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Leap First: Creating Work That Matters
Recorded in an intimate gathering of aspiring entrepreneurs, writers, and leaders, Leap First teaches us 49 essential principles, practices, and life lessons that have helped Seth the most in his own work and life. More than an audiobook or keynote speech, each track here presents a carefully chosen catalyst intended to trigger our own passion and insight with each listening.
Are You Ready to Raise a Ruckus?
You’re probably good at your job, maybe even great. But secretly, do you yearn to fly higher? To challenge the rules and surprise us with something remarkable? To instigate delight, connection, and real change? To choose better over safer?
Business and cultural visionary Seth Godin has transformed the terrain of marketing and commerce more than once. But many of his readers remain stuck in their own work lives. So what’s keeping us back?
“The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge or skill,” he’s realized. “The problem is fear.”
With Leap First, Seth Godin is here to help. This immersive audio program invites us to learn with him personally, unrehearsed and in the moment, as he shines a light for us, not with answers but with questions on the road to:
• Overcoming our instinctual resistance to risk and change
• Discovering our creative genius in the face of the empty page or whiteboard
• Finding the courage to share that work—with vulnerability, generosity, and results
Recorded in an intimate gathering of aspiring entrepreneurs, writers, and leaders, Leap First teaches us 49 essential principles, practices, and life lessons that have helped Seth the most in his own work and life.
More than an audiobook or keynote speech, each track here presents a carefully chosen catalyst intended to trigger our own passion and insight with each listening.
“It always feels too soon to leap. But you have to. Because that’s the moment between you and remarkable. I hope this helps you return to that edge. And then, to leap.”
Are You Ready to Raise a Ruckus?
You’re probably good at your job, maybe even great. But secretly, do you yearn to fly higher? To challenge the rules and surprise us with something remarkable? To instigate delight, connection, and real change? To choose better over safer?
Business and cultural visionary Seth Godin has transformed the terrain of marketing and commerce more than once. But many of his readers remain stuck in their own work lives. So what’s keeping us back?
“The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge or skill,” he’s realized. “The problem is fear.”
With Leap First, Seth Godin is here to help. This immersive audio program invites us to learn with him personally, unrehearsed and in the moment, as he shines a light for us, not with answers but with questions on the road to:
• Overcoming our instinctual resistance to risk and change
• Discovering our creative genius in the face of the empty page or whiteboard
• Finding the courage to share that work—with vulnerability, generosity, and results
Recorded in an intimate gathering of aspiring entrepreneurs, writers, and leaders, Leap First teaches us 49 essential principles, practices, and life lessons that have helped Seth the most in his own work and life.
More than an audiobook or keynote speech, each track here presents a carefully chosen catalyst intended to trigger our own passion and insight with each listening.
“It always feels too soon to leap. But you have to. Because that’s the moment between you and remarkable. I hope this helps you return to that edge. And then, to leap.”
126 pages, Audio CD
First published February 1, 2015
18 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
Seth Godin
163 books6,552 followersSeth W. Godin, also known as "F. X. Nine", is an American author and a former dot com business executive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 21, 2015
Always a great listen by Seth!
March 16, 2016
This was typical Seth Godin: to the point, respectful of your time, and a refreshing mix of encouragement and inspiration. It's important to note that all of Seth's great encouragement doesn't do anything on its own: you actually have to get out there and do the kind of work he talks about. Reading Godin's writing and listening to his talks won't make a bit of difference in your life; engaging with his ideas and making sure you stay busy with whatever it is you do, however, will.
December 13, 2020
There is a depth so far beyond the brief nature of this recording. Well chosen language, key terms and gaps create so much room for critical thought. A regular re-listen for sure.
January 8, 2025
It’s been almost a decade since my last Seth Godin book, and it’s nice to be back! :)
This sounded like a series of lectures he did in a classroom setting, and I really liked the class interaction throughout the audiobook.
Godin has such a unique take on life, and I am all about the bias toward action that is so prevalent in his writings. He’s all about shipping. Ship it. Make it and send it out there and fail. I love that.
Couple this with the SHOW YOUR WORK trilogy of little books from last year and I’m all about just trying stuff.
Ship it.
In 30 years I’ll have something worthwhile to share. All this in the meantime is practice. :)
This sounded like a series of lectures he did in a classroom setting, and I really liked the class interaction throughout the audiobook.
Godin has such a unique take on life, and I am all about the bias toward action that is so prevalent in his writings. He’s all about shipping. Ship it. Make it and send it out there and fail. I love that.
Couple this with the SHOW YOUR WORK trilogy of little books from last year and I’m all about just trying stuff.
Ship it.
In 30 years I’ll have something worthwhile to share. All this in the meantime is practice. :)
January 21, 2021
more like 3.8
December 12, 2016
An enjoyable audiobook covering a few different topics: why we need artists, what is art, how do we become professional artists at work. It nicely reinforced a lot of the ideas I’ve heard before, such as the idea of “the professional” from The War of Art. It makes you think and may even make you a little bit better because of it. Absolutely loved the style of the recording and the way he communicates his ideas.
Three of my favourite points were:
“Is the world your living in changing, and if it is, what happens to competence in a world that changes? …. Being an artist.. is the career choice that is available to us.” For the past 150 years we’ve been educating children to work in factories and to train teachers to teach more children for similar work. Yet he argues that our times are changing. What is needed now is artists.
What I love about this
What we understand about professionals is that they are doing their work.
Someone who dig ditches doesn’t get around to digging ditches in their spare time. They put on their overalls, they put on their work gloves, they get a shovel and they dig. And when their shift is over, they’re done digging. They don’t have a whole discussion with themselves about whether they are good at digging, whether they feel like digging whether they are in the mood to dig, they dig…. Our work, is producing when we don’t feel like it. That is what we are getting rewarded for doing. Whether we’re being rewarded in money, attention, or satisfaction, that is our work.
Change, the change we want to make is only caused by passion. But passion is never popular, or easy or proven. So what we have to do if we want the change we want to make, is develop swagger.
Three of my favourite points were:
“Is the world your living in changing, and if it is, what happens to competence in a world that changes? …. Being an artist.. is the career choice that is available to us.” For the past 150 years we’ve been educating children to work in factories and to train teachers to teach more children for similar work. Yet he argues that our times are changing. What is needed now is artists.
What I love about this
What we understand about professionals is that they are doing their work.
Someone who dig ditches doesn’t get around to digging ditches in their spare time. They put on their overalls, they put on their work gloves, they get a shovel and they dig. And when their shift is over, they’re done digging. They don’t have a whole discussion with themselves about whether they are good at digging, whether they feel like digging whether they are in the mood to dig, they dig…. Our work, is producing when we don’t feel like it. That is what we are getting rewarded for doing. Whether we’re being rewarded in money, attention, or satisfaction, that is our work.
Change, the change we want to make is only caused by passion. But passion is never popular, or easy or proven. So what we have to do if we want the change we want to make, is develop swagger.
May 29, 2021
Seth Godin is the fairy godmother I need to turn to with all my creative doubts, blocks and insecurities.
“You are not your career”
Leap first, then the credibility will come. Not the other way around!
The hallway - the zero gravity space before a project where the artist can create the most profound things under uncertainty. There are too many possibilities. Embrace it.
The good feeling of winning doesnt last as long as the bad feeling of losing
The objective it not to win, it’s to create change
“You are not your career”
Leap first, then the credibility will come. Not the other way around!
The hallway - the zero gravity space before a project where the artist can create the most profound things under uncertainty. There are too many possibilities. Embrace it.
The good feeling of winning doesnt last as long as the bad feeling of losing
The objective it not to win, it’s to create change
January 13, 2020
This extremely short book (only two hours! That hardly seems to qualify as a book at all) is a pastiche of various pieces, all with the central message that we need more people to be leaders, step up and accomplish something in the world Cool, thanks, Seth. I didn't get much out of it, but it may be motivational to some people. So if you're in that midnset and want some new material to make you think about what you want to accomplish in the world, go for it, but keep your expectations low.
August 13, 2016
Simple and to the point, but with such deep meaning. Seth's work always inspires, but challenges you to be better. A great primer before starting the next book that should be read after this one, The War of Art.
December 30, 2025
Where Purple Cow was about the need to create extraordinary products, Leap First is about putting yourself out there and daring to be extraordinary yourself. It contained a lot of really good take-aways but overall I felt it was a bit disjointed in its delivery.
Read
November 7, 2015Can't go wrong with Seth Godin!
May 7, 2019
I’ve yet to find a book from Seth Godin that I’ve found truly valuable. Something about him doesn’t click to me as a listener.
June 3, 2020
Such an easy and satisfying listen while walking around.
I've been hesitant to write recently and this is a clear message to put fingers to keyboard, or pen to paper. Another title that Seth mentions during this book is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (although he calls him Steve - they must know each other). Overcome fear, adversity, the little voice in your head that says "Don't ship this until it's perfect" or "Don't start until you research more" and all of those bullshit messages.
Start.
And then tomorrow, start again.
Then start another page.
Before you know it, your writing will take shape and become something you never thought it could ... or we're afraid it would be.
I've been hesitant to write recently and this is a clear message to put fingers to keyboard, or pen to paper. Another title that Seth mentions during this book is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (although he calls him Steve - they must know each other). Overcome fear, adversity, the little voice in your head that says "Don't ship this until it's perfect" or "Don't start until you research more" and all of those bullshit messages.
Start.
And then tomorrow, start again.
Then start another page.
Before you know it, your writing will take shape and become something you never thought it could ... or we're afraid it would be.
December 29, 2019
Another incredibly insightful book by Seth. If you are in IT and everybody around is buzzing on Agile/Scrum etc, here is a book that provides "inner engineering" to see the light. It's a quick read (audiobook is under 2 hours) and you feel equipped against fear of change and strong while being vulnerable.
August 25, 2020
This is a typical Seth Godin read. Less on repetitive talk but high on to the point actionable content. In this audiobook, the writer teaches us to pursue meaningful work that helps others. It's a short listen and can be listened in about 2 hours. You will sense a good feel factor after listening to this one.
July 16, 2019
Seth supplies a succinct yet still over-flowing book with a cohesive framework to view your work and your place in the world. I will probably need to re-listen in a few months, due to the number of asides and 'little' practices.
August 27, 2019
The direct reminders to quit "yak shaving" and consistently "create and ship" are ones that needs to be heard daily. As usual, Godin helps to clear off that path to success for anyone who is willing to share their gifts with the world.
October 10, 2020
The author is interesting to listen to in interviews but I am simply unable to enjoy or find anything useful in his few books that I read or listened to...
Lot of business and work philosophizing with few actually actionable ideas.
Lot of business and work philosophizing with few actually actionable ideas.
January 30, 2021
I find that many of these types of books are incredibly superfluous, yet Godin is always refreshingly concise. Its largely application based, so you won’t be massively influenced by this book unless you have a process in which you can inject his advice.
September 5, 2017
Different from everything you read!!! Loved the stories and his point of view. Refreshing
October 26, 2017
Really enjoyed this, will have to listen to it again. Nice and short but packed full of principles to apply and ideas to consider.
December 3, 2017
classic Seth :)
January 4, 2018
"Learning without action is the same as ignorance." This a great listen for all current and would be entrepreneurs or creators of any kind.
February 18, 2018
Great ideas with little fluff.
A great book for repeated listens. Allow those ideas to seep in and transform how you look at things.
A great book for repeated listens. Allow those ideas to seep in and transform how you look at things.
April 22, 2018
In audiobook format, it's a great short reminder on why you should be getting work out there. Ship it, do better next time, conquer the fear. Highly recommended if you're dealing with mental blocks.
November 4, 2018
This is a powerful book about "good enough". Art is about getting things done. Focus on shipping the stuff you do, not waiting for it to be perfect.
January 22, 2019
#MindBlown💯
May 21, 2019
Had some good stuff in it (though one that still is a head scratcher). Ready to make better art.
July 7, 2019
Don't worry about trying to do work for the masses, create things for people that are interested only. Just go to work.
October 16, 2019
Short and sweet, a good precursor before reading Linchpin. Seth has to abstract some scenarios to make a point, reader may need to tolerate ambiguity
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews