Book Review: 9 Don'ts to Success by Abhinav Pandey

About the book:

Be Focused, don’t get Distracted.

Be Accurate, don’t make Mistakes.

Be Real, don’t be Fake.

Be Honest, don’t Lie.

Be Polite, don’t be Arrogant.

Play Safe, don’t take Risks.

Think Positive, don’t Think Negative.

Be Humble, don’t be a Show-Off.

Be Fair, don’t Manipulate.

Is this the sure shot map to success? Think again.

This book is about doing what you’re asked not to.

About the Author:

Abhinav Pandey is an alumnus of St. Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. He believes in chasing dreams, making mistakes and living life.
His writings aren’t limited to books as he professionally writes songs for films, commercials and rock bands. Apart from writing, he has a keen interest in travelling, motivating people and watching movies.
Currently, he owns an event firm in Pune.

My Review:

The book presents to you 9 don'ts to success, because, it claims, the do's don't work. And no matter how skeptic you might feel about the content and philosophy of the book, you cannot help but admire the dexterity with which it is written. This book here is a pioneer of a new era in the genre of self-help. The book is about doing what you are asked not to do, and dear prospective reader, let me dispel your doubts and suspicion, it is not a collection of rants of some unsuccessful person who considers himself a victim of the ideal self-help and takes revenge by penning down a book that defies all the wisdom that they offer, rather this is a sensible take on the gargantuan volumes of self-help we have been reading till now. The last words you utter after reading this book are, “This is revolutionary stuff, man”.

The reason you should read it is because it is a repository of some really catchy witty phrases. Wit also emanates from the examples, comparisons and the metaphors that the author uses. They are so well thought out and presented. You know, when something is written with a lot of effort, it can be read effortlessly. The oxymorons couldn't get any better

so, the author prevents us from becoming the fastest car in town not reaching its destination in time due to a wrong route map and tells us that 'a person cannot decide on the total number of gears to shift during a lifetime, but he atleast has the option of not driving on the same gears ever again.'

What makes the author worthy of extraordinary commendation and appreciation is the extraordinarily remarkable effort that has gone into each chapter. Since this is altogether different from the ordinarily self-help stuff, the author has included, at the end of each chapter some tips and suggestions about applying these don'ts with caution, because he is cognizant of the fact that these don't are prone to misuse, or misinterpretation. It is so refreshing to see a first time author fully aware of what he is writing and what its repercussions are likely to be

Considering the radical perspective from which the author views the don'ts, it seems that these were things we were waiting to be told. 

Best lines: there are quite a few actually, the book is replete with memorable lines.

the limits are no more a challenge but an excuse to underperform.

Learn to distinguish between opportunities and temptations used as baits.

Judgement: No ifs, No buts, go get your copy now!