If you’re looking for actionable advice on how to stop talking about what you’re going to do and actually get it done, then Claus Raasted is your guy! As the Director at The College of Extraordinary Experiences and a sought-after keynote speaker, Claus has mastered the art of cutting through the noise. With 46 books under his belt, his latest, Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Sh*t Done, is all about taking action – no fluff, just results.
In this interview, Claus takes us behind the scenes of his latest work, sharing how it all came together, the key players who shaped its direction, and the hurdles he had to overcome along the way. From cutting down a bloated manuscript to refining his signature hands-on approach, Claus reveals what it really takes to turn ideas into action. So let’s jump in!
Congrats on finishing your 46th book! That’s incredible! So, let’s start with the big question: who were the key people who contributed to making this book happen? and how did their input shape the final version?
Thank you! It’s the first time I’ve had more books under my belt than years in age! As for the key people, this has been more about putting together thoughts I’ve espoused for years… so it’s both a very long list and a very short one. But a few who played a role in the final form include: Siv Østerbye (my better half, who had some sharp insights that helped cut the book by 25% in length!), Martin Barnes (who illustrated it), Rory Sutherland (who wasn’t directly involved, but has been an inspiration for parts of it), and most of all – though unwillingly – the many perfectionists I’ve dealt with over the years, who have shown me what NOT to do when you want to get things done!
How did you come up with the idea for this book?
The idea came from friend of the MG Blog Scott Gould a few years back! Scott is a specialist in engagement, and he pointed out that, beneath all the different things I did, there was a red thread of “getting sh*t done.” It was a conversation with him that really solidified the thinking, even though it took several attempts and false starts to actually get it done!
Was there a particular moment or inspiration that sparked it?
That conversation was the spark. It happened during the pandemic when I was trying to figure out if I should rebrand from working with innovation culture (which is a fancy way of saying “getting sh*t done in new ways”). Scott and I talked about it, and I ended up writing half a book on Playful Productivity, receiving some great feedback from webinars I did on the topic. Then, as is often the case, life happened, and I found myself drawn in other directions. But now that I’ve returned to that focus, it feels absolutely right.
What do you think is the key selling point of your book? What makes it stand out?
Firstly, I think this is more of a book people will buy because they know me rather than because of the subject. I don’t expect it to stand out in a crowded market, but (hopefully!) those who know me will be curious about my take on it. So, it’s more “Claus sells the book” than “the book sells Claus.”
Secondly, I believe that once someone opens it, they’ll see my approach is different. I’m a big fan of hands-on tips and practical teaching. What sets it apart is that I don’t talk about rigid rules but rather about biases. It’s not “You must,” but more like, “If you do this more often than not, it’ll help.” Plus, the book is fun, short, and packed with actionable advice.
And hey, it probably helps my credibility that it’s my 46th book. I’ve surpassed 1,000 events and talks, and I hit 200+ podcast episodes a while back!
What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part was taking my own medicine. I write in the foreword that the original version of the book was 288 pages. The final one is 108. Part of that is because I never finished the 288-page version, and instead I did a complete rethink of the whole framework and project. Ironically enough, this has been one of the hardest books for me to write – and while that’s quite hilarious, it also showcases that it’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination-through-perfectionism.
How do you feel now that the book is finished and ready to go?
I feel f**king AWESOME about it. This book is part of a bigger rebranding for me, as I’ve now fully embraced “getting sh*t done” as my main focus. It feels perfectly aligned with who I am and what I preach.
I know a thing or two about various topics, but when it comes to getting shit done, I have a solid track record – and it feels great to build on that and showcase it. In a way, it feels a bit like it felt back before I crashed and burned in 2019 – back when I was doing roleplaying events, and was a global pioneer and established expert on exactly that – roleplaying events.
Now, I preach getting shit done, and I very much feel I can hold my own in that professional space – plus, it’s easier for me to help a lot of people under this umbrella. After all, who doesn’t want to get sh*t done?
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