How Starbucks changed my life

- By Michael Gill

Quite an interesting and easy read, yet thought provoking and insightful. Loved reading it.

It's about a Yale graduate, who was fired from an executive job and was forced to hunt for opportunities to live a life. A guy, who has been loyal to the company, worked 24X7 and kept his dedication to the company prior to his family commitments and sensitive or emotional relations, was fired because the company wanted young and dynamic force. He was forced to look for an alternative, when his savings were barely sufficient to get him through the tough times and he was diagnosed by brain tumor and he had just forgone his medical insurance in order to be able to provide for his youngest son. An unexpected talk in a star bucks store altered his life and there by gave him a new life. A life, where he was able to appreciate the beauty and dignity of working. A second chance for redemption.

"Work is dignity" and any sort of work is decent because it doesn't allow one to beg/borrow or steal and saves face many a time. The writing style was easy to comprehend and it is a light read yet will leave an impression. How many times did we push ourselves to the hilt and beyond, for the sake of the appreciation and the menial perks associated with the job and how many times did we forgo our fondest wishes on a holiday for our work, whether we like it or not just because we want a secure future, which we have not seen? The novel is apt for all the people who seem to be lost in this cat race for money and fame, losing one's self, being caught in the frenzy. Loving work is important, so is treating people right and so is accommodating people in life. Being tolerant to other person's weakness not only makes you humble, but teaches the other person more effectively. Also, to be a good motivator one has to be self sufficient and confident and eager to please before expecting the same from sub-ordinates. The experiences of Michael Gill are an eye opener to every one caught up in a sphere of "self".

For any person who wants to find the lost spark, that spark with which he began his journey... For any person who treats work with respect, and for a person bold to accept his mistakes and willing to start on from scratch and unafraid to do so, should read this book. It is unforgiving and self-sufficient and forms quite an interesting eye-opener.