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It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail

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This hardback book "It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail" is preowned and is in very good condition. This book is signed by S. Truett Cathy. The dust cover has some wear mainly the edges. I do not see markings in the book but I did not look at each page.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1989

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Christopher Lewis Kozoriz.
827 reviews272 followers
January 17, 2019
"A person cannot live without goals. God put within each of us the quest for success." (S. Truett Cathy, It's Easier to Succeed Than Fail, Page 33)

Written by Billionaire and founder of Chick-file-A; S. Truett Cathy. I have an autographed signed copy of this book and he wrote Proverbs 22:1 under his signature. This proverb says, "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold."

The book is part autobiographical and part inspirational and instructional on succeeding in life and business according to the author. He relates how he was drafted into the war and then discharged for an allergic reaction to the sun (weird I know), then started one restaurant called the Dwarf House with his brother, how it burnt to the ground, how he started over and then experimented with different dishes, including the boneless chicken breasted sandwich. Then they started opening up small restaurants in malls and the business grew from there. He then talks about his philanthropic endeavors.

Throughout describing the above, he weaves inspirational stories and messages.

After reading this book, I identified that this man had the spiritual gift of leadership. C. Peter Wagner defines this gift as follows: "The special ability to set goals in accordance with God's purpose for the future and to communicate these goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God (see Luke 9:51; Acts 7:10; 15:7-11; Rom. 12:8; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17).

If you haven't had Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich before, I highly recommend it, it tastes soooo good!
Profile Image for Arjan.
42 reviews
November 27, 2018
While in Atlanta, visiting family of my girlfriend I got to read this. Interesting as Chick-Fil-A was really hyped by my American friends.
True enough, the company is found by a strong Christian believer who believes Christian principles have everything to do with running a corporation.
Cathy does apply these in the corporate purpose, formulated after low sales in the '80s during a retreat: 'To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.' It reminds of Romans 16:19 'be excellent at what is good'. Cathy calls all his employees to be winners, not losers.

The book contains good principles for business and life, yet Cathy often does not finish his thought, argument, or example by jumping to another example or idea. Yet it is good to read about a business man who really seeks to build his corporation on godly principles and stay true to them, also when success has come in billions of dollars.
Profile Image for Cedric Dukes.
Author 4 books1 follower
February 20, 2018
Good book on how Truett Cathy got started in his business. He persevered through pain and triumph not only to grow a great business but to help build people. His core values are Christian and he uses it to treat people right and to uphold good business principles. Chick Fila operators must have excellent principles. Not everyone is cut out to own one. He has made mentored his employees by setting up college scholarship.
Profile Image for Tim Blackburn.
468 reviews5 followers
October 5, 2021
Great book by the founder of the Chick-fil-A franchise. A devoted Christian husband, father, and businessman who chronicles the humble beginnings of the iconic restaurant chain. The business was founded on Christian principles and Mr Cathy stuck to his Christian convictions even during the early struggles. It is incredibly refreshing to see this franchise today still heeding to it's Christian heritage. I strongly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Rayann Brown.
15 reviews
August 3, 2024
Read this after Eat Mor Chikin. If you've read either of the two this book goes more in detail on their family life and the business side of the things. There's really no need to read both. Some parts felt repetitive as they were mentioned in the previous book but still a good read nonetheless. Finished it in a day or two while on an unplugged cabin trip. Kept everyone's attention for hours!
6 reviews
January 26, 2025
This was an inspirational book by a remarkable man. I’m not a huge fan of the way his family has run his business since Mr. Cathy passed. He seemed like a genuinely good man that was generous with his wealth and lived by his faith
233 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2024
Be a positive influence on all who come in contact with your work.
Profile Image for Honeybee.
400 reviews16 followers
April 18, 2015
Although I can't eat at Chick-Fil-A because their products contain MSG, I have always admired its founder, S. Truett Cathy, for running his business according to Christian principles. Reading this book has given me even greater respect and appreciation for both the founder and the company he built. It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail is an inspiring memoir of how God taught Cathy to be a “winner” and how he has inspired other winners throughout his life.

Although this book is not in chronological order like a biography, it is filled with vignettes of Truett's personal background and how Chick-Fil-A was started and grew through the years. You learn how this man, with just a high school education, went from selling soda pop to neighbors for pennies apiece to running one of the most successful fast-food restaurants in the world. He shares not only the work ethic, perseverance and creativity that earned his success, but also how he has invested in others through his home and family, his church, educational scholarships, training programs and charitable works.

Learn about the mission statement that provided the turning point for the company during an economic slump. See how, unlike typical fast-food chains, Chick-fil-A has a low turn-over rate in the management and workers of their stores, because of their sound business model, solid training of their independent Operators and the way they value and motivate employees. The company has experienced tremendous blessing from God and support from the general public, because Truett has maintained a commitment to running his business in a way that honors God, respects others and adheres to biblical principles.

The price of the book is worth it to learn how Truett raised his three children to be leaders in his company and on the mission field. Leading by example, he and his Operators have not only built a successful business, but they have shaped many new leaders. Consistently refusing to open on Sundays, despite pressure to do otherwise, the company has exceeded sales of competitors because of their good food, great service and the way they value their customers and employees. The last chapter, "Important Things Do Not Change," is probably the best part, as Truett wraps up by explaining the importance of instruction, influence and image.

If you want to learn more about how a godly man can balance home, work and service, It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail is for you. I recommend it to teachers, coaches, parents and business persons--as well as anyone who has or wants to have a greater impact on others.
187 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2012
The book was a quick read and had many solid life principles in it. Mr. Cathy shares his life story and it is not an easy one.

Mr. Cathy shares about success and how it relates to his relationship with his master (God), mate (Jeanette) and his mission (serving people through Chick-fil-A). He shares the Dwarf House and Chick-fil-A story and how he went from one store to many.

He talks about his principles, such as, being closed on Sundays. I like that he quotes Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" and that the tone of the book is how to do something we are passionate about rather than quick money.

Profile Image for Corey A. Jones.
54 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2013
Truett Cathy sees the world in black and white. Where as most of us make things so complicated, he's able to break the world down to a simple "This is right and that is wrong." This book will let you inside his head a little. You will learn how he treats his employees very well and how he expects them to treat the customers the same. Most of it is repeated in his later books, "It's Better to Build Boys than to Mend Men" and "Eat More Chikin" which are both probably better written. This book, however, does give some insight to the early success of Chick Fil A in the pre-cow era.
34 reviews
June 12, 2011
If you've ever wondered why a Chick-fil-a sandwich is so good, the recipe of success is in this book.
Profile Image for Eeyore.
49 reviews58 followers
May 17, 2013
hmmm. A good read...Reminded me of a few things but not sure it taught me anything.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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