Rating: 
Summary: Maximize your potential!
Review: Aside: Doesn't Maxwell look like the teacher/monitor from the 80's movie, The Breakfast Club? Anyway...I applaud John Maxwell, who writes books integrating Christian principles into non-spiritual topics, like leadership. In this book, Maxwell brings up three things that we need to understand in order to be a success: 1) To know our purpose in life, 2) To maximize our potential, and 3) To sow seeds that benefits others. In defining success within these three principles, he defines what success in NOT, namely wealth, power, or a number of other things that we normally equate with making it in this world. He brings up some good examples of the wealthy and powerful industrialists of the early 20th century who died penniless or miserable. Principle #2 really spoke to me. Maximizing potential is something, by nature, that I constantly strive to do. Maxwell's chapters devoted to this principle were the most beneficial to me. The inevitability of change in our lives brings us to the point of what decision we will make. It's not like we can avoid change, we can't. This becomes an inflection point in our life and can determine what will happen to us over the next one, five, ten years. We can go into the unknown (which is hard to do) or keep the status quo. Principles #1 and #3 also brought up some good things for me, but I have to say that the chapters relating to maximizing potential were the most interesting. But that is where I am in life. Perhaps the other two chapters are more suited for you. The pits of the book that I feel compelled to highlight are few, but nonetheless present. While the material is useful, I found it rather simplistic. Some chapters had a bullet point list of "fix-it" solutions. Abstract areas like leadership are rarely solved by concrete methods of A, B, C, etc., although it can be a good start. I wish it would have gone deeper. Also, this may be a pet peeve, but Maxwell uses a lot of insightful examples using references like, "It is said that Abe Lincoln said this..." or "According to a 13th century monk..." Like I said, the examples are useful in illustrating a point, but these roundabout references lose a little bit of legitimacy to me. I'm sure that he has a good research staff, but I am used to seeing more solid citations when referring to a story or person. But this is a good overview of success, which is not derived from wealth or power, but of knowing the purpose that God created us for and to actually go out and realize it.
Rating:
Summary: Maximize your potential!
Review: Aside: Doesn't Maxwell look like the teacher/monitor from the 80's movie, The Breakfast Club? Anyway... I applaud John Maxwell, who writes books integrating Christian principles into non-spiritual topics, like leadership. In this book, Maxwell brings up three things that we need to understand in order to be a success: 1) To know our purpose in life, 2) To maximize our potential, and 3) To sow seeds that benefits others. In defining success within these three principles, he defines what success in NOT, namely wealth, power, or a number of other things that we normally equate with making it in this world. He brings up some good examples of the wealthy and powerful industrialists of the early 20th century who died penniless or miserable. Principle #2 really spoke to me. Maximizing potential is something, by nature, that I constantly strive to do. Maxwell's chapters devoted to this principle were the most beneficial to me. The inevitability of change in our lives brings us to the point of what decision we will make. It's not like we can avoid change, we can't. This becomes an inflection point in our life and can determine what will happen to us over the next one, five, ten years. We can go into the unknown (which is hard to do) or keep the status quo. Principles #1 and #3 also brought up some good things for me, but I have to say that the chapters relating to maximizing potential were the most interesting. But that is where I am in life. Perhaps the other two chapters are more suited for you. The pits of the book that I feel compelled to highlight are few, but nonetheless present. While the material is useful, I found it rather simplistic. Some chapters had a bullet point list of "fix-it" solutions. Abstract areas like leadership are rarely solved by concrete methods of A, B, C, etc., although it can be a good start. I wish it would have gone deeper. Also, this may be a pet peeve, but Maxwell uses a lot of insightful examples using references like, "It is said that Abe Lincoln said this..." or "According to a 13th century monk..." Like I said, the examples are useful in illustrating a point, but these roundabout references lose a little bit of legitimacy to me. I'm sure that he has a good research staff, but I am used to seeing more solid citations when referring to a story or person. But this is a good overview of success, which is not derived from wealth or power, but of knowing the purpose that God created us for and to actually go out and realize it.
Rating: 
Summary: Flesh on the Bones
Review: I am definitely a John Maxwell fan. This man is truly gifted and knows how to communicate so all can understand and benefit. This book was great but even better if read as a sequel. Don't get me wrong this is a stand alone book by itself but I am glad that I first read The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The 21 Laws is much more dry and technical while this book is personal in its application. You will better understand the process by first knowing the driving principles. There are several excellent lists that are explained in detail but my favorite is entitled, "How to Take Others for a (Life Changing) Ride. #2 states to , "Limit Who You Take Along". This one explanation alone is worth the book. It shou;d prevent burn out and minimize disappointments. Page 177 has a chart on communication styles and the results. He applies this not only to the business world but to the family unit as well. I particulary like the chapter, What Should I Oack in My Suitcase. This will help me redeem my "downtime" as I travel. This guy is a genius.
Rating:
Summary: Great For any Age
Review: I found this book when organizing books on my bookshelf. I never purchased this book and I do not know how I came upon this book, but I'm glad I did. This book has changed my life!... When reading this book, you must have a clear mind. It is very important to receive the energy from this book. I am not a reader and I'm embarassed to admit it, but I can not put this book down. I will hold on to this book for my son (until he becomes older), and I'm praying he will hold on to this book for his son/daughter. Enough said, GET THE BOOK! Thank you Mr.Maxwell. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: An honest look at success
Review: I really enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about my journey towards a successful life. John Maxwell has put together years of research about leadership, and the pursuit of success for this book. He uses a very straight forward approach towards the subject of success, and what it really means. Additionally, he reinforces his ideas with many quotes and stories from people of every walk of life. Although some of Mr. Maxwell's thoughts and concepts were not new to me this book really challenged me to take an honest look at my life and where I am heading. Since I am currenlty in the middle of a huge career change (and trying to focus my thoughts on what my future should look like), I think that I discovered this book at the perfect time. It has helped me gain focus and motivation for the upcoming changes. I especially enjoyed the practical exercises that are at the end of each chapter in the book. You can't just read this book and expect your life to change. You have to do some work, and the author constantly reminds you of this fact throughout. When I forced myself to answer some of the tough questions that he throws at you, I gained some real insight into my life's work, and where I am heading. I also liked the fact that John Maxwell includes an entire chapter about family relationships and the fact that you cannot be successful, unless you are successful at home first. I have seen too many people make this mistake, so I am glad that he included this angle in the book. My wife and I had a great discussion about what we value when we completed the exercises at the end of this chapter together. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for insight into how to fulfill your dreams, how to become successful, or just want to improve their outlook on life. It can help give you a new perspective, and gives you the tools for an honest assessment of where you are, and where you want to go.
Rating:
Summary: great book for people with no direction or with negative
Review: I will recommend this book to all types of people young or old, rich or poor. This book will inspire you to make the right choices and change your paradigm of measuring success. Not only will you enjoy success, but for those people who have no direction or goals in life this book will really help you literally start a new life.
This book is suitable for 15 yrs old to 95 yrs old.
Rating:
Summary: The book I wish I had read but was not available until now
Review: I wish I had this book available to me 30 years ago. The problem is that most young people (like myself when I was young) don't read such valuable resourses. I may have been the same. If you want someone you really care about who is beginning a carrer rather in a job or school this book brings to light some very important concepts that makes you think about what is truly important in life. John Maxwell has put many of his previous ideas into this one book and pulls it all together. This book is a great resourse for speaking before future leaders at any level. If you read the first chapter and are not sold you need some serious time to evaluate what you are doing in life. Maxwell uses all of the areas that you need and developps them in a consice manner value, attitude, goal setting, vision, leadership,commitment allows you to create your future with those close to you at home and work.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read if you want to achieve your dreams
Review: This book has had a major impact on how I am going to plan my journey towards my personal and business goals. John Maxwell teaches and illustrates step by step what needs to be done in order to maximize our potential in becoming the person we were put on this earth to be. The only requirement is a willingness to be honest with ones dreams and a pen with lots of ink. I am an avid reader in leadership books and self-improvement and must say that "The Success Journey" is by far one of the best books I have every read and cannot wait to share with my business associates and closest friends.
Rating:
Summary: Great book on leadership and success from a proven leader
Review: This is the first of Maxwell's books I've read and I loved his writing style and excellent stories and examples he used. His chapter on leadership was eye opening and helpful. One of the things he stresses is to lead other potential leaders, which will in turn greatly expand your circle of influence, because as they grow and excel, they will also become great leaders.
His definition of success was excellent. He defines success as "a journey in which one is maximizing his/her potential and helping and influencing others along the way". He doesn't emphasize money as being a measurement of success like a lot of self-development "experts" do. Wealthy people can be failures. Money doesn't make one a success.
Great book! I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: BEST book available for SELF DEVELOPMENT toward SUCCESS !
Review: This title is not merely an inspirational book, and certainly is not pop-psychology. Maxwell's latest work (actually previously released in 1997 with different titleing - now with minor revisions) is by far the BEST work I have ever read in the area of personal development. In it, Maxwell lays out the foundation for understanding true success - essentially: Knowing Your Purpose, Developing Your Maximim Potential (which comes from the former), and Sowing Mentoring Seeds In Others. Each of these sections is well written and makes a strong, as well as compelling case for personal change and lifelong development (regardless of age). Maxwell clearly articulates the often difficult challenges to personal development and provides practical suggestions for overcoming them. The reader cannot, in good conscience, go from one chapter to the next without applying what has been learned. Maxwell asks you to sign the end of one of the early chapters, committing the reader to a life of excellence! Each subsequent chapter has more interesting yet simple exercises to work thru, helping to ensure the readers interaction and active learning. Some major themes include: The true meaning of success, keys to defining your purpose, fulfilling your purpose practically, attitude as key to success, how to develop and maintain a good attitude, how to weather detours on the success journey, and much, much more. This book changed my life! Buy one for yourself and a few copies for those you care about who have the slightest capacity for greatness... this book will surely help facilitate their next level. Good reading!
| 
