Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in the Pursuit of Happyness

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Description

Ever since the story of his transformation from homeless, single and struggling father to millionaire became known the world over, Chris Gardner - whose life story both inspired the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" and became a number 1 "New York Times" Bestseller by the same name - has been inundated with two questions: 'How Did You Do It' and 'How Can I Do it Too' Gardner's power-packed, transformational reply is the basis of this long-anticipated book. As a departure from standard self-help tomes that promise overnight riches and exclusive secrets for success, Gardner avoids any tilt toward magical thinking by staying with real issues and solutions impacting individuals in all walks of life. Taking stock of his own credos, including 'The Cavalry Ain't Coming', 'Find Your Button', and 'Seek the Furthest Star' - Gardner's 44 life lessons are earthy, soulful, and always accessible. With an array of stories from the author's own life, as well as from those he has known or admired, both famous and not.

Reviews

"Gardner offers practical advice and pragmatic suggestions for tackling life's problems. . . In 44 'tell-it-like-it-is' chapters. . .Gardner provides a blueprint for navigating tumultuous times." -- Ebony

"This smart and well-written guide includes excellent suggestions for both everyday life and work, with the last sentence summing up Gardner's message: "Accepting responsibility is accepting that your dreams really can come true." The result is hopeful and uplifting. -- Library Journal

"Start Where You Are represents the next phase in Gardner's career, offering hope and sound advice in this tough economic climate. . . .Transformative and inspirational." -- BookPage

"A book that teaches you how to transform the impossible into the possible." -- Sidney Poitier

"Start Where You Are is a must-have, must-read guide to pursuing happiness in changing times. It's not just about surviving as an individual or business in the current economic environment, but about thriving -- personally, collectively, and globally." -- Quincy Jones

"With . . . Start Where You Are, he is encouraging us all to start where we are and dare to make our lives bigger and stronger, more satisfactory, and better. Chris Gardner is a knock out!" -- Maya Angelou

Author Bio

Always hard working and tenacious, a series of adverse circumstances in the early 1980's left Gardner homeless in San Francisco and the sole guardian of his toddler son. Unwilling to give up Chris Jr. or his dreams of success, Gardner climbed the financial industry ladder from the very bottom. He worked at Dean Witter Reynolds and Bear Stearns and Co before founding the brokerage firm Gardner Rich and Co in Chicago in 1987. Christopher Gardner is the owner and CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Conquering grave challenges to become a successful entrepreneur, Gardner is an avid motivational and aspirational speaker, addressing the keys to overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles. Gardner is also a passionate philanthropist whose work has been recognized by many esteemed organisations. Gardner is the author of the autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, a # 1 New York Times bestseller. Gardner is also the inspiration for the acclaimed movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" for which Will Smith, starring as Gardner, received Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance.