Official Review: Navigating Through THE Valleys of Success

Kelebogile Mbangi · Post by **Kelebogile Mbangi** » 16 Feb 2018, 18:18

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Navigating Through THE Valleys of Success" by Cleon Joseph.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Navigating Through the Valleys of Success is a nonfiction book by Cleon Joseph. The author aims to inspire those on the verge of giving up. He acknowledges that we face daunting obstacles - fear of failure, finances, draining work environments - the list is endless. Yet, he encourages his readers not give up on their entrepreneurial dreams.

In the first few chapters, Cleon narrates how his father, a successful entrepreneur, lost everything and hit rock bottom. That experience rocked Cleon to his core, leading him to yearn for job security. As a result, he became a police officer. After a few years, he jumped at the opportunity of joining the Training Division. Having always been passionate about fitness, he poured himself into his work. Surprisingly, he received negative reactions from his superiors. He then realized that he would not find true fulfillment in his nine-to-five job. He had been suppressing his entrepreneural spirit for far too long. After obtaining the necessary training and certification, he started his own business, CJ's Functional Fitness. Throughout the rest of the book, he shares his life experiences from that point on and highlights important life lessons that he has acquired.

The author emphasizes the importance of embracing our valleys. In the prologue, he explains that these valleys are symbolic of the challenges and difficulties we must face. He goes on to demonstrate this through his personal experiences. I learned that instead of wallowing in self pity when faced with trials, I should welcome and learn from them.

The author narrates his experiences with such feeling and energy. Not only that, but most of these experiences are unpretentious and relatable. I appreciate that the author was willing to share potentially embarrassing moments in his life. For example, he divulges that there was a point in his life where he depended on unemployment checks.

For me, the best part of the book is when the author narrates how he grew his business. He began operating CJ's Functional Fitness while the economy was doing poorly. Instead of letting this put a damper on his plans, he used it to his advantage. What's more, he held onto his day job while growing his business. It was refreshingly different that the author of this book valued job security.

Although the author mentions his faith throughout the book, I am positive that even non-religious readers will be able to enjoy this book. I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It contains a disturbing number of typos. These typos obscure the meaning of some sentences.

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Navigating Through THE Valleys of Success
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Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 17 Feb 2018, 09:59

I am not a reader of motivational books, but I enjoyed reading your review and I think that maybe I should give this type of books a second chance. Thank you.

kiwan · Post by **kiwan** » 17 Feb 2018, 10:11

I am trying to read motivational books, but I enjoyed reading books

Hildah Mose · Post by **Hildah Mose** » 17 Feb 2018, 10:19

I love reading people's experiences and somehow see if they relate to mine. I think I read this book soon. Thanks for your review. I loved it

Post by **kandscreeley** » 17 Feb 2018, 10:42

Valleys seem to be part of everyone's life. It is how you navigate them that matters. I'm curious about the author's experience. Still it seems like it needs some editing. Thanks for the information.

Kalin Adi · Post by **Kalin Adi** » 17 Feb 2018, 11:39

How sad it is when you have a goal and are working hard to get it and people do not give you a hand, and what's worse, try to persuade you to give up. I understand how Cleon must have felt when his superiors had only negative reactions about his passion. Since today he's a successful business entrepreneur, he proved them wrong. Thanks for sharing this good story.

LANY 3118 · Post by **LANY 3118** » 17 Feb 2018, 13:07

Totally agree with you. I could say, everyone could relate and apply it to their lives just like what I'm doing. You guys better read this.

K1llarn3y · Post by **K1llarn3y** » 17 Feb 2018, 16:01

Very detailed review. Love motivational books, will buy this

NeonKay · Post by **NeonKay** » 17 Feb 2018, 22:38

I love how you wrote your review of this book. It sounds really interesting to my ear and it makes me feel proud in the author's part. I feel sorry for a number of typos in his book. I wished it was proofread before it's release to the public.

drunyan · Post by **drunyan** » 17 Feb 2018, 22:51

I wish I could say that this book sounds appealing. I am stuck in one of those valleys that the author probably is talking about. Motivational stuff is even harder to read when you are not even motivated to open a book!

Kat Berg · Post by **Kat Berg** » 18 Feb 2018, 02:16

kandscreeley wrote: ↑17 Feb 2018, 10:42 Valleys seem to be part of everyone's life. It is how you navigate them that matters. I'm curious about the author's experience. Still it seems like it needs some editing. Thanks for the information.

Yes! So true. Valleys, or difficulties, are an inescapable part of life. And I do appreciate reading about how people navigate them. However, the "disturbing number of typos" would cause me to be reluctant to read the book.