"Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly in the distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." Thomas Carlyle

"It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement." Mabel Newcomber

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence." Henry Chester

Today's image: Could we please go back to start? by .cherry blossom Great shot. Thank you for sharing.

Start making something

Here's some great counsel from the wonderful new book, Rework. Highly recommended [Go, Start making something, Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson. Amzn info]

"We all have that one friend who says, 'I had the idea for eBay. If only I had acted on it, I'd be a billionaire!' That logic is pathetic and delusional. Having the idea for eBay has nothing to do with actually creating eBay. What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan.

Think your idea's that valuable? Then go try to sell it and see what you get for it. Not much is probably the answer. Until you actually start making something, your brilliant idea is just that, an idea. And everyone's got one of those.

Stanley Kubrick gave this advice to aspiring film-makers: 'Get hold of a camera and some film and make a movie of any kind at all.' Kubrick knew that when you're new at something, you need to start creating. The most important thing is to begin. So get a camera, hit Record, and start shooting.

Ideas are cheap and plentiful. The original pitch idea is such a small part of a business that it's almost negligible. The real question is how well you execute."

As Joe L. Floyd, my friend, former business partner and legendary broadcasting pioneer was fond of saying...

Talk is cheap,
whiskey costs money

Enough talk! Let's start making something. Please allow me to suggest a great place to get started.

Kurt Hanson is presenting his 8th annual RAIN Summit in Las Vegas on Monday, April 12th. The program begins at 10AM and runs until 7PM. It's one of this year's must-attend events. [More info, here]

What makes Kurt's RAIN Summit different and why should you go out of your way to be there?

Simply put, it's the one and only event where trailblazing thought leaders gather to share best practice, to discuss what's happening (and not happening) in the internet radio space. It also happens to be a world-class networking opportunity. If you own broadcast stations, work at the corporate staff or station level this is a meeting you cannot afford to miss. Moreover, if you're interested in learning, keeping current with what the best & brightest are up to, then you would be wise to make the investment.

RAIN Summit West concerns itself with the practical things that matter. Look into it and you'll discover an agenda packed full of presenters that are involved in actually making things, they belong to that entrepreneurial tribe of mavericks - the cool kids of nowness; they're the players, each and all working just ahead of the cutting-edge of our new mediascape.

My suggestion: stop making excuses, ignore the clueless, forget the advice of those who clearly don't get it (hint: they're the ones telling you they don't know anyone that's going) - make something happen, make plans to attend the RAIN Summit West. You'll thank me later.

Closed circuit to broadcasters, webcasters & vendors: For a limited time, take 30% off RAIN Summit registration by using the discount code "Martin30" when registering. Registration info, here. [FD: There's nothing in it for me should you use the code other than helping others to experience the awesomeness that is Kurt Hanson's RAIN Summit. Don't miss it if you can.]

Bonus: Must-read of the week. The Collapse of Complex Business Models by Clay Shirky, here.

Next time: Stuff you should be reading.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend. See you next week in a brand new show.