How to be successful: Think like a leader by M. Curtis McCoy is a short, crisp and ingenious compendium that stays true to its title and gives tips and insights on how to become successful upheld by the stories of leaders who have achieved their desired success in life. The author has managed to keep their accounts concise by introducing a 15-line questionnaire to these successful entrepreneurs from different domains ranging from a US Navy SEAL sniper to a pastor, CMO, musician, publisher and authors. These interviews are conflated with lessons and wisdom that the author has espoused from personal experience.
M. Curtis McCoy is an author, business owner, and keynote speaker, who was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes at 27 months old. However, the author never let it become a setback and achieved success in various industries by the age of 27. This was not all, at 27 he was diagnosed with brain cancer, which he fought and made a comeback with the help of his family and re-establishes himself into the business. The author mentions in the book that
Hence, he opens the book by asking the readers to look for excuses that prevent an individual from pursuing their goals forestalling their success, and ends on giving a reality check on what happens ‘after’ one achieves success. In between the author, through a lot of stories, gives multiple lessons on developments and improvements crucial on the journey to success. Some of these include delayed gratification, developing new and quality friendships, and tips on personality development.“Life is what you decide to make of it.”
Though the knowledge and wisdom acquired by the author from his impediments and experiences in life are perspicacious and inspiring, the glimpse that one gets into the lives of the 8 successful mentors through their interviews escalates the interest in the book. Through these interviews, the readers shall get inside stories of how the ‘success laid in the process’ of these individual’s journeys. It also gives the impression of their thought process. It is also interesting to note how each individual holds some very different and some similar opinions and ideas about success, opportunities and its management, daily improvements, inspirations in life and valuable character traits.
I also liked how the author has presented an interview of himself, hence asking what does he mean by success. This made me realize how many times we seek answers from others, relying on other people’s principles and ideas of success and ways of achieving it, than developing one for ourselves. The readers can try and implement some of the author’s questions to themselves which can help them develop their understanding and criteria for success. I also loved the fact of how the author has not tried to paint a picture-perfect scene, giving guides and pointed methods of achieving success. Rather, the author has shared some harsh realities of getting into business or entrepreneurship and also burst the myth about an “overnight success”.
There were also a few sections in the book that the author has mentioned and presented in a manner that gives freedom to let the readers analyze it for themselves and subsequently make an informed decision. I appreciate how the author has kept the book to the point, without exaggerating the individual ideas and lessons. This made the content to not feel overwhelming and easy to read. I also liked the various book references from different interviewers. However, the author also being a strong believer makes a few scriptural references to support a few of his ideas. These mentions of Christian faith in the book by the author and some interviewers can be off-putting to people who don’t entrust into such ideas.
With only 185 pages long, the book has a lot to offer, as it talks majorly about an overall success than success into new or established businesses. The book also appeared to be scrumptiously edited and hence I will like to give the book a 4 out of 4 stars rating. The book gives insight from people’s stories before they became a success which can be very motivational and insightful for aspiring entrepreneurs. Though I will not like to restrict it to only entrepreneurs as the lessons on personality development and friendship shall prove beneficial to anyone and everyone. I believe it will be a worthwhile and quick read providing valuable perspective to people aspiring for overall success.
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How To Be Successful
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