and the power of practice, and Black Box Thinking, which details a new approach to high performance, had messages that parents suggested were also impor- tant for children to hear, so Syed decided to debunk the myths about success and achievement for children. “In a world which is filled with realit television and perfect images on social media, I think that many children can get a distorted view of what it really takes to be successful,” says Syed. “I felt I wanted to show children that there is a path to success that could be available to anyone, regardless of their background, if they are willing to embrace the hard work that it might entail.”
Syed has children of his own—aged five and six—that he hopes to inspire with the book. “I definitely want them to be willing to figure out what their own dreams are and not be afraid to fail in pursuit of those. I also want them to understand that real success doesn’t happen easily, and requires determination and effort.”
T
he book uses famous examples including that of Mozart, Serena Williams and Michael Jordan, but one story that stands out is that of book trade stalwart J K Rowling, a single parent who faced multiple rejections and roadblocks when she was writing her global smash hit series of Harry Poter books. “Her resilience and positive atitude to failure really epitomises the spirit I hope to capture with [protagonist] Kid Awesome in the book. I admire her belief in her idea, her focus on her goal and, most importantly, her determination to work as hard as it took to achieve it,” says Syed.
her goal and, d as it t
Alongside using examples of famous people for inspiration in the book, it is largely Syed’s own stories that resonate the most with readers. A story he tells about a running course around his house that he used to race with his brother, called The Block, “trig- gered many brilliant leters from children who live nearby and have gone to try it out!” Syed also enjoyed retelling the st
inspiration in the most with
FURTHER READING...
Matthew Syed’s You Are Awesome was published by Wren & Rook in April 2018. He has also written two self-improvement books for grown-ups to date, Bounce and Black Box Thinking.
bus trip to the wrong Bergen— there are two, and Syed went to the one in Germany when he ought to have gone to the one in Norway. “It is a funny story— although it was quite concerning for my Mum at the time—but also
he story of his rong Bergen— nd Syed went many when he ne t
the one
has a serious message about the destinations and goals we choose to pursue and the route we take to get there.” Winning the British Book Award for Children’s Illustrated &
Non-Fiction is positive recognition for an important book, and also helps to shine a light on the importance of this genre of non-fiction
32
I WANT CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THAT REAL SUCCESS DOESN’T HAPPEN EASILY, AND REQUIRES DETERMINATION AND EFFORT
und his house race with his e Block, “trig- nt leters from e nearby and out!” Syed also y of his
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