CREATIVITY, INC. by Ed Catmull   Book Outline

Pixar has an amazing story that started out with Ed Catmull’s dream to create the first full length computer animated movie.  The story retraces the decades of trial and failure that shaped Pixar into the creativity producing success that it is today.  The book illustrates the methods and principles that have formed Pixar and its culture to promote originality, creativity, and responsibility.  The book teaches the importance of failure, candor, and trust in the creative process.  I’ve found this book to be entertaining and educational. I highly recommend for all types of industry.

The following link is the PDF book outline for Creativity Inc.  I usually listen to audio books and often wish I had a condensed physical copy to review the wealth of knowledge from these books.  This book outline can assist with identifying the key principles of the book or act as a detailed book review.

"HOW TO WIN AT THE SPORT OF BUSINESS" by Mark Cuban (in 5 pages) Book Outline

"How to Win at the Sport of Business" 

by Mark Cuban 

5 Page Book Outline

This is a quick outline with the major principles and hacks that Mark Cuban illustrates from his book.

This is a quick read with tips and stories from Mark Cuban’s life and how he became a success.  The book is a compilation of his blog posts, webinars and other content he has published over the years in respect to startups and business.  He created a list of hacks that will help you become successful in your life.

Here is a quick review and outline of the book Free: How to Win at the Sport of Business Outline 

LEADERSHIP AND SELF-DECPTION (in 9 pages) Book Outline

Leadership and Self- Deception by the Arbinger Institute (Outline in 9 pages)

This book completely changed my perspective on the way I view people, loved ones, challenges, and myself.  The main story line is fictional but the examples used are real accounts told as if they were all part of one company’s and person’s application of the principles taught at the Arbinger institute.   The book teaches us that instead of focusing on changing our behaviors or our attitudes towards others we need to change the root cause of those attributes which is our mindset.  By changing our mindset or the way we view others we can effectively influence and interact with desired results.  The book teaches us of Self-Deception which is our misguided or distorted perception of others and ourselves.  We learn of the damaging effects it has in our relationships, how we develop these perceptions and the ways we can eliminate them.  By applying the principles taught in this book my relationships have become more valuable, my confidence increased, and life is simply more enjoyable for me and those around me.

Use the book outline as a quick reference guide, detailed summary of the book or a reading guide.  Download the FREE book outline for Leadership and Self-Deception.

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES in 8 Pages (Book Outline)

The Five Love Languages in 8 Pages (Book Outline)

Author: Gary Chapman

After reading this book I’ve become more aware of ways that I can improve my marriage and relationships and express love to my spouse in the most meaningful ways. There is a golden rule that states “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” That phrase should be updated to the Platinum Rule, “Treat other the way they want to be treated.” This book helps identify 5 specific ways in which you can love and treat others the way they desire. We have all been conditioned or raised differently and develop unique ways in which we communicate and recognize love. The way we express love to others may not be understood. This book will help you learn how to express love to those around you in the most meaningful ways.

We received this book as a wedding gift. As a proud newly wed and a manly man it was hard to find the motivation to pick up and read.  It wasn't until a few years and children down the road that I was able to commit to reading the book and found what I had been missing.  

I put together a free book outline of all the important points in just 8 pages.  Use it as a quick guide to the book or a stand alone instruction manual.  Download The 5 Love Languages (Book Outline) for Free.

This book may appear out of place among business and entrepreneur books but knowing how to treat people and express your appreciation to them is a vital part to running a successful business.  Many of the principals taught in this book don't just help marriages but also general relationships.  

THE COMPOUND EFFECT by Darren Hardy (Book Outline)

THE COMPOUND EFFECT by Darren Hardy (Book Outline)

This book tells it how it really is.  The author is the chief editor for Success Magazine.  The content in the book comes from countless interviews with the world’s most successful people and the author’s impressive life.   The book breaks down the steps of success into easy steps that ultimately lead to greatness.  Each of the principles taught require time and patience.  This is not a quick fix book, and if it was it would be a fraud.  It convinces us that the only true way of achieving success is by thoughtful and consistent effort to change the smallest aspects of our lives that compound into extraordinary results.  The book has been a transformative force in my life.  It gives me the confidence and faith to enact seemingly insignificant changes that I know will lead to my desired results.

Download the Free book outline that I have created from what I see as the key principles of the book: The Compound Effect (Book Outline)

Use it to refresh your memory of the book or as a detailed book review of its contents.

THE ENTREPRENEUR ROLLER COASTER by Darren Hardy (Book Outline)

THE ENTREPRENEUR ROLLER COASTER by Darren Hardy 

Book Outline

Why Now Is the Time to #jointheride 

Starting a business has many ups, downs and twists of emotions along the ride.  It is thrilling and scary but ultimately worth the ride. The emotional low is what causes most businesses to fail. In fact 66% of them fail.  This book is an excellent resource for startups.  The author compares the exciting components of a roller coaster ride to the emotional ride of starting a business. I found myself captivated by its principles because they rang true for me.  I read this book shortly after its companion book “The Compound Effect”.  The book shares some similar material but you will gain the greatest amount of benefit by reading both.  You will find the book motivating and very practical.

I've read this book and taken notes on what I thought was the most important key points and outlined them in this free Book Outline: The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster Outline

Use it to refresh your memory of the book or as a detailed book review of its contents.

START WITH WHY by Simon Sinek

START WITH WHY by Simon Sinek

"People don't buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it.  And WHAT you do simply proves what you BELIEVE."


There are two kinds of self-help books out there. The first gives tips and tricks to becoming better at something.  Those books approach issues and problems from the outside in. Those tips and tricks target your behaviors without addressing the root cause of behaviors.  The second kind of self-help books work from the inside out.  They target the root causes of our behaviors, our mindset.  “Start with Why” is an inside-out approach book that opened my mind to the bigger picture of influencing others through their passions and not material incentives.  The examples of the book are detailed and clearly illustrate the key points of the book.  The primary example in this book is Apple.  They Author uses the story of Apple and a few other popular companies to explain how these companies stand for more than just their products or services and why people are drawn to them.

I enjoy reading good business and self improvement books but often find the details slipping from my mind over time, especially when listening to an audio book.  I wrote notes on what I consider to be the most important parts of the book and constructed them into an outline for my own benefit and possibly the benefit of others.  

For me and for others who have read the book the outline is a quick refresher of the concepts.  For those who haven't read the book this can be considered a in-depth book review of the key principals.

My time is limited and choosing a good book to invest my time and money is a hard decision.  Maybe detailing the principles within the book can give prospective readers the opportunity to see what they are getting themselves into.  

Click on the link below for a the free book outline from my own perspective. 
START WITH WHY Book Outline PDF