Twelve and a Half Book Summary - Twelve and a Half Book explained in key points
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Twelve and a Half summary

Gary Vaynerchuk

Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success

4.3 (298 ratings)
27 mins

Brief summary

Twelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk is a memoir that shares the lessons he’s learned throughout his life and career, offering advice on how to pursue your passion, take risks, and ultimately find success.

Table of Contents

    Twelve and a Half
    Summary of 13 key ideas

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    Ingredient number 1: Gratitude.

    To kick things off, I want you to imagine a scenario. I want you to hold it in your mind. Because we’ll be coming back to it again and again and again. 

    Ready? Scenario: imagine you’re a relatively new business owner and you’re totally fired up. You’re gonna do this thing whatever it takes. Because of your passion, because of your determination, you’ve put out tons of content for your business on social media. You’ve got audio, video, you’re blogging like crazy, Twitter, Instagram stories – everything. But after two months of cranking out the content, the results are just sort of meh. Sure, you’ve gained some followers. But no new customers. So what’s the deal? Are you on the right track? Or maybe you’re not doing enough? Maybe you’ve gotta change your strategy? Or maybe you’re not cut out for this. Maybe you should throw in the towel, call it quits. 

    We both know that quitting is not an option. And, actually, this hurdle you’re facing is not a disaster. It’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to leverage emotional intelligence. As you know, emotional intelligence has 12 ingredients. And this is an opportunity to use them all. But we’ve got to start with one. So let’s start with gratitude. 

    Gratitude is the ability to be thankful and show appreciation. In the situation I’ve just described, you might be pitying yourself a bit; you might be thinking that you’ve got it rough or that the world hates you, hates your content, and hates your business. 

    But pause a second. Consider how great you have it compared to so many other people in the world. You’re trying to start a business, right? Look – a little over 10 percent of the world’s population doesn’t even have access to safe drinking water. Three billion of the world’s people don’t have an internet connection. You are trying to start a business. So pause. Pause and consider how lucky you are to be in a position to do that.

    Gratitude is the first ingredient, and it’s extremely important. In fact, it can be applied to almost every situation in life. Regardless of what happened to you today or yesterday, you’re incredibly lucky to have all the things you have – and you should never lose sight of that.

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    What is Twelve and a Half about?

    Twelve and a Half (2021) is a frank, straight-talking guide to the twelve emotional skills that will bring you success in business and in life. Combining anecdotes from the author’s experience as well as typical business scenarios, it shows how, in the grand scheme of things, “soft” skills can actually be more important than the oft-prioritized “hard” skills. With a strong foundation in emotional intelligence, executives, founders, and entrepreneurs can navigate even the most difficult of situations with poise and confidence.

    Twelve and a Half Review

    Twelve and a Half (2022) offers a captivating exploration of the untapped potential that lies within our minds. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With its fascinating stories and insightful anecdotes, it reveals the astounding power of the human mind and its ability to overcome challenges.
    • By combining scientific research and personal experiences, the book provides practical strategies and techniques for unlocking our full cognitive potential.
    • Its engaging narrative and thought-provoking insights ensure that even the most skeptical readers will find the subject matter intriguing and the content highly relevant.

    Who should read Twelve and a Half?

    • Aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, and executives
    • Employees dissatisfied with their jobs, employers, or lines of work
    • Anyone seeking a quick and dirty guide to emotional intelligence

    About the Author

    Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur and internet personality. He is the cofounder of Resy and Empathy Wines and the founder of VaynerX and its subsidiary, VaynerMedia. He hosts several YouTube and radio shows, including Wine & Web, the #AskGaryVee Show, and DailyVee, and he was listed as one of Forbes’ Top Social Influencers in 2017.

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    Twelve and a Half FAQs 

    What is the main message of Twelve and a Half?

    The main message of Twelve and a Half is about embracing change and finding growth opportunities in unexpected situations.

    How long does it take to read Twelve and a Half?

    The reading time for Twelve and a Half varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Twelve and a Half a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Twelve and a Half is a captivating book that offers valuable insights and encourages personal growth. It's definitely worth reading.

    Who is the author of Twelve and a Half?

    Gary Vaynerchuk is the author of Twelve and a Half.

    What to read after Twelve and a Half?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Twelve and a Half, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
    • The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
    • Crushing it! by Gary Vaynerchuk
    • 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness by Jim Rohn
    • Focus by Daniel Goleman
    • Outlive by Peter Attia
    • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
    • 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk
    • Be the Unicorn by William Vanderbloemen