Success Built to Last: Creating a Life that Matters by Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery and Mark Thompson
Notes by Jason Shen (jason@jasonshen.com)
The Big Idea:
Enduringly successful people have created lives that matters through finding meaning, employing a positive and resourceful mindset and having a bias towards action.
Stories
Jack Lalanne was a sickly, depressed and bullied child who tried to commit suicide at age 15. But after discovering the power of exercise, his life changed and the rest is history - selling 200 fitness clubs to Bally's Total Fitness, and multiple world records in swimming, pushups and other fitness activities.
Condeleeza Rice - was a music major who started college at age 15, realized she could be good pianist but never a virtuoso, and later chose to study international relations, teaching at Stanford when she was in her 20's.
Meaning
Enduringly successful people
- Don't just look for fame, money and power (even though many have them) or get distracted by Bright Shiny Objects
- Pursue things that give personal meaning to their lives
- Don't try to "balance" their lives in the traditional - their hard work is a result of nearly irrational exuberance
- Know that they can have and pursue several intense passions over their lives
Thoughtstyle
Enduringly successful people:
- Aren't always extroverted, but can't help but be charismatic about their
- Use their many mistakes as opportunities to grow and become better
- Find creative ways to overcome and embrace their weaknesses
- Use pain to help them find their passion
Actionstyle
Enduringly successful people:
- Earn their luck through preparation, hard work and big goals
- Create alignment in their teams, relationships, words/actions, and environment
- Encourage open conversation and welcome dissent and criticism
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