Winning habits must be behind Leonard Mark’s well-researched book on winning habits and attitudes – or ‘habitudes’, as he calls them – because there are a lot of references and historical facts to support many of his 99 habitudes.
Each habit is attributed to an inspirational figure with lots of additional resources recommended along the way, whether it be a biography, other book, app or website to provide more information.
Narrator Jim Seybert has a powerful voice that instills confidence and positivity as he reads through Mark’s 99 positive habits. Most of the author’s suggestions are small and easy to incorporate into everyday life, with the idea being that the listener should do what they can, rather than adopt the entire palate of ideas.
Each habitude asks who did it and why you should do it, then goes on to explain it in further detail. The first question is attributed to a well-known figure, either modern or historical, with examples of how they incorporated that particular habitude into their life. The list is inclusive of musicians, politicians, spiritual leaders, actors, writers, philosophers, businessmen, authors, sportsmen, philanthropists and even fictional characters like James Bond and Jason Bourne. Many names are known, while others are more introspective of American culture – an odd choice given the international audience of Audible and the number of famous, internationally renowned personalities available.
The second question – why you should do it – goes on to personalise the habitude by explaining how it relates to ordinary individuals who probably don’t have the advantages of the famous people used as the inspiration.
The structure of the book is clear, with habitudes broken into umbrella headings such as Success, Motivation, Productive, and Fit & Healthy Habitudes.
Seybert’s voice is clear, crisp and encouraging, although referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger as Australian instead of Austrian under habitude 32 is an appalling editorial error that should never have passed the censor. It is simple and obvious mistakes like that which can diminish credibility for the entire book because suddenly, who knows what other factual mistakes there are that I didn’t pick up as a listener?
Assuming the best-case scenario however, Winning Habitudes is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to improve their life.
I was voluntarily provided a review copy at no charge by the narrator but have no other connection with him so it has not influenced my review. You can read my complete review of this title and other audiobooks on my website at SaidNotRead dot wordpress dot com.