In
a departure from his other audiobooks that have voiceover
talent reading the work and reflect a somewhat detached approach
toward growth and success, best-selling author, coach, and
speaker John C. Maxwell narrates his own book this time and
provides personal examples from his life. Tales from childhood,
early married life, and while working as one of the world’s
most influential leadership experts, serve as teaching tools
for how he learned to intentionally choose a life that matters,
a life of significance instead of merely living to meet his
own selfish needs.
Greatly influenced by his successful father and supportive
mother, Maxwell, who began his career as pastor of a small
rural church, also says his faith played (and continues to
play) a huge role in his efforts to make a difference in the
lives of others. At one point, he gives readers/listeners
permission to skip ahead if they don’t want to hear
his views on faith. Although he recognizes his religious beliefs
were crucial in his own personal development, his stated goal
is to share what he’s learned rather than convert anyone
to his beliefs. This approach may help him retain less faith-based
readers who still want to hear his overall message about intentional
living.
Read in a calm, soothing tone with occasional bursts of enthusiasm,
Maxwell distinguishes between good intentions and intentional
living, with the former being wishes and hopes, and the latter
being plans and actions. He notes that helping people get
what they want helps you get what you want, but stresses that
meeting your goals of money, fame, or some other yardstick
of success isn’t what creates a life of significance.
For example, Maxwell lists his own many achievements (including
becoming a millionaire by the time he was age 40), but emphasizes
the most rewarding goals always take the form of having a
purposeful, intentional life.
He says the secret lies in making a difference in the lives
of others – whether it’s one local person or millions
of people worldwide. Through personal anecdotes about his
family, his congregation, and the many interesting people
he’s met through his years of public speaking and writing
– from powerful movers and shakers in the business world
to young children dedicated to helping others – he tells
of people who see a vision bigger than themselves.
In addition to many other questions he asks readers to consider,
he suggests these three vital points: “What do you cry
about? What do you sing about? What do you dream about?”
Once you have the answer (or answers) to these questions,
you will know your life’s purpose. These important questions,
and so many other issues addressed in this audiobook, serve
as great inspiration for those who currently feel their life
has no direction or purpose, and sincerely want to discover
what they were meant to do with their time, talent, and treasure.
Reviews
of other titles by this author
Jump
Start Your Growth
|
| Reviewer
Leslie C. Halpern is the author of Passionate About
Their Work: 151 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity,
Rub, Scrub, Clean the Tub: Funny Children's Poems About
Self-Image, and Shakes, Cakes, Frosted Flakes: Funny
Children's Poems About Table Manners. |
