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Rise!: A Memoir
John Quinsey just completed a twenty five year quest in technology sales. For the first fifteen years he achieved the maximum results with the minimum amount of effort. This led to career stagnation and eventually financial ruin. At forty years old he found himself flat broke and at a personal crossroads. He was forced to face the error in his ways and formulate a plan for career salvation. He joined an early-stage start-up, reinvented himself, and became obsessed with greatness. In just eight years he climbed the ranks from individual contributor all the way up to VP of sales, and built enough wealth through the process to comfortably retire. He wrote this memoir to explain how he did it, to share insights on his missteps and triumphs, and to capture the ten essential lessons he learned along the way.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 15, 2025
The author of this book spent the first half of his life involved in technology sales. He was good at it, but he found it largely uninspiring. Essentially, he was coasting and felt unchallenged. Some financial missteps led him to him being broke at age 40. It was then that he decided to make wholesale changes in his life.
He elected to get on board with an ambitious startup project. That fateful decision led him to profit enormously, but also to reassess many of the philosophies he had about his work life. On his way up to VP of sales, he learned many lessons that he has turned into teachable moments. Now, in this book that ruminates on his life and the path it has led, he is able to share those moments. Those who read this memoir should be able to use it as a guide that they can apply to their own personal and professional lives.
He elected to get on board with an ambitious startup project. That fateful decision led him to profit enormously, but also to reassess many of the philosophies he had about his work life. On his way up to VP of sales, he learned many lessons that he has turned into teachable moments. Now, in this book that ruminates on his life and the path it has led, he is able to share those moments. Those who read this memoir should be able to use it as a guide that they can apply to their own personal and professional lives.
March 19, 2025
Standing up after a big failure is such a courageous act and is what truly makes us grow. This book fully captured my attention, I enjoy reading about people's lives and their teachable stories. It is very inspiring how John Quinsey opens his life to share some of the core lessons he has learned. I deeply appreciate the vulnerability of people, and when he narrates his struggles, such as feeling uninspired by his job or losing everything, it demonstrates that these challenges are a reality for all humans. However, the most important part is what he decided to do next.
After failure, it is key to look back, learn from it, and restart. This story of Rise resonates with the reader, and you will appreciate how he views his past life as a book of lessons, guiding him toward a life that now deeply connects with him and brings meaning.
After failure, it is key to look back, learn from it, and restart. This story of Rise resonates with the reader, and you will appreciate how he views his past life as a book of lessons, guiding him toward a life that now deeply connects with him and brings meaning.
March 22, 2025
Some books simply pass through our hands, but others arrive at just the right moment and shake us up for the better. This is one of those. John Quinsey's story is a wonderful tale of resilience, reinvention, and the determination not to give up when all seems lost.
What initially stood out to me was his bravery in recognizing his own weaknesses, but it was only after reaching rock bottom due to stagnation that he made a real change. With persistence and a solid strategy, he was able to completely turn his life around. In this book, he shares ten practical lessons drawn from his own experiences, not abstract theories, that were crucial to his transformation.
This book offers valuable insights on how anyone can build confidence and repeatedly reinvent themselves with the right mindset and discipline. It’s definitely a must-read for everyone.
What initially stood out to me was his bravery in recognizing his own weaknesses, but it was only after reaching rock bottom due to stagnation that he made a real change. With persistence and a solid strategy, he was able to completely turn his life around. In this book, he shares ten practical lessons drawn from his own experiences, not abstract theories, that were crucial to his transformation.
This book offers valuable insights on how anyone can build confidence and repeatedly reinvent themselves with the right mindset and discipline. It’s definitely a must-read for everyone.
March 20, 2025
A very inspiring and motivating story.
I loved this book because it offers many valuable messages and lessons about resilience, the desire to improve, and the determination to move forward despite adversity. Most importantly, it highlights the value of starting over from scratch, which I find to be a great act of perseverance.
What impressed me the most is how the author emphasizes the importance of overcoming our own obstacles, accepting ourselves, learning from our mistakes, and, most importantly, never giving up in the face of difficulties. The book teaches us to adopt a positive attitude towards adversity, trust in ourselves, and stay consistent in our personal growth to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Great book!
I loved this book because it offers many valuable messages and lessons about resilience, the desire to improve, and the determination to move forward despite adversity. Most importantly, it highlights the value of starting over from scratch, which I find to be a great act of perseverance.
What impressed me the most is how the author emphasizes the importance of overcoming our own obstacles, accepting ourselves, learning from our mistakes, and, most importantly, never giving up in the face of difficulties. The book teaches us to adopt a positive attitude towards adversity, trust in ourselves, and stay consistent in our personal growth to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Great book!
March 21, 2025
What an inspiring book! I think that all of us with our businesses have had very difficult moments full of frustration, but to see that there is always a way out and that everything happens for something better to come is very motivating. In this book, you can read the story of a man who came out ahead despite living through a bankruptcy and very complicated personal moments, in addition to achieving in a very short time a position of vice president in a startup where each of his achievements makes you feel very connected and interested. I love to read inspiring stories like this, where we not only get tips and advice to improve our skills, but you can really see how by applying these strategies you can succeed.
March 25, 2025
Loved this book!
I really loved this book. When a close friend of mine recommended this book to me, I never thought that I would end up loving it, but it happened. The narrative that the author used to tell his chronicles of self discovery and resilience, made this book stand out and to become one of my favorite stories. I really loved that the writing style of the author remained authentic throughout the story, making it easy for readers to relate to her experiences, even if their own lives may be significantly different from hers. Overall, this book can be very enjoyable for anyone seeking to relate and know a story that talks about personal discovery, one that would encourage anyone to know more about themselves.
I really loved this book. When a close friend of mine recommended this book to me, I never thought that I would end up loving it, but it happened. The narrative that the author used to tell his chronicles of self discovery and resilience, made this book stand out and to become one of my favorite stories. I really loved that the writing style of the author remained authentic throughout the story, making it easy for readers to relate to her experiences, even if their own lives may be significantly different from hers. Overall, this book can be very enjoyable for anyone seeking to relate and know a story that talks about personal discovery, one that would encourage anyone to know more about themselves.
March 18, 2025
This memoir follows the life of John Quinsey, a salesman who reinvented himself and changed his life with determination and tenacity. It is a great choice for people who live in the business world, where every turn has consequences and it is necessary to think ahead to achieve a worthy retirement. Quinsey shares his thoughts and experiences honestly, realizing his mistakes and taking action, something that's easier said than done.
Overall, this book acted as an eye-opener. It gave me ideas to exit my comfort zone and start making the right choices before it is too late. An interesting story especially for those who have made a career in sales.
Overall, this book acted as an eye-opener. It gave me ideas to exit my comfort zone and start making the right choices before it is too late. An interesting story especially for those who have made a career in sales.
March 19, 2025
It's a relatable story of hitting a wall and building a whole new foundation and beliefs. I was caught into the author's honest account of that mid-career decline and how he made different decisions to change this. It's more than just a story of telling each of his sales triumphs, how he wrote this book he digs deep into self-reflection and demonstrates how to climb back up.
What amazed me most was the practical wisdom he acquired through all these experiences. It's not just some advice; you can see how his experiences and principles of tenacity and strategic thinking played out in real-world situations.
What amazed me most was the practical wisdom he acquired through all these experiences. It's not just some advice; you can see how his experiences and principles of tenacity and strategic thinking played out in real-world situations.
March 20, 2025
This is a short book but it has an invaluable content that I really enjoyed reading.
The author's journey is inspiring; to say the least, he made me see and understand that for many people things get tough, but it's up to you to pick yourself up and start over. We often give up and when something doesn't work for us we don't make the effort to keep trying, however, we can appreciate from this detailed guide that it's never too late to try again.
The book is divided into ten lessons that the author learned on his personal journey. They are not only reflective, but serve the reader as a tool to create his own path.
The author's journey is inspiring; to say the least, he made me see and understand that for many people things get tough, but it's up to you to pick yourself up and start over. We often give up and when something doesn't work for us we don't make the effort to keep trying, however, we can appreciate from this detailed guide that it's never too late to try again.
The book is divided into ten lessons that the author learned on his personal journey. They are not only reflective, but serve the reader as a tool to create his own path.
March 20, 2025
Great book and a better title
There is no better title for a book like this one. Author John Quinsey, through his very own experience and life adventures, explains us how we can ‘rise’ after being at the bottom and transform our lives.
This excelente memoir is written in an honest manner with language accessible for any type of reader. It is inspiring, educational and guiding, it is not just a memoir.
Quinsey’s narrative is a true evidence that reinventing, rebuilding and restructuring our lives is possible even if we feel we are old for that. He has been generous enough to share all the lessons he learned throughout his life. Starting again at 40? I’m down with that!
There is no better title for a book like this one. Author John Quinsey, through his very own experience and life adventures, explains us how we can ‘rise’ after being at the bottom and transform our lives.
This excelente memoir is written in an honest manner with language accessible for any type of reader. It is inspiring, educational and guiding, it is not just a memoir.
Quinsey’s narrative is a true evidence that reinventing, rebuilding and restructuring our lives is possible even if we feel we are old for that. He has been generous enough to share all the lessons he learned throughout his life. Starting again at 40? I’m down with that!
March 22, 2025
A take-off
ÑThis story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From a very personal level this author lets us see the whole process that is required to really achieve success. In that process, there are some abysmal ups and downs, moments so arduous that as a reader you don't really understand how he managed to get out of there and be where he is. Understanding that to achieve good things, there is always a path and it is rarely a simple path, is essential to not lose faith in the construction that each person forms on their destiny. The book has left me with many very clear messages that I need to keep applying forever.
ÑThis story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From a very personal level this author lets us see the whole process that is required to really achieve success. In that process, there are some abysmal ups and downs, moments so arduous that as a reader you don't really understand how he managed to get out of there and be where he is. Understanding that to achieve good things, there is always a path and it is rarely a simple path, is essential to not lose faith in the construction that each person forms on their destiny. The book has left me with many very clear messages that I need to keep applying forever.
March 25, 2025
Inspiring
This story is really inspiring and relatable. The ten lessons that the author shares are practical and motivating, especially for anyone feeling stuck in their career. This book is a must-read for those seeking motivation to push forward and rise above challenges.
I will truly recommend reading it as I found it really useful.
This story is really inspiring and relatable. The ten lessons that the author shares are practical and motivating, especially for anyone feeling stuck in their career. This book is a must-read for those seeking motivation to push forward and rise above challenges.
I will truly recommend reading it as I found it really useful.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews