Humans are programmed with seemingly opposing instincts: risk avoidance and the urge to explore. A constructive blend of the two is where the sweet spot lies, a powerful catalyst for growth that Caremark Founder James M. Sweeney calls “creative insecurity.”
“It is possible and healthy to develop creative responses to the inherent insecurity in life,” Sweeney said. “You have a choice of what to do when faced with uncertainty. A positive approach is curious, open to improvisation, and ready to learn. It is an alert state of being, not a fearful one.”
Sweeney is credited with starting the high-tech home healthcare industry — a revolutionary concept initially rejected by the first company he presented it to.
In Creative Insecurity (co-written by Rhonda Lauritzen), Sweeney reveals a treasure trove of practical wisdom — including crucial insights for the tech sector — gleaned from launching 14 successful healthcare companies that saved or extended millions of lives and eventually generated $30 billion in exit value. All of this from a man who admits he “felt like a square peg in a round hole until I started my first company.”
Aiming to inspire restless, would-be entrepreneurs; those who feel stifled by corporate bureaucracy; and creatives who suffer from imposter syndrome, Sweeney shows readers how to reframe their uncertainty into excitement and motivation, and how to view their differences as superpowers for innovation.
Key principles he covers in his book include:
- Failing your way to success.
- Succeeding with the “no-quit gene.”
- Knowing what and when to quit. “Don’t marry a mistake.”
- Conducting a “premortem” for any new venture or project.
- Differentiating yourself as a monopoly of one.
- Defaulting to the “you point of view.”
- Recognizing that being first is more important than being right. Know when to “be a cheetah.”
- Going after the most prestigious target in an industry. “The bell cow effect.”
- Empowering your team so they are more excited on Monday morning than on Friday night.
- And much, much more.
Sweeney’s actionable insights, compelling examples and timeless wisdom will help those with an unquenched creative spark free their mindsets, lean into the unknown and ultimately achieve the full measure of their potential.
“One of the most powerful phrases you can learn in your career (and life) is, ‘Tell me more,’” Sweeney added. “If you want to have vision, see what other people miss and mitigate risk, practice saying this. You will be amazed at what you learn.”
About the Author
James M. Sweeney is a serial entrepreneur who started 14 healthcare companies with original ideas, none of which have failed. He has raised $2 billion in capital and generated more than $30 billion in exit value. His companies have saved or extended the lives of millions of people. He has been acknowledged as the founder of the multi-billion-dollar home infusion therapy industry, having founded Caremark, the industry pioneer and leader. Today, he mentors startup founders and other professionals in the art of “failing your way to success.”
Co-author Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer with multiple published books and is a regular speaker at international conferences. She has an MBA from the University of Utah, served as CEO of her family’s business and as a state college VP. She founded Evalogue.Life in 2016.
For more information, please visit https://creativeinsecurity.com, or connect with James Sweeney on LinkedIn (James M. Sweeney), Facebook (James M. Sweeney), Instagram (james.m.sweeney) or YouTube (@JamesMSweeney).
All Options for Obtaining the Book:
https://creativeinsecurity.com/order/
Creative Insecurity: Lean into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Release Date: December 10, 2024
ISBN-13: 979-8888455395
Available from Amazon.com
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