“Chris Rock, the Pixar filmmakers, Frank Gehry, Steve Jobs, and Colonel Casey Haskins are all perfectionists and yet they accept, even welcome, failure as they develop new ideas and strategies.” – Peter Sims
Failure = Imperfection, and that’s hard to accept.
“Innate curiosity, which is the basis for so much creativity routinely gets squelched (as an adult). Perfection is rewarded, while making mistakes is often penalized. The term “failure” has taken on a deeply personal meaning, something to be avoided at nearly all costs.” – Peter Sims
A growing body of psychology research reveals that there are two forms of perfectionism: Healthy & Unhealthy.
“Healthy perfectionism is internally driven in the sense that it’s motivated by strong personal values for things like quality and excellence. Conversely, unhealthy perfectionism is externally driven. External concerns show up over perceived parental pressures, needing approval, a tendency to ruminate over past performances, or an intense worry about making mistakes. Healthy perfectionists exhibit a low concern for these outside factors.” – Peter Sims
Table of Contents
3 Questions to Combat ‘Unhealthy’ Perfectionism
Questions direct our focus and guide our actions. By routinely asking the right questions we’ll find the courage to make little bets, embrace small failures, and prevent an unhealthy perfectionism from paralyzing our productivity.
What can I/we afford to lose?
“Seasoned entrepreneurs will tend to determine in advance what they are willing to lose, rather than calculating expected gains. Using a little bets approach facilitates operating according to the affordable loss principle.” – Peter Sims
In 1972, Hewlett Packard determined that they could release 1000 electronic calculators (the first of their kind), despite being told by market analysts that their product wouldn’t sell. “Hewlett suggested, ‘Why don’t we build a thousand and see what happen?’ It was an affordable bet. Within five months, HP was selling one thousand calculators a day and could barely keep up with the demand.” – Peter Sims
Thinking about what you’re willing to lose, setting a limit on your losses, and taking action without the fear of loss is how innovation happens.
How could I/we fail faster?
“My strategy has always been: be wrong as fast as we can. Which basically means, we’re gonna screw up, let’s just admit that. Let’s not be afraid of that. But let’s do it as fast as we can so we can get to the answer. You can’t get to adulthood before you go through puberty. I won’t get it right the first time, but I will get it wrong really soon, really quickly.” – Andrew Stanton, Pixar Director
When Chris Rock comes up with a new joke, he’ll test it at a local comedy club to quickly see if it’s worth developing further.
The faster you test an idea, the less emotional attachment you’ll have to an idea. If you’re attached to your idea, you won’t let them fail, and you won’t learn a damn thing. Fail fast. Fail frequently.
What if…? (small suggestions)
“You always want to present your ideas in a constructive manner and be respectful of the other animator’s feelings,” Pixar animator Victor Navone says. “I usually start my suggestions with ‘what if’ or ‘would it be clearer if’ [the character] did it this way.” As Pete Docter, director of Monsters Inc. and Up, puts it, “I think everyone [at Pixar] has gotten very good at plussing ideas or changing directions without judging.” – Little Bets
Personal judgment is a catalyst for unhealthy perfectionism. Asking ‘What if?’ generates a sense of playfulness and curiousity. It’s hard to be defensive and paralyzed by a fear or failure when you’re curious. By asking ‘What if we tried…?’, you show a willingness to experiment and improve solutions, not outright reject them.
Review
Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries, written by Peter Sims, is a thought-provoking book that explores the power of small, experimental approaches in fostering innovation and creativity. Sims argues that by taking small risks and making incremental progress, individuals and organizations can achieve significant breakthroughs. The book is divided into three parts:
- Part I: The Power of Small Bets
- Part II: The Little Bets Playbook
- Part III: The Little Bets Mindset
In Part I, Sims discusses the benefits of small bets. He argues that they are less risky than big bets, they can be more easily adapted and changed, and they can help to build momentum and confidence. He also discusses the different types of small bets that can be made, and how to choose the right ones for your situation.
In Part II, Sims provides a playbook for making small bets. He discusses the steps involved in the process, from identifying the right problem to testing and iterating on solutions. He also provides examples of how small bets have been used to create breakthrough ideas in a variety of fields.
In Part III, Sims discusses the mindset that is necessary for making small bets. He argues that it is important to be open to failure, to be willing to learn from your mistakes, and to be persistent. He also discusses the importance of creating a culture of experimentation within your organization.
Embracing the Power of Experimentation:
- Little Bets advocates for the concept of “little bets,” which are small experiments or actions taken to test new ideas.
- Sims emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and being comfortable with failure as part of the creative process.
- By encouraging readers to take small, calculated risks, the book promotes a mindset of experimentation as a means to drive innovation.
Real-Life Examples and Case Studies:
- The book features numerous real-life examples and case studies from various fields, including business, technology, and the arts.
- Sims showcases how successful individuals and organizations, such as Pixar and Chris Rock, have utilized the little bets approach to achieve breakthrough results.
- These examples provide concrete evidence of the effectiveness of experimentation and inspire readers to apply similar principles in their own endeavors.
Iteration and Feedback:
- The book emphasizes the iterative nature of the little bets approach, where continual feedback and learning inform the next steps.
- Sims encourages readers to seek feedback from diverse sources, iterate on their ideas, and refine their strategies based on the insights gained.
- This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Risk Mitigation and Resource Efficiency:
- Little Bets offers strategies for mitigating risks associated with experimentation.
- Sims suggests starting with small-scale projects to minimize potential losses and gradually scaling up based on positive feedback and results.
- The book also highlights the value of resource efficiency, as little bets allow for the allocation of limited resources to test multiple ideas simultaneously.
Practical Applications:
- Throughout the book, Sims provides practical tips and techniques for implementing the little bets approach in different contexts.
- He offers guidance on generating ideas, prototyping, gathering feedback, and refining concepts.
- The practical nature of the book makes it accessible and actionable for readers looking to apply the principles of little bets in their own creative pursuits.
Criticisms:
- Some readers may find that the book could benefit from more detailed case studies and deeper exploration of certain topics.
- While the examples provided are insightful, more in-depth analysis would enhance the understanding of how little bets can be applied in specific situations.
In conclusion, Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries is a compelling book that challenges conventional thinking about innovation and creativity. Peter Sims presents a persuasive case for the power of small, experimental steps in driving significant breakthroughs. By showcasing real-life examples and providing practical guidance, Sims inspires readers to embrace a mindset of experimentation and take calculated risks to achieve their goals. Whether you are an entrepreneur, artist, or simply seeking to foster innovation, this book offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for unleashing your creative potential.
Here are some additional thoughts on the book:
- I appreciate that Sims provides a clear and concise definition of what a small bet is. This makes it easy to understand the concept and to start making small bets in your own life.
- I also appreciate that Sims provides a variety of examples of small bets that have been used to create breakthrough ideas. This helps to illustrate the power of small bets and to inspire you to start making them yourself.
- I think the book is most helpful for people who are already creative or who are open to new ideas. It is not a magic bullet, but it can provide valuable insights and advice that can help you to be more creative and innovative.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries to anyone looking to enhance their creativity, drive innovation, and cultivate breakthrough ideas. The book’s practical framework and accessible writing style make it a valuable resource for individuals and organizations across a wide range of industries. While the book has some limitations, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their full creative potential.