It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be Book Summary - It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be Book explained in key points
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It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be summary

The World’s Best Selling Book

4.1 (87 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

'It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be' by Paul Arden is a creative guidebook that encourages readers to strive for success, breaks down common myths, and offers practical tips to achieve greatness in any field.

Table of Contents

    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    Be ambitious and set goals beyond what you think you’re capable of.

    Everyone wants to be good at what they do. But what does “being good” mean to you? Do you want to be the best in your workplace? The best in your community? Or perhaps the best in the world?

    Many believe that the most successful people in the world are also the most talented, but that’s only one piece of the pie.

    Sure, talent is important. But talent on its own will only get you so far. If you want to reach the level of world-class greatness, you’ll need to combine talent with another key factor – ambition.

    Think of your friends and classmates growing up. Did the smartest or most talented students end up being the most successful? When someone has smarts, but no ambition, they'll usually get by on whatever past accomplishments they may have. The brightest stars, on the other hand, are the ones who combine their know-how with ambition and a vision for the future.

    The truth is, lots of people are smart and talented, but there’s no replacing real ambition and persistence in planning for your future. And this involves setting goals that may not seem achievable today.

    In other words, the secret to reaching great heights is to ignore your current limitations and set goals above and beyond what you think you’re capable of.

    Keep in mind that you can always continue learning and adding to your skillset. You may not think you’re capable of running your own business, for example, but don’t let that stop you from making it your goal. Just because you’re ill-prepared for something today, it doesn’t mean you won’t be ready tomorrow.

    Even if your goal isn’t entirely logical, it can be a perfect source of ambition, inspiration and motivation. When former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was a teenager, she told herself, “I want to be as famous as Persil Automatic.” Persil Automatic is one of the most popular brands of detergent in England, so Beckham wasn’t even thinking in terms of singers or even human beings. She wanted to become a household name, and that’s just what she did. And so can you, if you set the right goals and have the ambition to see them through.

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    Key ideas in It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be

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    What is It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be about?

    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be (2003) offers sage advice to anyone interested in turning their grand ambitions into reality. Paul Arden takes readers behind the scenes of the advertising world to reveal the best and most effective techniques for pitching ideas and getting the client to say yes. Throughout, Arden encourages creative minds to think big and break away from the mundane and mediocre.

    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be Review

    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be (2003) is a motivational book that offers practical advice for achieving success in any field. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides insightful tips on how to embrace ambition and set high goals, pushing readers to strive for excellence.
    • With its concise and straightforward approach, it delivers valuable lessons without overwhelming the reader.
    • The book's impressive collection of quotes and examples from successful individuals inspires and motivates, making it an engaging and stimulating read.

    Best quote from It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be

    Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have.

    —Paul Arden
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    Who should read It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be?

    • People in marketing and advertising
    • Entrepreneurs and anyone with a product to sell
    • Dreamers and ambitious folk who need motivation

    About the Author

    Paul Arden is a creative mastermind with over 30 years’ experience in the advertising industry. He’s worked with major companies such as Toyota, British Airways and Fuji to create some of the most successful advertising campaigns in Britain. He is also the author of Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite (2006) and God Explained in a Taxi Ride (2007).

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    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be FAQs 

    What is the main message of It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be?

    The main message of It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be is that success comes from mindset and ambition.

    How long does it take to read It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be?

    The reading time for It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be varies depending on the reader, but it can take a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.

    Is It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be a good book? Is it worth reading?

    It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be is a worthwhile read because it provides valuable insights and inspiration for personal and professional growth.

    Who is the author of It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be?

    The author of It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be is Paul Arden.

    What to read after It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be?

    If you're wondering what to read next after It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
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    • Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter
    • Consciousness Explained by Daniel C. Dennett