The True Meaning of Success: The Life Outside the Box Book Review

The measure of success varies for most. For some, it’s money or accolades that are a benchmark, for others it’s simple joy or contentment that signifies triumph. Whatever it may be, whether you’re an entrepreneur or a stay-at-home mom, success is something everyone strives to achieve.

And much like its measure, the path to success is also differs for everyone. Some stumble upon it, while others work their way through countless hardships before reaping the benefits. For me, the fascination lies with the stories of the latter—about those who struggle and beat the odds to find their little slice of success.

Ms. Wilson digs deep into the root of success with her collection of stories. Using the extraordinary experiences of 10 unique individuals, she shows readers that success is never just about notoriety or the bottom line of a bank account. Tracing each person’s journey from conception, pitfalls, errors, and eventual achievement and triumph, her words offer much more than just biographies for the reader. Instead, Wilson focuses on why these people are successful and NOT what made them so. With these stories, it’s evident that Ms. Wilson wanted to inspire and motivate, not just inform and entertain.

As I read the book, equally enraptured by each journey Ms. Wilson takes me through, a consistent theme started to emerge. All of these prominent figures, from publishing executive Julie Salisbury to poet, Shane Koyczan, prove that success is not easy for anyone. It takes persistence and hard work; that reinvention, transformation, and purpose are the backbones of an extraordinary achievement. That success means the refusal to conform to the path that was laid for you. As a person who consistently works to be better at what she does—whether its motherhood or writing—this running theme spoke great volumes to me, something now continually keep in mind daily.

For those looking for an inspirational piece or simply a great read for the summer, I highly recommend  Life Outside the Box. It’s changed so much about my day-to-day thinking and reinvigorated my strive to become better at what I do. It’s taught me that everything I do must have a purpose, and that the word “no” is not a means to an end, but an encouragement to try a different avenue. It’s eye opening, encouraging, and definitely worth the read.