Inspiration Source: Free Prize Inside

I admit that I have serious doubts when I hear people attribute the significant achievements in their lives to one single element - a moment, a comment, a work of art - but I suppose I have to give in to the fact that direct inspirations like that do happen from time to time.

Free Prize Inside by Seth Godin was that kind of direct inspiration for me - not merely inspirational in conceptualizing Jabloo, but in executing it. I read the book over the course of a few days (it's pretty short), and as I was taking in Seth's ideas, I felt my own big idea brewing. At the same time, the topics he covers - creativity, innovation, being brave and bold, planning and execution - were helping me to fortify myself and my idea for the time when I'd let it out into the world.

The morsels that Seth dishes out in the book are still rolling around in my head more than a year later, and have helped me keep my project on course when the path has become shaky. Seth is known as a marketer, an author, a blogger, a consultant and an entrepreneur - but to me, his most valuable role is that of a protector of creativity and innovation. Since reading Free Prize Inside, I've purchased copies for several people. I have no doubt that five or ten years from now, a bunch of Seth-inspired projects will be out there, making the world a better and more interesting place. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the man himself:

"99% of the time, in my experience, the hard part about creativity isn't coming up with something no one has ever thought of before. The hard part is actually executing the thing you've thought of. The devil doesn't need an advocate. The brave need supporters, not critics."

- Seth Godin