Part memoir, part self-help book, Robert Reffkin gives the reader an overview of his life, how and why he became successful in business, and tips based on his learnings along the way.

I most liked the memoir sections and found myself speed reading over some of the business sections as they were not telling me anything unique from other, similar, books I've come across. One difference - All author proceeds from No One Succeeds Alone are being donated to nonprofits that help young people realize their dreams, so that is reason enough to pick up a copy!

I'd recommend this to anyone needing a reminder that if you lift others up, it will come back around, and to see everything as an opportunity.

Thank you to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of the ARC in return for my honest review.

NO ONE SUCCEEDS ALONE

Robert Refkin’s No One Succeeds Alone: Learn Everything You Can From Everyone You Can is one of those books I imagine will end up in the hands of many a college graduate this graduation season.

If it doesn’t, it damn well should.

The book is part memoir and part self-help of the business book “things I’ve learned along the way” variety. While there’s a segment of the reading public that would view both with skepticism, there’s an earnestness in Refkin’s reminiscences that is both inviting and contagious.

Today, Refkin is celebrated as the CEO of a billion-dollar company that he founded. But looking into his personal circumstances there was nothing guaranteed about his success. He was in many ways a square peg in a round hole: a black mixed-race kid who was also Jewish, raised by a single mother and disowned by his grandparents, not at all academically inclined, but who at some point dared to dream that he could graduate from Columbia University. Yet he did it, and not because of any unique talent (though he was talented in his own way), or connections (though he made the right ones along the way) but rather through drive. Perseverance. Hustle.

It’s this hustle that’s perhaps the most remarkable thing about Refkin, and he recognizes that it’s both what’s allowed him to succeed in life but also almost broke him. And it’s that self-awareness that will endear readers to what he has to say in No One Succeeds Alone. At the end of the day, Refkin’s story is serves as a good reminder not to take the opportunities that come our way for granted. But it’s even better as a metaphorical kick to readers’ hindsection that many times it takes a lot of hustle to make those opportunities come our way in the first place.

No one Succeeds alone, in this book the author Robert Reffkin talks about 8 principles of entrepreneurship. But more than the principles, it's the story of the author about achieving his goals , which I think make these principles important. The principles are simple and most of us know them well, but are difficult to implement.

It’s difficult to believe that the author started to dream big at the age of 13 and kept looking for opportunities to achieve his goals. During this process, many people who didn’t even know him helped him. It makes me believe that if you ask for help you will get it, If you ask for exceptions to be made for you, you will get it. No One succeeds alone, you always need help from other.

So, what are those 8 principles that the author is talking about -

Dream Big
Big dreams generate the energy you need to succeed at anything. They stir passion, create meaning, and spur creative thinking.

Move Fast
Move fast to see your ideas come to life as soon as possible.

Learn From Reality
Learn from your customers.

Be Solution Driven
Believe that every obstacle can be overcome. Your energy and your passion decides how fast you can find a solution, your smartness and access to resources is secondary to this.

Obsess about Opportunity
Obsessing about opportunity creates opportunities; the closer you look, the more you’ll see.

Collaborate without ego
Give credit and thanks freely knowing you’ll be repaid handsomely in other ways.

Maximize your strength
Know yourself well enough to identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you want to reach your full potential you must maximize your strengths.

Bounce Back with Passion
The true test of character is not how you act when things are going great. It’s what you do when you hit bottom. Never stay down. Find the resilience to jump back up and stand even taller than before.

When you read this book you will find many real stories from the author’s life. And, those stories really helped me to understand the practical aspect of these rules. This is a good book. Even if you are not an entrepreneur you will get introduced to many skills to help you thrive in your daily life. Remember, always ask for help as No One Succeeds Alone !!!

Had to read the book to know the secrets of such a successfule leader. Great ethos of hardwork. Positive encouragement to the future leaders. Accessible book. Found it helpful to use this book as an example, while encouraging a kid with unique talents whose academic grades might not get him into the college he wishes.