Introduction to Warby Parker's Origin
A student pitched an idea to invest in his company, which aimed to disrupt an industry by selling products online.
The company, named Warby Parker, eventually became valued at over a billion dollars.
The speaker reflects on his initial skepticism about the company's slow start due to lack of a functioning website.
Understanding 'Originals'
Originals are nonconformists who have new ideas and take action to champion them.
They often look different from expectations yet drive creativity and change.
Procrastination vs. Precrastination
The speaker identifies as a precrastinator, acting quickly to avoid the panic of looming deadlines.
Research shows moderate procrastinators tend to be more creative than those who rush or procrastinate chronicly.
The Impact of Procrastination on Creativity
Experiments reveal that moderate procrastinators generate more creative ideas compared to those who start immediately or procrastinate excessively.
Incubation during procrastination allows for divergent thinking and unexpected insights.
Learning from History's Originals
Leonardo da Vinci and Martin Luther King, Jr. serve as examples of how procrastination contributed to their creative processes.
Da Vinci worked on the Mona Lisa for years, leading to innovations in art, while King improvised during his famous speech at the March on Washington.
Reevaluating First-Mover Advantage
First-mover advantage is largely a myth, as shown in studies comparing the success rates of first movers and improvers.
Facebook and Google improved upon earlier platforms by refining and enhancing existing ideas.
Doubt's Role in Creativity
Both self-doubt and idea doubt exist; the latter can energize and motivate testing and refining ideas.
The speaker emphasizes that embracing idea doubt rather than self-doubt is crucial for originality.
The Browser Dilemma
User choice of web browsers correlates with initiative and creativity; Firefox and Chrome users perform better than those using defaults like Internet Explorer.
Being resourceful in seeking better options illustrates a tendency for originality.
The Concept of Vuja De
Vuja de describes seeing familiar things with a fresh perspective, which can lead to innovative ideas.
The success of Frozen is attributed to re-envisioning traditional character roles by questioning established norms.
Lessons on Failing to Try
Fear of failure is common among originals, but they prioritize trying over not trying due to future regrets.
Many people remain silent rather than share their ideas due to fear, but this hampers their potential for innovation.
Generative Output as Key to Originality
The more ideas one generates, the higher the chance of stumbling upon something original.
Founders of Warby Parker tested over 2,000 names before settling on their brand.
Evaluating the Nature of Originals
Originals experience fear and doubt but manage these emotions differently to succeed.
The key to originality lies in being quick to start yet slow to finish, which fosters creativity.
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