The inimitable Seth Godin has assembled a crew of five dozen thinkers and doers from around the world to tackle that question. In a remarkable collection of one-page essays, released today, each member of Godin’s dream team selects a single word — then uses it to offer guidance for the coming year.

I especially liked reading Elizabeth Gilbert on Ease, Tony Hsieh on Poker, Fred Wilson on Slow Capital, and Gina Tripani on Productivity. But I’d love to hear your reactions to any part of the collection — even to my own humble contribution, which appears on page 25.

You can download the free PDF here or read it above via Scribd.

9 Responses to “What matters now?”

  1. George says:

    Hi Daniel,

    About generosity, I think it can fueled by abundance mentality. The things that we believe with conviction become true, as evidenced by the massive success of the contributors to the collection.

    Dignity is pretty important at the moment, as more and more people expect money to be given to them. I think it would be great to give motivation and empowerment as well.

    “It’s going to be a long, long time before we can make everyone on earth wealthy…” I don’t know if I agree on this part though. We are working to achieve exactly that.

    More awesome ideas. By the way, absolutely love Johnny Bunko! Especially the guy covered in cobwebs! Thank you!

  2. David Zinger says:

    Dan:

    I think your focus on autonomy is key for engagement. If you work alone it can be full autonomy when we work in organizations, I see it as connected-autonomy.

    I am engaged when I can determine:

    What I do
    When I do it
    How I do it
    Whom I do it with.

    David

  3. Jeremy Brenn says:

    You can’t go wrong with Tony Hsieh. It always amazes me that when you get right down to it, the thing that most clients/customers want is to be treated fairly and be paid attention to.

    How come most companies do a horrible job at something that seems so easy? Maybe there’s a myriad of different reasons…I’d suspect however that, in the short-run, if it doesn’t boost the bottom line it doesn’t get done.

    It’s a damn shame.

  4. WHN is an amazing collection of snippets from an intellectually diverse group. My favorite essays from WMN:
    5. Slow Capital – Fred Wilson. An eloquent explanation of how meaning is tangible in business, and can produce sustained results.
    4. Momentum – Dave Ramsey.
    3. Change – Dan & Chip Heath. Focusing on strengths, explained in a retentive manner, the Heath specialty.
    2. Dignity – Jacqueline Novogratz. Furthering the focus of Acumen with telling detail.
    1. Social Skills – Penelope Trunk. An essay on the lack of emotion elicits the most emotion.

  5. Hope says:

    Mr. Pink,

    I am a ‘fan’ of you and your work. However, I am disappointed about this latest entry and not seeing anything about Greg Mortenson and his profound work in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools).

  6. Tom says:

    Great collection of “the right stuff”.
    I read the entire ebook as I received it from Mr. Godin.
    I couldn’t click it off.

    Best Regards,

    Tom

  7. Hi Dan,

    A wonderful Festivus gift indeed and I had to read it all.
    I notice that my favorite media masters in this market are often generous with their “tribes.”

    Thanks for droppin Drive on my daughter Harpers’Birthday – am looking forward to reading it and excited for your continued success.

    Best,

    David

  8. Jeri says:

    Once again, another wonderful resource from DRiVE”r” Dan! SO many favorites in the e-book, but I think my favorite (as it relates to one of my favorite lines from a fun fav movie “You’ve Got Mail”) is Compassion and the reference to “Its not personal it’s business” (line from movie “Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”)…Mitch Joel is right on target that in business (& in our life) – “If we’re not compassionate to one another, what’s the point in the end”

    Rounding out my top 10 for 2010 are (not in order):
    (Dis)Trust by Dan Ariely
    Knowing by Dan Roam
    Evangelism by Guy Kawasaki
    Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer
    Re-Capitalism by Chris Meyer
    Most by William Taylor
    Ripple by John Wood
    Connected by Howard Mann
    Dignity by Jacqueline Novogratz

    But perhaps the most powerful of notes is the information on Room to Read! So glad to learn of this organization. THANK YOU to Seth for highlighting this most noteworthy and noble organization with a mission that is truly what is “MOST IMPORTANT”!

  9. Joe Bower says:

    I absolutely loved this document. What an awesome idea. I am starting a similar project now- based on what counts in school.