Book Review – Start Where You Are

The Pursuit of Happyness

The #1 New York Times bestselling memoir and blockbuster movie starring Will Smith – inspired millions of people and brought Chris Gardner sudden fame. Thousands of fans all over the world contacted him, sharing their own stories of struggle and triumph and asking him two important questions: “How did you do it?” and “How can I do it too?” And now, as countless people are being forced to start over, Chris is approached and asked the keys to success on a daily basis.At last Chris Gardner shares his philosophies on, and the crucial steps behind, creating a fulfilling, successful life in Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Having conquered seemingly impossible challenges on his way to becoming a profitable entrepreneur, popular speaker and dedicated activist, Gardner’s aim in Start Where You Are is to give back by motivating others to claim ownership of their dreams and achieve their full potential – beginning right now and capitalizing on the resources already in place while building towards bigger goals and ambitions.The book provides a much-needed blueprint for navigating this tumultuous time with positivity, courage, tenacity, discipline and common sense. Distilling his beliefs into 44 profound yet accessible chapters, Gardner offers practical advice for tackling life’s problems and seizing its opportunities, all with his trademark humor and “tell it like it is” attitude. He begins by encouraging readers to “Find Your Button,” what they love to do, what excites them, and advises that without this passion they are doomed for unfulfillment. Now is the time for dreaming big, transferring your skills and using your experience – which no pink slip can take away from you. But, Gardner cautions, net worth does not equal self worth so “Find Out Your ‘Why’” and don’t pursue anything for the money alone.

Other core principles include “Baby Steps Count Too, As Long As You Go Forward,” “No Test, No Testimony,” “The Law of Hard Work Is No Secret,” “Learn the Ropes First, Then Conquer Rome” and “Don’t Postpone Joy.” Whether facing a layoff, struggling with fallout from the past, considering a career change or looking for true fulfillment outside of the office, readers of Start Where You Are will be empowered with the tools they need to follow Chris Gardner’s inspiring, encouraging lead and undertake their own personal pursuit of happyness. Upbeat and uplifting, the book puts forth a clear-cut plan anyone can use to transform vague hopes into concrete realities.

Start Where You Are By Chris Gardner with Mim Eichler Rivas

Amistad/HarperCollins; 320 pages; $26.95 Hardcover

ISBN-10: 006153711X
ISBN-13: 978-0061537110

[ Article by | ChrisGardnerMedia.com ]