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Little Gold Book of YES Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer

Written by: Kevin Lee

Article Overview: Jeffrey Gitomer’s self-help book delivers motivational strategies for entrepreneurs and business professionals. Rating: 4/5

Little Gold Book of YES Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer

In the world of self-help books, I would say Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" is comparable to a Starbucks Caffe Latte (i.e. a special, warm and sophisticated treat), while Jeffrey Gitomer's "Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude" would be the strong black coffee with no sugar or milk/cream in a white Styrofoam cup (i.e. basic, but gets the job done). Gitomer embellishes nothing and tries to inspire readers with quotes like "You can't gain a positive attitude by reading a book" (12), "People will try to discourage you for fear that you will pass them" (59), "Hard work makes luck" (102), "Don't think cheap. Think best!" (180), and my personal favorite "People who tell you you're crazy are known as 'pukers.'...Pukers are people to avoid at all costs" (126), which at times can leave one feeling like he/she is being sold a questionable car by an aggressive car salesperson whose just short of his/her monthly quota:) However, if you can get past Gitomer's authoritative tone/writing style, his book does offer some valued insights on how to improve as a person.

As of late, I've been told that self-help books are "cheesy" or for losers, but I think a person can never be over prepared or too smart to learn something new. And with that being said, I agree with Gitomer in that "People who are cocky and arrogant say, 'I know that' and move along", while "People who are confident and positive ask themselves, 'How good am I at that?' and seek to improve" (57). Other highlights in the book for me include how Jim Rohn says "People don't have the attitude of learning because they don't love what they do enough to want to be the BEST at it" (107), and when Gitomer says "Successful people do what unsuccessful people don't (won't) do. Successful people live outside their comfort zone...are consistent...stay in the fire...are always learning" (121). Gitomer warns against choosing careers simply based on "making money" or because you're comfortable with where you are (i.e. you've already mastered your job or have a lot of friends at work). If you take a risk and actually pick a job that you love to do (even if it doesn't pay well at first and you have to start at the bottom), you'll end up being the best at it and therefore still rise to the top and make a lot of money. For example, you could go from being a minimum wage baker at your local grocery store to a well paid executive chef at a fancy hotel if that's truly your passion and if you work hard at becoming the best. It's always easier to learn something you like!



To buy this book or simply learn more, visit http://www.amazon.com/Little-Gold-Book-YES-Attitude/dp/0131986473/ref=sr_1_1/002-3048337-4191252?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194390044&sr=8-1

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Article Tags: car salesperson, choosing careers, comfort zone, fear, gold book, insights, jeffrey gitomer, jim rohn, losers, milk cream, positive attitude, quota, reading a book, rhonda byrne, self help books, starbucks, starbucks caffe, strong black coffee, styrofoam cup, writing style



Related Forum Posts
My reading log - Hi OmnivoreInk, Before starting my business, I read the following books as research: -"The Art of the Start" by Guy Kawasaki -"The AdSense Code" by Joel Comm -"Don't Think Pink" and "Mind Your X's and Y's" by Lisa Johnson And since then I've continued my "research" by reading (in this order): -"Technical Tennis" by Rod Cross -"For One More Day" by Mitch Albom -"The Twits" by Roald Dahl -"Little Black Book of Connections" by Jeffrey Gitomer -"The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne -"The Profitable Retailer" by Doug Fleener -"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell -"Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude" by Jeffrey Gitomer -"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" by C.S. Lewis -"Little Green Book of Getting Your Way" by Jeffrey Gitomer -"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling And I'm currently reading and am in the process of finishing the following: -"There's No Such Thing as Public Speaking" by Jeanette and Roy Henderson -"The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell -"The Book of Tells" by Peter Collett -"Little Red Book of Sales Answers" by Jeffrey Gitomer -"Chocolates on the Pillow Aren't Enough: Reinventing The Customer Experience" by Jonathan M. Tisch -"The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron -"The Inner Game of Tennis" by Timothy Gallwey
Connecting with Influential People - Thanks Martin! In "The Little Black Book of Connections", Jeffrey Gitomer suggests the following ways to connect with influential people (page 106): -Third-party introductions (best method). -Writing and publishing content. -Giving seminars/speeches so you can be perceived as an expert in your field and leader. -Attend social and business events. -Say or ask something powerful by doing research ahead of time. -Engage them by offering something of value first. Gitomer also stresses the importance of making more friends as well.
3 Networking Questions - Hi Everyone, I was reading Jeffrey Gitomer's "Little Black Book of Connections" and there were a number of key points that I needed clarification on (*please note that you don't need to read the book to answer these questions): 1.) In Chapter 4, Jeffrey Gitomer says "If you're trying to connect at a social event, DON'T drink. Any connection you attempt while somewhat tipsy will leave the worst possible impression. If you're going to drink, maybe the best thing to do is carry your competition's card, and give them away" (100), but my question is "What if everyone else there is drinking?" Personally, I rarely even drink socially, but wouldn't it be considered rude to not at least have one drink in order to be deemed a "team player"? Or is Gitomer only warning against getting hammered? 2.) Moreover, on page 114 Gitomer states that the best way to connect with others is to ask for their opinions, ideas or feedback. But what should one do if the other person you're trying to connect with has also read this book (or is a naturally great connector) and is deliberately limiting his/her responses or simply firing questions back? How can you connect with someone who won't allow you to play on his/her ego? 3.) Lastly, on page 117 Gitomer recommends that people should start with a question rather than a statement when trying to connect, but then in Chapter 6, he also suggests giving "your 30-second personal commercial and then ask what he or she does" (153). So should one start with a question OR his/her 30-second personal commercial when trying to connect with someone new? Or is it really just dependent on the situation? Any light someone can shed on the questions above would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Re: On Mentors - [quote="jvprosperity":2v0r5y3z]I've been blessed by having mentors naturally come into my life but if I wanted to approach one how would I go about developing the relationship and then asking them to mentor me?[/quote:2v0r5y3z] Hi Andy, From my past experiences, I find that mentors just gradually take you under their wing. I've never had to formally ask any of them to "mentor" me. For example, in "The Little Black Book of Connections", Jeffrey Gitomer says "Some of them actually want to help you and will take pleasure in helping you, as long as they feel you are both worthy and trustworthy. In other words, deserving" (pg 9). At the end of the day, the best way to get a mentor is to nurture your connections through mutual value exchange.
Re: Books/eBooks for Small Business Owners - Please suggest! - I have to agree with Evan in this as it was what I was going to recommend and then I saw his post, the 4 hour work week is so cool and well worth your time reading it for sure. Another great book is "how to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie a timeless classic. Also anything by Jeffrey Gitomer, he is a sales authority and really offers some tremendous value in his books, his little red book of selling is unbelievable, think I paid $20 for it, but it has earnt me much much more LOL!!


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