Customer Reviews

Got What It Takes?: Successful People Reveal How They Made It to the Top

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I enjoy reading about how others have successfully navigated life and their careers. I was pleased to get the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Got What It Takes?: Successful People Reveal How They Made It to the Top by Bill Boggs. While you still have to filter their words and experiences through your own reality, it's a great read for those who are into personal improvement.

Contents:
Introduction - The Reasons for Success
One - The Path to Success: Find Your Path; Get Hired; Capitalize on Luck and Timing; Make Good Decisions
Two - The Mind-sets of Success: Seize Opportunity; Identify Your Drive, Mission, and Purpose; Cultivate Self-Confidence; Strengthen Your Will to Prevail; Defy Category
Three - The Practices of Success: Work Hard; Collect Wisdom; Don't Take Anything for Granted; Take the Risk; Develop Excellent Everyday Practices
Four - The Challenges of Success: Confront Fears, Insecurity, and Other Inner Demons; Learn to Cope with Stress; Allow for Regrets, Failures, and Mistakes; Overcome Adversity; Resist Ruinous Temptations; Keep Your Life in Balance
Five - Advice for Success: Know When to Reassess; Use What You've Got; Industry Advice from the Pros
Acknowledgements

Boggs got the opportunity to interview a large number of well-known and successful people in various industries. There were some names I didn't recognize, but a large number were household names... Maria Bartiromo, Sir Richard Branson, Jim Cramer, Mario Cuomo, Christie Hefner, Matt Lauer, and Norman Lear, to name just a few. The interviews appeared to be very conversational, and the personalities of the different people shine through very well. Boggs took a somewhat different approach than most books of this sort, however. Instead of taking the "person per chapter" route, he divides the book into success components, like working hard, confronting insecurity, and keeping your life in balance. Then for that particular subject matter, he'll pull in the pieces of the interviews that corresponded to that. Seeing how people like Cramer, Anna Quindlen, and Bill Bratton all deal with stress in one consolidated chapter helps you put it all together. Boggs also adds a few "calls to action" on many of the paragraphs, so you don't get to read it all and walk away with no clue as to what to do to put it into your own life.

There is the danger in a book like this to view the people as "perfect", individuals who are hyper-focused and who never make missteps. That's definitely not the case, and there are a few foibles in the different chapters. I think this book works best when you see the underlying principles of importance, paying a bit less attention to the person behind them. There's a wealth of wisdom and examples here, and it's an entertaining read. It's definitely worth reading to see where you need to notch up your performance...

Boggs has put together a treasure trove of tips for upping the quality of your play in work and life. It is imposible to take this book to heart and not benefit in extraordinary ways. I'm twisting the arms of all my terrific students (at one of the best communication schools in the world) to read and use this book. They'll thank me after sensation returns to their extremities.

I bought this as a graduation present for some cousins of mine and they LOVED it-- it's really perfect for a high school or college grad, because there's so many different types of careers represented, and so many people that everyone's heard of, everyone can learn from. One cousin has no idea what she wants to major in-- I didn't want to buy her anything in any one field, but give her something that would stay useful to her in years to come.

This book came as a total surprise. I thought it's only for young upwardly mobile go-getters and not for us "boomers" on the verge of retirement but I was wrong. This is a book for everyone. Inspirational and funny, well organized and insightful. Mr. Boggs gets inside the personalities of the people he interviews and translates their formulas for success into entertaining and life-changing chapters. This is a wonderful book for everyone - whether you want to have a successful career, successful marriage or even just a succesful day. And if you're looking for a great graduation gift to inspire someone just starting out -this it it.

I normally dislike self help books but this one not only had truly helpful information but it read like a cross between US Magazine (due to all the celeb tidbits) AND a truly helpful guide. I loved the insights that these truly successful people in all walks of life shared - from titans of industry to movie stars, I thought this book really had what it takes!!

Talk show pioneer Bill Boggs offers a gem in 'Got What it Takes?'. The book is a collection of lessons learned from interviewing over forty extraordinary people. Sir Richard Branson, Renee Zellwiger, Mario Cuomo, Clive Davis, Donald Trump and Diane von Furstenberg are just some of the wide variety of people interviewed. Boggs, in his inimatably warm and down-to-earth way, collects insights into life and success that are personal, inspiring, and universal. As if that weren't enough, the important ideas are highlighted in bold print for easy reference and review. A wonderful touch! 'Got What it Takes?' is the 'Think and Grow Rich' for the 21st century - I highly recommend it!

Bill Boggs has to be one of the most personable TV hosts around. In this book he turns his years of interviews with the most successful people in many fields into a must-read volume for anyone interested in learning the keys to success. Boy, do I wish I had a book like this when I was younger and struggling with career-path decisions - the insight and advice from these leaders would have been invaluable to me. As it is, I plan on giving a copy to my son, who is just starting out on his professional career. Highly recommended!

I purchased the book for my son who recently graduated from college and started his first job. I read it first and have gained many ideas to use for myself in my own sales career. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing inspiration for moving to the next plateau.

One of my hobbies is seeking out and reading excellent books. Not merely good books, but A+ ones. Life is too short for anything less. Bill Boggs' Got What It Takes?: Successful People Reveal How They Made It to the Top makes it onto my list of such best books. It's easy and fun to read, and you end up learning many wonderful life lessons and acquiring priceless nuggets of wisdom from people who've reached the top of the ladder in their professions. These are hard-won insights we're talking about, easily yours for the taking. What I also like about this book is that the author includes himself as one of the subjects, satisfying your natural curiosity to know more about the person taking you on this literary journey.

One of the side benefits is you become acquainted on an intimate, human level with celebrity types normally out of reach. You share in their private thoughts and learn of their ups and downs -- that, in fact, they're on the same journey as everyone else. I was especially impressed by the detailed "roadmap" to success spelled out in the book, as delineated by the chapter headings. If you've never had a wise parent or relative, or mentor, help you in your life, this book is the next best thing. And it's a work you can return to again and again. I recommend it.

NOTE: THIS REVIEW CAME TO ME VIA GOOD NEWS BROADCAST

"Got What if Takes? Is a great read! It was packed full of personal beliefs that will make any working or living person evaluate their own lives. I love the way he wove the luminaries into an exciting story about how a person succeeds under all odds. The writing style was fast paced and the selection of people was fascinating. This is truly a Good News Book. Paul Sladkus, Founder of Good News Broadcast