Business Book Summary #20: “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk

Great summary, Steve!

I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I went to two Borders stores yesterday and neither even had the book in stock. I couldn’t believe it; I’m so disappointed in them.

Gary tweeted a picture this morning that showed how winelibrary.tv looked like back in the day. For anyone else who wants to explore a similar path as Gary, I find the screenshot to be extremely encouraging. (Check it here: http://tweetphoto.com/p57apla4) Whatever we want to do, we have to remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect at first; the process of creating and building a community online is on-going. As I’m reminded by the wisdom of Seth Godin, what’s important is that we just start something; it doesn’t matter how it looks like at first, how it works, and it’s totally okay if we don’t know exactly how everything’s going to play off. As long as we’re genuinely passionate about what we do, as long as we’re patient and have the right intentions in mind (not to make money, but to spread our passion), then the chances of us being really happy with what we have and ultimately succeeding are greater.

Since we only have one life to live, one shot to make the most out of experience on earth, rejecting our passions is perhaps one of the most irrational and unfortunate things we can do to ourselves.

For real. There is no such thing as a work/life balance. We need to come alive. Our world needs us to come alive. We need to crush it.

Snow - what a great comment! Since you couldn't find the book, I'll just have to send you one. You are so right - if you truly love what you do, there is no work life balance, only love. The best way to get to something you love is to start - keep looking and testing until you find it.

I often find people don't do video because they can't afford a professional camera or they want it to look like it comes from professional production company. Gary Vaynerchuk has been a guy who just goes out and does it. While others are not getting starting because it wasn't perfect, Gary was off building an audience. Gary is the reason why entrepreneurs need to get started today and not wait.

Colin - that is so true. It's much easier to convince ourselves that "something is missing", because the thought of being judged solely by the content is scary. Great thoughts!

thnx so much dude!

You are welcome!

Gary is refreshingly blunt in his advice about chasing our passion. for those of us who have spent a long time in corporate jobs where we have taken home pay checks and looked forward to our next vacation, this is a godsend. Now if I can just figure out how to put this together with my Whuffie Factor, I will be all set.

Mike - it's so true - it wasn't possible to do this even a few years ago. It's there for the taking!

Souns like a great book. I would love to have this one!

It is a fantastic book! I'll let you know by the end of the day if you won today's book...

Rework comes out in March, but I have it on pre-order (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307463745?ie=...). When I read it I will let you know what I think. I read Getting Real (http://gettingreal.37signals.com) and it inspired me to write my own software (http://www.affiliatelinkvault.com). Now I am looking to "Crush It!" to make it the best product out there.

I know you tend to do business books, but one book I would recommend for out of the box thinking is Pragmatic Thinking and Learning (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934356050?ie=...). It is written with programmers in mind, but definitely has lots of great info for everyone to consider.

Thanks Steve for giving a crap.

It is so important to find what you are passionate about and pursue that. I am going to agree with Colin Parker. Don't wait. Do something today. Do something everyday. It is so true, do what you love.

I just heard a story about Benjamin Franklin. For years he only got 5 hours of sleep a night. Then he tried to get by on 4. When he found out he could get by on 4 he was angry that he had wasted all those hours sleeping.

Dee - when you find the thing that you are passionate about, you can't help but give a crap because it just gets in your blood. Great story about Ben Franklin - now I'm going to have to read his biography - thanks!

Hey Steve,

Here's another suggestion. Some weeks I don't have 15 minutes. How about a paragraph or two summary also. A teaser? An appetite-whetter. Or just a decider (whether I'm interested or not in the book)

Duane - that is a great idea, and you got it. You'll see something next week!

Great review as always. I had just run across this book yesterday as it is being promoted with the new 37-signals book Rework. I loved watching the video's on Gary's site. He has a lot of energy and really gets his point across find what you love and work really hard at it.

Daniel - thanks so much. How did you like Rework? I'm definitely going to be reading it, and will probably do it here on the site.

So my tip for the day is - don't let a back-log of Steve's summaries build up. I've just watched three on the run and now feel thoroughly overwhelmed!

So many great ideas, so many things to do, so few brain cells firing!

Ash

Ash - from what I understand, you have more than enough brain cells for these summaries. I hope you put them to good use :)

Hey Steve I loved this one. Thanks so much for doing it. I'll be recommending it at my Vistage meeting tomorrow.

Joe - Vistage members will get a TON out of this. Let me know what they think - very curious.

Steve, I found readitfor.me from one of Gary's tweet, which demonstrates both of your points brilliantly. You doing your passion and connecting with Gary leads to another follower. I am about to go tweet about how nonreaders can now have a video book summary that not only gives them book details but is in itself a new form of medium. Amazing work!

I've been a fan of Gary's since he started Wine Library TV. I've watched his career grow from where he was then to where he is now. Gary is basically giving you the "keys to the castle" with this book on how he got to where he is now.

Bryan - so you were a Vayniac from the beginning! Nice.

He certainly let's us know what it takes to do what he does. It's kind of a good news/bad news kind of situation, because there is no magic bullet. But if you put in the time, have the chops and really want to connect with people, it's there for the taking. Thanks for dropping by with your thoughts!

Steve, Found Read It For Me from one of Gary's tweets, which proves both of your points brilliantly. Following your passion, plus a little creativity, mixed in with the hard work of creating content leads to...brilliance.
Amazing work- loved the ones I've had time to watch and will catch up on the others soon.
And as far as Crush It, it goes to show that your style is what makes you interesting to your audience- and they're out there.

Joy - thanks so much for your kind words! I hope you'll be back for the other episodes soon, and I really hope we get a chance to connect further. Cheers!

Gary is such an interesting guy. I wrote about him in my book, Six Pixels of Separation, and I was very eager to read Crush It. It just arrived and I can't wait to chomp away at it. If it has half of the energy that Gary offers in his public speaking events, it will be time and money well-spent. As always Steve, you do an amazing job of bringing the ideas alive... thank you!

Mitch - you are too kind - I think it's your Canadian colours showing through. The book is definitely all Gary - I think you'll enjoy it.

Steve I'm so excited I could jump up and down! The much anticipated #CrushIt book has already shipped my pre-order and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Another great video review, couple with an all time inspiration @Garyvee - I'm excited to say the least.

Thanks mate,

Mike Boyd

Mike - I was pretty pumped to get my copy too. Keep up the great work down in Australia (congrats on the honourable mention for the 30 under 30!).

Great review & interview... I plan to get Gary's book tomorrow!

I actually found this site though a tweet from Gary where he was giving a shout out to other hot books and linked his nation to the review on "Six Pixels of Separation" the new book by "Mitch Joel".

I learned of Gary in Feb. and bookmarked his site, and recently rediscovered it. I have only been following / observing Gary the past 2 months... and I can see how his relentless passion & energy is tapping into these tools... engaging people... creating that tribe (SGodin talks about)) and ultimately creating those orders. He is not hiding behind walls... but is out there everyday using every tool possible.

I use to think social media was a fad... that it was a small market of thinkers (not buyers) with no real cash potential. I still dont think it wont work if there are just stale pages... it needs that constant interaction between the tribe leader & its members for it to truly work.

SAL

Sal - Gary also got a link out to another great book called the "Whuffie Factor" by Tara Hunt (if you haven't read that one yet, I think you'll like it). Gary really lives what he preaches, that's for sure, and I'm glad you don't think social media is a fad anymore!

Thanks so much for your thoughts here, and I hope you'll be back!

Steve
Killer job as always......the tossed in jokes are awesome. That office space clip made me laugh!!!
cheers

Thanks Dave - Office Space is a pretty awesome movie, so I just couldn't resist!

Gary is, as always, a fabulous inspiration to us all. I'm really glad he wrote this book. 'Cash in on your passion' is Gary's middle name. The lessons are also real and should be more than just inspirational to people. Thanks Steve for creating these awesome summaries and thanks Gary for writing this awesome book!

I'm so proud of you, Gary! When I first met you in London 2 years ago, I knew you'd go far. Keep Crushin it!

Tara - it's amazing what he's been able to do in just 2 years isn't it? It really goes to show you what's possible when you put your mind to it. You are an amazing example of that as well!

Another great review, Steve!

9-5, and then some. Thats where I've an advantage of being here in Scotland. When you are sleeping (sorry for borrowing one of your straplines!) I'm at my work-desk earning enough to keep the wolves from the door and the kids clothed. Later, at my home-desk, I can communicate in the 90 percentile, catching up with what you, Gary, Tara, Mitch and all of the other leaders you've introduced to me can lend to me to my passion-biz - and in real-time.

So there is an advantage of being across the pond! If anyone wants to test my theory out, I'm happy to help and show then Edinburgh!

Bill

Bill - thanks!

I, for one, would love a tour of Edinburgh some day. Been there once, and definitely want to come back.

It's awesome what you are doing - keep up the great work!

Great review Steve, I just returned from the Maritimes and discussed your social media 5 week month, with some entrepreneurs, and they will be connecting. Crush it is on point with the conversation. especially the point of selling with content and passion vs cost to a old style media. like 5 yrs ago... keep up the good work.

Eric - awesome! Thank you very much for spreading the word - would love to see some entrepreneurs from the Maritimes crush it!

When I was in high school I remember thinking about what I wanted to do in life. I could not stand the thought of getting up every Monday morning and hating what I did. I got into video production and loved it. So that's what I do. I get up every day and love it. I started my own production company 3 years ago and my passion hasn't really paid off yet, but I get sick to my stomach every time my wife starts hinting that maybe I should get a more "secure" job. I got married about 4 years ago and sometimes my wife doesn't like the fact that my entrepreneurial lifestyle isn't the steady 9-5, paycheck every two week gig. She also doesn't like that work is my vacation. She feels 2nd fiddle sometimes because I love what I do so much and spend so much time doing it, but I agree with Vanerchuck that I need to "work my face off" and I have the hope that someday it will pay off.

Mike - Gary's first rule is to "love your family", and he says that if you aren't taking care of your family that the rest of his principles are worthless. Being an entrepreneur is a struggle, but it's a much bigger struggle if things are not good at home. If you can do both, you'll be golden.

I agree with Steve here. Even if we follow our passions, our lives are not going to mean anything in the end if our relationships are not growing or if they're not intact. Life is about people, first and foremost.

Amen!

What am I going to say about Gary? He's the ultimate passion marketer. Gary is a force of nature that pushes harder, hustles longer, and moves his targets higher and higher than most anyone else in this space. He's the guy others want to be when they think of "hustle." Gary's book is about 100 pages shorter than I'd wished, but maybe it's because he's a pro and knows how to keep us wanting. : )

He's the hardest working man in showbiz, for sure. Actually, probably tied with you. Curious - what do you think was missing from the book?

I just found you site. WOW! great stuff. I already told my friend about your site.

Thanks Greg - much appreciated!