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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Third Door summary
Alex Banayan
The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World’s Most Successful People Launched Their Careers
27 mins
Brief summary
The Third Door by Alex Banayan is an inspiring book about the journey of a young man in search of the most successful people in the world, and how he discovered the key to success by following unconventional paths.
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The Third Door
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Bill Gates inspired the author to go on a quest for the secrets to success.
Alex Banayan was supposed to become a doctor. At least, that was his parents’ plan for him. But at 18 years old, a month into college as a pre-med, he realized this wasn’t the path for him.
One day, while reading a biography of Bill Gates instead of studying, Banayan started wondering. Bill Gates had become the richest man in the world and revolutionized the software industry. But how? How did he go from a regular 18-year-old kid, just like Banayan, to becoming the wealthiest man in the world? Banayan started looking into other successful people: How had Steven Spielberg, a guy who didn’t even get into film school, ended up as one of the most successful directors in history? What did Lady Gaga do to pivot from waiting tables to nailing her first record deal in 2006?
Banayan couldn’t find a book that gave him the answer to these questions, so he decided to write it himself. Why not? He’d arrange interviews with Bill Gates and of other legends, travel across the US to meet with them, write up his discoveries and share them with his entire generation.
Getting the interviews was one thing, getting to them was quite another. The hard part, he quickly realized, would be funding the travel to all those interviews.
But as luck would have it, the game show The Price is Right was being filmed a few miles away. Winning the show was how he’d fund his quest.
Some googling told him that the wackier the behavior at casting, the more chance of getting selected for the show. So when he turned up on set, Banayan hugged janitors, danced with security guards and flirted with old ladies. It worked, and he got selected. He didn’t actually know how to play the game though, so began chatting to his fellow contestants. One kindly old woman, who said she’d been watching for 40 years, took a shine to him. She advised him to always guess low, as guessing too high would get you eliminated.
Hours later, with studio lights shining in his face, Banayan won the final prize – a sailboat, retail price $31,188, which he sold days later for $16,000. His quest could begin.
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What is The Third Door about?
The Third Door (2018) tells the tale of an ambitious, 18-year-old college freshman who decided to track down Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Lady Gaga and many more of the world’s most famous people to find out how they got their big break. After hacking the game show The Price is Right and funding his adventure with the winnings, Banayan used his chutzpah and persistence to gain access to the global elite and learn their secrets.
The Third Door Review
The Third Door (2018) is an enthralling journey by Alex Banayan as he embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of success and fulfillment. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- Featuring inspiring interviews with some of the world's most influential figures, it offers valuable insights and lessons for achieving greatness.
- With its adventurous storytelling and captivating anecdotes, the book keeps readers engaged from start to finish, making it anything but boring.
- It provides a fresh perspective on success, encouraging readers to think outside the box and embrace unconventional paths to achieve their goals.
Best quote from The Third Door
Having a teacher or boss tell you what to do makes life a lot easier. But nobody achieves a dream from the comfort of certainty.
—Alex Banayan
Who should read The Third Door?
- Young people considering how to start their careers
- Anyone needing a little inspiration to take a risk and follow their dreams
- People interested in how the successful launched their careers
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The Third Door FAQs
What is the main message of The Third Door?
The main message of The Third Door is to remind readers that success is attainable through unconventional approaches and relentless perseverance.
How long does it take to read The Third Door?
The reading time for The Third Door varies depending on the reader's pace. However, the Blinkist summary can be completed in just 15 minutes.
Is The Third Door a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Third Door is a worthwhile read for those seeking inspiration. It offers a fascinating exploration of unconventional paths to success.
Who is the author of The Third Door?
The author of The Third Door is Alex Banayan.
What to read after The Third Door?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Third Door, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman
- Start-up of You by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
- Linchpin by Seth Godin
- Think Again by Adam Grant
- How to Change by Katy Milkman
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs
- No Explanation Required! by Carol Sankar
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss