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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Go-Giver summary
Bob Burg and John David Mann
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
12 mins
Brief summary
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann is a parable that teaches the importance of giving. It highlights that putting others' needs first can be more rewarding in the long run and can lead to success in both professional and personal life.
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The Go-Giver
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
The best way to succeed is not to try and take everything from life for yourself, but to share it with others.
What would you look like as a success? Sometimes, the more you work to become the rich, admired entrepreneur you’d like to be, the further away it all seems. If nothing seems to be working in your favor, then you may need to change your mind-set.
Of course, we all want to attract success in our lives. But the best approach isn’t to focus on gaining things for ourselves.
Let’s take the example of Joe, a friend of the author and, by all accounts, a real go-getter. Joe was ambitious, hard-working and dedicated to his job. Yet the harder he struggled to succeed, the further away his goals seemed. What was happening?
Joe threw himself blindly at the goal of becoming successful and in doing so, stopped striving to do high-quality work he’d done in the past. Quite simply, he pushed himself to succeed so much that he lost sight of what was important.
There was one key difference between Joe and the people who were achieving the success he desired. A go-getter thinks only of what they can gain. But successful people think in terms of what they can give to others.
This is the go-giver mentality. It’s based on both the pleasure of giving and the idea that you get out of life what you are looking for. So if you worry that people are taking advantage of you, eventually they will. If you are looking for conflict, it will find you. But if you are looking for the best in people, and go into business with the express wish of giving good things to other people, you’ll be surprised at how much talent, empathy and good you’ll find.
In the following blinks, we’ll learn the rules that will help you unleash the power of giving. This way, we’ll see that success isn’t measured by how much you get, but by what you manage to give.
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What is The Go-Giver about?
The Go-Giver shares five simple principles that are the secret to achieving realistic success in life – while becoming a better person. These blinks use examples from real businesses that will help us achieve our goals and dreams by harnessing generosity and authenticity.
The Go-Giver Review
The Go-Giver (2007) is a compelling story that teaches powerful lessons about the value of giving and creating value for others. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers practical insights on how shifting our focus from getting to giving can lead to success and fulfillment.
- By sharing real-life examples and thought-provoking anecdotes, the book drives home the message that giving and adding value is a win-win.
- The book's engaging storytelling and relatable characters make it an enjoyable read, ensuring that the ideas stick and resonate long after finishing the book.
Best quote from The Go-Giver
Trying to be successful with making money as your goal is like trying to travel a superhighway at 70 miles an hour with your eyes glued to the rearview mirror.
—Bob Burg and John David Mann
Who should read The Go-Giver?
- Anyone who wants success in their endeavors
- Anyone seeking to achieve peacefulness and satisfaction
- Anyone looking for a business formula that combines profit with pleasure
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The Go-Giver FAQs
What is the main message of The Go-Giver?
The main message of The Go-Giver is that giving value and putting others' interests first leads to success and fulfillment.
How long does it take to read The Go-Giver?
The reading time for The Go-Giver varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Go-Giver a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Go-Giver is a worthwhile read. It provides valuable insights into the power of giving and offers practical advice for achieving success.
Who is the author of The Go-Giver?
The authors of The Go-Giver are Bob Burg and John David Mann.
What to read after The Go-Giver?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Go-Giver, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Elevate by Joseph Deitch
- Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray
- Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
- Boost! by Michael Bar-Eli
- Licence to be Bad by Jonathan Aldred
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
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