I was drawn to this book as I am transitioning to an entirely different career path as an entrepreneur who recently exited my company after almost 20 years in the trenches. What do I want to do when I grow up…or not yet done to satisfy my hunger for a bigger and more impactful purpose in my next chapter? How do I get unstuck? Barton answered the question…on how to activate my dream muscle again as it atrophied over the years. There’s only so much hiding, planning, thinking, researching, contemplating, strategizing and polling of opinions you can do, she points out, as none of that directly produces action towards the next step. The no BS truth is that you have to make that first jump. It’s the key to owning your greatness. The tools and rationale outlined in the book get to the heart of the matter to cultivate the courage necessary; don’t walk, but Jump confidently in the direction of your dreams by following the tried and true methods Barton carefully curated. This is as direct as it gets. It’s clearly worked for her as a successful entrepreneur and for so many others she’s touched through her coaching who are not yet done dreaming of a more expansive and fulfilling life.
I was introduced to this book because I am a coach for business people. After reading the book, I have now incorporated it into my coaching on a regular weekly basis. I have written three books but this should have been one of them. I love the straight forward “Cut the crap already,” lessons for anyone who sincerely wants to get ahead in life no matter their position at this moment in time.
The short chapters with very direct lessons are all the things I have practiced in my five different businesses in three different countries over the last fifty years. This is not to say I have always been successful; I have failed sometimes, as have most entrepreneurs, mainly because I didn’t have the guidance that this book gives.
I thoroughly recommend this book as a modern day classic in the genre of “Think and Grow Rich.” If you want to get ahead, I mean really want to, then this book is a must. Rob Noyes-Smith
Systematize and Keep Dreaming. That’s where Mandy had me hooked. Not only is this book my own guide to follow my dreams, it is the motivation I need to believe I can accomplish those dreams. As a recent college graduate finishing up my first year in my career, Step One: Jump! is my go-to tool to create the life I want. If you are ready and willing to JUMP! Mandy Barton is right there by your side encouraging you along the way!
Step One Jump reminds us of the purpose we each have inside and the determination we possess to make it happen. Mandy Barton provides examples of the barriers we build that hold us in place and shares her own personal strategies for moving through them and on to bigger dreams and goals. The book encourages the reader to dream bigger than they ever imagined while beginning with very small, doable steps to build the muscle of change and to reignite self-confidence. This blend of visionary and practical spoke to me and I have enjoyed referring back to specific sections that address my own personality and goals. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to enrich their lives, whether through big changes or just more intentional choices.
This book is helping quiet the naysayers and the voice in my head that limits me. I think it’s great for any age and for any point in one’s life whereby one becomes stagnant. It reignites vigor and purpose.
I’ve read several personal development books and I’ve found some of them to be a regurgitation of the same old same old. This one is different. It contains practical solutions to snatch the resistance and put one on the path to attaining one’s goals. The author interjects her personal successes but is also focused on how and why she has failed. As she says, “Mistakes are never, ever limiting unless you plan on quitting.”
“You have to be willing to own the good stuff too”. That’s the biggest checkbox I made for myself after reading Mandy’s book. She expresses that not only is it the first step to keeping yourself in check but starting small is the key, quietly own your greatness so you can showcase your accomplishments with humility. It is too often that people let themselves chalk things up to luck and not own the greatness they created because without allowing yourself that, you can’t really own your accomplishments. This book is easily transferred across all aspects of life. It has been a checklist for me in personal situations as well as working on building a career for myself that has meaning.
