David Sudjiman

I bought this book following its exceptional editorial reviews in Amazon.com.

Talent is “often overrated and frequently misunderstood,” observes leadership expert Maxwell (The 360 Degree Leader), who advises readers on building their strengths to become a “Talent-plus person.” In the first chapter, he examines how “belief lifts your talent,” whether it’s belief in your potential, yourself and your mission that empowers and encourages you. He then introduces a dozen other factors that can be combined with talent to achieve your goals: passion, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance, courage, teachability, character, relationships, responsibility and teamwork.

I need this book not because I’m talented but merely I need to understand what it takes to go beyond what I’m capable of. I certainly believe that being in IT industry is not just a coincident journey. I have a purpose and I need to work it out how I can be more than I currently am.

This book is not about achieving what you want. This book is about how to stay in the race and win it. A lot of people can enter the race but not many, surprisingly, can even run to finish. It takes several factors within us to finish the race.

Here are some points to ponder.

Believe that you can enter the race. Without believing what you’re capable of, you might wasting your time entering a wrong race.

Passionately run the race. It’s never about the race. It’s about how you really like it even when nobody support you, even you don’t get reward for this race. It’s something about your passion that you’re willingly doing it without anyone telling, even when no one bother to pay you!

Make your first step, take the initiative. Without it you would never even enter the race. You can believe you can do great things and passionately doing it. But if you do not even take the first step to do it, it would just vaporize.

Practice. You can enter the race and be the same for the next 10 years without practicing. Practice sharpens what you believe you’re capable of. Imagine if you’re in IT industry without adequate knowledge or enough practice. Eventually when the test time come and you’re not prepared, you know what you’re getting.

Perseverance. This is chapter I like most. Perseverance is about not letting it go for whatever reason. Keep pressing on no matter what happen. It’s just like trying to know something and it takes 20 times for you to read the book.

Teachability. Knowledge grows. If you’re humble enough to get knowledge from other people it means you’re proportioned yourself to grow.

Character. I’ve talked about this to my colleague. I don’t mind to get a stupid co-worker but I do hate to get an @$$h0l3. Your attitude shows your latitude.

Relationship. Who you’re with now will show you where you will be.

I finished reading the book and I don’t mind to read it again. This book not only shows you how but it enlightens with lots of great quotes and I have this book full of markers for nice quotes appeared.

Talent is God-given. Life is playing the hand you have been dealt well. That is determined by your choice.
John C. Maxwell