Have you ever had a brilliant idea but immediately dismissed it because you were afraid of looking foolish?. You are not alone; some of the most successful companies in history, from Amazon and eBay to Twitter, were once written off as “stupid”.
According to the sources, the common denominator behind great success isn’t avoiding stupidity, but rather leaning into it in a smart way. This is the essence of “The New Smart”: the realization that ideas labeled as “stupid” are often just creative, unconventional, and innovative concepts that haven’t been understood yet.
The Urgency of “Now”: Gavin’s LawOne of the most powerful concepts in the sources is Gavin’s Law: “Live to start. Start to live”. This law was born from a place of deep tragedy, teaching that life is too short to wait for the “perfect time” to pursue your dreams. Most people get lost in “The Waiting Place,” deferring their happiness until they have more time, more education, or more money. The sources warn that waiting for circumstances to change is a trap; if you wait until you have satisfied all uncertainties, it may be too late.Overcoming the T.E.M. GapThe three most common excuses for not starting are lack of Time, Education, and Money—the T.E.M. Gap.
The book challenges these barriers directly:Time: You will never have more time than you do right now; each day you wait, you have less life left to live.Education: Experience is often overrated; the most meaningful learning happens while you are actually pursuing your goals.Money: If success depended solely on a bank account, “rags to riches” stories like those of Oprah Winfrey or J.K. Rowling wouldn’t exist.The Bezos Test: Will I Regret It When I’m 80?If you are struggling to decide which “stupid” idea to pursue, use the Bezos Test. Project yourself forward to age 80 and ask: “Will I regret not doing this?”. This long-term perspective helps cut through daily confusion and fear. As the sources point out, Jeff Bezos left a secure Wall Street job to start an online bookstore—a “crazy” move at the time that turned him into a living legend.How to STARTThe sources provide a framework for making things happen through the acronym START: Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive, and Trust.
Serve: Success often comes fastest by helping others succeed.
Thank: Sincere gratitude acts as a catalyst for future opportunities.
Ask: Don’t assume there is no other way; the quickest path to your goal is often simply asking for help or directions.
Receive: When opportunities or help are offered, be open enough to run with them and “score” rather than letting pride get in the way.
Trust: Building from a foundation of trust—both in yourself and in others—is essential in a global economy.
Stop “Thinking” and Start “Projecting”The “psychology of stupid” can be overwhelming because big goals lack a roadmap. To overcome this, break your big-picture dreams into smaller, manageable “Stupid Projects”. A project has a clear beginning and end, making an abstract thought an actionable task. Starting small allows you to experiment, learn what works, and build the momentum necessary to reach your ultimate goal.Live Without RegretUltimately, the goal of starting something stupid is to live a life of authenticity. This means knowing what matters to you at your core and committing to act on it. Whether it’s starting a business, changing careers, or spending more time with family, your life should be filled with purpose-driven experiences that bring you joy. As the sources conclude, your life matters, it has purpose, and you were meant to be happy. Don’t wait. Start stuff.
Source: The power of starting something stupid by Richie Norton.