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A Joy-Filled Life: Lessons from a Tenant Farmer's Daughter...Who Became a CEO
At 78 years young, MO ANDERSON remains a beloved leader of Keller Williams Realty. Strong, principled and compassionate, Mo’s personal integrity and unending drive are touchstones that have made Keller Williams one of the most successful franchises in real estate history.
Originally a music teacher, Mo taught for 14 years before entering the real estate field. Partnered with Jerry Brown and Ruth Honeycutt, she established her first real estate office, a Century 21 franchise, in Edmond, Okla., in 1975. It became the third top-producing office out of 7,500 Century 21 locations in North America. In 1986, the company was sold to Merrill Lynch Realty, where she served as a district vice president until December 1989.
In 1992, Mo partnered with Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, and became the regional director for Oklahoma. In January 1995, she was offered the executive roles of president, chief executive officer, and co-owner.
In 2005, Mo assumed her current role as vice chairman of the board of Keller Williams Realty.
After decades of success, which earned her innumerable professional accolades and awards, Mo is focused on the future. She continues to nurture the Keller Williams culture through training, coaching and consulting with Keller Williams associates and leaders. Her most recent and exciting endeavor has been writing this book: A Joy-filled Life, which she is currently touring North America and speaking about.
In 2014, she also launched MoMentorship.com. Through this online mentorship platform, Mo shares life-changing principles to a rapidly growing community of members and all profits generated are contributed to charity.
In every way, Mo is committed to leaving a legacy: the higher purpose of business is to give, care and share.
Originally a music teacher, Mo taught for 14 years before entering the real estate field. Partnered with Jerry Brown and Ruth Honeycutt, she established her first real estate office, a Century 21 franchise, in Edmond, Okla., in 1975. It became the third top-producing office out of 7,500 Century 21 locations in North America. In 1986, the company was sold to Merrill Lynch Realty, where she served as a district vice president until December 1989.
In 1992, Mo partnered with Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, and became the regional director for Oklahoma. In January 1995, she was offered the executive roles of president, chief executive officer, and co-owner.
In 2005, Mo assumed her current role as vice chairman of the board of Keller Williams Realty.
After decades of success, which earned her innumerable professional accolades and awards, Mo is focused on the future. She continues to nurture the Keller Williams culture through training, coaching and consulting with Keller Williams associates and leaders. Her most recent and exciting endeavor has been writing this book: A Joy-filled Life, which she is currently touring North America and speaking about.
In 2014, she also launched MoMentorship.com. Through this online mentorship platform, Mo shares life-changing principles to a rapidly growing community of members and all profits generated are contributed to charity.
In every way, Mo is committed to leaving a legacy: the higher purpose of business is to give, care and share.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 24, 2016
2.5
I enjoyed the format and easy to review design of this book. The bullet point are easy to find for each chapter for a quick review of points. The information was basic motivation talk. There really wasn't anything that had that lightbulb moment. She found her happiness, and it centered around her religious belief. This is a very religious woman, her faith falters but never leaves her. She believes in having faith, working hard, being honest and setting goals. Simple yet effective but nothing new. She is repetitive, in her stories and while quoting scripture she does preach tolerance to other religions. The first half of the book said it all the second half just dragged and repeated.
I have known of Mo Anderson for many years and respect her very much. This was a nice look at how she got where she was and her mind set during the good and hard times. I wouldn't recommend it I think there are more detailed books with more useful information in them. I expected a different book from the blurb that I read on the cover
I enjoyed the format and easy to review design of this book. The bullet point are easy to find for each chapter for a quick review of points. The information was basic motivation talk. There really wasn't anything that had that lightbulb moment. She found her happiness, and it centered around her religious belief. This is a very religious woman, her faith falters but never leaves her. She believes in having faith, working hard, being honest and setting goals. Simple yet effective but nothing new. She is repetitive, in her stories and while quoting scripture she does preach tolerance to other religions. The first half of the book said it all the second half just dragged and repeated.
I have known of Mo Anderson for many years and respect her very much. This was a nice look at how she got where she was and her mind set during the good and hard times. I wouldn't recommend it I think there are more detailed books with more useful information in them. I expected a different book from the blurb that I read on the cover
July 20, 2025
Excellent little insprational book.
June 2, 2016
I wanted to read this book because my own maternal grandparents were sharecroppers in Arkansas. I liked the voice the author uses when she writes. Her writing is very easy to read, positive, and reflective. Although I initially would have said this was a biography, I loved that within the first few pages that she doesn’t want it to be viewed of the history of the company where she is the CEO or a chronological telling of her life. Rather, she orders the chapters non-chronologically by the lessons she learns from her experiences with insights about her testimony and faith. At the end of each chapter, the author has a list of questions or writing prompts; this wasn’t something I was expecting, but I appreciated it because it connected what I was learning in the book to things I should apply myself. I really enjoyed reading about her love of God, business, and family. I have already recommended this one to family!
January 19, 2016
I received an advanced e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While the book is a quick, easy read, there was too much repetition in my opinion. The author had a hard upbringing (poor, farm life), which is talked about over & over. Once would have been enough. I enjoyed reading about her life as a music teacher, & the stories of her career as a realtor turned CEO. However, even after awhile (midpoint), that became repetitious.
She talks about being a good person, following the Bible, & always choosing to make good choices. She is able to do so without being preachy.
Definitely a good read, just know that many of her stories seem to be repeated throughout.
While the book is a quick, easy read, there was too much repetition in my opinion. The author had a hard upbringing (poor, farm life), which is talked about over & over. Once would have been enough. I enjoyed reading about her life as a music teacher, & the stories of her career as a realtor turned CEO. However, even after awhile (midpoint), that became repetitious.
She talks about being a good person, following the Bible, & always choosing to make good choices. She is able to do so without being preachy.
Definitely a good read, just know that many of her stories seem to be repeated throughout.
Read
November 20, 2020Momentum Builders are built into the book as each chapter closes. The book is formatted to allow the reader to understand the lessons that Mo learned and how they evolved into success in her life. The Momentum Builders ask several questions and/or ask for the reader to consider these values in their own lives and help you build them if you haven't built them into your life yet.
From very humble beginnings to the hugely successful life Mo lived, she validates the lessons she learned from her parents. This book is truly inspirational and I plan to implement some of the momentum builders she's included.
The ending was a nice icing on the cake, realizing the power of her belief in God and the power of her dreams, she achieved her dreams - not at 20, some but not all. Her third dream came true in her 70's. This in itself is very inspirational for those who haven't yet achieved their dream or their 70's.
From very humble beginnings to the hugely successful life Mo lived, she validates the lessons she learned from her parents. This book is truly inspirational and I plan to implement some of the momentum builders she's included.
The ending was a nice icing on the cake, realizing the power of her belief in God and the power of her dreams, she achieved her dreams - not at 20, some but not all. Her third dream came true in her 70's. This in itself is very inspirational for those who haven't yet achieved their dream or their 70's.
June 16, 2020
This book has been one of the best Life Mentorship type of books that I have read. I love how she sees God in someone’s sacred path and “connect the dots.” I pray God helps me “Sing Him a Song” with a well aligned job function that sets my heart on fire; and this book inspired me to continue to walk my journey along with God i to my destiny. Love this!
June 15, 2018
Truly a treasure trove of wisdom is contained in this book. Mo's lessons apply to business and life! The stories are powerful testimonials to a joy-filled life. Karen Briscoe, author "5 Minute Success"
October 25, 2018
I really enjoyed hearing how she has found joy throughout her life. Although I find it a little un relatable and didn’t think the writing was great throughout. Overall a good story and a feel-good back.
April 22, 2021
This is a lady I would love to meet.
May 31, 2022
Love this book. Very inspirational.
February 23, 2016
An easy-to-read book and interesting look at Mo Anderson, a highly successful entrepreneur and former CEO of Keller-Williams realty. The book seems to be a mixture of a biography of her life, a how-to-be-successful self-help book, and the testimony of her strong Christian faith. As a result, I have mixed opinions about the book.
First is that oh that every business had the culture and integrity that this woman insisted on!! We would all be so much better off!!
There is a lot of repetition among the stories in the book, and I found her random and scarce use of capitalization annoying and distracting. If I had written my professional documents and memos with the grammar that Mo employs, I would have been disciplined multiple times.
Each chapter is followed by hints on how to build and retain the momentum of your personal, professional and leadership growth.
The book is interesting, but such a mish-mash of thoughts, I was never really sure what kind of book it is trying to be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
First is that oh that every business had the culture and integrity that this woman insisted on!! We would all be so much better off!!
There is a lot of repetition among the stories in the book, and I found her random and scarce use of capitalization annoying and distracting. If I had written my professional documents and memos with the grammar that Mo employs, I would have been disciplined multiple times.
Each chapter is followed by hints on how to build and retain the momentum of your personal, professional and leadership growth.
The book is interesting, but such a mish-mash of thoughts, I was never really sure what kind of book it is trying to be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
March 3, 2016
I just finished this very interesting and inspiring book. As I read this account of a woman who has helped so many people succeed in different ways, I was immediately touched with the guidance Mo have given so many. Starting out as a music teacher and then moving into real estate, becoming the CEO for Keller-Williams was just an amazing journey. The steps she put into place for managing all types of people, giving them encouragement and the help they need to be the best that they could be. There is a lot to think about in all of our everyday lives. She states that with the support of her husband, Richard, she was able to own her own business and move to Austin for work and training. I believe that her strongest message is that with faith in God, support from family and the strong work ethic she learned as a child helped her to succeed. Mo has set the stage and blueprint for what we all should strive for and not be afraid to take a chance to determine our own destiny. We each have the power to change our lives and provide for our future, with a little hard work and support. Life is there for the taking and we must not be afraid to go after what we really want out of live.
March 15, 2018
I wanted to read this book because my own maternal grandparents were sharecroppers in Arkansas. I liked the voice the author uses when she writes although I would definitely put this in the conservative Christian category. Her writing is very easy to read, positive, and reflective. Although I initially would have said this was a biography, I loved that within the first few pages that she doesn't want it to be viewed of the history of the company where she is the CEO or a chronological telling of her life. Rather, she orders the chapters non-chronologically by the lessons she learns from her experiences with insights about her testimony and faith. At the end of each chapter, the author has a list of questions or writing prompts; this wasn't something I was expecting, but I appreciated it because it connected what I was learning in the book to things I should apply myself. I really enjoyed reading about her love of God, business, and family. I have already recommended this one to family!
December 28, 2017
This is an enjoyable read.
Her story is interesting and I look forward to reading her next book.
It did not answer any burning questions for me.
It did confirm that people must do the right thing even in difficult times.
Her main point is about work ethic.
I did receive an advance copy of this book via Netgalley to review.
Her story is interesting and I look forward to reading her next book.
It did not answer any burning questions for me.
It did confirm that people must do the right thing even in difficult times.
Her main point is about work ethic.
I did receive an advance copy of this book via Netgalley to review.
November 15, 2015
Some good advice. Quick read.
January 12, 2016
Loved learning more about this real estate pioneer and cultural icon at Keller Williams, now the largest brokerage in the US and a beacon of value based business around the world.
February 27, 2016
I thought it was a greatly inspiring book and easy to read. It's an autobiography and a self-help book rolled into one.
February 28, 2016
A inspiration, easy-to-read book by the amazing Mo Anderson, CEO of Keller Williams real estate. Anderson breaks down easy lessons in life, and you get to learn a little about her along the way.
March 20, 2016
Really enjoyed Mo's story,very inspiring.
December 31, 2025
Love her story and how candidly she shares!
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June 4, 2018So inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews