The world of work appears very different today than it did a generation ago – but according to Tom Lewis, what it takes to succeed hasn’t changed at all. Lewis, an award-winning homebuilder and respected philanthropist, who overcame difficult markets, tough competition, and a life-threatening illness, knows from experience how to reach the peak of success – and more importantly – fulfillment. In his new book, SOLID GROUND: A Foundation For Winning In Work And In Life, Lewis explains and celebrates the real building blocks of a successful career and life.
“The message that’s out there is ‘find your passion and follow your dreams.’ But today’s popular culture has it backwards. You can’t find your passion until you develop your work ethic. You can’t find your purpose until you discover who you are. You can’t find your happiness until you find your talent and help others. And you can’t find success until you earn it,” says Lewis. In SOLID GROUND, he relies on his own experience, along with the wisdom of others, to demonstrate how you can build your foundation, reach your potential, and ultimately find life’s greatest achievements.
Using his own life story, the author connects the dots between his challenges and accomplishments to demonstrate the five foundational building blocks of success: personal character; hard work; goal setting; self-awareness; and helping others. By exploring and explaining the importance of each, Lewis shares invaluable insights. Building on these fundamentals, the author reveals five key qualities that are necessary for reaching your potential. These are:
Finding Your Talent
“In every person there is a seed of greatness. Understanding your uniqueness, your values, your natural strengths, and your authenticity is vital to finding your success,” writes Lewis. He offers guidance for discovering what you’re naturally good at, and explains why, in choosing a career, it is better to follow talent than passion.
Making Good Decisions
“When it comes to being successful in life, having good judgment and making good decisions is far more important than just being smart.” Lewis points out that decisions always involve an uncertain future – and therefore it is critical to be prepared to mitigate or manage risks. He details a seven-step plan for making good decisions.
Taking Smart Risks
“Risk and rewards go together. In order to get the rewards, you have to take the risks,” Lewis asserts. People who are comfortable taking smart risks will see rewards follow. SOLID GROUND addresses how to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” and how becoming conscious of your biases will help you become a better risk-taker.
Keeping Your Drive Alive
“After you commit to your own success, you will find many obstacles on the road to achievement. It takes a lot of energy, persistence, resiliency, ambition, and determination to overcome these obstacles,” writes Lewis. He encourages you to find your “why” and your “worthy ideals” to sustain your drive over time.
Managing Your Career
To optimize your career potential, you must excel in your current job, prioritize learning and personal growth, and use solid judgment to determine when it’s time for a change. Lewis explains that career success is best achieved by learning from different mentors at multiple companies and having exposure to many things. Time matters, and early lessons usually pay big dividends.
Lewis rounds out his own advice with inspirational quips, quotes, memorable sayings, and even poetry from the greatest writers, thinkers, philosophers, coaches, and business leaders of all time on the topics of success, winning, and fulfillment. He literally goes back centuries to find his invaluable collection of wit and wisdom.
“Over the course of my career in homebuilding, I have learned to appreciate the importance of a good foundation—one that is built on solid ground,” Lewis explains. His new book will help you gain clarity on what really matters and will provide both a compass and a roadmap for your success in work and in life.
SOLID GROUND: A Foundation For Winning In Work And In Life
About
T.W. LEWIS is the founder of T.W. Lewis Company, an award-winning Scottsdale, Arizona based real estate and investment company known for its quality and outstanding customer service in the homebuilding industry. Lewis received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Professional Builder Magazine and was the first inductee into the National Housing Quality Hall of Fame. In 2002, Lewis and his wife Jan formed T.W. Lewis Foundation to support higher education, children and families in need, youth character education and a variety of local and national non-profits that strengthen Americas’ civil society. In 2015, they created the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky.
