Tokyo

The following passage comes from James Clear’s weekly newsletter. It’s a huge reminder for all of us to go do our thing, write about what we know, forget about large-scale, start we we are, and embrace Tokyo. The world needs each of us right where we are!

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Journalist and author Derek Thompson on how to succeed as a writer in the modern world:

INTERVIEWER: “What advice do you give to a recent college grad who comes up to you and says I’m interested in journalism and writing books?”

THOMPSON: “…there is a paradox to scale, I think. People who want to be big sometimes think, “I have to immediately reach the largest possible audience.” But in a weird way, the best way to produce things that take off is to produce small things. To become a small expert. To become the best person on the internet at understanding the application of Medicaid to minority children, or something like that.

And the reason why I think this is true I call my Tokyo example. If you go to Tokyo, you’ll see there are all sorts of really, really strange shops. There’ll be a shop that’s only 1970’s vinyl and like, 1980’s whisky or something. And that doesn’t make any sense if it’s a shop in a Des Moines suburb, right? In a Des Moines suburb, to exist, you have to be Subway. You have to hit the mass-market immediately.

But in Tokyo, where there’s 30-40 million people within a train ride of a city, then your market is 40 million. And within that 40 million, sure, there’s a couple thousand people who love 1970’s music and 1980’s whisky. The Internet is Tokyo. The Internet allows you to be niche at scale.

Niche at scale is something that I think young people should aspire to.”

Source: Masters in Business

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Yes! And not just young people, ALL people. Apply this to everything, not only writing. Music, art, pogo sticking, math, roller skating. Become a Small Expert, become a piece of Tokyo.

Tokyo

Look at this image of Tokyo. It has EVERYTHING going on. City lights, colors, a million store signs, fireworks, Mt. Fuji, gorgeous nature meets flashy city, amazing architecture. And it all works together.

My Tokyo

With my writing here I’m not looking to take on the world. But I am sharing my unique perspective on 11 hip and pelvis surgeries, a super rare combination. I’m an expert at that. And I’m an expert on how to mentally manage it, how to keep living life during it all, and how to find the gifts. That’s my piece of Tokyo. I’m probably a lucky cat sign among a whole host of other interesting things. Like this.

Your Tokyo

What is your piece of Tokyo? What are your gifts to share with the world? Forget being Subway, nobody wants more same same! You have something uniquely yours that we all need. Niche at scale – go!

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