In our grade-focused school years, the rules of success seemed as simple as making straight As. However, in the working world, success is often far more complex, and formal education is only the baseline to ensuring career advancement in a highly competitive world, where prospective employees are up against international candidates who have been long schooled in skills. Now, a self-professed over-achiever shares how her professional triumphs wildly strayed from the honor roll tactics in an eye-opening, easy-to-read compilation of truisms from the trenches of real life. Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success: How to Prosper Without Being at the Top of the Class offers hard-won wisdom on achieving professional glory that will serve as an invaluable resource to anyone who is contemplating a career, or for parents who want to help their children lay the groundwork for success in the work place. Inspired by the experience of her daughters, Kocialski realized that many young adults graduate and are completely unaware of a new playing field that is not always predicated by superior grades or talents. In eighteen concise chapters, the author draws from her professional achievements and challenges to debunk common myths that can lead astray aspiring professionals in the early years of forging a career. This slim, indispensable book serves up the “aha!” moments that will assist young hopefuls and parents in navigating the path to success. Does practice really make perfect? Do good things come to those who wait? From teamwork to tooting your own horn, this matter-of-fact guide to greatness underscores that happily, successfully ever after does not just happen; it’s the result of planning, promoting, taking action, and going for it. Inspiring and uplifting, this simply brilliant take on creating a career will help anyone realize their goals, anyone avoid common pitfalls, and lay the groundwork through the secondary talents, skills, and mindset necessary for optimal success.

My Review:

I loved the lessons and advice in this book. They are all applicable for teaching our children how to succeed, but I found myself applying most of them to myself as well. I've already used part of the book as a teaching tool for my children. It will be a valuable resource as I tutor my boys on how to be successful throughout their lives.
I wanted to share one of my favorite thoughts from the book:
"Please don't give up everytime you come across something that is hard to do. Everything is hard the first time. If you give up on everything because it's hard the first time you try to di it, then you will never find your niche-the place where you belong."
The book really focuses on the fact that you have to make your own success and work hard to achieve your goals. I think it's a wonderful resource for parents and for anyone who wants to succeed.

Cynthia's Website
Buy Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success

I will be giving away a copy of Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success on my blog on Wednesday. This is one you definitely want to enter. See you then!