Summary of Your Road Map for Success by Maxwell
Defining the term success may be a difficult task. More often than not, success is equated with power, happiness, and wealth. Nonetheless, true success cannot be achieved or acquired. Instead, it is a process, or journey people take in their entire life. In a straightforward style, Maxwell (2002), shares insights on what it implies to be successful. Maxwell (2002) gives a definition, which puts true success within people’s reach and motivates them to continue struggling to attain personal dreams.
In chapter one, Maxwell (2002) discusses the definition of success. John explains that success is for all people, its picture is not similar for any two individuals, and that people make a living through what they receive, but they make a life through what they give. Besides, none can exhaust his/her ability to advance toward their potential or run off opportunities to assist others. The best answer or response to the concern or question of when to start journey of success is start it now (Maxwell, 2002). In the opinion of Maxwell (2002), success is not a special feeling, wealth, power, specific as well as worthwhile possessions, and/or achievement. Instead, success should be growing up to one’s maximum potential, knowing one’s purpose in life, and sowing the seeds, which benefit others.
Chapter 2 discusses dreaming, which leads one to act by creating his/her personal dream. People need to discover and sail towards achieving their destination, having dream makes one identify what he/she is willing to forgo in order to succeed. A well pursued dream is the most probably predictor of the future and any dream that is worth having should be worth sharing with colleagues. Moreover, the greater the success journey, the more committed one has to become to take it.
Dreaming is significant as it gives direction, helps in prioritization, increases people’s potential, predicts the future, and adds value. Dreams should be established using one’s past, present, as well as future anticipations. One’s past, which is significant in developing dreams include greatest talents, character strength, greatest passion, and the most valuable thing. One should consider unique life experiences and what other people who have nothing to gain say about them when developing dream.
One’s present that should be considered while developing dream includes current resources, current situations that may be positively changed to create additional opportunities and resources. It is important to review unique factors to current situations in developing dream. Future anticipation address the question; if one may be anything he/she desired what could it be?
Chapter 3 focuses in people’s attitude and its effects on the journey to success. In the opinion of Maxwell (2002), when attitude outdistance one’s abilities, the impractical becomes possible. Besides, thinking affects one’s approach to the success process in a powerful manner, because, believing in oneself, frees him/her to focus on advancing to reach his/her potential. Further Maxwell argues that giving should be the highest degree of living and spending time with positive individuals help in seeing things in a better way. One has to act himself in changing.
According to Maxwell (2002), people are where they are because of the attitude. Attitude is a choice and determines one’s approach to the success journey, how far he/she can go, and can direct one to failure or to success. Signs of positive attitude include believing in self, ability to identify opportunity everywhere, willing to recognize the best in associates or others, and focusing on solutions. In addition, positive attitude is reflected by having a desire to give, responsibility for own life, and persistence.
The farthest one may go is influenced or determined by focusing on one’s responsibilities instead of rights, asking positive individuals how to remain positive, and being free of stress. Moreover, success is determined by writing attitude statement. Attitude statement is a positive creed stating one’s intention of becoming a positive character.
Chapter 4 discusses dreaming and goals. Maxwell (2002) posits that life cannot be a dress rehearsal. The first step in a success journey is as important as the last step and regardless of one’s starting point, he/she has this going for him/her. It is prudent to plan to review as well as update goals on a continuous basis. The goals must develop the path to success, give motivation, draw purpose, and highlight what is to be done. Goals should focus on improvements and not activity. According to Maxwell (2002), getting to success starts by recognizing dream, articulating statement of purpose, and observing starting place. One’s goals should be written, personal, specific, achievable, measurable, and time-sensitive. The success journey entail acting, adjusting plans, and celebrating success.
Chapter 5 focuses in growth as well as the significance of becoming a continual learner. Growth means change and it is a choice. Growth requires one to be teachable, focus in self-growth rather than self-fulfillment, and never remaining contented for long periods. Moreover, growth demands that one focuses on a few main themes, developing a plan for growth, taking sacrifice to develop, and applying learnt lessons.
Chapter 6 discusses fear, failure, and measures to address them. Mitigating risks before failing is the better route, instead of embracing failure. It is important to admit fears and acknowledge it as part of the growth. Focus must be on things that can be controlled by feeding faith, not fear. Failure should be used as a springboard by appreciating its value and not taking it personally. Failure should be used for redirection and gauging growth. It is prudent have a sense of wit or humor and ask why not who.
Chapter 7 focuses on achievement and excellence. Landmark trade-offs include achievement over affirmation, individual advancement over immediate pleasure, and excellence over acceptability. Moreover, future potential over financial gain, significance over security, and a narrow concentration over scattered interests.
Chapter 8 discusses family as well as the significance of good relationships in the success journey. A strong family may be built by expressing appreciation, fathoming the effects of personalities in family dynamics, and structuring to spend time together. Moreover, dealing with crisis positively, sharing same values, and communicating continually helps in building strong family.
Chapter 9 focuses on people who should be engaged in the success journey. It explains that the right people determines success, makes things happen, identify and seize opportunities. Moreover, appropriate associates add value, attract other leaders, and provide inspiring ideas.
Chapter 10 discusses building up leaders along the path of success for mutual benefit. This is attainable by identifying development areas, making development of others part of routine, and planning monthly. In summary, Maxwell (2002) want to assist people discover or identify their individual road map for success, guide people on what it implies to be within the success path, respond to questions, as well as equip people with what they will require to change or transform themselves and keep growing.
References
Maxwell, J. C. (2002). Your road map for success. Nashville, Tenn: T. Nelson.
