Malcolm Gladwell's Advice to Entrepreneurs: 'Don't Be One Thing'The author and podcaster believes entrepreneurs and creatives should think of themselves as ever-adaptable -- open to opportunities wherever they come.

Malcolm Gladwell may have one of the strongest brands in media, but he never applies the word to himself. "I contradict myself a lot," says the best-selling author andNew Yorkerstaff writer, whose books includeThe Tipping PointandBlink.“我怎么能代表一样明确的东西a brand if I'm constantly changing my mind?" Instead, he counsels creatives to think of themselves as ever-adaptable --open to opportunitieswherever they come. That's why, for example, he got intopodcasting. It was on a lark, but now, three seasons later, his showRevisionist Historyis a consistent chart-topper. (Each episode is about "the overlooked and misunderstood," and is produced by the podcast companyPanoply.) Here, he talks about his approach toproductivity, his own evolution and why entrepreneurs need to balance ideas with execution.

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You've said that you started your podcast while procrastinating writing your next book. Entrepreneurs may be heartened to know someone as prolific as you still procrastinates.