Against all odds: How to achieve great victories in desperate times

In life, everybody has to face obstacles. Will you panic and fall apart, or take the necessary steps? By using real-life examples, this book will teach you:

How Teresa of Avila, a dirt-poor nun, raised funds to start thirty-two monasteries.What enabled Cabeza de Vaca to survive and thrive after being shipwrecked.How Franz Josef I kept an empire running smoothly for 65 years despite constant problems.Xenophon's method for dealing successfully with life-or-death problems.What enabled Cagliostro to rise to fame and fortune after 19 years of dismal failure.

This book provides practical advice for solving difficult problems and remaining effective in good and bad times.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Prerequisites of high effectivenessGet better results by applying this perennial recipe

The fountain of enduring strength rediscovered

If you want a robust performance, here is how

A foolish habit that is harming your interests

You can remove this fundamental problem right away

Chapter 2 - The key to remarkable resultsDeal better with adversity by using this metaphor

Stay away from this unworkable approach

Pointless crusades for the abolition of foolishness

This powerful technique prevents defeatism

A controversial strategy for getting things done

Chapter 3 - How to overcome discouragementGetting unstuck in unpromising situations

The best way to escape boredom and despair

Can you turn seemingly worthless assets into gold?

Do this right now in order to stop sinking

A false theory that is causing widespread mayhem

Chapter 4 - Growing a little stronger each dayDouble your opportunities by adopting winning routines

If you are being rejected, here is the solution

What you need to know about finding new chances

The fastest path to remarkable improvement

Get rid of losing propositions definitively

Chapter 5 - Sentimentality is a curse, not a virtueWhy human beings often misperceive reality

The key to a resilient personality in every season

Don't let overblown emotions prevent you from winning

Embrace strategies that work and let go of the rest

Unscathed by lies and propaganda

Chapter 6 - What you can do to become unsinkableFacing dozens of problems but still highly effective

Do not let clever acting deceive you

Beware of the downside of extreme measures

There is no excuse for taking inordinate risks

Decisions made without margin are likely to bite you back

Chapter 7 - An inspiring example taken from real lifeStill victorious despite being cheated and betrayed

The key to staying safe in perilous situations

Use protective routines to prevent disaster

Learn to love imperfect solutions

Concealment can bring you large advantages

Chapter 8 - Advice for thriving during hard timesTwenty-four years trying to get a break

How to make good decisions with little information

A controversial method to enhance your effectiveness

Resourcefulness in the absence of support systems

Survive and thrive against all expectations

ConclusionRecommended readingIndex