YOU CAN WIN -
The book highlights the principles that one would need to follow to become successful. The way Shiv Kheda draws examples from everyday life, and also the way he uses stories and anecdotes to drive home the key points that form the crux of the book, help retain the interest till the end. Here are its chapters -
Importance of positive attitude - Building a positive attitude !
This chapter opens with the story of a balloon man who used to release a helium filled balloon into the air when the business was slow so that the children would see it go up and would want to buy one which helped his business go up. One day a little boy asked him ''If you release a black balloon, would that also fly, to which the man replied with empathy'' Son, it is not the color of the balloon, it is what is inside that makes it go up''.
From here, Shiv Khera moves on to explain that the same thing applies in our lives. It is what is inside that counts. The thing inside that makes us go up is 'attitude''.
What a beautiful way to open a section on ''Attitude''.
Success - Winning strategies !
Shiv Khera says ''Success is not an accident. It is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance''.
True success is measured by the feeling of knowing that you have done a job well and have achieved your objective. Success is not measured by our position in life, but by the obstacles we overcame to get there.
Shiv Khera says 'Failure is the highway to success'. He says all the success stories in history are stories of great failures too. However, we see only the bright side of the picture and say those people got lucky. The realization that all those who made it to the top were ordinary people who had to suffer a lot before they saw the light of success would inspire any sensible mind.
Motivation - Motivating yourself and others everyday !
Shiv Khera says he has been asked at International seminars as to whether he could motivate others and he says his answer had always been ''no''. He believes that people motivate themselves and what he could do is inspire them to motivate themselves.
In this motivating section on ''Motivation'', he deals with the difference between inspiration and motivation, how motivation works, types of motivation, how different things motivate different people, the four stages from motivation to demotivation and concludes with a few steps that would help one, motivate others.
Self esteem -Building positive self esteem and image !
One's perception of oneself is a very important factor that contributes to success. Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Our opinion of ourselves influences everything from our performance at work, relationships, etc. Unless we perceive ourselves as worthwhile, we cannot have high self-esteem.
Interpersonal skills - Building a pleasing personality
Shiv Khera highlights the importance of effective interpersonal skills in this section. He says a pleasing personality is easy to recognize but hard to define. It is apparent in the way a person walks and talks, his tone of voice, the warmth in his behavior and his definitive level of confidence. He says wearing a pleasant expression is more important than anything else that you wear.
In this chapter, he discusses 26 steps that would help build a positive personality, which are really enlightening for anyone. He highlights the importance of using the right words while one speaks, reminds us to beware of half truths or misrepresentation of truths and he clearly explains how actions speak louder than words.
Subconscious mind and habits - Forming positive habits and character !
This section analyses the importance of forming positive habits and character. Habits generate other habits. Inspiration is what gets a person started, motivation is what keeps him on track and habit is what makes it automatic.
He explains how we form habits, how we are conditioned and he also elaborates on the conscious and subconscious mind. He says we are the creatures of our habits. He also gives a 21-day formula to form positive habits, which is indeed very practical.
Goal setting - setting and achieving your goals
This section is very interesting and useful for anyone who finds it difficult to succeed just because he/she doesn't know what he or she wants. The author has succeeded in conveying the importance of goal setting in very simple and convincing language, which of course is his natural way of presenting things.
He says, on the best sunny day, the most powerful magnifying glass will not light paper if you keep moving the glass. But if you focus and hold it, the paper will light up. Doesn't that speak volumes?
Values and vision - Doing the right thing for the right reason !
Shiv Khera says there are only two tests you can put your value system to - the Mama test and the Baba test. He has explained it very interestingly in this chapter and he says if these two tests don't clarify a person's values, then the person is no longer a human being and has no conscience left.
He also discusses the importance of commitment, ethics and benchmarks. Finally, he comes to the topic of winning and winners.
Why should a person read this book?
The common criticism against the book is that once you read it and close the book, you won't be able to recall most of what you have read. TRUE . You could find an answer to this worry from Shiv Khera himself. In the preface itself, he has made it very clear. He says, the concepts in this book cannot be absorbed by casual browsing or by gulping the whole book down in one reading. It should be read slowly and carefully, one chapter at a time. Don't' move on to the next chapter until you are sure you understand every concept in the previous chapter.
Yes, if you are a person who reads a book just once to imbibe whatever you can, this is not the book for you. This is a book which one needs to read as and when one needs to look at oneself critically, add some positive virtues to one's kitty and while trying to build up a positive and confident personality. This book is food for the mind. Just as you can't consume all that your body needs for a lifetime in one shot, it is impossible to digest all that your mind needs at one time. Take it in installments. Digest what you take at a time, go for the second serving and then the third, and so on.
A few action points follow each and every chapter. The author suggests that the readers use this as a workbook where they should write marginal notes for themselves and he also asks us to use a highlighter to mark those sentences and words, which appear vital for the reader. He also suggests that the readers keep a notebook handy as they read the book. The notebook should be divided into three sections - your goals, the stages in which you plan to reach them and your timetable for success. He says by the time you finish reading the book, your notebook will be the foundation on which you can build your new life.
If you are ready to look within yourself and do something to fine-tune yourself to build a successful personality, it is worth spending Rs.285 for this book.
