Obstacles Welcome – How to Turn Adversity into Advantage in Business and in Life – Ralph de la Vega
(motivation and self improvement)
I just have to give this one two thumbs up!! I expected one of those relatively mundane business management books, and what I got was pure and utter inspiration and a whole new way of looking at what most of us commonly refer to as roadblocks, problems, or as Mr. de la Vega refers to, obstacles. I now see obstacles as opportunities to outshine competition at work as well as in my personal life. Obstacles are now not bad, they are actually exciting. I encounter an obstacle now equals “I can overcome, learn and become better!†That’s a massive shift in viewpoint for sure.
Mr. de la Vega’s personal story inspires. He was an immigrant from Cuba and arrived on US soil a few years prior to his own parents. What he learned from those experiences served him well as he saw his own life obstacles as opportunities for personal growth.
This book is engaging rather than boring. At the end of each of the chapters is a page of takeaway messages. I think those pages alone out value the price of this book. I learned so many things and had quite a few moments where I felt that I had learned more about how to approach my own obstacles in the workplace. C’mon we all have them, or will. Those moments of self doubt and self examination are opportunities to excel once you have read through these easy to read 262 pages. It should be noted that Mr. de la Vega is the President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. I used to have a management leadership crush on Jeff Bezo’s, the CEO of Amazon, my leadership crush just shifted a bit to make room for Mr. de la Vega. Thanks must go out to him for the fantastic and inspiring look at how the day to day mundane and exasperating life at work can really be the foundation to greater things personally and professionally.
If you’re a manager of people, time, family events or you just want to take advantage of life’s obstacles instead of fearing them, then you too can benefit from this book.