Talent will open the door to success, but it alone cannot make you successful. It is the choices you make and the character traits you choose to invest in that will determine the outcome of your endeavors. Exploring the functions and necessity of belief, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance and character, Maxwell walks readers through everything they need to know go move from a place of mere talent to the success they seek. Well organized chapters include engaging anecdotes, key points highlighted in side-page brackets and end with insightful, action-oriented application exercises.
Although not familiar with Mr. Maxwell when I picked up this book, I now count myself among his newest fans! I loved the logical, organized format and the simplicity of the author's points; this material is not rocket science, but applying it creates a big impact.
Especially impressive were the application exercises ending each chapter. Specific, applicable and designed to allow measurable success (or need for improvement), these exercises are far above and beyond standard reflection questions.
I found the author's integrity clearly noticeable throughout the work; he neither recycles material from his previous books, nor hypes them as is common among business writers. He openly admits pieces of wisdom not his own, giving credit and thanks to those who shared them with him. He maintains a positive, common sense tone, placing the dream of ultimate personal success within reach for everyone willing to work for it. I will definitely be reading more of Mr. Maxwell's work!
In accordance with FTC regulations, please note that BookSneeze provided me with a free copy of this book for review, but the opinions expressed herein are my own. I happened to really like this one, but if you check out my other book reviews it will be quite clear that I don't hesitate to give a book bad reviews when I feel they are appropriate. :0)
After hearing about Maxwell for years, I just read my first book by him and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I had not heard of Beyond Talent--it sounds like a similar premise to Gladwell's Outliers, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Have you read that, by chance?
ReplyDeleteIt's not rocket science, like you say, but sometimes an author can say something seemingly obvious in a slightly different way that really makes it "stick" for me.