Surrounded by Setbacks audiobook cover - Turning Obstacles into Success (When Everything Goes to Hell)

Surrounded by Setbacks

Turning Obstacles into Success (When Everything Goes to Hell)

Thomas Erikson

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Personal Development

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Surrounded by Setbacks
Radical Responsibility+
Confronting Adversity+
Sustainable Habit Change+
DISC Personality Types+
Building Support Networks+
Redefining Success+
Staying the Course+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What does the author mean when he says most people live in 'Laterville'?
  • A. A state of constant anxiety where people worry about the future without taking action.
  • B. A metaphorical place where people procrastinate, maintain the status quo, and delay pursuing their dreams.
  • C. A mindset where individuals blame their past circumstances for their current failures.
  • D. An environment where colleagues bond by constantly complaining about their jobs.
Question 2 of 8
According to the book, what is usually the root cause of our tendency to deny obvious problems in our lives?
  • A. A lack of proper time-management skills.
  • B. The distractions caused by modern technology and social media.
  • C. Underlying fear, such as the fear of failure, looking bad, or losing what is familiar.
  • D. An inherent lack of intuition about our personal circumstances.
Question 3 of 8
Why did Harry's radical life makeover ultimately fail?
  • A. He lacked the financial resources to maintain his new lifestyle over a long period.
  • B. He had unrealistic expectations of overnight results and tried to change 20 years of habits all at once.
  • C. He focused too much on his career instead of clearly defining his physical health goals.
  • D. He did not have a supportive network of friends and family to keep him accountable.
Question 4 of 8
According to the DISC model, what is considered the worst kind of setback for a 'Yellow' personality type?
  • A. A sudden disruption to their carefully laid plans and routines.
  • B. Having to confront a colleague about poor performance.
  • C. Failing to meet a strict deadline on a task-oriented project.
  • D. Public humiliation, because it deeply wounds their ego.
Question 5 of 8
What is a primary weakness of the 'Blue' personality type that can prevent them from achieving their goals?
  • A. They get stuck in perfectionism and resist taking action for fear of making mistakes.
  • B. They charge ahead impatiently without ensuring their team is on board with the plan.
  • C. They are too sensitive to criticism and prioritize group harmony over getting results.
  • D. They focus too much on emotions and fail to plan the logical details of a project.
Question 6 of 8
What does the author suggest you do to combat the dissatisfaction caused by chasing an 'Instagram-perfect' life?
  • A. Delete all social media accounts permanently to avoid toxic comparisons.
  • B. Define what success specifically feels like to you personally, and celebrate your own accomplishments.
  • C. Compare your current life to your life five years ago to objectively measure your progress.
  • D. Focus strictly on financial and career goals since they provide tangible measurements of success.
Question 7 of 8
How does the author use the story of Netflix to illustrate a key concept in achieving long-term goals?
  • A. To show how important it is to stick stubbornly to your original business plan despite setbacks.
  • B. To demonstrate that having a massive marketing budget is the most important factor for success.
  • C. To highlight that true success requires being adaptable to new information and market changes.
  • D. To prove that overnight success is possible if you have a completely unique idea.
Question 8 of 8
What actionable advice does the author give to help put daily frustrations into perspective?
  • A. Create a ranked list of past setbacks you have overcome to remind yourself of your resilience.
  • B. Practice deep breathing exercises whenever you feel overwhelmed by a minor issue.
  • C. Call a supportive 'co-pilot' to vent about your frustrations and get an outside opinion.
  • D. Write down three actions you can take immediately to solve the frustration.

Surrounded by Setbacks — Full Chapter Overview

Surrounded by Setbacks Summary & Overview

Surrounded by Setbacks (2021) is a practical guide to achieving your goals despite the obstacles you will inevitably meet along the way. We all experience setbacks in our lives. Some of them will be minor and fixable, while others will be completely outside of our control. But by learning to manage your responses to all kinds of adversity, by taking complete responsibility for your life, and being stubbornly persistent in your approach, you can achieve your dreams.

Who Should Listen to Surrounded by Setbacks?

  • Determined dreamers ready to achieve their goals 
  • Disappointed career professionals wondering why their hard work hasn’t paid off yet
  • Restless renegades who want to stop living according to society’s expectations

About the Author: Thomas Erikson

Thomas Erikson is a behavioral expert and best-selling author. His first book, Surrounded by Idiots, has sold over three million copies worldwide and has been translated into 42 languages. Erikson is also a sought-after public speaker and has delivered lectures and seminars at major companies including IKEA, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and Volvo.

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