Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
155 used & new from $0.83

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book
 
See larger image
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book (Paperback)

by Paul Arden (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)

List Price: $8.95
Price: $8.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Monday, July 13? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
59 new from $2.75 95 used from $0.83 1 collectible from $10.00
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback (Import) Order it used!

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books, Single Copy Magazines, and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Over a hundred thousand items are eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. How do I find more eligible items?


Frequently Bought Together

It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book + Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite + A Technique for Producing Ideas (Advertising Age Classics Library)
Price For All Three: $27.06

Show availability and shipping details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

A Technique for Producing Ideas (Advertising Age Classics Library)

A Technique for Producing Ideas (Advertising Age Classics Library)

by James Young
4.6 out of 5 stars (25)  $6.95
Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain

Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain

by Stefan Mumaw
4.0 out of 5 stars (20)  $11.55
God Explained in a Taxi Ride.

God Explained in a Taxi Ride.

by Paul Arden
1.8 out of 5 stars (4)  $11.01
Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking

Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking

by Kathryn D. Cramer
4.5 out of 5 stars (23)  $17.90
IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea

IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea

by Sam Harrison
4.3 out of 5 stars (15)  $10.19
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be is a handbook of how to succeed in the world - a pocket 'bible' for the talented and timid to make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible. The world's top advertising guru, Paul Arden, offers up his wisdom on issues as diverse as problem solving, responding to a brief, communicating, playing your cards right, making mistakes and creativity, all notions that can be applied to aspects

of modern life. This book provides a unique insight into the world of advertising and is a quirky compilation of quotes, facts, pictures, wit and wisdom, packed into easy-to-digest, bite-sized spreads. If you want to succeed in life or business, this is a must!

Paul Arden began his career in advertising at the age of 16. For 14 years he was Executive Creative Director at Saatchi and Saatchi, where he was responsible for some of Britain's best known campaigns including British Airways, Silk Cut, Anchor Butter, InterCity and Fuji. His famous

slogans include 'The Car in front is a Toyota' and 'The Independent - It is - Are You?'. In 1993 he set up the London-based production company Arden Sutherland-Dodd where he is now a commercials director for clients such as BT, BMW, Ford, Nestle and Levis.

About the Author
Advertising guru Paul Arden is a creative genius whose extraordinary drive and energy is allied to a kind of common sense that just isn't, well, common. Paul Arden began his career in advertising at the age of 16. Formerly Creative Director at Saatchi and Saatchi, he is responsible for some of Britain's best known campaigns including British Airways, Silk Cut, Anchor Butter, InterCity and Fuji and famous slogans which include 'The Car in front is a Toyota' and 'The Independent - It Is - Are You?'. In 1993 he set up the London-based production company Arden Sutherland-Dodd where he is now a commercials director for clients such as BT, BMW, Ford, Nestle and Levis. Author's Residence: London


Product Details

  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Phaidon Press; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0714843377
  • ISBN-13: 978-0714843377
  • Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,245 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #3 in  Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Public Relations
    #5 in  Books > Business & Investing > Reference > Case Studies
    #13 in  Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Advertising

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book
91% buy the item featured on this page:
It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book 3.9 out of 5 stars (55)
$8.95
Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain
3% buy
Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain 4.0 out of 5 stars (20)
$11.55
IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea
2% buy
IdeaSpotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea 4.3 out of 5 stars (15)
$10.19
Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite
2% buy
Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite 4.1 out of 5 stars (25)
$11.16

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(5)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

55 Reviews
5 star:
 (28)
4 star:
 (12)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (6)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (55 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great motivation for anyone doing anything creative, August 19, 2005
By richard winchell (Vancouver + San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Before you get confused by the "World's best selling book" tagline, read the title of the book again. "It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be." Obviously, Arden aspires to have this be the world's best selling book.

All of the advice in this book comes out of Arden's experience in the advertising industry, but it has value for everyone doing work in creative fields. (And as many have said, business as a whole is a creative pursuit.) Even the advice that seems to be advertising-centric has wider relevance, if you open your mind a bit.

There's a lot of very good advice in this book, presented in a very easy to digest format. I come back to this book again and again whenever I need a pep talk, and every time it works. How are being unafraid of failure, having ambition, and being open to new ideas not relevant to your life?

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly creative book about becoming more creative, July 25, 2007
This is a highly creative book about becoming more creative. It is filled with provoking thoughts and exercises. I recommend this book very much to anyone seeking to expand, enrich, widen their personal creativity. It could easily be a supplementary textbook for many courses in high school and college.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful little book, December 7, 2008
I was drawn by the bold statement on the cover and being a graphic designer, also drawn to the great type treatment! This book is a wonderful companion to motivate anyone in going for it now! Arden's experience is mainly in advertising and his writings ring true for life and for opening yourself to endless possibilities. His advice is honest and brave.

It reminded me of the work of Ariel and Shya Kane and Instantaneous Transformation. By reading their 3 principles which you can find in the book Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life and by attending their Monday night seminars and workshops in New York City, I have experienced countless creative shifts. These shifts have supported me in generating original projects effortlessly at work and in my personal life. Well-being and satisfaction are a part of my day in and day out experience, regardless of the circumstances.

I recommend both Arden and the Kanes as a must on your bookshelf for creativity that translates into productivity and a richer life.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Help Books Ever
I just loved this book. Created with a sense of humor, and put together in an amazingly creative way, it hits hard against mainstream thought, and shows what a top... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Richard Peterson

2.0 out of 5 stars Stereotypical Salesman
I just finished Mr. Arden's book, more than a little disappointed. If you want to learn how to be the stereotypical salesperson or clichéd artist (pushy, obnoxious, egocentric,... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Intrigued

5.0 out of 5 stars What makes this Small Book Special?
* Small book = Big ideas: Paul Arden packs this colorful, creative 127-page book chock full of ideas that will challenge your perspective and paradigms, quotes from great people... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alana

5.0 out of 5 stars Every creative should own a couple Ardens. Short, inspirational, and fits in your pocket too
Arden's books are small enough to stuff in a pocket and packed full of inspirational and insightful ideas / quotes / and images. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Adam Kahtava

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspirational Book
I love this book because it is full of great thoughts and endless creative opportunities. If you are looking to awaken your own creative process, this is a great book to read over... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carmen Yazejian

3.0 out of 5 stars A Few Good Creative Ideas
"Somehow the more you give away the more comes back to you." ~pg. 30

The content of this book at first appears to have been written for those working at an... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rebecca Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read, Direct & Inspirational
Great little book.

If you're thinking that you will get something new, totally revolutionary, and out of the box, you will be very disappointed. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Nada Abandah

5.0 out of 5 stars It is what it is.....
To all of those readers who are incredibly unsatisfied with this book: LIGHTEN UP!!!! This book is what it is and to hold such high expectations to the point of letting it ruin... Read more
Published 13 months ago by SCOTT

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money, or your time.
I was very disappointed in this book after reading the multiple reviews of it on Amazon.
Arden advocates that "it's wrong to be right" and "it's right to be wrong",... Read more
Published 14 months ago by She

4.0 out of 5 stars Cheap and Inspirational
The author starts off with the following:

"Firstly you need to aim beyond what you are capable of. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jaewoo Kim

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)



Look for Similar Items by Category


Smooth Operator

Shop for garage door openers

Find garage door products (opener kits, remotes, mini-key-chain controls, and wireless-key entry systems) in the Hardware Store. Opening the garage door shouldn’t be a chore.

Shop all garage door hardware

 

Best Books of 2008

Best of 2008
Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.
 

Summer Reading for Kids & Teens

Summer Reading for Kids and Teens
Discover everything from beach reads and board books to teen romance and action-adventure series in Summer Reading for Kids & Teens. And, check off the kids' required reading lists in our Summer School Reading Store.
 

Don't Slip and Slide

Shop for De-Icing Products
Melt away snow and ice from your driveway this winter with de-icing products from the Home Improvement Store.

Shop all snow removal products

 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates