Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life

by Rick Pitino

274 pages

Genres: Business, Self Help, Leadership, Sports, Nonfiction, Basketball, Personal Development

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 1997

About the author

Rick Pitino is the head basketball coach at the University of Louisville. He won the NCAA Championship in 2013 with the Louisville Cardinals and the 1996 NCAA Championship with the Kentucky Wildcats--the only basketball coach to win national titles at two different universities. He entered the Basketball Hall of Fame on September 8, 2013. Pitino also was head coach at Providence College during its remarkable NCAA tournament in 1987, and in the NBA was head coach of the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. He has written five previous business and leadership books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Success is a Choice.

Reviews

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think people are just hating on this book because it's got a hokey cover and is about a basketball coach. I read the book after reading Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" and thought that the two complimented each other well. The book talks about being positive, hard-work, adapting, and refusing to quit. I know those sound like obvious things for success but you get a perspective on it Rick Pitino style. Haven't you ever wondered why professional athletes are so fit, successful and on top of their game? Wouldn't you like to have a similar aura about you? I'm anything but a sports fan, and that's perhaps why I liked the book as much as I did. It was an interesting look at one person's idea of success.

[Nate · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is shit

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I am kinda burnt out a bit on the self-help genre, not sure why I picked this one up.

The advice is very conventional in many ways: work hard, believe in yourself, have persistence, don't be overwhelmed by failure, nothing really new here.

HOWEVER ... I did find the specific way that Pitino applied his techniques to his coaching to be interesting. It's clear that Pitino (at least according to him and the testimonials), particularly excelled at motivating players. He is not the greatest X and Os guy out there, but he really knows his players psychology and can figure out how to get any guy to work really hard.

That is something I have to think about really hard in any role I get where I manage people.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what happens when they give you a raise and tell you you're the boss. The man hands you books like these, and tells you to read them. And be prepared to discuss them during staff meetings...

[Chris Maddix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Pitino is the best college basketball coach I've seen. John Wooden at UCLA has an actual claim to having been the greatest, but if the two went head to head, I'd put my money on Pitino, and Success is a Choice spells out the reasons why. In this bestseller, Pitino lays out his ten steps to overachieving:

1. Build Self Esteem - Expect great things from people who feel good about themselves.
2. Set Demanding Goals - Most successful people are dreamers, who start with concrete objectives.
3. Always Be Positive - Being positive is essential to success.
4. Establish Good Habits - Practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.
5. Master the Art of Communication - Communicating clearly is a critical part of your success.
6. Learn From Others - Take advantage of the people who have made the journey ahead of you.
7. Thrive on Pressure - Pressure improves focus, stress inhibits your performance.
8. Be Ferociously Persistent - Eliminate the word quit from your vocabulary.
9. Learn From Adversity - Accept adversity for what it is and find ways to confront it.
10. Survive Success - Keep trying to get better.

They work; they all work, and Rick Pitino's track record proves it.

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Rick Pitino, big fan in spite of the recruiting scandal.

This book is kind of a throwaway though. Feel like he simply took the opportunity to cash in on a book deal after winning the National title in 1996. It's ultra-conventional self-help fodder. There's probably been a thousand books with the same 10 "steps" and will be a thousand more. That being said, it is practical and there are some good personal anecdotes. I'm sure it's helped some people get motivated in the last 25+ years.

I also didn't like the narrator that much; not bad, but not very good either. Should be narrated by Pitino -- looks like he did the abridged version. I'd say he should do a new recording of this unabridged version but the content isn't really worth it and I bet he recognizes that.

[Lolostefanis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not the best book for Self-Development I have read. Some chapters offer knowledge, some others just points of views. It's Okey to read it but do not buy it if you don't have to. I read it all personally.🥲

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gift. Theres some good nuggets in here. It is pretty basic and a little old fashioned. If youre a basketball fan this might be more for you.

[Man Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

☘ Ευανάγνωστο, με ωραίες ιστορίες και ωραία ροή.
☘ Ακριβή τιμή για ένα βιβλίο που έχει εκδοθεί πριν από 20 χρόνια.
☘ Η μετάφραση σε αρκετά σημεία είναι ό,τι να 'ναι.

[OKOLO EMEKA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Mark Modena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dated but still as good as I remember it from a few decades ago

[B. Mulenga Sindala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Work on yourself and your goals and never relent. Be the first one in and the last one out. Hard deliberate work will get you to the top.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a required book back in college for a psych class, Human Potential. This changed a lot of my views at the time and continues to influence me. I will go back to this from time to time when i need an extra kick. I like the way he breaks things down, explains, and summarizes in "key points" at the end of each chapter.
This is nothing like his other book "Lead To Succeed." This book has a much more positive feel and spin to it all. He does use basketball but it's not distracting.
Real life applications that can be used in a myriad of situations and circumstances despite age and experience.
I used points from this later in life as a mental health counselor and for my "Goals and motivations" classes I had with clients. From the "troubled youth" to the domestic violence victims.
It's a wonderful book for goals and motivation. In my opinion, if that's what you are looking for, then get this. I would say it would go in my top 5 in this category.

[Kelle Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time reading "Success is a Choice," and I'll probably read it again in another year or two. Rick Pitno breaks down the habits of success in a way that's easy to understand and sparks ideas on how to make improvements in my own life. For example, part of Step #10 is figuring out what strategies and approaches worked, and using that insight for the next endeavor. I had been feeling "stuck" recently in terms of being motivated for a non-client project, but that advice led me to examine what I'd done in the past to achieve success, and I now have an idea of what to do.

All in all, an extremely useful book to have on one's bookshelf!

[Mike Bercier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I really like how the book was laid out in the steps. I also liked how at the end of each chapter that there was a summary of the key points from each chapter. I realize now that all too often kids receive praise without even earning or what Rick Pitino says "deserve it". It also talks about how we sometimes set the bar on ourselves too low which I can see in myself. I have applied the 3rd step on always being positive and it has changed the way I carry myself day to day. People have taken notice including my wife which is so very important to me. Everything from establishing good habits to learning from role models (people who can teach us good things not from someone just because they are famous. We have to be able to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off when faced with adversity and learn from it. The point that really hit home is when I do hit my goals and reach my dreams that the hard work to get there is a must if I want to stay on top. I highly recommend this book if you have goals and dreams that you are striving for but aren't sure how to achieve them.

[Carson Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now understand why Slick Rick is so successful. I was #firedup

[Suzanne Manners · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are never too old to change! Rick Pitino motivates the reader with examples from his experiences as a basketball coach. Although sports might not be your career, these examples can be applied to both working and personal goals. This book offers a list of ten strategies for achieving success.

I liked the example he gave of Spencer Johnson’s book, “The Precious Present.” We can’t change the past, so don’t beat yourself up over mistakes. Prepare for the future, but don’t dwell on it constantly. Be happy today and enjoy each precious moment. The present is where you are; a gift you give to yourself.

Another idea that I thought was meaningful is to have a PhD attitude, and build relationships (teams) from those who have a PhD. Be Poor/Prepared-Hungry-Driven. If you are hiring staff or applying for a position, this quality is one that will lead to success. Poor, not as in poverty but as lacking knowledge or skills. This leads to being hungry for learning, and driven to succeed.

Read this book if you want to reach success!

[Gary Branger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Reading this book. Read it when it first came out in 1997. Remember buying it at a Barnes & Noble in Phoenix while on a business trip. I realize life changing is a pretty bold statement and this book was for me. As I read it again, I'm trying to connect with what this did for me at the time. One thing I remember about this book was it at a time I realized the gifts I were given were different than I thought I wanted them to be. At the time, I wanted to be anything but what I was doing. (was pursuing a career as a firefighter - on the side) Around the time I read this book, I either realized I didn't have the abilities to become a firefighter or I was pretty good at what I was doing (IT and solving problems). From there my whole approach to work changed. Now as an IT Manager, I am seeing this from a much different perspective and it provides different lessons for me. Purchased a copy for my 19yo son with the idea it can have at least half the impact on him at 19 as it did on my at 31.

[Barry Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subtitled “ten steps to overachieving in business and life,” Pitino draws on his years as a cocky basketball player from NY to his career (ups and downs) as a coach in both the professional and college circuits. An interesting motivational book that insists that you can take charge of your future, have significant impact by both your decisions and your planning. Ten chapters highlight his key points, with examples from recruits, students, pro basketball players, etc. Each chapter ends with a list of key points from each step as well as a testimonial and example of his point from someone that Pitino had interacted with over the years. a bit of a rah-rah book, but worth reading. here are his steps:
1. build self-esteem.
2. set demanding goals.
3. always be positive.
4. establish good habits.
5. master the art of communication.
6. learn from good role models.
7. thrive on pressure.
8. be ferociously persistent.
9. learn from adversity.
10. survive your own success.

[Laura Finger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always admired Pitino. In the 1990s, I watched the Duke/ Kentucky Elite Eight game, but I was cheering for the other side. That being said, Pitino always seemed to have more class that most college basketball coaches of his era.

The book is well laid out, easy to follow and with plenty of action steps. I could imagine Pitino coaching his players as I read the book. He's one of those "Just get off of your butt and do it" guys who inspires you instead of making your feel like he's lecturing you.

It's a good read, and I've often recommended it as a self help book to others.

[Dawson Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just goes to show you that you can always improve yourself following these simple steps. As stated, he really is a "born motivator". The guy would be a great person to play basketball for as you have to appreciate his desire for the game. You are never too old to grow and learn, and Pitino makes that very clear in the book. The great application to life and even business makes this a book that anyone would like!

[Park Her Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have bought this book, I think about 5 times. Growing up I carried this around as an athlete. I highlighted it, I marked it, I quoted it. This book made me a leader. I used Rick's philosophies as a coach to carry my Varsity team to win the state championships. And now I use this book as a manager for a very large Fitness Club. I use it in my meetings to help my staff see that success is a choice!

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh i admit it...the only tip i remember is to show up to work early and leave late, this way you can be sociable, enjoy other's company, and still get a full day's work done.

Other than that, I remember wishing this book would give me "keys to success"...uhhhm, no.

[Michael Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appealed to me for two reasons: I taught Leadership, and I coached basketball. This book helped me help my students/players by providing some valuable lessons about life, being a leader, being accountable, and understanding roles within a group.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love college basketball and Rick Pitino is the ultimate coach (so it seems as I watch from my couch) but this book emphasizes his philosophy and how he structures himself for success. Of course, I have not applied all his teachings, but they are good, none the less.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greatest insight from this book was that when a team is doing poorly then you cheer them on, and when a team is doing great then you yell at them. Not vice-versa.
Difficult, but very deep rule of life there.

[Brandon Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick gives 10 great steps to take and implement to achieve success in any field. They seem to be fairly simple steps to take, just hard to implement. But with the blueprint right in front of you and enough PDCA you can learn to master these steps and make them your own.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you great insights into what has made Rick Pitino on one of the best coaches in NCAA Basketball history. This guy knows what it takes to be a winner on and off the court. Great read esp for those in the sports world or just have a passion for excellence in life.

[Susan B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though most of the advice is not new, great refresher and far more interesting through the lens of sports, which I normally don't read about. I would have rated lower had not the author read it. His manner of speaking was entertaining and a window into his personality.

[Hannah Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly as advertised. It wasn't life changing, but it certainly helped hammer in lifestyle changes I have started to make. I'm glad I read it, but unless you have the right attitude, I'm not sure I'd recommend this book to many people.