Recalling a Bunch of Rejuvenating Words
Shiv Khera is a known name and an introduction would surely belittle him as a writer, business consultant, a successful entrepreneur and above all a much sought-after speaker. As for as his writing is considered, he is generally known for his lucid words and animating language. Through his written works, he has not only encouraged and inspired people but has also infused a life of hope, success and passion in them. The poetic words of Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor aptly suit this prolific writer of our times:
Let me not ever chant the sleep-inducing tales;
Let me sing the songs which infuses life even into the dead.
Khera's chef d'oeuvre " YOU CAN WIN" is an international bestseller and has sold over 3.5 million copies in more than sixteen languages. Besides writing a preface, the author has divided the book into thirteen logical chapters. The book is, undoubtedly 'a step-by-step tool for Top Achievers' which also servers as its sub-title.
The author begins a long but smooth journey towards success with the first step called "Importance of Attitude". Here, he gives some realistic examples to highlight the importance of attitude rather positive attitude. He adds and explains certain factors that strengthen your attitude. Moreover, he draws some vivid distinctions between positive and negative attitude besides elucidating the concept of attitude. He offers various methods to build a positive attitude. In the second chapter titled, "How to Build a Positive Attitude," the author provides numerous anecdotes that encourage you for future recourse. Moreover, he offers eight important steps to build a positive attitude. They are discussed in detail, and simply brought home with different examples, stories, quotations etc. The author moves a step ahead with an important chapter titled, "Success". Here, he demystifies this (success) otherwise ambiguous term and also emphasizes on the multi-dimensional virtuous of a successful man. He seems to offer a helping hand by discussing in detail, the various winning strategies and devising different means to overcome the hardest obstacles. He, like a comrade, makes you realize your true potential. He doesn't merely enhance your understanding about 'success' but in the next chapter titled, "Attributes of Success," he presents a competant strategy to lay the foundations of the path to success. Moreover, he highlights ten important qualities that make a person successful. He doesn't stop here by leaving his readers in the lurch but, further strengthens his argument even in the next chapter titled, "What is Holding us Back?" Here, he discusses certain factors including fear and self-doubt, that restrain you from success. However, he encourages you, only the next moment, to muster all of your energies and abilities to achieve your cherished goal. Yet again, he mentions some more weaknesses that hinder you from success but he instantly comes up with necessary measures to overcome them (weaknesses).
Up to this extent, the reader already feels enthusiastic enough to carve his own script with his own hands for his success and the journey ahead.
The next two chapters titled, "Motivation" and "Self-esteem" are aptly named since they, in the real sense, motivate the reader and enhance his self-esteem respectively. Here, the author again brings in some effective anecdotes to keep yourself motivated everyday. He draws a discernible distinction between positive and negative behaviours and thus makes his readers vigilant enough to check and regulate their behaviour. The author also provides various steps on building a high self-esteem which, according to him, is the prerequisite for success.
In the next chapter titled, "Interpersonal Skills," the author justifies the importance of 'pleasing personality' besides offering various devices to develop it. Here, he further draws clear-cut distinctions by comparing and contrasting some ambiguous terms like "ego" vs "pride" and "selfishness" vs "self-interest".
The next chapter titled, "Build a Positive Personality" is directly linked with the previous one, and thus justifies the claim that the chapters are logically arranged. Here, he offers some 'simple to-do' but highly effective steps to develop a positive personality like: developing a sense of responsibility; accepting mistakes and correcting them; avoiding criticism; good listening; being enthusiastic, honest and faithful; thinking positive; smiling etc.
In the next chapter entitled, "Subconscious Mind," the author tries to bring the 'real you' to the reader. Moreover, he (in the Freudian sense) emphasizes on the part played by the unconscious mind in shaping your personality. After confronting the 'real you', the readers are persuaded enough to set their goals afresh. He, at the end of the chapter, offers some uncompounded but highly authentic methods to develop positive habits and character. Accordingly and appropriately, the next step is titled, "Goal Setting". Here, the importance of goal setting is brought home with the aid of some vivid illustrations. He further emphasizes on maintaining a perfect balance while heading towards your destination. The author, through his vibrating words and expressions seems to help his readers, time and again, for the journey ahead.
In the final chapter titled, "Values and Visions", the author ensures his readers to do an appropriate thing for an appropriate reason. He seems hell-bent to discuss in detail, the importance of ethics, culture and commitment. He emphasizes on living a purposeful life and relates story after story to authenticate his statement. The fatty reason for failure, according to him is, 'lack of vision or limited vision'. He seems compelling his readers to dream beyond what is possible. He adds that a life full of enthusiasm, direction and purpose is very close to success.
In short, the book generates enthusiasm and provides ample energy to go ahead in life. It also prepares the readers to face the challenges of life vigorously. The book is appropriately sub-titled, 'a step-by-step tool for Top Achievers' as it provides, unlike any other book, an action plan after every chapter. Moreover, the writing style is lucid and offers logical explanation of almost everything for better comprehension. The author has tried and succeeded in motivating an addressee to lead a purposeful life. To cut a long story short, we can that " YOU CAN WIN" is a recipe for marvellous success.
PS: Thanks to my dear friends Dilawar Abbass and Irfan Jaffar for introducing me to Shiv Khera and his works.
Shahnawaz Ishaq
Masters in English Literature from Central University Of Kashmir.
Shiv Khera is a known name and an introduction would surely belittle him as a writer, business consultant, a successful entrepreneur and above all a much sought-after speaker. As for as his writing is considered, he is generally known for his lucid words and animating language. Through his written works, he has not only encouraged and inspired people but has also infused a life of hope, success and passion in them. The poetic words of Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor aptly suit this prolific writer of our times:
Let me not ever chant the sleep-inducing tales;
Let me sing the songs which infuses life even into the dead.
Khera's chef d'oeuvre " YOU CAN WIN" is an international bestseller and has sold over 3.5 million copies in more than sixteen languages. Besides writing a preface, the author has divided the book into thirteen logical chapters. The book is, undoubtedly 'a step-by-step tool for Top Achievers' which also servers as its sub-title.
The author begins a long but smooth journey towards success with the first step called "Importance of Attitude". Here, he gives some realistic examples to highlight the importance of attitude rather positive attitude. He adds and explains certain factors that strengthen your attitude. Moreover, he draws some vivid distinctions between positive and negative attitude besides elucidating the concept of attitude. He offers various methods to build a positive attitude. In the second chapter titled, "How to Build a Positive Attitude," the author provides numerous anecdotes that encourage you for future recourse. Moreover, he offers eight important steps to build a positive attitude. They are discussed in detail, and simply brought home with different examples, stories, quotations etc. The author moves a step ahead with an important chapter titled, "Success". Here, he demystifies this (success) otherwise ambiguous term and also emphasizes on the multi-dimensional virtuous of a successful man. He seems to offer a helping hand by discussing in detail, the various winning strategies and devising different means to overcome the hardest obstacles. He, like a comrade, makes you realize your true potential. He doesn't merely enhance your understanding about 'success' but in the next chapter titled, "Attributes of Success," he presents a competant strategy to lay the foundations of the path to success. Moreover, he highlights ten important qualities that make a person successful. He doesn't stop here by leaving his readers in the lurch but, further strengthens his argument even in the next chapter titled, "What is Holding us Back?" Here, he discusses certain factors including fear and self-doubt, that restrain you from success. However, he encourages you, only the next moment, to muster all of your energies and abilities to achieve your cherished goal. Yet again, he mentions some more weaknesses that hinder you from success but he instantly comes up with necessary measures to overcome them (weaknesses).
Up to this extent, the reader already feels enthusiastic enough to carve his own script with his own hands for his success and the journey ahead.
The next two chapters titled, "Motivation" and "Self-esteem" are aptly named since they, in the real sense, motivate the reader and enhance his self-esteem respectively. Here, the author again brings in some effective anecdotes to keep yourself motivated everyday. He draws a discernible distinction between positive and negative behaviours and thus makes his readers vigilant enough to check and regulate their behaviour. The author also provides various steps on building a high self-esteem which, according to him, is the prerequisite for success.
In the next chapter titled, "Interpersonal Skills," the author justifies the importance of 'pleasing personality' besides offering various devices to develop it. Here, he further draws clear-cut distinctions by comparing and contrasting some ambiguous terms like "ego" vs "pride" and "selfishness" vs "self-interest".
The next chapter titled, "Build a Positive Personality" is directly linked with the previous one, and thus justifies the claim that the chapters are logically arranged. Here, he offers some 'simple to-do' but highly effective steps to develop a positive personality like: developing a sense of responsibility; accepting mistakes and correcting them; avoiding criticism; good listening; being enthusiastic, honest and faithful; thinking positive; smiling etc.
In the next chapter entitled, "Subconscious Mind," the author tries to bring the 'real you' to the reader. Moreover, he (in the Freudian sense) emphasizes on the part played by the unconscious mind in shaping your personality. After confronting the 'real you', the readers are persuaded enough to set their goals afresh. He, at the end of the chapter, offers some uncompounded but highly authentic methods to develop positive habits and character. Accordingly and appropriately, the next step is titled, "Goal Setting". Here, the importance of goal setting is brought home with the aid of some vivid illustrations. He further emphasizes on maintaining a perfect balance while heading towards your destination. The author, through his vibrating words and expressions seems to help his readers, time and again, for the journey ahead.
In the final chapter titled, "Values and Visions", the author ensures his readers to do an appropriate thing for an appropriate reason. He seems hell-bent to discuss in detail, the importance of ethics, culture and commitment. He emphasizes on living a purposeful life and relates story after story to authenticate his statement. The fatty reason for failure, according to him is, 'lack of vision or limited vision'. He seems compelling his readers to dream beyond what is possible. He adds that a life full of enthusiasm, direction and purpose is very close to success.
In short, the book generates enthusiasm and provides ample energy to go ahead in life. It also prepares the readers to face the challenges of life vigorously. The book is appropriately sub-titled, 'a step-by-step tool for Top Achievers' as it provides, unlike any other book, an action plan after every chapter. Moreover, the writing style is lucid and offers logical explanation of almost everything for better comprehension. The author has tried and succeeded in motivating an addressee to lead a purposeful life. To cut a long story short, we can that " YOU CAN WIN" is a recipe for marvellous success.
PS: Thanks to my dear friends Dilawar Abbass and Irfan Jaffar for introducing me to Shiv Khera and his works.
Shahnawaz Ishaq
Masters in English Literature from Central University Of Kashmir.
