I recently read the book called: “It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you can be”, by Paul Arden.

He was an author born in 1940, and died in 2008. He wrote 2 books, the one I just mentioned, and “Whatever you think, think the opposite”. He was Worldwide Creative Director at Saachti & Saachti, being proof of the success rate of his described methods.

Paul Arden’s book is a short yet powerful guide on achieving success in creative industries and beyond. It challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to take bold risks, embrace failure, and continuously strive for improvement. The book is filled with unconventional wisdom, illustrated concepts, and motivational insights designed to push readers to unlock their full potential.

Key Methods

Aspire to be more

Your current abilities don’t define you. Set high goals and strive for excellence, rather than settling for mediocrity.

Embrace failure

Failure is a stepping stone for success. The more you fail, the more you learn, adapt and grow.

Don’t be afraid to be wrong

Being wrong opens up new perspectives. Instead of fearing mistakes, use them as opportunities for learning.

Take bold risks

Playing it safe won’t lead to breakthroughs. Take calculated risks to push your limits and discover new opportunities.

Offer more than expected

Go beyond what’s required. Success often comes to those who give more than what is asked.

Don’t wait for opportunities, create them: Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or opportunity, take initiative and make things happen.

Be curious and open-minded

Constant learning and exposure to different ideas fuel creativity and innovation.

Think differently

Challenge the norm and approach problems in unconventional ways. Innovation comes from questioning the status quo.

Do what you love

Passion fuels success. The more you love what you do, the more effort you will put in, and the better you’ll become.

Make yourself visible

Talent alone isn’t enough, you need to market yourself and make your work known to the world.

Don’t be afraid of criticism

Accepting and learning from criticism helps refine your skills and grow.

Surround yourself with greatness

The people you spend time with influence your mindset. Surround yourself with ambitious and talented people.

Link to self-development

The book aligns with self-development principles by empathizing growth mindset, resilience and proactive action. Arden’s methods encourages to continuously push themselves beyond their perceived limits, embrace change, and seek improvement in every aspect of their lives.

Mindset shift: Encourages thinking big and breaking self-imposed limitations.

Overcoming fear: Helps eliminate fear of failure and rejection.

Creativity & Problem Solving: Inspires innovative thinking and adaptability.

Confidence building: Promotes self-belief and the courage to take risks.

Success strategy: Offers practical advice on standing out and achieving excellence.

By applying these principles, you can unlock your full potential, become more confident in your abilities, and create the success you desire. Which of these methods do you find most applicable to your personal growth? Let me know in the comments!