Jumpstart

In this book, the author introduces a strategic roadmap that is applicable in any industry and marketplace. It is structured around twenty-five learning-based insights called strategies: Be Well-Educated; Be Circumspect about Your First Job; Get Smart With Bosses; Be Appreciative Of Other People; Look For The Positive In The Negative; Consider Past, Present And Future As One; Treat Money As Only The Penultimate Goal; Be In The Look-Out For Green Pastures; Become Indispensable; Leverage On Peaks And Troughs; Learn A New Language; Travel Or Better Still, Live Abroad; Keep Both Brain And Body In Good Shape; Don’t Hesitate To Share; Always Have Slack Time To Think; Be Creative; Sharpen Your Domain Expertise; Be A CEO; Understand Both Economics and Ergonomics; Compute Your Own Personal Balance Sheet; Deal With Fear; Make Your Family A Career Partner; Look Beyond Age Sixty; Give Back; and Remain Vigilant.

The author stresses that expertise is built on experience. He says, “School provides us with the initial analytical tool box needed to get us launched into a competitive marketplace. But, it is expertise built on experience that will jumpstart your career.” He also points out that any form of self-doubt kills determination. Engaging in negative self-talk conditions people to fail. The author explains that ” the negative messages that we send ourselves invariably originate from various types of fear that haunt us in our daily lives: fear of change, fear of strangers, fear of getting fired, fear of losing someone, fear of dying, fear of the unknown, etc.” We need to be able to distinguish what is the source of fear and control it to our advantage.

He reminds his readers to be vigilant about their performance, relationships and the changing world. He notes that “in a world that’s getting smaller and flatter, these insights are intended for everyone to whom it resonates, whoever you, wherever you are and whether you are in a market environment that is experiencing an economic downturn or upturn.”