Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference by Guy Kawasaki (with Madisun Nuismer) is a book written to Gen Z that applies to us all. The book contains three movements:
STAGE 1: GROWTH–BUILD A FOUNDATION
STAGE 2: GRIT–ACTIVATE YOUR ASPIRATIONS
STAGE 3: GRACE–UPLIFT AND INSPIRE
Its chapters describe what the book is about:
- Adopt the Growth Mindset (Struggle and change are good because they mean you are growing; humility is key and remembering we’re part of a collective)
- Embrace Vulnerability (If you’re not falling short sometimes, you are not applying yourself)
- Plant Many Seeds (Practice discernment about when to listen, when to ignore and when to challenge–this helps you grow more efficiently)
- Do Good Shit (Work backwards, and seek solutions; make the leap from empathy to action and work to alleviate suffering compassionately)
- Get Beyond Eureka (Set formal goals, conceptualize your plans, find a mentor, develop a routine)
- Sell Your Dream (Get your foot in the door, adopt a flexible approach to the word “no”, etc.)
- Lead By Example (Don’t focus on yourself but rather on society as a whole, remember your difference-making goal, make everything trans- and LGBTQIA+ inclusive; have humility and self-confidence; draw boundaries on your time and reduce unnecessary risk)
- Take the High Road (Success comes with moral responsibilities and obligations; Do more than expected, trust people, and be flexible; ask people how they came to their beliefs rather than what they believe or why they believe it)
- Turn and Burn (Leave no regrets. The four types of regrets people have are: 1) foundation regrets (not taking care of yourself physically or intellectually) 2) boldness regrets (not taking action) 3) connection regrets (letting relationships slide, relationship drift) 4) moral regrets (such as bullying people)
This book was really inspirational and was full of numerous examples with which the above points are impressed upon the reader. In a world where I am constantly trying to figure out what would inspire young people, and how to help the most constructively, I highly recommend this book. It is simple, compact, and thoughtful. The world is so hard to manage, media is crumbling, decency is hard to find, and connections are eroding. Buy this book. Recommend it to young ones and those who mentor them.
