Book review: You Can Win

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/291238083
Book: You Can Win    

Author: Shiv Kera
Genre: Non – Fiction – Self Help
Main Characters:  None… Well.. Just You
Having read the book long back, I had wanted to re-read and own it. Now that I have it and have re-read it, I am wondering if it was worth “longish Longing” (!)

11 Chapters of the book with several short anecdotes elaborate 11 different aspects of personality development. Short and Crisp – more of “hints” developed into sentences. (Aside, This is going to be more of note making for self, with the whole book condensed. For a change, I am pushing over my laziness and going to type them off )
Chapter One: Attitude – see the problems with a positive note as potential benefits
Chapter Two: Building the positive attitude: 
  •  Focus on positive thing
  •  Do it “Just now”
  • Develop a habit of showing gratitude
  • Continuous education
  • Positive self esteem
  • Stay away from negative influence
Action Points: 
  1. Learn to like the things that need to be done
  2. Index card of these rules
  3. Re- read everyday for 21 days and follow them consciously  
Chapter Three: Success
  • Desire to be successful
  • Commitment
  • Responsibility
  • Hard work
  • Character (Value + Belief + Personality)
  • Positive Beliefs
  • Give more than you get
  • Persistence
  • Pride of Performance
  • Be a willing student
Chapter Four: What is holding us back? 20 reasons for failure

  1. Unwillingness to take risk
  2. Lack of perseverance
  3. Instant Gratification
  4. Lack of priorities
  5. Short cuts
  6. Selfishness & greed
  7. Lack of conviction
  8. Lack of understanding the nature’s law
  9. Unwillingness to plan & prepare
  10. Rationalizing (finding excuses)
  11. Not learning from past msitakes
  12. Inability to recognize opportunity
  13. Fear
  14. Inability to use talent
  15. Lack of discipline
  16. Poor Self esteem
  17. Lack of knowledge
  18. Fatalistic attitude
  19. Lack of purpose
  20. Lack of courage
Chapter Five: Motivation – On internal & External Motivation

Chapter Six: Self esteem
  • Do something for others who cannot repay in cask or kind
  • Accept responsibility – take initiative
  • Learn to give & receive compliments
Chapter Seven: Importance of interpersonal skills

“We see things not the way they are, but the way we are”

(Ok I know that look.. This was the only thing I felt special, even if known, in those whole chapter)

Chapter Eight: Steps to build a Positive personality

  1. Accept responsibility
  2. Show consideration 
  3. Think win-win
  4. Choose your words carefully
  5. Dont criticize & Complain
  6. Smile & be Kind
  7. Put positive interpretation on other people’s behavior
  8. Be a good listener
  9. Be enthusiastic
  10. Give honest & sincere appreciation
  11. When you make a mistake, accept it and move on.
  12. Discuss but not argue (“Is it worth it” test)
  13. Dont gossip
  14. Turn promises to commitment
  15. Be grateful but do not expect gratitude
  16. Be dependable & practise loyalty
  17. Avoid bearing grudges
  18. Practise Honesty , Integrity & sincerity
  19. Practise Humility
  20. Be understanding & caring
  21. Practise courtesy on a daily basis
  22. Develop a sense of humor
  23. Dont be sarcastic & put others down
  24. To have a friend and be a friend
  25. Show empathy
Chapter Nine: Sub conscious mind & Habits
  • Auto suggestion: Statement made in the present sense about the kind of person you want to be
  • Importance of 21 days practice 
  • 21 days practice of reading
  • Visualize

Chapter Ten: Goal setting – inline with values & ethics

Chapter Eleven: 
     
     Winning – an event
     Winners – spirit


Bottom-line:
Before that, don’t judge me on giving you topics off the book, without much explanations. Maybe they are just the way it was in the book 🙁

Now to my views, As a book lover / reader, I dont feel this is even a proper piece of writing – seemed to me as more of points from various books fitted into one.. 

But as a person who looks for self books and enjoys reading them, I would feel it is a consolidation of “points to remember”. Again I never felt that “Aaha” moment anywhere. 

elgeewrites Book review: You Can Win 7A5F95EFA8DC9133AC05A731B20F121A

3 Comments

  1. Elgee

    Thanks Ram 🙂 Happy that you were able to post your comment:)

    Reply
  2. The Legend

    Why my test says success, i am surprised why i could not post it earlier. Anyways you and your special talents appreciated. You have made it very simple about this book which was not so earlier

    Reply

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Gayathri

Gayathri

Gayathri has been reviewing books since 2010. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she works as a writer and a digital marketer. Head over to meet me!