One day, I went grocery shopping and ended up in the aisle with books, novels, and magazines. While browsing, I was thrilled to find « The Diary of a CEO” by Steven Bartlett. »
Curious, I opened the first few pages and was hooked right away. Excited about the book, I decided to read it during my breaks at work and at home when I had some free time. Now that I’m halfway through, I wanted to do another book review and share my thoughts with you.
So I’ve finally decided to take you through a 30-day summarized book review series. If you are interested, then continue reading…🫶🏾
Welcome to the first day of our 30-day journey this really interesting and exciting book.
Over the next month, I will share a review about this interesting book and dive into each chapter, exploring the writer’s (Steven Bartlett) experiences, lessons, and insights.
Today, I will start with takeouts from Chapter 1, where Bartlett introduces us to his world and the beginnings of his entrepreneurial journey.
#1:The Beginning ✍️
Steven Bartlett starts by sharing his humble beginnings. He talks about growing up in a modest household with immigrant parents who worked hard to provide for their family.
He quickly realized that life doesn’t hand you success—you have to chase it. This pivotal understanding shaped his determination and drive.
A striking quote from this chapter is:
“I realized that the world doesn’t owe you anything; if you want something, you have to go out and get it yourself.”
This realization became Bartlett’s mantra. He faced the pressure of following a traditional path—going to school, getting a degree, and finding a stable job. But deep down, he knew he wanted something different, something more.
In reality we all face these pressures in our daily lives while dealing with people both friends and family.
Key Takeaways:
• Own Your Journey: Bartlett’s story teaches us that you must take control of your own lives and not wait for things to happen.
• Challenge Norms: Breaking away from traditional expectations can lead to discovering your true passions.
• Resilience Matters: Early setbacks are part of the process and help you build the resilience needed for future success.
This writer’s honesty about his fears, failures, and relentless drive makes his story incredibly relatable and inspiring. His journey reminds us that success is not a straight path but a series of ups and downs that require lots of perseverance.
However, going further, the writer provided 33 laws to that can help you in your daily lives apart from business life.
In this book, the first law literally blew me away, and felt encouraged beyond my wildest imagination.
Law 1: Fill Your Five Buckets in the Right Order
Takeaway: Prioritize What Matters Most
This first law emphasizes the importance of prioritization in achieving a balanced and successful life. This writer introduces the concept of five buckets: Knowledge, Skills, Network, Resources, and Reputation. According to him, filling these buckets in the right order ensures that you build a strong foundation for long-term success.
In truth, many of us get caught up in the hustle of our careers, often neglecting the crucial elements that contribute to long-term growth and stability. Bartlett argues that without a strong foundation in these five areas, success becomes unsustainable.
So to help you get there, this writer urges you to :
Start by assessing your life and determining which buckets need to pay more attention to…
1. Knowledge: Commit to lifelong learning. Read books, take courses, and stay curious about the world around you.
2. Skills: Continuously hone your skills. Practice, seek feedback, and stay updated with industry trends.
3. Network: Build and nurture relationships. Attend networking events, connect with mentors, and collaborate with peers.
4. Resources: Manage your resources wisely. This includes your time, money, and tools that can help you achieve your goals.
5. Reputation: Protect and build your reputation. Be consistent, reliable, and ethical in your actions.
There are only two buckets that any such professional earthquake can never empty – it can take away your network, it can take your resources, it can even impact your reputation, but it can never remove your knowledge and it can never unlearn your skills.
These first two buckets are your longevity, your foundation and the clearest predictor of your future.
So first things first, make sure you fill up each bucket the right way, because it would either benefit or mare your future.
I’ll conclude with this:
“True prosperity is what you know and what you can do, which includes knowledge and skills.”
This brings me to the end of today’s discussion on this topic. Hope you enjoyed it.
Finally, if you’re looking for an inspiring and insightful read, I highly recommend this book “Diary of a CEO” by Steven Bartlett. This book offers a captivating look into the entrepreneurial journey, filled with valuable lessons and personal reflections.
If you love reading books like I do, especially love having hard copy, and flipping through the pages and digesting the writer’s thoughts, you can get your own hard copy of this book on Amazon HERE
Happy reading!
Stay tuned for more…🫶🏾
