Calligraphic Code | Tudor Munteanu

The Bootstrapper’s Bible: Volume 1

“There’s never been a better time to start a business with no money. And this manifesto […] will show you how”
Seth Godin

Written in typical Seth Godin style, with clear examples and with easy to follow explanations, this book feels empowering, with advices and examples from small and big companies.

You might say “Meh, I’m bootstrapping everyday”. You might even be right, but for a quick read (a little over 100 pages) this will surely kick you back on focus, at least after hearing example of other fellow bootstrappers.

I’ve been reading articles about bootstrapping and being lean in business for quite some time and this comes to enforce all that I believe in. The manifesto bit is even worth learning by heart, which reminds me that I have to print it.

PS. This clever little book has been available for free for a limited period of time and I got a chance to obtain in (I can’t remember how. If somebody emailed it to me, I thank that person).

Recently this concept obsesses me: balance. How to reach the ideal balance state given a ton of factors? The only solution I’ve found is to split the big picture in smaller contexts and try to balance them individually.

Balanced human relations: meeting new people vs keeping up with old friends.

Balanced product development: coding vs customer relations.

Balanced product design: looks good vs behaves good.  Jeremy Clarkson sums up this perspective when testing the Alfa Romeo 8C.

Balanced lifestyle: active schedule vs just doing nothing.

Balanced attitude: laid-back vs outgoing and obedient vs rebel.

Balance connectivity: online vs offline activity.

Balanced nutrition: meat, veggies, fruits and sweets. I don’t believe in any more or less extreme nutrition theories. As a human being, meat is appealing, just as much as sweets, veggies and milk products. Can Coke cause cancer? Ok, I’ll just have less of it, since it takes a long period of exposure to actually become harmful.

 

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”
— Mark Twain

Sometimes I overdo it by worrying about balance in everything I do. Even though balance is an art, worrying too much about it un-balances the way I make decisions, by slowing me and making me hesitate.

Balance is my way to inner peace. What do have to say about balance?