A New York Times business journalist explains why it’s important for people to pursue big creative projects, and identifies both the obstacles and the productive habits that emerge on the path to completion—including her own experience writing this book. Whether it’s the Great American Novel or a groundbreaking new app, many people want to create a Big Thing, but finding the motivation to get started, let alone complete the work, can be daunting. In The Big Thing, New York Times business writer and editor Phyllis Korkki combines real-life stories, science, and insights from her own experience to illuminate the factors that drive people to complete big creative projects—and the obstacles that threaten to derail success. In the course of creating her own Big Thing—this book—Korkki explores the individual and collaborative projects of others: from memoirs, art installations, and musical works to theater productions, small businesses, and charities. She identifies the main aspects of a Big Thing, including meaningful goals, focus and effort, the difficulties posed by the demands of everyday life, and the high risk of failure and disappointment. Korkki also breaks down components of the creative process and the characteristics that define it, and offers her thoughts on avoiding procrastination, staying motivated, scheduling a routine, and overcoming self-doubt and the restrictions of a day job. Filled with inspiring stories, practical advice, and a refreshing dose of honesty, The Big Thing doesn’t minimize the negative side of such pursuits—including the fact that big projects are hard to complete and raise difficult questions about one’s self-worth. Inspiring, wise, humorous, and good-natured, The Big Thing is a meditation on the importance of self-expression and purpose.

One Big Thing is about finding out what you were born to do with your life and how to use it to revolutionize your business or ministry---and change the world.

The Next Big Thing explores future revolutions that will determine how things are made, who we share the planet with, where resources come from, and the evolution of the human species. Beyond 2030, the way we live today will no longer be sustainable. We will therefore need to develop technologies including 3D printing, synthetic biology and space travel if our civilization is to survive and thrive. Part I reveals how local digital manufacturing will allow on-demand production in any location. Part II then looks at those robots and artificial intelligences that are destined to become our future carers, servants and companions. Part III next examines how resources from space will one day deliver fresh energy and raw material supplies. Finally, Part IV predicts the transhuman evolution that will be triggered as we learn to genetically reprogram and cybernetically upgrade our own biological hardware. The Next Big Thing is written by futurist Christopher Barnatt of ExplainingTheFuture.com. The book will open your mind to the astonishing opportunities that lie ahead, and which will drive us toward the technological singularity . . .

Archibald's Next Big Thing is the extraordinary adventure of an extra-ordinary chicken named Archibald Strutter. His three brothers and one sister have each found their "Big Thing" (including a brother chicken who impressively grows human hair) and the only Big Thing Archibald has planned is what he's eating for lunch. This all changes when he receives a mysterious blue card that reads "YOUR BIG THING IS HERE!" So, accompanied by a friendly bee named BEE, Archibald takes the card and heads off on a fantastic journey in hopes of finding his NEXT BIG THING. It's a story that reminds us that, while looking for the next big thing isn't a bad thing, we should always remember that big and beautiful things are all around us ... right NOW.

The old adage states: "Driving forward while focusing on the rearview mirror will land you in an accident." This also holds true in business. While it's important to understand the past, the future is where the real opportunity lies. But how do you tell the difference between passing fads and profitable trends? The authors in this book aim to do exactly that. Forty-one leading experts across multiple industries have teamed up to share The Next Big Thing to help you profit in this new economy.

Stross follows Jobs career from the start of Apple Computer in the late 70s to the failing of NeXT Computer.

Da Vinci, Einstein, Edison, Newton, Galileoso many great thinkers, innovators, and artists were doodlers. The simple act of doodling random, free-flowing shapes, squiggles, and words jump-starts the right side of your brain, unlocking the door to new possibilities. And this doodle book is the ideal place to capture, shape, and record them. The Next Big Thing makes a wonderful gift for all the creative people in your life. Each spread features an inspiring thought on creativity, innovation, or idea generationwith generous space given to doodle, draw, and dream.