Sara Blakely and Mark Cuban: big business with a sense of humor
In a Billionaire Insights talk, Richard said he has read Mark Cuban's book twice. He likes how candid Cuban is and that he has a sense of humor. Richard paired him with Sara Blakely, who makes a similar point.
Blakely: why so serious?
As Richard tells it, Blakely asks why everyone has to take themselves so seriously. She asks whether you can do big business and still have fun. Richard puts Cuban in the same camp.
Cuban: no timeouts
Richard also points to Cuban's view that business runs 24/7, 365 days a year, with no timeouts. There is no month off. Richard links that to reading more than anyone else in your niche.
Both at once
Richard does not treat the two ideas as a conflict. You can work all the time and still enjoy it. In his view, the humor is part of what makes the pace last.
In Richard's words
"can't you do big business and still have some fun or have some sense of humor." (Richard C. Wilson, Billionaire Insights talk)
"He talks about how business is a 24 /7, 365 game all day, all year long, every single day, there's no timeouts." (Billionaire Insights talk)
How to use this
- Take the work seriously, not yourself.
- Build fun into the job so a long pace is sustainable.
- Assume competitors are working on your off days.
- Read the books of founders you admire more than once.
Questions and answers
What does Sara Blakely say about being serious?
As Richard tells it, she asks why people take themselves so seriously and whether you can do big business and still have fun.
What does Mark Cuban mean by no timeouts?
That business runs all day, every day, all year, with no break, per Richard.
Do the two ideas conflict?
Richard presents them together. You can work hard all the time and still keep a sense of humor.
How many times has Richard read Cuban's book?
He says twice.