Shifting Your Mindset: A Book Review of Think Remarkable

by Eli Chan, VPG Litigation Assistant

Ashley gave me a selection of books to review in April. Guy Kawasaki’s Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference stood out to me more than the rest. Not only did the message seem great, but his journey seemed one that could be greatly learned from. He has had many career changes and different hobbies throughout his life, and these experiences intrigued me.

The book followed a simple three-part format, each with three paths to “Transform Your Life and Make a Difference,” as Guy puts it in his title. Through anecdotes, personal stories, and examples, Kawasaki explains how anyone can realize and actualize their potential to be remarkable. Stage one starts with growth, stage two moves on to grit, and stage three discusses grace.

Stage one focuses on the idea of growth and how to spread your wings in your current field. It begins with the growth mindset and using a story of bravery and risk-taking from Raquel Willis, a transgender activist. She speaks about “trusting her inner voice” (p. 24) and not allowing lows to dissuade her from her growth. Guy continues with embracing vulnerability and relates the story of Andrea Lytle Peet. She was diagnosed with ALS in 2014, and, after nine years, she decided to complete a marathon in all 50 states. It was inspiring to read about how she persevered to complete this goal, truly embracing vulnerability and making the most of a tough situation. My favorite quote from this part is “When you come up short, it means you’re pushing yourself” (p. 33). It reminded me of some of my favorite athletes who often struggled to achieve their goals before finally reaching success. It is a great reminder that the journey is the dream. The final part of this section discusses planting many seeds, which is helpful advice for any person. The more connections you have, the more opportunities will arise.

Stage two talks about grit and activating inspirations. It starts by talking about doing things that can change the world. The main idea here is that if you can find a need that people have and innovate in this department, you can be successful in your movement or business. He uses the Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Black Lives Matter movements as examples of one person sparking a community and country for something they are passionate about. One of my favorite sections was chapter five: Get Beyond Eureka. The main point of the chapter is finding the “aha” moment in inspiration. I enjoyed this section because Kawasaki highlights the importance of finding good mentors. This made me think of all the great mentors in my life who have given me opportunities and allowed me to succeed. Whether it be teachers, coaches, friends, or my family, mentors enormously impact success and mindset. The final chapter of this stage is about selling your dream. This can come easily if you are passionate about what you do.

The last stage speaks of the importance of grace to uplift and inspire your peers. Kawasaki first discusses leading by example and brings up valuable methods in the workplace to run operations smoothly and foster a welcoming, inclusive environment. I especially liked his section describing how you should try to “hire better than yourself” (p.133). It may be hard for some people to grasp this concept, as it would be almost like hiring someone to replace you, but the best way to succeed is by surrounding yourself with successful people. His next point is to take the high road. Two parts that stuck out to me from this were to “count your blessings” (p. 153) and to “Learn how to Apologize” (p. 167). I liked these two ideas because being thankful for everything in your life is important. Nothing is guaranteed. Apologizing is the epitome of taking the high road. For myself, I am a naturally stubborn person and sometimes have a hard time apologizing. This advice to learn how to make a good apology and take ownership will stick with me for the rest of my life. Kawasaki ends his book with the idea of “Turning and Burning” (p. 179). It is a surfing term used when you see a great wave and must make the most of it. His message here is to leave no regrets, live life to the fullest, and make the world a better place.

Think Remarkable was like a breath of fresh air for me. Life has many pressures, and stress tends to mount when challenges stack up. I appreciated Kawasaki’s advice because I truly think many of his ideas can apply to my own life. From this book and my past experiences, I have learned that keeping a positive and driven mindset is a step in the right direction to enjoy a remarkable life.