assume his readers suffer from low self esteem.

I found it to be a professional and business-y, practical, version of the lyrics to Firework (Katy Perry). I like that song.

Unfortunately, my problem is not "going for it". My current problem is that I can't figure out what I want to go for.

[bryan arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Outpouring of Doing and Being Better

Paul breaks down everything do you can do everything you know better. it's really am incredible blueprint to those who want to pursue their dreams. And it's also said very easy to read book with no fluff...just pure quality content.

[Tharique · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book, I really loved reading it. But, I found it a little bit of repetitive in some chapters. Anyhow, it has valuable thoughts on how you can be your own boss. Thank you Paul for this awesome book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on leading a creative, productive life. I already knew most of this stuff, having learned it the hard way the last 20 years, but it was good to be reminded. Wish I had read this in my 20s and 30s. Highly recommended for young creatives.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series of short articles talking about fear and being who you are. I didn't learn anything new, but I would recommend it for people who struggle with fear and feelings of inadequacy and have a hard time finishing or starting projects. I think it could be fairly motivational for the right people.

[Aras Atasaygın · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked genuine narration of this book. No secret formulas or datas, just what it takes to be a maker.

[Kris Freedain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Paul's latest book. He's straight forward, doesn't mix words, and quite honestly, inspires me to work on my own personal projects.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down on vacation - it made me want to start something new as soon as I got home!

[Vicky Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read for people starting almost anything. I was challenged to consider reasons for my roadblocks to many unfinished projects.

[Tiffany daSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year back I read Jarvis’ book “A company of One” and it provided so much entrepreneurial goodness that I held back on reading this one.

I wanted what I learned to simmer and process before I jumped in for a inspiration fused dopamine hit all over again.

Until yesterday when I realized after working tirelessly on a goal towards $1 million in revenue, that I wouldn’t hit it three months, before the end of the year. Not through any fault of my own necessarily but due to inventory delays and prices. I had to make a choice. Buy the inventory I need to make the million at 3x the cost, or just wait until prices went down next year. I followed my heart, and chose to wait.

So this morning, still stinging from failure, I knew it was time to pull out the book from Kindle that had metaphorically gathered dust, and start reading. Hoping by the end I would feel a little bit better.

An hour later, I sat back in my chair, feeling relief - like I had just hit the reset button.

In it Jarvis discusses the issue around setting goals (also sharing his push for the elusive 7 figures) and how it holds you back and creates tunnel vision. He shared his thoughts around working from the heart (and following your gut), and about how closely linked creativity and vulnerability are.

Everything I needed today to pick myself back up and get moving again. The best part was that it was written like a friend giving you a pep talk, from the kind of friend who you trust enough to listen to. And for that, I’m immensely grateful.

Now that I’m done there’s only one thing left to do… Get Back to Work.

[Ixby Wuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I Know is a no-rules guide through uncharted territory. It's a swift kick in the creative ass without fairies, unicorns or new-age cliches. Paul Jarvis is the strategic and design talent behind some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs and online businesses - including Danielle LaPorte, Marie Forleo, Yahoo, The High Line and Mercedes-Benz - and he's learned a thing or two about forging your own path in life and work. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all advice, Paul provides an infinitely flexible template for adventure. There is a better, more satisfying path out there, if you're willing to take risks and explore new territory. This book provides practical ideas and questions to help you conquer fear, overcome inertia, embrace vulnerability, validate your plans and launch even the most outlandish projects on a basement budget. How and where you go next is entirely up to you. "Paul Jarvis is a lively, talented & incredibly insightful writer." -Maccabee Montandon, Fast Company "Paul Jarvis is the friend that every creative needs: friendly, whip-smart, & willing to give you a kick in the ass every now & then." -Sean Blanda, Adobe/99u

[Sara Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reading Cait Flanders' blog and she recommended a new book by Paul Jarvis called Company of One. Since that book isn't available in the library yet, I grabbed this one in the meantime. The contents proved to be very timely for me since I'm in the process of starting my own business and Jarvis' book contains elements of inspiration and motivation and practical tips. It is a short and simple book, but its thin stature in no way reflects its contents. I used 24 sticky tabs to mark pages that I'd like to revisit and some of those tabs marked not just a passage, but a full page! There was a lot of great reinforcement for ideas that I learned from my business coach and ideas that I need to revisit as my business continues to grow and develop. Jarvis wrote the type of book that you could fly through if you're feeling arrogant or rushed, but that has a ton of value if you are willing to slow down, dissect his advice, and reflect on how to properly apply "everything he knows" to your own creative ventures.

[سليمان العوشن · Rating 4 out of 5]

حين تقرأ "Everything I Know"، تشعر كأن بول جارفيس يخاطبك مباشرة، ويضع أمامك مرآة لحياتك المهنية بكل تناقضاتها. يخبرك أن النجاح لا يُقاس بحجم المشاريع أو عدد المتابعين، بل بمدى اتساق عملك مع قيمك الشخصية. أسلوبه صادق وبعيد عن الزيف التسويقي، يشاركك إخفاقاته قبل إنجازاته، ويمنحك إحساسًا بالطمأنينة: أنك لست وحدك في صراعاتك. أكثر ما لامسني هو تركيزه على أهمية الرفض، والقدرة على قول "لا" لما لا يخدمك نفسيًّا، حتى لو بدا مغريًا ماليًّا. نعم، الكتاب لا يُقدّم خارطة طريق مفصّلة، لكنه يفتح لك مجالًا للتأمل، وإعادة ضبط البوصلة. أنصحك بقراءته إن كنت تعمل لحسابك، أو تفكر أن تبدأ، فهو بمثابة تذكير جميل بأن الحرية لا تعني العمل أكثر، بل العمل بوعي أكثر.


تابعني على شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي

سليمان العوشن

http://about.me/aloshan

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Paul's no-BS, to the point book about what it takes to do the work!

His no-nonsense style and his honesty make it easy to relate to his struggles and his tactics of pushing through fear, imposter syndrome and the excuses we make for ourselves to not do the work at hand.

Each small chapter made me want to get down to business and focus on what I want to build, which is exactly what I did in several points of the book.

Paul champions a very practical, down to earth way of approaching life and work, which is something that we could all use.

Highly enjoyable and definitely recommended!