Start Where You Are

Life Lessons in Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

By: Chris Gardner, Mim E. Rivas

Narrated by: Andre Blake

“Gardner is encouraging us all to start where we are and dare to make our lives bigger and stronger, more satisfactory, and better. Chris Gardner is a knockout!”

—Maya Angelou

Chris Gardner’s astonishing memoir—the phenomenal New York Times bestseller, The Pursuit of Happyness, which inspired the film of the same name starring Will Smith—served as a shining beacon of hope for countless people. In Start Where You Are, “a book that teaches you how to transform the impossible into the possible” (Sidney Poitier), Gardner offers indispensible life lessons in getting from where you are to where you want to be.

Absolutely Awesome!!

Each chapter could easily be a daily or weekly motivational speech! Great book, great applicable tools, loved it!

Absolutely Amazing

I truly enjoyed this book and received many nuggets to launch my goals from. Chris Gardner is amazing.. 🙏🏽 Respect

Means what it says, says what it means.

Where does Start Where You Are rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An excellent book- well organized into bite sized pieces, easy to digest, recall, and remember. A self-help book that tells it like it is with bits of wisdom we all may have heard, but NEED to hear once again in a clear and concise package.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Start Where You Are?

Chris meets Nelson Mandela. There were also some chapters that specifically addressed issues that I find myself needing to hear, especially- "the cavalry isn't coming" and a reminder that we are responsible for our own "Happyness".

What about Andre Blake’s performance did you like?

Slow, considered, with the right touch of feeling, but no drama where not required. It is apparent he considered the voice of the writer, along with a solid understanding of the content and the lessons it was mean to impart. A very difficult performance I am sure, stepping into Chris Gardner's shoes, however very well done by Mr. Blake.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Chris recalls the "best day of his life" when his daughter J. graduates, at the same time he becomes a Grandfather. He makes it personal and emotional when he explains how he got where he was, and he will "start again" where he is on a new phase of his life. This helps the lessons sink in- it is impossible not to trust Chris' advice considering his tremendous life experience and his own experience helping others personally get "unstuck" and get moving in their pursuits of Happyness.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend "Start Where You Are" to anyone at a crossroads in life, needing a slight kick in the pants or a little help being pointed in the right direction, or a little help getting your "Mojo" back. Chris Garner imparts the advice we all need from our wise, successful uncle- the one we don't have.

How to Proser in Good Times and in Bad Times

Tis book has helped me tremendously. Chris Gardner’s story is as American as apple pie. This book is like a tool kit in how to handle life’s enviable challenges. Whenever I feel stuck I always say: Start Where You Are!!

gradebook very insightful. a lot of help

very good book lot of great helpful stories. I would recommend this book to others