Start, Stay, or Leave Book Summary - Start, Stay, or Leave Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Start, Stay, or Leave summary

The Art of Decision Making

4.2 (87 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

Start, Stay, or Leave by Trey Gowdy is a guide on decision-making in important life transitions. It offers practical advice and personal anecdotes on how to navigate career changes, relationships, and finding purpose in life.

Table of Contents

    Start, Stay, or Leave
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    Section One: Start at the end.

    What do you do when you’re working hard toward a goal, doing all the right things, and realize that you're still not getting the outcome you wanted. Maybe it's a career goal, a personal project, or a long-standing dream. Where do you go from there? What else is there to do if you’re already doing all the right things?

    Trey Gowdy, the author, found himself in this situation during his career as a federal prosecutor. He was only 30 years old when he landed his first high-profile murder case. He and his team spent months preparing for the trial, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses. But despite their hard work, the case wasn't going well, and Gowdy was worried they might not get the conviction they were seeking. That's when he decided to take a step back and instead start at the end.

    Gowdy realized that to win the case, they needed to convince the jury that the defendant was guilty beyond reasonable doubt. So, he began focusing his efforts on writing the closing argument he’d make to the jury. He knew that if he could present a compelling, convincing argument, they’d be more likely to come to the desired verdict.

    By starting with the end in mind, Gowdy was able to create a clear plan to achieve his goal. He worked backward from the desired outcome and focused his efforts on the steps that would lead to that outcome. This approach helped him to successfully secure a conviction in the case. Since then, Gowdy has used the power of starting at the end to help him achieve almost every goal throughout his career.

    The next time you're faced with a difficult decision or a challenging goal, take a page from Gowdy’s book and try to visualize what the end result will look like. Then, write down a clear and concise description of what you want to achieve. This can help you focus your efforts and make sure you stay on track to reach your ultimate goal.

    For example, if you want to start a new business, write down a description of the company you want to build, the products or services you'll offer, and the revenue and profit goals you hope to achieve in the next one to three years.

    Starting with the end in mind isn't just about setting goals, though. It's also about breaking those goals down into smaller, achievable steps and focusing your efforts around those steps. Once you have your big-picture goal figured out, take time to write down the milestones, checkpoints, and deadlines you'll need to hit along the way – and break down each step into smaller, more manageable tasks.

    Say your goal is to run a marathon in six months. You’ll need to write down the specific training plan you'll need to follow, the weekly mileage goals you'll need to hit, and the smaller milestones you'll need to reach along the way, such as running a 10k or half-marathon.

    By starting with the end in mind and planning backward, you can give yourself a clear roadmap to follow and avoid getting sidetracked by distractions or setbacks. These techniques can help you stay focused and motivated, even when the going gets tough.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Start, Stay, or Leave?

    Key ideas in Start, Stay, or Leave

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Start, Stay, or Leave about?

    Start, Stay, or Leave (2023) provides practical advice for individuals at any stage of their career who are seeking guidance on how to make informed and fulfilling career decisions. Doing so relies on the importance of self-awareness, defining one's purpose and values, and creating a clear plan for achieving one's goals. 

    Start, Stay, or Leave Review

    Start, Stay, or Leave (2022) by Trey Gowdy is an insightful exploration of the factors to consider when making important decisions in our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Offers a practical framework to help individuals navigate difficult choices and find clarity in their personal and professional lives.
    • Presents compelling stories and anecdotes from Gowdy's own experiences, providing valuable lessons and relatability.
    • Delivers thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional wisdom, encouraging readers to think deeply about their own values and priorities.

    Who should read Start, Stay, or Leave?

    • People looking to start a new career
    • Workaholics trying to adjust their priorities
    • Anyone looking for advice on how to make life’s big decisions

    About the Author

    Trey Gowdy is a former United States Representative from South Carolina and former federal prosecutor. He gained national attention for his role in the investigations into the 2012 Benghazi attack and the Hillary Clinton email controversy. Gowdy is also the author of the book Doesn't Hurt to Ask.

    Categories with Start, Stay, or Leave

    Book summaries like Start, Stay, or Leave

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    36 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    Start, Stay, or Leave FAQs 

    What is the main message of Start, Stay, or Leave?

    The main message of Start, Stay, or Leave is the importance of making informed decisions about our careers.

    How long does it take to read Start, Stay, or Leave?

    The reading time for Start, Stay, or Leave varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.

    Is Start, Stay, or Leave a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Start, Stay, or Leave is a valuable read for anyone seeking guidance on career choices. It offers practical insights and helps readers gain clarity about their professional paths.

    Who is the author of Start, Stay, or Leave?

    The author of Start, Stay, or Leave is Trey Gowdy.

    What to read after Start, Stay, or Leave?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Start, Stay, or Leave, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Decision Making and Problem Solving by John Adair
    • Betting on You by Laurie Ruettimann
    • Confidence by Ethan Nichtern
    • How to Say Anything to Anyone by Shari Harley
    • Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI for Beginners by David M. Patel
    • Facilitating Breakthrough by Adam Kahane
    • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
    • Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
    • Adaptability by Max McKeown
    • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill