Sometimes You Win Sometimes You learn - John C. Maxwell

 

If we introspect deeply, we would come to the conclusion that there exist two variations of mindsets among humans when it comes to looking at life. The first one is minds that generally believe that human abilities are determined at birth and over the span of a life only nominal self-improvements can be made. The second one is minds which generally see life as a continuous work in progress, with flexible limits on what can be done and achieved in life. John C. Maxwell’s “Sometimes you Win Sometimes you learn” is the perfect read for the latter ones, though the first ones would also discover certain valuable lessons.

The first and foremost question that would come to anyone is that why this book when there are hundreds of similar books in the market. The answer would be a combination of reasons.

 First one would of course be the author. John Maxwell is a globally renowned leadership coach and has been listed as one of the most influential leadership experts by Inc in 2014. The organization which he has founded have trained millions of leaders across the world. A book coming from such an expert cannot be missed. The wisdom it provides is invaluable.

Secondly, this book takes a different route than many of the motivational and leadership books. The crux of book deals with life’s greatest lessons that one can gain from life’s failure and losses. We all go through failures and setbacks and this book gives an enlightening way of turning those set backs into learnings and future opportunities. It highlights that fact that why failures and mistakes are important in life as those events put us on track to future success. Every word and everything in the book deals with learning and its various inclusions that leads to the learning i.e. Road Map to learning.

The road map covers a range of topics. The author refers to these as “Keys”. In the topic of Humility, it very beautifully shows us how the right spirit helps one learn and how pride and false ego can be a hindrance in the process of learning. In the topic of Reality, it reveals us the three important yet ignored realities of life and how it can be changed through continuous learning. Under the topic of Responsibility, it explains how not taking up responsibility can make life difficult. With the topic of Improvement, it showcases some really insights into improvement. The topic of Hope is the most important among the list and its gives some really great actual examples of Hope.  Other topics that have been covered are teachability, Adversity, Problems, Bad experiences, change, Maturity and the last but not the least, about the fact that Winning isn’t everything but learning is.

Thirdly, this book gives some great examples from real life incidents from around and some real-life experiences of the author. That is priceless. What also adds to the essence of topic are the quotes that have been put within the chapters. It pumps the motivation cells within us and sets us on track.

Fourthly, I personally perceive this book as very important for teenagers and people who are going to start their careers and step into the professional life from the academics. In fact, there is one teen version of the book also available that beautifully captures the same topic with a twist for the teenagers.

The language of the book has been kept simple and understandable to people from all around the globe. The most important feeling that one comes across when reading this is relatability. Each one reading the chapters would identify themselves with situations mentioned and it is this relatability that makes the book a value added read.

So, the root of the question is that for which cluster of population is this book a value added read. I would say that for everyone who fears failure and mistakes this book would be a goldmine. This book would a helpful and value added read to make life more hopeful for the future.