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The Connection Algorithm: Take Risks, Defy the Status Quo, and Live Your Passions
A #1 Bestseller in Entrepreneurship A #1 Bestseller in Management A #1 Bestseller in Personal Success A #1 Bestseller in Knowledge Capital "Young Jesse Tevelow is on to something. His new book, The Connection Algorithm, is chock full of phenomenal strategies for a better life. If you're ambitious and motivated, The Connection Algorithm could be your roadmap to success." --Tony Horton, Creator of P90X (Over $500 million in sales.) Ever wish you could be a little more extraordinary? A little happier? A little more in control of your life? Well, this is your blueprint for making it happen. It might sound crazy, but it all starts with quitting your 9-5. Jesse should know. He quit his job to join TechStars, a startup accelerator that helped him and his business partner build a multimillion dollar company from the ground up. Then he wrote this book, while lounging at the beach. Sound impossible? It's not. This isn't just Jesse's story. It's the story of every successful person you've ever known--and all of them have followed the same formula. After nearly a decade of interviews and research, Jesse has compiled the ultimate playbook for defying the status quo, weaving together the most critical yet overlooked tips from industry heavy-hitters like Ben Horowitz, Tim Ferriss, and Steve Jobs. The book provides important (and counterintuitive) advice on how Get more productive Follow your passions Improve your health Launch your first product or company Take better calculated risks Start connecting with your heroes ...and much more. Beyond advice, you'll also find lists of the actual sites, services, and techniques you can use to improve your performance in a range of disciplines. Join Jesse as he outlines the power of the Four C' Choose, Commit, Create, Connect. The Connection Algorithm is a quick read, with life-altering impact. With endorsements from Tony Horton and Brad Feld, and a foreword by TechStars Founder and CEO David Cohen, you'll be glad you added this inspiring, actionable guide to your collection. --- Don't have a Kindle? No problem. Just enter your email where it says "Get the Free Kindle App," (just beneath the book image), and you'll have access to The Connection Algorithm from any tablet, smartphone, or computer.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2015
285 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Tevelow
5Ìýbooks18ÌýfollowersJesse Warren Tevelow is an entrepreneur and writer. He cofounded PlayQ Inc., and was a member of the inaugural class of TechStars. Earlier in his career, Jesse worked for Seamless (acquired by Aramark in 2006) and Keynote Systems. Jesse has been featured in various publications, including Businessweek Magazine, Do More Faster (by Brad Feld and David Cohen), and Upstarts (by Donna Fenn). To find out more, go to
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 28, 2019
The reason it's shelved in epistemology is that I fund Mr, Tevelow's book rather as an epistemological quintessence, than a case for psychology or even neuroscience. It's simply because, the author is giving us a brief description about the methods how mankind acquires knowledge. We choose subject, we study, we derive something new from it, we devise the theory, we then design the experiment to prove it, then we expose it to scrutiny. But, in all the cases our starting point is the known knowledge, proven fact.
Mr. Tevelow admits himself, that his book is a result of study, of reading similar books. I can recall my University assignments had to be sent to plagiarism check, and if passed I could accomplish the submission, thus I'd never assume there's nothing original in this book.
It might be not so many new for readers with military background - while in the world of entrepreneurs the first is the project that is a must, then comes to design the context around it, the military has it all on disposal - worked out projects, context designed in advance and the hard and soft parts. People, as well, who have studied PM (project management) will immediately know what I'm talking about and will start to count to 9 according to PMBOK.
I've been in both, military air force and finished PM at PMI. Still, I've found this book interesting because Mr. Tevelow broght us the "singularity" situation - the man with a timeline when's nothing happening. The period we are about to make something from nothing - ex nihilo! But, not just something, but something viable! That process was the final aim of the author to engage and bring to us closer. We study, we make assumptions, we networking, and we make things happen - that would be in brief. I liked the way he tried to convey the message about the importance of right world view, to keep ourselves in good shape and the values we should stick to.
3 STARS which mean, book is worth of time for future entrepreneurs, it's just the level of writing skills I'd like it was better. Congrats! Cheers!
Mr. Tevelow admits himself, that his book is a result of study, of reading similar books. I can recall my University assignments had to be sent to plagiarism check, and if passed I could accomplish the submission, thus I'd never assume there's nothing original in this book.
It might be not so many new for readers with military background - while in the world of entrepreneurs the first is the project that is a must, then comes to design the context around it, the military has it all on disposal - worked out projects, context designed in advance and the hard and soft parts. People, as well, who have studied PM (project management) will immediately know what I'm talking about and will start to count to 9 according to PMBOK.
I've been in both, military air force and finished PM at PMI. Still, I've found this book interesting because Mr. Tevelow broght us the "singularity" situation - the man with a timeline when's nothing happening. The period we are about to make something from nothing - ex nihilo! But, not just something, but something viable! That process was the final aim of the author to engage and bring to us closer. We study, we make assumptions, we networking, and we make things happen - that would be in brief. I liked the way he tried to convey the message about the importance of right world view, to keep ourselves in good shape and the values we should stick to.
3 STARS which mean, book is worth of time for future entrepreneurs, it's just the level of writing skills I'd like it was better. Congrats! Cheers!
June 30, 2015
You want to be successfull?, more importantly, do you want to enjoy life?
This book is a wonderfull take on how to do just that.
Includes takes on being productive, Focussing your life through minimalism, doing what matters, living your passions, removing distractions.
Reassuring yourself that failure(shouldnt even be the word for it) is not the end of the world, but necessary lessons paving your path to happiness and success.
Defying the standard model of society, why work for a company when you can get rich creating your own ?. Embracing risks and understanding how it makes you grow. Stop thinking, start doing.
Yes, life hurts, no doubt about it, but it can also be the most beautifull thing if you harness it.
Before finishing this book i allready started implementing some of its concepts, the excitement got to me so i had to get up in the middle of a sentence and follow a new blog, throw some pointless material thing out, or remove another distracting notification which i do not need.
This book revealed a world of inspirational personalities to me, several blogs which im excited about reading and learning from, and most importantly, the drive to live my passions and be successfull.
The dreamer in me has been awakened, and it's about time too.
This book is a wonderfull take on how to do just that.
Includes takes on being productive, Focussing your life through minimalism, doing what matters, living your passions, removing distractions.
Reassuring yourself that failure(shouldnt even be the word for it) is not the end of the world, but necessary lessons paving your path to happiness and success.
Defying the standard model of society, why work for a company when you can get rich creating your own ?. Embracing risks and understanding how it makes you grow. Stop thinking, start doing.
Yes, life hurts, no doubt about it, but it can also be the most beautifull thing if you harness it.
Before finishing this book i allready started implementing some of its concepts, the excitement got to me so i had to get up in the middle of a sentence and follow a new blog, throw some pointless material thing out, or remove another distracting notification which i do not need.
This book revealed a world of inspirational personalities to me, several blogs which im excited about reading and learning from, and most importantly, the drive to live my passions and be successfull.
The dreamer in me has been awakened, and it's about time too.
January 20, 2023
Highly motivational! This book is a bomb of encouragement. I’m so glad to read and enjoy it and I’m ashamed it took me so long to read it after having it a few years on my reading list. Jesse Tevelow, forgive me and thank you for sharing your personal experience of living a happy and meaningful life.
I thank the author for sending me a review copy at no cost and with no obligations toward the author.
I thank the author for sending me a review copy at no cost and with no obligations toward the author.
January 11, 2017
Very inspiring
The information contained here is priceless, will definitely Change my mindset on the way I go around doing things must read
The information contained here is priceless, will definitely Change my mindset on the way I go around doing things must read
January 20, 2017
This is a solid addition to the category of books that challenge/inspire you to pursue your passions, become an entrepreneur, and live with excellence and discipline. There wasn't anything I haven't read in other good books in this category, but it was well written.
If you haven't read a book in this space, it's a good one to start with. If you have (like me), then it's a good reminder.
"People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed."
If you haven't read a book in this space, it's a good one to start with. If you have (like me), then it's a good reminder.
"People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed."
August 15, 2018
Just do it
This book should be prescribed reading in all schools, to be read by every young person who wants to be more than just the same.
This book should be prescribed reading in all schools, to be read by every young person who wants to be more than just the same.
November 13, 2017
Tevelow admits early on in the book that none of his ideas are new, that he's simply repeating what other greats have said, perhaps in a more comprehensive manner. While I admire his honesty, there are certainly many other books that give much better advice.
As is the case with many self-help and entrepreneurial books, the author spends a good amount of the book patting himself on the back. However, while he's talking about how brave he was for quitting his day job, he openly and frequently admits that he was fired from the startup he helped found because he was a useless worker. He then went on to write this book.
If I'm going to take entrepreneurial advice from someone, I would like that someone to be a person with experience and success in creating businesses. This bozo worked a day job, hated it, quit and started a company, got fired for being useless, and then decides to write a book on how to be a great entrepreneur.
The base concepts are solid, but there are lots of books you can read to get a better set of advice, from someone who is actually qualified. This guy spends half the book talking about how great he is, and the other half talking about how good he is at P90X.
As is the case with many self-help and entrepreneurial books, the author spends a good amount of the book patting himself on the back. However, while he's talking about how brave he was for quitting his day job, he openly and frequently admits that he was fired from the startup he helped found because he was a useless worker. He then went on to write this book.
If I'm going to take entrepreneurial advice from someone, I would like that someone to be a person with experience and success in creating businesses. This bozo worked a day job, hated it, quit and started a company, got fired for being useless, and then decides to write a book on how to be a great entrepreneur.
The base concepts are solid, but there are lots of books you can read to get a better set of advice, from someone who is actually qualified. This guy spends half the book talking about how great he is, and the other half talking about how good he is at P90X.
December 14, 2017
I got this book in the right moment. I quit my office job 6 months ago and decided to be boss of my own, which is not as easy, as I had thought... While the book confirms what I knew already (yes, passion is important, yes, do what you enjoy doing, etc), it is full of wise and inspiring thoughts, for example on taking risk and being prepared for repeated failures ("failure is ok... face the pain, face the fear..") or around commitment and focus ("limiting your resources, creating self-imposed deadlines, and narrowing your goals are all counterintuitively positive constraints.") The author, Jesse Tevelow is passionate and sincere about what he's talking about, which makes the message very convincing. The book gave me power to live my passion. At least for the next 6 months...
May 2, 2018
A very easy read and really enjoyable also.
I had 8 books on my kindle I have to read and this was the next one but I was spoilt for choice so I did a random number generator and it came back as number 1 so I had to read this and I am so pleased I did.
Some great takeaways from the book but a few points that stood out for me were:-
1- Connectors are thought leaders, experts, and influencers in a given discipline, or range of disciplines.
2- Self manufactured fear keep people in ZombieLand (9-5), but escaping isn’t as hard as it seems. It’s mostly in your head.
3- Life is hard, life is unexpected, and life is beautiful.
I had 8 books on my kindle I have to read and this was the next one but I was spoilt for choice so I did a random number generator and it came back as number 1 so I had to read this and I am so pleased I did.
Some great takeaways from the book but a few points that stood out for me were:-
1- Connectors are thought leaders, experts, and influencers in a given discipline, or range of disciplines.
2- Self manufactured fear keep people in ZombieLand (9-5), but escaping isn’t as hard as it seems. It’s mostly in your head.
3- Life is hard, life is unexpected, and life is beautiful.
August 22, 2018
A not-so-bad read for me. Okayish.
Most of the stuff he talks about is something I've already done; not all, of course. At the end the book becomes slightly dry, more like the author was trying to fill up pages. He defines and describes 'College', 'Startup'.. so common items and it pushes the reader to just skim and get the book done with.
Yeah, as others say, its also too much of 'I did this..', 'I did that..' self examples which at times get too boring.
The actual content of the book can be said in 20 pages; definitely 237 pages is not justified.
You feel like you keep on reading, but there aren't much "Aha" moments and nothing much gets absorbed into you.
Most of the stuff he talks about is something I've already done; not all, of course. At the end the book becomes slightly dry, more like the author was trying to fill up pages. He defines and describes 'College', 'Startup'.. so common items and it pushes the reader to just skim and get the book done with.
Yeah, as others say, its also too much of 'I did this..', 'I did that..' self examples which at times get too boring.
The actual content of the book can be said in 20 pages; definitely 237 pages is not justified.
You feel like you keep on reading, but there aren't much "Aha" moments and nothing much gets absorbed into you.
October 27, 2018
Happiness is the most important thing in our lives
This book is written in a very down-to-earth style, which sometimes can be a little annoying, but mostly it seems that you are reading something that your friend wrote, not some big-time author. Main premises of the book are happiness precedes success not vice versa, and Nike's slogan - just do it. Recommend to everyone how want to improve their lives.
This book is written in a very down-to-earth style, which sometimes can be a little annoying, but mostly it seems that you are reading something that your friend wrote, not some big-time author. Main premises of the book are happiness precedes success not vice versa, and Nike's slogan - just do it. Recommend to everyone how want to improve their lives.
August 22, 2020
Trendsetter!
Tevelow's first book is an inspiration. It's full of wisdom and trusims discovered ny the author when he took the biggest risk of his life, and cast off the drudgery of conventional employment. This work summarizes choice lessons and experiences from the author's own life, and those whose circles overlapped. It really is an intriguing appeal to pursuit of passion first.
Tevelow's first book is an inspiration. It's full of wisdom and trusims discovered ny the author when he took the biggest risk of his life, and cast off the drudgery of conventional employment. This work summarizes choice lessons and experiences from the author's own life, and those whose circles overlapped. It really is an intriguing appeal to pursuit of passion first.
July 26, 2017
CCCC
To create your own business, Tevelow claims you need to take 4 steps, choose, commit, create and connect. The three first steps guide you through the process of creating a business. The last step consists of building true relationships that will enhance your grow. The author offers valuable advices and cites his own experiences.
To create your own business, Tevelow claims you need to take 4 steps, choose, commit, create and connect. The three first steps guide you through the process of creating a business. The last step consists of building true relationships that will enhance your grow. The author offers valuable advices and cites his own experiences.
September 7, 2017
I have always believed that passion is the keystone of everything and Jesse added more value to this concept with a lot of tricks and suggestion to get out from Zombieland.
I ate the book in a couple of days , thanks to a very fluid and effective writing style.
Sometime I felt I was talking to a friend, literally.
Strongly suggested
I ate the book in a couple of days , thanks to a very fluid and effective writing style.
Sometime I felt I was talking to a friend, literally.
Strongly suggested
December 3, 2018
Embrace those 4 C's
Having read more self help books than I care to account (due to lack of action following them up) Jesse definitely framed things in a way I was able to relate to and hopefully spark some action. As the blog post that sparked the book says 'Be like Nike: Just do it'. Or in the case of this book - just read it.
Having read more self help books than I care to account (due to lack of action following them up) Jesse definitely framed things in a way I was able to relate to and hopefully spark some action. As the blog post that sparked the book says 'Be like Nike: Just do it'. Or in the case of this book - just read it.
April 6, 2019
Just do it.
I thank my lord for coming across this great book. Thank you Jessy for being so honest and great in crafting this book. Honestly this is the book that sparked my life and I started changing my life, I am sure I am going the way you went through and I will succeed. I will reread your book, because it’s a blueprint for my future success.
Thank you so much.
I thank my lord for coming across this great book. Thank you Jessy for being so honest and great in crafting this book. Honestly this is the book that sparked my life and I started changing my life, I am sure I am going the way you went through and I will succeed. I will reread your book, because it’s a blueprint for my future success.
Thank you so much.
June 25, 2017
The 4C is the way forward. Get up and do it yourself. Do it now. Super read..
It's a brilliant read. Highly recommend. If you wanna get started then get up and do it yourself. Choose Commit Create Connect..
It's a brilliant read. Highly recommend. If you wanna get started then get up and do it yourself. Choose Commit Create Connect..
December 7, 2017
A few ideas to try
Lots of good ideas, with links to different sources. The author is very open about his own experiences and pitfalls. A very fast read. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Lots of good ideas, with links to different sources. The author is very open about his own experiences and pitfalls. A very fast read. Looking forward to reading the next book.
January 3, 2019
Some golden nuggets to take away, but felt like he'd borrowed heavily from sources which he openly quoted - Ferris, Gladwell, etc., and elsewhere I found the heavy referencing of some of his mentors a little tacky.
June 27, 2018
Gives you the push you needed to go again
March 16, 2019
The fundamentals about connections
A very readable and helpful advise on how to move to a more plenty life through relationships that will guide you out of an empty living.
A very readable and helpful advise on how to move to a more plenty life through relationships that will guide you out of an empty living.
June 16, 2019
Undeniably inspirational💪
April 26, 2021
I didn't find the book worth my time (or money). Most of it is regular "though shalt" kind of gyan and self-help stuff.
October 6, 2015
This book was interesting, and thought provoking. I liked the concepts about following your passions, and making connections. The thing that throws me off is it is advice being offered from a perspective that is not similar with most. He fell from the top at an early age, then wrote a book about getting back up. While writing a book is quite an accomplishment, I found that I struggled with the validity of what he was saying. He has not truly moved on to his next career, unless he plans on continuing to write books in this space. It did add some good perspective though, but his next steps will help dictate many of his views.
December 31, 2015
A less-than-authentic introspection
It is easy to brag about one's successes. When it comes to looking at one's own failures, most people inevitably shy away from the truth and make up their own stories. Fairness to the author, he balances the story and share with the readers his experience with this past failures. It is not the most authentic one but it is neither a pretentious one.
It is easy to brag about one's successes. When it comes to looking at one's own failures, most people inevitably shy away from the truth and make up their own stories. Fairness to the author, he balances the story and share with the readers his experience with this past failures. It is not the most authentic one but it is neither a pretentious one.
Read
June 15, 2016Jesse Tevelow shares insights that come from learning several hard lessons. This book shares insights with humor and in a way that is honest and accessible. I especially enjoyed the several stories about the struggles that were shared throught the book. This book will be at home along side the greats, like Covey and Sun Tsu. Each chapter offers something to laugh about and somethign to think about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2016
The most amazing book I have read in the genre up to this date
The author simply explains the natural beauty in simplicity and how we have a confused perspective that the world needs to be complicated for some reason. He says no to the complex mentality and makes it simple to understand why.
The author simply explains the natural beauty in simplicity and how we have a confused perspective that the world needs to be complicated for some reason. He says no to the complex mentality and makes it simple to understand why.
June 28, 2015
Nothing new: be brave and bold, work harder, work smarter, be persistent, find your passion, be healthy, take care of your mind, do not wast your time.... And it's very US market oriented. Multiple advise the author gives will work only on US soil.
September 7, 2015
Loved this book! Connection is key!
This is a nice presentation and explanation of what goes in to connection ... a deeper look at the steps & for some, the complexities that formulate connection.
This is a nice presentation and explanation of what goes in to connection ... a deeper look at the steps & for some, the complexities that formulate connection.
August 25, 2015
Good book
Not the best book I've ever read, but the author has some good points. It's an easy read and is without the rampant narcissism that can plague this genre.
Hopefully, he continues to develop as an author and writes more books.
Not the best book I've ever read, but the author has some good points. It's an easy read and is without the rampant narcissism that can plague this genre.
Hopefully, he continues to develop as an author and writes more books.
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