Not Today Book Summary - Not Today Book explained in key points
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Not Today summary

Erica Schultz Mike Schultz

The 9 Habits of Extreme Productivity

4.3 (377 ratings)
24 mins

Brief summary

"Not Today" by Erica and Mike Schultz is a graphic novel that follows the journey of two siblings trying to survive in a world filled with zombies. With captivating illustrations and a unique narrative style, it's a thrilling and emotional read for fans of the genre.

Table of Contents

    Not Today
    Summary of 7 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 7

    Their son’s heart defect turned Mike and Erica’s lives upside down.

    These blinks are about how to be more productive at work. But they’re not just about that, because the authors, Mike and Erica Schultz, learned many of these lessons in pretty much the hardest way possible.

    In the years before they had kids, Mike and Erica lived a gloriously busy life together. They ran a successful small business that was just starting to turn into something big. They renovated a house by beautiful Lake Boon in Massachusetts. And they had active social lives too.

    The one extra thing they wanted was a family, so they were ecstatic when Erica got pregnant.

    During an ultrasound, however, the concerned expressions on the medical staff’s faces told them that something was wrong. The problem, it turned out, was in their child’s heart. In that moment, everything changed.

    The key message here is: Their son’s heart defect turned Mike and Erica’s lives upside down.

    Ari, Mike and Erica’s son, had hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which affected his heart’s ability to circulate blood. Even after several operations during pregnancy, Ari was born in a critical state and had two major operations in his first seven months.

    Despite his heart problems, the precocious young Ari loved sports. He wowed people with his basketball moves, and was playing golf at the age of two. But in his five and a half years of life, he spent more than a full year in hospital care.

    And of course, so did his parents.

    Taking a break from work would have meant Mike and Erica’s whole business failing. And that would have meant losing their health insurance.

    Imagine not just running a business from a hospital waiting room, but doing so while your infant son is fighting for his life down the hall. How could you get any work done at all?

    Yet during this period, Mike and Erica rebuilt their business, expanded into nine international offices, and wrote four books, including a best seller. And they had two more children, Lexi and Eli.

    They also did some research into productivity. Surveying thousands of professionals, they identified a group they called the Extremely Productive, or the XP, who had notably different work habits from everyone else, which allowed them to get far more done.

    These habits aren’t things you have to be born with. They’re simple little hacks that anyone can learn. That’s how the authors managed to reshape their business during those dark days in the hospital with Ari.

    And it’s how you can increase your own productivity too – as you’re about to find out.

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    What is Not Today about?

    Not Today (2021) explains how you can become extremely productive through nine simple steps. The authors learned many of these lessons while running their business at the same time as caring for their gravely ill young son.

    Not Today Review

    Not Today (2021) is a gripping book that delves into the world of human trafficking and the rescue missions to bring victims to safety. Here's what makes this book worth reading:

    • Through real-life stories and firsthand accounts, the book sheds light on the gravity of the issue, raising awareness and inspiring action.
    • It offers a deep exploration of the complexities surrounding human trafficking, making readers more knowledgeable about this pressing global problem.
    • With its empathetic portrayal of survivors and the dedicated individuals fighting against trafficking, the book delivers an emotional and thought-provoking reading experience.

    Who should read Not Today?

    • Entrepreneurs and ambitious workers who want to up their productivity
    • Business leaders with an eye on efficiency
    • Lovers of inspiring personal stories

    About the Author

    Erica and Mike Schulz are the leaders of RAIN Group, one of the world’s leading sales training companies. They’ve worked with top organizations including Toyota and Harvard Business School. Mike has also written several other books including Rainmaking Conversations. They are also the parents of Ari, their son, which they count as their greatest achievement.

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    Not Today FAQs 

    What is the main message of Not Today?

    The main message of Not Today is a powerful reminder to live in the present and embrace the beauty of everyday moments.

    How long does it take to read Not Today?

    The reading time for Not Today varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Not Today a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Not Today is a captivating read that offers an insightful perspective on finding joy and meaning in the everyday. It's definitely worth reading.

    Who is the author of Not Today?

    The authors of Not Today are Erica Schultz and Mike Schultz.

    What to read after Not Today?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Not Today, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Radical Candor by Kim Scott
    • Source Code by Bill Gates
    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
    • Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
    • The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
    • The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
    • Change Anything by Kerry Patterson
    • How to be F*cking Awesome by Dan Meredith
    • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
    • The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle