Business Book Review: Success is a Choice by John C. Maxwell
Maxwell not only gives us permission to focus our energy on our strengths - he demands it. Knowing the choice for success is impossible without it.
My Rating: ★★★★
Length: 207 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: Oct 2022
Applying the Book to Personal Branding
In this book, Maxwell proposes a 14-part framework for making the choice of success:
Commit to choices that bring success
Believe in yourself
Fire up your passion
Initiate action
Focus your energy
Value preparation
Embrace practice
Embody perseverance
Demonstrate courage
Become more teachable
Develop strong character
Cultivate good relationships
Commit to responsibility
Lean into teamwork
All areas are showered with actionable pearls of wisdom. But one premise stands out, in particular, for personal branding. Maxwell discusses focusing on strengths over weaknesses. You must then be relentless in the choice to practise and persevere in these strengths in order to achieve your greatest potential. The choice separates those who just have talent alone.
Personal branding is being intentional about the person you want to be. And in branding, consistency is key. Maxwell heartens you towards the greatness of your God-given gifts. And to make the choice for them every day.
Favourite Quotes
In their book, Now, Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton state that every person is capable of doing something better than the next ten thousand people.
You have God-given talent; develop it.
The key choices you make—apart from the natural talent you already have—will set you apart from others who have talent alone.
The most difficult part of practising the piano is sitting down at the keyboard.
“Success is the progressive realization of a predetermined worthwhile goal.”… success is not an event; it is a process. And anytime you engage in a process that takes time, focus is essential.
Being intentional is about focusing on doing the right things, moment by moment, day to day, and then following through with them in a consistent way.
People’s lives change when they change something they do every day. That’s how they change the “who they wish to be” into “who they really are”.
Maxwell does what he does best - communicating complex ideas remarkably simply. Yet, so profoundly that his message is indisputable.
From classic poetry to real-world sports references, Maxwell speaks all languages. The breadth of the book's litany of references is at times staggering. From quoting philosopher-poet Ralph Waldo Emerson to recounting NBA’s Boston’s Celtics. Yet, in true Maxwell style, it’s all skilfully cohesive. He clearly appeals to a person’s multi-faceted interests and experience.
In Success is a Choice, and as the reader, you decide what choice you make from here.
Success is a Choice: Available on Amazon.
