Audiobook Sample
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- Title: How to Get What You Want
- Author: Zig Ziglar
- Narrator: Zig Ziglar
- Length: 01:00:24
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/03/2004
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Self Development, Health & Wellness
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It reminds me of a time when I was winding my way through the dusty roads of northern Portugal, the sun dipping low over the Douro Valley, painting the terraced vineyards in hues of gold and amber. I’d slipped in an audiobook to keep me company – Zig Ziglar’s “How to Get What You Want”, narrated by the man himself. The moment his voice crackled through the speakers – warm, gravelly, and brimming with that Southern charm – I felt like I’d invited an old friend into the passenger seat. There’s something about Zig’s delivery that turns a solo drive into a fireside chat, the kind where you lean in close because you know the wisdom’s about to flow.
Ziglar’s “How to Get What You Want” isn’t just another self-help audiobook – it’s a call to action wrapped in a bear hug of encouragement. Recorded live during one of his electrifying seminars, this isn’t a sterile studio production but a front-row seat to a master motivator at work. You can almost hear the audience buzzing, feel the energy ripple through the room as Zig lays out his blueprint for success: set goals, embrace risk, and, most crucially, get sold on yourself. It’s a simple formula, but the way he tells it – with anecdotes that land like perfectly timed punches and a sincerity that cuts through the noise – it sticks with you.
For me, this audiobook hit home in ways I didn’t expect. Years ago, I sat on a weathered porch in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother weave tales of her village’s past. Her voice carried the weight of experience, pausing just long enough to let the lessons sink in. Zig’s narration has that same quality – intimate, deliberate, and alive with personality. He doesn’t just read; he “performs”. His pacing is impeccable, his enthusiasm contagious. You can almost taste the sweat and determination in his words as he urges you to stop making excuses and start charting your path. At just over an hour long, it’s a compact burst of inspiration, but it packs the punch of a full-day seminar.
The content itself is classic Ziglar: practical, upbeat, and rooted in the belief that attitude shapes outcome. He dives into why so many of us shy away from goal-setting – because we’re not convinced we’re worth the effort – and then dismantles that doubt with surgical precision. He’s got this knack for making you feel like he’s speaking directly to you, like he’s spotted your hesitation from across the room and decided to call it out with a grin. I found myself nodding along as he talked about boosting self-image, a theme that echoed a moment from my own life. I’d once stood at the edge of a cliff in Patagonia, debating whether to leap into the icy waters below. It wasn’t the jump that scared me – it was the fear I’d misjudged my own courage. Zig’s voice in my ear felt like the nudge I needed back then: a reminder that the first step to getting what you want is believing you can.
The audiobook experience shines brightest in its authenticity. Zig’s live setting means you get the unfiltered version – laughter, applause, and all. The audio quality is crisp enough to catch every inflection, though there’s a faint hum of the crowd that might distract purists who prefer a polished studio cut. For me, though, that rawness is the charm. It’s like sitting in a bustling café in Lisbon, overhearing a story that wasn’t meant for you but changes you anyway. Simon & Schuster Audio keeps it lean at 9.99 USD digitally, and honestly, it’s a steal for the jolt it delivers.
That said, it’s not flawless. The brevity – clocking in at about 60 minutes – means Zig doesn’t linger long on any one idea. If you’re new to his work, you might crave more depth, a chance to unpack his strategies beyond the seminar’s high-octane rhythm. And while his folksy style is endearing, it can feel a touch dated in spots, like a letter from a bygone era. I wondered how his advice might land with someone who doesn’t buy into the rah-rah optimism – a skeptic might find it too sunny to swallow whole. Still, for those willing to lean into it, the listening experience is a shot of adrenaline straight to the soul.
How does it stack up? Think of it as a lighter, more personal cousin to Brené Brown’s “Daring Greatly”, which I’ve listened to while trekking through the Andes. Where Brown digs into vulnerability with a researcher’s lens, Ziglar’s all about action, momentum, and self-belief – less introspective, more forward-thrusting. Both are giants in the self-development genre, but Zig’s audiobook feels like a pep talk from a coach who’s already run the race and knows you can too.
Who’s this for? Anyone at a crossroads – whether you’re plotting a career shift, dreaming of a far-flung adventure, or just tired of standing in your own way. It’s perfect for the audiobook free crowd too; hunt around online, and you might snag a trial download to test it out. If you’re drawn to self-development that’s equal parts heart and hustle, Zig’s your guy. His narration alone – rich with that Texas twang and preacher-like cadence – makes it worth the spin.
Reflecting on it now, “How to Get What You Want” feels like a companion I didn’t know I needed. It’s not about the destination – it’s about the spark that gets you moving. Driving through Portugal that evening, I remember pausing the audio just to sit with the quiet, the vineyards stretching out like a promise. Zig had me sold, not just on goals, but on the idea that the stories we tell ourselves shape the roads we take. And isn’t that what travel, and life, is all about?
Here’s to the stories that guide us, and the voices that light the way,
Marcus Rivera
