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The Success Paradox: How to Surrender & Win in Business and in Life

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The Success Paradox is the improbable story of a life and business transformed, told in a warmly authentic style that “I hit rock bottom, I surrendered, I began doing the opposite of what I’d been doing before, miracles happened, and here’s what you can learn from my journey.”


With riveting personal details that illuminate his discoveries, Gary details how he defied the odds – not just to survive but to thrive - by implementing a series of paradoxical strategies, fundamentally opposite to anything he’d ever done before. The result is an inspiring book about what happened to him and a blueprint for readers to experience how to surrender and win in business and life.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

48 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read

About the author

Gary C. Cooper

1 book3 followers

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5 stars
24 (42%)
4 stars
14 (25%)
3 stars
10 (17%)
2 stars
6 (10%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,221 reviews13 followers
June 16, 2023
The Success Paradox was framed as "the improbable story of a life and business transformed, told in a warmly authentic style." This concept appealed to me, and the Forbes name on the cover led me to assume it would be a credible and well written business book. Unfortunately, it didn't go where I was expecting it to.

Perhaps I should have been tipped off my the use of the word "miracle" in the author's pull quote, but it didn't raise the red flag with me that it should have. I even checked out the website, which doesn't give a nod to how heavy in religious ideals the book will be. This book is VERY heavy on religious context. Much too heavy for my liking. I feel that it would have been much better shelved with religious beliefs somewhere in the tags, and will likely resonate more with the religious subset of business owners. Because I was open to being proven wrong, I did force my way through the book hoping maybe it was just a brief mention at the start, but I was proven wrong chapter after chapter.

It reads and presents itself very much like the Alcoholics Anonymous materials, with the exception of 13 steps (or paradoxes) vs 10. They are as follows:
1 - Surrender and win. (Surrender to a higher power)
2 - Father is child to the man.
3 - We are the world. (Here, at least he acknowledges the world isn’t flat)
4 - Profit before profit. (Social profit before monetary profit.)
5 - You can’t get here from there. (Find your why.)
6 - Never enough time to do things right, but always time to do them over.
7 - Give to receive, receive to give. (Share the wealth.)
8 - Get what we need when we quit trying to get what we want. (Be grateful for what you have.)
9 - High is low, low is high. (What is your addiction costing you? [Social media])
10 - We can change our past from the future. (Memories change when you become authentic.)
11 - Reality is an act of creation - yours. (Life is what you make it.)
12 - Believing is seeing. (You can be blinded to the obvious - change beliefs, and your perception changes.)
13 - Means determine the end. (Everything you do influences what happens.)

One thing I will say in the 'pro' column, is that if this religious empowerment speaks to you, that the worksheets are well done and likely helpful if this is something you're interested in.

There are things in this book that could be helpful to someone. However, there are also things that could be extremely hurtful (specifically relating to Cooper insisting that everyone had a 'happy' childhood and it's just their mindset that made things go south) and makes this book seem a lot more like religious rhetoric and whitewashing than may or may not be intended.

All in, I can't say this book appeals to me at all, and I'm sorry that I spent time with it under false pretenses.

Thank you NetGalley and Forbes Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Morgan Young.
133 reviews32 followers
December 19, 2023
I find this book a bit tricky to rate. If I view this book as one man's account of his personal life and experiences, then it's a 3/5, because pieces of his personal story were glossed over, but the life events he did write about were very well written and interesting to read.

If I view this book as a Christian testimonial/overcomer presentation and imagine that he has been invited to the front of the church to give his testimony during a service, then the book is a 5/5 because from this pov the book is 100℅ thorough. All that is missing is the claps and "Amens" from the congregation.

If I view this book as a self help book to help me in my own life, then the book becomes a 1/5 as many parts of the book are either impossible to relate to, rip offs of other self help programs, or a mass of quotes by famous people presented without context.
The worksheet and scale quizzes are akin to something one would find in a pre-internet magazine subscription. Remember those? The woman took a quiz in a magazine and rates her marriage status, sex appeal etc to the resulting numerical score, but it was for fun alone. This book is kind of like that.
Profile Image for Píaras Cíonnaoíth.
Author 143 books206 followers
June 16, 2023
An authentic journey of personal and professional transformation...

Gary C. Cooper shares a remarkable and authentic journey of personal and professional transformation in “The Success Paradox.” Through vivid storytelling, he candidly reveals his own rock bottom moments and the pivotal decision to surrender and embrace a radically different approach. In this inspiring account, Gary defies the odds and not only survives but thrives by implementing paradoxical strategies that challenge conventional wisdom.

With genuine openness, Gary unveils the profound insights he gained along the way, offering readers a blueprint to surrender and triumph in both business and life. Through riveting personal details, he illustrates the power of embracing opposing strategies, ones that stand in stark contrast to his previous actions. The paradoxes he presents become beacons of hope, guiding readers towards their own transformations, and unlocking their hidden potential.

“The Success Paradox” is more than a memoir; it is a guidebook for those seeking to break free from self-limiting patterns and achieve extraordinary results. Gary's story serves as a testament to the miracles that can unfold when we courageously challenge the status quo and adopt a mindset of surrender. His authentic style and relatable experiences make this book a compelling read that will resonate deeply with readers from all walks of life.

In this book, Gary C. Cooper shares his hard-won wisdom, providing practical tools and strategies for readers to implement in their own lives. By following his guidance, readers can navigate the paradoxes they encounter, turning challenges into opportunities and setbacks into successes. With each turn of the page, “The Success Paradox” inspires and empowers, reminding us that surrendering can lead to the most profound victories in business and in life. Very highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars.
Profile Image for Musharrat Zahin.
418 reviews499 followers
March 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Success Paradox is part memoir, part motivational guide, as Gary C. Cooper shares his personal and professional journey through hardship, self-reflection, and eventual transformation. The message at the core—surrendering to grow and succeed—is undeniably powerful and important. I appreciated the author’s willingness to be vulnerable and transparent about his struggles, especially in a world where business success is often painted as linear or solely achievement-based.

That said, the book didn’t quite work for me. While I could see the good intentions and sincerity behind the message, I found the content to be overly repetitive and somewhat surface-level in its approach. The paradoxes mentioned—while intriguing in concept—weren’t always clearly defined or explored in depth. I felt like there was more telling than showing, and the insights often lacked the practical grounding I was hoping for.

Much of the book centers on mindset shifts and emotional/spiritual reflection, which might appeal more to readers looking for an introspective or faith-driven narrative. I was hoping for more actionable tools, especially in a business context. At times, the tone veered a little too close to self-help clichés without offering enough fresh perspective to stand out in a very saturated genre.

One of the stronger points was the emphasis on authenticity and values-based leadership, and I do think some readers will connect deeply with Gary’s story and message. It just didn’t resonate with me the way I hoped it would.

Overall, while The Success Paradox presents some thoughtful ideas and a heartfelt journey, I found it lacking in depth and practical application. A well-meaning book, but not one that left a lasting impression on me.

Profile Image for Amit Bharti.
185 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2024
This book offers valuable insights into how life’s challenges can be transformed into life-changing opportunities by shifting our mindset. The author shares personal anecdotes that make the content relatable and engaging for readers.

✴️The lessons serve as a practical guide for learning how to surrender and succeed in both business and life. By presenting values drawn from diverse life experiences, the author introduces thirteen paradoxes that challenge conventional notions of success and encourage readers to prioritize what truly matters for growth.

The book emphasizes three key principles:
1. Be Authentic
2. Do Good
3. Do Well

It simplifies the "success paradox" lifestyle into three actionable steps:
1. Be
2. Do
3. Share

The central idea of The Success Paradox is that success is about being rather than becoming.

✴️A recurring theme in the book is the importance of authenticity, which influences everything we do. Cooper highlights the significance of helping others and embracing core philosophical values. Drawing from his life experiences, he demonstrates how doing good for others fosters prosperity, happiness, and fulfillment. The book also emphasizes creating a legacy grounded in simplicity and a commitment to collective well-being, which enhances leadership skills, shapes personality, and leads to a more meaningful life.

✴️I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone feeling stuck in their growth or beliefs. It provides actionable strategies to turn challenges into opportunities and cultivates a mindset geared toward personal development and transformation.
Profile Image for Steven Finkelstein.
995 reviews12 followers
September 29, 2024
In virtually anything a person might do, there is what is considered to be the conventional or standard methodology. The world at large dictates that this is the way you should go about your business. However, sometimes, in order to find success, you must try something new. You may even have to do some things that are directly contradictory to what normal thinking tells you.

This is the story of how one man did exactly that. Not finding the success he was looking for in the business world, he decided to subvert expectations and try some unconventional techniques. He was not entirely successful at first, but his instincts eventually paid off. You can take a great many lessons from what he learned when he decided to embrace strategies that seemed little less than paradoxical. The book is written in a highly engaging, relatable way. Regardless of what you do for a living, you’ll find plenty of wisdom in this lighthearted memoir.
Profile Image for Daniel Moreno.
845 reviews16 followers
October 5, 2024
I am really very happy with what this book taught me

If I told you that you can achieve success under a basic foundation of our lives such as surrender, would you believe me? Well, this book is based on this; everything we see here is a revolutionary way to achieve what we call or consider success in our lives. I know it sounds like a crazy idea, but it really isn't when we delve into the life of Cooper and his business that faced ideals totally opposite to the "normal" approaches to life. I really liked this book, I consider it to be quite revolutionary and how good it is to have these stories that are told to us and that are lived by the author makes it much more enriching than normal books. I am really very happy with what this book taught me and how I can apply it in my life.
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,483 reviews28 followers
October 4, 2024
Highly recommended!
“The Success Paradox” is a life teaching book penned by Gary C. Cooper. Along the pages, Gary shares his own experiences related to his personal life and business.
Gary used to do everything in his own way, following a certain path but after reaching a turning point where he found that there was no way out, he transformed everything by changing some patterns. He was inspired by other people’s experiences, quotes, and songs that teach him a lesson. What I found after reading this is a collection of wise ideas, that together with the experience, make something inspirational. Everything is explained in detail and in an engaging way leaving readers with a lot to think about life and work. I thoroughly recommend it.



Profile Image for Saya Jacaranda.
755 reviews11 followers
October 4, 2024
This is enticing to read

What an amazing book to have! I was surely mesmerized by this read. It offers a huge amount of very helpful insights and tips about finding your own, individual way to self realization. And that’s what I loved about this book. It doesn’t offer one ultimate solution for everyone. It actually guides you towards your own path. It’s all about getting to know yourself, the situation you are in and where you want to go and who you want to be. I have to say this is enticing to read. You will be able to work through some worksheets and learn very important fundaments and paradoxes about finding the so-called happiness. The diagrams are just amazing as well. They help to visualize the theory.
Profile Image for Laura.
280 reviews5 followers
Read
September 30, 2024
How to be authentic in business

Most of these "how to succeed in business" books are about the author and how great they are and how their greatness drove them to be a success in their great business. This book might technically be the same, but it feels and reads different. The writing is more casual and conversational, there are jokes and stories scattered throughout, and the author makes no secret of his poor and unhealthy behavior in the past. The whole concept of the book is to let go of conventional wisdom when it comes to business, and by doing that, you will fulfil what you were truly meant to be (and also become rich and successful).
Profile Image for Ivan M.
838 reviews22 followers
October 3, 2024
This book applies differently to every person who reads it, at least that's what happened to me. I didn´t see myself in some chapters of the autobiography, but it gave me invaluable knowledge about managing and business strategies, and a valuable lesson about fighting against the current.

Overall, it was an interesting read. The life of the author took a serious change after realizing the unhealthy and unfulfilling life he was living, and after a wake-up call from the doctor, he decided to take action and restructure the business model he was trapped in. Recommended for the reader who is into leadership and entrepreneurship, I think it can provide powerful ideas.
Profile Image for Mariana.
653 reviews12 followers
October 4, 2024
A completely inspiring book. It's been a long time since a book managed to leave me with a smile on my face and ready to embark on a new path like this one did, which is why I recommend it. I like that it is very personal and that made me connect much more deeply with the story and the findings, the book shows the author's experiences and how after hitting rock bottom and deciding that that was it, life showed him that things can change as long as you change too, that doing things differently can lead to better results and a fulfilling life. Incredible reading, it motivated me a lot to do different things to generate the success I hoped for. I found it incredible and very well written.
Profile Image for Camilo.
403 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2024
Great book

Undoubtedly, this is an increasingly relevant book due to the speed of the everyday world and the high competition in all aspects of life related to success. This makes that in many occasions the individual can generate false beliefs in relation to success and the achievement of it. For this reason, this book is important for any type of person regardless of age, on the contrary, the younger the reader is, the more important it is to read it. This book, which in turn can be interpreted as a guide, invites the reader to a constant reflection on his life and the way in which he is facing his challenges. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
June 17, 2023
Surrender for success

This book is chock-full of quotes, anecdotes and advice. Imagine finally getting what you want once you stop working to get what you want. A paradox for sure, but that is what this book will lead you through. The author writes about his own personal experience with surrendering and there are multiple checklists in this book that you can use to help you understand the principles. 13 chapters and 13 paradoxes are here detailing different ones in each chapter. I enjoyed this book and found it gave me plenty food for thought.
Profile Image for Arun Narayanaswamy.
481 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2025
A mixed bag on this. Though the content packs a punch, the way it’s structured seems disjoint and confusing. Most stories are incomplete or assumes we can guess the outcome.
The author really sounds humble in his achievements at times, but brags a lot too.
Moving from a ceo to a chairman isn’t getting fired. It’s called promotion, so we should not use that to say it was an achieve my to fire himself.
15 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2024
I applaud the author for being so vulnerable in this book as he discusses his downward spiral and then redemption. While there were some good nuggets of wisdom here, generally, it was common sense wrapped up in a new paradigm. Be true to yourself, be a good person, etc. No life changing lessons here but a new way to look at the lessons that every grandmother teaches.
Profile Image for Daniel Gibson.
18 reviews
October 11, 2025
This is just such an average book.

There’s tiny bits now and again that are good but it is just littered with quotes and scoresheets.

It just felt so repetitive to read and I don’t think most of this was applicable or particularly enjoyable or helpful to read.

I can’t really be bothered to review it in depth, I’m just glad I can get onto something a little more engaging again.
3 reviews
October 5, 2023
I don’t really did a book filled with quotes from other famous people—it doesn’t feel authentic. This seems like a book that tries to explain that you should be nice to people, which must be a new concept for rich people. This is not new for the rest of us. I guess I don’t see that as a paradox.
Profile Image for Cory Wallace.
527 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2023
What a story about Gary. He hit rock bottom and clawed his way back up by letting go of some of the things he wanted to have total control. In life, we must do that to have that inner peace.
59 reviews
February 21, 2024
A good read. Many concepts are similar to other similar books. The original content is anecdotal. The theme is relaxed productivity which, whole valuable, is not a new concept.
Profile Image for Kimberlyisaddicted2books .
193 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2024
This book has changed my life for the better. The author, Will, has changed my life for the better. I highly recommend it to anyone who is wondering why their way isn't working and someone open to figuring out how to use their energy for the better.
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