Customer Reviews

Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not long ago, I made the difficult choice to open up my own practice as a therapist. After years of working in human resources and relying on a steady paycheck, I was nervous to go into business for myself - having never done anything like this! When I told a friend about my worries, that I lacked the know-how to make a success of my dream, she recommended "Start Where You Are". I had been moved by the movie of Gardner's life and recalled that many of my clients, who were struggling with a variety of issues, had been inspired by his journey from homelessness and single parenthood to success. Still, I didn't expect that his new book, in which he explores the lessons that allowed him to succeed, would have so much relevance for me. But from the moment I opened it up and read the very first lesson ("Without a Plan, A Dream is Just a Dream"), I was hooked! It is chockfull of stories from his own life and from famous individuals as well as "everyday" people he meets. They are a constant reminder that no matter how tough a situation may seem, someone else has overcome that obstacle and prevailed. The lessons also reinforce the idea that we all already have the resources we need to be successful, if only we take the time to recognize them and put them to use. That has been transformational for me in my new role as a business person.

As a therapist, I have already recommended this book for its eyeopening and practical insights. In particular, the chapter called "The Thorny and Golden Past" has been helpful for many of my clients who are reluctant to talk about the past or who don't recognize what joy can come from self-discovery and from the freedom of dealing with it. The discussion about Spiritual Genetics is fascinating, as is the lesson on "Breaking Generational Cycles".

This book should also be required reading for any free-lance person, small-business owner, or executive, either just starting out or in the process of reinventing yourself or your company. Although Chris Gardner has a deceptively simple, clear way of imparting his wisdom, "Start Where You Are" does give you a dose of tough love. It will challenge you to get out of your rut and to stop excuses. For those reasons, I give it five stars, and compare it to "The Road Less Traveled". At a time when everyone else is talking about the economic collapse, Chris Gardner has the audacity to remind us that there are not easy fixes, but that with tenacity and vision, we can achieve real joy in life.

Chris Gardner's story is well-known from his first book, The Pursuit of Happyness. In "Start Where You Are" he, and co-author Mim Rivas, collect additional stories that are tied together in a very enjoyable book. The stories are divided into six sections, Start Where You Are, The Thorny and Golden Past, Hitting the Anvil, Your Empowerment Zone, Spiritual Genetics, and The Good Old Everyday.

As an investment advisor, I particularly enjoyed Mo' Money, Mo' Options, Mo' Problems. His observations about people's attitudes toward money, his three questions, and the transition to the next chapter, "Money is the Least Significant Component of Wealth", are worth the price of the book.

I give the book five stars because there are so many inspiring stories in this book. If you read one a day, at the beach, it will take you through most of the summer! If you're like me, you'll be rereading a few after just a couple of days. I couldn't put it down. For those that like me, are human, this book provides a positive message that is not only inspirational but also enjoyable. Happy Reading!

Paul Puckett - Author

Investiphobia: You Can Invest Without Fear!

Unlike most self-help books, this one actually offers some solid advice. Like most self-help books, it gives the impression that following this advice will duplicate the author's success rather than somewhat increase your focus or improve your work habits. I like how the author makes his points with storytelling and includes some life lessons from people who are decidedly unsuccessful in some arenas of life. Many people expect their role models to be paragons of virtue to be worthy of advice, and are missing out because of it. If you are a self-help aficionado, this book is one of the better ones I have encountered.

I want to do a shout-out to a book I mentioned in yesterday's blog: Start Where You Are, by Chris Gardner, the guy who inspired the movie The Pursuit of Happyness (based on his memoir). I have read many books in the self-help/career search genre this year and after a while, they start to sound the same.

Which is why this book is such a stand-out. Mr. Gardner's book is by far the best I've read (actually listened to as an audiobook). Perhaps because he is speaking from hard-won experience and has a real passion to help others, his words ring true and inspirational. Unlike other books that seem to promise that everything is possible if we just 'picture' what we want, Mr. Gardner is an advocate of single minded focus and hard work, what he calls, 'hitting the anvil'.

One lasting thought that really made an impression: if you really want to succeed, work for yourself. Be an entrepreneur. Work for yourself.

The Pursuit of Happyness: Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is an inspirational feel-good guide for anyone searching for a better life.

1) This includes those who feel down and out as if life has manipulated the gaming table against them.

2) It is for people who want to become all they can be, but don't have the confidence to "make it so."

3) Finally, it is written for those who have done well with their lives, but hunger for something much greater, something more satisfying than muddling through with a nice paycheck.

If you are one of these folks and many of us are, Start Where You Are will inspire you, just as you might inspire a baby, to take your first steps toward a life fulfilling goal. In the books opening pages, Gardner's encouraging message is this. First, set aside any and all negative feelings because you and he will begin your life changing journey by starting where you are right now.

Some place in my past, I remember hearing the expression or slogan, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!" Well, that is Start Where You Are's first mental commandment. You have the power of the present on your side, along with an abundance of resources you can tap.

You also need some kind of road map to follow. Although Gardner suggests that even Lewis and Clark had a map, actually drawing your own map either in your mind or on paper, is essential. You need a specific plan to reach your goal. As a former educator, this reviewer would highly recommend using a pencil and paper. Drawing out your map and keeping it close at hand WILL make it happen.

After reading Start Where You Are I came up with this example. Suppose you want to be a master automobile engine mechanic. Then, that is the button you need to push-start NOW. Obviously, you need to measure the skills you have at this moment, over-against the skills you will need to work on today's engines.

Already, you may possess basic knowledge of the internal combustion engine. But you will have to learn the basics of computerized engine technology. NOW you must map out what courses you will take, and exactly where you will take them to prepare yourself for a job change.

The important thing is that regardless of your age, it's time to stop daydreaming about what could be. NOW, at this very moment, pick up the phone, or go to a library, or check on the internet to locate the nearest automotive training center and set an actual date to talk with that center's advisor.

Armed with his advice and the school's brochure, you can map out exactly what courses you will need, where you will get a loan if needed, and a precise date for starting. You can also make a list of the garages in the area along with their phone numbers so you are prepared to find a job the day after you graduate.

Throughout Start Where You Are, Gardner empowers you with the self-confidence and will power to work hard, to keep going, to face any difficulty you might encounter. Can this be done in a day, or a week? Surely not, but it can be done. He continually drills that point home--it can be done starting NOW!

This is a book I would recommend to anyone who feels stuck in a rut. Often people feel that they come from a downtrodden family line where one simply accepts the hand that life deals them. It has always been that way so why "beat against the goad," or "No one else in this family has ever gone to college, so I probably couldn't make it either." According to Start Where You Are that is nonsense.

Gardner would say that's BS so if you've stepped in it, leave your shoe there, pull your foot out, and move on. You are what you want to be. We are all born in the image of God and have the intelligence not to just dream, but to wake up, trust our inner voice, and and "make yourself proud."

Other interesting reads:

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Secret to Life Transformation: How to Claim Your Destiny Now!

The Big Butts of Life. Get Off Your Excuses and Do Big Things1

The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)

"Start Where You Are" is a refreshing reminder for those that forget that the only people who can make a difference in one's life is his/herself. I haven't read his first book, "The Pursuit of happiness," but his personal story seems interesting enough to try it in the future.

Gardner's latest isn't just a "think positive" or "self-help" book. Six different parts of "Start Where You Are" provide a realistic plan based on reality, and focuses on action. During adverse times, be they personal difficulties, professional ones, or socio-economic struggles, people need to focus on action, obviously.

There are testimonials in "Start Where You Are." Honestly, I'm not impressed by, nor want to hear testimony from professional or Olympic athletes, movie stars, financial "gurus," CEOs, surgeons, or pundits on how they became "happy" or what they think about "happiness." These famous testimonials are published several times of year in several different books. My job and my personal goals are not the same as those mentioned above. I'm a "regular person" who has different interests and circumstances. The only common denominator is that myself, like most folks, and those mentioned above, want to maintain, enhance, or acquire a form of happiness - happiness....is in your head. It's nowhere else. I like the authors apt take that yes, More money means more options and often more problems. Fixating on "money" can lead one astray to what is intended. Money is a vehicle that can facilitate a path to being content, but again, being content is in

one's mind.

All situations in our lives are temporary: our jobs, relationship, place of living, etc. Nothing is permanent; everything is temporary.

I do like the focus of this book: you.

The only one that can change these temporary circumstances is you. As author Gardner says "No, the cavalry isn't coming." There will be no savior to knock on the door or fall out of the sky. That is illusionary day-dream thinking. Nothing wrong with dreaming. It's healthy. But these dreams need to be realistic and be acted upon. Proactive, not passive. Passivity doesn't lead to change or trying new things, or pursuing new challenges.

There are also wise words on self-reflection. Readers (people) should look back on their lives and realize and understand as objectively as possible how they came to where they are in all facets of life. What negative traits do we have? What bad decision did we make, or what good ones did we fail to make? And, what good moves did we act on?

"Stay Where You Are" is a positive reinforcer to those going through or anticipating change. It can be change that is unexpected and stressful, or positively planned change, such as starting a new business or new career path.

In the end, we all know....it's up to us.

The timing of the Chris Gardner book "Start Where You Are" could not have come at a more critical moment. Very well written easy to understand guide for anyone who no matter their situation could benefit from. Make the plan, work the plan being sure to keep Chris's book at your side at all times.

I bought this during the end of my recent vacation as a pastime refuge while waiting for my plane to arrive for a long trip home. I was happy to see a new book from Chris Gardner after the success of his earlier autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, and eager to read it since I heard him announce the book's possible debut during a book signing a few years ago.

Gardner's new book is definitely a self-help testimony, but it keeps his intellectual yet raw edge of looking at life, past and present, to finally help cast a net into your own future. I am literally in the middle of the book - on page 117 to be exact, so my review may be a little premature to divulge my take, however from what I have consumed has been rather refreshing.

Gardner is frank and compassionate about you getting to know You. He leads the book with that very factor of you getting to the core of how you became who you are, how you got there and who helped pave the way. I will admit I am a fanatic of self-help books, since I am a fan of change but perplexed when I resist to do it, so I will pick up a book to see what another person has done to help themselves move on to the next plateau. I will tell you that Gardner has a gift of merging his life, and what he has encountered from other individuals into quick intriguing "how-to" stories without it feeling text bookish.

There are times when I do feel like I am lounging right on the therapist's couch but I guess you can't get around that when you are reading something that helps you dissect the smaller aspects of yourself. I also enjoyed the fact that Gardner showed his true triumphs and scars in his autobiography, because you can see why he would be one of the better individuals to spread his testimony through the gift of helping you find a focal point on the direction you would like to go in life.

The book is definitely written for anyone, the journeys that Gardner takes the reader on are sometimes whispered from his own inner voice as well as utilizing others' who have questioned their next move on the path of life. You can read this book if you are the retiree in need of enlightenment, or the college-bound kid who needs a small yet warm kick on assessing what's ahead and behind you. And that's just it, Gardner recommends that you take a look behind to see what you've experienced (or for some survived) to see where you are going and can go.

The main subject that I've read repeatedly in the book is the duty to take ownership of all your experiences, instead of casting blame, self-guilt, or shame. Recalling your 'past-life' can be refreshing even if the past was thorny or uncertain, but you have the ability to control the emotions you hold in life, towards people and situations, if you are willing.

The only thing that I will recommend if you purchase this is to buy a small pocket journal since you may be compelled to act on the sample lessons that Gardner has bestowed.

Gardner doesn't tout the book as a method to help you change your life over night, but he does express that with a little courage you can achieve what success and Happyness, is according to you!

If you are looking for a friendly, accessible book from someone who knows just about everything there is to know about making "lemons into lemonade," this is a good book to read.

I found this book to be a decent book. I am a fan of Chris Gardner. I felt that the book was much like the usual self-help genre books. However, I did enjoy his no-nonsense approach.