The Greatest Success Story…that You’ve Never Heard!

January 9, 2008 · Posted in Book Reviews, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Inspiration, Motivation, People Skills 

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING CONTACTS SOUPORNUTS.COM

On Nov. 30, 2007, I received an email from an associate director of marketing with Doubleday. She asked me if I would be interested in reading and reviewing a book entitled Make the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland. Due to the high volume of orders that we had been receiving for the Rotater, I did not have the time to respond to her offer. However, at the end of December, I called this marketing director and told her that I would like to read this book and I would be happy to provide my thoughts about it. I received Make the Impossible Possible – One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary, the next day via FedEx.

DISCLOSURE

I do not know how or why I was chosen. Since I was contacted through the contact page of soupornuts.com, I can only assume that it is because soupornuts.com is a personal development blog.

I have received no compensation of any kind for this review.

WHO IS BILL STRICKLAND?

  • a product of inner-city Pittsburgh
  • a resident of inner-city Pittsburgh
  • a teacher
  • a mentor
  • a commercial jet pilot
  • an social entrepreneur
  • a facilitator
  • most of all he is a dreamer, visionary and role model

IT ALL STARTS WITH PASSION

Every dream, hope, idea or goal that is achieved is dependent on passion. This story is no different – it’s about the passion of Bill Strickland. His passion and mission is to help people turn turn their lives around.

Bill says in the book, “The story I have to share with you is the story of the pursuit of one unrealistic, impractical, outrageous dream after another, and the remarkable consistency with which those dreams have come true…..That’s the essential lesson of my life and of this book: that each of us can achieve the “impossible” in our lives.”

PASSION CREATES

Bill Strickland’s passion for helping led to the creation of the Manchester Bidwell Center in Pittsburgh – a state of the art facility that offers job training for careers in:

  • chemical laboratory technology
  • culinary arts
  • horticulture
  • office technology
  • medical

As well as classes for students in:

  • ceramics
  • photography
  • digital arts
  • design arts

SOME IMPRESSIVE STATISTICS

  • over 90% of the kids who attend classes at the Manchester Craftsman Guild go on to receive their high school diploma
  • 85% of these students continue their education after high school by enrolling in college of some other program of higher education
  • 80% of adult students complete their vocational training
  • 86% of these adults who complete their training find jobs

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK

I am a voracious reader, and once I started this book, I simply could not put it down. It reached me on a number of levels.

  1. It’s the remarkable story of a high school kid who sidestepped whatever kind of life that ghetto living could throw at him and went on to create an exceptional life for himself by helping those around him.
  2. It’s the inspiring story of always keeping your dream – of not allowing others to determine what you are capable of accomplishing.
  3. It’s about the establishment of the understanding that what Bill has accomplished can change the world. (If this seems laughable to you, then read the book to see who has partnered with Bill as they seek to establish development centers like the Manchester Bidwell Center all over the world.)

RECOMMENDATIONS

Do yourself a favor. Read this book. It will inspire and motivate you, while at the same time teaching you many of the principles needed to establish and run a profitable business. You won’t regret it.

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Comments

7 Responses to “The Greatest Success Story…that You’ve Never Heard!”

  1. Stephen Hopson/Adversity University on January 11th, 2008 8:06 am

    Chris:

    Based on your recommendations for this book, I immediately checked out this author’s website and then had a feeling I should purchase it.

    So I did. Thanks for reviewing and then recommending it.

    Stephen Hopson/Adversity University’s last blog post..Interview with Christine O’Kelly - Part I

  2. Chris Melton on January 11th, 2008 2:26 pm

    Hi Stephen,

    I think that you are going to be amazed at what this man was able to accomplish because of his unwillingness to quit or take “no” for an answer. As far as I am concerned, Make the Impossible Possible is a “must read” for everyone in the Personal Development or Success fields.

    Thanks for dropping by Stephen.

  3. Stephen Hopson/Adversity University on January 11th, 2008 2:35 pm

    Well, I just ordered it via Amazon and I’m very excited about it - I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for recommending it.

    Stephen

    Stephen Hopson/Adversity University’s last blog post..Interview with Christine O’Kelly - Part I

  4. Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker on February 10th, 2008 2:19 pm

    I just got the book in from Amazon. Thanks for reminding me to read it. Can’t wait.

    Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker’s last blog post..Testing Of Your Faith, Patience And Surrender—India Trip

  5. Chris Melton on February 10th, 2008 3:21 pm

    Hi Patricia,

    I have no doubts that you will enjoy this book. You will be motivated beyond all belief to do “something” to help someone.

  6. The Discount Golfer on March 5th, 2008 10:51 am

    Passion is definitely the key to success online, offline or in any walk of life. (It’s the passion that drives you and lights the inner self to seek out and achieve your goals)

  7. Chris Melton on March 5th, 2008 9:59 pm

    Passion is the fire that drives success.

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