Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work

by Kevin Carroll

With simple but delightful storytelling, Kevin Carroll channels his childhood passion for sport and play into a universally appealing blueprint for life. Drawing wisdom from the playgrounds of his youth, where he spent hour upon hour sharpening his body and his mind, Carroll shares with readers his Rules of the Red Rubber Ball - how to achieve maximum human potential through the power of passion and creativity. Finding your own -red rubber ball+ and chasing it to your heart+s content, he argues, is the surest route to peace, prosperity, and happiness. Over the years as an athletic trainer and public speaker, Carroll has transformed his philosophy into seven simple rules that any successful leader will endorse: 1) Commit to it2) Seek out encouragers 3) Work out your creative muscle4) Prepare to shine5) Speak up6) Expect the unexpected7) Maximize the day With an award-winning design and color photos throughout, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball will inspire the child in everyone for generations to come.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Inspirational, Leadership, Reference, Design

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cliche platitudes on "achieving your dream"

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of listening to Kevin Carroll speak. He is a dynamic presenter and I loved his message. He was the speaker for the Opening Institute for the School District I work for. The principal at my school gave the staff a copy of this book.

This book goes along with his presentation. He talks about his life and some of his struggles. The presentation is a bit more in depth, but this little book adequately covers it. He mentions that he found a red rubber ball in a playground and it became his way of meeting people and making friends.

I love the symbolism of the ball. He points out in the presentation that everyone speaks "ball". You hold out a ball and others know that you want to play and engage with them. He uses the concept of the ball to make dreams and make them happen.

He used his love of sports to bring him out of the life he was given, a mom who moved them constantly in the middle of the night, to becoming a successful professional. His journey is pretty incredible. His main point is to find something that you love and do it. Have fun, make dreams, and see your hopes and dreams become your reality.

This book is a great reminder to me of a remarkable presentation. He is truly inspiring. The book is formatted a little differently, it changes fonts and directions of the words. You may find the words sideways or upside down and backwards. I believe that this is part of a broader message to take the trials that come, learn from them, grow, and then make something better.

This little book probably only takes 15-20 minutes to read. It's not a lot of time investment for a great message.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really short (I read it in even less than the twenty minutes the other reader mentioned) inspirational / self help book.

I recommend it to everyone for two reasons:
1. It's short so you WILL read the whole thing without skipping through.
2. It makes sense, it's basic, but makes you think about how you handle your life.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a book but a a long ramble-y metaphor that isn't particularly good.

Spoiler alert!!!....

the gist is: when the author was young he used to obsessively bounce a ball for long periods of time. Working should be like that.

if you are still tempted to read the book, it contains about 75 words, so three minutes should be about enough time, including turning pages.

[Karith Amel]

A book that is more graphic design than words, there is nothing groundbreaking about the ideas in this text. But it is a creative, simple, reminder to ask oneself what one is chasing and why.

It asks questions I needed to hear.

[Che · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember who gave me this book or why, but it's a nice short pick me up if you should ever need it.

[Anastasiya Romashka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pocket book. I feel like people need to hear this because I ordered it and thought it was a human sized book. But no. it’s a baby book. Something to read while you’re on the toilet 👍

[Jana Wiersma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have already found my red rubber ball in my passion for Children's Librarianship. This book wasn't new information for me, but I identified with all of the rules one needs to apply in order to reach their goal. I have lived through them for the past 7 years in reaching my goal and they are each 100% true. I'm guessing the author is very inspiring to listen to.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this little book. It's a very quick read of inspirational stuff with REALLY cool design. The book isn't just about it's content, it's like an experience with the turn of each page. The bottom line here is passion. What are you passionate about? Go pursue it with all of who you are.

/// Spoiler Alert ///

Here's some stuff that stood out to me:

He asks some good questions to ponder -
• What's your primal source of joy?
• What would you do for free?
• What dreams do you chase?

Where do dreams start?
They start when we're playing, when we're free to run & romp around. That's when we imagine we're something bigger than we are. The red rubber ball represents play to me. It's any activity, topic or purpose that makes you excited about the day.

Your red rubber ball is what grabs you by the soul. It's what captures your imagination. It's what you do when no one tells you what to do, when you're alone in your room, on the playground or in your head. It's what you daydream, and that dream can become your life's work... if you let it. And you have to let it!


A couple of cool quotes:

* Pursuing your life's work requires constant creativity because the paths will not always be obvious or easy to follow.

* For creativity to serve you well, you must exercise it daily. You must nourish it, or it will weaken. How? Break out of your routine, everyday. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, everyday.

* Begin each day ready to educate yourself. Live each waking moment as if it might be a teachable moment, a chance to expand your mind and strengthen your abilities.

[Amber Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is interestingly designed and laid out (I'm a designer, which is why I feel the need to point this out), and it is cool to see a designer take visual risks.

The book is full of the same ol' things we hear about success, though it is presented in an interesting way. I really don't think anyone will really learn anything new from this book... which is kind of more like a pamphlet. Also, there's no mention of luck, which always seems like a HUGE omission of success stories. I am not saying Kevin didn't work hard, he clearly did, but lots of people work hard and the stars just don't align for them.

Final thought: This book seems like a great gift for a graduate if you were wanting to deviate from "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little simplistic, but still very positive and inspirational. The book challenges you to figure out where your passion lies and then pursue it. My favorite quote: "I tell that story so you will challenge boundaries when they arise. There's always a way out. You are never trapped as long as you are brave, smart and strategic in your escape."

[Ltljohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick 20 minute read. Simple lessons to keep focused on your dream. Kevin didn’t set out to write the next great self help book but you could literally read this each morning if that’s what it takes to stay on track. Very much worth the time.

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to hear more about his life story instead of cliche tag lines. Kevin seems like a hard working and inspiring man, I just didn't find the words in this book any different than the thousands of other books on achieving your dreams.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book--short and to the point! Inspirational. Was recommended by counselors at Loyola University. Well worth reading!

[Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, simple, encouraging read that would make a great graduation gift or to give to a struggling teen you mentor. You can literally read this in 20 minutes!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of hearing him talk in a conference and I just LOVED his energy. You can just tell how much he loves what he does and loves life in general. This book is super short and can be read in one sitting. This is a great little pick me up, I've read a lot of motivational books and this one gets straight to the point without a lot of extra fluff. Lots of good advice on doing what you love. I was lucky to get a signed copy of his book because that's just the kind of guy he is.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came through my library on hold for someone and it looked interesting as it had fold out pages and looping text and felt very much like a kids book, so I wanted to check it out. A great life story with some good messages on how to do what you want to do with your life no matter what people say. Thanks for sharing your journey with the world Mr. Carroll and using that story to inspire others.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Short and to the point..Kevin Carol prescribes 7 simple rules to follow your dream. Kevin had a mentor/teacher early in life that would alway ask “Why not”. We always think there is this hall of vaulted individuals performing extraordinary tasks but always forget to ask “Why not me..why not now”
This is a book I will revisit whenever I fee a bit glum or stuck in my career/life.

[K.N. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who is this for? It’s written like a children’s book, but it’s held up as inspirational for adults? I was given a copy as part of a work retreat, and it’s just that kind of corporate-friendly schmaltz that really irritates me. The book design and some of the artwork are nice, sorry to those artists, but, man…

[Obi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s just enough. Like a little pep talk with some actionable ideas and an inspiring story from the author’s life. Just enough to get you off your butt to pursue your “red rubber ball”…even if that inspiration only lasts 20 minutes. It’s a short book, what do you expect? Recommended.

[Keerthana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-help adult Geronimo Stilton. The book was cute and provided a small spark of inspiration. You won’t learn anything entirely new, but I don’t think that’s the point. I enjoyed how Carroll weaved in his own biography into this book. Keep chasing that red rubber ball!

[Gerald Koskinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard Kevin speak at our Vision Source conference so I wanted to read this book. Very quick read with good encouragements throughout.

[JTGlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivational. Reminded me of my kid.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The advice may not be extremely original, but I loved the simplicity and creative presentation. This would be a great read for teens!

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational for any age reader on how to focus on a special item that allows your to conquer challenges and progress through your life by leveraging the power of team and spirit.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the reason I give this book five stars is the design. The design is so dang fun.

[Maythinee Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, fun, quick pocket read that inspires creativity and finding paths. It was a perfect NYE discovery for me.

[BA · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little inspirational book with 7 easy to follow steps to find, pursue, and live your passion. Not a self-help book, but a book to push you.

[Macy Buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed to hear this tbh.