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Become the Fire: Transform Life’s Chaos into Business and Personal Success
Gold Medal Winner for motivational nonfiction, Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards
TURN OBSTACLES INTO FUEL FOR FULFILLMENT AND SUCCESS
What does it mean to become the fire ? It means not allowing yourself to be in the fire of life’s challenges, getting burned, but instead using the fire to ignite your motivation and drive, passion and grit. It means not focusing on what you don’t have or can’t do, but instead leveraging what you do have and can do . It means using your differences to your advantage and seeing life’s chaos as fuel to propel your success. Using her own story of entrepreneurial success as well as interviews with ten diverse and successful women, Elisa Schmitz presents ten actionable lessons for putting your personal power to work, with unstoppable results.
TURN OBSTACLES INTO FUEL FOR FULFILLMENT AND SUCCESS
What does it mean to become the fire ? It means not allowing yourself to be in the fire of life’s challenges, getting burned, but instead using the fire to ignite your motivation and drive, passion and grit. It means not focusing on what you don’t have or can’t do, but instead leveraging what you do have and can do . It means using your differences to your advantage and seeing life’s chaos as fuel to propel your success. Using her own story of entrepreneurial success as well as interviews with ten diverse and successful women, Elisa Schmitz presents ten actionable lessons for putting your personal power to work, with unstoppable results.
312 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2022
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2022
Many years ago I was a tired, stressed, overworked mom of two young girls whose husband worked out of town. I'd just started commercial real estate training. I started a blog outside of real estate, and it was exciting to be online and see what would happen. Writing after the kids went to bed was therapy for me. One day I received a message to reach out to Elisa Schmitz and write for her at her startup, 30Second Mom. My first thought was, "Who me?” But I did it anyway. Courage whispered, "Why not me?"
To my surprise, she replied! I’ve been writing parenting and real estate tips ever since, for the company that she has grown into 30Seconds. I am so thankful for such a strong support system helping me turn my attitude and our lives around! Elisa and my peers taught me I didn’t have to be perfect. I didn’t need to overthink my plans. They were all learning and growing, same as me. In fact, failure was no longer just an option; it was almost wished for so we could pick up from the lessons that failure taught us and go again (as crazy as it sounds). These are some of the lessons Elisa shares in her new book, Become the Fire.
Elisa and the 30Seconds contributors formed a bond, from all walks of life and phases of our journeys. It’s because of that crew, and Elisa herself, I can sit outside on the patio tonight bundled up reading Elisa’s book, Become the Fire, take this makeup-free selfie, and tell you how thankful I am for it, with confidence. It’s because of them I have been able to grow and be confident in my real estate career, parenting and my personal life. The “Why not me?” became my mantra.
So much of this mindset is in Elisa's book, Become the Fire. It’s amazing. She is amazing. I encourage you to read it. Flex your confidence muscle, too! Learn from her, and from the women she highlights throughout her book, that everyone is the same. Seizing the opportunity is the difference. Not birthright, Ivy League schools or rich parents, but effort! You can do it!
I am thankful for my 30Seconds friendships that have influenced me beyond my wildest dreams, and how they have impacted my life. I’m thankful for every meetup, failure, conversation, tips I’ve written and tips I’ve read, the courage all of that gave me in my real estate business here at home, my writing passion and the opportunity to be part of it. And when you read Elisa's book, you'll be a part of it, too!
To my surprise, she replied! I’ve been writing parenting and real estate tips ever since, for the company that she has grown into 30Seconds. I am so thankful for such a strong support system helping me turn my attitude and our lives around! Elisa and my peers taught me I didn’t have to be perfect. I didn’t need to overthink my plans. They were all learning and growing, same as me. In fact, failure was no longer just an option; it was almost wished for so we could pick up from the lessons that failure taught us and go again (as crazy as it sounds). These are some of the lessons Elisa shares in her new book, Become the Fire.
Elisa and the 30Seconds contributors formed a bond, from all walks of life and phases of our journeys. It’s because of that crew, and Elisa herself, I can sit outside on the patio tonight bundled up reading Elisa’s book, Become the Fire, take this makeup-free selfie, and tell you how thankful I am for it, with confidence. It’s because of them I have been able to grow and be confident in my real estate career, parenting and my personal life. The “Why not me?” became my mantra.
So much of this mindset is in Elisa's book, Become the Fire. It’s amazing. She is amazing. I encourage you to read it. Flex your confidence muscle, too! Learn from her, and from the women she highlights throughout her book, that everyone is the same. Seizing the opportunity is the difference. Not birthright, Ivy League schools or rich parents, but effort! You can do it!
I am thankful for my 30Seconds friendships that have influenced me beyond my wildest dreams, and how they have impacted my life. I’m thankful for every meetup, failure, conversation, tips I’ve written and tips I’ve read, the courage all of that gave me in my real estate business here at home, my writing passion and the opportunity to be part of it. And when you read Elisa's book, you'll be a part of it, too!
November 19, 2022
Sometimes I’ll glaze through the intro of a book to get to the “meat.” In “Become the Fire,” you are pulled in from the intro. The intro is the meat and it only gets better. Elisa writes in such a way that you feel like a good friend has put an arm around you. Her been there, done that accounts, stories and advice, you know you’re really getting something out of this book. Elisa welcomes you into her world, and you truly know she cares and is pulling for you. She wants you to succeed. She wants you to shine. It’s like sharing stories and learning from your BFF. The book is written in a very reader-friendly way, and the stories of the 10 featured women really do inspire. This is a must-have book for anyone who wants to move ahead and thrive in their business and personal life.
October 31, 2022
Become the Fire, in addition to being an easy and engaging read, provides motivation to get out there and DO—not by just ignoring obstacles, but by using them as fuel for a personal fire to accomplish good things. It is a celebration of “otherness”— those qualities that set us apart from others that are often seen as obstacles to getting where we want to go. Elisa shows how to use those qualities instead as building blocks to achieve what we want in life.
Elisa’s personal story is fascinating and woven into each chapter, and her story alone makes for compelling reading. Time and time again, she has been in the right place at the right time to meet the right people or create the next “thing” she’s decided to do. Sometimes, that timing is by random circumstance, but often it is because she’s figured out the next best place she needs to be—and she goes for it. She uses her experience to illustrate and motivate readers into seeing how they can put themselves and their own stories into a way of becoming the fire—rather than being consumed by it.
My favorite lesson in the book is the notion of “abundance mindset,” as opposed to a “scarcity mindset”—that there is more than enough success to go around, and one person’s success doesn’t have to be at the expense of another’s. How different the world might be if we were all working to help each other succeed!
Elisa’s personal story is fascinating and woven into each chapter, and her story alone makes for compelling reading. Time and time again, she has been in the right place at the right time to meet the right people or create the next “thing” she’s decided to do. Sometimes, that timing is by random circumstance, but often it is because she’s figured out the next best place she needs to be—and she goes for it. She uses her experience to illustrate and motivate readers into seeing how they can put themselves and their own stories into a way of becoming the fire—rather than being consumed by it.
My favorite lesson in the book is the notion of “abundance mindset,” as opposed to a “scarcity mindset”—that there is more than enough success to go around, and one person’s success doesn’t have to be at the expense of another’s. How different the world might be if we were all working to help each other succeed!
March 25, 2024
This is such a helpful read which will help you succeed in life. It has so many useful hints and tips which are easy to follow
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
October 18, 2022
Elisa Schmidt’s story is awe-inspiring and profoundly moving. She shows us that, yes, we’re all vulnerable—but our “weaknesses” are really our strengths and our “otherness,” a gift to harness our success. She reveals herself completely making her leadership-skills presentation all the more impactful. Her vulnerability and passion make so real the inner (and outer) work women must embrace to become our powerful, authentic selves. By reading about her travails, and those of other extraordinary women, I understand how to use the chaos and “setbacks” in my life to become stronger, wiser, and more loving. And I love that Become the Fire speaks to women juggling career and parenting. You can’t get more real than that. I especially enjoyed learning how Elisa grew her innovative start-up 30 Seconds from an idea to the success it enjoys today. Her book has helped me define my business—and live my life more fully. G. Harris
May 7, 2024
I’m typically not a fan of motivational/business books, but I was familiar with the author through her website, 30seconds.com, and decided to give it a read. As it turns out, "Become the Fire" is not your ordinary motivational book!
Throughout the spot-on business and life advice (including be your authentic self, be courageous, be gritty, be viable, etc.), author Elisa Schmitz weaves in her own personal experiences and journey. Because I’m a sucker for a good story, her story along with those of 10 other female business leaders who have held high positions in companies like Ulta, Forever 21, Kraft and Starbucks make this book not only empowering but also a real page-turner! Win/win!
Many of the insights Elisa delivers in the book resonated with me. The one that struck the loudest chord was “When you love what you do, you’ll be passionate about it. And that passion you feel means you’ll never work a day in your life.” If you're striving for success and fulfillment, Elisa’s words can serve as a valuable roadmap for your career and your life in general.
I would recommend this book to young women who are just starting their careers or anyone who wants to use the trials, the roadblocks and the missteps – or in Elisa’s parlance, the “fires” in their lives – to their advantage. This book teaches you how to keep those fires from burning you, and instead how to become the fire to spark success!
Throughout the spot-on business and life advice (including be your authentic self, be courageous, be gritty, be viable, etc.), author Elisa Schmitz weaves in her own personal experiences and journey. Because I’m a sucker for a good story, her story along with those of 10 other female business leaders who have held high positions in companies like Ulta, Forever 21, Kraft and Starbucks make this book not only empowering but also a real page-turner! Win/win!
Many of the insights Elisa delivers in the book resonated with me. The one that struck the loudest chord was “When you love what you do, you’ll be passionate about it. And that passion you feel means you’ll never work a day in your life.” If you're striving for success and fulfillment, Elisa’s words can serve as a valuable roadmap for your career and your life in general.
I would recommend this book to young women who are just starting their careers or anyone who wants to use the trials, the roadblocks and the missteps – or in Elisa’s parlance, the “fires” in their lives – to their advantage. This book teaches you how to keep those fires from burning you, and instead how to become the fire to spark success!
November 21, 2022
This is not your typical career guidebook. Elisa A. Schmitz, founder of 30 Seconds, discusses how she has transformed the chaos and challenges of her life into business and personal success- and how we can, too. Reading her story is like reading a novel about a strong character who succeeds against all odds, one you find yourself rooting for. Schmitz discusses how we can learn from her story, how we can use our unique skills and our “otherness” to our advantage. She weaves her story throughout the book, giving the reader “sparks” (moments of reflection) and “flames” (affirmations) along the way. These additions make the book feel more interactive, almost as if the reader is having a conversation with the author. In addition, Schmitz interviews and shares advice from some of the world’s top female leaders. As I read I kept thinking “empowered women empower women.” That’s what Schmitz does with this book and that’s what the other diverse and successful women do with their advice; they’re empowering us all to “become the fire.” This book would make a great gift- for a college student, a small business owner, your dreamer friend, or yourself.
January 11, 2023
Become the Fire: Transform Life's Chaos into Business and Personal Success, by Elisa Schmitz has inspired me! Schmitz seamlessly weaved her personal and professional experiences (that immediately hooked this reader) as she described her life’s journeys in Beirut, the streets of New York, and in the board room to help us learn how to ignite our own personal and/or professional success. She steps us through the key aspects of how anyone can be more and do more by being…aware, courageous, self-confident, authentic, (just to name a few key points)…and to wear your “stripes” with pride! I love how Schmitz not only shares her own personal journey, but she also shares the journeys of 10 highly successful women who became the fire! I felt like this book was talking directly to me! One key point for me is that failure can be the spark that can fuel the flame that will build the fire! If you are someone, like me, who has been afraid to start the fire, let this book spark your flame!
January 19, 2023
Become the Fire by Elisa A. Schmitz is a fantastic read for anyone that needs inspiration to be introspective and think about what you can do to start a successful business. I took notes as I went, answering the questions she asks within each chapter and highlighting some of the key aspects I want to develop in my own endeavors. The book reads as if you're having coffee with a friend who's taking the time to walk you through the steps she took to launch her businesses. Become the Fire will always be a resource I'll reach for when I need that extra motivation or to look back to see if maybe I've missed one of her great pieces of advice. Above all, I loved the simplicity of looking for opportunities all around and envisioning how to fill a need and make life better for others! Just that simple exercise alone in Elisa's book helped me to identify my next career in life -- to become a fitness trainer for peri-menopausal and menopausal women!
February 5, 2023
I needed to read this book right now. Elisa just gets it. I will make sure that my wife and two daughters read this book. There are so many valuable takeaways ("sparks" and "blazes") for your personal and professional life. I can't recommend this book enough. It will become my preferred gift to the friends and family in my life. If you want to see Elisa in action, visit and sign up for 30seconds.com. It's one of my favorite online brands.
April 2, 2024
I have read so many books in the D & I space and this one tops then all! If you are in a marginalized community or an ally, this is a must read! It is smooth and compelling as well as personal and motivational.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews