Life is naturally tough-so stop looking for problems. Instead, look for solutions to bring quality and purpose to your life.

All his life, Chuck Schmandt heard people tell him, "No, it can't be done." He grew up poor with two parents who were deaf. It seemed like his road forward wouldn't be easy. But he realized that all those people were really saying was it couldn't be done their way. Schmandt took their nos and found his way.

Winners in Life Don't Always Win-They Just Don't Give Up: Reflections of a Pro Baseball Player Turned Architect and Developer is about his unique experience-in life and in work-but readers can take lessons for their own lives from it. Following Schmandt's example, be a student of your own life. By changing your perception of success, you too will find it.