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How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places
Michael Gill's lemons-to-lemonade memoir chronicled his transformative years working at Starbucks after losing his high-powered job, his marriage, and his health (he developed a brain tumor). In response to overwhelming requests from readers who wanted to know how they, too, could weather downturns, he has distilled his lessons into fifteen meaningful lessons,
· Leap...With Sometimes it pays to leap without looking and say yes without thinking (Gill accepted the Starbucks job immediately, on a whim).
· Let Yourself...Be Pride is even more paralyzing than fear.
· Look...with Respect at Every Individual You Gill was raised to avoid eye contact with those who were different, cloistered in a privileged world. Now he realizes the potential in all who cross his daily path.
· Lose...Your Watch (and Cell Phone and PDA!): Our obsession with productivity produces madness, not gladness.
Offering living proof that extraordinary happiness is found in ordinary moments, How to Save Your Own Life provides empowering words and hope for anyone facing a reversal of fortune. True fortune, Gill discovered, lies not in fate but in discovering the innate capacity we all possess to rescue ourselves.
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· Leap...With Sometimes it pays to leap without looking and say yes without thinking (Gill accepted the Starbucks job immediately, on a whim).
· Let Yourself...Be Pride is even more paralyzing than fear.
· Look...with Respect at Every Individual You Gill was raised to avoid eye contact with those who were different, cloistered in a privileged world. Now he realizes the potential in all who cross his daily path.
· Lose...Your Watch (and Cell Phone and PDA!): Our obsession with productivity produces madness, not gladness.
Offering living proof that extraordinary happiness is found in ordinary moments, How to Save Your Own Life provides empowering words and hope for anyone facing a reversal of fortune. True fortune, Gill discovered, lies not in fate but in discovering the innate capacity we all possess to rescue ourselves.
Watch a Video
182 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2009
52 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
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February 13, 2013
كيف تنقذ حياتك
من نوع الكتب التي أذهب معها للنهاية، على أمل الوصول الى سر نجاحها وانبهار الناس بها.معتقدة بأني حين أعرف سوف أستفيد أيضاً، لكن حتى أسرار النجاح والتميز والسعادة الواضحة أمامنا لا ترضينا فتغدو بلا قيمة وبالتالي غير معمول بها.
ستاربكس، الكتب القهوة جو العمل في مقهى ستاربكس يعرف بشكل يومي أناسا جدد على مدار الساعة..ممتع
لكن الكتاب غير محفز بالمرة..
الدرس 16 يعنيني حالياً ،أكثر من كل المراحل الماضية في حياتي التي كان هاجس الرحيل فيها يشدني للأرض ويقص جناحاتي.
في عالمنا، في مجتمعي مجرد وصولك للثلاثين يعني أنك كبرت كثيراً ، وبعد الاربعين أنت شيخ قدمك للقبر أكثر مما هي للحياة،
يفكرون بأن بلوغ الإنسان لعمر الخمسين هو نهايته..بينما يحرص العديد منهم بوعي أو بدونه، لإثبات العكس
بالزواج مجدداً وبمن هي أصغر منه ..
ليس لديهم مفهوم أن على أحدنا عيش الحياة إلى أن يغادر تماماً، وليس الموت مبكراً على أساس الأرقام التي لا تعبر عن
العمر الحقيقي لقلوبنا ومشاعرنا.
التقدم في السن بالنسبة لنا يعني انتظار..
انتظار بلوغ المحطة الأخيرة
من نوع الكتب التي أذهب معها للنهاية، على أمل الوصول الى سر نجاحها وانبهار الناس بها.معتقدة بأني حين أعرف سوف أستفيد أيضاً، لكن حتى أسرار النجاح والتميز والسعادة الواضحة أمامنا لا ترضينا فتغدو بلا قيمة وبالتالي غير معمول بها.
ستاربكس، الكتب القهوة جو العمل في مقهى ستاربكس يعرف بشكل يومي أناسا جدد على مدار الساعة..ممتع
لكن الكتاب غير محفز بالمرة..
الدرس 16 يعنيني حالياً ،أكثر من كل المراحل الماضية في حياتي التي كان هاجس الرحيل فيها يشدني للأرض ويقص جناحاتي.
في عالمنا، في مجتمعي مجرد وصولك للثلاثين يعني أنك كبرت كثيراً ، وبعد الاربعين أنت شيخ قدمك للقبر أكثر مما هي للحياة،
يفكرون بأن بلوغ الإنسان لعمر الخمسين هو نهايته..بينما يحرص العديد منهم بوعي أو بدونه، لإثبات العكس
بالزواج مجدداً وبمن هي أصغر منه ..
ليس لديهم مفهوم أن على أحدنا عيش الحياة إلى أن يغادر تماماً، وليس الموت مبكراً على أساس الأرقام التي لا تعبر عن
العمر الحقيقي لقلوبنا ومشاعرنا.
التقدم في السن بالنسبة لنا يعني انتظار..
انتظار بلوغ المحطة الأخيرة
January 29, 2010
I went through a life changing experience (I barely survived an invasive brain tumor) and during that time had to deal with a series of managers who felt that my inability to focus or to give 110% during my recovery was due to some character flaw, so I was very willing to read about someone else's trials and how they overcame then.
Unfortunately, it began very quickly to sound like a repetitive explanation of a series of humdrum cliches. Stop and smell the roses. Take time to enjoy your children. Get involved. Appreciate what you have.
Yes, that are all good lessons, but they didn't come across as fresh and new, or even as something more energetic than a caution from an elder relative as you head out the door to your first job.
I did not enjoy the book. I felt that it needed to be more positive, less whiny about what was lost, and less repetitive. It also felt like "the lady doth protest too much" in overall tone, as we kept coming back to the fact that our author started out at the top of the heap and is now at the bottom, but with a great social life, a young child and interesting work.
It did get more interesting in the final third - I was able to read that in one sitting, rather than having to force myself to wade through one chapter at a time. But this book is not for you if you want something to make you feel like moving. It would be great in a self help or self discovery group.
Unfortunately, it began very quickly to sound like a repetitive explanation of a series of humdrum cliches. Stop and smell the roses. Take time to enjoy your children. Get involved. Appreciate what you have.
Yes, that are all good lessons, but they didn't come across as fresh and new, or even as something more energetic than a caution from an elder relative as you head out the door to your first job.
I did not enjoy the book. I felt that it needed to be more positive, less whiny about what was lost, and less repetitive. It also felt like "the lady doth protest too much" in overall tone, as we kept coming back to the fact that our author started out at the top of the heap and is now at the bottom, but with a great social life, a young child and interesting work.
It did get more interesting in the final third - I was able to read that in one sitting, rather than having to force myself to wade through one chapter at a time. But this book is not for you if you want something to make you feel like moving. It would be great in a self help or self discovery group.
November 23, 2013
The subtitle of this book says it all: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places.
This is a follow-up to Gill’s memoir How Starbucks Saved My Life. In the first book he outlined his fall from a high-powered advertising executive to a depressed “failure.” And then how a job at a local Starbucks brought him a new sense of accomplishment and peace.
In this book he distills what he’s learned in his six decades into fifteen life lessons. The lessons are fairly simple; things like: Learn from your children (or your mother or your father), Laugh, Let yourself be helped, Lose your watch, Let go and let God, etc.
I’m happy for Gill that he’s achieved a stage of happiness and contentment with his life. I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from his experience, and some of his recollections made me think of my own life and how his lessons might apply to me. But this is incredibly repetitive. How many times does he have to tell me that he grew up in a 25-room mansion? Or that he was obsessed with work to the exclusion of his family? Or that he has a brain tumor? Maybe that’s his advertising training; commercials and ads do tend to hit the consumer over the head with their message – over and over and over again.
It’s a slim volume and a quick read, but it could have been said in three pages.
This is a follow-up to Gill’s memoir How Starbucks Saved My Life. In the first book he outlined his fall from a high-powered advertising executive to a depressed “failure.” And then how a job at a local Starbucks brought him a new sense of accomplishment and peace.
In this book he distills what he’s learned in his six decades into fifteen life lessons. The lessons are fairly simple; things like: Learn from your children (or your mother or your father), Laugh, Let yourself be helped, Lose your watch, Let go and let God, etc.
I’m happy for Gill that he’s achieved a stage of happiness and contentment with his life. I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from his experience, and some of his recollections made me think of my own life and how his lessons might apply to me. But this is incredibly repetitive. How many times does he have to tell me that he grew up in a 25-room mansion? Or that he was obsessed with work to the exclusion of his family? Or that he has a brain tumor? Maybe that’s his advertising training; commercials and ads do tend to hit the consumer over the head with their message – over and over and over again.
It’s a slim volume and a quick read, but it could have been said in three pages.
July 19, 2022
يعرض علينا الكاتب أهم الدروس التي تعلمها خلال تجاربه الحياتية. ولقد كان الكتاب جيدًا، لكن يعيبه التكرار وكثرة التفاصيل غير المهمة.
February 3, 2023
While there certainly were some good bits here, and it was well written, this one also was not for me.
Read
October 25, 2017_إن كتابك يذكرني بالتجذيف في منحدر النهر
لقد بدأت في نهر هادئ .. ثم وصلت إلى منحدر النهر...
في بعض الأحيان تفقد القدرة على السيطرة ولا يكون أمامك سوى الانجراف معه
وفي يعض الأحيان .. تغير اتجاهك
لقد بدا لي تقريبا أنك كنت تشعر وكأنك تغرق ...
ثم قاومت ... وتعلمت السباحة مع التيار حقا.. !
وفي النهاية وجدت نهرا هادئا تشعر فيه بالسعادة على نحو أكثر من أي وقت مضى !
#_في معظم مغامرات التجذيف في منحدرات الأنهار
تخرج مرة أخرى إلى رقعة فسيحة مشمسة من المياه تتنتظر للترحيب بك
^^
مقتبس من حوار الكاتب مع امراة في إحدى ندواته
-------------- --------------
كتاب أقرب لسيرة ذاتية
يحكي حياة شخص عاش أشد حالات الرفاه .. ليفقد بعدها كل شي ...
وظيفة
بيت
صحة " يصاب بورم بالمخ !! "
عائلةة
رغم ذلك حظي بحياة جديدة ملؤها سعادة الروح ... هذه السعادة الشي الوحيد الذي لم يكن يمتللكه في حيااته السابقةة !!
يستخلص الكاتب من حياته دروس أوصلته لسعادته ..
...
قصة ملهمة لكل شخص منا .. فنحن لسنا بحاجة لترك أنفسنا حتى تصل إلى منحدر النهر ...!!
نستطيع التجذيف والتحكم بمركب حياتنا في كل لحظة بدءا من هذه اللحظة ... لنصل الى الفسحة المشمسةة ...
دعووة لعيش كل لحظة بالحب والأمل والسكينة والسلام الداخلي ..
لنغتنم لحظات حياتنا كلها ... بحلوها ومرها..
و نملأها بالرضا والسعادة...
اللهم أرشدنا إلى سعادتنا وإلى رضااك والجنةة واملئنا بك <3
لقد بدأت في نهر هادئ .. ثم وصلت إلى منحدر النهر...
في بعض الأحيان تفقد القدرة على السيطرة ولا يكون أمامك سوى الانجراف معه
وفي يعض الأحيان .. تغير اتجاهك
لقد بدا لي تقريبا أنك كنت تشعر وكأنك تغرق ...
ثم قاومت ... وتعلمت السباحة مع التيار حقا.. !
وفي النهاية وجدت نهرا هادئا تشعر فيه بالسعادة على نحو أكثر من أي وقت مضى !
#_في معظم مغامرات التجذيف في منحدرات الأنهار
تخرج مرة أخرى إلى رقعة فسيحة مشمسة من المياه تتنتظر للترحيب بك
^^
مقتبس من حوار الكاتب مع امراة في إحدى ندواته
-------------- --------------
كتاب أقرب لسيرة ذاتية
يحكي حياة شخص عاش أشد حالات الرفاه .. ليفقد بعدها كل شي ...
وظيفة
بيت
صحة " يصاب بورم بالمخ !! "
عائلةة
رغم ذلك حظي بحياة جديدة ملؤها سعادة الروح ... هذه السعادة الشي الوحيد الذي لم يكن يمتللكه في حيااته السابقةة !!
يستخلص الكاتب من حياته دروس أوصلته لسعادته ..
...
قصة ملهمة لكل شخص منا .. فنحن لسنا بحاجة لترك أنفسنا حتى تصل إلى منحدر النهر ...!!
نستطيع التجذيف والتحكم بمركب حياتنا في كل لحظة بدءا من هذه اللحظة ... لنصل الى الفسحة المشمسةة ...
دعووة لعيش كل لحظة بالحب والأمل والسكينة والسلام الداخلي ..
لنغتنم لحظات حياتنا كلها ... بحلوها ومرها..
و نملأها بالرضا والسعادة...
اللهم أرشدنا إلى سعادتنا وإلى رضااك والجنةة واملئنا بك <3
January 11, 2010
Have you stopped to smell the roses lately? Well, according to Michael Gates Gill, author of "How to Save Your Own Life", you should. His circumstances would give most people pause. He was let go from a prestigious New York advertising firm in mid-life, had a marriage end (albeit due to his affair) and found out he had a benign brain tumor after he no longer had insurance. Gill picked himself up by working at a nearby Starbucks and he apparently learned enough lessons to create not just one but two books about the experience. His previous, "How Starbucks Saved My Life", was a New York Times bestseller although I will admit I haven’t read that one. It’s not a necessary prequel as Gill gives the appropriate background in the second book.
Several of the sections, which Gill titles “lessons”, of How to Save Your Own Life have resonance. After the recent death of my father, I especially related to the lesson about learning from your father. I also enjoyed many of the vignettes with which illustrates his points. Still, I found it unbearably sad that a man of almost 70 is just now writing a book about lessons that many of us learn as we go along. It seems a bit simplistic to preach that the best thing that could happen (as it did for him) was to get a part time job at Starbucks and live in a minimalist apartment with only plastic furnishings. It goes unsaid but presumably his five children were either old enough to be self supporting or, in the case of the youngest, a product of the affair, mostly supported by someone else. I would have preferred a more complete disclosure of the downside of his circumstances but I admit that would dilute his message of giving up stuff in order to find true happiness.
Another aspect of Gill’s book which I found distressing was the fact that he clearly hasn’t let go of the past. If the past and his wealthy upbringing, attendance at Yale, knowing the right people and having a high-powered advertising position were no longer an important part of his life then, it seems to me, he wouldn’t have to mention Yale almost constantly, point out that his father and grandfather were both very important wealthy people and that the Marine Corps slogan “a few good men” was his creation, among many others.
A name dropper to the end, Gill is happy to point out that Tom Hanks is involved in a movie deal on his first book and he is friendly with Michael J. Fox as a result of that publication. Clearly, the majority of his current success is as a writer so it’s a bit disingenuous of Gill to pretend that by working part-time at Starbucks, as he has, we’ll unlock the secret to true happiness. While there were many entertaining aspects of this book, I think many of us already know Gill's secrets of "saving your own life".
Several of the sections, which Gill titles “lessons”, of How to Save Your Own Life have resonance. After the recent death of my father, I especially related to the lesson about learning from your father. I also enjoyed many of the vignettes with which illustrates his points. Still, I found it unbearably sad that a man of almost 70 is just now writing a book about lessons that many of us learn as we go along. It seems a bit simplistic to preach that the best thing that could happen (as it did for him) was to get a part time job at Starbucks and live in a minimalist apartment with only plastic furnishings. It goes unsaid but presumably his five children were either old enough to be self supporting or, in the case of the youngest, a product of the affair, mostly supported by someone else. I would have preferred a more complete disclosure of the downside of his circumstances but I admit that would dilute his message of giving up stuff in order to find true happiness.
Another aspect of Gill’s book which I found distressing was the fact that he clearly hasn’t let go of the past. If the past and his wealthy upbringing, attendance at Yale, knowing the right people and having a high-powered advertising position were no longer an important part of his life then, it seems to me, he wouldn’t have to mention Yale almost constantly, point out that his father and grandfather were both very important wealthy people and that the Marine Corps slogan “a few good men” was his creation, among many others.
A name dropper to the end, Gill is happy to point out that Tom Hanks is involved in a movie deal on his first book and he is friendly with Michael J. Fox as a result of that publication. Clearly, the majority of his current success is as a writer so it’s a bit disingenuous of Gill to pretend that by working part-time at Starbucks, as he has, we’ll unlock the secret to true happiness. While there were many entertaining aspects of this book, I think many of us already know Gill's secrets of "saving your own life".
December 23, 2009
I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places. While the premise sounded interesting, the writing turned out to be mediocre, and especially repetitive. The 15 lessons were all rather uninteresting as well, nothing you haven't heard before, mostly instructions to appreciate those around you more, and learn to balance your work with your family/social life.
Perhaps I'm at the wrong point in my life to be reading this, or maybe I'm just not the target audience, but I could not relate to the author who described himself as an east coast, ivy league royal type. Someone who had been given every priveledge in life and couldn't learn to appreciate it while it was around.
I did think that the writing got a little better in the latter chapters. The first few chapters read like the book cover to the Author's first book (times 3). And all the reverent references to Starbucks Corporate culture, made me, someone who has spent many years in the dredges of food service, laugh out loud at the ridiculousness.
Perhaps I'm at the wrong point in my life to be reading this, or maybe I'm just not the target audience, but I could not relate to the author who described himself as an east coast, ivy league royal type. Someone who had been given every priveledge in life and couldn't learn to appreciate it while it was around.
I did think that the writing got a little better in the latter chapters. The first few chapters read like the book cover to the Author's first book (times 3). And all the reverent references to Starbucks Corporate culture, made me, someone who has spent many years in the dredges of food service, laugh out loud at the ridiculousness.
May 28, 2016
هي عبارة عن سيرة ذاتية كتبها في آخر عمره ، من الثراء للعدم للوقوف على رجله مره أخرى ، مقارنه بين حياه الثراء و العدم و كيف أصبح الكاتب يرى الأمور بمنظور مختلف عما كان يراه سابقا ، كأنه كان يلحق السير و فجأه توقف ليراقب السيارات و يدقق فيهم ، تجربه حياه تستحق القراءة
June 2, 2013
كتاب جميل جدا .. دعوة لمواجهة تغيرات الحياة السيئة
يحتوي الكتاب على 15 درس .. يحكي فيها الكاتب عن مواقف مر بها
ويعطيك بتلك المواقف دروس ستفيدك في حياتك .. يجعلك تنظر للأمور بتفاؤل اكثر..
يحتوي الكتاب على 15 درس .. يحكي فيها الكاتب عن مواقف مر بها
ويعطيك بتلك المواقف دروس ستفيدك في حياتك .. يجعلك تنظر للأمور بتفاؤل اكثر..
January 1, 2019
I enjoyed the first couple of chapters, but then I'd kind of gotten his message. Some of the other books I'm reading right now (Mark Epstein, Kristen Neff) go into much more helpful depth about how to adjust your attitude to what is truly important.
December 31, 2009
Thank you to Jessica Chun with Gotham Books/Avery, she donated this awesome new book for me to read and critique.
Some of my readers have told me that my novels view life too seriously, others have tole me that my books are chunks of abstract art. I welcome all criticisms.
For effort I gave How to Save Your Own Life 2 stars, however weak and tiresome it is. I was hoping to like it, but...
Capitulate and retreat...
This is not a Hawthorne, Melville or any other piece of great literature, but, it is somewhat of a How to Save Your Own Life lessons, a type of self-help book without preaching or advertising a product. Boring. It's more like a Tony Danza character or a rusty trombone, the repetition is insufferable. It's also an echo chamber of unearned excuses, with Gill realizing he can't recreate his inherited wealthy past through his untalented present, so he makes due with plastic chairs in his attic-studio apartment, and recognizing the beauty of nature and people's personalities. I think it's called brown-nosing? Oh my!
Gill's writing style is less stellar than it is mediocre, yet his common insight on living during his older age has a guise all its own. He has to be somewhere and it might as well be Starbucks, and of course with his wealthy buddies he'd collected during his advertising career.
This book is a wheelbarrow full of ideas on how to lighten your seriousness and listen to your own heart. Gill brings sunrise and sunset colors to your eyes and coffee flavors to your palate about how to enjoy the moments of living, even if it's just to hug your mother, watching a child laugh, making eye contact with a dog, or feeling the cool breeze and raindrops on your face during a storm.
This author brings his life's experiences to the reader, no matter how simplistic they are, or how non-conversational, when he was ignoring the gifts of living before he was fired from his profession and afterward when he was faltering as a human being in search future exploits, he wrote this polite Tony Danza epic. It's a player's game to recognizing how much you have lived life without going anywhere.
All of us have lessons to be learned through life's experiences. Some of us can express them and others suppress them. Most of the ideas Michael Gates Gill writes about are common sense, whether you recognize them or not, all of us have had similar ideals and aspirations we needed to follow, it's just that some of us have yet to acknowledge the path we'd taken was shallow, that the lofty ideals we'd held were insignificant in the big picture of living, and Gill's life was shallow and insignificant.
Perhaps reading this Liza Minnelli hoopla will help you find an exciting and enjoyable piece of reality in your heart, a place like Gill's present that will make you understand his lifestyle isn't for you, and help make living your life more enjoyable not having to work at Starbucks brown nosing friends for the celebrity and wealth.
Some of my readers have told me that my novels view life too seriously, others have tole me that my books are chunks of abstract art. I welcome all criticisms.
For effort I gave How to Save Your Own Life 2 stars, however weak and tiresome it is. I was hoping to like it, but...
Capitulate and retreat...
This is not a Hawthorne, Melville or any other piece of great literature, but, it is somewhat of a How to Save Your Own Life lessons, a type of self-help book without preaching or advertising a product. Boring. It's more like a Tony Danza character or a rusty trombone, the repetition is insufferable. It's also an echo chamber of unearned excuses, with Gill realizing he can't recreate his inherited wealthy past through his untalented present, so he makes due with plastic chairs in his attic-studio apartment, and recognizing the beauty of nature and people's personalities. I think it's called brown-nosing? Oh my!
Gill's writing style is less stellar than it is mediocre, yet his common insight on living during his older age has a guise all its own. He has to be somewhere and it might as well be Starbucks, and of course with his wealthy buddies he'd collected during his advertising career.
This book is a wheelbarrow full of ideas on how to lighten your seriousness and listen to your own heart. Gill brings sunrise and sunset colors to your eyes and coffee flavors to your palate about how to enjoy the moments of living, even if it's just to hug your mother, watching a child laugh, making eye contact with a dog, or feeling the cool breeze and raindrops on your face during a storm.
This author brings his life's experiences to the reader, no matter how simplistic they are, or how non-conversational, when he was ignoring the gifts of living before he was fired from his profession and afterward when he was faltering as a human being in search future exploits, he wrote this polite Tony Danza epic. It's a player's game to recognizing how much you have lived life without going anywhere.
All of us have lessons to be learned through life's experiences. Some of us can express them and others suppress them. Most of the ideas Michael Gates Gill writes about are common sense, whether you recognize them or not, all of us have had similar ideals and aspirations we needed to follow, it's just that some of us have yet to acknowledge the path we'd taken was shallow, that the lofty ideals we'd held were insignificant in the big picture of living, and Gill's life was shallow and insignificant.
Perhaps reading this Liza Minnelli hoopla will help you find an exciting and enjoyable piece of reality in your heart, a place like Gill's present that will make you understand his lifestyle isn't for you, and help make living your life more enjoyable not having to work at Starbucks brown nosing friends for the celebrity and wealth.
December 30, 2009
Thanks to an advance copy, I had an opportunity to preview Michael Gates Gill's How to Save Your Own Life. Written as a follow-up to How Starbucks Saved My Life, which was a riches to rags story if ever there was one, this newest book is likely to find a following among those down on their luck and looking for inspiration, or those who just feel buoyed by self-help books.
Offering advice on how you too can cope with diminished circumstances and come out the better for it, his latest work will be warmly welcomed by many of those whose lives need saving, although some might suspect he protests too much and national book tours may very well take the hum-drum out of the day to day grind of the Starbuck's experience. To be fair... I believe Michael Gates Gill is telling the truth as he sees it. He was lost, and now he's found... and fortunately he can tell a story and call to mind incidents with gentleness, and that speak well of him as a person. (A disclaimer here... in his first book he told the story of his long-time childhood friend Gordon Fairburn during his final days of illness. I knew Gordon Fairburn; he was a friend and neighbor and a man of great character and integrity, and the story rang completely true. And if Gordon had maintained a life-long friendship with Michael Gill it spoke volumes.)
However, as most people will recognize, it is not the circumstances that dictate the behavior. Humility and generosity of spirit are characteristics that are found in rich and poor alike. Arrogance isn't limited to the rich and powerful... and to suggest it is more characteristic of the "privileged elite" just isn't convincing. (No need to live with plastic picnic furniture to find nirvana... I'm with the reporter who thought he could use a couch.) Michael Gates Gill's change came with the recognition that there is intrinsic value in every individual (including himself) and that joy can be found in the smallest details. Satisfaction with a job well done, whatever the circumstance, and acceptance of oneself and others, are the qualities that matter. Mostly common sense advice but it never hurts to be reminded.
My advice, take the message in the spirit in which it was intended and find meaning where you will. If the book appeals you will know it immediately. If you enjoy it, keep reading. If it annoys you, put it down. It's not for everyone but I finished it, generally enjoyed it and would recommend it to some and not to others. You have to know your audience.
Offering advice on how you too can cope with diminished circumstances and come out the better for it, his latest work will be warmly welcomed by many of those whose lives need saving, although some might suspect he protests too much and national book tours may very well take the hum-drum out of the day to day grind of the Starbuck's experience. To be fair... I believe Michael Gates Gill is telling the truth as he sees it. He was lost, and now he's found... and fortunately he can tell a story and call to mind incidents with gentleness, and that speak well of him as a person. (A disclaimer here... in his first book he told the story of his long-time childhood friend Gordon Fairburn during his final days of illness. I knew Gordon Fairburn; he was a friend and neighbor and a man of great character and integrity, and the story rang completely true. And if Gordon had maintained a life-long friendship with Michael Gill it spoke volumes.)
However, as most people will recognize, it is not the circumstances that dictate the behavior. Humility and generosity of spirit are characteristics that are found in rich and poor alike. Arrogance isn't limited to the rich and powerful... and to suggest it is more characteristic of the "privileged elite" just isn't convincing. (No need to live with plastic picnic furniture to find nirvana... I'm with the reporter who thought he could use a couch.) Michael Gates Gill's change came with the recognition that there is intrinsic value in every individual (including himself) and that joy can be found in the smallest details. Satisfaction with a job well done, whatever the circumstance, and acceptance of oneself and others, are the qualities that matter. Mostly common sense advice but it never hurts to be reminded.
My advice, take the message in the spirit in which it was intended and find meaning where you will. If the book appeals you will know it immediately. If you enjoy it, keep reading. If it annoys you, put it down. It's not for everyone but I finished it, generally enjoyed it and would recommend it to some and not to others. You have to know your audience.
December 28, 2009
As someone who weathered a life-altering crises a few years ago I really wanted to like this book. I purposefully changed the course of my life and am happier than I've ever been, so given the description of this book I really wanted to like it and was delighted to win a copy from Goodreads. Unfortunately I found reading it akin to listening to a 'recovered' alcoholic talk about how 'happy' he is not to be drinking when in fact he'd be back at the bar in a heartbeat given half a chance.
That may seem harsh but the author repeats how wonderful his life had been 'before' and how he would never have willingly given it up, yet now he's so happy. The passages describing the 'before' all sound very much like that is in fact the life he'd prefer to have. So for me this book did not ring true at all.
That may seem harsh but the author repeats how wonderful his life had been 'before' and how he would never have willingly given it up, yet now he's so happy. The passages describing the 'before' all sound very much like that is in fact the life he'd prefer to have. So for me this book did not ring true at all.
December 21, 2009
I won this book, which was exciting! I was hoping to like it as much as "How Starbucks Saved My Life," but Michael Gates Gill is just boring as he drones on and on about his "priveleged" past and his previous life of "status" and "power." Just the fact that any of that was ever important to him sort of discredits him as a role model or as a relevant or sincere inspiration to people.
His ideas are nice in theory, but they don't ring true. Instead of feeling motivated and hopeful, I felt bored and annoyed. It's one thing to learn from and want to share your experiences, but Michael Gates Gill just comes across as arrogant as he tells us how he has, to his constant amazement, somehow managed to find happiness amongst us simple,common folk.
His ideas are nice in theory, but they don't ring true. Instead of feeling motivated and hopeful, I felt bored and annoyed. It's one thing to learn from and want to share your experiences, but Michael Gates Gill just comes across as arrogant as he tells us how he has, to his constant amazement, somehow managed to find happiness amongst us simple,common folk.
August 17, 2012
Felt like a neighbor that had a near death experience telling you how to live life simply. Parts were repetitive, especially the wonder at how one can live with a part time coffee shop job and in an apartment with lawn furniture for the dining room set, and descriptions of his former high-flying life. It felt like he was trying to reach beyond his first book but didn't have all that much to add. He did have some extended stories that I found interesting, mostly about his family. Those are done well, and I felt I could relate with them. Nothing really earthshattering or new here in terms of the "lessons". For some reason, I felt the need to drink more coffee while listening to this audiobook.... And a bonus, such as it is, on the audiobook -- Michael Gill sings!
August 9, 2016
كتاب لطيف يقدم فيه الكاتب بعض النصائح , ليس لتطوير الذات والمثابرة ولكن على العكس يدعوا للبساطة وترك ما يعكر صفوا حياتنا من ضغوط العمل ووسائل التكنلوجيا .
لكن هل الموضوع بهذه البساطة , ان اترك عملي ان لم يعجبني واتخلص من ساعة يدي وهاتفي النقال وابيع اثاثي كما ينصح المؤلف , عندها ستكون حياتي افضل وسعيدة .
صحيح اننا اصبحنا رهائن عالم رقمي ينمو ويتطور بشكل سريع جدا, لكن لا اتصور ان الموضوع بهذا البساطة .
الكتاب كان اطول مما يستوجب , حيث ان الفكرة كان ممكن ان يوصلها الكاتب لنا بعدد صفحات اقل من ذلك .
الكتاب قرأته اثناء ذهابي الى العمل حيث كنت اقرأ جزء منه كل يوم , لذلك اعطيته ثلاث نجوم كونه قدم لي بعض التسلية وخفف عني مشقة الانتظار في السيارة بسبب الزحام صباحا .
لكن هل الموضوع بهذه البساطة , ان اترك عملي ان لم يعجبني واتخلص من ساعة يدي وهاتفي النقال وابيع اثاثي كما ينصح المؤلف , عندها ستكون حياتي افضل وسعيدة .
صحيح اننا اصبحنا رهائن عالم رقمي ينمو ويتطور بشكل سريع جدا, لكن لا اتصور ان الموضوع بهذا البساطة .
الكتاب كان اطول مما يستوجب , حيث ان الفكرة كان ممكن ان يوصلها الكاتب لنا بعدد صفحات اقل من ذلك .
الكتاب قرأته اثناء ذهابي الى العمل حيث كنت اقرأ جزء منه كل يوم , لذلك اعطيته ثلاث نجوم كونه قدم لي بعض التسلية وخفف عني مشقة الانتظار في السيارة بسبب الزحام صباحا .
February 15, 2010
For anyone who is facing stressful changes or sorrow in their lives, this book will force you to take a new look at what makes life worth living. The author encourages reader to embrace change and to look at it as an opportunity for true happiness. Often we live our lives unhappy but unwilling to change due to fear or economics. Instead do what you want to do and accept a lower salary, spend more time with your family and find pleasure in the little things in life. Live life now not waiting for the future.
August 17, 2013
ما ان تنتهي من قراءة هذا الكتاب، حتى تشعر بكمية قلوب تتدفق من عينيك، كتاب رائع ملهم ، يتحدث عن شخص عاش ثريا وكان يعتقد انه سعيد حتى فُصل من وظيفته، انفصل عن زوجته، احس الدنيا وكأنها صدت له، حتى اكتشف ان هذه المصيبه هي فعلا أعظم نعمه لأنه عرف المعنى الحقيقي للحياة، تحمست اقرا كتابه الثاني : كيف غير ستاربكس حياتي
احب كل الاشخاص الملهمين الايجابيين في العالم
شكرا يارب على نعمة السعاده والرضى
احب كل الاشخاص الملهمين الايجابيين في العالم
شكرا يارب على نعمة السعاده والرضى
July 17, 2013
البداية تدفع القارئ ليصل إلى البعيد القريب
ولكن مع الوقت .. يحدث الملل والتكرار
الأفكار جميلة ولا ننكر
ولكننا نبقى دائمـًا راغبين بالأسلوب المميز واللغة الآسرة
شكرًا على الكتاب الجميل.. أتمنى أن تبقى بعض نصائحه رفيقـًا في حياتي
ولكن مع الوقت .. يحدث الملل والتكرار
الأفكار جميلة ولا ننكر
ولكننا نبقى دائمـًا راغبين بالأسلوب المميز واللغة الآسرة
شكرًا على الكتاب الجميل.. أتمنى أن تبقى بعض نصائحه رفيقـًا في حياتي
January 30, 2014
لم تعجبني كامل القصة و ليس لها علاقة بالعنوان إلا الدرس 15 فقط أما الدروس الأخرى فهي مجرد كلام فارغ من اية حكمة
i dislike this book i dont't find any thing intertesting only in some pages in the lesson 15 , the book don't have any relation with his title i lost my precious time withe this book
i dislike this book i dont't find any thing intertesting only in some pages in the lesson 15 , the book don't have any relation with his title i lost my precious time withe this book
Read
November 17, 2015من الكتب التي اعود اليها باستمرار.. مٌغرمةٌ انا بالكتاب الذين يدونون تجاربهم..
May 31, 2020
A messy memoir under the guise of self-help, this book repeats generic platitudes shoe-horned into a quasi-inspirational message, in order to put forward a haphazard collection of repetitive and widely nonconstructive virtues.
Here's what I learned from this book: Michael Gates Gill was born to a famous father who wrote for the New Yorker, and a mother with a tendency towards generosity and a love of animals. He was raised in a 25-bedroom house, went to Yale because his father did, was a member of the Skull and Bones society, got an immediate job after graduating for an advertising firm, at which he was an employee for 25 years... until he was fired. And he got depressed. And had an affair, and got a divorce, which hurt his relationship with his kids. Later on, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. At a time when he was considering ending it all, he walked into a local Starbucks, only to find that it was hosting a hiring event. He filled out an application - the first, he said, he'd ever had to write - and began working at his neighborhood location.
All of this is apparently already detailed in his first bestselling memoir, How Starbucks Saved My Life.
I did not learn anything about How to Save Anyone's Life from this book.
I did not appreciate the weird levels of corporate worship Gill expressed, either in detailing his relationship with his previous place of work, or with Starbucks. The anecdotes he uses frequently explain what he learns from the tragedies of other people, as well as his own, which feels very uncomfortable. The lessons he espouses are loose jumbles of throw pillow phrases, about things like enjoying the present and remembering to laugh.
I almost DNF'd at the 53% mark, and a couple more times after that, and only stuck around because I was already halfway done. The book itself is relatively short and quick, but I still found myself skimming so as to get to the end faster.
Here's what I learned from this book: Michael Gates Gill was born to a famous father who wrote for the New Yorker, and a mother with a tendency towards generosity and a love of animals. He was raised in a 25-bedroom house, went to Yale because his father did, was a member of the Skull and Bones society, got an immediate job after graduating for an advertising firm, at which he was an employee for 25 years... until he was fired. And he got depressed. And had an affair, and got a divorce, which hurt his relationship with his kids. Later on, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. At a time when he was considering ending it all, he walked into a local Starbucks, only to find that it was hosting a hiring event. He filled out an application - the first, he said, he'd ever had to write - and began working at his neighborhood location.
All of this is apparently already detailed in his first bestselling memoir, How Starbucks Saved My Life.
I did not learn anything about How to Save Anyone's Life from this book.
I did not appreciate the weird levels of corporate worship Gill expressed, either in detailing his relationship with his previous place of work, or with Starbucks. The anecdotes he uses frequently explain what he learns from the tragedies of other people, as well as his own, which feels very uncomfortable. The lessons he espouses are loose jumbles of throw pillow phrases, about things like enjoying the present and remembering to laugh.
I almost DNF'd at the 53% mark, and a couple more times after that, and only stuck around because I was already halfway done. The book itself is relatively short and quick, but I still found myself skimming so as to get to the end faster.
October 21, 2022
We all get knocked down in life. This is one of the books where the author who has experienced the bottom of the bottom of the pit and was able to take an alternative approach to get out brings you along his journey and shares his lessons.
There's 15 lessons and if you can't find one that reasonates you are maybe not paying attention or really bringing Mr. Gill's lessons into the context of your own reality. I won't go through all of them and spoil your opportunity to enjoy the book but list two that hit home for me.
Lesson #11; Laugh with new insight. When things are dim and even dismal, that is the time to laugh, smile, and gain perspective. The author shares that when we are enjoying life and letting the miracles of life unfold before us it can really help our mental state. I would add that being loose and light seems to allow things to turn around and improve.
Lesson #13: Late Bloomers: The last of life can be the best. Each one of us are on our own journey, you may not get to where you want to be until later in life. As you age, it seems easier to have gratitude and bring all of your experiences and lessons to bear on new opportunities. It is important not to dwell only on the past but truly believe that, " the best is yet to come"
Highly recommend this book and plan to read the original one about how Starbucks saved his life.
There's 15 lessons and if you can't find one that reasonates you are maybe not paying attention or really bringing Mr. Gill's lessons into the context of your own reality. I won't go through all of them and spoil your opportunity to enjoy the book but list two that hit home for me.
Lesson #11; Laugh with new insight. When things are dim and even dismal, that is the time to laugh, smile, and gain perspective. The author shares that when we are enjoying life and letting the miracles of life unfold before us it can really help our mental state. I would add that being loose and light seems to allow things to turn around and improve.
Lesson #13: Late Bloomers: The last of life can be the best. Each one of us are on our own journey, you may not get to where you want to be until later in life. As you age, it seems easier to have gratitude and bring all of your experiences and lessons to bear on new opportunities. It is important not to dwell only on the past but truly believe that, " the best is yet to come"
Highly recommend this book and plan to read the original one about how Starbucks saved his life.
February 8, 2023
قصة هذا الكتاب عن شخص ترعرع في منطقه راقيه وعائله غنيه وعمل في شركه مرموقه في مجال الاعلانات.
بين عشيه وضحها تم استدعاءه بعد مايقارب اكثر من عشرين سنه في هذا المجال وتم فصله من عمله الذي كرس حياته كامله لهذا العمل علي حساب صحته وعائلته ليصبح من شخص ثري الي شخص ليس لديه مال ولا حتي عمل...
تبدء حياته من نهاية حياته السابقه في أحد مقاهي ستاربكس وبدء حياته من جديد...
قصه جميله وفعلا رسالات جميله يحاول الكاتب ايصالها الي القاريء.
الكتاب اذا كنا نريد اختصاره فهو بكلمه "الاتزان"
الاتزان في عطاء العمل لانه ضرب مثلين مثل انه موظف في شركه ومثل شخص شركته الخاصه خسرها وكان سيخسر روحه معاها.
الاتزان في المشاعر لانه كان مضطرب نفسيا لا اهوه الي استوعب تفنيشه ولا انه كبر في السن راح خان زوجته. بالعربي يعني دمر نفسه ، لكن بعد وقت عمل في احدي مقاهي ستاربكس وتعرف علي ناس جديده واكتسب خبرات اكثر من الي اكتسبها في عمله السابق..
تكلم حتي في التوازن العبادي ان الانسان يجب ان يفرغ ولو جزء بسيط من وقته لخالقه خاصه بعد ما عرف انه مريض وراح يموت فعدل علاقته في خالقه ابناءه الي اهملهم علشان شغله...
ويتكلم عن تجارب الآخرين كذلك
كتاب لولا التكرار لكان من اجمل الكتب واجمل الدروس
بين عشيه وضحها تم استدعاءه بعد مايقارب اكثر من عشرين سنه في هذا المجال وتم فصله من عمله الذي كرس حياته كامله لهذا العمل علي حساب صحته وعائلته ليصبح من شخص ثري الي شخص ليس لديه مال ولا حتي عمل...
تبدء حياته من نهاية حياته السابقه في أحد مقاهي ستاربكس وبدء حياته من جديد...
قصه جميله وفعلا رسالات جميله يحاول الكاتب ايصالها الي القاريء.
الكتاب اذا كنا نريد اختصاره فهو بكلمه "الاتزان"
الاتزان في عطاء العمل لانه ضرب مثلين مثل انه موظف في شركه ومثل شخص شركته الخاصه خسرها وكان سيخسر روحه معاها.
الاتزان في المشاعر لانه كان مضطرب نفسيا لا اهوه الي استوعب تفنيشه ولا انه كبر في السن راح خان زوجته. بالعربي يعني دمر نفسه ، لكن بعد وقت عمل في احدي مقاهي ستاربكس وتعرف علي ناس جديده واكتسب خبرات اكثر من الي اكتسبها في عمله السابق..
تكلم حتي في التوازن العبادي ان الانسان يجب ان يفرغ ولو جزء بسيط من وقته لخالقه خاصه بعد ما عرف انه مريض وراح يموت فعدل علاقته في خالقه ابناءه الي اهملهم علشان شغله...
ويتكلم عن تجارب الآخرين كذلك
كتاب لولا التكرار لكان من اجمل الكتب واجمل الدروس
May 25, 2024
منذ أن بدأت بقراءة هذا الكتاب وأنا أردد بشكل لا واعٍ (لعن الله الرأسمالية)، فهي بلوى عصرنا الحالي، وكان من رأيي أن يركز المؤلف على تبيين مساوئ هذا النظام الفاسد بدلًا من الافتخار بقصة تحوله من غني ولد بفمه ملعقة من ذهب إلى فقير على وشك الانتحار!
لم أقرأ سوى ثلاث فصول من الكتاب، وقمت بالمرور على بقية الفصول مرورا متصفحا سريعا
الكتاب ممل جدا، لا جديد فيه سوى افتخار صاحبه بقصته الشخصية
بينما كل الدروس المطروحة فيه قتلت بحثا من قبل
وعندنا في ديننا الحنيف قواعد وإرشادات ربانية تغنينا عن كل ذلك.
وبالرغم من أن المؤلف تجاوز الستين من عمره، إلا أنني شعرت أثناء تصفح الكتاب بأن الكاتب محض مراهق من فرط السطحية!
لا أنصح بقراءته عموما.
لم أقرأ سوى ثلاث فصول من الكتاب، وقمت بالمرور على بقية الفصول مرورا متصفحا سريعا
الكتاب ممل جدا، لا جديد فيه سوى افتخار صاحبه بقصته الشخصية
بينما كل الدروس المطروحة فيه قتلت بحثا من قبل
وعندنا في ديننا الحنيف قواعد وإرشادات ربانية تغنينا عن كل ذلك.
وبالرغم من أن المؤلف تجاوز الستين من عمره، إلا أنني شعرت أثناء تصفح الكتاب بأن الكاتب محض مراهق من فرط السطحية!
لا أنصح بقراءته عموما.
February 1, 2018
I read this book last year but decided to reread it last time I went to the library. I saw it and remembered how great it was and felt the need to read it again.
It was as great as I remembered it.
The author was a very rich man working i advertising, and after 26 years of working in a company, he was fired. He got a job at Starbucks and decided to live a life of service to his patrons at Starbucks, He wrote this book and travels around the country talking to people about how much happier he is now as a Starbucks employee than as a busy advertising executive.
It was as great as I remembered it.
The author was a very rich man working i advertising, and after 26 years of working in a company, he was fired. He got a job at Starbucks and decided to live a life of service to his patrons at Starbucks, He wrote this book and travels around the country talking to people about how much happier he is now as a Starbucks employee than as a busy advertising executive.
June 14, 2017
من اجمل الكتب التي قرأتها هالسنه،، خلاصة تجربه رجل فقد كل ما يملك من وظيفه و مال بعمر الخمسين فاقد معه كل سنين العمر الجميل ،، عند الفقد .. تبدأ الحياة من اول... اجمل واسعد ،، هذا ما حصل مع ذلك الرجل بعد فقده كل شي ابتدي من الاول كعامل ب ستاربكس وعندها عرف ممعني الحياة ولذه العيش والسعاده وراحة البال،،، خلاصة تجربته كتبها ب ١٥ درس من الحياة،،، انصح به بشده ،،، الي كل من فقد عند الكبر ما اعتقد انه كان ملك زمانه
November 22, 2018
More of a 3.5. Sweet and it has its moments, with more than a few solid quotable lines. It is, however, quite rambling, so reading this gave me the impression of talking to a grandpa. Which is of course appropriate because a grandpa wrote this book, but feel like the editor should’ve done more to balance...nail in the coffin is the lack of depth, which seems to have been replaced by lots of literary quotes.
August 1, 2017
some good advice on living a simple and rewarding life grounded in what matters and in serving others. It is the story of a man loosing all of his material positions and finding piece with that. I couldn't help feeling though that this is a guy who has written two books one of which was a best seller. He certainly isn't just living off his day job alone.
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