Get It Together: A Winning Formula for Success from the Boss You Need

by Puja Rios

As a woman and dynamic leader in sales—and the C-Suite—Puja Bhola Rios has developed a proven, results-oriented program and mindset for success. However, success starts with personal development, and Puja has mentored countless people in how to “Get It Together.”

You may not be lucky enough to work for Puja, but now you get to learn from her. If you want to push past your current goals, want to truly excel, want focus and inspiration, Get It A Winning Formula for Success from the Boss You Need is the one transformational book that can get you where you want to be. No matter where you are in your career and life, she has the energy and insights to make sure you go after—and achieve—what you aspire to.

Born into an immigrant family, she was raised on the ethics of hard work and ambition. But she also has the keen insights of being a woman in the C-Suite. Strong, warm, funny—Puja’s advice will bring results—but also build your self-belief, until you are capable of accomplishing anything!

This book will help

Achieve your goals—not just make a list of New Year’s Resolutions that fall flat by the third week of JanuaryLearn how to shut out distractions and “swipe left”Create “reach” goals—and learn how to actually measure and move toward themFight back from setbacksLearn how to “critically think” and figure out the big pictureGet off the hamster wheel—and really make progress in your career and personal goalsPuja operates without limits. She has unlocked the to have it “all,” you need to learn to laser-focus on the goals you really desire—and tune out all the other noise. A coach, a mentor, a leader, and a fierce believer in building opportunities for women and all who aspire to greatness, Puja is the boss we all need (and wish we had).

Genres: Nonfiction

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Silja Sandahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent, fast read - none of the advice in this book is earth-shattering or unheard of. At the end of the day, all tips felt pretty basic, the only benefit is that the book lays out each tip in order to help you work through it.

One big gripe is that the book talks a lot about needing an inherent work ethic and attitude to succeed. While I do have a very strong work ethic, I don’t think it’s appealing to tell readers that you simply have to make sacrifices to “make it big”, and that you’ll have to accept having no social or family life whatsoever. The book also never breaks down how to develop a strong work ethic if you weren’t inherently brought up with that attitude - I’m sure some readers would find this frustrating.

Some parts felt motivational, others made me have a bleak outlook on my career if I have to cut back on anything fun to succeed.

[Melissa Detovar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful read. Puja Bhola Rios is a very talented writer who gives you the tools to set goals in any area of your life. I most enjoyed the goal setting in the area of health and fitness which I will use in my everyday life.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the book for me. She was pretty clear that she worked a lot of hours and cut out much of her social life. It's not a life I want for myself.

[Michelle]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and was interested to check it out (I honestly can't remember how it got into my "To Read" list but I'm not mad about it!). I have two sets of feelings about this book:

1. I'm not in sales and I'm not interested in the corporate grind at ALL - I'm a Marketing professional with 20 years of experience across a variety of start-ups and am now in a publicly traded company. I have no interest in becoming a manager, director, or beyond (I LOVE being an individual contributor), so I don't feel the need to set goals in the way the book recommends (nor do I have targets to hit). The book is primarily targeted to people in sales teams/roles and I can see that the suggestions would be valuable there, especially in an environment where one is almost entirely responsible for driving (and improving) their salary.

There was an almost constant comment to "reduce socializing" in favor of hitting goals and that just seemed odd to me - of course, if you want to do so, because it works for you, then great, but that notion felt like it was the sole reason someone would fail their goals (and then in the next breath talked about how the pandemic caused a TON of isolation issues for many people, with resulting mental health struggles). This is probably going to be more appealing to someone who enjoys the corporate life and helping a company get ahead - I view my job as just that (and not in a negative way either; I'm simply not passionate about corporate life!).

2. Despite the slightly less appealing nature of the corporate world, a lot of the information and suggestions can be applied to life in general. As someone who is goal-oriented but also has a tendency to get overwhelmed, focusing on a few individual goals is better than setting myself up for failure with a list that's a mile long or comparing myself to others. In the same thought, whittling overwhelming or busy projects down to the core elements to focus tasking is another great tip. I also really valued the tips for being a boss that everyone needs - while I don't plan to be a boss any time soon, I am a peer and colleague to others, and we can all benefit from leadership qualities and perspectives. Being someone who "sees" people for who they are rather than the role they fill is so important (and somewhat of a professional interest of mine); leading by example; lifting as you rise; listening (REALLY listening) to your teammates and what they're saying - there were a LOT of great leadership learnings from the author.

This is a quick read but there are exercises included if you're reading this as the intended audience, and I would bet that these hold a lot of help and success for readers everywhere. Give it a try and see what you learn!

[Markie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Get It Together: A Winning Formula for Success from the Boss You Need" by Puja Rios sounds like an empowering and motivational book aimed at helping individuals achieve their goals and develop a successful mindset. Puja Rios, a dynamic leader in sales and the C-Suite, draws from her personal experiences as a woman and an immigrant to provide insights and strategies for personal development and achievement.

The book seems to focus on several key themes:

1. **Personal Development and Mindset:** The book emphasizes that success begins with personal development. Puja Rios appears to offer mentorship and guidance on how to develop a mindset that fosters success.

2. **Goal Setting and Achievement:** The book likely provides practical advice on setting and achieving goals. It seems to address the common challenge of setting New Year's Resolutions that often fall by the wayside. Instead, it encourages readers to set "reach" goals and offers guidance on how to measure progress and work towards them.

3. **Distraction Management:** Puja Rios seems to offer techniques for shutting out distractions and staying focused. The mention of "swiping left" could refer to a metaphor for eliminating distractions in a digital age.

4. **Overcoming Setbacks:** The book likely provides strategies for overcoming setbacks, emphasizing resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges.

5. **Critical Thinking and Big Picture Perspective:** Puja Rios seems to emphasize the importance of critical thinking and understanding the bigger picture. This could involve making thoughtful decisions, analyzing situations, and making strategic choices.

6. **Progress and Career Advancement:** The book appears to focus on making real progress in both personal and career goals, suggesting methods for breaking free from repetitive routines and making meaningful strides.

7. **Empowerment and Opportunity:** The book seems to aim at empowering individuals, especially women, to seize opportunities and aspire for greatness. It positions Puja Rios as a mentor and leader advocating for the advancement of women in their careers.

Overall, "Get It Together" seems to provide a blend of personal anecdotes, motivational advice, and practical strategies to help readers develop the mindset and skills needed to achieve their goals. The author's unique perspective as a woman in leadership, coupled with her immigrant background, adds depth to the insights she offers. If you're seeking motivation and actionable advice for personal and professional growth, this book might be a valuable resource.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Get It Together: A Winning Formula for Success from the Boss You Need" by Puja Bhola Rios provides a pragmatic and empowering guide for individuals seeking success in their personal and professional lives. The book stands out for its actionable advice and motivational approach to achieving goals.

One commendable aspect of the book is Puja Bhola Rios's focus on delivering a winning formula for success. The author distills key principles and strategies, making it accessible for readers looking to enhance their productivity and achieve their objectives. The practical nature of the advice, combined with the author's motivational tone, creates a compelling guide for those aspiring to success.

Rios's writing style is engaging, and the book's structure allows for easy absorption of the presented concepts. The emphasis on a holistic approach to success, encompassing both personal and professional aspects, contributes to the book's well-rounded appeal. Real-life examples and anecdotes enhance the relatability of the content, resonating with readers striving to improve various facets of their lives.

However, some readers may find the book lacking in specific case studies or in-depth exploration of certain success principles. While the book offers valuable insights, a more detailed examination of the application of these principles in diverse contexts could enrich the reader's understanding.

In conclusion, "Get It Together" serves as a motivating and practical guide for individuals on the path to success. Puja Bhola Rios's winning formula provides a structured approach to achieving personal and professional goals, making the book a valuable resource for those seeking guidance and inspiration. While additional case studies could enhance its depth, the book's motivational tone and actionable advice make it a recommended read for anyone looking to get their life on track for success.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not one to pick up a motivational or mentoring book. I appreciate how helpful those types of books can be - it’s just not my cup of tea. However, I was intrigued to see this book was written by a woman, so I wanted to see if she would have a different spin on the idea of success. Rios focuses on personal development, goal setting, overcoming setbacks, making progress, and achievement. I enjoyed that Rios achieved this by sharing practical advice, personal experiences, and anecdotes. I also liked that she looked at goals as achievable goals, not things to aspire to but are nearly impossible to achieve. She helps you look at the big picture, including saying “no” to things that sap energy or that don’t fit in with your goals. I did find that the book centered itself on sales, as that is the bulk of Rios’ experience, but I found the lessons she imparted could be used in any field.

I liked Rios’ writing style and found the book enjoyable. I liked her different approach to goal setting and would recommend her book to others. Thanks to Net Galley, Puja Rios, and Forbes Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book in hopes that I will leave my unbiased review. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and the above review is simply my opinion of the book.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of Get It Together from a Goodreads giveaway, and this review and my comments are given freely.

There are so many books written by experts and not-so-experts on succeeding in business, sales, organizing, and other aspects of life. What sets Puja Rios' book apart from the others is that Rios actually seems to care about the reader's success. I like the structure of the chapters: quotations, stating the goal of the chapter, anecdotes from her own career (both as an employee and a boss), reflection questions, and a challenge to-do assignment before reading the next chapter. This makes the book very easy to use as a weekly read with activities to work on, try out, tweak, and reflect for the next week.

The statements and challenges Rios puts forth may be useful to bosses, salespeople, and others in business settings, however this book would be helpful to those in other fields as well. I believe it could apply to personal goals as well, such as losing weight, working out, learning a new skill or hobby, and more. With the new year coming up, now would be a great time to read this book.

Thank you, Goodreads, for the book. Thank you, Boss Puja, for the stories and exercises contained in your book.

[Mikala · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt a lot like her long form LinkedIn profile - curated snippets of stories, an abundance of employee testimonials, and a definite air of personal branding. It’s hard not to notice that most chapters read like performance reviews written by her staff, extolling Rios’s virtues as if to secure their next raise.

This book is marketed as a self-help or career guide but, beyond the well-worn advice to “write down three goals” and “keep a calendar that’s full but not too full,” there’s a lack of substantial or actionable strategies for readers. The actionable advice promised on the cover never goes beyond the generic:

- Set three goals (the old chestnut)
- Manage your time (but don’t overdo it)
- Work hard and then work harder and then work in beast mode

The pink, flowery cover doesn’t shy away from signaling who this book’s meant for: women in junior or entry-level B2C sales roles. But Rios’s constant references to reaching “6-figure incomes” while she references her fancy cars and toilets? reads condescending at best.

If you’re early in your career and want a light motivator, this could be an ok read, though there are far more practical books for sales professionals. For anyone further along, or craving tactical advice with real depth, you may find yourself closing the book wishing you’d gotten a bit more than a LinkedIn endorsement on glossy paper.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book aimed at helping you achieve success and does so through anecdotes, guidelines, and personal experience. I love that it is written by a woman—and an immigrant—who has achieved that success. She focuses on personal development, goal setting and achievement, shutting out distractions, overcoming setbacks, critical thinking and understanding the “big picture”, progress, opportunity, empowerment, and more. By following her guidance, you should be able to make achievable goals—and then reach them.

Recommendation: definitely recommended. In fact, I will be purchasing copies of this book for several people I know who could use it!

Disclaimer: thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC for me. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most fast paced, intuitive, to the point self development book I’ve read. Aside from not sharing her professional background, I am glad to find that the author’s advice is applicable to other aspirations in life. I was surprised that I read 30% of the book in one setting while initially not knowing what the book is about and finding out it’s a nonfiction. Although sharing similar upbringing and personality traits that I sometimes view rigid within me, the author openly embraced and built upon those qualities instilled by her immigrant parents while I rebelled and fought against. This book gives me a different perspective on how I can empower myself based on the qualities I already possess and becoming a better leader to others and also to myself. The advices are not unheard of or innovative by any means but sometimes it takes someone with the clarity and articulation to draw out what we already know deep within to comprehend those inner voices fully. This is what the author did for me.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Get It Together: A Winning Formula for Success from the Boss You Need" by Puja Rios is a transformative guide for personal and professional growth. Puja, a seasoned leader, shares a practical program for achieving meaningful goals, emphasizing focus and resilience. Her insights are blended with actionable advice making this book stand out for its ability to cut through distractions, set measurable goals, and navigate setbacks. Puja's coaching approach empowers readers to escape stagnation and unlock their potential. Her passion for advancement and personal excellence shines through in this book. "Get It Together" is a motivational resource that mentors and motivates, making it a valuable tool for those pursuing their aspirations amid life's noise.

[Martin Herrmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this business book as an opportunity to learn more about how to succeed in making better life choices and not how to be a Fortune 500 executive. And it works. there is lots of go-to information here.

One of the tidbits I like to talk about is adopting habits.
"To adopt a new habit takes sixty-six days, to be exact. This habit could be setting aside time each Sunday night to plan your week, rising thirty minutes earlier each workday to make time for a walk/thinking, making three extra cold calls a day, or writing down each day’s to-do list. (Remember from earlier in the book that writing down objectives helps encode them into your brain.)"

Not everything was pertinent to me, but I learned new things. That's what a good book can teach us.

[Michele M. Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful self help book for bosses and employees. I wish I would have had the insights and help when I was in charge of my teachers. As a principal this would have helped me to help motivate and lead teachers in better teaching styles and maybe helped more people to become principals. I would strongly recommend this book to everyone, especially women. There is a lot to digest. I found myself reading one chapter at a time. Bosses like this are impossible to find. I am not one to pick up a book like this, but I am glad I have read this.

[deannaturnsthepage · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started it I wasn’t sure this was for me, but as I continued to read I realized that this book speaks to pretty much anyone who wants to succeed at something. Loved the action steps and the charts. Super helpful in goal setting and in building new habits. This book mostly talks to people in business, MLM’s, & pretty mush any position in the workplace. But I did really enjoy the areas that helped envision goal setting for health & fitness areas. Looking forward to crushing my goals!

[Becky Gerhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is geared towards succeeding in business, the way in which the advice presents makes the advice easily applicable to other areas (including personal life). None of the advice is earth-shattering, but Ms. Rios writes in such a way to make it accessible, entertaining, and most of all, make you feel empowered to Get It Together

[Caitie]

Received this as a Goodreads giveaway from Amazon Kindle in exchange for an honest review. Read the first couple chapters and didn’t feel like the advice was relevant to my career or compelling enough to keep going. Self help and motivational books usually aren’t for me. Didn’t feel like I read enough to give a review.

[Brittany Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5: Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This was a quick read and contained pretty basic tips, so nothing earth shattering. It pushed work over everything like a social life, so I don’t think it will appeal to everyone. I’m more of a “work smarter, not harder” person and don’t think grinding is the only way to succeed.

[Ashley Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how actionable this book was. I don’t need another “theory” to spend 100 days trying to understand, but in practice doesn’t work. She kept it real, gave me concrete actions without giving analysis paralysis.

They say simplicity in the challenging topics is one of the hardest things to do. Puja nailed it.

[Linda Tolman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The timing of this book could not have been better. As I enter dissertation without a sense of direction, this book and each chapter along with the additional questions at end of each chapter provide guidance and reflection opportunities that one should not skip.

[Courtney Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of read more like a memoir- some of the info was good but some repeated- also could have been more uniform- as in would be a section with four things’ and all written out with a numbered list on next page- just made it harder to absorb the information

[Jessikah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mistakenly entered a giveaway on Goodreads thinking this was a romance boss trop book. I can’t tell you how surprised I was to discover it wasn’t. I did skim it and Puja Rios seems to have it together! I would highly recommend this book.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting myself together with this book. So far great tips to achieve your goals with the theme of dont give up but rather bet on yourself to succeed. Thanks NetGalley.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is great and offers practical advice for how to work within a system and with people that aren’t exactly perfect. Very practical and insightful

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved approach to goal setting and overcoming

[Louise Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

[Carol & Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great guide to developing new strategies. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was a good reinforcement for many things that I already knew. I was hoping that there would have been some new tips for me to learn from the book.

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a lucky Goodreads giveaway winner. I usually don't get into self help books but I enjoyed reading this one. Puja makes it easy to relate to the different scenarios and offers sound advice.