Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work [Hardcover]

Kevin Carroll (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 7, 2005

With simple but delightful storytelling, Kevin Carroll channels his childhood passion for sport and play into a universally appealing blueprint for life. Drawing wisdom from the playgrounds of his youth, where he spent hour upon hour sharpening his body and his mind, Carroll shares with readers his Rules of the Red Rubber Ball - how to achieve maximum human potential through the power of passion and creativity. Finding your own -red rubber ball+ and chasing it to your heart+s content, he argues, is the surest route to peace, prosperity, and happiness. Over the years as an athletic trainer and public speaker, Carroll has transformed his philosophy into seven simple rules that any successful leader will endorse: 1) Commit to it2) Seek out encouragers 3) Work out your creative muscle4) Prepare to shine5) Speak up6) Expect the unexpected7) Maximize the day With an award-winning design and color photos throughout, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball will inspire the child in everyone for generations to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...adult’s version of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! -— a pocket-size guide to finding your way in life." -- Newsweek

"If I were running a 25,000-person company today, I’d surely buy Rules for all of my employees!" -- Tom Peters, management consultant

About the Author

Founder of The Katalyst Consultancy, Kevin Carroll is an inspirational speaker who has motivated the business leaders at Nike, Starbucks, The Discovery Channel, ESPN, HSBC Bank, Mattel, Capital One and the National Hockey League. Before embarking on the speakers' circuit, he parlayed his passion for sport and play into jobs as the head athletic trainer for St. Joseph's University, the head athletic trainerfor the Philadelphia 76ers, and a motivational adviser for Nike. From1980-1990, he served in the Air Force as a linguist. He speaks six languages: English, Croatian, Czech, Serbian, German and Russian.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: ESPN; Autographed by author, Kevin Carroll! edition (September 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933060026
• ISBN-13: 978-1933060026
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 5.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology

More About the Author

Kevin Carroll is founder of the Katalyst

Consultancy and former Head

Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia

76ers. He speaks fifty times a year

and consults with industry leaders

at Nike, Disney/ESPN, Gap/Old

Navy, Hasbro, Proctor & Gamble,

and Capital One.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bounce the Red Rubber Ball to Someone Else June 13, 2006

By Michael Frederickson

Format:Hardcover

After recently purchasing this book, I was so enthusiastic about its inspiration and clarity, that I bought another as a gift for a 16-year-old young man whom I thought could grasp the important messages that author Carroll is sending. However, I kept feeling that something was missing from this motivational story. What I realized is that Carroll is not only successful today due to allowing his inner strength and voice to help lead his way through life, but he also had strong contributions from others (his Grandmother, teachers, etc.) while creating his way. Unfortunately, with today's culture of "It's all about me," Carroll doesn't plant the idea anywhere in this book that once you realize your goals (or even during the process), part of the journey might include you becoming that teacher or "encourager" that he suggests you should seek out when finding your dream. I'm certain that the author does indeed give back, no doubt by setting an example for others, if not actively being involved in community service. But, adding a Chapter 8 with a message that finding and sustaining your life's work is just as much about changing yourself as it is at the same time how you can affect someone else's life by giving back. Whether it's donating your time, money or skills, contributing to your community completes a fulfilling and meaningful life. You can bounce that red rubber ball all by yourself, or you can share it with others.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic little powerful book June 18, 2008

By Fernanda Franco VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I loved this book which is cleverly illustrated. It put a big smile on my face! Certainly inspirational in a very light but profound way Kevin Carroll takes us through his journey with the Red Rubber Ball (pages have colorful drawings and excellent design) and how he has found inspiration to shine in his life while making a difference in the world and going for his dreams. With his seven simple rules he has accomplished a lot (along with well-being), Carroll is an athlete, one of the first afro-american NBA's trainers, speaker and has a leadership position at Nike. All because he followed his passion for the Red Rubber Ball... He talks about every day being a chance to look for something unexpected and about making life our playground to have fun in whatever we are passionate about. I say that is a pretty miraculous way to go through life and reminds me of the work of Ariel and Shya Kane. They are catalysts for having a brilliant life regardless of the circumstances, their books Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation, How To Create a Magical Relationship and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment as well as their 3 Principles of Transformation are excellent guides to live a fun fresh life full of opportunities, right here right now no need to wait for the future. If you're interested in having your life be magical and fun, creating opportunities and living to the fullest, I highly recommend checking out both Carroll and the Kanes.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Find your ball...don't take it and go home! September 27, 2005

By Philip R. Gerbyshak

Format:Hardcover

This is a surprisingly fun and simple read, but the message is oh so powerful. Kevin Carroll talks about finding your passion, whatever that is, and finding a way to turn that into your life. For many of us looking for our passion, this book serves as a reminder to never give up, no matter how silly it might seem to others. Don't take your ball and go home...Find it and play with it as much as you can!