You Can Win
Shiv Khera
“A blueprint for personal, lasting success.”
You Can Win
Shiv Khera · 1998
Shiv Khera is a motivational speaker whose wisdom comes from real-world experience. Before finding success, he faced immense struggles, working as a car washer and life insurance agent in the United States. After a business he built failed, he hit rock bottom, which became the turning point in his life. He studied the principles of success and applied them to rebuild his career, eventually founding a successful consulting firm. He wrote "You Can Win" to share the exact blueprint that transformed his own life, offering a practical and ethical guide for anyone seeking to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. His story proves his message: your past does not define your future.
The foundation of all success, according to Khera, is your attitude. He famously states, "Winners don't do different things, they do things differently." This philosophy is perfectly captured in his story of a balloon seller. Whenever his sales were slow, he would release a colorful balloon into the air to attract children. A young boy asked him, "If you release a black balloon, will that also fly?" The seller wisely replied, "Son, it is not the color of the balloon, it is what is inside that makes it go up." This powerful metaphor teaches us that our external circumstances, like race or background, don't determine our success; it's our internal attitude that lifts us up.
A dream without a plan is just a wish. Khera emphasizes the critical importance of setting clear, written goals. He illustrates this with a well-known study conducted at Harvard Business School. The study found that the 3% of graduates who had written down their goals and plans for the future ended up earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97% combined. This example powerfully demonstrates that the simple act of putting your goals on paper gives them substance and direction. Success is not an accident; it is the result of deliberate design, planning, and focused action. To win, you must first define what winning looks like for you.
While skills might get you to the top, Khera argues that only character can keep you there. Lasting success is built on a foundation of integrity, honesty, and respect. He shares an insightful story about a man being interviewed for a managerial position. The company's owner was observing the candidates in the waiting area. He saw one man bend down, pick up a stray piece of paper from the floor, and place it in the trash bin. This small, unprompted act of responsibility convinced the owner to hire him on the spot. It wasn't his resume but his character that won him the job. True winners build trust through their consistent, honorable actions, big and small.
This book is not just for inspiration; it's a call to action. To start winning, you must first take responsibility for your life. Cultivate a positive attitude by consciously choosing your thoughts and focusing on solutions, not problems. Transform your dreams into reality by setting specific, written goals and creating a clear plan to achieve them. Build your character by practicing honesty and integrity in every interaction. Commit to lifelong learning and personal growth. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Your victory starts with the decision to apply these principles today. You have what it takes.