An Unexpected Treasure

"How often I found where I should be going only by setting out for somewhere else."

     - R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983), American inventor

A close friend of mine is currently unemployed. After working eight years for a large corporation, he was laid off when his work group was consolidated and downsized. In talking with him about this, he admitted that he'd become disenchanted with his career and was relieved to be free to do something else. He thinks he'd like to start his own company, but isn't sure how to go about it, or what type of business he'd like.

Hoping to be of some assistance, I set about looking for something to help him find his way. As I searched, I ran across a feature in Forbes Magazine called the "Art of the Start," in which Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist, answers questions about beginning a business. When asked who he thought was a good role model as an entrepreneur, his answer surprised me:

"Let me answer this in a different way. Here's the best book you can read about being an entrepreneur: If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland. Suspend your disbelief and buy/read this book. Trust me. It's the best explanation of entrepreneurship that I've ever read."

First published in 1938, Ueland's work was praised by no less than Carl Sandburg as "...the best book ever written about how to write." I found a copy and read it. It's a simple book, based on the premise of recognizing that you are worthy and talented, finding your own truth, and expressing that truth as you live each day.

I'd say Kawasaki and Sandburg were right on in their assessment of this little treasure, so much so that a copy will be in the mail to my friend shortly after the post office opens tomorrow.