Bo Bennett knows about success. By the age of 29 he had developed, built up and sold an innovative technology company during the peak of the tech boom and sold it for $20,000,000 -- and got to keep most of it! He now gives back information and inspiration that can lead others to live a successful life in his debut book, Year To Success.
Bo represents a new generation of self-made millionaires, using creativity and initiative to exploit the latest developments in the fast-growing technology and service sectors. Many of the ideas in his book came from his independent pursuit of success and were later validated by the end results and echoed by other leaders and entrepreneurs.
"There are no secret formulas or insider rules to be acquired," says Bo. "In fact, many of the principles are not new, but rather, they are time-tested, proven and self-evident. This is perhaps the most comprehensive book, filled with simply stated values of how to become successful." In fact, where most people trumpet quick paths to boundless wealth, Bo purposely slows it down and creates a year-long program and systematic approach that has roots in the teachings of the masters of success: Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, Zig Ziglar, Denis Waitley, and Anthony Robbins.
"This catalog of time-honored methods presents a primer of core values and success principles for the next generation to utilize and put into place," says Bo. “It’s not something you can master in just one seminar; it takes daily practice for an entire year to absorb all of the vital principles one needs to utilize for success.”
Bo addresses the following story topics:
He shares literally thousands of principles, including: view failure as being temporary; never, ever lie; face your weaknesses; be a mentor; take initiative; never be a one-upper; and shows us how to find opportunities. He also emphasizes the need for time mastery, self-discipline, having a strong vocabulary, mastering grammar basics, learning speed-reading; and implores us to take up martial arts -- "it gives you confidence, discipline, fitness, security and goals."
Year To Success draws on the wisdom and inspiring words of model success stories, sharing the insight of dozens of political leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, inventors, and modern-day celebrities. Members of this diverse group include: Thomas Edison, Mary Kay Ash, Ben Franklin, J.K. Rowling, Albert Einstein, Michael Bloomberg, Helen Keller and Jackie Chan. Many references to pop culture and movies are made, providing easily identifiable examples, drawing on movies such as The Godfather, Crocodile Dundee, What About Bob, The Shining, and Naked Gun.
Bo shares some valuable insights into what success is -- or isn't. He says:
"The pursuit of quick riches only leads to cons, scams and shady sales jobs. Anyone promising instant fortune with little or no effort really means that they will become instantly rich off people who send them money."
"Nobody can tell you exactly how to become successful. Lasting success must be achieved through passion, and only you know what you are passionate about."
"Many people who sell 'how to get rich' ideas only became rich themselves by selling their own books, tapes and seminars on how to get rich! These are authors that usually hide their professional background from their readers."
Year To Success also tells us how to: handle mistakes; recognize a dead end, make strong first impressions; sacrifice; make decisions; make the best of a bad situation. Readers are also encouraged to create a "dream collage," which is a collection of photos, magazine clips or other images that define our ideas of success and read like a photo album of the life we'd like to live. It serves as an inspiring visual reminder.
Year To Success highlights Bo's foundation for success: education plus inspiration plus action equals success.
Bo warns us that one of the biggest mistakes people make in the pursuit of success is "giving up on single ideas, beliefs, skills and concepts because they see little or no change from them. They change to a successful behavior, notice no change, and then revert back to old behavior. This is like taking a step up your ladder, not being able to see the top any better, then stepping back down. With this pattern, you can easily see why so many never reach success."
Bo reminds us to be people of action: "Taking action is what this book is all about. It is doing the action steps that bring you closer to success." Or as Walt Disney said, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." Bo knows of no other way.
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-4566-0003-7 / ISBN (print): 978-1-4566-2457-6 / Published by: Archieboy Holdings, LLC. / Published: 2004-01-01
Year To Success is quite an impressive collection of advice and inspiration.
I'm not sure how this book can't change your life for the better. I have read my share of self help books and Bo Bennett and I have read many of the same ones (according to his many references in the book). This is a great book that distills many of the key learnings he has had and I love the action steps. For me, I think the way I am going to use the book is to revisit the action steps as often as possible to move from the learning position to action. I had a hard time not reading ahead and now I will revisit the "days" that I think that will really help me grow now. Great work to the author, thank you for your contribution to readers.
Five Stars. For anyone wanting to make the next 12 months the best period of their life, this book is a great source for improving your life and becoming more successful in many ways. It not only covers those things we may consider important, it also covers things we might not have recognized as important before. Great book for improving your life a day at a time! Love it!
A Great Guide to Get What You Want Out of Life. I think everyone can get a lot out of this book. Whether your goal is to make lots of money, be happy, help others, or whatever else, this book will put you on the path to recognizing and achieving your goals.
Five Stars. This has been the best book of my life!
