Customer Reviews

Make It BIG!: 49 Secrets for Building a Life of Extreme Success

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
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This is one of the best books I've ever read. There are a handful of books I read annually such as the Bible (daily); How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill; The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Classon; and a few others. This book is on that list so much so that I've read at least a chapter of it weekly since reading it a few years back. It comes with 49 short, easy to read chapters with ACTION STEPS for each. For those of you that can do math- that means not counting three weeks vacation time you can read a chapter a week and DO something about it. Not getting three weeks a year off? You DEFINITELY need to read this.

But seriously, the points Frank McKinney makes in this book are simple, but profound-- my personal favorite is the lost art of taking great risks to attain great rewards. In our namby, pamby culture that values the illusion of stability and security this book is a breath of fresh air, and a real, tangible insight on how you can get fantastically wealthy from someone who's done it.

Running a close second is discovering your passion or "highest calling" as early as possible in life, and developing a vision for your passion. To paraphrase Thoreau "Live Deliberately!". So many people these days live like zombies. The light is on, but nobody is home. Nothing they do is by choice, or from the standpoint of being passionate about something and having a purpose, or vision for their lives.

I could point out the virtues of the whole book, but I don't want to re-write it for a review- so I'll end with my third favorite (which may actually be number one in terms of the order of IMPORTANCE to success) It is in Frank's words, taking the "lunch pail approach". In short- show up to work- consistently, persistently, on time and ready to work. Having run several companies, it amazes me how few people possess the integrity and self-discipline to carry out this first and most basic requirement for success. Woody Allen once joked (paraphrasing) that "80% of success is just showing up" and while it was his brand of self-depricating humour to explain why he, of all people, had done so many hit movies-- it's also very, very true. You can't hit a home run if you never step up to the plate, and you can't step up to the plate if you never show up to practice, and take the time to prepare. Showing up to the big game, or the big show-- seeing your name in the lights, starts with integrity and self-discipline in the little, unpleasant tasks of life that nobody sees you doing, and you don't get any credit for, but that you know you should be doing.

I am an EVP for a Fortune 500 company and was on a business trip in San Francisco. During a break I went to a large chain bookstore downtown. There was this unique looking man (long hair and colorful clothing) conducting a book signing with a throng of people surrounding him.

I am an avid reader and rarely get a chance to meet an author. I waited my turn and got a chance to meet Frank McKinney. I must admit I had never heard of him before. He took the time to speak to me as if I were the only one there. He asked what line of work I was in and offered a few of his "philosophies". I was so intrigued that I bought a book for myself, as well as each person in my group. I thought they would get a kick out of it. Well, to a person they have thanked me for the gift. Each has finished the book and we have begun to implement some of the "secrets" found in Mr. McKinney's book. I strongly recommend this book to those who want to make a meaningful change not only in their business, but in their life.

Wow, what a fantastic read. Frank McKinney insights on life have truly inspired me. The wonderful thing about this book is that it focuses on all areas of life. I now want it ALL !!! And I know I can have it all !! Financial success, family success, spirtual success !!! Please read this book, you won't be dissapointed.

While I really liked RDPD, this book gave more. A well thought out book offering insight on how to live a balanced life. Mckinney offers little nuggets (in the form of 49 short "secrets") of insight to all readers, rich, poor and everywhere in between.

Here is how the book reads; a philosophy (one of the 49 secrets) is shared with the reader. Then you are asked to answer a few thought provoking questions, and the relatively short chapters wrap up with how the philosophy (the secret) has been proven to work for Mckinney when applied. I think it is a must read for those trying to better their lives.

This book is incredible and has made a huge impact in my businesses and more importantly, in the quality of my life. Definitely do not be put off by the cover, if that matters to you. I heard about it from another real estate investor that I respect a lot, so I ordered the book. I implemented many of the strategies in my personal and business life and the results have been tremendous! It made such an impact in my business, that I donated enough money for Frank to build two houses through his Caring House Project Foundation. He mentions this organization in the book and I think it is a great thing he is doing. I have the great fortune of having meet Frank in person and was able to spend some time with him and a small group of other people who had donated to his Caring House Project Foundation, where he builds homes for the homeless in some of the poorest countries in the world. He is even more awesome in person than in the book! Thank you to Mike Litman, author of "Conversations with Millionaires", for introducing me to Frank! At the event I attended, Frank and crew raised $250,000 to help build homes for around 800 homeless people in the Caribbean. This book is about how you can increase your personal vision and live a life of Extreme Success, while making a difference in the world. It is not just a How-To guide for real estate investors like Frank and myself but goes into much deeper, yet "easy" to apply philosophies. I have read this book at least 10 times and usually have several copies of it in my car to hand out to others. I have probably given out at least 100 copies of this book and recommended this book to at least 450 or 500 people and without exception, I have received great feedback. (I was online ordering some more copies to handout!) If the cover throws you off, then take the cover off, hide it and then read it anyway! If you take action and apply these philosophies, you will be able to "Make it BIG!" too!

I am an avid reader of business, self improvement and property books and have read literally hundreds from from Kiyosaki to Ken Blanchard etc. I have to say that this book deserves to be a classic in the mould of The Richest Man in Babylon.

This book is amazing considering his education and background. It is so inspirational and full of "substance", contrary to the image that he portrays. It shows you can't judge a book by its cover!! It contains gems for life. Well done Frank, you are amazing for where you have come from and what you have become. Thanks for telling us the meaning of "true wealth" and showing us that success in all areas of one's life can be achieved.

I know that I will be referring to the "secrets" in the book for the rest of my life. Thank you Frank. You are a true champion. It seems from reading the other reviews that many others are "as in awe" as me.

I must admit I bought it because of the cover and what was said on the inside of the jacket, but when I started to read each chapter I couldn't put it down! The best part is that each chapter is only about 5-6 pages long. Depending on what you want to reference, whether it's "exercising your risk threshold", perseverance or sharing your life's blessings with others you can go straight the particular section that interests you. I also loved the fact that Frank believes in giving back to those who are less fortunate than him. Frank's book really provides a balanced approach to life. I would recommend it!

How a kid from rich parents makes it even bigger! - should be the title. I read it thinking it would discuss his luxury spec home business more. It was really about spiritual and emotional development. It does offer some advice based on his beliefs and experiences that are decent. Some good coverage on stretching your risk taking comfort zone.

When my girlfriend gave me a copy of Frank Mckinney's book I was a little hesitant. While I am a single female and thought the cover appealing I almost did what you are not supposed to do, "judge a book by its cover".

I read the first section about having a vision for my passion, then skipped to section four about taking risks. It was the first book that I read where I could just go straight to the section that I wanted to immediately learn about.

By the end of the weekend I had finished the whole book, albeit in a round-about way.

I strongly recommend Make it Big for the reasons I stated above. I really loved how the book's 7 different sections flowed, where each chapter was relatively short and easy to put into action in my own life. Use it as your guide to living a very well balanced life.

This book is not about property investment. It's about Frank's unique recipe for a life well lived. Don't let the long hair and colourful clothes throw you. It is obvious Frank is a relatively young man of exceptional intelligence and energy to make your head spin. I doubt many of us could keep up with him.

Frank runs a tight ship with all the management devices you find in huge government bureaucracies - strategic planning sessions, mission statements, short-term planning and reviewing, performance indicators and staff audits. I suspect he's a shocking control freak.

I had never heard of Frank until a web ad enticed me to join his "webinar". He spoke only plain good sense. No sales nonsense endorsing risky problem-fraught strategies as I half expected. I knew he was absolutely the real deal when I read in his forward a warm acknowledgement of his ghost writer.

It is sad that there are imbeciles out there (see other reviews) that believe he writes his own testimonials or that his long hair invalidates his wisdom (it's actually an artefact of his wisdom as he explains fully).

If I could have read this book 30 years ago I wouldn't have spent so long in government.

Thanks to Frank I'll no longer be too embarrassed to wear a pretty bow tie when I'm consulting. And he has inspired me to exercise my "risk muscle" - it's time for me to "up the ante" in terms of my own real estate investment strategies. And he's challenged me to loosen up and let go of some of my "Scrooge-ish tendencies"

I'll make sure my eldest son and grandson get to read this book.
Vic Barnes PhD