This is short commentary which I delivered during the book launch of "BEYOND SURVIVAL: How to Thrive Amidst Life's Inevitable Crisis" on 24 April 2010 at the Best Seller in Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas Center.
Before this occasion, I met Roger only once. That was during the General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Philippine Marketing Association where he keynoted the GMM and Agora Youth Awards.
He talked about life’s tragedies including his own. In about 30 minutes, he presented a well-argued thesis – that people can thrive in the face of even the harshest challenges.
Silently, as he discussed the foundation of his presentation, I thought that he should write a book on this topic and share his thoughts and experiences to others, not only to those who have the opportunity to attend his training sessions.
In fact he did. Not long after, a common friend, Gwenn Galvez, sent me a text and asked me to attend a book launch to give my comment on the book which Roger wrote precisely on the topic that he presented in the GMM. Gwenn sent me a copy of the book. I was glad I said yes, because I got a copy of the book and had the chance to review and learn from the book. These are my random thoughts.
There are books that dwell on opportunities. There are books that dwell on crises or problems. The book written by Roger attempts to paint a clear picture of life’s never-ending struggle with crisis and how people can turn every crisis situation into an opportunity.
In this book, Roger tells us that facing life’s challenges is all about attitude. It is all about mindset. Roger substantiates his argument with very interesting anecdotes and well-researched essays. More than that, he concludes his discussions with a ‘how to’ or a user-friendly template for thriving in a crisis.
Growing up, I used an inspirational message to guide me through every crisis or difficulty. I forgot the author who wrote this message which became my anchor whenever I faced life’s challenges – “for every adversity, there is an equivalent seed of benefit”. That message is well-articulated in Chapter 4, “from helplessness to hopefulness. If this book was written earlier and I had the chance to read it, I would have gone through all these difficulties with more ease and probably with greater success.
There are four things I immensely enjoyed about this book.
First, Roger spins the challenge of managing crisis into a piercing simplicity. He successfully presents crisis management as a process. A process can be learned. It can become part of our routine. It can become part of our armamentarium for dealing with problems.
I believe in the saying that “problems are to the mind what exercise is to the muscles” (internet-circulated, author unknown). Roger puts this maxim into an understandable concept. He says in Chapter 6, “use it or lose.”
Second, the book Beyond Survival is prescriptive and may be used as a guide. It recognizes the need for a sustained and continuing application. Roger’s book started with the reality that we deal with crisis every time. Indeed, there are many occasions when we can apply Roger’s guide for thriving and flex our muscles to handle problems until the guide becomes part of routine.
Roger sums up his guide into something everyone can remember. C-R-I-S-I-S. C to create new possibilities. R to reaffirm your core beliefs. I to invent the best future. S to summon your inner resolve. I to inspire yourself and others. S to seize the moment.
Third, it is easy reading. In one part of the book, Roger encourages readers to do whatever they wish with the book. Underline key points. Fold an important page. Dog-ear something for easy read-back.
A reader does not have to do all of these things. Roger made it a point to highlight the key thoughts. By design, the important concepts have been highlighted for reference and for quick reading. One can do a second reading by just going over all highlighted concepts.
Fourth, I sincerely belief that Roger wrote this book from the heart. There is a saying that “the best way to succeed is to follow the advice you give to others.” From Roger’s presentation, he did and is doing what he advises his readers to do. Walk the talk. That is the unwritten rule for consultants. That should also be the rule for writers and speakers.
With his experience in the university of life and gift for simplifying complex thoughts, perhaps Roger can write about how people can manage unexpected success. With this wonderful book, I am sure that Roger is now experiencing unexpected popularity and success. By this time, he must have synthesized the process of managing unexpected success.
My advice to readers -- buy the book. Available in all National Bookstore, Powerbooks and Best Seller outlets.
