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Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It: Unlocking the 9 Secrets of People Who Changed the World
Can We Map Success?
Successful people typically don't plan their success. Instead they develop a unique philosophy or attitude that works for them. They stumble across strategies which are shortcuts to success, and latch onto them. Events hand them opportunities they could not have anticipated. Often their peers with equal or greater talent fail while they succeed. It is too easy to attribute success to inherent, unstoppable genius.
Bestselling author and serial entrepreneur Richard Koch charts a map of success, identifying the nine key attitudes and strategies can propel anyone to new heights of accomplishment:
Self-belief Olympian Expectations Transforming Experiences One Breakthrough Achievement Make Your Own Trail Find and Drive Your Personal Vehicle Thrive on Setbacks Acquire Unique Intuition Distort Reality
With this book, you can embark on a journey towards a new, unreasonably successful future.
Successful people typically don't plan their success. Instead they develop a unique philosophy or attitude that works for them. They stumble across strategies which are shortcuts to success, and latch onto them. Events hand them opportunities they could not have anticipated. Often their peers with equal or greater talent fail while they succeed. It is too easy to attribute success to inherent, unstoppable genius.
Bestselling author and serial entrepreneur Richard Koch charts a map of success, identifying the nine key attitudes and strategies can propel anyone to new heights of accomplishment:
Self-belief Olympian Expectations Transforming Experiences One Breakthrough Achievement Make Your Own Trail Find and Drive Your Personal Vehicle Thrive on Setbacks Acquire Unique Intuition Distort Reality
With this book, you can embark on a journey towards a new, unreasonably successful future.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2020
251 people are currently reading
832 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 12, 2020
This is a study of unreasonably successful people (from very different fields) and the key experiences and choices that drove their success. It was entertaining with stories of fascinating people, from Madonna to Lenin to Paul of Tarsus to Marie Curie. It was also insightful, with original insights on how to build a successful life (not just a rehash of the same principles).
Yes, some of the principles were similar to other books, but only a few. For example, he talked about the importance of having a transformational experience, one that changes who you are, opens new doors and impresses others. But then he goes on to explain how to put yourself in a position to have this kind of experience.
Great book.
Yes, some of the principles were similar to other books, but only a few. For example, he talked about the importance of having a transformational experience, one that changes who you are, opens new doors and impresses others. But then he goes on to explain how to put yourself in a position to have this kind of experience.
Great book.
October 8, 2020
21 Books in 1
Why read 20 biographies of ultra-successful people when you can read 1 that also analyzes the reasons for their success?
Koch selects 20 of the most successful figures in history and then concisely distills the reasons for their success into a set of 9 attitudes and strategies. He then uses that framework to break down the lessons learned in his own career—providing an example of how you can apply the same to yours.
Why read 20 biographies of ultra-successful people when you can read 1 that also analyzes the reasons for their success?
Koch selects 20 of the most successful figures in history and then concisely distills the reasons for their success into a set of 9 attitudes and strategies. He then uses that framework to break down the lessons learned in his own career—providing an example of how you can apply the same to yours.
June 15, 2021
Книга про успешный успех, но как водится у Коха, не ужасная. Напомнил хорошую идею - невозможно стать успешным делая то, что и все остальные. Возможно нужен постоянный поиск того, в чем ты расходишься с большиством и при этом прав
May 12, 2021
This book will give you a different perspective on what it takes to be successful.
Also, you'll get to learn about great real-life stories and examples that illustrate the principles that are shared in the book.
This is a great resource for thought leaders and speakers who want to include new stories in their repertoire.
Flow: 5/5
Actionability: 4/5
Mindset: 4/5
Some of My Highlights:
"I define success as achieving something you regard as worthwhile - as getting to a destination which makes you feel proud and fulfilled."
"But so are careers - they all have squiggly lines up and down, periods of success and failure, and wrong turns and unexpected paths to glory, of alternating euphoria and exhaustion."
"The essential starting point for success - the first landmark - is self-belief."
"On Churchill: he did not go to university, and took three tries to pass into Sandhurst, the military academy."
"Four years later, having failed to find a permanent teaching job, he became a substitute teacher, and then had to settle for a low-paid job evaluating inventions in the Swiss patent office at Bern."
"For unusual success, wide experimentation is followed sooner or later by extreme focus, and then by blazing a wholly original trail."
"The reason most people do not achieve extraordinary results is that they do not believe that they can, or do not want to enough - which comes down to the same thing."
"The necessary ingredients are insatiable curiosity, quirky intelligence, the paradoxical combination of confidence and awe which I term 'modest arrogance', and a particular guiding philosophy."
"Only fifteen paintings accredited to Leonardo now survive, but they establish him as one of the greatest painters of all time."
"Keynes refused to be constrained to the role of economist, writing as befitted a historian, philosopher, theologian and statesman."
"They were iconoclasts; bold and self-possessed; expecting and requiring nothing form themselves except what was beyond the reach of ordinary mortals."
"This does not work for everyone; but conversely, I found no examples of unreasonable success which did not involve great leaps forward based on quite outsized expectations."
"'There is nothing,' he wrote, 'like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered..."
"We are not on Earth, he reasoned, to judge what is happening to us, but to ask what life expected and requires of us, to fulfill our potential."
"What transformed Frankl was finding meaning in hell."
"'Events,' he said, 'are stronger than the plans of men.' 'Man cannot create the current of events. he can only float with it and steer.'"
"Your skills - and improving them - are not the point. Far more important is what you try to do - the originality and reach of your mission, goal, destiny, whatever you call it, and your tenacity, nay, fanaticism, and luck in seeing it thought to completion."
"'To speak with the tongues of men and angels,' Asquith said of Churchill, 'is no good if a man does not inspire trust.'"
"He will learn as much as possible about you before meeting you."
Also, you'll get to learn about great real-life stories and examples that illustrate the principles that are shared in the book.
This is a great resource for thought leaders and speakers who want to include new stories in their repertoire.
Flow: 5/5
Actionability: 4/5
Mindset: 4/5
Some of My Highlights:
"I define success as achieving something you regard as worthwhile - as getting to a destination which makes you feel proud and fulfilled."
"But so are careers - they all have squiggly lines up and down, periods of success and failure, and wrong turns and unexpected paths to glory, of alternating euphoria and exhaustion."
"The essential starting point for success - the first landmark - is self-belief."
"On Churchill: he did not go to university, and took three tries to pass into Sandhurst, the military academy."
"Four years later, having failed to find a permanent teaching job, he became a substitute teacher, and then had to settle for a low-paid job evaluating inventions in the Swiss patent office at Bern."
"For unusual success, wide experimentation is followed sooner or later by extreme focus, and then by blazing a wholly original trail."
"The reason most people do not achieve extraordinary results is that they do not believe that they can, or do not want to enough - which comes down to the same thing."
"The necessary ingredients are insatiable curiosity, quirky intelligence, the paradoxical combination of confidence and awe which I term 'modest arrogance', and a particular guiding philosophy."
"Only fifteen paintings accredited to Leonardo now survive, but they establish him as one of the greatest painters of all time."
"Keynes refused to be constrained to the role of economist, writing as befitted a historian, philosopher, theologian and statesman."
"They were iconoclasts; bold and self-possessed; expecting and requiring nothing form themselves except what was beyond the reach of ordinary mortals."
"This does not work for everyone; but conversely, I found no examples of unreasonable success which did not involve great leaps forward based on quite outsized expectations."
"'There is nothing,' he wrote, 'like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered..."
"We are not on Earth, he reasoned, to judge what is happening to us, but to ask what life expected and requires of us, to fulfill our potential."
"What transformed Frankl was finding meaning in hell."
"'Events,' he said, 'are stronger than the plans of men.' 'Man cannot create the current of events. he can only float with it and steer.'"
"Your skills - and improving them - are not the point. Far more important is what you try to do - the originality and reach of your mission, goal, destiny, whatever you call it, and your tenacity, nay, fanaticism, and luck in seeing it thought to completion."
"'To speak with the tongues of men and angels,' Asquith said of Churchill, 'is no good if a man does not inspire trust.'"
"He will learn as much as possible about you before meeting you."
December 10, 2020
Not sure if I’m reading a biography book or a self help book. If self help, it has a LOT of padding. If biography then it is an argument for the Great Man Theory of History.
Take self help pointer three, have a transformative experience. There’s no pointers on how to do that, just biographies. No tips, no hints, no opinions. Nothing.
I don’t know what I’m reading. As self help it is hopelessly vague and general, just Koch bloviating about general strategy and famous folk.
I recommend his book The Star Principle instead.
Take self help pointer three, have a transformative experience. There’s no pointers on how to do that, just biographies. No tips, no hints, no opinions. Nothing.
I don’t know what I’m reading. As self help it is hopelessly vague and general, just Koch bloviating about general strategy and famous folk.
I recommend his book The Star Principle instead.
February 28, 2021
This book is phenomenal, worth rereading due to the blueprint that it provides
September 27, 2020
There's nothing secret about these secrets.
November 2, 2020
Richard Koch has developed a unique ability to spot simple principles that explain or predict seemingly complex outcomes. This is seen in works such as The 80/20 Principle, and his excellent writing on business strategy.
'Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It' applies this approach to outrageously successful individuals from the distant and recent past. In doing so, it teases out patterns that may well have been obscured from the subjects themselves as they moved toward greatness.
The result is a simple set of nine principles for would-be world-changers to reflect upon. But it is also a great framework for anyone who is serious about doing good work, and wants to take a bird's eye view of their careers. A great read if you want to pragmatically plan for success, and avoid confusing "a hope for a hunch".
'Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It' applies this approach to outrageously successful individuals from the distant and recent past. In doing so, it teases out patterns that may well have been obscured from the subjects themselves as they moved toward greatness.
The result is a simple set of nine principles for would-be world-changers to reflect upon. But it is also a great framework for anyone who is serious about doing good work, and wants to take a bird's eye view of their careers. A great read if you want to pragmatically plan for success, and avoid confusing "a hope for a hunch".
October 17, 2020
Some good background stories
on mostly well known people. Plus the layer of consulting history that was interesting as well.
At points the need to reference all the key characters felt a bit forced, but if you skip those parts, it is quite enjoyable read overall.
on mostly well known people. Plus the layer of consulting history that was interesting as well.
At points the need to reference all the key characters felt a bit forced, but if you skip those parts, it is quite enjoyable read overall.
June 26, 2023
О ЧЕМ КНИГА:
Новый фреймворк для достижения успеха, основанный на исследовании жизни 20 великих предпринимателей, политиков, писателей и изобретателей. Автор подробно изучил их жизнь и увидел, что их объединяет девять одинаковых трансформационных событий и подходов к жизни. Кох доказывает, что если вы реализуйте все девять пунктов программы, которые привели их к выдающимся результатам, то и сами достигнете больших высот в своей деятельности.
ГЛАВНАЯ МЫСЛЬ КНИГИ:
Для успеха важнее ваше отношение к жизни и правильная жизненная стратегия, чем талант и навыки. Успешные люди не планируют свой успех, а выстраивают систему для его достижения.
ЗАЧЕМ ЧИТАТЬ ЭТУ КНИГУ?
Чтобы разобраться, как выстраивать свою личную систему жизни.
МЫСЛИ И ВЫВОДЫ ИЗ КНИГИ:
- «Будущее это территория, для которой не существует карт»
- Далеко не всё находится под нашим контролем и надо увидеть всплески удачи и успеть их схватить.
- Для достижения больших результатов в бизнесе, нужно ставить сотрудникам в компании нереальные цели. Люди так устроены, что только в этом случае они будут достигать масштабных результатов.
Being unreasonably ambitious and setting ridiculous targets work magically.
- В бизнесе важно не просто отличаться от других, а важно зарабатывать на этом отличии. Только тогда это отличие ценно.
- Жизнь – это книга ставок. Надо выбирать только большие и долгосрочные ставки.
- У дорожной карты успеха по системе Ричарда Коха есть главные 9 пунктов, которые надо реализовать на своем пути. Это либо определенные стратегии в жизни, либо важные события, которые надо пережить:
1. Вера в себя. Она не исключает сомнения в себе. Важно иногда останавливается и задавать себе вопрос – на правильном ли я пути?
2. Олимпийские ожидания. Высокие ожидания(намного выше нормы) от себя и от людей вокруг.
3. Трансформационный опыт. Событие, которое сильно поменяло человека.
4. Одно прорывное достижение. Часто его надо ждать долго и быть подготовленным к новым событиям.
5. Создавай свой собственный путь. "Вам не нужно быть лучшим в том, что вы делаете. Вам нужно быть единственным."
6. Найди свою личную машину для развития и управляй ей. Это может быть мощный бизнес-тренд, компания, система или рычаги. Ничего великого не произойдет без использования машины.
7. Используй свои неудачи для роста и развития. Этотчему нас учил Талеб в "Антихрупкости".
8. Развивай в себе уникальную интуицию и доверяй ей. Она работает только в области деятельности, где у вас накоплен большой опыт.
9. Меняй реальность под себя и свои идеи. Надо уметь видеть, то, что не видят другие и убеждать людей, что невозможное возможно.
ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ:
- Сделаю список личных машин и рычагов, на основе которых я сейчас развиваю бизнес.
- Создам список машин и рычагов, которые, по моему мнению, стану�� мощными в ближайшие годы и десятилетия.
ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
Max Gunther - How to Get Lucky
Новый фреймворк для достижения успеха, основанный на исследовании жизни 20 великих предпринимателей, политиков, писателей и изобретателей. Автор подробно изучил их жизнь и увидел, что их объединяет девять одинаковых трансформационных событий и подходов к жизни. Кох доказывает, что если вы реализуйте все девять пунктов программы, которые привели их к выдающимся результатам, то и сами достигнете больших высот в своей деятельности.
ГЛАВНАЯ МЫСЛЬ КНИГИ:
Для успеха важнее ваше отношение к жизни и правильная жизненная стратегия, чем талант и навыки. Успешные люди не планируют свой успех, а выстраивают систему для его достижения.
ЗАЧЕМ ЧИТАТЬ ЭТУ КНИГУ?
Чтобы разобраться, как выстраивать свою личную систему жизни.
МЫСЛИ И ВЫВОДЫ ИЗ КНИГИ:
- «Будущее это территория, для которой не существует карт»
- Далеко не всё находится под нашим контролем и надо увидеть всплески удачи и успеть их схватить.
- Для достижения больших результатов в бизнесе, нужно ставить сотрудникам в компании нереальные цели. Люди так устроены, что только в этом случае они будут достигать масштабных результатов.
Being unreasonably ambitious and setting ridiculous targets work magically.
- В бизнесе важно не просто отличаться от других, а важно зарабатывать на этом отличии. Только тогда это отличие ценно.
- Жизнь – это книга ставок. Надо выбирать только большие и долгосрочные ставки.
- У дорожной карты успеха по системе Ричарда Коха есть главные 9 пунктов, которые надо реализовать на своем пути. Это либо определенные стратегии в жизни, либо важные события, которые надо пережить:
1. Вера в себя. Она не исключает сомнения в себе. Важно иногда останавливается и задавать себе вопрос – на правильном ли я пути?
2. Олимпийские ожидания. Высокие ожидания(намного выше нормы) от себя и от людей вокруг.
3. Трансформационный опыт. Событие, которое сильно поменяло человека.
4. Одно прорывное достижение. Часто его надо ждать долго и быть подготовленным к новым событиям.
5. Создавай свой собственный путь. "Вам не нужно быть лучшим в том, что вы делаете. Вам нужно быть единственным."
6. Найди свою личную машину для развития и управляй ей. Это может быть мощный бизнес-тренд, компания, система или рычаги. Ничего великого не произойдет без использования машины.
7. Используй свои неудачи для роста и развития. Этотчему нас учил Талеб в "Антихрупкости".
8. Развивай в себе уникальную интуицию и доверяй ей. Она работает только в области деятельности, где у вас накоплен большой опыт.
9. Меняй реальность под себя и свои идеи. Надо уметь видеть, то, что не видят другие и убеждать людей, что невозможное возможно.
ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ:
- Сделаю список личных машин и рычагов, на основе которых я сейчас развиваю бизнес.
- Создам список машин и рычагов, которые, по моему мнению, стану�� мощными в ближайшие годы и десятилетия.
ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
Max Gunther - How to Get Lucky
November 21, 2023
A very clever book presenting the 9 "landmarks" which are like traits that have resulted in unreasonable success for the author and the other stupendously successful people he has used as case studies for this book. The best part of the book is the last few chapters where you see the landmarks being applied to the author's life, and the nine landmarks are summarised neatly - very handy for a re-read, as you only have to read the last chapter. I have some quibbles, but they are relatively minor and the book is still very useful in spite of them. 1) There is a lot of repetition - perhaps the book could have been better structured/edited to avoid the amount of repetition. 2) I expected this author's books to be generally a lot more concise given that he had popularised the 80/20 rule. 3) The writing can be more engaging, especially the storytelling bits. If it had been written like Tim Ferris's Four Hour Work Week, this book would be an unstoppable force.
July 24, 2023
It's OK. The book makes some good, inspiring points about Walt Disney, JK Rowling, Jeff Bezos, and Steve Jobs. I first learned about Bain and BCG by reading. The last few chapters about the author Richard Koch's own life journey are also inspiring.
But the book spends too much time trying to fit other people's lives into its thesis, and uses way too many examples from the distant past, like Otto von Bismarck, Paul of Tarsus, Leonardo da Vinci, and politics, like Churchill vs Hitler, or Margaret Thatcher.
I don't relate to politicians or presidents as creators. I didn't buy a book to read about how someone led a country to victory in a war. Too far out of touch, too forced. Like an aggregation of Walter Isaacson's Innovators.
But the book spends too much time trying to fit other people's lives into its thesis, and uses way too many examples from the distant past, like Otto von Bismarck, Paul of Tarsus, Leonardo da Vinci, and politics, like Churchill vs Hitler, or Margaret Thatcher.
I don't relate to politicians or presidents as creators. I didn't buy a book to read about how someone led a country to victory in a war. Too far out of touch, too forced. Like an aggregation of Walter Isaacson's Innovators.
February 21, 2021
This book is basically what would happen if Robert Greene decided that instead of researching hundreds of people/events/historical narratives, he would focus on only about a dozen people, mostly from the 20th century, including pop culture figures many people don't find particularly admirable (Madonna), plus some random mentor of his that most people don't know or care about (the Bain consulting guy), and write a book comparing them to much better-known historical figures.
Overall, a lot of repetition, not much insight, and a big disconnection between the title (which makes you think this is a book about personal productivity) and the content (which is...not that).
Overall, a lot of repetition, not much insight, and a big disconnection between the title (which makes you think this is a book about personal productivity) and the content (which is...not that).
October 5, 2023
DNF. Trite and bland and just plain bad.
This book reads like somebody was forced to come up with a formula for success with bullet points, actionable items and random personages from world history, in true corporate BS PowerPoint style. There is nothing new here, and the "formula" is just paragraphs of supposedly inspiring directions that go on and on. No wonder this was selling at a 66% discount on Amazon when I bought it.
Including Lenin in the list of successful people is not just weird, it's also insulting to the memories of the thousands killed or interned in concentration camps during his regime.
This book reads like somebody was forced to come up with a formula for success with bullet points, actionable items and random personages from world history, in true corporate BS PowerPoint style. There is nothing new here, and the "formula" is just paragraphs of supposedly inspiring directions that go on and on. No wonder this was selling at a 66% discount on Amazon when I bought it.
Including Lenin in the list of successful people is not just weird, it's also insulting to the memories of the thousands killed or interned in concentration camps during his regime.
June 21, 2022
A good book but a little let down by the concept of "unreasonable success". It seems to suggest that it's a worthwhile trade off that all things should be subservient to your pursuit of it in places, which was a little off-putting.
That said, there are some good points in here (even for those searching for a more moderate level of success!) and some interesting breakdowns of the stages that successful people have been through.
All in all, worth a read but perhaps a little bit of a sensationalist title.
That said, there are some good points in here (even for those searching for a more moderate level of success!) and some interesting breakdowns of the stages that successful people have been through.
All in all, worth a read but perhaps a little bit of a sensationalist title.
April 26, 2022
Thankfully one of the secrets isn't dumb luck, however it's hinted at. Mr. Koch does his usual thorough approach to this book. His subjects are well researched, and he is personally knowledgeable about some of them. I've read many of Mr. Koch's books and this one doesn't disappoint.
May 2, 2022
Starting and having a successful business is more than working 100 hours a week. There are other extremely important factors needed. Thank you Richard Koch! Also the “further reading section” is a gold mine!
July 19, 2023
Refresh on successful people of the past. But barely actionable advice. Would have been better to give examples of people that had similar characteristics but didn’t achieve success. Otherwise it’s survivorship bias.
August 26, 2024
Great read.
A very practical insight. Somebody mentioned 20 books in 1. I would say 20 executive summaries of some of the most successful people in history in one book, connected with common themes for success.
A very practical insight. Somebody mentioned 20 books in 1. I would say 20 executive summaries of some of the most successful people in history in one book, connected with common themes for success.
June 25, 2025
The author tries to link the success of 20 different people from different fields (Steve Jobs, Winston Churchill, Marie Curie, Madonna...), categorizing their success in different common paths. Some of the stories are interesting, but the common linked success among them is difficult to see.
February 15, 2021
Excellent book that gives insights to many great men and women who have achieved unreasonable success. Highly recommended to help oneself understand the next step to getting to the next level.
March 28, 2021
Interisting for the histories of some famous people
June 16, 2021
Another AMAZING book by the legend Richard Koch, MUST read!
June 27, 2021
The title is cringy, but the history is good.
November 10, 2022
Good to read.
May 5, 2023
more like anecdotal biography of churchill, bain, bezos, mandala, disney, etc…
i find it tedious, wordy, and pretentious
i find it tedious, wordy, and pretentious
May 28, 2023
The book goes to details how to approach your succes. It will help you to make mindset shift from relying on a hope to start taking real steps to reach your dreams.
September 22, 2023
It’s fun and inspirational while drawing on concrete examples that illustrate the concepts of the book.
January 1, 2025
Tries to be self help and biography, and doesn’t do well at either.
August 9, 2024
I gave this book a 5 star because it was very inspirational, easy to read and the advice was simple and practical.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews