Against All Odds

By Francis Taye

If you're looking to fire your boss, attain your own greatness, achieve a healthier and happier life, AGAINST ALL ODDS will deliver the motivation, with takeaway lessons written by a man who learned early in life not to wait for permission to pursue his dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyon Sim
• Release date: Jul 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386745099

Book preview

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Copyright @ 2017 Francis

Taye 366 Upper East Coast Road #03-03

Villas Laguna Singapore 466472

ISBN: 978-981-11-3692-4

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher and authors.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

FRANCIS TAYE

The journey of Francis Taye is an amazing journey, and I feel blessed to have witnessed what he has accomplished by implementing what he teaches in this book. When I think of Francis I definitely think of the ABCs of Success. The 3 key words Attitude, Belief, and Confidence truly are words that describe Francis, and these are the characteristics that have made him such a success. In the book, Francis mentions me as a mentor to him. While I greatly appreciate being called one of his mentors, the truth is I have learned just as much from him as he has from me. A good leader must be a good follower, and many times over the years I have followed Francis. I encourage you to not only read this book but put into action what you read. As you learn from his journey your circumstances do not matter because anything is possible if you implement the ABCs of Success.

Trey Herron - 15K Executive President's Team member

Herbalife International

I have known Francis since 1998 and have always admired his commitment to his faith, family and helping others reach their full potential. I love how he has shared his journey with the simple basics (ABC) Attitude, Belief and Confidence. This is a must read for anyone that wants to overcome their road block in achieving success.

Kim Broemer - Author of The Magic of Written Goals,

Managing Director, Kim Broemer & Associates Pty Ltd

I'm humbled by the opportunity to share a few words about my friend Francis. We met through business endeavours over 11 years ago and became a family. Francis is a husband, a family man, a leader of leaders and a real friend. By reading this book, you the reader, will have an opportunity to relate, learn, believe and get inspired into taking charge of your own future. Francis is proof that it doesn't matter the hand you are dealt, all that matters is your Attitude, Beliefs and Confidence! As Francis says: Against All Odds

Shai Nafte - Executive President's Team member

Herbalife International

You will get what you want in life if you will help enough other people to get what they want.

- Zig Ziglar

I dedicate this book to my three beautiful daughters;

Jessica, Priscilla and Sheryl

I hope that this book will be a gift and legacy for them towards their future.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Pastor Francis Ng

Introduction: Who Am I And Why Should You Listen To Me?

Chapter One: How To Succeed In Anything

Chapter Two: Reinvent Yourself

Chapter Three: Focus Your Desires

Images

Chapter Four: The Power Of Your Thoughts

Chapter Five: Getting A Real Job

Chapter Six: To Sell To The Head, Speak To The Heart

Chapter Seven: Perfection Can Be Rehearsed

Chapter Eight: To Stand Out, Stand Up

Chapter Nine: Cultivate A Champion's Mindset

Epilogue: The Formula For An Extraordinary Life

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Co-Author

FOREWORD

Wow, wow, wow! Francis and Marisa have an amazing story and I am so privileged to have played a little part in their exciting journey.

I first met Francis and Marisa in the year 2000 and they were in a really bad situation. Despite their circumstances, what impressed me was Francis' spirit of humility; it is not an easy thing for a successful entrepreneur who had lived the high life before, to take instructions from an ordinary pastor. But Francis laid aside his pride to listen to advice and just do it!

Over the years, I have seen how he has put into practice Biblical principles, teachings, and practical advice. Truly, a transformation had taken place! A once-defeated businessman who lost everything had begun to pick up the pieces, becoming a man who believed that all things are possible. More importantly, he dared to dream again.

This story is a real-life experience that many have gone through, and are still going through. Sadly, not many take advantage of such painful lessons to rise higher and become even more successful like Francis. Many chose to lay on the ground, beaten and defeated, blaming everyone and everything.

This book is a must-read for anyone who desires to succeed, and for those going through a crisis. Francis and Marisa's testimony will inspire you to pick yourself up and dream your dreams again.

Pastor Francis Ng

Senior Pastor, Tabernacle of Christ

INTRODUCTION

Who Am I And Why Should You Listen To Me?

Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

- Denis Waitley

20 years of sheer hard work and in a mere year, it was all gone. I watched, helpless as the Thai baht rapidly declined in value while the Tom Yum Goong crisis swept through Southeast Asia in 1997. I was right in its epicentre and when the banks finally came knocking, I had no choice. I had to declare bankruptcy. 20 years of the high life, but it was time to cut my losses and return home.

Thailand was where I made and lost my first fortune but it was Singapore where I laid down its foundations. And where I later made my money again. I came from your standard middle-class Singaporean family of that age. Dad was an electrical engineer with the Singapore Traction Company, and Mum was a housewife. Households could still do that at that time, one sole breadwinner and a stay-at-home mother looking after the children. There were four of us kids, I was second after my eldest sister, and two younger brothers came after.

It's a good thing that my parents never pressured me to become a lawyer, a doctor or an engineer, because school was not really my thing. O Levels done and off I went to live in the real world. I was 16, working sales at the supermarket and even a stint working construction jobs at the prompting of a friend. Anything that was challenging enough, I would take up just to have a little taste, a little colour to add to my life's experiences. By the time I was a teenager, I was already independent and on my own. My parents understood that I knew how to take care of myself, and all this even before I enlisted for National Service¹.

Four years I spent with