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The Soccer of Success: How the Beautiful Game Can Help You Achieve Goals in Business & Life
Soccer is more than the world’s favorite sport. It’s more than the beautiful game. It’s a guide to successful living, at least if you know what you’re looking for. Ciaran McArdle has spent been an avid soccer fan his entire life. He’s even built his entire career around founding multiple soccer-based businesses. Over the years, he’s discovered all the life and business lessons you can learn from the game.
Every successful player and every great team follow the same
They plan how to achieve their goals.They perform in every game.They recover and review their progress.And they build a team around the right principles.Within each of these strategies, there are dozens of lessons you can implement in your life—such as how to organize your time, how to ensure focus on the tasks that really matter, and how to use failure to your advantage. Ciaran has assembled all these ideas and brought them together in The Soccer of Success.
For anyone who loves the game and wants more out of their life and career, this is the way to do it.
Every successful player and every great team follow the same
They plan how to achieve their goals.They perform in every game.They recover and review their progress.And they build a team around the right principles.Within each of these strategies, there are dozens of lessons you can implement in your life—such as how to organize your time, how to ensure focus on the tasks that really matter, and how to use failure to your advantage. Ciaran has assembled all these ideas and brought them together in The Soccer of Success.
For anyone who loves the game and wants more out of their life and career, this is the way to do it.
- GenresNonfiction
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2025
13 people are currently reading
979 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 25, 2025
I was provided an ARC and an ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. I found it helpful to have both formats available as there are some lists in the e-book and as I was listening along with the audiobook I always find it helpful to refer to the print version when lists are being read aloud. The author did a good job with the narration and explaining his points, giving examples, and giving us his perspective.
This was a great common sense approach to achieving goals and setting yourself up for success. The author uses soccer as an example for how elite professional soccer/football players around the world achieve their goals when it comes to training and living their dreams both on and off the field/pitch. Having played soccer through high school and for fun through my adult life, the comparisons made a lot of sense to me. His advice is common sense and straightforward, but sometimes you need to hear it to put it into action. I've been struggling to get back into an exercise routine since COVID, but his method of prioritizing your top three at work and at home and eating the frog really resonated with me. I found myself listening to this while I was getting some exercise, and thinking to myself "This isn't that hard, I can do this! I really need to eat that frog." Eating the frog refers to a concept of performing and prioritizing undesirable tasks, like exercise, first so you get them out of the way instead of putting them off until last so you never get them done.
My own kids want to be high achievers when it comes to sports and have high aspirations in their future careers. I think this book would be great for a new high school or college grad. The author speaks to breaking your day up into chunks to increase efficiency and prioritizing tasks, and most importantly turning off your phone to prevent internet distractions. The book is not very long but McArdle gets to the point and lays out his keys to success in an understandable way. If you are fan of soccer I think this will really hit home if you are struggling to prioritize or looking for some perspective on goal setting.
This was a great common sense approach to achieving goals and setting yourself up for success. The author uses soccer as an example for how elite professional soccer/football players around the world achieve their goals when it comes to training and living their dreams both on and off the field/pitch. Having played soccer through high school and for fun through my adult life, the comparisons made a lot of sense to me. His advice is common sense and straightforward, but sometimes you need to hear it to put it into action. I've been struggling to get back into an exercise routine since COVID, but his method of prioritizing your top three at work and at home and eating the frog really resonated with me. I found myself listening to this while I was getting some exercise, and thinking to myself "This isn't that hard, I can do this! I really need to eat that frog." Eating the frog refers to a concept of performing and prioritizing undesirable tasks, like exercise, first so you get them out of the way instead of putting them off until last so you never get them done.
My own kids want to be high achievers when it comes to sports and have high aspirations in their future careers. I think this book would be great for a new high school or college grad. The author speaks to breaking your day up into chunks to increase efficiency and prioritizing tasks, and most importantly turning off your phone to prevent internet distractions. The book is not very long but McArdle gets to the point and lays out his keys to success in an understandable way. If you are fan of soccer I think this will really hit home if you are struggling to prioritize or looking for some perspective on goal setting.
January 28, 2025
ARC Review:
He gives great advice on how to plan!!! I took notes during the entire part 1. I was expecting more soccer and less self-help, but realized I interpreted the title incorrectly. I also realized that I do some of these things already. He does mention how people get burnt out by doing too much but I did find some of the advice a little overwhelming and if someone followed it to a T, could end in being a little burnt-out. Overall, a great book I recommend to anyone who needs extra motivation or help getting started on how to organize their goals. I LOVE setting and achieving goals, so this topic of the book was my favorite. I found the soccer analogies in incredibly helpful! I was hoping that it would make me a better coach, but I still wrote down some key facts to tell my players. I also picture playing parts of this audiobook for them some time!
Favorite applicable quote to me: “Seeing a plan can remove stress.”
He gives great advice on how to plan!!! I took notes during the entire part 1. I was expecting more soccer and less self-help, but realized I interpreted the title incorrectly. I also realized that I do some of these things already. He does mention how people get burnt out by doing too much but I did find some of the advice a little overwhelming and if someone followed it to a T, could end in being a little burnt-out. Overall, a great book I recommend to anyone who needs extra motivation or help getting started on how to organize their goals. I LOVE setting and achieving goals, so this topic of the book was my favorite. I found the soccer analogies in incredibly helpful! I was hoping that it would make me a better coach, but I still wrote down some key facts to tell my players. I also picture playing parts of this audiobook for them some time!
Favorite applicable quote to me: “Seeing a plan can remove stress.”
March 7, 2025
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
I found it beneficial to have the audiobook version available, as it allowed me to better grasp the context in this book.
The author’s narration and explanation of his points were commendable. He provided valuable insights and examples to illustrate his approach to achieving goals and setting oneself up for success.
He often draws parallels between soccer and professional soccer players worldwide. He explains how these players achieve their goals through rigorous training and living their dreams both on and off the field.
As someone who has played soccer throughout my childhood and high school, I found the comparisons deeply resonant.
The author’s advice is straightforward and practical. Sometimes, hearing it stated directly can motivate you to take action.
This book is an excellent read for recent high school graduates embarking on their new lives. It’s not an overly lengthy read or listen, and the author effectively conveys his key points in a realistic and understandable manner.
Even if you’re not a soccer enthusiast, this book can resonate with you. It offers valuable insights on prioritizing tasks and gaining perspective on goal setting.
I found it beneficial to have the audiobook version available, as it allowed me to better grasp the context in this book.
The author’s narration and explanation of his points were commendable. He provided valuable insights and examples to illustrate his approach to achieving goals and setting oneself up for success.
He often draws parallels between soccer and professional soccer players worldwide. He explains how these players achieve their goals through rigorous training and living their dreams both on and off the field.
As someone who has played soccer throughout my childhood and high school, I found the comparisons deeply resonant.
The author’s advice is straightforward and practical. Sometimes, hearing it stated directly can motivate you to take action.
This book is an excellent read for recent high school graduates embarking on their new lives. It’s not an overly lengthy read or listen, and the author effectively conveys his key points in a realistic and understandable manner.
Even if you’re not a soccer enthusiast, this book can resonate with you. It offers valuable insights on prioritizing tasks and gaining perspective on goal setting.
March 6, 2025
Narration:
The narrator has such a monotone voice here. When he reprises his role on the popular YouTube channel it’s considerably different because there he injects a bit more enthusiasm, optimism and cheerfulness in his delivery.
But that wasn’t at all the case here, and given his unique voice, the lack of energy really made for a bit of a dull read.
On one hand, it was great to hear someone like him with such a distinguished voice branch out into different areas. But the appropriate energy and emotion were MIA for this audiobook.
Content:
This book was bang average. Terribly cliche and generic advice all around.
If you're even the least bit familiar with self-help books there is nothing remotely unique to pick out here.
I want to say it was nice to hear the soccer metaphors interspersed throughout these tips, but come to think of it, this book was so generic it actually makes me think it could have all just been written with AI.
What I can say is, it's good that somebody tied the incredibly popular sport together with achieving success in life. But personally, I found this book to be entirely forgettable.
The narrator has such a monotone voice here. When he reprises his role on the popular YouTube channel it’s considerably different because there he injects a bit more enthusiasm, optimism and cheerfulness in his delivery.
But that wasn’t at all the case here, and given his unique voice, the lack of energy really made for a bit of a dull read.
On one hand, it was great to hear someone like him with such a distinguished voice branch out into different areas. But the appropriate energy and emotion were MIA for this audiobook.
Content:
This book was bang average. Terribly cliche and generic advice all around.
If you're even the least bit familiar with self-help books there is nothing remotely unique to pick out here.
I want to say it was nice to hear the soccer metaphors interspersed throughout these tips, but come to think of it, this book was so generic it actually makes me think it could have all just been written with AI.
What I can say is, it's good that somebody tied the incredibly popular sport together with achieving success in life. But personally, I found this book to be entirely forgettable.
February 28, 2025
A great comparison
I found this book both, interesting and useful because it draws a parallel between the soccer industry and other businesses, as well as personal life. What the author essentially wants to convey is that, just like in soccer, success in life and business depends on discipline, teamwork, and having a clear strategy to achieve set goals.
The comparison to soccer is really effective because it makes the concept easy to understand. Life is like a soccer game, where individual skills matter, but teamwork is just as important. Adapting to the group, taking on leadership roles within the team, and maintaining a focused mindset while following a long-term plan are all crucial. Additionally, the book emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of adversity and the ability to learn from mistakes both of which are key to achieving success.
In conclusion, no matter what role we play in life, we should always work as a team, maintain discipline, learn from our mistakes, and keep a clear vision of our ultimate goal.
I found this book both, interesting and useful because it draws a parallel between the soccer industry and other businesses, as well as personal life. What the author essentially wants to convey is that, just like in soccer, success in life and business depends on discipline, teamwork, and having a clear strategy to achieve set goals.
The comparison to soccer is really effective because it makes the concept easy to understand. Life is like a soccer game, where individual skills matter, but teamwork is just as important. Adapting to the group, taking on leadership roles within the team, and maintaining a focused mindset while following a long-term plan are all crucial. Additionally, the book emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of adversity and the ability to learn from mistakes both of which are key to achieving success.
In conclusion, no matter what role we play in life, we should always work as a team, maintain discipline, learn from our mistakes, and keep a clear vision of our ultimate goal.
February 28, 2025
Recommended book!
The title of this book was the first thing that caught my attention. I consider myself a huge soccer fan, so reading about it and how it relates to success in business, sounded very attractive, and fortunately, I was right!
I enjoyed reading every single page of it. One of the things I would like to highlight is the way McArdle developed a consistent analogy between soccer and success. It was great how he was able to adapt all the soccer terms to the daily life. For example, the importance of setting a plan, prioritize what’s important, practice in order to improve, recover, etc.
I would say this book would help anyone that is looking forward to learn what’s essential in order to achieve success but want to do it by a different and dynamic way: by soccer.
The title of this book was the first thing that caught my attention. I consider myself a huge soccer fan, so reading about it and how it relates to success in business, sounded very attractive, and fortunately, I was right!
I enjoyed reading every single page of it. One of the things I would like to highlight is the way McArdle developed a consistent analogy between soccer and success. It was great how he was able to adapt all the soccer terms to the daily life. For example, the importance of setting a plan, prioritize what’s important, practice in order to improve, recover, etc.
I would say this book would help anyone that is looking forward to learn what’s essential in order to achieve success but want to do it by a different and dynamic way: by soccer.
February 22, 2025
Analogies are always a good source of learning and understanding. I enjoy seeing life through other people's realities and giving examples from what they like to explain my ideas. This book captured my attention as soccer is such a popular sport, and why not understand success through it? This book offers a lot of good information. It is amazing how the author manages to explain what success looks like from the soccer perspective. Also, the stories related to high-performance soccer players resonate with me and give me new insights to work with my clients. It is a very interesting book if you like soccer and want to achieve success, not only individually but also in your work and business life. He will invite you to score the best goal by investing in your personal growth.
February 27, 2025
In general terms, I enjoyed this book very much, mainly because of its originality. Undoubtedly, soccer is much more than a sport in the whole world, and the fact that the author has taken this sport as a base to create this useful guide for day-to-day life seemed masterful to me.
Ciaran McArdle, that is a top-notch in the matter, has created an exquisite narrative that not only teaches us about the sport itself, but also provides easy-to-follow strategies on goal planning and how to take failures as stepping stones to personal growth.
I liked the format of the book, it is well organized, it includes graphics to facilitate interpretation and the chapters, although concise, are well developed.
Ciaran McArdle, that is a top-notch in the matter, has created an exquisite narrative that not only teaches us about the sport itself, but also provides easy-to-follow strategies on goal planning and how to take failures as stepping stones to personal growth.
I liked the format of the book, it is well organized, it includes graphics to facilitate interpretation and the chapters, although concise, are well developed.
February 26, 2025
The game of life
Life is definitely a game and it depends on how you play the game that will determine the outcome. And this is what McArdle, the author of Soccer of Success, teaches.
It is incredible all the teachings that this book leaves in 192 pages. You can see the experience and dedication of the author and the desire to share all his knowledge.
You learn the importance of teamwork, strategy, and planning, among others, in football and how these terms can be applied to life and thus score a goal or a penalty.
It is a book that inspires and teaches in a different way and that, at some point in life, people should have the opportunity to read.
Life is definitely a game and it depends on how you play the game that will determine the outcome. And this is what McArdle, the author of Soccer of Success, teaches.
It is incredible all the teachings that this book leaves in 192 pages. You can see the experience and dedication of the author and the desire to share all his knowledge.
You learn the importance of teamwork, strategy, and planning, among others, in football and how these terms can be applied to life and thus score a goal or a penalty.
It is a book that inspires and teaches in a different way and that, at some point in life, people should have the opportunity to read.
February 27, 2025
As its title suggests, this book is a true guide to success in the field of sports. Written in the first person singular, the narrative becomes a package of resources and strategies for professional development.
McArdle’s intention here is to educate, and even those who do not have the skills for this sport or a deep passion for it can take profit and learn how to develop a passion.
The book has an inspirational and positive vibe that resonates until the very last page.
I believe it would make a great present for adolescents and youngsters since it delves into a healthy activity that can easily be developed. I absolutely recommend it!
McArdle’s intention here is to educate, and even those who do not have the skills for this sport or a deep passion for it can take profit and learn how to develop a passion.
The book has an inspirational and positive vibe that resonates until the very last page.
I believe it would make a great present for adolescents and youngsters since it delves into a healthy activity that can easily be developed. I absolutely recommend it!
February 27, 2025
A colleague at work recommended this book to me, and I really thought at first that it was just a book about a soccer businessman, but it is so much more than that. In this book, you will find how to have a successful life based on several principles that are present in the life of soccer players and teams, such as planning, reaction to failure and most importantly for me, choosing a good team that will empower you and make you succeed. I found it a very interesting book with several tips and strategies to reach achievable success and above all it is very entertaining as it manages to mix the game with life and is different and powerful.
March 1, 2025
I really liked this book!
I really liked this book! As a person who works in a sports company, we really always look for analogies to sports. I really liked the approach of this book because this book has a focus on soccer, and really everything they say in the book I consider to be true, and like all those strategies that are implemented in the real world. The focus is very special, since we talk about business, when we are training to do it, when we get to the field to determine if our strategies are going to work or not. And finally, the celebration of our triumph or planning of the future strategy. I highly recommend this book, I really liked it.
I really liked this book! As a person who works in a sports company, we really always look for analogies to sports. I really liked the approach of this book because this book has a focus on soccer, and really everything they say in the book I consider to be true, and like all those strategies that are implemented in the real world. The focus is very special, since we talk about business, when we are training to do it, when we get to the field to determine if our strategies are going to work or not. And finally, the celebration of our triumph or planning of the future strategy. I highly recommend this book, I really liked it.
March 24, 2025
I've waded through my fair share of self-help books, but 'The Soccer of Success' by Ciarán McArdle brought something fresh to the table. Tying life and business principles to the beautiful game? Brilliant. I was hooked from the start. It's been a while since I finished it, but a few of the concepts have really stuck with me – and, more importantly, they've actually worked in my day-to-day. If you're looking for a self-help book that doesn't feel like a chore, and you've got even a passing interest in soccer, this one's a solid recommendation. Honestly, it's up there as one of my favorites in the genre.
February 28, 2025
Short and interest
This book connects soccer and success in a smart way. The author shows how strategies from the game apply to life and business.
The book is inspiring without being complicated. It’s perfect for soccer fans who want motivation beyond the field. Even if you’re not a player, the ideas are useful. This book is a great read for anyone looking to improve their mindset and achieve their goals.
This book connects soccer and success in a smart way. The author shows how strategies from the game apply to life and business.
The book is inspiring without being complicated. It’s perfect for soccer fans who want motivation beyond the field. Even if you’re not a player, the ideas are useful. This book is a great read for anyone looking to improve their mindset and achieve their goals.
December 28, 2024
Resources Could Be Useful
Winning the book, I was eager to read the book. He writes with passionate energy and focus about the greatest sport, soccer. His analysis of life and the game will inspire some, frustrate others and offers much to consider as people evaluate their lives and work.
Winning the book, I was eager to read the book. He writes with passionate energy and focus about the greatest sport, soccer. His analysis of life and the game will inspire some, frustrate others and offers much to consider as people evaluate their lives and work.
January 28, 2025
I did end up reading this in audiobook format. Did it help me? Maybe.
I liked a lot of the analogies and how it connected real life struggles we all have and compared it to my favorite sport. Some of the suggestions I might take and I do strongly believe we always have to be looking forwards and what comes next than wallowing in the things we did wrong.
I did enjoy this a lot.
I liked a lot of the analogies and how it connected real life struggles we all have and compared it to my favorite sport. Some of the suggestions I might take and I do strongly believe we always have to be looking forwards and what comes next than wallowing in the things we did wrong.
I did enjoy this a lot.
February 27, 2025
This book puts together two topics, soccer and success, very smartly. The author has done a very good job making this read very thought provoking.
It is simple to read and to follow and very interesting too. It is a must read for soccer fans really, but anyone will benefit from it.
Totally recommended read!
It is simple to read and to follow and very interesting too. It is a must read for soccer fans really, but anyone will benefit from it.
Totally recommended read!
December 20, 2024
💯💯💯💯💯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
Excellent! This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews