Getting There summary

Unloving, controlling or absent parents don’t just lead to a troubled childhood, but are almost always at the root of psychological difficulties in adulthood.

Nevertheless, hardships people experience when children can motivate later on in life. Performance artist Marina Abramović is an incredible example of this.

Teenage nerds have it tough. Fascinated by electronics yet burdened with awkward social skills, many a clever yet geeky young adult often feels excluded and alone.

Yet plenty of nerds have made it big in the modern world. Some, like Craig Newmark, got their break by combining technology with something they were never very good at – communication.

How can you judge if you’re just ambitious or downright crazy? Although people may tell you that your goals are unreasonable, only you and your gut can say if you’re on the right track. Wendy Kopp is one leader who believes that if you feel something is worth doing, you do it.

It all started during Kopp’s freshman year at Princeton University. Eager to make a difference, she joined a student organization, and together with other members approached the CEO of a major St. Louis-based company in an effort to raise funds.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Was it perhaps a doctor, a ballerina or a fireman? Many people are still holding on to childhood dreams – and that’s okay! Yet sometimes destiny has something even more special in store.

All her life, Sara Blakely wanted to become a lawyer. She’d seen her father work in court as a child, and was determined to be just like him. But when it came to law school admission tests, Blakely failed not once – but twice.

Can you imagine a business leader that takes showers at public tennis courts and only has $2.50 to spend each day? Sounds unbelievable, but that’s really how tough starting a new business can be. Luxury brand owner John Paul DeJoria can attest to this.

If there was anything that DeJoria’s mother taught him, it was that success has nothing to do with money. Rather, true success stems from working hard and being happy.