Up, Down, or Sideways: How to Succeed When Times Are Good, Bad, or In Between

by Mark Sanborn

In Up, Down, or Sideways , Mark Sanborn, author of the bestselling book The Fred Factor , prepares you for life’s inevitable cycles of up and down―and, too often, sideways. We tend to be surprised when downturns hit us and treat them as the exception―and when times are good, we act as if they will never change. In this book, Mark shows us what we should always be doing to be prepared for these cycles and events in our lives in order to make the most of them. Mark tells his own story of a downturn he experienced. Then, he identifies the principles and practices that will help you discover opportunities in both good times and bad, in up and sideways years. Mark provides timely wisdom that can’t be ignored no matter where you are in your personal or professional life.

Genres: Self Help, Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Personal Development, Ebooks, Personal Growth

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Mark Sanborn is an international known author, motivational speaker, and the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio for leadership development. He gives nearly one hundred presentations each year on leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change. Mark and his family live near Denver, Colorado.

Reviews

[Marcel Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this book is changeing my outlook on life. This book is helping me to push through the challenging times of my life. It defines the true meaning of success. Your meaning. Keep believeing in your dreams. Don't let anyone keep you from acheieveing your ultimate smart goals.

[Mantas Gudauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Life is cyclical and we will have to face ups, downs or staying flat which feels mediocre. This book guides through these segments in life. Advices that you will read in this book are incredibly valuable.

One of the ideas I liked the most that was described in this book is that there is no status quo. You either moving forward, developing yourself or you are moving backwards.

[Matt McNeely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect timing

Great book to read during Covid challenges. It has help me focus on the things I can control and stay persistent in those challenges. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Michael A. Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't especially impressed by it, but I worked through it anyway

[Lisa Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great motivation! And for folks who aren't big readers, it's not very long

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predicting the future is easy; predicting it correctly is very hard. Since we can’t be certain of what the future holds, what should we always be doing to ensure our success regardless of what happens?

In today’s economic climate of hardship, downsizing, unemployment and government bailouts, here comes this terrific book, based on sound principles, to help us thrive. This amazing resource could have not come at a better time for the working people of America. “Up, Down or Sideways” focuses on things we should do and keep doing to be successful. The principles and lessons, presented by Mark Sanborn give insights on how success does not equal your net worth. Success should be measured by health, meaningful work, relationships, service, learning and faith. The author talks about faith, but he doesn’t go into detail about his beliefs. The book applies to anyone who wants a well-lived life. A potentially life-changing read.

Sanborn shows us how life has its twists and turns, but we tend to be surprised when downturns hit. When times are good, we act as if they will never change and when times becomes sideways, we often become complacent. Through sharing his own series of downturns, Sanborn identifies the mindsets and methods that will help readers discover opportunities in both good and bad and sideways years. Sanborn also shows us how to prepare for these cycles and events in order to make the most of those situations.

Sanborn’s success model is based on nine principles which are divided into three sections in the book. The sections are: 1. See - and is about attaching meaning to what you see. 2. Think - and is about intentionally developing mindsets to deal with challenges and opportunities. 3. Do - and is about doing the right thing, for the right reasons, in the right way and doing them consistently to create sustainable success.

This is a good book on how to face adversity with positive attitude. If you want a refreshing and relevant book that provides an actionable blueprint for success in times of uncertainty, encouragement and ideas about how to succeed. I recommend Up, Down, or Sideways.

I received copy E-book for my review.

[Allizabeth Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description:
Up, Down, or Sideways is a self-help book dedicated to helping you get through your up, down, and sideways struggles in life and success. In today's economy, as unpredictable and scary as it may seem, Mark Sanborn shows you how to take control of your life and career, no matter how uncontrollable the present and future seem.

Review:
I am sort of a closet fan of reading other people's opinions on how to live life to the fullest. So, when I got the opportunity to read Mark Sanborn's new book, I grabbed it. At first glance, I noted the simplicity of the overall design, bright enough to draw your attention, but styled in a very professional way. I think that this setup gets more attention in the self-help/motivation genre because people want a certain level of professionalism; especially if the book is supposed to help them in some way. As for content, I liked Mark Sanborn's philosophies and realistic perspective on life. I felt like he was talking just to me, almost like we were going through the same things, or some variation. I enjoyed his tips and methods for getting through life's unpredictable times and optimistically dealing with personal economics; his own experiences were included which I thought was a plus. The sections on optimism and gratitude were particularly eye-opening, and all the material could be applied to any public, private, or work relationship. I have found myself practicing some of the skills he described, including learning from other people's mistakes and accepting "good shoulds". Overall, I was pleased with Mark Sanborn's take on life and success, and I may even pick up his other books.

Rating: On the Run (4/5)

*** I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Patricia Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

More philosophic than how-to,Up, Down, or Sideways refers to our personal economics. We will always be Up Down or Sideways and those conditions will change. If we are wealthy and well, plan for those conditions to change. Thankfully, joblessness and illness can change as well. So how can we live successfully amid life’s uneven flow?

The author allows us to define our success—not always financial but often including the financial. He says success means different things to every reader. He contends that most of what happens to us is not in our control, but we can control our responses. He discusses optimism without denial and goes into the power of thinking positively without kidding ourselves.

I got into this book slowly, wondering where he was going with it, but that soon changed. I get most of my review books from Net Galley so I won’t have to sort and discard later. Otherwise, books build into a paper mountain or lie sideways in the bookcase because they won’t fit any longer. But I plan to buy this book and read a chapter each day until I “get” it. The “Ingredients of Love” section especially moved me and convicted me to look at my definition of caring and spotlighted the holes in it.

He touches on gratitude as a mindset and persistence in getting where we want to go.

The author talks about faith, but he doesn’t go into detail about his beliefs. The reader won’t see CHRISTIAN in capital letters, but his words echo the lessons in the Bible. This book applies to anyone who wants a well-lived life. A potentially life-changing read.

[Paul Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book about keeping things in perspective during all of life's ups and downs. Clearly written from a Christian perspective, but not preachy at all. It also includes points and helps that are not from "Christian" sources (gasp), but quite relevant and helpful. The tips include success tips for your personal life as well as your business.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read (audiobook is 3 CD's). Mark presented a couple of good ways to examine ones career, business and relationships asking if they going up, down or sideways. Next, a couple of antidotes were presented, but nothing spectacular that would have me rank this book above a middle grade of 3 stars.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book about positive thinking, business, and how to get the most out of life, no matter if things are going well, ok, or not great. Discusses how life is always changing, and how to go with the flow and be "successful" according to your definition of what you need to be happy.

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Equal parts philosophical and practical, Sanborn presents a fresh take on staying focused whether life feels up, down, or sideways, and on how, by framing our thoughts, goals and expectations, we can get the most out of our circumstances, whatever they are at this time.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read and wonderfully concise. A good reminder to consciously control your thoughts as they control your outcomes.

[jessica]

[free NOOK book!]

[Olivia]

Excellent approach to living successfully with lots of great ideas to get self motivated. I intend to read, think and PRAY each day

[Joseph Iliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark reconnects us to those things that do not change even in chaotic circumstances.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book for motivating you at every stage of success. i will definitely return to my notes in the future.

[Bob Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Success self-help book. Compendium of wisdom. Focus is really on defining success (personal scorecard), persistence, discipline. Some good stuff here.

[Joel Ungar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you get past his happy memories of attending Ohio State and some plaudits for Woody Hayes (AKA Voldemort) this book was very good and a nice companion to The Fred Factor.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Rasha Yousif · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very practical book (Light reading) with good mental exercises. I really enjoyed reading it and it has inspired me in many ways.

[Cai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book can be applied to not only the financial aspect of your life but all aspects of your life. Is definitely worth the read.

[Carl Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many things to highlight

A great blend of practical and spiritual wisdom and insights. I found myself highlighting key thoughts over and over again.

[Mark Stapel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5