Anything Is Possible: Inspirational lessons from Gareth Southgate

by Gareth Southgate

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE PERFECT EURO 2020 READ from the manager who took England to their first major final in 55 years

England manager Gareth Southgate has spent his career inspiring young people to think positively and reach their best, from the England men's and Under-21 team to his work with the Prince's Trust.

YOU have the potential to make ANYTHING POSSIBLE.

In this hugely positive and helpful book for readers aged 12 and up, Gareth gives YOU the tools to be confident, resilient and to overcome your own challenges for your exciting journey ahead, wherever it takes you.

BE BRAVE
Bravery is not just the kind of heroic act that earns a medal. It's the quality we need to step out of our comfort zones and take on new challenges.

BE KIND
A force for good that comes from the heart, kindness changes lives. It opens up opportunities and can be our greatest strength.

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
We all have a story to tell in life. It's down to us what it will be about. So, let's begin writing YOUR STORY - and make it one that truly shines.

'Fantastic ... I've told my son Noah, aged 11, you have to read this ... I can't tell you how much I loved it because it talks about confidence, and I struggled with confidence' CHRIS EVANS

'I loved this - full of wonderful advice I can't wait to share with my children.' HOLLY WILLOUGHBY

'Never puts a word wrong. Isn't Gareth Southgate simply the most inspiring leader in England?' KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY

'Gareth Southgate sticks out a mile in public life because he is thoughtful, intelligent, generous, courageous and humane.' SATHNAM SANGHERA

'Inspirational and honest - just like the man himself.' BEAR GRYLLS

'An inspirational book' THE SUN

'It really is a great book ... lots of really nice tips for confidence, staying strong, glass-half-full mentality, what makes a good team' CHRIS MOYLES

'I feel that the lessons you're sharing, the wisdom that you're sharing, has relevance for all of us, whether football fans or non-football fans. And that's because these are some quite core lessons for life' DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE

'Southgate's analytical mind is stamped across the pages of the book; his meticulousness, his love of clarity and process. He offers tips and life lessons - focus on what you can control, do not compare yourself with others, dare to try even if it means slipping up. The tone is easy, upbeat and the messages are drummed home gently, always linking to one another ... what shines through is the warmth and inclusivity of his leadership style.' THE GUARDIAN

Genres: Nonfiction, Football, Psychology, Self Help, Personal Development, Sports

Audible Audio

Published December 10, 2020

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice reminder of all those things you need to focus on. Uplifting to read! Obviously aimed at younger people but still a lovely book to start the year!

[Keira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful as it discusses several problems that’s teenagers face and healthy ways to deal with the stress of exams and planning for your future.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this the night we sadly lost the European Championships, because throughout the tournament this man kept his cool, stayed calm in the face of adversity & is an inspiration to many.

I would say this is aimed more towards a young adult, but speaking as an oldie whose lost her self confidence of late, I found this helpful, positive & filled with some valuable life tips, alongside snippets of Gareth's life, his career & his achievements.

I loved this so much I'm getting a copy for my football mad nephew for his 14th birthday & hope he too can achieve his dreams.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Bob Makin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really not the target audience for this book. I think someone bought me it thinking it was Sir Gareth of Middlesbrough’s autobiography, but it’s a self help book for teenagers. There are bits about GS’s career but the rest is the inspiration stuff. It’s actually really good, but like I said, I’m not the target audience. But I love it because I love Gareth Southgate.

[Adelyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up.

In the spirit of what the book preaches, I'm rounding this one up, although I went into it with completely incorrect expectations and was quite infuriated reading it as a result. I bought and read the book thinking it would be more autobiographical of Southgate's life, and while there are snippets of that within, it definitely was not the focus. I did enjoy these snippets, he writes very candidly and honestly, but this made the book doubly frustrating to read as I felt like I was having to weed out these paragraphs from pages after pages of self-help.

The blurb isn't well-written at all for what the book actually is about, though I should have guessed that it wasn't your classic autobiography by the lack of photos down the middle of the book (which features in most auto/biographies that I have read). I'd said when I started this one that the title itself was a bit tongue-in-cheek, given that Southgate's reign as England manager has now ended and I can name a couple of things that he's certainly found impossible. Not hitting on the man, I think he's done a fantastic job and that's just how sport is sometimes (I have enough respect for him to buy a book thinking it was his autobiography!), and now having read the book I understand why the title is as it is.

Really think he should stick to football coaching, not sure the self-help stuff is very much his style. I still would be interested to read an actual autobiography if he ever decided to write one!

[Tom Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone that struggles with self confidence, this book helped me a lot with my own struggles. Definitely aimed at a younger age but all the same some great stories and moments in it!

[Curtis Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely aimed at a slightly younger audience than myself, this still contained a fair bit of advice I can take into my career.

It touches on some common themes and obstacles, ranging from the somewhat superficial to deeper areas such as coping with anxiety and rejection.

Whilst the scope of this book is fairly general, quickly aiming to cover a lot of bases in an easy-to-read manner, I can't help but feel it should have gone deeper at points. I was sometimes left wanting more, feeling that the surface had barely been scratched before moving on, and that was a slightly disappointment.

I also feel that this book subscribes to a very particular world experience. Obviously Gareth Southgate naturally represents a fairly middle class, white, able, heteronormative cross-section of society, but it would have been nice to have some acknowledgment of issues outside of the ones he had personally encountered, especially for a younger audience who may be experiencing different problems themselves, or who may have no knowledge of another world view.

That being said, I particularly enjoyed the anecdotes and autobiographical aspect that was used to thread each section together. It was not only enjoyable to learn about Gareth's life, especially as a football fan, but also satisfying in the way he linked his life story to common issues, and how he overcame them.

[Tom Tandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to rate this sort of thing really. Definitely aimed at younger readers, I'd say later years of high school.

Had no idea what sort of book it was but had a read anyway, and for a self help book it was an easy read.

Nothing really that will change anything for me but interesting nonetheless!

[Paul Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a present bought for me because I love biographies, but unfortunately this isn't such and is more for an up and coming entrepreneur whether in industry, sports or similar to help you understand and reach your dreams.
As a 64 year old now retired and not specifically looking for inspiration on how to reach my next goal it was wasted. Whilst I can appreciate it could and should help and young person in whatever goal they are aiming for, it didn't really give me anything except confirm my life experiences. I'll share it with my grandchildren to assist them in attaining their goals but reality it wasn't for me hence my middle of the range rating.
So if you're looking for a book to help you reach your goals with good and in most cases relevant advise it could be for you. But if you're looking for a bio' of Gareth Southgate the current England soccer manager you need to look somewhere else

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great and easy eye opening read. I love the fact that the book goes into some detail regarding anxiety and offers advice.

The book is packed with messages regarding anxiety and advice on how to have a better future. I would suggest that this books is good for adults as they will have a better understanding regarding anxiety, growing mindset and achieving success. I like the fact that the book gives you pointers on how to change failures into successes. The book talks about Gareth's childhood and his football career.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to buy for your children and young adults. Lots of tips on how to achieve your goals and dreams along with what to do once you reach your goal and keep at the top of your game. The book can be applied in many situations be it from doing well in and exam, to running the marathon. Lots of helpful information including how to be a mentor too. I’ll definitely be getting my kids to read it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably aimed at younger adults than myself. However, an enjoyable read with some top life tips that we all need reminding of from time to time. If you have young children then I would definitely recommend a read of this as has some really useful explanations of how to strive for goals, be kind and learn from life!!

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems aimed at teenage boys to read (or girls) but I liked it nonetheless and actually still learnt something :-) Would recommend for young children, especially those who like football as lots of references to his career journey.

[Bill Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at a younger audience but still interesting points on his life, experiences and following dreams.

[Sara Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting personal stories but pretty run of the mill growth-mindset rhetoric.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspiring and interesting read and well written too.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

More for teens/YA but really enjoyed it - he talks a lot of sense.

[David Cockeram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written self help book. I hope more readers will pick this up. Aimed at younger people, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

[Team UoP · Rating 3 out of 5]

You would not be alone in thinking that - be brave, be kind and follow your dreams, and anything is possible - would sound more befitting lines from the pen of C.S. Lewis, rather than from the current incumbent of the managerial hot seat at England Football Headquarters. Certainly Mr Tumnus and I share that opinion.

Anything is Possible is aimed primarily at young adults, and doesn’t exude the normal biographical detail that perhaps you may be looking for here. There are a lot of ‘Teaching 101’ self-help tips that can get a little repetitive, but at least that way they stick in the brain with little chance of escape through nearby orifices. Ultimately, the book wins over the reader with the most honest and honourable intentions in that it simply wants to help us all be the best we can be. Judgement on this may indeed depend where you are in life, at one stage you may see such advice as obvious or unnecessary, but at another time... well, it may just be the book that got you back on track.

It’s a psychological toolkit designed to help ambitious young adults navigate their way through the jumble of emotions in their hearts and heads, to focus on positive values and what is important in their lives. This relates not just to sport but anything the reader would set their mind to. It’s a useful resource for coaches and parents too, and would have certainly been for the younger Gareth Southgate, OBE.

After experiencing the intense lows of missing a vital penalty in the semi-final of a major international tournament - at Wembley against the Germans, no less - and then agree to manage England, is being braver and bolder than even the mighty Aslan in my book. Not only did Southgate have the courage and belief to take on the role, but he took England to a World Cup Semi Final, whilst transforming the way international players in England were perceived by the public, at a time when the White Witch Jadis would have been more welcome on home soil than our footballers.

I liked this book, and love its intentions, but can't help feeling that the balance between the biographical stories and life lessons was akin to the balance in Narnia prior to the Pevensie children's arrival through the wardrobe, just a little off.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really pleasant read.
Written in an easily accessible way, it was a good reminder of the qualities need to succeed.
I have recommended it to a number of people associated with the 11-25yo population as I feel its language and concepts are aimed at this age group

It has tangible examples and isn't too 'showy' or commercial. It has a hint of Gareth and his football career, but lots of transferable examples to other situations and professions.

Some good tasks outlined throughout the book which you can work on to aid your thinking and goal planning.

Although it looks thick, it is not a 'heavy' content book. There is a summary at the end of each session and plenty of illustrations, so it could be read in a short amount of time

[Nerile J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am part of the target audience for this book, and I would really recommend it.
When I read it, I was really interested in the way the book is formatted. There are great pictures that help the reader visualise and understand what is being said, without making it feel like you're reading a children's book.
And what I really liked was that it includes practical steps you can take to start pursuing your goals. This blend of practical information, and inspirational stories from his own career in football makes this book really great for any young person hoping to achieve their goals and overcome challenges.
Thanks to Gareth Southgate and all the people that worked on 'Anything is Possible'.

[Rebecca Hemshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aimed at young adults, this book covers a number of themes around building resilience, dealing with failure, learning lessons, having a dream, setting goals to achieve those dreams and the hard work required to accomplish those goals. It is written very simply and Gareth discusses a number of his own experiences and what he learned from them, which brings the book to life. I have recommended it to a couple of people who are struggling with confidence/resilience in the hope that it’s straightforward messaging and simple examples with prove helpful.

[Matthew Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An encouraging, insightful and motivating read from Gareth Southgate on how everyone can aspire to be the best at anything they put their heart and mind too. Based predominantly towards teenagers/older children (11-16), it helps challenge the reader to recognise their goals, what needs to be done to achieve them, how to deal with any setbacks, and how success can be passed on to others too.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, so inspiring. This should be compulsory reading for schools, and adults alike. Garth is possibly the nicest man on Earth

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for teens

[Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean I should of read who it was aimed at

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is predominantly aimed at teenagers, but I still found it great to read. I bought it for my son, so now I'm going to encourage him to read it as he's taking his exams next year.

[Duet Richardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was easy to understand and read.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter the content I’d just like Southgate’s soothing sultry tones narrating every audiobook forever and always please.

[Lord Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read very enjoyable through the Euros football.