If I'd Known Then What I Know Now: Why Not Learn from the Mistakes of Others? You Can't Afford to Make Them All Yourself!

By J.R. Parrish

If I'd Known Then What I Know Now is an inspiring, Pay It Forward-type manifesto for achieving success and happiness from childhood to retirement. Equally suitable for anyone from eight to eighty, it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1879384493
• ISBN13: 9781879384491
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Cypress House
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Pat on the Back and a Point in the Right Direction.

I was lucky enough to read early drafts of this extraordinarily helpful and insightful book. I made suggestions and they were graciously accepted by the author--this graciousness is seen on every page of the book. This is advice from an unpretentious source, honest and to the point. While reading the section relevant to my life (Lesson Two: Ages 16-25), I realized that I'm right on track for a successful life. As the chapter reassured me that I'm doing OK, it also offered suggestions that I hadn't thought about.For example, one point Mr. Parrish brings up is that school is about learning, not grades...grades are secondary to knowledge acculmulation. This seems like common sense, but in this competitive world it's a long forgotten value. Another great thing about this book is how he offers advice for almost every aspect of one's life, and he modifies that advice to adapt it to each age bracket. An incredibly daunting task accomplished with grace and precision.

A little something, the world needs more of!

Parrish's book is brimming with powerful sayings that stay in the mind, just waiting to be conjured up at the right moment. I find myself reflecting on the words in this book on a daily basis. It is a particularly powerful tool if you want to improve your relationships and be a more likeable person. We all want to feel important and Parrish provides some real gems that will surely make you someone others want to be around. As I apply these principles to my life and share them with my family, I find our household harbors more peace and less conflict. We seem to be more focused on each other and as Parrish predicted, my children are seeing that, "All I give is given to myself." I highly recommend this book to people of all ages. I was particularly inspired by his encouraging message about those who have found the success they desired after mid-life. Upon reading it I felt renewed and empowered about the possiblilties my future holds.

Parents Best Freind

It's is amazing how children learn. Others speak to your children in one breath exactly what you have shared with them for years and the children can not repeat a single word you have spoke while they can recall with perfect clarity the words of others with the exact same teachings.Our family has taken turns reading JR's book at dinner time and it quickly and easily unlocked conversations that were previously difficult to convey without our children's eyes glazing over. Our 3 kids (15-B, 12-G & 12-B), have all commented about the valuable teachings found within each chapter. Our communication with each other has grown and improved and the attitudes toward one another are more positive and helpful. If you are raising children do yourself a favor and read the first chapter or two together and I know for a fact you will love the feedback from your kids and your spouse. I believe JR's book will be just like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" where it took time before everyone reviewed the subject matter for themselves and determined how great the story is to the viewer. Thanks JR for your wonderful words and taking the time to place them in a book for all of us to enjoy.Mark

Change your life and those that surround you!

This book should be a part of everyones collection. It provides a guide to life from the age of 7 to 55. The book is easy to read and includes a simple summary of every lesson for quick reference or daily reminders to get your day started. The information that J.R. provides is timeless. There is no doubt YOU WILL become a better person if you put J.R.'s principles into practice. I met J.R. when I was 12 years old. Today, I am 18 and am attending University of California at Berkeley while playing on the golf team. I could not be where I am today if it were not for me being so fourtunate to meet such a wonderful person. I feel I can achieve anything I set my mind to because of J.R's advice. For me, this book represents everything I learned from J.R. I highly recommend this book. ACT NOW and change your life today.

Life's lessons from a milkman

An attribute of great leaders is their ability to seemingly simplify life's complex problems. J.R. Parrish is a master at this. His humble, down-to-earth, strait-talking style aids in cutting through all of the noise to see the essence of achieving a successful, harmonious and balanced life. I have been reading the book with my 7 year old 1st grader and have already seen a change in her. Every weeknight she can't wait for dinner to be over so we can read the book!Certain readers might skeptically assert that the lessons are too simple. These are the sort of people that are looking for a quick fix. To change your life requires a certain amount of rigor over a sustained period of time coupled with a burning desire to reach your objective. As a student of J.R. Parrish for 20 years, I have seen him positively change the lives of 100's of people. He has been speaking these virtues a decade before they were ever popularized in the media. In his company alone he made over 100 millionaires through his generosity of sharing his life of learning. His company was the envy of the Silicon Valley business community for its extraordinary culture of giving to one another. These same people have better marriages than the norm, are great parents, daughters and sons that make significant contributions to their communities. These are people who accept responsibility for their actions and lives. Although he spent only one term in college before becoming a milkman, J.R. Parrish has earned a Ph.D. in Human Relations with the publishing of this book (dissertation).