Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference

In Think Remarkable, Guy Kawasaki transcends the conventional scope of self-improvement literature by proposing an integrative approach to personal and professional evolution. Unlike typical works that target isolated domains such as skill enhancement, knowledge expansion, purpose rediscovery, self-evaluation refinement, emotional resilience, goal-setting, or life balance, Kawasaki urges readers to elevate their perspective: Thinking remarkable in order to be remarkable “means you are making a difference and making the world a better place.” Remarkableness lies in impactful actions that create positive change.As a result, the book is more than a guide to personal rebranding, repackaging or repositioning. It’s a journey toward broadened horizons, “mind-expanding experiences,” and the discovery of one’s “ikigai,” a Japanese term that designates a reason for being, which serves as compass for a purposeful life intricately woven into the fabric of one's community, one’s ohana—the supportive network that forms one's extended family—underscoring the importance of interconnectedness."Think Remarkable" offers a roadmap for navigating the nine paths “to transform your life and make a difference.” These pathways are neatly organized under three core principles: Growth, Grit, and Grace. Growth serves as the fundamental base of the transformative journey, emphasizing personal advancement and the acquisition of knowledge. Grit is the driving force that powers the application and persistence towards one's goals, encapsulating the resilience and tenacity required to bring dreams to fruition. Grace represents the elegance and compassion one exhibits, enriching the lives of others through kindness and thoughtful actions.Rather than inundating readers with extensive theoretical explanations, Guy Kawasaki, employs a unique storytelling approach. He draws from a rich tapestry of experiences, showcasing brief yet impactful vignettes from a diverse group of individuals. These narratives stem from interviews conducted on his "Remarkable People" podcast, featuring people from various backgrounds, professions, age groups, and belief systems. Kawasaki's presentation of these personal development concepts through real-life examples offers a compelling and relatable compilation. The anecdotes act as practical illustrations, embodying live mental states and personality characteristics that readers can seamlessly integrate into their own learning and thought processes. This synthesis of real-world experiences provides a vibrant and encouraging mosaic, designed to motivate and guide readers toward incorporating these lessons into their daily lives.Throughout "Think Remarkable," readers will discover a harmonious blend of diverse principles and experiences that collectively defy the conventional barriers of mindset and status. The text reveals that Carol Dweck's concept of a growth mindset seamlessly intertwines with Lisa Leopold's mastery in the art of apologizing. Similarly, there is no discernible superiority or class distinction between the reflective wisdom in Daniel Pink's The Power of Regrets and the candid moment of Stacey Abrams sharing a shaka gesture with Guy Kawasaki in 2023. The ambitious spirit captured in Shellye Archambeau's Unapologetically Ambitious resonates just as profoundly as the simple yet life-changing approach of BJ Fogg's "Tiny Habits."The book cuts across all forms of stratifications, finding common ground between individuals such as the creative painter Halim Flowers and the technology innovator Tony Fadell, known for his involvement in creating the iPod, iPhone, and Nest. This commonality extends to figures like former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Kelly Gibson, an inspiring high school teacher from Rogue River, Oregon, and Shaun Tomson, a world champion surfer, all driven by a comparable determination and passion.These varied figures serve as catalysts for us to overcome self-imposed limitations, much like Walt Whitman described in "Song of Myself," recognizing our inherent vastness and the multitude of identities we encompass: We are “large,” and “contain multitudes.” Acting as virtual mentors, they present a range of sometimes conflicting perspectives and mental states, which collectively guide us in carving out the unique impact we wish to make in the world. Our journey to distinction is wide open: “The path to remarkableness is not paved” and our mark of remarkableness may be celebrated publicly, but also be a quiet triumph.This book, prefaced by extraordinary primatologist and anthropologist Dame Jane Goodall DBE, will be admired for its striking relevance to contemporary life, its practicality, brevity, and the straightforward manner in which it conveys its powerful messages. It serves as a reminder that remarkable lives are not defined by a single path or recognition but by the rich tapestry of experiences that shape our individual contributions to the world.

📚 Book Review: "Think Remarkable" by Guy KawasakiTL;DR - "Think Remarkable" stands out as a must-read for anyone aiming to make a significant impact in their personal or professional life.I first was introduced to Guy when I saw his "Art of the Start" book on the shelf of a friend's bookshelf. He didn't read it yet and lent it to me to let him know if it's worthwhile to read.It was and we both read it.This was in 2005; I followed that up with Kawasaki 's "Enchantment" which was my favorite title of his until "Wise Guy" was published that chronicles life lessons of Guy over a career and life.Think Remarkable is now my preferred masterpiece I recommend and once my son finished Wise Guy, he'll be moving on to it.Kawasaki, a renowned author, venture capitalist, Apple's first Chief Evangelist and currently holding the title with Canva, shares his extensive experience and insights of his own and that of others in a manner that is both engaging and practical. I found "Think Remarkable" to be his most compelling and useful book, offering valuable lessons for readers of all ages.A few sections that stand out:🚀 The Art of Starting: Kawasaki emphasizes starting with a solid foundation, focusing on making meaning rather than just money. By aiming to improve the world, success naturally follows.🎓 Lessons from the Experts: One of the standout features is the integration of insights from Kawasaki’s podcast, "Remarkable People" interviews. He distills lessons from various industry leaders including resilience from entrepreneurs, creativity from artists, and leadership from business executives.💡Creating a Remarkable Product: Guy stresses the need for innovation and continuous improvement. His step-by-step guide on product development, which includes gathering user feedback and iterating, is invaluable for creating products that truly resonate with customers."Think Remarkable" resonated with me due to its blend of practical advice and inspirational insights.Kawasaki’s emphasis on making meaning aligns with my belief that success is about making a positive impact.Guy Kawasaki’s "Think Remarkable" is a treasure trove of knowledge and practical advice.I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to make a significant impact in their personal or professional life. It’s not just about achieving success; it’s about creating something meaningful and lasting.

Guy Kawasaki's book Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference is an amazing departure from tech evangelist to life coach. It inspires all age groups to make positive changes no matter the scale. As a Mom, I think every teenager should read this book and both my kids read it, loved it, and were inspired. I am a long fan of the Remarkable People podcast. Guy has a wonderful ability to ask all the right questions during his interviews. Frequently, I'm not familiar with the guest's area of expertise, but Guy has a way of breaking down the questions so it's relatable and meaningful for all his listeners no matter their knowledge of the guests and their field. I was one of the first people to read Think Remarkable, I got to see its evolution since I'm the Karon in the book who told Guy that people won't recognize the names in the book, so he has to explain each one. I also recommend surfing with Guy and Madisun, we always have fun on the water.

Maravillosa manera de pensar de uno de los gurues más influyentes en la actualidad. Refleja por completo todo el expertise que utilizó en Apple.

"Think Remarkable" is a tremendous resource to help you become a Remarkable person. This isn't something that happens overnight, as you will see in the people that Guy highlights throughout the book. But by learning how to make a difference in the world - big or small - you can live a life of meaning and purpose. The book gives tips and examples of how to do so and is filled with Guy's usual nuggets of practical insight garnered from a lengthy string of successes. It's aimed at the younger generation as well, so it's a great book to share with your kids. Do yourself a favour and read this book and while you're at it, go through Guy's previous gems like "Selling the Dream", "Art of the Start" and "Enchantment".

Pompous and self important, this book's best use is as kindling.

Good day from France, just bought this book after reading « Wise guy ».I love true stories and easy to read for a French lazy IT guy :)

What I most appreciate about Guy and his books is how he doesn't allow the grind to turn him into a cynic. Think Remarkable is pretty clear-eyed in describing all you have to do to get ahead, but it also shows how grace is an extension of grit - you can be resilient and enduring and use your experience of hardship to lift people up.