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100 Things Successful People Do: Little Exercises for Successful Living: 100 Self Help Rules for Life

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EXPANDED EDITION FEATURING 10 BRAND NEW THE 10 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE NEVER DO

** 100 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE NOW AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER!
** TRANSLATED IN 20 LANGUAGES WORLDWIDE


'Inspiring and practical' MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, bestselling author of TRIGGERS

YOUR GUIDE TO CREATING A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
100 Things Successful People Do is your guide to successful living. Mixing simple instructions with activities to get you started, whether you are looking to succeed in your family life, at work, in sports, at school or in retirement, you will find mindsets, habits, and techniques here that will help you get the results you want.

100 Things Successful People Do is packed with great ideas for working smart and living well, all carefully chosen to help you achieve any kind of success you can imagine. You will discover the habits that are common to successful people and find out how to use them in your own life.

Every chapter features a new idea that will help you get closer to your goals. Mixing simple descriptions with activities and exercises, you will learn the optimal mindset and habits you need to succeed in work and life.

And this expanded edition now features a brand new section revealing the 10 things that successful people never do.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2016

293 people are currently reading
2565 people want to read

About the author

Nigel Cumberland

23 books58 followers
Nigel Cumberland is the co-founder of The Silk Road Partnership, a leading global provider of executive coaching and leadership training solutions to some of the world’s leading organizations. He has lived and worked in locations as diverse as Hong Kong, Glasgow, Budapest, Santiago, Guatemala City, Kuala Lumpur, London and Shanghai. Gaining experiences and wisdom that have helped teach him what it takes to succeed in life.

Previously, Nigel worked as a multinational finance director with Coats plc, as well as for some of the world’s leading recruitment firms including Adecco. He is a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He co-created an award-winning recruitment firm based in Hong Kong and China, which he later sold to Hays plc. Educated at Cambridge University, UK, Nigel is an extensively qualified executive coach and leadership training professional.

He is the author of a large number of self-help and leadership books among the most recent of which are: 100 Things Millionaires Do: Little Lessons in Creating Wealth (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2019), The Ultimate Management Book (John Murray Learning, 2018), 100 Things Successful People Do: Little Exercises for Successful Living (John Murray Learning, 2016), Secrets of Success at Work: 50 Techniques to Excel (Hodder & Stoughton, 2014), Finding and Hiring Talent in a Week (John Murray Learning, 2016) and Leading Teams in a Week (John Murray Learning, 2016).

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5 stars
243 (32%)
4 stars
255 (34%)
3 stars
170 (22%)
2 stars
54 (7%)
1 star
25 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
1 review
August 30, 2016
My wife gave me this cool little lemon coloured book as an anniversary present - she mentioned the book had just been published. I rarely read self-help books but my wife felt that this book's 100 chapters each of 2 pages had some chapter headings which she felt I needed to explore.

I remember the first chapter that caught my eye was called 'Grow old disgracefully'.

I remember reading Nigel's introduction and how he shared that success can mean so many things and he made this point with a line that someone might want to become a chef while their partner or friend might hate cooking. I think this is what resonated with me and prompted me to actually read all 200 plus pages as we relaxed in Norfolk. I have never written a book review before but was prompted to by watching others visit our Norfolk cottage and after leafing through the 100 things books, commit to buy it.

Nigel mentions his own succcesses and what I think he called un-successes in his own life - I am sure for this reason this is what makes his advice and ideas so authentic and compelling. He does not write with cockiness, arrogance or some kind of new age zeal. It is a realisation that somehow our lives are steered by a small series of actions and choices - breathing well, seek simplicity, be curious, showing empathy, writing down goals, laughing, not giving up, getting rid of toxic people and so on.

Once back at work I intend to google Nigel to contact him - I feel my law firm could benefit from him coming in to give us some pep talks.
3 reviews
September 1, 2016
Love this book. My wife spotted it in the new books section and it looked a bit small and non business-y. I then saw that Marshall Goldsmith had endorsed it and when I opened the book it the words "Have the courage to fail" facing me - funny as I needed to be told that as I am nervously embarking on life in my fifties having just taken early retirement and I plan to start my own business. My wife keeps telling me how scared I appear and worrying about not succeeding.

This book is full of such helpful words of wisdom to remind us all of what we need to be like to optimally get through our lives.
2 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2016
Just read the other newly written review of this book and wanted to add a line or two. I am enjoying this new book. I can understand why the person who wrote the foreword, Marshall Goldsmith, would say the book is inspiring and practical. My challenge is to encourage my teenage daughter to leaf through it to learn from its words of wisdom? :)
Profile Image for HelenM.
2 reviews
September 6, 2016
What a surprising little book - I bought it last week rushing to catch my train - its quirky cover caught my eye. But now that i actually read through its 200 plus pages I really love the range of ideas, suggestions - some are new and some are welcome reminders - my father is visiting and just took a photo of the chapter with the title "Grow old disgracefully" - he sent the photo to his fellow retirees at his Exeter assisted living home - not sure what they will be doing now that this author, Nigel Cumberland, encourages them to truly live.

Actually the book seems to have something for everyone and I am sure I ought to buy a few of my stressed out colleagues copies for their birthdays or for Christmas. Wonder when the paperback version will be out - but in truth I really do like the funky hard cover - a sort of lemony yellow, white with stars.
3 reviews
September 1, 2016
Love this book. My wife spotted it in the new books section and it looked a bit small and non business-y. I then saw that Marshall Goldsmith had endorsed it and when I opened the book it the words "Have the courage to fail" facing me - funny as I needed to be told that as I am nervously embarking on life in my fifties having just taken early retirement and I plan to start my own business. My wife keeps telling me how scared I appear and worrying about not succeeding.

This book is full of such helpful words of wisdom to remind us all of what we need to be like to optimally get through our lives.

Profile Image for Bob Tillsman.
10 reviews
August 31, 2016
After reading the author's 'Secrets of Work Success' book which my assistant calls my little red book, I just picked up, after an amazon UK suggested read, this great little book - have been skim reading the 100 chapters and love the simple to the point style of presentation - includes some really inspired and sometimes unexpected little bits of advice. A useful birthday or Christmas present for literally anyone that you know.
Profile Image for Bob Tillsman.
10 reviews
August 31, 2016
After reading the author's 'Secrets of Work Success' book which my assistant calls my little red book, I just picked up, after an amazon UK suggested read, this great little book - have been skim reading the 100 chapters and love the simple to the point style of presentation - includes some really inspired and sometimes unexpected little bits of advice. A useful birthday or Christmas present for literally anyone that you know.

1 review1 follower
September 6, 2016
Just finished reading this quick and practical book by Nigel Cumberland. This is an easy read filled with simple, pragmatic advice helpful for all of us to realise our best. There are gems of advice in the book for everyone from a busy senior global leader, a new mother to graduates who are starting their first job.
2 reviews
September 1, 2016
Great book! Really helpful and easy to read. Filled with excellent quotes, this book is a real inspiration. I can imagine being able to apply the author's tips and advice to allow my working life to become more successful, while also achieving my balance in all others areas of my busy life.
Profile Image for Sulhan Habibi.
805 reviews62 followers
February 5, 2022
Bagussss. Aku suka.

Salah satu yang BAGUS dari buku ini adalah format penulisan yang singkat dan langsung ke inti. Setiap halaman pun lah out nya bagus jadi tidak merasa bosan atau terintimidasi buat bacanya.

GOOD lah.
Profile Image for whiteorblack_book.
30 reviews25 followers
August 31, 2024
Nudna, bez duszy. Nie wnosi nic nowego, rozwleczona do granic możliwości. Zamiast 330 stron spokojnie można by zrobić kompendium 50 i wtedy by to miało większą wartość, można by łatwiej wrócić do wybranych zagadnień i myśli. W tym temacie jest dużo lepszych, bardziej wartościowych pozycji. Szkoda Waszego czasu, znajdziecie po prostu dużo lepszych na rynku 😉
Profile Image for Loy Machedo.
233 reviews215 followers
March 24, 2017
Here’s the thing.
There are a Billion books in the marketplace.
Millions in the Non-Fiction Category.
Hundreds of Thousands of Authors
Thousands of Books that are Best Sellers
(Provided you know how to get it there)
Hundreds of books that may not be labeled as
Best sellers but have the potential to change your life
And then you have the rest that are – just books.

You have books that can Inform, Motivate, Influence, Guide, Change your Life
And then you have books that can do all of the above.

100 Things Successful People Do by Nigel Cumberland
tries to do all the above
Inform, Motivate, Influence, Guide and Change Your Life
However, the question remains –
how effective was the author?

Given the fact that I have a large library of great books
I always tend to compare one book to another
Or at times evaluate books on an experienced level playing field
That maybe most other readers cannot.
So this makes it very tough for an author or a book to really score a homerun
At least in my books.

Nigel Cumberland with this book 100 Things Successful People Do
Has a collection of 100 tips, tricks and strategies
That he believes is what makes some people more successful than others
As common sense would have it –
these are not ‘exclusive’ or ‘scientific breakthroughs’
that the author has discovered –
they are just gems of wisdom
Any person with a bit of common sense, wisdom and experience
Can share with you any of these interesting tit-bits written in these pages.

So lets get down to the evaluation.

ON THE PLUS SIDE
The book has 100 pointers or tit bits of wisdom that will help you gain insight into the ways and habits of successful people. Some of the points I loved were:
Point 22 - Reinvent Yourself
Point 26 – Exude Confidence
Point 67 – Be Curious
Point 76 – Embrace Technology
Point 97 – Unlearn Everything
The points are very simple and self-explanatory.
You do not need pages and pages to be written to get you to understand what the author is trying to imply.

ON THE MINUS SIDE
If you are a seasoned and voracious reader like myself –
the pointers mentioned here are just a refresher.
Nothing else.
All I did was just browse through the pages
Get a quick read and – well that’s was it.

MOMENT OF TRUTH
I wouldn’t recommend this book to a seasoned professional
or someone who is well read.
Rather this would be a book I would recommend to a college graduate
Or someone who has never read or
hardly read a Motivational / Inspirational book
They would love this book.
Personally, I only purchased this book
just to see what I could brush up my head with.
And I completed reading the book easily
In one sitting.

OVERALL RATING
2 out of 10

Loy Machedo
Loymachedo.com | Whoisloymachedo.com | ThinkPersonalBranding.Com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kgcapel.
6 reviews
September 13, 2016
Am enjoying reading it while touring Greece. Picked it up when in transit in Dubai. Everybody who sees me with this beautiful book wants to look at it with many asking where they can get their own copy

An honestly refreshing book filled with the author's real life and personal advice from the author is clearly coaching all manner of people. Just noticed another review which is critical of the way that Nigel Cumberland went from one chapter on "saying 'yes'" to anotehr one on "saying 'no'". Ironically this is an example of why I like the book's advice - it recognises the greyness of life saying for example - be ready to say yes to seizing opportunities that are otherwise missed (by the procastinating majority) while saying no to things that you are being pressured into doing (by the many know it alls in our lives). This nuanced approach to how to succeed in life might be the answer. As much as I love the black and white clarity of the writers such as Robin Sharma, John Maxwell and Anthony Robbins, I find this author's approach very refreshing.

I also admire his honesty in admitting when he went wrong e.g. saying that he had stopped learning thinking that leaving University was the end of the story.

1 review
September 16, 2016
I challenge anyone to find something that is missed out in Nigel Cumberland's new book - the author has covered just about everything that one could possibly think of as tips, guidance and direction that can help readers across the world to become more successful. But it is clear that the author is not focused on defining 'success' in a limiting manner, but ensuring that readers understand that success in life isn't (just) about money and commerce, but includes the vital aspects of heart, soul, good health, food, friendship and much more. Each of the 100 Things is very simple really - the challenge is for readers to act on any of them. This is a book to keep by you each day, to be dipped into for reminders and inspiration. It is no surprise therefore that Marshall Goldsmith himself has given Nigel Cumberland's book a firm seal of approval, exhorting people to follow its maxims. Don't arrive at your destination and wonder whether you could have done better - let this book be your guide to a better future for you and those around you.
Profile Image for Miranda Houchens.
26 reviews11 followers
November 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED THIS CUTE LITTLE BOOK! Not only are the contents fantastic and useful for anyone to flip through a thousand times as they progress in their life, but the size and look of the book is perfect and quaint, making it a nice coffee table book packed with useful knowledge. I left this on the counter after receiving it and my boyfriend had taken it and begun reading it within hours. We are super happy to have this book, and find it's tips and exercises to be really beneficial. Well written and worth having!
Profile Image for Carla.
808 reviews
November 29, 2017
I read this book in Dutch, I received it for review for a management book magazine. Each chapter in this book helps you in a practical way to get closer to what you want to reach in life. This is different for everybody, but the 100 ideas in this book are generic enough to help you. It's not a book that you'll read from page 1 till the end. Start with the first chapter (about dreaming) and then select the chapters that will get you closer to your dream. This book is a nice book to give as present for the holidays.

2017 Books #32
Profile Image for Hikaoru.
945 reviews25 followers
February 26, 2018
I practically skimmed through this except at topics which I think I needed more clarification and probably way of execution. Mostly it consist of normal advice such as love your job, avoid toxic people, put yourself first, get a hobby etc
But sometimes, you just need a reminder. I like the fact that they put in consideration like....if somehow you don't love your job, try to look for the little things that you might like, if not, move on. On every single advice, they prepare a scenario so you'd think how you can actually implement it in real life...small things matter.
Profile Image for Seddiq Almaghrabi.
27 reviews
January 29, 2025
This book is what you get when you read book summaries

A lackluster experience

Just like a typical book summary, this book lacks the backbone

The depth, the stories, the problem and solutions

Instead it’s filled with overly optimistic phrases and ideas

However it’s a good coffee table book
Profile Image for Manar Ibrahim.
58 reviews18 followers
August 31, 2021
I liked the layout of this book. After each part there was a ‘Take It Into Action’ page with reflective questions and activities to actually implement this advice and I thought that was cool🤝
Profile Image for Kelsey.
2 reviews4 followers
April 24, 2023
This book was an old one sitting on the shelf that I decided to pick up again. Simple but inspiring for a quick daily read. A nice little feel good/motivation for the nightstand!
37 reviews
December 18, 2017
A super practical and authentic book. I am giving it a 5 given its great relevance to one's life cycle. A must read, not as a dull manual, but as a very live and handy source of insights. Thanks Nigel.
Profile Image for Iliyana Arakelyan .
189 reviews41 followers
October 1, 2017
Книгата има много полезни съвети за успешен личен и професионален живот. С прости думи авторът набляга на малките неща в живота, които пренебрегваме. Обяснява колко е важно да имаме реална представа за себе си, околните, желанията ни и какво ни спира да ги изпълним. Много добре е структурирана на 100 отделни глави и пише какво да направим, за да изпълним дадения съвет. Истината е, че книгата не обещава по-висока заплата, по-висок пост или мигновена печалба, а ни учи, че можем да сме успешни по много начини. Къмбърланд често приканва да си водим бележки, да анализираме, да сме по-организирани, защото пътят към успеха може да не е лек, но е с прости правила.
Profile Image for Sathepine Marco.
Author 1 book4 followers
December 31, 2019
A wonderful guide to a good life

I’ve become suspicious of various life advice because when I was young, I was given a lot of them and grew up realizing they were actually quite ignorant and narrowminded. So I trust my own learning experiences and try to think of their own perspectives and situation when listening to others’ advice and check whether it really helps my situation not. Long story short, I’m not fond of self-help books, unless if they talk about a craft I’m interested in learning (such as writing). But when my sister got this book, I decided to get a copy myself and found time to read it. I’m happy to say I’ve learned some of these already, based on my own life experiences, and agree on others, which I’ve yet to apply in my own life. There’s nothing in here that I would completely disagree with it. The best thing I like about this book is its inclusion of how to put each advice into action. Overall, this is great guide to live a fulfilling life and I hope to achieve habits of maybe 70% of these before I die. (I’m setting realistic goals here lol 100% is too overwhelming, don’t judge me.)
6 reviews
February 10, 2017
What a great book that one of my girlfriends gave me at New Year. I had assumed it would be a typical corny list of ideal things to do in life - instead it is a really well thought out selection of everything we should all do to have fulfilling, enriched and meaningful lives.

Odd as I have been looking for more copies for my friends and Mum, and my local Waterstones in Reading has nothing in stock or on order? Thankfully it is on amazon.
Profile Image for Mohamed AlThani.
2 reviews
February 11, 2017
Lovely book covering so many aspects of what it takes to succeed in life - to achieve all the different kinds of life goals.
Profile Image for Julia Zawadzka.
81 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2021
Jeśli szukasz książki, która Cię zainspiruje i jasno określi zasady, których warto przestrzegać, aby mieć udane życie, koniecznie sięgnij po ten tytuł.

Warto dodać, że sukces to nie bogactwo ani popularność!

Nigel Cumberland daje możliwość poznania kroków do spełnionego życia. Nie raz powrócę do tej książki, kiedy zgubię motywację.

Bardzo dobry poradnik. Podobały mi się krótkie rozdziały, sto reguł, które powinniśmy wprowadzić do naszego życia. Przydatne i proste zasady dla ludzi prostych jak i dla osób prowadzących biznes.

Dzięki tej książce lepiej wykonuję swoje obowiązki i czuję się bardziej produktywna. Wiem, że stałam się lepszą osobą mogącą osiągnąć sukces. Każdy z nas może to osiągnąć.

Książka rozwija, bardzo polecam!
Profile Image for Maťka.
96 reviews10 followers
March 2, 2018
Je to knižka, ku ktorej som si nikdy nemyslela, že sa dostanem, či dokonca po nej siahnem. Avšak zaujala ma a prebudila vo mne niečo, čo ma prinútilo si ju vyžiadať a siahnuť po nej. Veď kto by nechcel byť v tejto dobe úspešný? Kto by nechcel dosiahnuť úspech? Nemoôžem povedať, že autor píše o veciach, o ktorých som nikdy nepočula, no vidno, že veľmi dobre vie, o čom hovorí (píše). A celkovo je to takto veľmi pekne zhrnuté pod jednou strechou resp. v tomto prípade obálkou.
Knižke som neudelila vyššie hodnotenie, lebo mi to moje 'knihomľské presvedčenie' nedovolí, keďže ja som skôr na také tie romány, niečo s príbehom...veď ako by k tomu potom prišli všetky tie ostatné knihy :D
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