Unmistakable: Why Only Is Better Than Best Hardcover – August 2, 2016

Unmistakable Why Only is Better Than Best is a quick read and is put into the narrative of the sport of surfing. Unlike many other books on the market that give you a formula, this book tells you why you MUST not follow a formula. Formulaic living is what is bringing many people to the point where they realize that they have been sold a false bill of goods.Rather than lamenting over the fact that society has sold an entire generation a story that is completely smoke and mirrors, Srini tells you how you can overcome it. Not merely to be one of the best or the best at what you do but rather be easily identifiable as THE ONLY one who does what you do.Have you met a suit salesman that you can remember his name from 20 years ago? I can because he was unmistakable. Can you remember a garbage collector who was unmistakable in his craft? I have an answer for this one too. You don’t have to be world famous for what you do, you simply have to do what you do in such a way that no one else could copy the art of your craft. Similarly, Srini is unmistakable in his ability to get to the root of a person and draw out what makes that person tick.I met Srini Rao at AJ Leon’s Misfit Conference in 2015. When I found out he had a podcast, I figured I would give it a trial listen and I’ve been hooked ever since. Srini has the ability to pass by the superfluous excesses of many interviewers and dig deeply and that also carries over to his writing. When I found out he had written a book, I quickly devoured the Art of Being Unmistakable and his effective, clear writing hasn’t diminished with this new title.For those who think that the formula has been good to them and they don’t need to be unmistakable, look at the examples of lives that have been upended from retail clerks all the way to middle managers to CEO’s that thought they were the best at what they do. Best is no longer good enough…this world requires you to be unmistakable and Srini helps you develop your own roadmap to reach your destination.

I've been listening to Srini Rao's Unmistakable Creative Podcast since before it was given that name. When I first started listening to Srini's podcast, I appreciated his honesty and the intuitive sense that he brought to all of his interviews.Interviews with people that by conventional wisdom's standards would be labeled as being weird. Weird because they didn't take the path that resonated with so many others. Instead, they created their own path that over time led to them doing work that is unique.In the early days of his podcast, Srini would often tell his guests and anybody that was tuning in at that time that he lived with his parents. Now, it's not uncommon to hear him talk to a much bigger tribe about how little he gained from attending the University of California at Berkely and then Pepperdine University to get his MBA. A theme about the value of a college education that is all too common now.If you're open to listening to people who are not maintaining the status quo, or taking what used to be considered the safe secure route to work, Srini's UNMISTAKABLE book will give you plenty of insights on how to best avoid the undertow before it pulls you down.UNMISTAKABLE should be required reading for every high school student who's been told that they should or even have to go to college.Don't just pick it up and flip through it, invest the less than $20 and absorb all that Srini's book has to offer. And in doing so, you'll avoid making a lot of mistakes that can have a significant impact on how you make decisions in the future.Said another way, if you're in high school now, don't wait until you stumble upon UNMISTAKABLE on the table that is merchandised as "books to read after graduation". Instead, read it before you feel the pull to catch the same wave that everybody else is after.If you're beginning with the end in mind, you'll be much happier for it!

If you want to be unmistakable, you have to paddle for it.No matter how strong and upright you stand on the beach, the waves aren’t coming to you. You must get on your board and paddle out to the surf. Then you have to sit in the lineup, and wait for your set. Then you have to paddle for it again, this time even harder.Time it right, and you’ll land on top, and be ready for the drop. From there the ride only gets harder. Stay on your board long enough and you’ll have a good ride, but even the best of them get caught in the washing machine.Survive all that and you’ll be ready for the stoke. Even if you don’t make it through neatly, coming out the other side you’ll still be unmistakable. And even though it’s hard, you still have a lot of fun.At least that’s an interpretation I was left with after reading Srini’s book.He knows these topics cold because he’s ridden that wave. Dropping off a soulless corporate path after business school, and discovering himself serving waves in Cali, he decided to start the podcast that he’s ridden since.Having now interviewed more than 600 top bloggers and thought leaders, in this book Srini brings together the best ideas on what it takes to make yourself Unmistakable.But, that’s not all this book is about. You would think that after writing a couple of books and building connections with other top influencers that Srini might have been riding the easy wave, but as he reveals in his book, it was 2014 that was one of his toughest.When you’ve had some success, but you feel tossed off the wave, it can be hard to pick yourself up and paddle out there again.This book is not just a brilliant insight into being Unmistakable, but inside Srini shares with us what it takes to get up every day and surf the next wave.

I enjoyed this book. It gave some great ideas and practical parts on how to not only find the work you love but also live life. I liked that the story was written with surfing in mind. That the comparison and structure was written in such a way that you could imagine surfing and finding your own identity.

A must read! Beautifully written yet concise, Srini describes so poetically, through the metaphor of surfing, the roller coaster that is true creativity and entrepreneurship. This isn't another 'how to' book, rather a thought provoking insight into what it means to be truly creative and unmistakably YOU. This book has changed the way I see my work and the unique impact of what I create has on the world. I now see the need for truly challenging myself, for developing my own voice and for sharing my insights and art with the world - with the act of creation itself being reward enough. I've left behind the need to be picked, the need to base the value of my work on purely external markers and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you Srini. X

Maybe my expectations were too high. I found it to be moderately inspirational at best.

An inspirational book for people who are looking to pursue their passion yet unsure about creating the unmistakable work. Srinivas explains using his surfing experience handle the highs and lows of life. Life awaits for those who want to enjoy the surf rather than worry about the dangers of the ocean. This is the mantra that Srinivas gives in his book.

Let me begin with a disclaimer.I am a fan of the author’s podcast Unmistakable Creative.I encourage you to listen to some of interviews. They are well done.I was eagerly waiting to get my hands on this book and I could feel the signature presence of the author in the book as well.My son saw this book and it took me some time to explain the title. After that he pulled a fast one on me at the dinner table. I queried him on the way something he did and he replied ‘See appa. I am only!’.The author presents a unmistakable case for standing out from the crowd and argues on how it can lead to a more fulfilling life.There is a clear sense of authenticity in the writing as the author traces his own journey and his struggles before he chose to become ‘Only’. There are interesting stories about people in each chapters who have chosen to become ‘only’.Also the metaphorical association of establishing the process for becoming ‘only’ with the author’s passion for surfing makes it an engaging read. Even if you do not know surfing, your curiosity will increase to learn more about it. You could substitute surfing with your favourite sport and the lessons will still apply. It is not easy maintaining that the metaphorical language throughout the book and the author deserves kudos for doing that.There is an interesting observation which I liked“Style in any art form emerges when we let go of what we perceive as universal truth and start to embrace what is true for us. Our art must answer deeper questions of what makes us completely alive, what we want to be known for, and how we want to be remembered. Our foundational habits and our mentors and coaches have served as training wheels. Now it’s time for us to make the ride our own”Letting go and embracing uncertainty is not easy, but the author convinces you that it would be fun and time well spent.This is one the books that I could complete in one sitting. It is not preachy and the style presents a mirror to my own self and that is the reason I feel that I will go back to this book again and again.Can you manage ‘The Drop’ ?To figure that out, get yourself a copy and I am positive that you will gulp it at one go and come back to it repeatedly.It is worth your time and money.Zunder