The C Student's Guide to Success: How to Become a High Achiever Without the Best Grades, Connections, or Pedigree

256 Pages·2007·0.93 MB·English

by  Ron Bliwas

MORE ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE C STUDENT’S GUIDE TO SUCCESS
“This book offers wisdom and advice that is applicable to everyone who en­
deavors for a successful career and honest, genuine relationships with
coworkers. I can think of at least ten people to whom I plan to give this
book, beginning with both my daughters, who are preparing to enter the
workforce.”
—KELLY B. BROWNING, Executive Vice President, American Institute
for Cancer Research
“An inspiring and entertaining roadmap on how to succeed in bus­
iness . . . and in life. The C Student’s Guide to Success is an excellent primer for
anyone aspiring to a career in business. Ron Bliwas writes with deep insight
and empathy for the majority of aspirants who don’t have the advantages of
birth and connections, who have to make it on their own through hard
work, creativity, imagination, and a little bit of luck. Bliwas’s readable and
personal tale lays out the principles of success from which all of us can
benefit.”
—MICHAEL ALTER, President and CEO, Alter Group
“The C Student’s Guide to Success is a must-read regardless of your career stage.
Ron Bliwas provides practical anecdotes and solid advice that can be applied
to any business. We are all C students in some areas of our personal and pro­
fessional relationships and business competencies.”
—STEVE LACY, President and CEO, Meredith Corporation
“If you weren’t number one in your class or placed on the fast track in your
first job, this book is for you. You’ll find tips on how to catch up and over­
take, and insights on marketing yourself, that you won’t find anywhere else.”
—SIR MARTIN SORRELL, CEO, WPP Group
“This book is as brash, blunt, and practical as its author. It makes great read­
ing for all students . . . whether you got A’s or C’s; whether you got them last
month or two decades ago, I believe you will find the insights in this book
refreshing and valuable.”
—SHELLY LAZARUS, CEO, Ogilvy & Mather

THE C STUDENT’S

GUIDE TO SUCCESS

How to Become a High Achiever
Without the Best Grades, Connections, or Pedigree
RON BLIWAS
JEREMY P. TARCHER/PENGUIN
a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
NEW YORK
JEREMY P. TARCHER/PENGUIN

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA •

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario

M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) • Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand,

London WC2R 0RL, England • Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

(a division of Penguin Books Ltd) • Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road,

Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) • Penguin

Books India Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi–110 017, India •

Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 1311, New Zealand (a division

of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue,

Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

Copyright © 2007 by Ron Bliwas

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned,

or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do

not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation

of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bliwas, Ron, date.

The C student’s guide to success : how to become a high achiever without the best grades,

connections, or pedigree / Ron Bliwas.

p. cm.
ISBN: 1-4295-6812-7
1. Vocational guidance—United States. 2. College graduates—employment—United States.

3. College graduates—United States—Life skills guides. 4. School-to-work transition—United

States. I. Title.

HF5382.5.U5B573 2007 2007000827

650.1—dc22

Book design by Gretchen Achilles
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the
subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in ren­
dering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If you require legal advice or other expert
assistance, you should seek the services of a competent professional.
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet ad­
dresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibil­
ity for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any
control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their
content.
To my wife, Linda, who has provided me with the support,
confidence, and love every C student needs to be successful;
this book, let alone my career, would not have been possible
without you.

CONTENTS

Introduction 1
CHAPTER 1
MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MANY MENTORS 15
CHAPTER 2
TRUST YOUR INSTINCT 39
CHAPTER 3
STRIVE TO BE A BETTER PERSON THAN AN EMPLOYEE 61
CHAPTER 4
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY 81
CHAPTER 5
MASTER THE ART OF PURPOSEFUL LEARNING 103
CHAPTER 6
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES 123
CHAPTER 7
SELL WHAT YOU BELIEVE 143
CHAPTER 8
GO WHERE THE STARS AREN’T 163
CHAPTER 9

BE A SMART RISK-TAKER 183

CHAPTER 10

OVERCOME STRAIGHT-LINE THINKING 203

Acknowledgments 227

About the People Interviewed in the Book 229

Index 239