The Go-Giver

I love the end of December and beginning of January.  I love the act of reflection over the old year, both the good and the bad, and the excitement for the new year.  It seems like everyone went in to 2020 wildly optimistic about the year, and well, it certainly turned out differently than anyone could have imagined.  This year it seems like people are going into 2021 cautiously optimistic and our first book is a great read for the cautiously optimistic.  

The first book I picked for my Truly Guided Reading plan was “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann.  I read it once before at the end of February 2020. Well if you remember the end of February 2020, you’ll remember that we were just becoming aware of how big a deal COVID 19 truly is.  So I read it and then life promptly shifted drastically.  I wanted to read it again with more breathing room to really digest it. 

The full title of the book is “The Go-Giver: A little story about a powerful business idea” and it’s written as parable with a young man named Joe as the protagonist and Pindar as his sensei through the typical Go-Getter business mindset verses the Go-Giver business mindset. 

There are five “laws” that Pindar teaches Joe; the Law of Value, the Law of Compensation, the Law of Influence, the Law of Authenticity and the Law of Receptivity.  Each law is explained in full detail and there is a practical application for each law.  These laws really boil down to thinking more highly of others than of yourself.   

I really enjoyed the Go-Giver when I read it 10 months ago and rereading it again for 2021, it really grounded and reminded me in how important it is serving others before yourself.  In a world that frequently seems dog eat dog, it’s good to be reminded that the best way to be successful is to look out for the success of others. 

I don’t want to say too much more about the book because I think there is a great deal of value in reading it yourself rather than just reading reviews.  But if you’re looking for one book to read this year that will serve in all aspects of your life, I highly recommend picking up a copy of “The Go-Giver”.  

I give it 5 out 5 stars.