The Boston Rob Rulebook:
Strategies for Life
R & A Mariano Inc
ISBN 9780989338622
eISBN 9780989338615
ASIN B07XZNNGFH
Now first I am not much of a TV watcher, and even less reality TV. But my wife and youngest two children are big fans, They have watched Rob on Survivor, Deal or No Deal Island, and even Traitors. Rob has appeared on the following shows:
• Survivor: Marquesas
• Survivor: All-Stars
• The Amazing Race 7
• Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker
• Poker Dome Challenge
• The Amazing Race: All-Stars
• Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
• Survivor: Redemption Island
• The Price Is Right
• Survivor: Winners at War
• Deal or No Deal Island
• The Traitors
I have only seen a handful of episodes, and was usually sitting in the room reading. But recently someone mention he was a devout Catholic, and even shared images of his daughters receiving the sacraments. SO I took a look to see if he had a book. Appartely he has two, this volume an a cookbook called: ‘Boston Rob's Family Favorites’.
The description of this volume states:
“Boston Rob Mariano gained notoriety from his exploits on the hit CBS reality show "Survivor." The four-time player also gained a great deal of respect for his physical capabilities, social awareness, and his strategic, outside-the-box way of thinking. Now Mariano has compiled a list of personal life lessons in his first book, The Boston Rob Rulebook: Strategies for Life. Through his signature wit and no-nonsense personality, Mariano shares some of the wisdom he's gained over the years, both growing up in Boston and through his experiences and adventures as a reality TV personality, and how he's applied it to his life to find success and fulfillment. The result is a collection of solid, practical, straight-forward advice delivered with Mariano's distinctive voice and perspective.”
I keep hoping that someday come to print from NCIS in a collection of ‘Gibb’s Rules’, and I really enjoyed Lee Child’s Jack Reacher’s Rules. So I willingly gave this volume a try. The chapters in the book are:
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Know who you are.
Be adaptable.
Smarten up.
Nobody likes a crybaby.
Clean it up.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Turn the tables in your favor.
Be positive.
No man is an island.
Build'em up.
Zip it.
Be honest with yourself.
Be a risk taker.
Stay cool.
Pay attention.
Get organized.
Family comes first. Always.
Life is a social game.
Fake it until you make it.
Miscellaneous Stuff
Beware of the underdog.
"Tell me who you go with, and I'll tell you who you are."
Never tell her she looks "fine."
Never, ever, ever give up.
I highlighted a number of passages while reading this volume, some of them are:
“First of all, God. I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer. I've seen it work countless times, first-hand. This book itself is proof. The fact that a rulebook of my life strategies even exists is a mini-miracle in itself.”
“The following rules and strategies are ones I've compiled throughout my life thus far, growing up in a strong, loving, Italian family, in a no-nonsense, straightforward, loyal city like Boston. I came up with and collected these rules during my time growing up, as a student, working in construction, playing and coaching sports, as a TV personality, being a competitive poker player, being a diehard fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins, traveling the world and setting foot on all seven continents, and, of course, becoming a father and having a family of my own.”
“Just for fun I've also thrown in a couple not-so-serious rules because, let's face it, you should never take yourself too seriously.”
“My parents instilled solid family values in me and gave me a strong sense of self. (Being the first born didn’t hurt either.) I was taught that I could become whatever I wanted in life and that my only limitations were the ones I placed on myself. It was also an unwritten code that loyalty with your friends and family was paramount.”
“One of the biggest rookie mistakes you can make is not knowing who you are and what you stand for. It seems pretty cut and dry, but you'd be surprised how many people struggle with this.”
“Consistency is key. Staying true to who you are at all times will gain the respect of you peers. I mean, take a stance already.”
“Maybe even more importantly, know your weaknesses. Because trust me, in life someone's always going to try to figure out your weakness and use it to their advantage.”
“Those who are able to adapt to changing situations and become stronger will survive; those who can't will die off. It's like the old saying: bend, don't break.”
“Of course, even if you do everything right, it doesn't guarantee you'll win the hand. That's just life. There is a certain degree of unquantifiable luck involved in everything we do. It's the great equalizer. You just have to adapt the best you can and let the cards fall where they may.”
“If you want to be successful, you have to do your homework. Nobody gets anywhere without a lot of hard work and determination.”
“But I did, and in 1999 I got my degree in psychology from Boston University. And believe it or not, I use it just about every day of my life, just not in the way a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, or even a psychologist uses their formal training.”
“My education didn't only come from the classroom either. It came from my parents, my peers, my teammates on the ice and field, my neighbors; from my first jobs; and even from my failures.”
“Even if things really are bad right now, you have to be strong, lean on your family and friends and know that things will get better eventually.”
“It’s sad that we get caught up in all the materialistic things. After our basic needs are met–food, water shelter, clothing, health–the only other things we need are interaction with others and to be loved.”
“Look, things are not always going to be fair. Get over it. You have to figure out how to overcome whatever obstacles are in your way, despite all the inequalities you encounter, either perceived or real. If you're able to do this, you'll always have a leg up on the competition. If you can't, you'll suffer for sure.”
“Know your weaknesses. Remember: one person's disadvantage is another's opportunity. Don't let someone take advantage of your weaknesses or inabilities because you're too proud to realize you have them and what they are. Face them head on and find a solution; otherwise, you'll be the one getting played.”
“You have to be aware, not only of your words and your actions, but maybe even more important, your thoughts. Negativity comes from within. It starts in your head long before it comes out of your mouth.”
“No one gets anywhere in this life without the help of others. My family and friends helped to form my beliefs and personality. My coaches and teachers guided and educated me. My employers have taught me valuable skills and given me opportunities to better myself. And of course, my wife has helped me become who I am today and has given me three beautiful daughters.”
“Criticism can be valuable, but only if it's the constructive kind.”
“The fact of the matter is, you are your own barometer. It may take a bit of soul-searching, but deep down you know whether you're giving it your all in any particular situation.”
“You can change your situation, your state-of-mind, and your state-of-being if you really want to. But you have to first be willing to make the change, even if you make mistakes and have setbacks along the way. If you don't take a risk and make a change, you'll never know what you could've been or what you could've done.”
“Maintaining your composure can be hard when things are going haywire and it seems like everyone's against you. But if you want to succeed in high pressure situations, you're going to have to stay cool, keep your focus, and rise to the occasion.”
“Something I've always tried to do consistently is to learn from my mistakes and improve upon them. And so far, it's definitely paid off.”
I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. It was a fun read. Some of the advice I could easily apply. Some was similar to lessons I have already learned. Other then being a fan of the Bruins there is much to appreciate and respect about Rob and what he has accomplished so far. This was a great little book to have worked through. And my son is reading it now.
So weather you are a fan of the many reality shows he has been on, or are just familiar with the name and personality I am sure there is something in this book you will benefit from. So pick it up and give it a try.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Robert C. Mariano – ‘Boston Rob’:
Boston Rob's Family Favorites: Cookbook
…
No comments:
Post a Comment