Book Review: You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way by J.R. Parrish

You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making It in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates was written by J.R. Parrish who went from starting out his career as a milkman to becoming a multimillionaire.  In 1974, he founded J.R. Parrish, Inc., a commercial real estate company in Silicon Valley.  He was very successful in this venture because he believed in treating people with fairness and respect. Because of his success, he was able to retire in 1999 and now lives on a Hawaiian island and owns a coffee plantation. This book shares his story and how you can become successful too.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: Human Relations
Chapter 2: Habits
Chapter 3: Making Your Dreams Come True
Chapter 4: Dating, Marriage, and Parenting
Chapter 5: Career and Finance
Chapter 6: Love and Truth

While the book is targeting teens and recent college graduates, it is very practical for anyone. The author chose this demographic because he believes that you should start out right. He wishes that someone helped him early in his life. Therefore, he has decided to share a lifetime of wisdom and lessons so others don’t make some of the same mistakes.

J.R. positions this book as a guide for anyone who wants to have personal and professional success. Below is some of what he shares:

• Nailing that first big job interview
• Avoiding dangerous relationship mistakes
• Mastering the art of managing your finances
• Circumventing the typical pitfalls of adjusting to the adult world
• Choosing the right mentors

Within each chapter, the author inserts quizzes so readers can self-assess themselves as they are reading the book.  By taking the quizzes, you will get a good understanding about yourself and if you will need to work on improving certain areas of your life.

The author tells his life story throughout the book so you hear firsthand accounts of where he failed, what he learned, and how he succeeded. J.R writes in a very conversational tone so it is an easy and enjoyable read.

If you want to read about a successful entrepreneur and learn about yourself in the process, then You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making It in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates may be worth a read.

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