The Skinny on Success
Why not you?

by Jim Randel

      “The Skinny on” series deals with different topics using a unique format of stick figures drawings and snippets of advice taken from a variety of sources.

As Jim Randel tells us in the introduction, he and his team do the reading on each topic and interview the experts, then summarize the pearls of wisdom they have obtained through their research. This way, we, the readers, can acquire the knowledge without a huge investment of our time.

The series does not pretend to be a treatise on each subject, but in its light, fun way does give you an overview. It also provides a comprehensive bibliography that will allow you to pursue the subject further.

The Skinny on Success demystifies the road to success. Success, we are repeatedly told, does not follow a genetic predisposition or talent for a certain endeavor, or happen only to a few lucky ones. On the contrary, most experts agree, talent is overrated. 99% of the time, success is the result of hard work and a specific mindset.

Aptitude is not the most important prerequisite for success. It comes in a late fifth after determination, courage, tenacity and patience. The most important tool to success is the drive to improve.

The first step to succeed is to identify your passion, envision your dream. Although some people have known it since they were children (eight seems to be the magic number), for others it takes longer.

The second is to be prepared. The road to success is long and winding. By expecting adversity, you prepare your mind and you do not give up when it appears.

There may be as many roads to success as successful people, but for most, clarity of goal, hard work and persistence do the trick.

Follow your dreams, the Roman Historian Tacitus seems to imply when he tells us, "The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise."

Simply told and easy to follow, as are the other three books in this series I have reviewed, The Skinny on Success is a winner.