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Read A Muhf**in' Book: It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be

showmedmani
Mar 2, 2016
3 min read

A few weeks ago I went to Urban Outfitters where I spent money on overpriced clothes I could have found at the thrift store, but ofcourse, it's Urban they always get me lol.

While shopping for a bunch of shit I didn't need, I did come across something I did need...a muhf***in' book! It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be, written by Paul Arden. It was just what I needed.

Somehow the author cleverly takes every ideal we've thought to be true in regards to success and puts a twist on it. For instance in the beginning of the book the author asks:

"Have you ever noticed the cleverest people at school are not the ones who make it in life?"

Like most of us, my parents were very stern when it came to school; C's on a report card? Nah son, if I had more than two B's on my report card my mom is going off and asking questions later and proceeding to call my dad so he can hand my ass to me too lol...Then there was college and they were like "C's get degrees!"

To make a long story short my grades in college weren't as poppin' as they should've been because a majority of the courses were not relevant to my major and I focused more on the subjects that were of interest to me (my major courses)...DUH. A word of advice for universities, save us our money and time and let us take the classes WE NEED to get the careers WE WANT. Anywho, my work ethic and focus in reference to my career goals were (and still are) on fleek. Juggling internships, working multiple jons, owning a magazine and being involved on campus...yes, I was (and still am) a black Bill Gates in the making.

"People who are conventionally clever get jobs on their qualifications (the past), not on their desire to succeed (the future)."- Paul Arden

If academics aren't your strong point don't get deterred, stay focused and maintain a strong work ethic. Grades are not a determining factor of success, ya feel me.

Much like school, I'm sure you've heard how important having a "good job" is. You know, go to school so you can get a "good job," so you can pay the money you owe to your school you went to to get a "good job"...oh and KEEP that good job. Well, Paul likes to think, Getting Fired Can Be a Positive Career Move...but why? Here's what he says,

"Being fired often means that you are at odds with your company. It means the job isn't right for you..."

I've never been fired from a job, but I did have to quit a job a while ago because they weren't understanding of my school schedule and I was overworked, leaving me no time to dedicate to my personal career endeavors; I also found myself getting comfortable and wasn't applying to jobs I aspired to have because my job was "good" for the moment.

When one door closes another one opens, the job you lost or didn't get may be the pathway to your dream career or an opportunity that will get you closer to it.

Receiving gratification for your hard work is always cool, right? But according to this book, that should never be the goal. In the chapter titled, Do Not Try To WIn Awards, Arden makes a good point, stating "awards are judged in committee by consensus of what is known. In other words, what is in fashion...But originality can't be fashionable, because it hasn't as yet had the approval of the committee."

Create your own trends and strive to inspire, for all you know your original idea can become a staple in pop-culture, you can create the aesthetic, the direction, the idea that people aspire to reach. You may even create a movement!BE YOU BOO!

Welp, that's all I'm going to write about this book... for free, I am not getting paid by Mr.Arden to do this review *hint hint* lol.

I hope you enjoyed this review and you were inspired in some way. As you can see I love self-help books relative to the creative industry. If you haven't done so yet read my review on Change Your Mind. Also, feel free to leave suggestions on some self-help/creative related books you think I should read in the comments or e-mail them to me at showmedmani@gmail.com...Now get your behind off the internet, exercise your mind and READ A MUHF***IN' BOOK!

Love ya!

-Mani