‘More wisdom than a college education’ – Charlie Kirk
Arizona author TW (Tom) Lewis, a profoundly successful entrepreneur and leader, is the founder of T.W. Lewis Company, a highly awarded real estate investment company. With his wife Jan, he formed T.W. Lewis Foundation to support higher education, children and families in need, and youth character education with national nonprofits focused on building community and civil society. This dynamic couple also created the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky.
As stated on his website, Tom shares, ‘I wrote this book because young adults today are getting bad advice about how to succeed, and I want to show them a better way.’ In this eminently successful book he offers his insights that young people, defined as those under thirty years of age, have lost the concepts of how to achieve success – in both career and in life. Using his own history as the substrate, he explains how he learned from his mistakes and grew stronger because of them. And while that may sound irregular, the manner in which he walks the reader through his journey underlines the impact of this game-changing book of advice.
‘Solid Ground shatters the popular myths in today’s culture about how to create a successful life. By reminding us of the time-tested principles that seem to have gotten lost – like personal character, hard work, goal setting, helping others, and faith – Solid Ground explains and celebrates the real building blocks of a successful career and life.’ Attempting to summarize the content is perhaps unfair, as the process of growing with Tom’s presentation of thought is part of the meaningful impact of absorbing this book.
Highlighting some of the phrases and ideas presented hopefully will serve as an incentive to explore SOLID GROUND: ‘Follow your talent, not your passion: passion changes, but your talent is not as flexible. Develop talent, and passion follows.’ ‘To be successful in life, I have learned that you have to put first things first, but today’s popular culture has it backwards. You can’t find your purpose until you discover who you are. You can’t find your happiness until you find your talent and help others. And you can’t find success until you earn it.’ ‘Hard work is imperative: hard work produces more self esteem, and the adversities encountered produce resilience’. ‘Contrary to the opinion of contemporary popular culture, ambition is a positive trait, especially when combined with the moral perspective.’ ‘Leaders have vision, trustworthiness and compassion (caring about your followers).’ The Seven Steps to take before making every decision: clarify your goals, do your research, examine your alternatives, evaluate your alternatives against your goals and your values, make a decision, sleep on it, commit and take action.’ ‘It is good to understand your problems, but put your energy into the solutions.’ ‘Knowledge + Experience + Truth = Wisdom. Wisdom + Action = Judgment.’
These are only a few of the treasurable elements and highlights of a book that is pragmatic, accessible and wise. TW Lewis is an impressive mentor – a guide for securing success and happiness. Highly recommended.