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The Process Is The Product
Here's the lesson Paul Shirley has it doesn’t matter if it’s professional sports, writing, public speaking, engineering, or acting—there will never be enough money, fame, or success to justify all the work if you can’t enjoy the work itself. You have to fall in love with the process.
In The Process Is The Product, Paul shares the stories of failure and rebirth that have taught him this lesson with one goal in helping you fall in love with your process so you can find meaning, finish projects, and accomplish the goals you set for yourself.
Featuring plenty of humor, humility, and outside sources, this is a book designed to equip readers with the tools to break big projects into smaller tasks while learning to love the work along the way.
In The Process Is The Product, Paul shares the stories of failure and rebirth that have taught him this lesson with one goal in helping you fall in love with your process so you can find meaning, finish projects, and accomplish the goals you set for yourself.
Featuring plenty of humor, humility, and outside sources, this is a book designed to equip readers with the tools to break big projects into smaller tasks while learning to love the work along the way.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2021
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Paul Shirley
17 books63 followersA former college and professional basketball player, Paul turned the stories of his travels and travails into a humor memoir called CAN I KEEP MY JERSEY?
He followed that with STORIES I TELL ON DATES, which also became a renowned podcast of the same name.
Paul's third book -- and first novel -- was BALL BOY, about a kid named Gray Taylor whose single mother moves Gray from Los Angeles to small-town Kansas, where he finds basketball as a way to fit in...and save the town.
Next came a return to nonfiction with THE PROCESS IS THE PRODUCT, a book that leans on his sports and writing pasts to help readers break big projects into achievable tasks and fall in love with their day-to-day.
Most recently, Paul authored his second novel, DAVID, about a rock band of the same name.
Paul lives in Denver, where he runs The Process, a co-working space and productivity consultancy.
He followed that with STORIES I TELL ON DATES, which also became a renowned podcast of the same name.
Paul's third book -- and first novel -- was BALL BOY, about a kid named Gray Taylor whose single mother moves Gray from Los Angeles to small-town Kansas, where he finds basketball as a way to fit in...and save the town.
Next came a return to nonfiction with THE PROCESS IS THE PRODUCT, a book that leans on his sports and writing pasts to help readers break big projects into achievable tasks and fall in love with their day-to-day.
Most recently, Paul authored his second novel, DAVID, about a rock band of the same name.
Paul lives in Denver, where he runs The Process, a co-working space and productivity consultancy.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 12, 2021
Process. Process. Process.
Paul Shirley nails it. A perfect synthesis of other great works on the subject, coupled with his own experience, gets you excited to start your own process. And feel like you have the tools to execute and stay on the path.
Paul Shirley nails it. A perfect synthesis of other great works on the subject, coupled with his own experience, gets you excited to start your own process. And feel like you have the tools to execute and stay on the path.
August 12, 2024
I am not sure what I thought this book would be, but I definitely didn't expect what it turned out to be. A page turner.
The author, ex-NBA player Paul Shirley, delves deep into habit building but takes it a step further - referring to a chain of habits as a process- and then, the arch-achievement of anyone who hates wasting time, stacking one process over the other, creating a well-managed life where going through the motions brings the joy, not the elusive end goal.
Now, that was a long sentence I'd rather not re-read. Also, I might have not summed up his message well, but this book truly is worth your time.
Added bonus are the honest, self-disclosing, and sometimes self-deprecating comments about his life.
The author, ex-NBA player Paul Shirley, delves deep into habit building but takes it a step further - referring to a chain of habits as a process- and then, the arch-achievement of anyone who hates wasting time, stacking one process over the other, creating a well-managed life where going through the motions brings the joy, not the elusive end goal.
Now, that was a long sentence I'd rather not re-read. Also, I might have not summed up his message well, but this book truly is worth your time.
Added bonus are the honest, self-disclosing, and sometimes self-deprecating comments about his life.
January 17, 2026
Perhaps the best book I have ever read.
I was first introduced to Paul at a solopreneur summit where he was a speaker. The last speaker of the day, actually, and I went into the session a bit tired and ready to call it a day. Paul’s talk was engaging and informative, and I was glued. He mentioned this book, and I immediately bought it. I couldn’t put it down. The book is packed with useful actionable advice, without being too prescriptive or stuffy. I for one am very grateful to Paul for sharing his knowledge with the world!
I was first introduced to Paul at a solopreneur summit where he was a speaker. The last speaker of the day, actually, and I went into the session a bit tired and ready to call it a day. Paul’s talk was engaging and informative, and I was glued. He mentioned this book, and I immediately bought it. I couldn’t put it down. The book is packed with useful actionable advice, without being too prescriptive or stuffy. I for one am very grateful to Paul for sharing his knowledge with the world!
December 13, 2022
Paul has a different take on staying motivated that I've found very helpful since implementing his strategy in my daily routine. Strategy probably isn't the best word to describe it, I would say it's more of a philosophy. Anyway, I've gotten more accomplished with my art and writing projects the last 3 months than I have the last 2 years combined. I highly recommend!!
April 22, 2023
Great concepts, the last two chapters of the book were the best. The book is succinct, and gave me a few nuggets to think about with how I work. My favorite was the comparison of adult life to video games, the older you get, the harder life becomes, but we have more skills to handle all of these things!
February 8, 2023
Succinct and very relatable.
August 12, 2024
Great read.
December 9, 2024
The best books are both entertaining and get the message across without wasting your time!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews