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What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World
 
 
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What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World (Hardcover)

~ Tina Seelig (Author)
Key Phrases: The Secret Sauce of Silicon Valley, Paint the Target, United States (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur by Pamela Slim

What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World + Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Seelig, executive director of the entrepreneurship center at Stanford's School of Engineering, presents a thoughtful, concise set of observations for those making the unsteady transition to adulthood. While the majority of her advice is intended for would-be entrepreneurs, her accessible lessons should come in handy for those in any field, as well as those still trying to decide on a field. Culled from her personal experience as an entrepreneur and teacher, as well as the stories of entrepreneurs and students she knows, Seelig avoids (and at times dissects) cliché and provides informative discussion throughout, despite a narrower focus than readers might expect. A chapter on acknowledging, learning from, and even seeking out failure ("Fail fast and frequently") provides valuable advice and comfort for the fearful, including Seelig's own "failure resumé" (broken into professional, academic and personal failures). The chapter titled "Don't listen to career advice" helps readers avoid the pitfalls of oft-heard, wrong-headed maxims like "follow your passions" and "stick to the plan." Readers will either be relieved or frustrated that Seelig doesn't provide any numbered steps, bullet-pointed recaps or self-assessment quizzes, but she makes the most of her knowledge and authority with a friendly, efficient voice.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Anybody who wants to live an entrepreneurial life filled with purpose and passion needs to read this book. It’s chockfull of practical tools and tips to bring out the best in each of us.” (Steve Case, Chairman of Revolution and The Case Foundation, and co-founder of AOL )

“Few people have done as much to champion innovative thinking as Tina Seelig. The principles in her book will surely spark new ideas. It is a must-read for the next generation of entrepreneurs and seasoned veterans alike.” (David Kelley, Founder IDEO )

“Forget 20--This is the kind of stuff I wish I knew now... Tina is doing us all a big favor by giving us a roadmap to life!” (Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of Alltop and author of Reality Check )

“It’s almost impossible to read the first line of Tina Seelig’s book and not grab pen and paper to jot down a river of pent-up ideas and possibilities . . . A galvanizing document, [it] gives us -- more than anything else -- permission to develop our dreams.” (Santa Cruz Sentinel )

“Seelig is a sharp observer and a gentle and thoughtful writer. Recollections of her own circuitous career path, along with observations of behavior of friends, family, students and colleagues are fertile ground for her. (Miami Herald )

“This is a great guide to moving in more exciting, creative, and fulfilling directions, written by a person who is an expert at doing so. But if Tina Seelig had known any more when she was 20, the world probably could not now contain her. “ (Jim Adams, Author, Conceptual Blockbusting )

“Tina Seelig is one of the most creative and inspiring teachers at Stanford. Her book ought to be required reading. I wish I had read it when I was 20... and again at 50.” (Robert Sutton, Stanford University Professor and author The No-Asshole Rule )

“Tina is the most inspirational creativity voice I know. Her book is much better than a whack on the side of your head. It’s a whack on the side of your soul!” (Geoffrey Moore, Author, Crossing the Chasm, Dealing with Darwin )

“True, it’s written by a woman (a Stanford University professor, no less), but this ‘crash course in making your way in the world’ is full of realistic tips that help put things into perspective.” (Sacramento Bee )

“Wise, witty and packed with stories of those who are making a difference and some who are making a fortune...The only trouble is that you will need two dozen copies to give to everyone.” (Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up )

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: HarperOne (April 14, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061735191
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061735196
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,338 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #92 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Motivational

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Tina Lynn Seelig
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Customer Reviews

41 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Wait to Innovate!, April 17, 2009
By Jai Won Rhi (Stanford, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Reorient your brain and body to creativity and innovation!
This book will make you want to become an innovator so bad.


I'm a 20-year-old Stanford sophomore who learned what Tina wished she had known when she was 20.


As a freshman, I took her class "Creativity & Innovation," mainly offered for graduate students. When, on the first day, Tina said "Creativity can be learned," I was skeptical. I simply thought her class would be no different from typical college classes with competitive individuals, problem sets, and grade curves.


The class was given the first assignment to come up with the best and the worst business ideas. My teammates and I were enthusiastic about developing fantastic ideas and scribbled total nonsense for the bad ideas when the time was running out.


I was baffled, however, when Tina ripped up all sheets of paper with the good ideas and gave us the bad idea submitted by another team. The idea was "selling used hypodermic needles." We laughed out loud at how terrible it was until three seconds later when we all turned silent and questioned, "Wait, is this really the worst idea?" We ended up coming up with a really clever plan that involved selling used needles to doctors who need small tissue and blood samples for their experiments. We even felt as if we could start selling used needles right away! Besides learning that it is always worthwhile to question our assumptions, my classmates and I were no longer competitors but awesome business partners!


Tina taught us that there are no bad ideas and how to redefine problems in different ways. In following assignments we got to redesign the cover for a large national magazine (and they even used our idea!); I got to try on a 3-carat diamond ring in a private salon at Tiffany's as part of a study on consumer experiences; and we set up the entire frozen yogurt shop into the classroom as part a class project on innovative companies.


Unlike other books of the sort, Tina's book avoids ambiguous principles embellished with fancy words but rather suggests ready-to-go strategies that you can implement in your daily life right away. Furthermore, she gives you good examples, that stimulate you and give you the nerve for action. You will end up being an active "doer" after reading this book. (For instance, I employed her methods to reinvent my messy closet!)


I'm truly happy that now the whole world can share her insights on creativity and innovation. Her book is a "crash" course, yet a very thorough, inspirational guide on how to change yourself and the world! I hope you all share the special excitement that I had while learning from her. Although I love the title, as you read this book you will see that it is never too late and there's no time to hesitate to become innovative.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Where were you when I was 20?, August 26, 2009
By Mary H. Nicknish "MNicknish" (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Tina - what a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am buying copies for all my nieces and nephews (and my friends!) Your words signify everything that Silicon Valley is made of. I came here 23 years ago from Iowa to make my way at a startup and succeeded in my quest...though I wonder how things would have turned out differently if I had this book to guide me? I am hoping it will give my children permission to be absolutely fabulous in whatever they do!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Seelig's insight is powerful and delightful., June 5, 2009
Tina Seelig is known in Silicon Valley for her enthusiastic embrace of innovation and team-building. For her, information is not the answer; the process is an ever-evolving truth in itself. This likable book lays out Seelig's entrepreneurial coaching and launches the reader into that process. There is a reason that Seelig's Stanford University classes spill over with students eager to sign up. She is an empowering educator and an infectious enthusiast. If you give her an inch, she will take you a mile into new territory, happily tour-guiding you into an exploration of who you've always wanted to become.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for any aage
Love the creativity of this book. It gives interesting examples of how to look at situations and problems differently. Read more
Published 18 days ago by L. Cunitz

5.0 out of 5 stars It's never too late!
It's never too late to learn and make your place in the world. I loved this book - thought provoking and inspiring!
Published 1 month ago by Janet A. Ruiz

5.0 out of 5 stars Took Notes!
Although interested enough to read, I wasn't sure it would actually apply to me and my life. I'm a stay a home Mom (with young kids [4 & 6] with a traveling husband and an ageing... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sarah Elliott

5.0 out of 5 stars What I never learned in 5 years of university...
This review needs to be prefaced with the fact that Tina Seelig personally emailed me to thank you after I "mentioned" her book in my blog post! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jonathan Chui

4.0 out of 5 stars A good easy read, but not earth shattering
This was a great, fun, light read. However, for those of us who have already been through entrepreneurship courses at college, or who are already consumers of a lot of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Evan

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Passion
How many times have we heard the expression, "Follow your Bliss" (at least you hear it alot in LA where I live!! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jill Daniel

2.0 out of 5 stars expected a lot more
there were a few good anecdotes and quotes and some generically good advice, but nothing i hadn't heard before. i expected this to be a lot better. sorry... Read more
Published 4 months ago by bk

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read which changed my life
Buy this book - I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Tina's book is the reason that a group of 15 people were able to raise $5000 for the Vancouver Food Bank in one... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nicole M. Sheldrake

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Very inspirational
This book is filled with action-packed advice and great stories about taking the leap and about character traits entrepreneurs must develop. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ryan Lou

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring! Great read!
Great book! Tina Seelig's "What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20" is filled with stories from her amazing classes at Stanford and inspirational people in wide range of career... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sunita Sayana

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