Book Review

The Gift of Failure

Does anyone else remember a day when getting a trophy meant more than just showing up? Who
remembers getting in trouble at school then feeling immediate dread at the prospect of going home
to face the parents? That’s the way things were for kids growing up in the seventies and eighties,
but kids today have a much different experience. They are used to being praised and rewarded for
frivolous things and having their parents get mad at teachers when something goes wrong at school,
rarely putting the responsibility on the child. Chores? Not an issue, Mom and Dad will do it.
Homework too hard? Well, Mom and Dad will probably do that, too. Author and educator Jessica
Lahey tells us it’s time to stop. In her book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Let Go So Their
Children Can Succeed, Lahey uses her own parenting experience and years of dealing with students
to gently remind parents just how capable and resilient children really are when given the chance to
succeed and, often, fail on their own. This is a book parents of this generation really need. We are so
busy being our child’s primary protector we’ve forgotten how to let our children learn through trial
and error. Just as we learned lessons from our own failures that helped us become the well-
adjusted, contributing members of society we are today, our kids need to be given the opportunity
to fail so they can learn those lessons themselves. Lahey is passionate about helping children learn
to succeed and it comes through in every page. In the first part of this book, she states her case,
and, yes, she has plenty of evidence to support it. She shares her own aha moment when she
realized she was not letting her own sons experience the gift of failure and candidly shares how she
and her husband took steps to correct their parenting style. Spoiler alert, her oldest son was already
in his teens, and it was a difficult adjustment, but they all survived. Lahey points out the flaws in the
current trend of encouraging parents to fight their children’s battles and protect them from every
perceivable harm (real and imagined). This doesn’t help children become problem solvers, and it
doesn’t help with their self-confidence either. She even points out the real reason many parents
can’t let children succeed or fail on their own merits, and it’s a hard pill to swallow. In today’s
society, many parents link their children’s success to their own. Lahey says it is time to separate our
successes from our children’s and allow them to live their lives their way (with loving parental
guidance and appropriate boundaries). She assures parents their children will be more prepared for
adulthood, and their relationships with their children will be stronger for it. By the end of part one,
the reader will have a much clearer understanding of autonomous parenting, the concept of raising
children in a supportive environment but allowing them to age-appropriately self-govern
themselves, and most parents will be ready to think twice before delivering the forgotten homework
assignment to school and bailing out the child who should have planned ahead. But, the really
practical help comes in the second part of the book. Each chapter in part two covers a specific topic
and shows parents how autonomous parenting can be applied to the situation. Some of the topics
covered include the importance of letting children choose their own friends, being the right kind of
sports parent, chores (or, as Lahey calls them, family contributions), and putting children in charge of
their own academic success. Grades and homework have their own respective chapters, and parent-
teacher relationships are covered thoroughly as well. There are even chapters specific to middle
school and high school for parents who are getting into autonomous parenting a little later in the
game. Lahey’s unique perspective as both a mom and an educator keep these topics well-balanced.
She knows her profession, and she knows exactly what works and what doesn’t when it comes to
helping children and teenagers excel in school and life. The truth is we all want our children to know
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how to persevere in the face of failure. We want our children to grow into adults who can handle
whatever life throws our way, but it isn’t easy to watch our children suffer the consequences of their
own mistakes. Jessica Lahey gives us permission to stand back and let the failures come then she
teaches us how to love our children through the initial pain and watch as the pain of failure gives
way to later successes, because those later successes and all the problem-solving it takes to get to
them are the real gift of failure.

Rich Dad Poor Dad

The story begins with the author as a young boy, observing the contrasting financial mindsets and
behaviors of his two dads. His poor dad, who held a high position in education, emphasized the
importance of academic success, job security, and living within one's means. On the other hand, his
rich dad, a successful entrepreneur, believed in building assets, investing wisely, and acquiring
financial knowledge.

Throughout the book, Kiyosaki shares anecdotes and conversations that he had with his rich dad,
who guided him on various aspects of money, wealth creation, and financial independence. He
learns valuable lessons about the difference between assets and liabilities, the power of financial
education, and the importance of taking calculated risks. Kiyosaki emphasizes the significance of
acquiring assets that generate income, such as real estate and businesses, as opposed to liabilities
that drain money, such as excessive consumer debt and unnecessary expenses. He introduces
concepts like the cash flow quadrant, which categorizes individuals as employees, self-employed,
business owners, or investors, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each quadrant.

The book also delves into the mindset and beliefs around money, discussing the importance of
developing a positive relationship with wealth and overcoming limiting beliefs. Kiyosaki stresses the
need for financial literacy and encourages readers to take control of their financial destinies by
seeking out opportunities, learning from mistakes, and continuously educating themselves about
money. This book was not only to help create ideas on how to become wealthier, but to motivate
people to work for themselves and not for others

Tribe Of Mentors

Tribe of Mentors" by Tim Ferriss is a collection of advice and insights from a wide range of
successful individuals in various fields. The book features interviews with over 100 people,
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including entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and more, who share their thoughts on success,
happiness, and life.

Each interviewee answers the same set of questions, offering readers a diverse range of
perspectives and strategies for personal and professional growth. The book covers topics such as
overcoming failure, finding purpose, building resilience, and optimizing performance.

Overall, "Tribe of Mentors" aims to provide readers with valuable advice and wisdom from a
diverse group of successful individuals, offering inspiration and practical tips for achieving their
goals and living a fulfilling life.

Think and Grow Rich

"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill is a classic self-help book that outlines the principles for
achieving personal and financial success. Published in 1937, it remains relevant today for its
timeless advice. Here's a summary of the key ideas:

1. Desire:

 The starting point of all achievement is desire. You must have a burning desire to
achieve your goals.

2. Faith:

 Visualize and believe in the attainment of your desires. Faith is essential in

overcoming challenges and setbacks.

3. Autosuggestion:

 Use positive affirmations to influence your subconscious mind. Repeat statements

of what you want to achieve.

4. Specialized Knowledge:

 Become an expert in your field. Continuous learning and improvement are crucial
for success.

5. Imagination:

 Use your imagination to conceive and visualize your goals. It is the workshop of
the mind.

6. Organized Planning:
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 Create a clear and actionable plan for achieving your goals. Organize your
resources and time effectively.

7. Decision:

 Make prompt and decisive decisions. Avoid procrastination and self-doubt.

8. Persistence:

 Persevere in the face of failure and adversity. Success often comes after many
failures.

9. Power of the Master Mind:

 Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can support and encourage
you.

10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation:

 Channel your sexual energy into creative and productive outlets.

11. The Subconscious Mind:

 Your subconscious mind can be your ally or your enemy. Feed it with positive
thoughts and beliefs.

12. The Brain:

 The brain is a broadcasting and receiving station for thought. Control your
thoughts to control your life.

13. The Sixth Sense:

 Develop your intuition and instincts. Trust your gut feelings in decision-making.

"Think and Grow Rich" emphasizes the power of the mind and positive thinking in achieving
success. It encourages readers to take control of their thoughts, beliefs, and actions to create the
life they desire.

The Art of War

"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is widely studied for
its insights into strategy, tactics, and warfare. Here is a summary of its key ideas:

1. Strategic Planning:
 Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of strategic planning before engaging in
any conflict. He stresses the need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of
both your own forces and those of your enemy.
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2. Flexibility:
 Sun Tzu advises that a successful leader must be flexible and able to adapt to
changing circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of being unpredictable
and keeping your plans secret.
3. Tactical Dispositions:
 Sun Tzu discusses various tactical dispositions, such as the importance of
positioning your forces in advantageous positions and exploiting the
weaknesses of your enemy.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses:
 Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of knowing both your strengths and
weaknesses as well as those of your enemy. He suggests that victory comes
from exploiting the weaknesses of your enemy while minimizing your own
weaknesses.
5. The Use of Spies:
 Sun Tzu discusses the importance of using spies to gather information about
your enemy. He suggests that knowing your enemy's plans and intentions can
give you a significant advantage in battle.
6. Deception:
 Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of deception in warfare. He suggests that
by appearing weak when you are strong, you can deceive your enemy and gain
the upper hand.
7. Attack by Stratagem:
 Sun Tzu advises that the best form of attack is one that is unexpected and
catches your enemy off guard. He suggests using deception and surprise to
gain an advantage.
8. Terrain:
 Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of considering the terrain when planning
a battle. He suggests that the terrain can be used to your advantage and can
help you to defeat a stronger enemy.

Overall, "The Art of War" provides timeless wisdom on strategy, tactics, and leadership that
can be applied not only to warfare but also to many aspects of life, including business,
politics, and personal development.

Steve Jobs’ Advice & Dying Words

I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is
the epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end,
my wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on
my bed and recalling my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I
took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my
death.
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You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you, but you
cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be
found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be found when lost—
Life. Whichever stage in life you’re in right now, with time, you will face the day
when the curtain falls.

Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat
yourself well and cherish others. As we grow older, and hopefully wiser, we
realize that a $3000 or a $30 watch both tell the same time. You will realize that
your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.
Whether you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down—you go down
with it.

Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends,
brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, sing with, talk
about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, that is true happiness. Don’t
educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow
up they will know the value of things and not the price.

Eat your food as your medicine, otherwise, you have to eat medicine as your
food.

The One who loves you will never leave you for another because, even if there
are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on. There is a big
difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really
understand it. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die.
In between, you have to manage.

The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-
confidence, and friends. Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.

concept of why
1. The Golden Circle: Sinek introduces the concept of the "Golden
Circle," which consists of three layers: Why, How, and What. He
argues that most organizations communicate from the outside in,
starting with "What" (what they do), then moving to "How" (how
they do it), and rarely touching on "Why" (why they do what they
do).
2. The Importance of Why: Sinek explains that great leaders and
organizations start with Why. They have a clear sense of purpose,
cause, or belief that inspires them. This clarity of Why is what
attracts others to them and motivates action.
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3. The Law of Diffusion of Innovation: Sinek discusses the Law of
Diffusion of Innovation, which states that in any market, there are
early adopters and early majority. The early adopters are drawn to
the Why, while the early majority are influenced by the early
adopters.
4. Examples: Sinek provides examples of companies like Apple, the
Wright brothers, and Martin Luther King Jr., who started with Why
and were able to inspire others to action.
5. Conclusion: Sinek concludes by emphasizing the importance of
starting with Why, both for individuals and organizations, in order to
inspire loyalty, drive change, and achieve success.

This TED Talk has resonated with many people and has led to discussions
about the importance of purpose and inspiration in leadership and
communication.