Be Obsessed or Be Average: Summary Review & Takeaway Points
This is a summary review of Be Obsessed or Be Average containing key details about the book.
What is Be Obsessed or Be Average About?
Be obsessed explains how to harness your obsession to rocket to the top. This book will give you the inspiration and tools to break out of your cocoon of mediocrity and achieve your craziest dreams. It's a simple choice: be obsessed or be average.
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "It's got so much positive energy that it's impossible to read it without getting energized!" —Inc. Magazine 👍
Who is the author of Be Obsessed or Be Average?
Grant Cardone is the bestselling author of 10X Rule and If You're Not First, You're Last as well as a sales trainer, speaker, and entrepreneur.
Favorite Quote: “Unsolicited advice givers are people who know about everything but have never done anything.” ― Be Obsessed or Be Average Quotes, Grant Cardone
Book Details
- Print length: 240 pages
- Genre: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction
What are the main summary points of Be Obsessed or Be Average?
Here are some key summary points from Be Obsessed or Be Average:
- Takeaway 1: If you want to reach the next level you need to get obsessed and push toward your dreams and goals. Instead of taking time off when you are depleted, consider going the opposite way. Become obsessed with what you do and you will, ironically, find that you’re generating energy, not depleting it. (If you do keep feeling exhausted, check in with yourself and make sure you align with your purpose.)
- Takeaway 2: Having a passionate obsession means you’re not one of those people whose goal is to retire. Your goals need to be ongoing and grand, driving you higher and further towards a limitless future. Consider making your goals more service-oriented (Think of all the charitable organizations you could fund and the empowerment you could provide for future generations)
- Takeaway 3: Aim high and learn to swim as you go. Worry about the details later. Inspiring leaders tend to promise ten times more than they think is possible and then force themselves or their team to find a way to deliver on that promise. (e.g. Release products before they’re fully ready).
- Takeaway 4: Pushing forward can be a driving force for success but it can also create more fear. Don't run from it, embrace it! Fear goes hand in hand with success. Use the fear to go even higher and further. (If you don’t feel fear anymore, it might mean you’re getting comfortable)
- Takeaway 5: Stop saving and put your money and profits into expansion. Always be on the lookout for growth and investment opportunities.
- Takeaway 6: With great success comes opposition. Haters are a sign you are doing something right. Develop a thick skin and prove the doubters wrong.
- Takeaway 7: Build a team that has the same passion and obsession as you. Don't run away from raising the standards for everyone. You may need to make unpopular decisions in order to maintain leadership
Summary Notes from Be Obsessed or Be Average
Embracing Obsession
In today's fast-paced world, where burnout looms over many individuals, a unique approach emerges—become obsessed. When faced with exhaustion and depletion of energy, one often has two choices: take time off or dive into obsession. While the former may seem like a logical solution, it may not propel us towards our goals. However, embracing obsession can ignite a newfound energy that propels us forward.
Contrary to popular belief, obsession can actually lead to a balanced life. It's not about excessive relaxation or constantly seeking leisure time; true balance encompasses achieving career aspirations, financial stability, good health, a harmonious family life, and a strong spiritual foundation. To accomplish this holistic balance, we must channel our obsession into a passion that drives us to work hard every moment.
An anecdote from the author's experience sheds light on the power of redirecting one's focus. Feeling fatigued and stressed at the age of 40, he realized that his constant travel and speaking engagements had veered him away from his true obsession: becoming the greatest salesman on earth. Realignment was necessary. Reaffirming his purpose and reasserting his goals rejuvenated his spirit instantly.
Obsession, when harnessed positively, generates the energy needed to make the most of every second. It infuses passion into our pursuits, enabling us to maximize our time and create synergies in our lives. For instance, the author shares his practice of combining family time with fitness by taking his children to the gym in the mornings. Such integration not only reinforces his physical well-being but also strengthens the bond with his family.
To understand the relationship between obsession and balance, we must redefine our understanding of obsession itself. It is not an unhealthy fixation or an all-consuming obsession that neglects other essential aspects of life. Instead, it is a focused dedication to our purpose, embracing it as a driving force in our lives. When we align our actions with our deepest desires, we tap into a wellspring of energy that fuels our endeavors.
While obsession may appear daunting or extreme, it offers an alternative path to fulfillment. By channeling our obsession towards our goals, we break free from the shackles of exhaustion and tap into an abundant energy source within us. It is through this self-imposed passion that we achieve true balance—a state where our ambitions, relationships, health, and spirituality coexist harmoniously.
Never settle. Keep your obsessions fresh
The journey to an exceptional life isn't a straight line, but rather, an ever-ascending spiral of audacious goals, each one bolder than the last. This continual striving is powered by a unique blend of passion and obsession. When these two elements intertwine, they create an unstoppable force that propels you to keep achieving and expanding your horizons. In essence, it's not about reaching a finish line, but about maintaining a consistent, forward trajectory.
Consider someone who has met their career goals more swiftly than anticipated. The risk here is complacency, the temptation to kick back and relax. But that's where obsession comes in. A truly remarkable career isn't defined by the achievement of a single goal, but by a series of increasingly ambitious objectives. Those who nurture this relentless obsession aren't seeking an early retirement for endless rounds of golf. Instead, they're driven by grand aspirations that paint an infinite vista of possibilities. This purpose should be so entwined with your identity that it excites you every morning and becomes the fuel for your day.
Let's take an example. The author, a successful property owner, began with a portfolio of 100 apartments. After achieving this goal, rather than resting on his laurels, he set his sights on owning 500. As of 2016, his portfolio boasts 4,500 units. This principle extends beyond personal achievements. Once you've amassed a considerable fortune, why not aspire to become a billionaire? Think of the charities you could support, or the legacy you could create for future generations.
On the contrary, imagine a life defined by a single, finite goal. For instance, if your ultimate aspiration is a low handicap in golf, what happens once you achieve it? Before long, you might find yourself idling away your days, which could lead to a feeling of emptiness or even depression. To stave off such discontent, it's vital to set a grand purpose that evolves along with your career.
The Power of Setting High-Stakes Goals
The book underscores the significance of setting ambitious goals and facing the inevitable challenges head-on to achieve unprecedented success. This principle applies not just to personal aspirations, but is also pivotal in business environments. The author contends that the future is unpredictable; even the most successful entrepreneurs cannot precisely forecast their path to wealth. Instead, they adopt an audacious strategy: promise far more than what initially seems feasible and then strive relentlessly, along with their teams, to fulfill those commitments.
Cardone likens this approach to major life events, such as starting a family or launching a business, where one must leap into the unknown and learn to navigate the complexities along the way. This audacity to set high-stake goals and the grit to pursue them forms the backbone of personal and professional development.
Cardone cites Apple as a compelling example of this audacious strategy. Apple often releases its products before they are perfected, prioritizing innovation and market entry over perfection. Despite the flaws in its products, Apple’s bold approach has solidified its reputation as one of the most esteemed brands.
Similarly, the transformation of the New England Patriots football team under Robert Kraft exemplifies the power of audacity and perseverance. Despite the team's initial struggles, Kraft's audacious promise of winning the Super Bowl galvanized the players and led the team to five Super Bowl victories. This ambition not only enhanced the team's performance but also bolstered the franchise's value and invigorated its fan base.
Fear: The Unlikely Catalyst for Success
In the book, Cardone illustrates the unconventional but profound idea that fear, often perceived as an impediment, can indeed be a powerful catalyst for success. The author argues that fear is not to be shunned, but rather to be understood and embraced as an integral part of the journey to achievement.
Two primary types of fear are identified: fear of rejection and fear of failure. These fears, the author asserts, are inseparable from the quest for success, and it's essential to confront them if one aspires to achieve their goals.
To exemplify this, the story of renowned author J.K. Rowling is highlighted. Rowling, known worldwide for her Harry Potter series, faced 12 rejections before her first book was accepted by a publisher. Her courage to embrace failure and persist despite the fear of rejection led to the unparalleled success we recognize today.
Cardone further emphasizes that feeling fear could indicate progress, as it might signal that you're challenging yourself, venturing beyond your comfort zone. A lack of fear might suggest stagnation and complacency, akin to being a big fish in a small pond, which is detrimental to growth. Thus, it might be time for a leap of faith, like opening a new business branch or exploring new partnerships.
Cardone also suggests that fear can offer a competitive edge. During the economic crisis of 2008, while most were frozen with fear about the future, the author leveraged this fear as a motivation to intensify sales efforts and public appearances. This proactive response resulted in a successful market expansion, demonstrating the beneficial outcomes of embracing fear.
Why Investment Outweighs Saving in Business Success
The book presents an unconventional, yet compelling perspective on business success, emphasizing the role of growth and reinvestment over traditional saving strategies. The author asserts that success is a reflection of growth, suggesting that companies should channel their profits and surplus resources towards expansion efforts. In this view, money that is 'sitting idle' in savings isn't contributing to growth and is, therefore, less valuable.
An interesting tax implication is also highlighted: while profits are taxed, reinvestment in business is typically not, enhancing the net value of reinvested dollars. With the proposal of investing 30-40% of profits back into the business, the author encourages entrepreneurs to be constantly on the lookout for growth and investment opportunities, including novel markets and avenues.
However, if expansion opportunities seem scarce, the author advises pivoting towards publicity, allocating funds to marketing, advertising, and social media. It's argued that these expenditures are rarely wasted, and successful publicity can pave the way for those elusive growth opportunities, even making a company a household name.
The author also deconstructs the myth of the 'one-man show,' arguing that effective leadership is about guiding a large team towards success, much like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, with their vast workforce. Drawing from personal experience, the author underscores the importance of delegation and hiring the right people as critical to business growth. The argument hinges on the comparison of companies that are 'one-man shows' with an average annual profit of $44,000 to those employing a large team, achieving substantial growth.
Embracing Criticism: Using Opposition as Fuel for Success
The author delves into the unexpected value of facing opposition, particularly in the world of business. It suggests that instead of being viewed as a setback, detractors or 'haters' as they're commonly referred to, can actually be considered an indication of success and a source of strength. These adversaries, whether they are competitors, critics, or even members of your own team, can serve as catalysts for growth and improvement.
In the age of social media, criticism is more public and more readily available than ever before. The key, according to the author, is not to suppress these voices, but to appreciate the attention they bring. The logic is simple: the more 'haters' you attract, the more significant your presence in the market. In essence, this opposition validates your importance, as no one takes the time to critique an insignificant entity.
The author also makes an intriguing connection between criticism and resilience. Drawing from personal experiences, they assert that the bullies, the disapproving figures, and the anonymous trolls we encounter play a role in shaping us. These figures, while challenging, help build resilience and can even fuel our passion to prove them wrong.
Moreover, the author proposes that criticism, if perceived wisely, can lead to improvement. The words of 'haters' can be valuable feedback, pushing you to refine your product or service. This perspective transforms criticism from a dreaded obstacle into a tool for success.
The author also points out that opposition isn't limited to external forces. Sometimes, it can come from within your own team. The author teases the next topic of discussion – managing problematic employees and fostering a culture of obsession within a company.
The Power of Obsessive Leadership
One of the central themes of the book is the importance of an obsessive commitment to excellence in team leadership for achieving business success. In any profit-driven organization, effectiveness is more crucial than niceness, as it sometimes necessitates making tough, unpopular decisions to ensure the team is performing optimally.
One of the key strategies for maintaining control and fostering effectiveness is through controlling the conversation. This entails being keenly observant, actively listening, and being ready to intervene when necessary, such as during sales calls. If the team isn't demonstrating the requisite aggressiveness or passion, or a client isn't receiving the right advice, it's perfectly acceptable for a leader to step in and rectify the situation.
Recognizing and acknowledging good work also plays a significant role in maintaining team morale and ensuring commitment. Personal gestures, such as sending individual messages of gratitude or even recording a video to share with the team, can go a long way in demonstrating appreciation for the hard work put in by the team.
However, leaders must also be uncompromising when it comes to hiring and firing. The concept of lifelong employment in one job has become obsolete, especially for millennials, who often utilize short-term contracts to build diverse careers. Therefore, when an employee fails to meet their end of the performance agreement, leaders should not hesitate to replace them with someone more capable.
Be Obsessed or Be Average Chapters
Chapter 1: Obsession Saved My Life - and It Will Save Yours
Chapter 2: Obsession Is Your Only Option
Chapter 3: What To Be Obsessed With
Chapter 4: Feed the Beast
Chapter 5: Starve the Doubt
Chapter 6: Dominate To Win
Chapter 7: Stay Dangerous
Chapter 8: Obsessed with Sales
Chapter 9: Overpromise, Overdeliver
Chapter 10: Build an Obsessed Team
Chapter 11: Be a Control Freak
Chapter 12: Obsessed with Persistence
Chapter 13: Obsession Forever
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
