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A review by itsmeamethyst
Permission to Dream by Chris Gardner, MIM Eichler-Rivas
4.0
Permission to Dream is a quick and light read, accessible to and perhaps written especially for young readers. Gardner continues telling his story that began in his book, Pursuit of Happyness (intentionally misspelled). He talks again of being a homeless US Navy Veteran and a single father; how asking two questions to a stranger changed his life: “What do you do” and “How do you do it”? It led to his working in finance and ultimately achieving his version of The American Dream.
Now in his late sixties, he is a proud grandfather of a precocious granddaughter, and he gives her advice on how to reach her dreams. I was ready to completely dismiss this book, as he tells her that she can do and be anything if she doesn’t get in her own way; but he pulled me back in telling her about the many structural challenges that can prevent people from reaching their dreams (racism, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence), while also saying that “dreams need hope to become real”.
I also appreciated that he told her, “The truth is that there are many masters of their trade who can’t tell you how they got there. They just do it effortlessly. The only thing they all probably would say is that you have to be willing to grind in the early going. Learn the basics, improve, find mentors to challenge you, constantly ask questions, push yourself, and sacrifice. The harder you work, the more real your dream will become. But always remember to work more than you dream, never dream more than you work.”
He tells her other very simple advice that he ultimately turned into a youth program (I’m paraphrasing): Be authentic. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be aware of how you are branding yourself. Be able to communicate your values and your dreams. Don’t always think about what you can gain from relationships; what can you give and how can you help? Strive for excellence. Learn from those who are leaders in the field (even through books). Be adaptable and resourceful. Your dreams and plans may change.
He ends the book by thinking about a question he was asked, “What would you ask God”. He turns it around and asks us to think about if God will be pleased with how we used the talents and abilities that he has given us.
The best advice he gave was for people to consider what is already in their “tacklebox”: How can you draw on the skills you already have to achieve your dream(s)? He stresses how skills are transferrable. The two questions he advices people to ask now is of themselves: “If tomorrow I could wake up and be or do anything, what would it be” and “What did I do today that will lead to that tomorrow?”
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an ARC in exchange for honest review.
Now in his late sixties, he is a proud grandfather of a precocious granddaughter, and he gives her advice on how to reach her dreams. I was ready to completely dismiss this book, as he tells her that she can do and be anything if she doesn’t get in her own way; but he pulled me back in telling her about the many structural challenges that can prevent people from reaching their dreams (racism, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence), while also saying that “dreams need hope to become real”.
I also appreciated that he told her, “The truth is that there are many masters of their trade who can’t tell you how they got there. They just do it effortlessly. The only thing they all probably would say is that you have to be willing to grind in the early going. Learn the basics, improve, find mentors to challenge you, constantly ask questions, push yourself, and sacrifice. The harder you work, the more real your dream will become. But always remember to work more than you dream, never dream more than you work.”
He tells her other very simple advice that he ultimately turned into a youth program (I’m paraphrasing): Be authentic. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be aware of how you are branding yourself. Be able to communicate your values and your dreams. Don’t always think about what you can gain from relationships; what can you give and how can you help? Strive for excellence. Learn from those who are leaders in the field (even through books). Be adaptable and resourceful. Your dreams and plans may change.
He ends the book by thinking about a question he was asked, “What would you ask God”. He turns it around and asks us to think about if God will be pleased with how we used the talents and abilities that he has given us.
The best advice he gave was for people to consider what is already in their “tacklebox”: How can you draw on the skills you already have to achieve your dream(s)? He stresses how skills are transferrable. The two questions he advices people to ask now is of themselves: “If tomorrow I could wake up and be or do anything, what would it be” and “What did I do today that will lead to that tomorrow?”
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an ARC in exchange for honest review.