-
The 4 Essentials
- A Misfit's Journey to Mindset, Strategies, Values & Purpose (With Over 100 Famous Mentors and Entrepreneurs)
- Narrated by: Cliff Michaels
- Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $17.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Lean Startup
- How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
- By: Eric Ries
- Narrated by: Eric Ries
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.
-
-
Good content but really dry naration
- By Mukul Rao on 01-30-18
By: Eric Ries
-
The Startup Owner's Manual
- The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company
- By: Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
- Narrated by: Matthew Boston
- Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
More than 100,000 entrepreneurs rely on this book for detailed, step-by-step instructions on building successful, scalable, profitable startups. The National Science Foundation pays hundreds of startup teams each year to follow the process outlined in the book, and it's taught at Stanford, Berkeley, Columbia and more than 100 other leading universities worldwide. Why? The Startup Owner's Manual guides you, step-by-step, as you put the Customer Development process to work.
-
-
Nothing to learn from this book
- By Thomas D. Kehoe on 02-23-22
By: Steve Blank, and others
-
Angel Investing
- The Gust Guide to Making Money and Having Fun Investing in Startups
- By: David S. Rose
- Narrated by: David S. Rose
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From building your reputation as a smart investor, to negotiating fair deals, adding value to your portfolio companies and helping them implement smart exit strategies, David provides both the fundamental strategies and the specific tools you need to take full advantage of this rapidly growing asset class.
-
-
Beginner guide to investing in startups
- By Jason S on 11-14-17
By: David S. Rose
-
Stop Selling and Start Leading
- How to Make Extraordinary Sales Happen
- By: James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner, Deb Calvert
- Narrated by: Brian Holsopple
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Age of the Customer, sales effectiveness depends mightily on the buyer experience. Despite nearly universal agreement on the need for creating value in every step of the buyer’s journey, sellers continue to struggle with how to create that value and connect meaningfully with buyers. New research bridges the gap and reveals the behavioral blueprint for sellers that makes buyers more likely to meet with them - and more likely to buy from them.
-
-
Sales leadership 101
- By Sole Trades on 08-29-20
By: James M. Kouzes, and others
-
Entrepreneurial Leap
- Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?
- By: Gino Wickman
- Narrated by: Steve Menasche
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this three-part book, Gino Wickman, best-selling author of Traction, reveals the six essential traits that every entrepreneur needs in order to succeed, based on real-world startups that have reached incredible heights. If these traits ring true for you, you'll get a glimpse of what your life would look like as an entrepreneur. What's more, Wickman will help you determine what type of business best suits your unique skill set and provide a detailed road map, with tools, tips, and exercises, that will accelerate your path to startup success.
-
-
generic
- By Kindle Customer on 10-01-20
By: Gino Wickman
-
On Writing
- A Memoir of the Craft
- By: Stephen King
- Narrated by: Stephen King, Joe Hill, Owen King
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy best seller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.
-
-
Who needs a print edition when King reads King?
- By Cather on 11-18-05
By: Stephen King
-
The Lean Startup
- How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
- By: Eric Ries
- Narrated by: Eric Ries
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.
-
-
Good content but really dry naration
- By Mukul Rao on 01-30-18
By: Eric Ries
-
The Startup Owner's Manual
- The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company
- By: Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
- Narrated by: Matthew Boston
- Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
More than 100,000 entrepreneurs rely on this book for detailed, step-by-step instructions on building successful, scalable, profitable startups. The National Science Foundation pays hundreds of startup teams each year to follow the process outlined in the book, and it's taught at Stanford, Berkeley, Columbia and more than 100 other leading universities worldwide. Why? The Startup Owner's Manual guides you, step-by-step, as you put the Customer Development process to work.
-
-
Nothing to learn from this book
- By Thomas D. Kehoe on 02-23-22
By: Steve Blank, and others
-
Angel Investing
- The Gust Guide to Making Money and Having Fun Investing in Startups
- By: David S. Rose
- Narrated by: David S. Rose
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From building your reputation as a smart investor, to negotiating fair deals, adding value to your portfolio companies and helping them implement smart exit strategies, David provides both the fundamental strategies and the specific tools you need to take full advantage of this rapidly growing asset class.
-
-
Beginner guide to investing in startups
- By Jason S on 11-14-17
By: David S. Rose
-
Stop Selling and Start Leading
- How to Make Extraordinary Sales Happen
- By: James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner, Deb Calvert
- Narrated by: Brian Holsopple
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Age of the Customer, sales effectiveness depends mightily on the buyer experience. Despite nearly universal agreement on the need for creating value in every step of the buyer’s journey, sellers continue to struggle with how to create that value and connect meaningfully with buyers. New research bridges the gap and reveals the behavioral blueprint for sellers that makes buyers more likely to meet with them - and more likely to buy from them.
-
-
Sales leadership 101
- By Sole Trades on 08-29-20
By: James M. Kouzes, and others
-
Entrepreneurial Leap
- Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?
- By: Gino Wickman
- Narrated by: Steve Menasche
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this three-part book, Gino Wickman, best-selling author of Traction, reveals the six essential traits that every entrepreneur needs in order to succeed, based on real-world startups that have reached incredible heights. If these traits ring true for you, you'll get a glimpse of what your life would look like as an entrepreneur. What's more, Wickman will help you determine what type of business best suits your unique skill set and provide a detailed road map, with tools, tips, and exercises, that will accelerate your path to startup success.
-
-
generic
- By Kindle Customer on 10-01-20
By: Gino Wickman
-
On Writing
- A Memoir of the Craft
- By: Stephen King
- Narrated by: Stephen King, Joe Hill, Owen King
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy best seller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.
-
-
Who needs a print edition when King reads King?
- By Cather on 11-18-05
By: Stephen King
-
The Success Principles(TM) - 10th Anniversary Edition
- How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
- By: Jack Canfield, Janet Switzer
- Narrated by: Danny Campbell
- Length: 21 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Success Principles, the cocreator of the phenomenal best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, helps you get from where you are to where you want to be, teaching you how to increase your confidence, tackle daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize all your ambitions. Filled with memorable and inspiring stories of CEO's, world-class athletes, celebrities, and everyday people, it spells out the 64 timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history.
-
-
Game Changer!
- By Awesomefest on 03-28-15
By: Jack Canfield, and others
-
Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy
- How the World's Leading Entrepreneurs, Thought Leaders, & Cultural Icons Achieve Success
- By: James Whittaker, The Napoleon Hill Foundation
- Narrated by: Rich Germaine
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy is the essential modern companion to the best-selling self-help book of all time, Napoleon Hill's 1937 classic, Think and Grow Rich. This book was released in conjunction with the major motion picture, Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy. Listeners will be inspired through unflinching accounts of some of today's most successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and cultural icons who rose above the unlikeliest and, in some cases, most tragic of circumstances to find personal fulfillment and make their mark on the world.
-
-
Excellent companion to the original with modern day examples
- By Amazon Customer on 09-15-20
By: James Whittaker, and others
-
How to Stay Motivated
- Developing the Qualities of Success
- By: Zig Ziglar
- Narrated by: Zig Ziglar
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Stay Motivated provides you with clear and proven techniques to use to enhance relationships, improve your self-image, set and achieve goals, and so much more! Apply these winning steps from the motivational master himself to build a better, more productive, satisfying life for yourself and your family. Change your picture and change every facet of your life.
-
-
Zig without interruptions make it worth it.
- By Ricardo on 01-08-14
By: Zig Ziglar
-
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
- What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
- By: Chris Hadfield
- Narrated by: Chris Hadfield
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success - and survival - is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst and enjoy every moment of it.
-
-
Chris Hadfield Is The Real Thing!
- By Kathy in CA on 08-16-16
By: Chris Hadfield
-
It Worked for Me
- In Life and Leadership
- By: Colin Powell
- Narrated by: Colin Powell
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It Worked for Me is filled with vivid experiences and lessons learned that have shaped the legendary career of the four-star general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. At its heart are Powell's "Thirteen Rules" - such as "Get mad, then get over it" and "Share credit" - that introduce his principles for effective leadership: conviction, hard work, and, above all, respect for others. A natural storyteller, Powell offers warm and engaging parables with wise advice on succeeding in the workplace and beyond.
-
-
It worked for me too.
- By Ian on 06-04-12
By: Colin Powell
-
Delivering Happiness
- A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
- By: Tony Hsieh
- Narrated by: Tony Hsieh
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this, his first audiobook, Tony Hsieh - the widely admired CEO of Zappos, the online shoe retailer -explains how he created a unique culture and commitment to service that aims to improve the lives of its employees, customers, vendors, and backers. Using anecdotes and stories from his own life experiences, and from other companies, Hsieh provides concrete ways that companies can achieve unprecedented success.
-
-
Do one thing exceptionally
- By Ben on 09-07-10
By: Tony Hsieh
-
The Secret to Success
- By: Eric Thomas
- Narrated by: Charles Arrington, Eric Thomas
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eric Thomas is rising to national prominence by delivering a high energy message that tells youth through first hand experience how to live up to their full potential and greatness and by breaking the cycles of crime, hopelessness and despair that many face daily. Known for his engagingly personal approach, his messages are both dynamic & inspiring. When coupled with his own cycle-breaking experience, his blunt essays on reality and remarkable ability to reach even the most jaded of minds.
-
-
Thanks
- By Michelle on 07-11-13
By: Eric Thomas
-
Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success
- Discovering Your Gift and the Way to Life's Riches
- By: Steve Harvey
- Narrated by: Mike Hodge
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Countless books on success tell you what you need to get that you don't already possess. In Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, Steve Harvey tells you how to achieve your dreams using the gift you already have. Every one of us was born with a gift endowed by our creator - something you do the best at with very little effort. While it can be like someone else's, your gift is yours alone. No one can take it away. You are the only one who can use it - or waste it.
-
-
My mentor from afar...
- By Al-Yassa Al-Mahi on 11-11-15
By: Steve Harvey
-
The Virgin Way
- Everything I Know about Leadership
- By: Richard Branson
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While building the Virgin Group over 40 years, Richard Branson has never shied away from seemingly outlandish challenges that others (including his own colleagues on several occasions) considered sheer lunacy. He has taken on giants like British Airways and won, and monsters like Coca-Cola and lost. Now Branson gives an inside look at his strikingly different swashbuckling style of leadership.
-
-
Inspiration, and nuggets of wisdom for anyone
- By John R. on 05-08-15
By: Richard Branson
-
Rejection Proof
- How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection
- By: Jia Jiang
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jia Jiang came to the United States with the dream of being the next Bill Gates. Despite early success in the corporate world, his first attempt to pursue his entrepreneurial dream ended in rejection. Jia was crushed and spiraled into a period of deep self-doubt. But he realized that his fear of rejection was a bigger obstacle than any single rejection would ever be, and he needed to find a way to cope with being told no without letting it destroy him.
-
-
Never Waste A Rejection!
- By Gillian on 05-30-16
By: Jia Jiang
-
Start
- Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters
- By: Jon Acuff
- Narrated by: Jon Acuff
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are only two paths in life: average and awesome. The average path is easy because all you have to do is nothing. The awesome path is more challenging, because things like fear only bother you when you do work that matters. The good news is Start gives listeners practical, actionable insights to be more awesome, more often.
-
-
The overall ratings tell the Truth!
- By Roberts Hunter on 09-05-14
By: Jon Acuff
-
Three Feet from Gold
- Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities
- By: Sharon Lechter, Greg S. Reid
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This remarkable business allegory tells a fascinating story in presenting the key principles of Napoleon Hill's revolutionary best seller Think and Grow Rich. While you follow a struggling young entrepreneur through a life-changing series of encounters with some of today's foremost business leaders and inspirational figures, you'll find encouragement and motivation to believe in yourself, discover your own Personal Success Equation, and to never give up. You are just three feet from gold!
-
-
The best book so far
- By Beverly Smith on 09-16-14
By: Sharon Lechter, and others
Publisher's Summary
#1 Amazon • NY Times Bestseller • Wall Street Journal • USA Today
Launched in 2012 as The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking
Taking listeners on a street-smart journey through life, mentors, and business, Cliff proposes a radical shift in global education and career training. He also provides thought-provoking stories on The 4 Essentials (mindset, strategies, values, purpose) that dispel myths on how we define and create success. Through trials and triumphs, Cliff shares lessons from the edge as a dyslexic student who challenged the status quo in college, dropped out of USC at 19, and went on to launch companies in real estate, finance, education, and technology (all before age 30). Drawing on over 100 famous mentors, from Socrates, Edison, and da Vinci to Oprah, Malala, Branson, and Mycoskie, Cliff empowers each of us to earn a real-world MBA (master's in basic abilities). This is a fun, fast-paced listen for anyone in search of passion, purpose, and results!
About the Author
Cliff Michaels has been a strategic coach, an angel investor, an education activist, and a social entrepreneur for over 25 years. His e-learning programs and live training provide essentials for life, careers, and entrepreneurs (CliffMichaels.com). Cliff was president of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization Los Angeles (known today as EO). He also launched EO's first student mentor programs and philanthropy events. Cliff Michaels & Associates (real estate and investments) has closed $1 billion in transactions since 1992. Cliff was also cofounder of First Use (1999), a pioneering online platform that featured the world's first digital-notary technology. A Southern California native, Cliff's passions include movies, music, yoga, helping kids at risk, and raising the bar for global education.
Giving Back Mission
With each sale, books and courses are donated to students and schools worldwide.
Critic Reviews
What listeners say about The 4 Essentials
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jamie Lebowitz
- 07-18-16
Wow, this is life-changing.
As a recent grad it can be hard finding your way. I've been through many struggles and this book really connects the dots from college to the real world. I feel much more confident to pursue my passion now. I listened it everyday on my way to work and started the day inspired to make a change. I've already recommended it to all my friends and family!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Humberto
- 02-15-14
A Manifesto for True Success!
What did you love best about The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking?
When I picked up this audiobook, I expected a few cutting-edge entrepreneurial secrets, but- WOW! -what I got was SO MUCH MORE! It was a compelling, laugh-out loud, tear-jerking, and transformational journey from "How to be successful in business" to "How to have a better life" and then "How your success can help improve the world". Truly uplifting and inspiring!
Drawing from personal experience and the creme de la creme of success icons, Cliff Michaels ties together innovative entrepreneurial principles, quick but powerful exercises, and a comprehensive overview of what it takes to be successful on all levels. This is a MUST READ for anyone in high school or older. There's so much wisdom and practical help condensed in this masterpiece.Thank you, Cliff!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- b
- 12-19-13
Valuable book, enaging audiobook
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book The 4 Essentials. But what makes the audiobook unique is that Cliff narrates his book himself. While some authors should stick to just writing, Cliff's authentic enthusiasm comes alive during the narration. It's a more-engaging experience because it's as if Cliff is in the room telling his story and sharing his observations of other dynamic leaders and entrepreneurs.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brian
- 02-01-17
Great Listen! Love the Music and Sound Effects
Where does The 4 Essentials rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Cliff's reading of "The 4 Essentials" is hilarious, entertaining, educational and inspiring. More audio books should follow Cliff's lead and make audio less dry, and more fun!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Olivia Cornfield
- 08-20-16
Captivating and Informative
Any additional comments?
After reading this I held a meeting with some of my coworkers and we had a really great discussion about how to improve work flow based off of Cliff's essentials
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eden
- 08-04-16
Learn about success from historic figures
What made the experience of listening to The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking the most enjoyable?
There are so many great mentors in this book! Lincoln, Da Vinci, Oprah, etc... he shares their stories and provides lessons for how to learn from their successes
What about Cliff Michaels’s performance did you like?
Because Cliff reads his own book it feels very relaxed and conversational. I felt like he was talking and sharing his advice directly with me!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Naeha
- 08-03-16
Inspirational and Motivational
Would you listen to The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking again? Why?
As a recent college graduate, this book seems to speak directly to me. Hearing about Cliff from several of my friends who had seen him speak at UCLA, I knew that I had to try out his book. They mentioned how he stressed the importance of how to eliminate non-essentials from my life so i can pursue my passion. I was not disappointed as he did an incredible job of explaining how to be successful and yet lead a happy lifestyle through his own personal stories.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Inna
- 08-02-16
Engaging and Inspirational!
Any additional comments?
As a student this book really hit home! The stories were engaging and gave helpful, practical advise. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to be successful in any field!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lisa Nash
- 07-13-16
Spectacular for Life, Careers & Entrepreneurs
If you could sum up The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking in three words, what would they be?
Essentials for personal & professional growth
What does Cliff Michaels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
It brings a thought out thesis that suggests a game changer in education - we're handing out half-complete degrees and need to teach more real-world essentials!
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Lots of laughing!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- William
- 09-22-14
A very good listen!
What made the experience of listening to The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking the most enjoyable?
The author story line is very real and down to earth. Everyone makes mistakes, fails at doing something, and succeeds at doing what they dream about.
What did you like best about this story?
He uses inspirational quotes, comedy, and he is really goofy at times. It really brings the book alive as your listening to it. I have started laughing and smiling at work while I am listening to this book, people ask, "What are you smiling about?" My response, "I am listening to book that reminded me of a mistake I made in my professional career".
What does Cliff Michaels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Cliff brings a comedy aspect along with a couple of bad jokes of course.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Ian Townley
- 03-07-20
great book
I enjoyed this book, it have some great information and I think I will be using what I've learned in moving forward in life..
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 12-02-16
Great Audio
What did you like most about The 4 Essentials?
Clearly specified what the 4 essentials of entrepreneurial thinking are and how to achieve them in an easy to understand and engaging way.
What did you like best about this story?
I really enjoyed the author's stories of his past experiences and how he came about learning these 4 essentials.