The Art of Winning by Matshona Dhliwayo is a book that falls into the self-help genre and offers both inspiration and guidance on how to achieve a fulfilling life.
By Julie Walker
When I first read the title of this book, and knowing it belonged to the above-mentioned genre, I expected to find a book containing multiple chapters outlining each step towards achieving success.
When I opened the book, I was surprised to discover that this was not the case. Instead, every page was presented in a simple, clean, and yet eye-catching manner, with each page dedicated to a short writing.
Admittedly, my next thought was that this book would most likely consist of numerous quotes of positive affirmation. I tend to struggle with such writings, as the reader needs to already be in a positive mindset to be receptive to them. I began to read and was immediately drawn in. I was excited to discover this book offered so much more than your usual self-help read and the lessons imparted were invaluable.
The Art of Winning began with ‘The Winner’s Manifesto #1’ and concluded with ‘The Winner’s Manifesto #2’. These were the only two writings that contained messages of self-affirmation. The rest of the book comprised of 100 maxims or ‘rules’, each which provided a brief, but deep and meaningful, truth. These maxims had such powerful messages that they made me stop and ponder after finishing each one. I frequently found myself considering to what degree my own thoughts and behaviors aligned with what was being said, and contemplating ways to improve in certain areas.
I particularly appreciated the fact that not all the rules gave a message praising the benefits of positive actions. Some maxims, instead, showed the disadvantages of negative actions. I considered this to be valuable as, if someone was reading this book while not feeling very optimistic, recognizing the potential outcomes of negative behavior may better resonate with them. Seeing the detrimental effects of such actions may, ultimately, encourage a person to try limit these destructive behaviors.
Another aspect of this book I found beneficial was that, not only did it offer positive messages for one’s own behavior, it also provided insight into how your actions or successes may be perceived by others and the diverse ways these people may react, both positively and negatively. I felt learning to recognize and understand such reactions was important. There are often times when a person feels they have achieved something worthwhile, only to be confronted by others who run these achievements down. It was valuable to gain insight into the fact that that such responses may be the result of resentment or envy. Being able to put other people’s reactions into perspective may help to prevent people from feeling deterred when setting future goals for success. These writings also provided the encouragement to push past such displays of negativity.
I struggled to find any faults with this book. As discussed earlier, the book was visually appealing. It was free from spelling errors, and the grammar and punctuation were consistent throughout. The book appeared to have been professionally edited. At a stretch, it could be argued that a couple of the rules seemed alike, however, I put this down to trying to read the first half of the book in one sitting. Doing this tended to blur the contents somewhat. To prevent a similar experience, I would recommend reading it over a longer period, taking the opportunity to consider and digest small sections each day. I feel that, despite its short length, reading this book in one sitting ultimately detracts from the power of the messages.
This book would suit readers who are seeking something more than a book full of positive affirmations. People wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the attributes that can either facilitate or hinder personal greatness should find immense value in this writing. Overall, I found the book to be both inspiring and motivating. The wisdom behind the words made this a very powerful read, and provided ample food for thought. It certainly offered something different from the other self-help books I have read, which made for a refreshing change. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Matshona Dhliwayo is a Canadian based Philosopher, Entrepreneur, and author of books such as The Art of Winning, The Little Book of Inspiration, 100 Lessons Every Great Man Wants You to Know, Dinner with King Solomon and Lalibela’s Wise Man. He is a regular contributor for The African Leadership Magazine, The CEO Magazine, Health Magazine, The African Union, and other internationally renowned magazines.
