What’s so good about “taking it to the next level”?
Asked byJason Friedon October 20 2009.
There are48 comments.
Lubo
on 20 Oct 09
I suppose it means one wants to improve upon something. Strive for better products/design/quality?
In that case I can see how it’s good.
SH
on 20 Oct 09
Don’t you know? That’s how you keep it real, by taking it to the next level.
Bo
on 20 Oct 09
It’s not as good as taking it to the limit (one more time), and far inferior to taking it to the streets.
Charlton
on 20 Oct 09
People need to grow, to learn, and to try new things. Doing the same thing day in and day out is soul-killing. And one of the ways to grow is in size and reach—which is usually what “taking it to the next level” means.
You can also grow in lots of other ways, and you can reach a comfortable equilibrium in your work life while growing in non-work-related areas, but those approaches aren’t inherently better, just different.
Isn’t that what Oprah told us Obama was going to do?
Anonymous Coward
on 20 Oct 09
Boobies.
Anonymous Coward
on 20 Oct 09
You can obviously see how taking it to the next level improves things by seeing everyone doing it to irony in this responses. How can you doubt the power of the crowd?
In Super Mario Bros., it keeps the game interesting. It’s the point of even bothering with the first level.
So you don’t get bored.
Haarball
on 20 Oct 09
What all the other smart people said. I don’t think the phrase necessarily alludes to ‘expanding’, increasing’ or some similar corporate/vacuous concept that you might be opposed to, but rather any form of meaningful upgrade or improvement to what it is you do or make. If I interpreted your tone correctly, it’s the context it’s often used in you disapprove of, not the phrase itself (as is the case with so many expressions and words).
Greg
on 20 Oct 09
It might make more sense to take it down a notch.
Roll down yer window and smell the cow farm.
CRC
on 20 Oct 09
I would say that Lubo nailed it. Assuming that’s what “taking it to the next level” means.
I suspect this question is about whether or not companies (or other organizations) should be pursing “growth for the sake of growth.”
The sensible answer is no. However, the question really needs to go deeper. If “taking it to the next level” means growing (not specifically in numerical/revenue/profit/employee count/customer count way) and improving, then it seems the answer should be yes…we should always be doing this. If you are doing this as a business a natural side-effect is likely (though not guaranteed) to be growth in revenue, profits, etc. You would be “taking it to the next level” to be sure, but indirectly.
developingchris
on 20 Oct 09
If you don’t get to the next level, you can’t beat the boss, and save the princess.
Brandon F.
on 20 Oct 09
Jason -
The next level is only “so great” if it helps you get to your goal.
but you knew that… So I guess the real question is, “What’s so bad about the Status Quo?”
Apparently it allows you to gain the power to change your life forever. http://www.takingittothenextlevel.com/enter.html (Check out that awesome UI design: “click the above button to enter”)
I think it goes with the whole idea of “continuous improvement” or Kaizen.
I don’t think it has to apply specifically to growing a business or a group, or adding complexity (that wouldn’t really be improvement) or updating. But merely continuing to do the small things which keep the experience a positive one.
If you think how much internal and external forces change constantly, we have to seek to adapt and improve just to maintain the status quo.
The next level can be dangerous b/c it is so easy to say and very hard to do. I find myself setting a goal, achieving it, and instead of being happy, deciding the next level is more important.
I have not yet figured out what is so wonderful about the next level, but I know I mindlessly strive for it. I think it’s a defect :)
Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and…
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it’s louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it’s one louder, isn’t it? It’s not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You’re on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you’re on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don’t know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
It’s not great in cases where you have achieved “good enough” – and there are circumstances where good enough really is good enough. In this case, no need to go farther: good enough will suffice.
If you are “at the top” of a field or your product is “best” in a category, then the next level may be just the ability to maintain that position. After all, the “next level” from the top is always down…and there is always someone who is trying to climb the mountain you’re on top of. Staying on top can be brutally hard.
Back to basics.
Back to square one.
Back to the fundamentals.
Back to the drawing board.
This discussion is closed.
About Jason Fried
Jason co-founded Basecamp back in 1999. He also co-authored REWORK, the New York Times bestselling book on running a "right-sized" business. Co-founded, co-authored... Can he do anything on his own?
Lubo
on 20 Oct 09I suppose it means one wants to improve upon something. Strive for better products/design/quality?
In that case I can see how it’s good.
SH
on 20 Oct 09Don’t you know? That’s how you keep it real, by taking it to the next level.
Bo
on 20 Oct 09It’s not as good as taking it to the limit (one more time), and far inferior to taking it to the streets.
Charlton
on 20 Oct 09People need to grow, to learn, and to try new things. Doing the same thing day in and day out is soul-killing. And one of the ways to grow is in size and reach—which is usually what “taking it to the next level” means.
You can also grow in lots of other ways, and you can reach a comfortable equilibrium in your work life while growing in non-work-related areas, but those approaches aren’t inherently better, just different.
Chris
on 20 Oct 09Higher is better. Everyone knows that.
Steve Brewer
on 20 Oct 09Isn’t that what Oprah told us Obama was going to do?
Anonymous Coward
on 20 Oct 09Boobies.
Anonymous Coward
on 20 Oct 09You can obviously see how taking it to the next level improves things by seeing everyone doing it to irony in this responses. How can you doubt the power of the crowd?
tom s.
on 20 Oct 09What, you want to stay on this crappy level we’re on now?
A.Fruit
on 20 Oct 09Ask one of the most influential figures in the history of Japanese auto-making:
And He’s an American
His theories are founded on ever-improvement.
Mark Johnson
on 20 Oct 09+20hp?
Anonymous Coward
on 20 Oct 09On the next level, they give you cookies
snoflingor
on 20 Oct 09Why does a player advance to a new level in a game? An increase in challenge sustains the player’s interest.
Joshua Rudd
on 20 Oct 09It’s the same as turning it up to 11.
Michael
on 20 Oct 09It’s an update. An essential step to keep thins alive. Just what Apple did today …
David Andersen
on 20 Oct 09What isn’t?
Chad Garrett
on 20 Oct 09In Super Mario Bros., it keeps the game interesting. It’s the point of even bothering with the first level.
So you don’t get bored.
Haarball
on 20 Oct 09What all the other smart people said. I don’t think the phrase necessarily alludes to ‘expanding’, increasing’ or some similar corporate/vacuous concept that you might be opposed to, but rather any form of meaningful upgrade or improvement to what it is you do or make. If I interpreted your tone correctly, it’s the context it’s often used in you disapprove of, not the phrase itself (as is the case with so many expressions and words).
Greg
on 20 Oct 09It might make more sense to take it down a notch.
Roll down yer window and smell the cow farm.
CRC
on 20 Oct 09I would say that Lubo nailed it. Assuming that’s what “taking it to the next level” means.
I suspect this question is about whether or not companies (or other organizations) should be pursing “growth for the sake of growth.”
The sensible answer is no. However, the question really needs to go deeper. If “taking it to the next level” means growing (not specifically in numerical/revenue/profit/employee count/customer count way) and improving, then it seems the answer should be yes…we should always be doing this. If you are doing this as a business a natural side-effect is likely (though not guaranteed) to be growth in revenue, profits, etc. You would be “taking it to the next level” to be sure, but indirectly.
developingchris
on 20 Oct 09If you don’t get to the next level, you can’t beat the boss, and save the princess.
Brandon F.
on 20 Oct 09Jason -
The next level is only “so great” if it helps you get to your goal.
but you knew that… So I guess the real question is, “What’s so bad about the Status Quo?”
Andrew
on 20 Oct 09Taking it to the next level means you gave 150%.
Rahul
on 20 Oct 09Apparently it allows you to gain the power to change your life forever. http://www.takingittothenextlevel.com/enter.html (Check out that awesome UI design: “click the above button to enter”)
Francis
on 20 Oct 09As long as there is a next level, why not?
Mark
on 20 Oct 09I think it goes with the whole idea of “continuous improvement” or Kaizen.
I don’t think it has to apply specifically to growing a business or a group, or adding complexity (that wouldn’t really be improvement) or updating. But merely continuing to do the small things which keep the experience a positive one.
If you think how much internal and external forces change constantly, we have to seek to adapt and improve just to maintain the status quo.
David A Teare
on 20 Oct 09The next level can be dangerous b/c it is so easy to say and very hard to do. I find myself setting a goal, achieving it, and instead of being happy, deciding the next level is more important.
I have not yet figured out what is so wonderful about the next level, but I know I mindlessly strive for it. I think it’s a defect :)
Jay Owen
on 21 Oct 09I often ask the same question…
Dave
on 21 Oct 09Showbiz and A.G. explain the Next Level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVCClvapAXQ
SLB
on 21 Oct 09You have to take it to the next level. Or we’d all still be sh*ting in our diapers.
Well, most of us still are. Women outgrow it faster than men.
Austin Schneider
on 21 Oct 09“Let’s start a site like , but take it to the next level.”
It seems that for a lot of start-ups “take it to the next level” doesn’t mean focusing on good customer support, user experience, etc.
Austin Schneider
on 21 Oct 09*like [insert popular site]
Anonymous Coward
on 21 Oct 09Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and…
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten? Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it’s louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it’s one louder, isn’t it? It’s not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You’re on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you’re on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don’t know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.
anon
on 21 Oct 09when you’re at third base, you’ll know
Mark
on 21 Oct 09Why, increased strength and mana, of course. Not to mention hit points.
Jesus A. Domingo
on 21 Oct 09@Mark
New spells and talents also become available :D
Coward
on 21 Oct 09It means baking an extra pie for Thanksgiving.
TrendyGreen
on 21 Oct 09Nirvana is always on the next level!
Nicolo'
on 21 Oct 09Diablo Cody answers http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/10/top-this.html
Don Schenck
on 21 Oct 09@anon’s comment about “third base”: GREAT answer! I love that.
Corporate catchphrase: “We don’t stop at third base!”
Besides, the “next level” is where we “think outside the box” and “shift paradigms” and “give 110 percent!”.
puke
RTA
on 21 Oct 09Ha. I was asked to to this at work by my boss. It became an instant joke.
Chris D
on 21 Oct 09Generally, if you’re only good at the level you’re on, I’m cool if you stay there.
andycamp
on 21 Oct 09c’mon….it’s ++
tommy
on 21 Oct 09if we don’t take things to the next level, we would be stuck with Yahoo as the best search engine…
Ezra Ball
on 21 Oct 09Because that’s where Donkey Kong took Pauline. And I must rescue her!
David S
on 21 Oct 09It’s not great in cases where you have achieved “good enough” – and there are circumstances where good enough really is good enough. In this case, no need to go farther: good enough will suffice.
If you are “at the top” of a field or your product is “best” in a category, then the next level may be just the ability to maintain that position. After all, the “next level” from the top is always down…and there is always someone who is trying to climb the mountain you’re on top of. Staying on top can be brutally hard.
Installero
on 23 Oct 09It helps you understand whether this ‘next’ level make it work better.
Phil Willis
on 27 Oct 09I’m going to take it to the previous level.
Back to basics. Back to square one. Back to the fundamentals. Back to the drawing board.
This discussion is closed.