When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out [Paperback]

I love learning from the wisdom of others - sages that have turned their dreams into successful opportunities especially when others could not see the vision. Nikki Stone captures the unique stories of several successful entrepreneurs including Tommy Hilfiger, Shaun White, Stephen Covey and gold medalist Lindsey Vonn. Stone, an Olympic gold medalist herself in aerial skiing, understands what peak performance is all about and channels that in her research of other successful people.
Stone's mother taught her at a young age - you have to be soft inside, but have a tough outer shell and never be afraid to stick your neck out. That is the essence of the flying turtle - and the heart of her book - being excellent and driving for your best performance can propel you to extraordinary possibilities.

The book offers coaching exercises as key takeaways from each profile. For instance, following the story for Lindsey Vonn and the tough training and injuries sustained building up to excellence - she had to do things she didn't like to do. The message - rather than putting off the things you don't like doing, dive right into them, overcome them, and find your passion to build your soft inside.

Some of the other coaching takeaways include:

Create a list of positive words that can turn you around when you hit a rough patch
Take note of your key accomplishments and why they were successful
Connect to childhood dreams
Change your routine
Tackle the baby steps, not the giant tasks right away (pace yourself)
Focus on questions not answers
Know your root focus and why you have it
Organize, prioritize, and stay on track to avoid downward spirals

All of the stories and tips drive the core principles of the book around Passion, Focus, Commitment, Overcoming Adversities, Confidence, Risk, and Teamwork. The support of others through the personal journey of finding the soft inside and being inspired by others creates an attitude and way of being that Stone coins the "Turtle Effect." Being in the right zone of controlling yourself in your environment maintains peak performance. The effect was great enough that is was instrumental in helping Stone's parents survive cancer.

This book will inspire you. It will make you think about who you are and where you're at in a way that will ignite your drive to chase your dreams and fulfill your goals. All the profiles showcased outline the core principles of success and that anybody can make it no matter the background, conditions, or timing. Even better reason to love this book - 25% of the net proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society.

Nikki Stone has crafted an original, inspirational, and practical guide to help you better yourself. The Turtle analogy is brilliant. Simple, memorable and easy to explain. I found the book fun to read. The stories were engaging and provided concrete examples of how to employ the Turtle philosophy.

Nikki's honesty in telling her tale is refreshing. She is one who appreciates all that she has worked so hard to accomplish yet she still desires to improve the lives of those around her by sharing her means to obtaining her success.

As a Career Advisor, I recommend this book to clients when someone is looking to make a change and needs to find the guts to stick their neck out to take appropriate risk to achieve their goals. I have given this book as a gift to many in my family, friends and book club. It is a book that I will read again.

I could not put this book down. As an online educator, consultant, and fitness coach, I have to lift up, motivate and lead countless people. This book provides me with endless ideas for helping others overcome mental, physical and emotional hurdles. It fills me up with inspiration, energy and ideas. It's a reference tool I'm already using daily. Anyone could benefit from this book; it transcends all boundaries. It will permanently change your life and how you see things. Nikki Stone's book is a huge contribution to the world. This book will be a best-seller.

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