Grover rejects the idea that people should try to find an inner drive or passion. He feels that these are merely “internal wanderings” that don’t produce results. He argues that passion is nothing without concrete action to back it up. Rather than “following” a dream or passion, he urges the reader to work at it and excel at it. Overthinking results in stagnation, so he urges action in place of worrying and deliberation.

This is connected to being decisive. Making suggestions feels safer, as one does not risk being wrong, but firm decisions are what move one forward. Grover warns the reader not to become trapped by a binary of positive versus negative thinking. He argues that negativity triggers overthinking, while positive thinking tools such as visualization are useless at making things a reality. According to Grover, only instinct and action achieve real outcomes. He challenges the reader never to wait for good things to happen but to make them happen with their work. This means making a plan one will stick to rather than just passively “see[ing] what happens” (136). 

Grover also believes that people should choose something to specialize in and become excellent at that skill, building their reputations around it. Cleaners commit to goals and continue toward them, even when it is painful. Grover points to Michael Jordan once again, remembering how he worked out harder than anyone else on his team. No matter what, he went to the gym every morning from 5:00 to 7:00 am and worked out. Like Jordan, people should put up with pain, recognize it as part of the process, and continue their commitment in spite of it.

Grover’s assessment of the importance of making firm decisions tackles the issue from three main perspectives: taking initial action, making a clear commitment, and maintaining that commitment. While many motivational books try to help people begin their journey, Grover also discusses how to stay on top once one gets there. 

Chapter Lessons

• Make decisions, not suggestions.
• Inner drive and passion are useless on their own.
• The most important decision is the one to keep working toward success.

Reflection Questions

• Have you made a clear decision to work toward your goal? What is it?
• Think of three ways you can put your passion into practice.
• What is painful or challenging about your journey right now?