No Opportunity Wasted: The Art of Execution

by Joseph Walker

I spent three intense years in divinity school pursuing a master’s degree; but when I finished, I realized I was theoretically proficient but illiterate in terms of practical application. I had studied systematic theology, soteriology, epistemology, and even pneumatology. Yet, I had never baptized a person until I was a pastor. I had never served Communion until I served a church as a pastor. Talk about a learning curve. From the ivory halls of the academy to corporate boardrooms, even to the hallowed pews of our places of worship, we are inundated with information on what should be done, but few of us are actually given the practical strategies about how to do it. I’m reminded of the apostle Paul’s internal struggle that he shares regarding “what” and “how.” “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18, KJV). Paul’s struggle for the “how” is a universal struggle. The world needs not only your “what” but your “how”—your know-how. Your vision means nothing if it is out in some theoretical space but never comes down to the real world of practicality and implementation

182 pages, Hardcover

Published January 22, 2018

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this book is designed as a motivational book that will help you succeed in life. In that arena, the author succeeds, but only to a point. One of the major problems is that there are constant references to praying and seeking aid from a higher power. What seems to be lost is the adage that is mistakenly attributed to the Christian Bible, “God helps those who help themselves.” As I was reading through the book, I found myself asking the question, “If a book constantly refers to the use of prayer and seeking God’s blessing, is it truly a self-help book?”
That interesting philosophical point aside, there is little to dispute regarding the effectiveness of the non-religious points made in the book. Simple actions such as always being on time for appointments, make a goal and then a plan for achieving it, staying focused on your chosen path, interacting with the right people and making the right decisions. The problem is that these topics are expressed in a disjointed and often rambling manner. At times, reading the book became a slog.
So often, self-help books contain an easily remembered acronym and this one is no exception. The acronym is “NOW,” based on “No Opportunity Wasted.” While simple and understandable, it is hardly original. The website acronymfinder lists 26 different meanings for the acronym N. O. W., of which this is one. As someone generally unimpressed by the reliance on acronyms rather than sharp content, this was considered a negative.

[Venetta Smith]

This book was filled with sound wisdom and advice that applies to one's totality of life. It required me to take my time and digest the wealth of information it presented, and I am better having reading it. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a bit of help balancing all of their responsibilities.