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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Bounce Back summary
Susan Kahn
How to Fail Fast and Be Resilient at Work
23 mins
Brief summary
Bounce Back by Susan Kahn is a guide to developing resilience and recovering from adversity. Drawing on extensive research and real-life examples, it offers practical strategies for bouncing back from setbacks and building a positive mindset.
Table of Contents
Bounce Back
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
If you want to succeed, you should accept that you’re going to fail time and again.
In ancient Greece, merchants whose businesses failed were forced to sit in marketplaces with baskets over their heads. Seen by the crowds but unable to see themselves, they were ridiculed for their errors. Things weren’t much better in premodern Italy: in towns up and down the peninsula, failed businessmen were stripped naked and made to face the scorn of their jeering compatriots.
Failure, in other words, has historically been treated harshly. Contemporary societies aren’t quite as brutal, and yet our fear of failure lives on. But failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The key message here is: If you want to succeed, you should accept that you’re going to fail time and again.
Whatever the industry, professionals and organizations benefit when they learn from their failures. This is because, contrary to conventional wisdom, failure doesn’t make you less intelligent or able. In fact, the most accomplished and talented individuals and institutions routinely experience failure. They recognize that, as the psychologist Denis Waitley puts it, failure isn’t an “undertaker” – it’s a teacher.
Take it from basketball star Michael Jordan, one of the most successful players in the history of the sport. Looking back, Jordan sees his career as a series of failures. He missed over 9,000 shots, 26 of which were potential game-winners. He failed time and again. “That,” he said, “is why I succeed.”
Then there’s JK Rowling, one of the world’s most respected authors. Before Harry Potter became the global sensation it is today, her books were rejected by dozens of publishing houses. Or take Netflix. The on-demand video streaming service was first pitched to Blockbuster in 2000 for a fraction of its current value. Blockbuster turned it down.
These kinds of failures provide a valuable lesson on the importance of self-belief and determination. Just think of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb. He famously regarded each failure as a step in the right direction. With all these failed attempts he had found 10,000 ways that wouldn’t work!
But even though failure is so important, not everyone will respond to it in an encouraging and supportive way. Some stakeholders, like bosses or clients, will inevitably be upset. So it’s very important to develop a system that encourages risks and failures, but which also avoids a breakdown in relations. Call it fail fast. We’ll explore this idea in the next blink.
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What is Bounce Back about?
Bounce Back (2020) is an instruction manual for professionals faced by seemingly insurmountable workplace challenges. Drawing on business coach Susan Kahn’s insights into the psychology of resilience, these blinks explore strategies that will help you overcome setbacks and change your thinking. Along the way, you’ll find out what ancient Greek philosophy, Freudian psychoanalysis, and contemporary neuroscience can teach us about the art of resilience.
Bounce Back Review
Bounce Back (2021) by Susan Kahn is a book that offers practical advice on how to overcome setbacks and build resilience. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides concrete strategies to help individuals bounce back from adversity and build a resilient mindset.
- Inspiring real-life stories are woven throughout the book, demonstrating the power of resilience and showcasing how others have overcome challenges.
- With its actionable exercises and helpful tips, the book keeps readers engaged and motivated to apply the techniques in their own lives.
Best quote from Bounce Back
Greater self-awareness and understanding will help us to be more resilient and to find a way to work through these worries.
—Susan Kahn
Who should read Bounce Back?
- Would-be risk-takers scared of failing
- Managers and team leaders
- Workers worried about disruptive changes
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Bounce Back FAQs
What is the main message of Bounce Back?
The main message of Bounce Back is how to overcome adversity and thrive in challenging times.
How long does it take to read Bounce Back?
The reading time for Bounce Back varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Bounce Back a good book? Is it worth reading?
Bounce Back is a valuable read for anyone looking to build resilience and navigate life's setbacks. It offers practical advice and inspiring stories.
Who is the author of Bounce Back?
The author of Bounce Back is Susan Kahn.
What to read after Bounce Back?
If you're wondering what to read next after Bounce Back, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Switch Craft by Elaine Fox
- Risk Savvy by Gerd Gigerenzer
- Make Change Work for You by Scott Steinberg
- The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
- The Discomfort Zone by Marcia Reynolds
- Adaptability by Max McKeown
- The First Rule of Mastery by Michael Gervais
- The 5 Resets by Aditi Nerurkar
- The Art of Positive Thinking by Elizabeth R. Brown
- The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking by Michael D. Watkins