A book by Lawrence Colbert
Then ask what good can come from this,
and what you can learn from it.
The Lives, Turning Points, and Choices
Behind Extraordinary Futures
From a twenty-pound first sale to a return to the waves: discover the human stories behind extraordinary futures.
35 Extraordinary lives
4 Parts · Extraordinary futures
1 Perspective that changes the question
The lives behind the lessons
The Ground Before the Breakthrough
The first sale was a carpet. The price was twenty pounds.
The World Behind the DealThe Ground Before the Breakthrough
With Rocky, he wrote his own door.
Writing His Own DoorThe Ground Before the Breakthrough
A BART station restroom. The long road to a new life.
The Long Road to a New LifeThe lives behind the lessons
On a school bus, 9 October 2012: “Who is Malala?”
A Voice That Would Not Be SilencedThe lives behind the lessons
Halloween 2003. A shark attack, followed by a return to surfing.
Rebuilding After the UnthinkableThe lives behind the lessons
A $19 billion signing at the welfare office where he once collected food stamps.
From Hardship to ConnectionThe lives behind the lessons
“What have you failed at this week?”
The First YesThe lives behind the lessons
“What would you do if I shipped you 10,000 cars?” “I’d sell them.”
Building a Business Around the CustomerThe lives behind the lessons
A garbage route at 2:30 a.m. A suit and door-knocking in the afternoon.
The Builder Who Kept MovingThe lives behind the lessons
The opening scene begins in the Bayview Houses in Brooklyn.
Bringing a Vision to LifeSubjects are featured in the book. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Inside Adversity’s Gift
A setback. A choice. A future still unwritten. These are the human turning points behind extraordinary lives.
Sylvester Stallone
With Rocky, Sylvester Stallone wrote his own door. His story asks what becomes possible when the next move is something you create.
What could you create from where you are?
Explore Sylvester’s opening sceneBethany Hamilton
Halloween, 2003. A shark attack. Then a return to surfing. Bethany Hamilton’s opening scene places the unimaginable beside the decision to begin again.
What might beginning again look like?
Explore Bethany’s opening sceneJan Koum
Jan Koum signed the $19 billion WhatsApp sale at the welfare office where he once collected food stamps. One place frames two very different moments in a life.
How might your past look from a different future?
Explore Jan’s opening sceneThese questions invite your own reflection; they are not quotations from the subjects. Inclusion in the book does not imply endorsement.
A perspective to carry forward
Across difficulties past, present and future.
A question can open another possibility.
Meet the event with a word that opens a question.
“What good can come from this?”
“What can I learn from this?”
A perspective, held with care. You may acknowledge pain, seek support and take the time you need.
The “Good.” Assessment
Twenty considered questions. Four dimensions. A private moment to reflect on your response to difficulties past, present and future.
Discover Your PerspectiveFree · Educational, not clinical · Your results are private by default
Four dimensions of perspective
For your next chapter
Keep “Good.” and the two questions close at hand. Download the pocket-sized Question Card for a moment of perspective wherever you are.
